cheeflie hauinge assured confidence in thy superabundaunt mercie doo humblie prostrate my selfe before thy mercie-seate instantlie beseeching thee to graunt mee pardon and remission of my wretched wickednes and greate offences with which I haue so greuouslie offēded thy eternal goodnes wittinglye or ignorauntlie as thou beste knoweste from the beginninge of my lyfe vntill this presente and speciallye with suche a person in such a place these manye times in this manner this suggestion mouinge me this longe continuing without repentaunce and by my euill example geuinge such and such occasion to sinne Here call to minde particulerly in what thou haste offended God VVith whom thou hast sinned VVhom thou haste iniuryed How often and how longe thou haste continued Of all whiche moste mercifull Father it maye please thee to perdon mee moste fillthie sinner and abhominable lyuer and also all other sinners whiche either I haue entised vnto sinne or gyuen exāple of sinning likewise all those whiche haue gyuen mee occasion of sinninge absoluinge and deliuering vs from the grieuous heauye bandes thereof throughe the mercifull merites of the moste bitter Passion of thy onely sonne and our redemer Iesus Christe who suffered moste cruell and vyle deathe to saue sinners For otherwise what shoulde become of mee in that moste dreadfull iudgmente daye when the booke of conscience shal be opened whē it shal be sayed of me beholde the persone and his woorkes at which time all the iniquitie that I haue committed from the first daye of my lyfe both in harte worde and woorke shal be made open to heauen and earth all those my sinnes shal be there presente to accuse mee moreouer the dyuell and conscience redye to beare wittnes therevnto allso thou my wratthfull iudge vppon their iuste accusation thy iustice enforcinge the same redy to gyue the terrible sentence of eternall death againste mee and finallie the horrible pitte of hell continuallie gaping and opening his vnsatiable mowthe desyrous to swallow mee the dredfull consideration wherof would make mee O Lord to despaire if I didde not call to minde the infinitenesse of thy mercie my moste mercifull redeemer For the sinnes of men be they neuer so manie are to be numbred but thy mercie Lorde God is infinite and without numbre and thy mercie great aboue all thy woorkes for thy excedinge great mercie throughe effusion of thy moste precious bloude and voluntarie death hath purchased pardon and forgiuenes for vs before wee were suters for it yea when wee were thyne enemies and gonne farre awaye frō thee howe muche more rather shall wee obtaine it when wee through thy grace now being reconsiled vnto thee with our vnfeined repētante hartes incessantlie doo sue and with bytter teares humblie craue it VVherefore O Lorde of mercie deale not with mee after my desertes but accordinge to thy great mercie remēbre not sweete Iesu thy seuere Iustice against the sinner but be mindfull of thy longe sufferinge goodnes towardes thy creature Remembre not thy wrathe against the offendour but be mindfull of thy mercie towardes the repentant sinner Remembre not my disobedience whiche hath prouoked the but respecte him which in great sorow and heuines of harte for his offēces calleth vpon thee For what is Iesus but a Sauioure Therefore O Iesu for thine owne sake I beseech thee rise vppe to helpe mee and say vnto my soule I am thy sauing health I presume muche of thy goodnes O merclfull Lord being there vnto imboldened forasmuch as thou thy selfe teachest mee to aske to seeke to knocke VVherfore beinge admonished through thy teachinge I aske I seeke and I knocke and thou Lorde whiche commaundest mee to aske graunte me to obteine and thou whiche counsaylest mee to seeke graunte mee to finde And thou which teachest mee to knocke open vnto mee at my knocking 's make mee beinge sicke in soule to be whole restore mee againe beinge as one forlorne and a caste-awaye Raise me vppe beinge deade throughe sinne from death and vouchsafe to gouerne and directe all my senses thoughtes woordes and actes so as they maye be pleasaunt in thy sight that frō henffourthe I maye trulie serue thee lyue to thee and cōmitte my selfe wholy vnto thee and to delight in nothinge but in thee and for thee For I knowe O Lord that forasmuche as thou hast made mee Lowe vnto thee my selfe and because thou haste redemed mee and wast made man for mee I owe vnto thee more then my selfe if I had de it by so muche as thou art more woorthie then I for whome thou being the sonne of God and second person in Trinitie wouchsafest to suffre for my sake most grieuous tormentes and shameful deathe Yet Lo more thē my selfe I haue not to gyue neither yet I can gyue that vnto thee without thee wherefore doe thou receiue mee draw mee through thy grace vnto thee that I maye aswell bee thine by loue and imitation as I am thine by calling and creation VVhich liuest reignest for euer and euer vnto whome be all honour glorie world without ende Amen A prayer for a penitent sinner after his relapse or falling to sinne agayne Antonius Hemert in Speculo perfectionis O Lorde Iesu Christ I vnhappie sinner most vile and vnthankfull Lo now againe I have offended thee by this worde N. or by this sinne N. I haue dishonoured thy maiestie haue reiected thee which aboue all thinges ought to be to me most deare and agreable Thou knowest O Lord how muche I am yet Carnall how litle mortyfied how full of euell concupiscence how I am flootinge in externall pleasures how often enwrapped in vayne fansyes how negligent in spirituall exercises how light in laughing and dissolution how harde difficult in wepinges and cōpunction how euell aduised in speakinge how impatient in kepinge silence how much gyuen to eating and drinckinge how deafe and dull in hearinge godly admonitiōs how attētife to babling how sluggish to heare dyuine seruice how sodaynlie I am troubled and letted to doe good how manye things I purpose wherof I accomplishe none O my Lord my God I am full of Sorowe grief for that I haue sinned also for that I haue too-to litle compunction I desire with all my harte that thou wouldeste wounde my hart with the sorowe of moste perfecte contrition And for asmuch as perdition and offence proceedeth from me and grace and mercy from thee I purpose from this time forwards beinge assisted by they grace from hence foorth to keepe my selfe from all misdeedes and to auoyde all occasions of sinne Amen A moste profitable protestation to be made vvhyles vve are yet in healthe and prosperitie Cornelius Donters in his contemplations vpon the passion O Lord God almighty to whom all thinges are manifeste and knowne O eternall Sapiēce which preserueth all things I poore wretched creature in despite of mine enemy make protestation whyles I am in good health and perfecte memory wherein I stande at this present through
and swete woundes All hayle all haile moste pleasaunte and healthsome woundes of my Lorde All hayle moste bountifull harte of my deare louer wounded for my sake of all goodnesse of all blisse the moste pleasaunt treasure house O My Lord Iesu Christ I moste humblye thanke the for thy venerable woundes Oh Lord drowne me in them hyde me in them write and prynte them deepely in my harte that I may burne al together in thy loue and that I maye take compassion vpon thee from the harte Graunt that all fraile creatures may bee vyle and of small estimacion with me and that thou onely mayest please and bee swete and delectable vnto me Make me lyke vnto thy holy humanitie O derely-beloued derely-beloued derely-beloued O the most derely-beloued of all derely-beloued O my onely beloued O my freshe and flourishinge spouse O my mellifluous and hony-sweete spouse O the swetenesse of my harte the lyfe of my soule sette me on fier burne me make me a newe and transforme me that nothinge beside thee liue in me Oh wounde very depely my harte with the darte of thy loue Then turne thy mynde to the godhead of Christ and quyetly thincke or saye thus O My Lord God o my delectable principle and beginnynge O amiable depth bottomlesse O the clere lighte of my intrailes and bottome of my verye herte O moste sincere delectable goodnesse my very and incomparable goodnesse O my God all thing what desire I besides thee Thou arte my highe full contentacion and only ynough for me Oh when shall I luckely fynde thee when shall I ardently and mooste feruently loue thee when wilt thou rauishe me all together into thee when wilt thou consume me all wholy into thee when wilt thou moste fast and sure knytte me vnto thee Oh remoue awaye mercifully all impedimētes and make me one spirite with thee to the laude and prayse of thy name All hayle glorious shyninge and euerlastinge quiet Trinitye father sonne and holy ghoste one God Oh vouchesafe to feede my soule with thy gostly influence In lyke maner to the blessed mother of God saye thus HAyle MARIE full of grace oure Lorde is with the hayle sweete Virgin the blessed mother of God The very excellēt Quene of heauen Hayle bright shinynge starre Rose verye delectable and pleasaunt The Orient white lyllie of the Trinitye O blessed ladye take pitye vpon me moste poore banished man In lyke maner to such a Sainte of God as thou hast speciall deuotion vnto and to thy holy Angell ALhayle derebeloued of God blessed and holy saincte N. or all haile noble spouse of Christe holy and blessed saincte N. Hayle holy Angell of God my faithfull keper All hayle all ye blessed sainctes of God and all ye blessed spirits Angelical which are fulfylled perpetually with the vehemente streame of all diuine voluptuousnesse heauēly pleasure pray for me now and at the houre of my death O mercifull IESV I beseche the for thy moste venerable Passiō and death graunt vnto the quicke mercy grace and vnto the deade reste and euerlasting light An other briefe exersice to be vsed dayly accordinge to the choyse of the deuoute christian as his opportunitio shall serue O Good IESV be mercyfull vnto me abhominable sinner I haue sinned I haue offended I haue done amisse before the Lord perdon me All my iniquitye my negligences and all my immortifications I put thē all into thy moste derebeloued woundes and I caste them into the bottomlesse depthe of thy mercy merites O would to God I had neuer offended thee would to God I had neuer letted thy grace in me I purpose now by thy helpe to correcte and amende my selfe Oh Lorde put awaye all my sinnes washe me cleane with thy precious bloude Make me whole with thy precious woundes Sanctifie me with thy bitter Passiō and deathe Clense me perfectlye Restore againe vnto me the innocencye whiche thou gauest me in baptisme that I maye trulye please thee I worshyp I laude glorifie thee I prayse geue thankes vnto thee my Lorde IESV CHRISTE for all thy mercies and benefites I thanke thee O sonne of the lyuing God moste highest GOD whiche for thy excedinge greate charitye that thou didste beare towarde me hast vouchesaffed to bee made mā Thou wouldeste for my sake be borne in a stable and an infant bewrapt in clothes to be layd downe in a manger to be fed with the litle milke of the mayden thy mother to suffre nedinesse and pouertye to be sore troubled thyrtie three yeres with manifolde labours and carefull paines Thou wouldest for very inwarde paine and agonie be all in a bloudy sweate to be apprehended and taken shamefully to bee bound vnworthily to bee cōdemned vniustly to bee defyled with spettle to be stricken vvith buffettes blowes to bee clothed scorned as it were a madde man in a white garment in mockage Thou wouldest bee beatē torne moste cruellye with stripes moste cruellye crowned with thornes ouerlodē with a painfull heauye crosse furiously and boysteoufly nailed vnto the crosse with sturdie nailes vnkyndely to haue offred to thee in thy thyrste eysell and gall Thou the noble clother and garnisher of the starres hangest all naked despised wounded and with innumerable sorowes afflicted vpō the crosse for my sake Thou shedst for me thy moste pure and precious bloude thou dyedst for me I embrace in the armes of my soule thy venerable crosse and for the loue honoure of thee I kysse the same Graunte that I may with whole full desire attayne vnto thee and that I maye pause reste in thee most sweetest of all Lo my Lord lo I repute and set my selfe in the lowest place vnder all creatures For I am vnworthie that the earth shoulde beare me I caste my selfe downe putt my selfe vnder the state of all men I sincerely loue all men as well as I can I forsake and leaue all corruptible thinges for thy sake I refuse what soeuer thou arte not I forsake renounce all sensuall pleasure and delite I renounce all vanitie and impuritie I forsake al the sekyng of my selfe and all immortifications I resygne and put me wholy into thy hande pleasure All my whole will ' I chaunge into thyne Thy onely will Lorde thy onely will be done in me and on me thy blessed will be doone in all times and euer lastyngly I offre me redie to suffre with the helpe of thy grace whatsoeuer it shal please thee Oh moste sweete and mercifull IESV mortifie whatsoeuer lyueth naughtillie and sensuallye in me and what soeuer is vicious and inordinate in me what soeuer displeaseth thee in me mortifye in me all propertye Garnyshe and adourne me with thy merytes and vertues Oh prepare Lorde a delectable and a pleasaunt habitacion for thy selfe in me Renewe my spirite my soule my bodie with thy excellente grace Make me like vnto thy holy humanitie Make me one vnto thy hartes desire Ridde
