occasion of my malice from the very same meanes which thou vsedst to kill sinne I tooke occasioÌ„ to quicken sinne in my selfe So so O Lord I haue peruerted thy counsels from thy mercy pickt out the method and meanes of my malignity Because yâ— wert so good I thought it was lawfull for me to be euill and because thou hadst bestowed so many benefits on mee I supposed it lawfull for mee to doe thee so many offences iniuries so that I conuerted the very medicines themselues which thou institutedst against sin to occasions of sinne and the sword which thou gauest me to defend my selfe with fight against mine enemies the same haue I whet against my selfe to endanger my own life Finally thou to the end that thou mightst rule the liuing the dead wouldst die as the Apostle witnesseth to the end that they which now liue shold not liue to themselues but to thee who daiâ—…edst to die for them and I like some Iesabel tooke the same death as a means wherby I might bereaue my selfe