touchinge in thinking in slepinge in working all wayes in which I frayle man and most wretched sinner might sinne my defaulte my most greuous default Therefore I most humblye praye besech thy gentlenes which for my health descendedst from heauen whiche diddest holde vp Dauid that he shoulde not fall into sinne haue mercy on vs O Christe the which diddest forgeue Peter that did forsake thee Thou arte my creator my helper my maker my redemer my gouernour my Father my Lorde my GOD my king Thou arte my hope my truste my gouernour my helpe my strength my defence my redemption my lyse my health my resurrectioÌ„ Thou arte my stedfastnesse my refuge or succour my light and my helpe I moste humblie and hartely desier and praye thee helpe me defende me make me strong coÌ„forte me make me stedfast make me merye geue me lighte visite me reuiue me againe whiche am dead For I am thy makinge and thy worke oh Lorde despise me not I am thy seruaunt thy bondeman although euill although vnworthy and a sinner But what soeuer I am whether I be good or bad I am euer thine Therefore to whome shall I flie except I flie vnto the If thou caste me of who shall or will receiue me If thou despise me and turne thy face from me who shall looke vpon me and recognise and knowledge me although vnworthy coÌ„ming to thee although I be vile and vncleane For if I be vile and vncleane thou canste make me cleane If I be sick thou canst heale me If I be dead and buried thou canst reuiue me For thy mercy is muche more than myne iniquitie Thou canst forgeue me more than I can offend Therfore O Lord doe not consider nor haue respect to the number of my sinnes but accordinge to the greatnes of thy mercy forgeue me haue mercie on me most wretched sinner Saye vnto my soule I am thy healthe which sayedst I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he lyue and be conuerted turne to thee O Lorde bee not angry with me I praye thee moste meeke father for thy greate mercie I most humblie deseech thee that thou bring me to the blysse that neuer shall cease Amen THESE PRAYERS FOLOVVINGE are to be sayed at Masse Confiteor Deo omnipotenti c. Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus c. VVhen the Preist is at Confession O Lord God almightye longe suffering and much mercifull I haue sinned without mesure and still mine iniquities do dayly encrease I haue prouoked thine anger by coÌ„mitting euill wilfully in thy sight as it were determininge naughtinesse and multiplyinge offences I haue sinned O Lord I haue sinned and I acknowledge mine iniquitie But thou O God of thy greate goodnesse hast promised to the penitente remission of their sinnes I therefore now bow the knees of my â—arte beseeching mercy of thee O Lord and willingly detecting and detesting the sinfulnes of my conscience I say with the penitent Publicanne saye this thrise * Be mercifull O God vnto me a sinner * Do not destroy me together with my iniquities nor reserue my punishmeÌ„t to be perpetuall but saue me thy vnworthy seruaunte according to the multitude of thy mercies and I shall prayse thee all the dayes of my lyfe because all the powers of heauen prayse thee and to thee belongeth honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen VVhen the Preist goeth to the Alter after Confession TAke from vs all our iniquities O Lord that we may be worthy to enter into heaueÌ„ say this thrise * Haue mercy* on thy people o Christ whom thou haste redemed with thy preciouse blood Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Christ c. Lord c. Amen VVhen the Priest sayeth Gloria in excelsis Deo GLorie be to God on highe and in earthe peace to men of good will we prayse the o Lorde we worship thee we magntfie the we adore the we glorifie the we thaÌ„ke the for thy great glorye o Lorde God heaueÌ„ly king God the father almightie Lorde Iesu Christe the onely begotteÌ„ sonne and the holy ghost Lord God Lambe of God sonne of the father whiche takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercie vpon vs who takest awaye the sinnes of the worlde heare our prayers who sittest on the right hand of God the father haue mercy vpon vs because thou only arte holy thou onely arte Lorde thou only art moste highest Iesus Christ with the holy ghost in the glorie of God the father Amen ALmightie and euerlasting God I moste humbly beseche thee vouchsafe to looke vpon this congregation mercifuly accept the prayers of thy churche made vnto thee for vs all by the ministerie of this Priest therby for thy mercies sake geue vs remission of all our sinnes integretie of mynde healthe of bodie necessarie susteÌ„tatioÌ„ peace in our daies temperate ayre fruitefullnesse of the earthe vnitie of faithe rootinge out of all heresies destruction of all wicked councels encrease of true religioÌ„ earnest charitie sincere deuotion in prayer patieÌ„ce in troubles Ioye in hope and what soeuer is for our soules health nedefull and moste belonginge to thy glorie through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen At the Epistle O God which hast fully accomplished in perfecte veritie that whiche the lawe dyd foretell and vnder a wounderfull SacrameÌ„t hast left vs the memorie of thy Passion Graunt vs we beseche thee so to worshipp the holy misteries of thy blessed body and bloode that we may alwaye feele the fruite of thy redemption in vs who liuest and raignest with God the father and the holy ghost in perfecte vnitie for euer Amen After the Epistle O Glorious Trinitie o venerable vnitie by the we are created to true eternitie by the are we redemed to true charitie defend saue deliuer protect clense all thy people O God almightie we adore thee O God the father we praise thee O God the soÌ„ne we thanke the o God the holie ghost to whome thre personnes and one God be all honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen O Lord deale not with vs according to our sinnes nether reward vs accordinge to our iniqui-quities Lorde remembre not our former offences but thy mercies spedely preueÌ„t vs because we haue greate neede thereof helpe vs O God our sauiour and for the glorie of thy name deliuer vs O lord and be mercyfull to vs for thy name sake After the Ghospell Credo in Deum Patrem c. GOod Lord graunt that we may all contine we in the true and sincere profession of the holy Catholicke fayth to the ende of our lyues and that we may therin fight a good battell exercisinge our selues in all holinesse and godlinesse to the end that after this lyfe we may receaue of thee O Lord a crowne of righteousnesse which thou haste layed vp for all thine electe Amen At the offertorie O lord holy father who through Iesus Christ thy onely sonne haste taught a newe oblation of a new
to the lustes desirs of the fleshe and to liue to thee onely all oure life So that in the end we raigne eternallie with him where thou with the same thy sonne and the holy ghoste liuest and raignest one true and lyuing God for euer and euer Amen VVhen the Priest sayeth the Pater noster saye vvith him LEtt vs pray Being admonished by holesome preceptes and being taught by diuine institution we dare be bold to say Pater noster qui es in caelis c. Aue Maria gratia plena c. VVhen the Preist kissethe the pax O Lambe of God that takest awaye the sinnes of the world haue mercie vpon vs. O Lambe of God that c. haue mercie vpon vs. O Lambe of God that c. Gyue vs peace and quietnes Deliuer vs we beseech thee O Lord from all our euills paste presente to come and by the intercession of thy blessed and glorious mother the virgin Mary of thy holy Apostles Peter Paule of all thy saincts mercifully graunte vs peace in our dayes that we being aided by the helpe of thy mercye may continually be free from sinne and safe from all parturbation of mynde and bodye Amen VVhen you kisse the Pax. GEeue peace in our dayes O Lorde because their is no other that fighteth for vs but onely thou O Lorde God VVhen the Priest receyueth O Sacred feast wherein Christ is receyued the memorie of his passion is reuiued the minde is replenished with grace and a pledge is geuen vs of the glory to come O Mostmercifull Lord God father of mercye graunte I beseech thee that this vnbloody Sacrifice of the blessed bodye and blood of thy sonne our Lord Iesus Christ which here euery-where throughout thy holie Churche is offred to the great benefit of vs al for a coÌ„tinuall daylie memorie thankes geuing may entreat for vs at thy handes mercie remissioÌ„ of all our sinnes Amen Then blessing your selfe saye THe grace of our Lorde Iesus Christ the vertue of his moste gloriouse Passion the signe of the holye Crosse the integritie of the moste blessed Virgin Marie the blessing of all Saints the prayers of all the Elect of God be betwene me and all my ennemies visible inuisible now and in the howre of my death In nomine patris filii spiritus sancti Amen A prayer after the diuine Sacrifice of the Masse Cornelius Donters in his contemplations of the passion O Moste louinge Lorde and almighty God I beseech thee most humbly vouchsafe to receiue for acceptable the diuine seruice which I haue done this day to thy honour and glorie and to the honour of thy blessed mother and to the honour of all saintes whose feasts we celebrate in remission of our sinnes and for all our frendes and benefactours aswell those that liue as those that be departed most earnestlye requestinge that thou wouldest louinglye receyue these our deuotions in this time of thy diuine seruice and to forgyue me mercifully that which I haue done without deuotion in dedes words and thoughtes Gyue vs thy grace alwayes to walke in thy holy commaundementes and to serue thee loyally to the ende thou maist be honored glorified in vs. Amen A prayer to recommend your selfe to God In Eucholo Ecclesiast O Lorde I recommend into the hands of thy inestimable mercy my soule my body my senses my wordes and my thoughtes my counsayle my workes and all the necessities of my body and soule my entring and goinge foorth my fayth and my conuersation the course and end of my lyfe the day and houre of my departinge my death the reste and resurrection of my soule with thy saints and thine elected Amen A prayer to be sayed before a Catholicke Sermon or exhortation O Lorde Iesus Christ open the eyes and eares of my harte to the ende I may heare and vnderstand thy holy worde and to obey it according to thy holy will I am a pylgrime vpon earth keepe not hidden thy coÌ„maundements from me Open myne eyes that I may vnderstand the maruelouse things of thy lawe Gyue me wisdome to lighten my vnderstanding to purifie my hart to inflame my affection that I may loue thee and knowe thee in all and aboue all thinges Amen The ende of the second Chapter THE THIRDE CHAPTER CONTEYNINGE HOLsome prayers for remission of sinnes An humble bevvaylinge of sinnes for a sinner that hath compunction Ioan. Fab. in precat Christian O Most heauenly kinge and moste mercyfull Lorde and Sauioure Christ Iesu here do I come to thee beinge verye fainte with the infirmitie of sinne and far from the perfection which thou requirest to be in me My conscieÌ„ce doth dayely accuse me and more and more I finde the imperfection and fraveltie of my flesh I do continually offende thy Maiestie All the imaginations of my harte all my words and deedes whatsoeuer I do or leaue vndone whether I eate drincke sleepe or watche all my thoughtes all my senses are wholye bent to wickednes whether shall I turne me O Lorde Thou requirest of me integritie of life and iustice and that I shoulde walke in thy holie commaundementes wherto thou promisest mee thy gratious helpe But O Lorde I feele my owne will so peruerse ouer-thwart that I can not hartelie wishe and desire those thinges whiche be requisite to my saluatioÌ„ I haue no will to bewayle my sinnes ne yet repente my wickednes from the bottome of my harte I am so caried awaye with the vanitie of this life that I doo quite forgette the benefites of thy death and Passion whiche thou of thy bountiouse liberalitie bestowed vpon me moste vyle and abhominable wretche My offences bee so manie in number and so grieuous O most gracious God wherwith I offend thy Diuine maiestie that were not thy most mercifull pitie I had bene longe agoo drowned in the depe dongeon of euerlastinge tormente VVherfore I most humblie thaÌ„ke thy vnspeakeable goodnes mercie that I am not alredie sounkeÌ„ into the botomles pitte of hell But what shall I doo shall I despayer shall I saye with cursed Cain the murtherer of his brother my offences are greater theÌ„ can be forgyuen me No God forbyd that I shoulde haue anye suche thoughte no but this will I say my God is mercifull and full of pitie he is my comforte my strengthe consolatioÌ„ my refuge defence he will not despyse the worke of his owne hâ—â—d nâ—â— will caste from afore him me poore wretched sinner wherfore moste mercifull Sauiour I come to the openinge in thy sight the thoughtes of my harte for thou neuer fayleste me with thy graciouse helpe I coÌ„fesse most mercifull Lorde before thee my weakenes acknowledginge my owne imperfectioÌ„ and bewaylinge the multitude of my offences O euerlasting and endles swetenes o vnspeakeable mercie and moste louinge Father I haue sundrie times and manies wayes offended against heauen thee so that I am not worthie to be reputed for thy childe
suggestion doo plucke mee away from the and a harte soo stable that no troubles maye ouercome mee so free from all vice that sinne maye chalenge nothinge in me Graunt mee O my Lord God vnderstanding to know thee diligēce to seke thee wisdom to finde thee conuersatiō to please thee faithfullie to perseuere looking after thee finallie thorough hope to imbrace thee in respect of thy most grieuouse paines suffered vpon the Crosse for mee that I maye willingly suffre penaunce and all tribulation for thee Also through thy grace to enioye the graciouse benefittes here in this transitorye lyfe and in the world to come to be partaker of thy rewarde heuenlye ioyes throughe the precious bloude of that immaculat lambe our onelye Sauiour Iesus Christ to whome with the father and the holy ghost three personnes and one God be al honour and glorie worlde without end Amen A prayer to God that he vvill vouchsafe to preserue the fruites of the earth Ioan Ferus in lib. prec O Omnipotent euerlasting and mercifull God we beseeche thee consider our daylye needes shewe vs thy mercy and gyue vs a sufficiente harueste for our dayly necessities graunt that corne trees and other fruites of the earth may by thy holy benediction growe encrease and multyplye Turne backe and with-drawe from the fruites of the earth all that may be dammageable as tempestes ouerflowing of waters coldnesse hayle and other lyke thinges which are anye waye hurtfull Through our Lorde Iesus Christ thy sonne the euerlasting lyfe Amen A prayer to desire that vve may vse all temporall thinges for the health of our soules onely Thomas de Camp in lib. de Imit Christ I Beseeche thee moste inercyfull God vouchsafe to preserue me from excessiue cares of this lyfe that I be not to much encombred with many thinges concerning the necessitie of my body and that I be not ouertaken with any voluptuousnes of these thinges O my God my ineffable sweetenes chaunge and turne into bitternesse all my carnall consolations which withdraw me from the loue of celestiall thinges Suffer me not my God to be conquered not to be ouercome of fleshe and of blood Suffer me not to be deceyued of the worlde and of the transitorie glory thereof nor that the deuill through his subtiltie ouerthrow me to the grounde Gyue me strengthe to resist pacience to endure and cōstancie to perseuer for meate drincke clothes and all necessayrie things to vpholde the bodie are painfull troublesome for that person that hathe a deuout spirite Therefore graunt me Lorde to vse these thinges moderatly and that my harte be not to much encombred with the desyre of them The holy law forbiddeth vs to require superfluous thinges and suche as are more delectable than profitable for otherwyse the fleshe should be ouer burdenouse to the spirit And alwayes I request that thy holy hande may gouuerne instruct me that I doe nothinge excessyuelie Amen The ende of the fifth Chapter THE SIXTE CHAPTER CONTEYNINGE HOLESOME prayers of the lyfe and passion of our Sauiour and redeemer Iesus Christ A prayer to be sayed before the Crucyfix Cuthbertus Tunstall in lib. bell prec O Mercyfull crucifix the redeemer of all people whose heade was filthely lacerat torne with a croune of thorne whose hands feete extended vpō a crosse were through-bored with nayles whose whole feble bodye was hanged on highe and twoo theues to his ignomie shame fastened on his righte and lefte hande of the whych the one dispised thee the other knowleged thee to be a kinge whose spirit cōmēded vnto the father was gvuen vppe to redeme vs withall And being deade thy side thorwe-pearced gushed poured outewater and bloude VVhat toung can worthely expresse what minde can cōceyue those innumerable paynes the which thou an innocente haste suffered VVee beseeche thee for these so exceding great tormentes to illuminate our soules with the lyghte of thy knowledg to moderat our vnderstāding to strengthen our handes too good workes to conuerte our feetesteppes and goinges to thy wayes to directe our thoughtes wordes and deedes and laste of all to bringe vs wretches vnto thy kingedome where that wee with thy holye Angells maye haue thy fruition the which doest liue and raigne God with God the father the holy ghoste through all worldes So be it A prayer acknovvledginge that man vvas the cause of Christs suffering Io. Fab. ex 7. Medit. B Augustin VVHat hast thou done sweet chylde that thou shouldest haue this iudgement VVhat haste thou done that thou shouldest be thus streitly delte-with what is thy offēce what is thy gilte what cause of thy death what occasion of thy condemnation I truly I am cause of thy trouble my fault hath made thee to be slaine my defert hathe brought thee vnto this deathe vēgeance is taken of thee for my haynouse gilte thou art thus tormēted for me and I the occasion of all thy smart O maruelous sorte of iudgement order of the vnspekeable diuine misterie The wicked sinneth and the iuste is punished The gilty offendeth and the innocente is beaten The sinner transgresseth and the godly is condemned That whiche the bad hath deserued the good suffreth for that wherin the seruaunt hath done euill the maister maketh recompence for that the man hath committed the sonne of God is plagued how farfurthe thou sonne of God how farfurth hathe thine humilytie descended what hathe feruente loue enforced the to doo Howfarfurthe is thy mercye extended how doth thy bountie encrease how far furth hath thy loue reached Vnto what passe is thy compassion come For I haue done wickedlie and thou art punished I haue committed a greuous faulte and it is layed to thy charge I am the offender and thou arte put to the torture I was pufte vp in pryde and thou imbaced and made of no reputation I was disobedient thou sufferest the paine of my disobedience I haue pampered my selfe with delicat fare thou therfore redie to perishe thorow hunger My affectiō through concupiscence had made mee to doo thinges vnlawfull and perfect charitie in thee hath brought thee to suffer vpon the crosse I presumed to doo that I was forbidden and thou submittest thy selfe to receyue rebukes and punishemēts therefore I delight in all banquettinge and pleasure and thou art put vnto miserable paynes vppon the Crosse I lyue at ease and thy hādes and feete are persed with nayles I tast the plesaunt aple and thou the bytter gaule Eua laugheth and reioyseth with mee blessed Marye lamenteth soroweth with thee Beholde O Kinge of glorie Loo what myne iniquitye is and howe abundant thie mercie is Loo what myne vngodlines is and how meruailouse thy rightuousnes is O my King and my God with what maye I possible recompence thee for the greate goodnes shewed towardes me Mannes harte is not able to thinke what maye be worthelye gyuen in recompence for so great benefites For is ther any such fines of witte in man
present death I beseech thee O Lorde to succour and helpe me and iudge me not accordinge to my workes for I haue not bene obediente to thy commaundements but thou which louest repentance haue mercy vpon me which before thy face make confession of all my sinnes and as Dauid prayed O Lord for the loue of thy holy name wype awaye my sinnes so I beseech thy diuine Maiestie to blotte out all my offences Make me to abyde in thy holy Catholike Church with an vndefiled faith a pure hart firme deuotiō continuall loue and to perseuer in good workes deliuer me from the eternall fyre euerlasting payne from all torment which thou haste prepared for the wicked graunte this for our good and blessed Sauiours sake by whom to thee al laud honour power and glorye be for euer and euer Amen A prayer to God the Sonne called O bone Iesu O Bountifull Iesu O swete Iesu O Iesu the sonne of the pure Virgin Marie full of mercy and trueth O swete Iesu after thy great mercy haue pitie on me O bening Iesu I praye thee by the same precious bloude which for vs miserable finners thou wast contente to shed on the aulter of the crosse that thou wouldest vouchsafe to auoid clene all my wickednes and not to despise me hūbly asking pardō calling vpō thy most holy name Iesus This name Iesus is the name of health what is Iesus but a Sauiour O good Iesus that hast created me with thy precious bloude redemed me suffer me not to be dāned whom of nought thou hast created O good Iesu let not my wickednes destroye that which thy almightie goodnes hath made and formed in me O good Iesu reknowlege that which is thine in me wipe cleane away that which is not thine in me O good Iesu while time of mercy is haue mercy on me and cōfound me not in time of thy terrible iudgment O good Iesu if I wretched sinner for my moste grieuous offēces haue by thy verye iustice deserued eternall paine yet I appeale from thy verye righteousnes and stedfastlye trust in thine ineffable mercy so as a mylde father mercyfull Lorde oughte take pitie on me O good Iesu what profit is in my bloud since I muste discende into eternall corruption they that be dead shal not magnifie thee nor lykewyse all they that descende to hell O moste mercyfull Iesu haue mercy on me O most sweete Iesu deliuer me O moste meke Iesu be vnto me comfortable O Iesu accepte me a wretched sinner into the number of them that shal be saued O Iesu the health of all them that truste in thee haue mercy vpō me O Iesu the sweete forgyuenes of all my sinnes O Iesu the sonne of the pure Virgin Marie endue me with thy grace wisdome charitie chastitie and humilitie yea in all myne aduersities with stedfast pacience so that I maye perfectlye loue thee and in thee to be glorified and haue myne onely delight in thee worlde without ende Amen A prayer to the holy ghoste Io. Fab. cap. 9. mechta COme O holy spirite the moste sweete comforter of the sorrowfull and desolate the loue of the diuine puissance the holy communication of the almightie and omnipotent father and of his most blessed sonne descende with thy mightie power into the entralls of my harte lighten and bewtifie the darke closetts of my desolate harte with thy cleare brightnes and that which with continuall filth of my vnfruitfull lyfe is dryed vppe vifit thou and make fruitfull with the aboundant dewe of thy grace Touche and wounde my harte with the darte of thy loue inflame my dull and slouthfull harte lighten the inner partes of my soule withe the heate of thy holye fyre make me to drincke of the riuer of thy sweetnes that hereafter I may feele no taste in any worldly delyte which is venimous O holye spirite O excellente workman whomsoeuer thou doest inhabite thou buildest a lodginge for the father and the sonne come therfore O moste sweete comforter of my sorowfull soule defende me in all tribulation come O purifier of our sinnes and saluer of our deadly sores come O strength and fortitude of the weake and guide of the humble come meeke father of the fatherlesse and sweete Iudge of the widowes Come O soueraigne hope of the poore and comforter of the weake come O bright starre of faylers and sure porte of the shipp wracte come O singuler bewtie and ornament of the liuing and onelye saluation of the deade come moste holy spirite come and haue mercy vpon me make fitt and accomodate me to thee condescend benignely to me accordinge to the multitude of thy mercy that my littlenes may be agreeable to thy greatnes and my imbecillitye and weakenes to thy diuyne puissance through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen The ende of the tenth Chapter THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER CONTAYNINGE CHRIstian Catholicke prayers to Saintos citizens of the glorie of heauen A prayer vnto the holy virgin Mary Cuth Tunstall in lib. prec Luke 1. ALl hayle vndesiled Virgin Marye mother of the sonne of God elected and chosen aboue all other Virgins the whiche euen from the wombe of thy mother Anna a woman moste holy hast bene of the holy Ghost so fanctified illuminated and so greatly defended with the grace of God almightie that vnto the conception of oure Lord Iesus Christ thy sonne and whilest thou didest conceyue hym and vnto the tyme of his birthe whylest thou didest beare him and continuallye after his byrth thou continuedst and remaynedst a Virgin of all other that be borne moste chast most vncorrupte and of bodie and soule all thy lyfe moste immaculate and vnspotted For truely thou haste far passed all other Virgins how many soeuer haue bene hetherto syns the beginninge of the worlde or euer shal be to the later ende therof in a sincere conscience of an impolluted minde By these thy most excellent gyftes of heauenly grace infused into thee by God very singulerly O Virgin and mother Marie aboue all other women and Virgins wee praye thee which art vnto vs miferable mortal men a mercyfull patronesse that thou wilt voutchesafe to make intercession to God the Father omnipotente and to his sonne Iesus Christ begotē certenly as cōcerning his Diuinitie of the Father before all worlds borne of thee cōcerning his humanity to the holy Ghost proceding from the father and the sonne that our sinnes may be forgeuen vs and that wee throughe thy intercession maye meryte continuallye to reioyce with thee O holye Virgin and to prayse thee in the kindome of heauen without ende Amen A prayer to our Ladye the blessed virgin Mary and S. Iohn Euangelist S. Edmundus Arch. Cantuarienfis author scribitur O intemerata O Vndefiled for euer blessed singular and incōparable Virgin Marie mother of God his most pleasaunt Tēple the noble Shryne of the holy Ghost the Entree and Gate of the kyngdome of heauen by whome next after God all the
crucified for me I goe into my bedde let him blesse me †gouerne me and defende me and bringe me into lyfe euerlastinge Amen A prayer to be sayed as thou seitleste thy selfe to sleepe L. Viues in precibus general O Iesu Christ our safegarde receaue me into thy protection and graunt that when my body is a sleepe my soule may watch to thee and that it may ioyfullye and gladlye beholde that blessed moste ioyfull and heauenly lyfe where thou art gouernour together with the Father and the holy Ghost and where the Angels with the blessed soules are citizens for euer and euer Amen An exhortation to watche taken out of holy Scripture The day of our Lorde shall come as a theefe in the night Thes 1. v. 5. VVatche ye therefore because ye knovve not the day nor the houre Math. 25. v. 13. And that vvhich I say to you I say to all vvatche Marc. 13. v. 37. The ende of the first Chapter Moste holesome meditations vvhich vve ought day and night to haue before our eyes and alvvayes to haue in remembraunce VVe onght continually to remēber these three things that is to saye Tyme Paste That vve haue vnprofitably spent That good vvhich vve haue left vndonne That euill vvhich vve haue committed Tyme Present Of the shortnes of mans lyfe Of the difficultie to be saued Of the small number that shall be saued Tyme To come Of death moste miserable Of the last Indgement most horrible Of the paynes of hell intollerable THE SECONDE CHAPTER CONTEYNINGE GOODly deuout prayers to be sayed before at after the holy Sacrifice of the Masse A prayer vvhen thou doest enter into the churche Ex hortulo animae OH take from me moste mercifull Lorde all mine iniquityes to the ende I may with a pure and contrite harte enter into the holy of holyes O Sauiour of the worlde which lyuest and reignest with the father and the holy ghost A prayer to styrre vp the minde to deuotion before Masse Io. Fab. ex Aug. 33. medit ALmightye and moste mercifull Father vnto thee all the heauenly companie of the celestiall citie all the blessed orders of saued spirites doe incessantly with due reuerēce sing continuall glory and euerlasting prayse Thee O Lord all saintes and soules of holy men doe laude and magnifie with moste worthie and condigne honour as to whome all prayse honour and glorie is most iustly due Nor there is any creature be he neuer so worthy that can sufficiently accordinge to thy worthynes geue vnto thee worthye and sufficiente prayse For thou arte that vnspeakeable vncomprehensible and euerlastinge goodnes Thou good Lorde hast made me thou haste through the merites of the bitter passion of thy moste blessed Sonne which he vouchesafed to suffer for man-kind restored me to the state of saluation To thee onely is due all laude and honour if anye good thinge be found in me Oh good Lord I miserable wretche a creature of thy makinge a poore woorme of the earth haue good will to laude and magnifie thee with all my minde whole intent but without thy speciall grace I finde my selfe fainte and wonderfull weake wherfore I come to thee my God my lyfe my strength my hope and onelye comforte to craue thy mercie and grace to geue mee power to praise thee Graunte of thy vnspeakeable mercy that I may worthelie prayse honour thee and that what I doe therin may be pleasing acceptable to thee Graunt me the light of thy grace that my mouth maye speake my harte studie thy glorie my tounge may be occupied only in the song of laude praise But because all praise in a sinners mouthe is vyle and I must of force confesse my selfe manifoldelie to haue offēded with my lippes clēse thou o good Lorde my harte from all filthe and sinne Sanctifie me moste mightie Sauioure bothe inwardlie and outwardlie and make mee worthy to magnifie thee receyue of thy infinite goodnes the sacrifice of my lippes and make it acceptable in thy sighte lett the sauour therof be plesaunte well smelling vnto thee Let thy holie swetenes possesse wholie my mind and feade my soule with the fulnes of inuisible thinges lett my soule good Lorde bee quite cutte from visible things all whollie geuen to the studie of inuisible thinges cleane seperat from earthlie things and wholie addicted to heauenlie meditations make my soule see the wonderfull sight of thy Maiestie O almightie God enspire thou my harte that I maye continuallie geue thankes vnto the and honour thee for euer Graunt mee the grace that in my pilgrimage and vale of miserie I may so praise thee that through thy mercie grace I may bee associat to their holie fellowshippe whiche see the euerlastinglie singe prayse to thee worlde without ende Amen A deuoute prayer necessary to be sayed euery Sunday Cornel. Donters in his contemplations of the Passion MY most louing God and Lord and my creatour I miserable sinner doe presente my selfe this day before thine eyes beseeching thee humblye that through thine infinite bountye thou wouldeste vouchsafe to geue me grace that I may keepe holy this Sunday according to thy commaundement and the precept of our mother the holy Church geuing me true contrition of all my sinnes that I haue committed against thy diuine Maiestie and against my neighbour by thoughts wordes and deedes and by omission of good workes which I ought to haue done And I most humblie beseech thee most sweete Iesus that thou wouldest not consider the multitude of my sinnes but remember thine infinit mercy and vouchsafe to graunte me grace to spende this weeke folowing without mortall sinne and for the honour of thy death and passion to geue to al sinners knowledge and grace to do penaunce in this worlde and generally to haue mercy of al those that our mother the holy Churche desireth this day to pray for that with her we all may be partakers of thy sorowfull passion Amen A prayer to be vsed before confession or before Masse if time serue OH maker of heauen and earth king of kinges and Lorde of Lords which of nothing diddest make to thine image and lykenes and diddest redeme me with thine owne precious bloude whom I a sinner am not worthye to name neither to call vpon neither with my harte to thinke vpon humbly I desire thee mekely pray thee that gently thou do beholde me thy wicked seruaunte and haue mercy on me which haddest mercye of the woman of Canane and Mary Magdalene which diddest forgeue the Publicane the thefe hanging on the crosse vnto thee I confesse most holy Father my sinnes whiche if I woulde I can not hide frō thee Haue mercy on me O Christ for I wretche haue sore offended thee in pryde in couetousnesse in gluttony in lechery in vaine-glory in hatred in enuy in adultery in thefte in lyinge backebitinge in sporting in dissolute and wanton laughing in Idle wordes in hearinge in tastinge in
testament which the Church receauinge of thy holy Apostles offereth through-out the whole world to thee O God the creator of all things offring vnder a hidden misterie the first fruites of thy creatures and giftes to witt bread and wyne mingled withe water streight-wayes to be consecrated into the flesh and bood of thy welbeloued sonne that by the same oblation he may represente him whoe is the lyuely bread descendinge from heauen geuing lyfe to all the worlde who by the bloode and water which flowed from his side did washe vs from our sinnes vouchsafe almighty God mercifully to accept this oblatiō which thy Catholicke Church offreth to thee by the Prieste for all thy people whom thou haste purchased with the pretiouse bloode of thy deare-beloued sonne our lord Iesus Christ Amen VVhan the Priest turninge desireth the people to pray for him OVr Lord send thee helpe from heauen and protect thee Our Lord be mindfull of this thy sacrifice and receiue it at thy handes to the laud and glorie of his name to the healthe and comfort of our soules the soules of all faithfull liuing and dead Amen O Lorde whiche Iustyfiest the wicked and gyuest life to the dead quicken and raise me o Lord gyue me compunction of hart and teares to my eyes that I maye euer bewayle the wickednesse of my hart with humilytie Let my prayer come before thy presece O Lord Yf thou be angrie with me o god what helper shall I seeke or who shall haue mercie vpō mine iniquities remēber O Lorde that thou didst call the woman of Cananea the Publicane to repētance didst receiue Peter after his teares Receiue also my praiers O God my Sauiour who liuest raignest for euer Amen VVhen the Priest saith Sursum corda O God father moste highe lyfte vp our hartes and minds I beseche the from the cogitations of earthly cares to the meditation of heauēly loyes that we may thinke and speake of thee onely and maye in all our lyfe expresse thee and after may enioy thee for euer Amen Then say vvith the Priest IT is meete and iust righte and necessarie that we alwayes and in all places geue thee thankes O holy Lord Father almighty euerlastinge God through Iesus Christ our Lorde by whome the Angells praise thy Maiestie the dominatiōs adore the the powers tremble the vertues of heauen and the heauens and the blessed Seraphin with mutual gladnesse gyue praise vnto the with whome we beseche the that thou wilt commande our prayers to be receiued sayeing with humble confession Holie Holie Holie Lord God of Sabaothe The heauens earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to God on the highest blessed is he that commeth in the name of our Lorde O sanna in the highest Amen At the holy Canon O Moste high Priest and true Bishoppe Iesus Christ who hast offred thy selfe to God thy father vpon the alter of the Crosse a pure and immaculate Hoste for vs wretched sinners who hast left vnto vs thy flesh and bloode in a Sacrament which is made by thy diuine omnipotencie hast ordeyned this Sacrament whiche thou commaundest to be offred in remembrance of our saluatiō by the same thy almightie power I beseche thee that thou wilt graunte me poore sinner worthely to remember thy blessed Passion and to resigne and consecrate my selfe all that I haue wholly to thee who art my Lorde and redemer to be present at this heauenly sacrifice with feare reuerēce with puretie of hart plenty of teares with spirituall gladnesse and heauenly Ioye lett my minde taste the swetenesse of thy blessed presence and perceiue the troupes of thy saints and Angells which are about the. Amen SPeake with me o blessed Virgin Mary that my prayers may take effect before thy sonne our Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christ Entreate for me O ye Apostles make intercession for me O ye Martirs praye for me all ye Confessors and all the holye companie of heauen the prayers of such O Lord thou despisest not Inspire thē therefore to praye for me O Lord which liuest and raignest one God for euer and euer Amen Here meditate vvith your selfe till the Eleuation ANd thinke your selfe vnworthie to be present amonge so many thow sande of Angelles and saincts as are there although inuisiblie to vs tending vpō him with all reuerence whom we through our sinnes caused to die a moste bitter deathe whome through our euell lyfe we from time to time as much as in vs lyeth do crucifie Thinke how great his loue is to vs which by this dayly oblation woulde preserue vs in that estate whervnto he once brought vs. These benefittes others as time will suffer considered lett vs examine our selues our behauiour to so gracious a Lord and say with the Publicane O God be mercifull to me a sinner O Moste mercifull Lorde Iesus Christ in the remembrance of thy most blessed incarnatiō death Passion wounds sorrows greeues sighes teares and drops of thy most precious bloode and in remembrance of thy moste infinite loue to mankinde and in the vnion of this oblation and of that sacrifice by the whiche thou did offer thy selfe on the Altar of the Crosse I doe offer my selfe to thy laud and glorie humblie besechinge the to gyue to the lyuinge grace to the deceassed peace and rest and to vs all mercie and life euerlasting And I commende vnto the O Lord my soule and body all that is within me moste humblie beseching thee to haue mercy vpon me and vpon all those whome I am bounde in respect of nature or frendshippe to praye for as N. and N. c. At the Eleuation of the Host I Adore thee worshipp the O Christ with all praise benediction For by thy bitter deathe Passion thou haste redemed my soule from endlesse afflictiō Haue mercie vpon me deare Iesus and graunte that thy deathe be neuer found frustrate in me I most humblie beseche thee Amen At the Eleuation of the Chalice AL hayle moste precious and blessed blood flowinge out of the side of my Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christ washinge awaye the spottes both of the olde and new offence clense sanctifie and keepe my soule I beseche thee to euerlastinge life VVE thanke the O Lord God mercifull father that thou did vouchesafe to send thine onelye begotten sonne Iesus Christ into this wretched worlde to die for vs all the most shamefull death of the Crosse to the end that he myght offer him selfe to thee through the holy ghoste a moste pure cleane holy and acceptable sacrifice for our sinnes and might so purge oure wicked conscience from all spottes of vncleanenesse By this thy exceding great loue to vs and by these moste cruell tormentes of thy sonne our Sauiour we moste humblie beseche the that thou wilt preserue in vs cōtinuallie those most noble fruites of his redemption and make vs also daylie to die with him to the worlde and to be crucified
For I haue abused thy fatherlie clemencie mercifull pitie to mine vtter vndoing Accepte me o Lorde for one of thy hyred seruauntes and feede mee with the comfortable bread of thy heauenlie grace that I beinge refreshed therwith maye humblie serue the in thy house in cleanes of lyfe and puritie of conscience all the dayes of my life O sweete Sauiour Christ I humblie beseche the for thy bitter Passion blessed mothers sake by that Marie Magdalene whiche soo feruentlie loued thee whose sinnes all thoughe they were manie yet thou forgauest them and madest her pertaker of thy heauenlie glorie receyue mee vnder the wynges of thy mercie take compassion vpon mee Take from me the fonde loue of this transitorie world quenshe in me all fillthie lustes of the fleshe and enkindle in my soule a burninge desire of thy gloriouse blesse Graunte mee almightie God true repentaunce for my sinnes graunt me thy grace to lameÌ„te in mee my wante of sorowe for my offences make my harte pure nette that my soule beinge cleane maye vtterlie abhorre and hate sinne Graunte mee reconciliation to thee throughe the comfortable Sacramente of penaunce to bee receiued into the blessed coÌ„panie of thy chosen Gyue mee an earneste desire to amende my life that I beinge holden vp withe thy grace may continue in holines of lyfe to the ende of the same and lastelie may attaine to thy heauenlie tabernakle where I maye praise and honoure thee world without ende Amen A prayer of penitent sinner acknovvleginge his vilenesse in the sight of God Imit Christ lib. 3. ca. 9. SHall I Lorde Iesu dare speake to the that am but dust ashes verelye yf I thinke my selfe any better then ashes and duste thou stâ—ndest against mee and aâ—so mine owne sinnes beare witnes againste mee that I may not with saye it but yf I despyse my selfe and set my selfe at naught and thinke my selfe but dust and ashes as I am then thy grace shal be nyghe vnto mee and the light of true vnderstandinge shall enter into my harte so that all presuÌ„ption pryde in mee shal be drowned in the vale of meeknes throughe perfecte knowledge of my wretchednesse I haue lost thee also my selfe by inordinate loue that I haue had to my selfe and in seking of thee againe I haue found bothe thee and mee and therefore will I more depelye from hencefourthe sett my selfe at naughte more diligently seeke thee than I haue done in time paste for thou Lord Iesu thou doest to me aboue all my merites and aboue all that I can aske or disire But blessed bee thou in all thy workes for though I be vnworthye any good thinge yet thy goodnes neuer ceaseth to do well to me and also to many other which be vnkinde to thee and that are turned righte far from thee Turne vs Lorde threfore to thee againe that we may henceforward be louinge thank full meeke and deuout to thee for thou arte our health our vertue and all our strength in body and in soule and none but thou To thee therefore be ioye and glory euerlastingly in the blisse of heauen Amen A confession of a mans ovvne vngratefulnes tovvardes God vvhereupon the sinner beinge turned vnto pennaunce prescribeth to himselfe a certaine course of lyfe Margarita euangelica ca. 3. li. 4. O God I am the prodigall child which hath sundrie wayes offended thee who being created of thee in the state of innocencye haue notwithstandinge that without all shame most vily gyuen my selfe ouer to all diuelish and lewde conuersation Thou wast crucified and did dest humble thy selfe for me and I haue swelled vppe with pryde Thou haft shewed thy selfe naked and nedy and couetousnes hath ouerwhelmed me Thou suffredst smarte and payne but I lyue in wanton delicatenes Thou wast serued with esyll and gall but I lye in bestely drounkeÌ„nes Thou wast alwayes well occupied in vertuouse exercise but I alwayes idle and neuer well occupied Thou didest pray for thine enemies and I haue bene so far from the prayinge for mine enemies that I care little for my frendes But alas what shall I do shall I fall in despayre No God forbyd Iron that is rustie may be clensed skowred cleane from rust and I will cleanse my selfe from the ruste of conscience with contrition coÌ„fession satisfaction And as I haue through pryde lyfte vp my selfe so will I plucke downe my harte by humilitie become a mockingestocke and skorne to the worlde And because I will auoyde couetousenes I will quite abandone all desire of worldlie and transitorie thinges against the wantoÌ„ones of the fleshe I will hamper my fleshe with continuall sobbing and sighing for my sinnes By the burning compassion of thy brotherlie loue and feruent charitie and the denyinge of thine owne will for thy bitter Passion haue mercie vpon mee Amen An humble confession of sinnes vvith desire of mercy and grace O Lorde creator of heauen and earth king of kinges and Lord ouer all dominion power which haste made mee of naught euen vnto thine owne likenesse by memorie vnderstandinge and will wherby I may knowe worshippe and loue thee hast also redemed mee with thy most precious bloud whome I detestable wretche and wicked creature am not worthye once to name muche lesse to call vpon thee the rather for that I do acknowllege confesse my selfe I haue bene am an horrible greuouse sinner haue so haynouslie transgreffed in the sight of thy Diuine maiestie that I aÌ„ not worthy to be called thy soÌ„ne no not so much as to haue the name of thy meanest or simplest seruant nether yet that the earthe should beare my footesteppes but rather for my wickednes to open her mouth to deuoure and swallowe me vppe to be eternallye tormented in the bottomlesse pyt of hell How muche lesse then maye I presume to offer vppe vnto thee anye sacrifice of prayse or thankes geuing For if thou hast not spared the naturall braunshes creatures of so great excelleÌ„cie that is to say Lucifer his wicked fauourers but for the offences of one rebelliouse proude thought and that scarse of so longe continuance as the minute of an howre thou haste throwen them downe from the high habitatioÌ„ of heauen euerlasting ioye felicitie vnto whiche they were created into the vale of euerlastinge darcknes there to be eternallie tormented in the flames of vnquenshable fire Alas what shall I then moste wretched sinner saye or what iuste excuse may I alledge whiche haue not offended in one sinne onely but in many and that in heapinge sinne vpon sinne from daye to â—â—y without anye repentaunce But yet most merciful father because thou arte the father of mercie and that it is thy propertie alwayes to take mercie despisest not the sighing of suche as are vnfeynedlie cotrite in harte and willeste not the death of a sinner but rather that he maye be turned againe vnto thee lyue therfore I
that is able to make it selfe equalle with the mercie and compassion of God Or can man imagine whiche waye to doo such dewtifull seruice as might iustlye requite his readie succoure prouident care continuallie hadde for man There is trewlie sweet Soone of God there is thorough this thy meruailouse dispensacion wherin manes frayltie maye in some thing do that which maye be acceptable vnto the that is to saye if thorough compunction of harte stirred vp by thy visitacion he doo crucifie his fleash with her concupiscences and vices whiche thoroughe thy grace being brought to passe then beginneth he to be a sufferer with thee for whose offences thou vouchsauedst a vile deathe to dye So by the victorie of the inwarde man throughe thee beinge his eaptaine he shal be armed vnto the outwarde victorie that after conqueste made of the spirituall enemie he shall not feare for thee likewise to dye and for thy sake to offer his bodye to be hewed in peeces by the matteriall sworde Thus the smalnes and simplicitye of mans condition and state yf it maye so please thy godlines shal be able accordinge to his litle power in some parte to be aunswerable to the greatnes of the creators goodnes This sweet Iesu is the heauenlie medicine and a preseruatiue of thy loue I beseeche thee therefore for thy noble mercies sake powre that into my festred woundes that may clense me from the corruption of the Serpentes venemouse poyson restore mee againe to my former healthe that tastinge the pleasaunte liquour of thy sweetnes it maye cause me to sett at naughte all the wanton intisements pleasaunt allurements of the worlde and for the loue of thee not to feare anye aduersities threatnede by it and that hauinge in remembrance the perpetuall blessednes I make none accōpt of the raginge stormes of this transitorie tyme. Let nothinge like me lett nothinge be preciouse in my sight but that whiche is pleasinge vnto thee Also I praye thee let all thinges besides thee seeme fylthie vnto mee and of no reputacion cause me likewise to abhorre all thinges whiche is offensiue vnto thee and my desire neuer to be satisfied in seking to do those things whiche are pleasing vnto thee Let no ioye delight mee that is without thee and lett mee reioyce in all troubles I suffer for thee Lett the remembraunce of thee bee my solace and thy blessed name my consolation let my teares be nourishment vnto mee both daye and night in seking after thy righteousnes Lett the lawe of thy mouth be more preciouse vnto mee then thousandes of golde or siluer lett it be delectable vnto mee to obey thee and detestable to committ ought against thy diuine pleasure I humblie beseeche thee my onely hope for all thy mercyes sake thou wilt be mercyfull vnto mee and pardonne all mine iniquitie From the bottome of my harte I desire thee to open mine eares to heare that thou commandest and suffre not my harte to decline frō thee nor through woordes of wickednes to seke excuses for my sinne Finallie I beseeche thee for thy meruailouse humilitie let no pride raigne in mee nor the power of the sinner feare mee But that I may all waye kepe my selfe vndefiled for thee which lyuest and raignest for euer and euer Amen A prayer vvherein man doth offer to God the Father the passion of his sonne our Lorde and sauiour Christ B. August cap. 6. Medit. BEholde O holye Father thy derely beloued sonne so cruelly tormented for me beholde moste mercifull king who it is that suffreth and remember for whom he suffereth Is it not O Lorde thy moste innocent sonne whom thou haste gyuen to death that he might redeeme thy feruaunt is it not the Authour of lyfe who being ledde as a sheepe to the slaughter and made obediente vnto thee euen vnto death spared not the moste cruell kynde of death Call to minde O distributor and gyuer of al goodnes that this is he whom although thou haste begotten of thy diuine powre and vertue yet notwithstanding hast made him partaker of my infirmitie and weaknes verely this is thy deytie which being clothed with my nature ascended the gybbet of the crosse vpon the which he suffered moste dolorous death O Lorde caste the eyes of thy Maiestie vpon the worke of thy ineffable bountie beholde thy most sweete sonne with his whole body stretched out beholde his innocent hands besprinkled with moste precyous blood and mercyfully pardon those faults which with my handes I haue committed looke vppon his naked side pearced with a speare and renewe me with that sacred fountayne which I beleeue did issue from thence Consider his vndefiled footesteps which neuer stood in the way of sinners but alwayes walked in thy lawe howe with sharpe and longe nayles they are fastened to the crosse guyde my stepps in thy path and make me hate the wayes of iniquitye and chuse euermore the way of trueth O Kinge of Angels and saints I beseech thee for this holy of holyes for this my redeemer to make me runne in the waye of thy commaundementes that I may be vnited and ioyned to him whoe hath not disdayned to be cladde with my fleshe O blessed Father wilte thou not behold the head of thy dere sonne with his necke as whyte as snowe resolued to dye beholde moste meeke creator the humanitye of thy beloued sonne and haue mercy vpon the frayltie of thy frayle creature his whyte breast is naked his blody side is read his stretched bowels dryed vppe his fayre and bewtiful eyes waxt dimme his roiall and princely visage is pale his marble-white leggs hange downe the streames of his precious blood doe water his feete quyte perced thorowe Beholde O glorious Father the rente and torne members of thy welbeloued sonne and benignely remember what my substance is beholde the paine of God and man and release the myseryes of man thy creature beholde the punishment of the redeemer and forgyue the offence of the redeemed this is he O my Lorde whom thou haste smytten for the sinnes of the people although he was thy beloued in whom thou waste well pleased this was that innocēt in whom their was foūd no guyle yet was he reputed amongst the wicked A deuoute prayer vvith the remembraunce of the passion of our sauiour Iesus Christ to obtayne succour and fauour of him Io. Fab. in preca Christ O Moste sweete Lorde and my redeemer whiche was by the heauenly Father sente downe into this worlde and haste willingly of thine owne accord suffered moste cruel bitter paines vpon the crosse and haste carried the same Crosse vpon thy blessed shoulders to the ende that this thy patience mighte be vnto vs saluation and a myrrour and finally thou diddest consente vpon that tree to dye and redeeme vs. I moste poore miserable and wretched sinner most humbly beseech thee for the incredible pacience which thou didst show in the course of thy whole lyfe and then especiallye when the vngracious
Iewes did so rage against thee with villanous spitefull words when they did mocke thee and all bespytte thy vysage when they did hoode-winke thine eyes and with their most filthy and impure hands did smyte thee vpon the most blessed face when they did moste cruelly whippe and scourge thee faste bounde to a piller when they did thruste vpon thy most sacred head a pricking crowne of thorne when with yron nayles they did pearce thy blessed armes stretched alonge vpon the crosse when thy blessed syde was thruste throughe with a speare when in thy great thirst and extreame agony they offered thee a sponge full of vinager and gall whē with thy head inclined downe thou sayed It is consummate when thou diddest commend thy spirite into the handes of God the Father and all this ended for the redemption and saluation of mankinde in thy graue thou was buried For all these paynes and passions O most meeke Lorde Iesus Christ I poore and wretched sinner doe humbly beseech thy infinite maiestie not to forsake nor suffer me to be accused and condemned in thy terrible iudgement but let thy dolorous passion so helpe and ayde me that I may be brought to euerlastinge felicitye let thy holy Angells alway be in my company and specially at the houre of death that they may protect defend keepe me so that the cruell infernall enimy may haue no powre or parte in me The ende of the sixt Chapter THE SEVENTH CHAPTER CONTAYNINGE DEuoute and holesome prayers to be sayed before and after the receyuinge of the B. Sacrament Aduertismentes for more vvorthelye receyuinge the holye Euchariste 1. Cor. cap. 11. Verse 26. FOr as often as you shall eate this breade and drincke the chalice you shall shevve the death of our Lorde vntyll he come Verse 27. Therefore vvhoe soeuer shall eate this breade and drincke the chalice of our Lorde vnvvorthily he shall be giltye of the body and bloode of our Lorde Verse 28. But lett a man proue him selfe and so let him eate of that breade and drincke of the chalice Verse 29. For he that eatethe and drinckethe vnvvorthyly eateth and drincketh iudgemente to him selfe not descerninge the body of our Lorde This probation according to the wordes of the Apostle Lett a man proue him selfe consisteth principally in fower poyntes 1. Fayth before all thinges is necessarye to him that shall receyue the blessed Sacrament of the Aultar that is to say he must firste beleeue the presence of the true body and blood of our sauiour Iesus Christe in the Sacramente of the Aultar for they that denye it doe asmuch as thy can to denye the omnipotencye of God and doe accuse God with lyinge for he hath sayed This is my body and this is my blood Also you must of necessitie beleeue that the body of Iesus christ is deliuered to death and his blood truely shedd for the remission of your sinnes 2. Penaunce or repentaunce to the ende you may acknowledge your sinnes with all your harte and haue true repentaunce for the same and truely to confesse thē to the priest your ghostly father And after you haue obtayned absolution you must firmely purpose not to commit any deadly sinne hereafter and hauinge forsaken all rancour and malice you muste be reconciled to them whom you haue offended or that haue offended you 3 Honest and decente behauiour and countenaunce apparteyning to a christian man whereby is required that none goe to this moste blessed Sacramente and greate misterie but fasting and with modestie humilitie and feruente zeale not with any dishonest or vncomely behauiour 4. Deuotion and a harte not occupied in other busines or affaires that so you may imploy your selfe wholly by meditations and deuout prayers to receyue such an excellente sacramente in considering and wonderinge at the incomprehensible humilitie of almightie God I meane hereby that he being a Lord of so greate and infinite maiestye hath bene obediente vnto his heauenly father euen vnto death to gyue vs lyfe And with all that by such deuout meditations and prayers you maye be stirred and prouoked to loue almighty god aboue al things and to gyue him most harty thanks for his so great benifites desiringe him moste humbly that the merits of his most bitter passion and death maye be applied to the comforte and profit of your soule A prayer to be sayde before the receyuinge of the Blessed Sacrament I Adore and worshippe thee and gyue thākes vnto thee my most louing Lorde Iesu Christe for thy innumerable benefites and giftes gyuen vnto me moste vnwhorthy All those I yeeld and offer vnto thee into an euerlastinge laude and prayse I gyue vnto thee thankes for all the goodnes that euer thou diddest shew or euer wilt shew vnto any reasonable creature I gyue thee thāks for al the mercies of thy moste swete goodnes I gyue thee thankes for thy holy Incarnation Natiuitie Infancie Childhod Manstate labours sorowfull cares Passion Death Resurrection thine Ascension I moste humbly thanke thee that thou haste vouchsafed to admitte me most vile sinner to the noble and liuelie feaste of this thy holy table O gracious Iesu I beseche thee for that loue that in maner constreigned thee to be incarnated to suffre and to die for me that thou wilt make me fully cleane from all sinne and make me to please thee in all thing Adorne and garnish my beggarlye and poore soule with thy mercies vertues Graunte mercifull Iesu that I may with moste humble reuerēce with burninge desire and chaste affection receiue the moste venerable Sacrament of thy blessed Bodie in memorie of all those things that thou haste vouchsafed to doe to speake and to suffre for my saluation Graunt good Lorde that I maye performe this thinge moste purely to the euerlasting glorie of thy name to the honour of thy moste sweet Mother and Virgin Marie and to the honour of thy blessed Saint N. Here name the Sainte of that daye to the honour of all thy blessed Saintes and Angells of heauen to the soule health of me and N. and to the soules health of all Christen people quicke and dead Haue mercy good Lord haue mercy vppon thy Churche haue mercy good Lord vpon this place and this compagnie Graunte that here be alwaye humilitye peace charitye chastitye and cleanesse Graunt that we all maye worthily amende and correct our selues and that we feare thee and serue thee faithfullye and that we maye loue thee and please thee I commend vnto thy mercy all our busines and all our necessities be mercifull vnto all those for whome thou haste shed thy precious blood Graunte vnto the quicke forgyuenesse and grace graunt vnto the faithfull departed rest and light euerlastinge Another Prayer before the receyuinge of the holy Sacrament By Sir Thomas Moore O Benigne Iesu that wouldest suffer so many greuous paines yea death it selfe for the loue of mankind greate and meruailous is thy charitie O good God for that thy charitie and that
me O euerlasting lighte and shine in my hart that I may reioyse in thee come vnto me O my lyfe moste noble and most sweete that through thee I maye lyue in thee and with thee in thy kindome for euer heare me O Lorde God to the glory of thy name and the felicity and blisse of my soule Amen A prayer to be sayd after the receiuing of the Blessed Sacrament By Sir Thomas Moore I Adore and worshippe thee and gyue my humble and heartie thankes vnto thee moste mercifull Lorde Iesu Christe whiche haste vouchsafed to admit me moste vile sinner vnto the noble and liuely feast of thy moste holy table Alas poore wretch that I am For I haue receyued this moste venerable Sacrament to-to vnworthily Lorde haue mercy on me Lord forgyue me I commēd that which I haue done vnto thy Diuine hart there to be amended to be made perfect Receyue I beseeche thee Lorde these moste holy mysteries of thy blessed Body whiche I haue receyued to the euerlasting glorie of thy holy name to the honour of thy most swete Mother the Virgin Marie to the honour of thy blessed Saint N. Here name the Sainte of that daye to the honour of all thy blessed holy Saints and Angels of heauen for my soule healthe and for the soule health of all Christen people quicke and dead Receyue good Lorde this moste excellent Sacrament in full amendment purgatiō and satisfaction for all my sinnes negligences and for the sinnes of all the worlde Restore by it and make vp againe all my ghostly ruines and decayes and supplie my needy pouertie Mortifie by it in me what soeuer doth displease thee and make me one accordinge to thy heartes desire By it make my spirite my soule and my body conformable to the spirite soule and body of thy holy Humanitie and lighten me altogyther with the light of thy Diuinitie Graunt by it that I may be stablished in thee that I perfytly with perseuerance loue thee that I may be incorporate vnto thee most nerely vnited vnto thee and that I maye be chaunged all whole into thee to the laude of thy blessed name Amen COnuert Lorde miserable sinners call againe heretikes and schismatikes Lighten the infidels that knowe not thee helpe all that be in anye necessitye and trouble helpe all them that haue commended them selues or desired to be cōmended vnto my prayers Haue mercy vpon my parentes benefactours Haue mercy vpon all thē for whome I am bound to praye that thou wouldest be intreated for Haue mercy on this place and companie Graunte that here bee alwaye humilitie peace charitie chastie and puritie Graunt that we all may worthily amend and correct our selues that we may feare the and serue thee faithfully that we may loue thee and please thee I commend vnto thy mercy all our businesses and all our necessities Lorde be mercifull vnto all people for whome thou hast shedde thy precious bloude Graunt vnto the quicke forgyuenes and grace vnto the faithfull departed reast and lyfe euerlasting Amen Another Prayer after receyuing of the Sacrament By Sir Thomas Moore THankes be vnto thee O holy Father God almightie that thou diddest vouchesafe of thy greatpitie to sende thy only Sōne from thy high Throne into this vale of wo miserie here to take our nature and shape in the same to suffer moste sharp paines bitter death to bring our soules to thy kingdome and to leaue that precious Body here to be our strēgth and comfort I thanke thee moste mercifull Lorde Iesu with all the mighte and strength that thou hast gyuen me I offer to thee thankes that thou this daye haste fed me with thine owne precious Body by whiche I hope to haue healthe of soule and euerlasting lyfe with ioye when I depart hence O holy Ghost come good Lorde and enflame my hart with thy brenninge beames of loue and make me with vertuous swetenes continually to yolde acceptable thankes to the holy and glorious Trinitie O ye three Persons one God glorie laude and honor with all reuerence be offered to you of all creatures without ende Amen The ende of the seuenth Chapter THE EIGHT CHAPTER CONTEYNING LAVDES PRAIses and thankes-gyuing for the benefites that God hathe bestowed vpon vs. A psalme in vvhich a sinner yeldeth thankes to God that his enemyes haue not preuayled agaynste him nor gotten the vpper-hand of him I VVill magnifie praise thee O Lord God for thou haste exalted me and sette me vp mine ennemies haue not gotten the ouer hand of me O Lorde of hoastes I haue cried vnto thee and thou haste saued me Thou haste broughte my soule out of hell thou haste holden me vp from fallynge into thee deepe lake from whence no man retourneth Thou haste not closed me vp in the handes of myne ennemies but thou haste sette my feete in a place both wyde and broade I haue sought thee and thou hast hearde me thou haste brought me into libertie oute of great distresse Thou haste turned my sorowe into gladnes thou haste ceased my mourning compassed me round aboute with myrth Thou haste declared thy great magnificence in helpinge thy seruaunt Thou haste done meruaylouslie with me in my miseries Thou haste regarded the paine of the poore thou haste turned awaye thy face from me I will be synging and speakyng of thy mercyes and I will publishe to other thy fidelitie and truthe so long as I shall lyue My mouthe shall neuer cease to speake of thy rytghteousnes of thy benefites which be so manye that I can not number them But I will gyue thee thankes tyll death take me awaye I wyll syng in the prayse of thee so longe as I shall continue I will triumphe and reioyce in thy mercy for thou haste looked vpon my necessityes and regarded my soule in great dystresse Thou haste bene my sure refuge and the strength of my truste and hope I thanke thee Lorde for thy goodnes alwaye and for thy excedinge mercie Thou haste bene my comfort in the time of my trouble thou hast bene mercifull vnto me O Lorde and haste reuenged the wronges that myne enemyes haue done to me Accordinge to the multitude of the heauy thoughtes that I had in my minde thy cōfortes haue cheared and lyghtned my hart Thou hast sente me nowe ioyes for the dayes wherein I was in sorowe and for the yeares in whiche I suffred many a painfull storme Thou haste called to remembraunce the rebuke that thy seruaunt hathe bene put to and howe furiously myne enemies haue persecuted me O Lorde God of hostes who may be compared vnto thee thou arte great greatly to be praysed Thou arte hyghe vpon all the earth thou art exalted farre aboue all goddes Glory and honour before thy face holynes and magnificence in thy sanctuary VVith iustice and iudgement thy royall throne is stablished mercye and truthe go before thy face Blessed arte thou O Lorde which haste not
holden backe thy mercy from thy seruaunt After that I had longe looked for thee O Lorde at the laste thou diddest attende vpon me and heardest my crye Thou haste taken me oute of the lake of miserie and set my fete vpon a rocke made my steppes sure Thou haste gyuen me my desyer I haue seene thy ioyfull countenaunce Thou haste stricken all my aduersaryes and haste abated their strength Thou haste rebuked the rablemente of them that vexed me and haste plucked me forthe of their handes Thou hast cast them headelong into their owne pytte their feete be wrapped in the net whiche they layed priuilye for me Myne enemyes are retyred backe they are fallen downe and destroyed from thy syght Thou haste bene the poore mannes defence and his helper in tribulacion when most neede was Thou haste done iudgemente for me thou hast desēded my cause against my accusers And although thou was verye angrye with me a litle whyle yet nowe I lyue throughe thy mercye and goodnesse Verely I supposed with my selfe that I was cleane caste oute of thy fauour But thou haste harde my prayers and accordinge to thy greate mercye haste taken me agayne into thy fauour O Lord of thyne owne minde and will thou haste gyuen strength vnto my soule but when thou hiddest thy face from me O Lorde howe greatly astonyed was I VVhen I was in aduersitie then I cried vnto thee and thou diddest aunswere me when my soule was in great anguishe and trouble then O Lorde I remembred thee I haue tasted and seene howe sweete thou art truly blessed is the man that trusteth in thee Accordinge to thy name so is thy commendation and praise but thy counsayles touchynge vs be without example and greater then with wordes can be expressed Dominion power and glorie be thyne for thou haste made all thynges and because thy will is so they do styll continue Thy name be blessed praysed and magnifyed bothe nowe and euer and worlde withoure ende Amen A Psalme in vvhiche the goodnesse of God is praysed O Lorde oure gouernoure how wounderfull is thy Maiestye through oute the whole worlde whiche haste set thy glorye aboue all the heauens VVhat is man that thou magnifiest him so greatlye or the sonne of man that thou doest visite him O Lorde thou arte greate and muche to be praysed in thy holye hyll Prayse be vnto thee O Lorde God lett our vowes made to thee be alwayes perfourmed Confession and magnificence are thy worke and thy righteousnesse continueth for euermore Thou haste done many thinges O Lord God both maruailous greate and there is none that can bee lyke vnto thee in thy workes Thy wayes be iuste and true who will not feare and dread thee and magnifie thy name I thanke thee O Lorde God with all my harte and I will sanctifie thy name for euer O Lorde thou art my strength and my prayse Thou haste broughte downe myne enemyes which arte a iudge euen from the begynning Thy righte hande is exceding stronge thy righte hande worketh manye great actes Thyne arme is myghtye and strong and be cause it hath pleased thee thou hast strengthened myne infirmitye I will prayse thy greate and dreadfull name for it is holy Although I haue fallen yet I am not crushed in pieces for thou hast sustayned my hande I haue opened and shewed my waye vnto thee and in thee I haue trusted and thou at length haste accomplished my desires Thou haste broken the heades of myne ennemies and haste made them to stoupe whiche walked proudely in their sinnes Thou haste dominion ouer their power and when they be exalted and set alofte in their wayes thou abatest their courage and destroiest them with thy mighty arme In thy name I wil euer reioice and in thy mercy is all my glory Thou louest righteousnes and iudgement the earth is replenished with thy mercy Thy eye looketh fauourably vpon them that dreade thee and trust in thy mercy There shall no good thing be lackinge to them that seeke thee and they that feare thee shall not be helpelesse For thou directest their wayes and hearest them when they crye vnto thee That thou mayest deliuer their soules from death and swage their paynes when they be grieued For thou helpest them whose hartes be broken with sorowe and bearest vp with thy hand them that be contrite in spirite Thou fauest the soules of thy seruauntes and all they that truste in thee shall not be dystroyed VVherfore my toung shall sing thy prayse O Lord God I will alwayes magnifie thee I will loue thee O Lord which art my strength my stay my might my Sauiour and my refuge My God my defend our and my buckler the strength of my saluation and my supporter After that I had called vpon thee with due laude and prayse thou hast saued me from myne enemies VVhen I was in trouble I called vpō the thou hast hearde my voice oute of thy holy temple my crie hathe entred vp into thine eares Thou haste saued me from mine aduersaries that rose vp agaynst me thou haste deliuered me from wicked enemies Thou haste taken me from the compagnie of euell men and mine eye hath seene vpon mine enemies the thinges that I desired And therfore if it should fortune me to passe through the darke vale of miserie I will goe without feare for thou wilte be with me thy rodde and thy staffe shall comfort me Thou shalt delvuer me from tribulation thou shalt kepe me frō them whiche seeke to destroy me Myne eyes be vpon thee O Lord for thou shalt bring my fete forth of the snare Vnto thee O Lord God I will perfourme my vowes I will gyue thee thankes bothe nowe euermore and world without ende Amen A Psalme of the benefytes of God vvith thankes for the same MY soule prayseth thee O Lord and all that is within me prayseth thy holye name My soule gyueth thee humble thankes and thy benefites I will neuer forget VVhiche forgyuest all my sinnes and healest all mine infirmities VVhiche haste saued my lyse from destruction shewed in me thy grace and mercye VVhich haste satisfyed my desier with good thinges and shalte once restore my youth agayne Thou haste entreated me mercifully at all times and haste reuenged me of myne enemyes Thou haste bene a defence to me O Lorde and a sure foundation of my wealth Thou haste guyded me with thy counsaile taken me to thee through thy mercie Thou haste manye wayes declared in me thy greate myght and power and after thine anger hathe bene paste thou haste turned agayne and comforted me Thou haste sente me many grieuous troubles but at the lengthe thou haste brought me oute of the bottomles depenesse Thou haste made me preuye to thy wayes and haste not hydde thy counsayles from me Thou arte full of mercye and grace O Lorde slowe to wrathe and ready to goodnes Thy displeasure lasteth not alwaye thou kepest not backe thy mercies in thine anger
for euer Thou rewardest vs not accordinge to our sinnes nor punishest vs accordinge to our desertes Loke howe high the heauen is in cōparyson of the earth so greate is thy mercye towardes vs. How farre as the earth is distaunt from the west so farre O Lorde remoue our sinnes from vs. Like as a naturall father hath pity vpon his children euen so O Lorde God thou haste had compassion vpon vs. Thou haste not forgotten thy creature thou remembredst that we are fleshe yea all men liuinge And that the age of men is lyke vnto grasse and may be compared to the floures in the fielde VVhich as soone as the sharpe winde hathe blowen vppon them with his blastes wither away and dye so that no man can tell where they dyd growe But thy mercie O Lorde and louyng kyndenesse is alwayes vpon them that feare thee and thy ryghteousnes endureth for euer So that we kepe our promyse and conuenaunt with thee and so remember thy commaundementes that we doe them in deede O Lorde thou haste stablished thy throne in heauen and thou gouernest all thinges by thine imperyall power I will magnifie thee O Lorde and prayse thy name worlde withoute ende I will gyue thankes alwaye and make thy name glorious fo euer O Lorde thou arte puissant and greate and thy magnyficence is vnsearcheable One generation shall shewe to another thy workes and they shall declare thine auncient noble actes They shall euer prayse the magnificence of the glorie of thy holynes the memorie of thy great goodnes For thou arte good and gracious to all men and thy mercye excedeth all thy workes The eyes of all men beholde wayte vpon thee that thou shouldest gyue them their susten aunce in time conuenient Thou openest thyne hande and fillest euery lyuinge creature with necessary foode O Lorde thou art ryghtfull in al thy wayes holy in thy deedes Thou kepest all them that loue thee and the tourmente of malice shall not touche them My mouthe shall speake thy glorie and prayse and all lyuinge creatures shall honour thy holye name for euer Prayse our Lorde oh ye his Angels mightie in power whiche doe his commaundementes and obeye the voyce of his worde Prayse ye altogyther God O all ye hostes you his ministers that do his will and pleasure Prayse our Lorde as I do and let vs magnifie his name togyther Prayse our Lorde oh all ye his Saintes for his name is glorious and his prayse goeth aboute heauen and earth Prayse our Lorde togyther O all ye his workes euerye thing that liueth prayse our Lorde Amen A thanks-giuinge to God for his innumerable benefits bestovved on man from his infancie B. August can 18. Soliloq I The sonne of thy hand-mayd in these my poore confessions doe confesse to thee my redeemer with all my hart and will call to mynde all the benefites whiche thou haste bestowed vpon me all the time of my lyfe euen from mine infancye for I knowe well O Sauiour that thou art greatlye displeased withe ingratitude for it is the roote of all spirituall euill and a certaine wynd dryenge and burninge all good stopping the fountaine of thy dyuine mercy towardes man But I O Lorde will gyue thee thankes least I be ingratefull to thee my redeemer because thou hast delyuered me howe oft had that dragon swallowed me vppe if thou haddest not taken me from his mouth how oft haue I sinned and he was redy to haue deuoured me but thou my Lorde God haste defended me when I wrought wickedly agaynst thee and did breake thy commaundementes he would haue drawen me to hell if thou haddest not letted him I did offend thee and thou diddest defend me I did not feare thee and thou didest preserue me I departed from thee and offered my selfe to mine enemie but thou diddest affraye him that he durst not take me thou diddest bestowe these great benefites vpon me O my God yet I poore wretch did not know it Thou hast often times deliuered me from the iawes of the diuell thou hast takē me out of the mouth of the lyon and haste brought me many tymes from hell I not knowinge it for I wente downe to the gates of hell but thou haste stayed them that I entred not in I did hasten to the portes of death but thou diddest not suffer them to inclose me in thou haste also often deliuered me from bodyly death O my sauiour VVhen I haue bene sore vexed with sicknes and in greate danger by lande and sea by fier and sword thou haste stoode by me and mercifully deliuered me from all for thou diddest knowe O Lorde if death had then ouertaken me hell had receyued my soule and I had bene damned for euer but thy mercye and grace preuented me and deliuered me from death both of bodye and soule O my Lorde God These and many other benefites thou haste heaped vpon me but I being blind did not perceiue it vntill thou dyddest illumynate me Now therefore O the light of my soule O my Lorde God O my life by whom I lyue O the lighte of mine eyes by the which I see loe thou haste illuminated me and I know thee for by thee I lyue And I gyue thee thankes although insufficient and nothing correspondente to thy benefites yet such as my frayltie is able to afford I offer vnto thee I confesse and acknowledge thy goodnes for thou haste broughte me from the lower hell once twyse thryse yea a hundred and a thousand tymes I was euery day going downe to hell but thou diddest bringe me backe agayne and iustly thou might a thousande tymes haue condemned me if it had bene thy pleasure but thou wouldest not because thou louedst soules and dissemblest the sinnes of men expectinge their repentance O my God my sauiour in all thy wayes their is great mercy now I see and manifestly know through the light of thy grace and my soule doth faynte in the contemplation of thy greate mercy towardes me because thou haste pluckt me from the lower hell and haste brought me backe againe to lyfe It is then by thee wholy that I liue and therfore I wholy offer my whole selfe to thee my whole soule my whole harte my whole body my whole life let it liue vnto thee O my sweet lyfe for thou haste wholy delyuered me that thou mighte wholye possesse me thou hast wholy made me that thou mighte wholy haue me agayne Therefore I will loue thee O Lord which art my strēgth I will loue thee O my ineffable ioy and comforte so that my wholle life shall liue no more but for thee which lyfe was loste in my misery and nowe reuyued agayne in thy mercy for thou art a God mercyfull to thowsands that loue thy holy name Amen A prayse and thankes gyuinge to God for his great benefites Io. Roffe psal 13. lib preca MY soule doth praise thee O my God and all that is within me doth laude thy holy name my soul doth render
thee hūble thankes I will neuer be vnminful of thy benefites for thou doest pardonne all my sinnes hast healed all my infirmities thou haste redeemed my lyfe from death and haste shewed vnto me mercy and grace Thou haste multiplied in me thy magnificēce after thine anger thou haste comforted me thou haste showed me many tribulations and aduersities but in the end thou hast brought me backe againe from the depth of deapnes thou haste made knowen to me thy wayes and from me thou haste not hid thy counsels Thou arte mercyfull and full of grace O Lorde slowe to anger prone and redy to goodnes thou wilt not alwaie be angrie and thou doest not for euer holde backe thy mercie thou rewardest vs not according to our sinnes nether doest thou punishe vs accordinge to our iniquities As the father doth pitie his children so thou haste compassion of vs O God our Lord thou forgettest not thy handy-worke thou remembrest that euery liuinge man is fleshe and that the daies of man are as grasse and as the flowers of the fielde which with a blaste of colde winde vanishe away so as none can fynde the place where they grewe But thy mercy is euerlastinge to those that feare thee and thy iustice remayneth alwayes so that we keepe thy law and fulfill thy commaundementes I will extoll thee my God and prayse thy name for euer and euer I will render thee thankes at all seasons and I will make thy name famous for euer and longer if longer may be for thou arte good to all and thy mercye exceedeth all thy workes The eyes of all thinges looke vppe vnto thee that thou wouldest gyue them meate in due time thou openest thy hand fillest with thy blessinge euery liuinge thing thou preseruest all that loue thee no tormente of malyce shall touche them my mouth shall shew foorth thy prayse and euery liuing thing shall celebrate thy holy name for euer and euer Prayse our Lorde O ye Angels mightye in power which doe his commaundementes and are obediente to the voyce of his worde prayse our Lorde O all ye Armies which doe his will magnifie our Lorde and lett vs extoll his name in it selfe Prayse our Lord all ye his Saints whose onely name is moste highe whose onely prayse doth exceede heauen and earth Prayse our Lord all ye his workes through all his dominion in euerye place euerie thinge that liueth praise our Lorde The ende of the eyghte Chapter THE NYNTH CHAPTER CONTAYNINGE NECESSArie prayers for the prosperitie of our bretheren friends and neyghbours Timoth. 2. Iacob 5. A prayer for the Churche afflicted Franc. Tittel in para Psal 78. O God the gentiles barbarous Nations and Infidelles which haue no fayth in thee nor knowleadge of thy name are entred into thy heritage they haue taken thy people by force of armes and as vanquishers they occupie our cyties they haue defyled with their abhominations thy temple dedicated to thy honor and seruice they haue polluted the vessels consecrated for the seruice of the temple and vsed them prophanely VVe are become a reproch and laughing-stocke to our neighbors in such sorte that they scorne dispise and make a ieste of vs reioysing at our afflictions and in their mirth they vpbrayd vs but thou O Lord vpon whose will we wholy depend how long wilt thou be angry with vs. And wherfore doest thou so deliuer vs into the hāds of our enemies as though thou haddest shaked vs of hereafter would haue no more care ouer vs wherefore doest thou showe the furye of thy wrathe towardes thy people which are the sheepe of thy holy pasture whereof thou art the ruler sheppard defender and protector Be myndfull O Lorde of thy holy Churche and leaue it not in the hands of thy enemyes but delyuer it by thy stronge powre beholde and consider the league and testament made with the elect Remembre thy promise made vnto thē that thou woldest not forsake them that were contrite in hart but woldest saue them that were humble in spirite For in trueth we are kepte vnder afflicted and broughte to nothing we are contemptible abiect and miserable in such sorte that we are a gasing-stocke and ignominie to all nations wherefore O Lorde doest thou not turne thy face to vs thy poore seruantes why doest thou turne thy face from them and suffer thy enemies so cruellye to rage against them why doest thou not beholde the misery and affliction wherin we thy seruantes destitute and desolate of all helpe and hauing no comfort but in thee are afflicted and tormented of our enemies Awake O Lorde God dissemble no longet but come to succour thy people and make hast to helpe thy faythfull seruants and saue vs from the hands of our enemies we humbly beseech thee for thy moste glorious names sake for thine own selfe and for thy infinite mercye that we the posteritie may a little taste the sweetnes of thy promises which our for fathers haue so abundantly felte But we that are thy people and the sheepe of thy pasture which worshippe no other God which seeke no other sheppard gouernour besides thee whiche put our whole trust cōfidence in thee desire to be fedd ruled and gouerned by thee onely we will render thee moste humble thankes and sett foorth thy glorye for euer and euer VVe will declare and shewe thy prayses from generation to generation for thou of thy meere good will haste restored vs to the libertye which we haue requyred we therefore in aduersitie as well as in prosperitie or how so euer it shall please thee to dispose of vs will serue thee with ioye and gladnes we will contine we still in thankes gyuinge attendinge patientlye thy ayde and helpe Amen A prayer for our parentes Io. Ferus in lib. precat O Almightye and omnipotente God which haste strictly commaunded vs next vnto thee to honour our father and mother and to pray for their happy and good successe graunt vnto my parentes and the whole familye health peace keepe them in the piety and trueth of thy fayth defend them from all daungers bodily and ghostly gyue them grace I humblye beseeche thee that they offende not thee in any thinge but that they may alwaye find thee a louing gentle and mercyfull father and God Amen A prayer to be sayed for them that are fallen from the Church Io. Fabius in preca christ OMnipotent benigne and moste mercifull father we moste entierly besech thee that it wil please thee to visitt with thy fatherlye affection all those that are fallen and departed from the pure Catholike and christian Church or doubt in any article thereof and are seduced or deceiued through any false perswasion to illuminate their hartes O Lorde with the beames of thy diuine light staye them and bring them backe to acknowledge their errour that being in such sort conuerted they maye with the whole vniuersall Church confesse with mouth and shewe in workes one true
ye holy Disciples of our Lord praye for him All yee holie Innocentes praye for him Saint Stephen praye for him Saint Laurence praye for him All yee holy Martyrs pray for him Saint Siluester praye for him Saint Augustine praye for him All yee holy Bishoppes and Confessors praye for him Saint Benet praye for him Saint Francis praye for him All ye holy Monkes and Eremites praye for him Saint Mary Magdalen pray for him Saint Lucie praye for him All ye holye virgins and wydowes pray for him All ye holy Saintes of God make intercession for him Haue mercy spare him O Lord. Haue mercy heare him O Lord. Haue mercy and deliuer hym O Lorde From thy anger delyuer hym O Lorde From an euill deathe delyuer him O Lorde From the daunger of deathe deliuer him O Lorde From the paines of hell delyuer him O Lorde From all euil deliuer him O Lord. From the power of the deuill deliuer him O Lorde By thy Natiuitie deliuer him O Lorde By thy Crosse and Passion deliuer him O Lorde By thy death and buriall delyuer him O Lorde By thy glorious resurrection deliuer him O Lorde By thy wounderfull ascension deliuer him O Lorde By the grace of the holy ghost the comforter deliuer him O Lorde In the day of iudgemente deliuer him O Lorde VVe sinners doe beseech thee to heare vs. That thou wouldest spare him we beseeche thee to here vs. Lorde haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercie vpon vs. Lorde haue mercie vpon vs. O thou Christian soule departe thou out of this world in the name of God the father almightie who hath created thee In the name of Christ Iesus the sonne of the liuing God who hath suffered for thee In the name of the holy ghost who was powred into thee In the name of the holy Angelles and Archangelles In the name of the Thrones and dominations In the name of the Powers and Potestates In the name of Cherubin and Seraphin In the name of the Patriarches and Prophetes In the name of the holy Apostelles and Euangelistes In the name of the holie Martyrs Confessours In the name of the holye Monkes and Eremites In the name of the holie Virgins and of all the Saintes of God Lett thy place be this daye in peace and thy habitation in holye Sion through Christ our Lorde Amen A prayer O Mercyfull God O benigne God O God who accordinge to the multitude of thy mercyes doest blott out the sinnes of suche as are penitent and with thy remission and pardon doest cleane purge the blame of offences paste mercifully looke vpon this thy seruant N. and for our prayers graunt him his request who with all his harte confessynge thy name doeth most earnestlye craue for pardon of all his sinnes Renew in him O moste mercyfull father what soeuer is corrupte through the frayeltie of the flesh or that whiche hath bene defyled by the crafte of the deuill and ioyne agayne vnto the vnitie of thy bodie the church the member whiche thou haste redeemed Haue mercye O Lorde vppon his sighes haue mercy vpon his teares and admitte agayne vnto the Sacrament of thy reconciliation hym who hath no hope but in thy mercie through Christ our Lorde Amen Another prayer DEarely beloued brother I cōmende thee vnto almyghtie God and to his protection I commit thee whose creature thou art to the ende thou hauing payed by the meanes of thy death the debte of all man-kinde mayest returne againe vnto thy maker who hath framed thee of a piece of claye Lett therfore the noble compainie of Angels meete thy soule departinge out of thy bodie Lett the whole Senate of the Apostles iudges of the worlde come vnto thee Lett the triumphant armye of the gloriousse Martyrs come against thee Lett the florishing companie of the shining Confessours cōpasse thee aboute Lett the whole quire of the singinge Virgines receyue thee with embracing settle thee faste in the bosome of the Patriarches which is the place of blessed reste and quietnes Let Christ Iesus appeare vnto thee with a milde and chereful countenāce and adiudge thee to bee emonge those who alwayes attend vpon hym Be thou ignorant of all that quaketh in darkenes that crashed in fire and houleth in tormentes Lett the moste cruell fiend Satan with all his souldiars gyue place vnto thee lett him tremble at thy comming thou being accompaigned with the holie Angells and lett him flye into the huge pitte of euerlastinge darkenes Lett God arise and lett his enemyes be dispersed and lett all that hate him flye awaye from his face Lett them vanish awaye as the smoke vadeth as the waxe melteth before the face of the fire so lett all sinners perish from the face of God and lett the iuste make merie and reioyse in the sight of God Therefore lett all the legions of hell be confounded and ashamed and lett not the ministres of Satan be so bolde as to stop thy iourney Christe deliuer thee from all torments who was crucified for thee Christ deliuer thee frō death who hath vouchsafed to dye for thee Christ the sonne of the liuing God place thee in the garden of his paradise whiche alwayes is pleasaunt flourishinge he that is the true shepeherd agnise thee emong his sheepe Lett him absolue thee from all thy sinnes and place thee at his right hande in the inheritaunce of his electe God graunt thou maiest see thy redeemer face to face and that thou maist be alwayes present at hande and with thy blessed eyes beholde the moste manifest trueth God graunt therfore that thou being placed emonge the compagnie of the blessed soules maiest enioye the swetenes of the countenaunce of the diuine maiestie for euer and euer Amen Receyue O Lorde thy seruant into the place of Saluation whiche he muste hope to haue of thy mercie R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruant from all daungers of hell and from all snares that maye entrappe him to paine and from all tribulation R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou haste deliured Enoch and Elias from the cōmon death of the world R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst Noe from drowninge in the generall fludde R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst Abraham out from Vr of the Chaldees R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst Iob from his passions and paines R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst Isaac from beinge offerd in Sacrifice and out from the handes of his father R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst Loth from Sodom and from the flame of fier R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst Moyses out from the handes of Pharao Kynge of the Egyptians R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst Daniel out from the denne of the
Lyons R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst the three Children out from the fiery fournace and from the hands of the cruell vnmercyfull Kyng R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst Susanna frō the crime with which she was falsely charged R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst Dauid from the handes of kinge Saul and Golias R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst S. Peter and Paule out of pryson R. Amen And as thou deliueredst that blessed Virgin and Martyr Tecla from her moste cruell torments so vouchesafe to deliuer the soule of this thy seruant and make him partaker of the euerlastinge ioyes in heauen with thee R. Amen Lett vs praye VVE commend vnto thee O Lord the soule of thy seruant beseeche thee sweete Lord lefu Christ Sauiour of the worlde that thou doe not refuse to place hym in the bosome of thy Patriarches for whom thou descēdedst mercifully into the earth Acknowledg O Lord thy creature created not of any straung gods but of thee alone the true and lyuinge God for there is no other God but thou O Lorde and there is none according to thy woorkes O Lord make his soule reioyse in thy sight and remembre not his olde iniquitie and drunckenesse whiche inordinate concupiscence and raginge lustes dyd rayse in hym Albeit he sinned yet he denied not the father the sonne and the holy Ghost but belyeued stedfastly in them and he had the zeale of God in his harte and adored the God that created all of nought R. Amen Lett vs praye REmembre not we beseech the O Lorde the sinnes and ignoraunces of his wylfull youth but according to thy great mercie bee myndefull of him in the glorye of thy eternall deytie Let the heauens bee opened vnto hym Lett thy Angels reioyse of hym O Lorde receyue thy seruant into thy kyngdome Lett holy Michaell the high messenger of God that hath deserued to bee the chiefe all the holye cōpany of Angels receiue him Let all the holy Angels of God come forth and meete him conducte him into the heauēlie Citie Hierusalē Lett blessed Peter the Apostle who had the keyes of the kyndom of God delyuered vnto hym receyue hym Lett the holy Apostle S. Paule who was woorthy to bee a chosen vessell receyue hym Lett S. Iohn the elect Apostle of God to whome the heauenly secret mysteries were reuealed receyue him Lett all the holy Apostles who receyued of Christ power to loose and bynd praye for hym Lett all holye Saincts who haue sustained tormentes for the name of Christ pray for him that after he is loosed out of the pryson of this mortall flesh he may be founde woorthy to come to the glorie of the heauenly kyngdome by the assistance of our Lord Iesus Christ who with the father and the holy Ghost lyueth and raigneth worlde without ende Amen Into thy handes O Lorde we cōmen his soule O Lorde God of truth thou haste redeemed hym Lett that sweete voyce of thyne O Lorde Iesu sounde in his eares This daye thou shalt bee vvith me in Paradise Amen The ende of the tvvelfth Chapter THE THYRTIENTH CHAPTER CONTAYNING DEVOVT praiers healthfull for the departed soules An exhortation by the vvhich vve are shevved and admonyshed to praye for soules departed in the Catholicque Church Clemens I. Ponti Max. Ca. 47. lib. 8. constit Apostol MY brethren lett vs praye for our brother that resteth in Iesu Christ to the ende that our good God which hath recieued his soule may forgyue him all his sinnes willingly or vnwillingly committed and that he obteining forgyuenes may be receyued into the kingdome of the blessed in the bosome of Abraham Isaac and Iacobe with all those that from the begining haue pleased God and haue done his will from whom all sorow griefe and payne is secluded Commendations of the soule that is lately departed Albertus Castella Sacer. Rom. part 1. O Lorde we commend the soule of thy seruant that being latelye departed this lyfe he may lyue in thee and according to thy mercye pardone him his sinnes which he hath committed throughe humayne frayeltie VVe commende O Lorde the soule of this thy seruante into the handes of the holy and moste gloriouse virgin Mary the mother of mercye and clemency Also into the handes of all the holy Archangels Angels and celestiall courte of heauen into the handes of the holy Patriarches and prophets into the handes of the blessed Apostles Euangelistes and disciples into the handes of the martyrs and confessors into the handes of the virgins widowes and all votaryes who-soeuer And finally we commend the soule of this thy seruaunt into the hands of all such thy blessed saynts and seruaunts as haue pleased thee from the first creatiō of the world that by their intercession and succour he may be deliuered from the prince of darknes and from all dreadfull torments graunt this O God almightye omnipotente and full of mercy through the bitter passion of thy sweet sonne our sauiour Iesu to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honour and glorye for euer and euer Amen A prayer for the faythfull soule departed Precat Ecclesi in Missa O Eternall and almightye God to whom we neuer pray without hope of mercy Haue mercy of the soule of thy seruaunt N. and make him to bee vnyted to that companye of Saintes which is deceased from this life in the confession of thy name through Iesus Christe our Lorde Amen Another prayer Pontifical Rom. part 3. O God by whom all thinges lyueth and through whom our bodies diminisheth not in dyeng but are chaunged into better we moste humblye beseech thee to commaunde the soule of thy seruant to be receyued by the handes of thy holy Angels to bring him vnto the bosome of thy friend the Patriarch Abraham to ryse againe at the laste greate iudgement day pardonning him mercyfully all his sinnes which he hath committed throughe the false deceiptes and suggestion of the deuill through Iesus Christe our Lorde Amen Another prayer Clemens Aposto discip lib. 8. cap. 47. constit Apostol O God of Abraham God of Isaac God of Iacob which art God of the liuinge and not of the deade for as much as all soules of the righteouse lyueth with thee and are in thy handes they shall not be touched with any payne or torment Looke bountifully vpon this thy seruaunt which thou haste receyued into another lyfe pardone him that which he hath committed through the frayeltye of his will Appoynt him thy louing Angels to carye him into the bosomes of Patriarches Prophetes and Apostles and of all those that hath pleased thee from the begining of the worlde where is neither sorowe griefe nor horrour but an assemblye of Saintes whiche are reioysing in the countrye of the happye and iuste seeing the glory of thy Christ through whom be to thee glory honour seruice and adoration
in the holy Ghost eternallye Amen A prayer for the soule of thy father Io. Damase in historia barl Iosa O Lorde God of insearcheable and ineffable bountye bringe my father to the place of rest and refreshing where the light of thy countenaunce dothe gloryouslye shine do not remembre his former offences but accordinge to thy great mercy blotte out cancell the obligations of his sinnes teare and rent them asunder for thou art worthy of all glorye for euer and euer Amen A prayer for the soule of thy mother B. Agustinus ca. vlti li. 9. confessionum O The God of my hart my life and my prayse I humbly desire thee to pardone the sinnes of my mother graciously heare me for his sake which is the medicyne of our woundes whiche did hange vpō the tree now sitting on thy righte hande maketh intercession for vs sinners I know that she hath delt charitably frō her hart hath forgyuen all her debtors release also vnto her all those sinnes what soeuer since her baptisme she hath fallen into Release them O Lorde release them I beseech thee and enter not into iudgemente with her let thy mercy exceede thy iudgement for thy wordes are true and thou haste promised mercy to the mercyfull For my mother when the day of her death approched did request and desire this that we wolde remember her soule at thy holye Aultar where she had serued thee wherby she did know and beleeue that the holy oblation of the body and precious bloode of our sauiour Iesus Christ was made wherby the obligation made against vs was cancelled whereby the enemie was vanquished counting our sinnes searchinge what he might obiecte against vs and finding nothinge in vs by the meanes of Iesus Christ in whom we haue victorye whoe shall render to Iesus Christe his innocent bloode who shall requite the pryce wherwith he hath bought vs that he might pull and draw vs from our enemye To the misterye of the which price thy seruaunt hath vnited and bounde her soule by the bonde of fayth let no man withdrawe her furth of thy protection let not the dragon nor lyon intrude him selfe neither by force nor deceipt neither as yet will thy hand-mayd answere that she is not in debte leste she be conuinced and possessed of that crafty accuser but she will answere that her debtes are released by him whom none cā repay that which he owinge nothinge hath payed for vs let her therefore rest in peace with her husband before whom and after whom she was neuer maried to any other whom she hath serued and broughte foorth fruite to thee with great patience to the ende she mighte gayne him to thee Inspire O my Lord God inspire thy seruauntes my brethren thy childrē my superiours whom with voyce harte penne I doe serue that who soeuer shall reade these they may remember at thy Aultar thy seruant Monica with Patricius her late husband by whose fleshe thou haste broughte me into this worlde by what meanes I knowe not how let them remember with deuoute zeale my parentes in this transitorye lyfe and my brethren vnder thee their Father in the lapp of their Catholicke Mother and my countrye-men in the eternall Ierusalem which thy people in their pilgrymage from their departure vntill their returne desire to attayne vnto that shee may attaine by the prayers of many those thinges which she requyred at my handes when she departed Amen A prayer for the soule of thy parentes O God which haste commanded vs to honour and reuerence our father and mother haue mercy I beseeche the on the soules of my father and mother and of all my other parentes forgyue them their offences and graunt that I may see them in the ioye of thy euerlasting blysse Amen A prayer for thy friend departed O God the gyuer of pardon and louer of mans saluatiō we beseeche thy clemency through the intercession of the glorious Virgin Marie and of all the holy Saints of heauen that thou wilt graunt that the brethē sisters friends departed in the vnitie of the Catholicke Church with all our benefactours maye come to the blysse of thy euerlastinge kyngdome throughe Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen A prayer for the lyuing the deade ALmighty and euerlasting God Lorde of the lyuinge and the dead thou shewest mercye to all those whome by faythe and good worcks thou knowest to be thine we humbly beseech the that those for whome we haue determined to pray whom ether this presēt world yet retayneth in fleshe or the worlde to come hath alredie receyued maye through the clemencye of thy bountye intercession of all thy blessed Saints obtayne full remission of their sinnes Amē A prayer for the departed to be sayd at masse B. Ambr. praecatio 1. praepa VVE humbly beseech thee O holy father for the soules of the faythfull departed this life that the holy Sacrifice of the masse may be to them eternall saluatiō perpetuall health ioy rest euerlasting O my Lorde God lett this wounderfull and excellent mysterye of pyetie and bountie be vnto them this day full perfect ioye graunt that they maye bee replenished with thee the lyuing true bread which descēdest from heauen and gyuest lyfe to the world and with that holy and blessed flesh of thee the immaculate Lambe which takest awaye the sinnes of the world and make them to drinke of that fontaine of thy pyetie whiche by force of the souldiars lance issued from the syde of our Lorde Iesus Christ crucified that so beinge cōforted they may reioyce in thy holy laude and glorie Amen The ende of the thyrtienth Chapter FINIS Aug. in Psal 42. This is the Iustice of man in this life Fasting Almes-deedes Prayer PRAYER IS GOOD WITH FASTING AND ALMES TOB. 12 Ibidem in serm 59. He that wyll haue his prayer to flye to heauen muste make it two wynges Almes-deedes Fasting and it shall spedelye ascende and bee harde A TABLE OF PRAYERS MEDITATIONS EXHORTAtions and aduertismentes contayned in this presente Manuall of prayers The first chapter contayning quotidiane or dayly praiers accomodated and prescribed to certayne houres times both for the day and night A Briefe exhortation to prayer contynuallye extracted and taken out of S. Chrisostome folio 1. A prayer in the morning when ye awake folio 3. VVhen ye doe aryse folio 3. A morning prayer when you are rysen folio 3. A morning prayer whereby to commende thy selfe vnto God folio 3. A prayer to be sayed goinge out of the house folio 4. A prayer desiringe God to order and directe vs. folio 4. A prayer to perseuer in goodnes folio 5. An exercyse to be dayly vsed in meditatinge the passion of our Lorde and Sauiour with an exhortation contayning fiftiene meditationes with a prayer belonginge to them or to euery one of them folio 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Certayne asperations ghostly sighinges and prayers to be daylye vsed folio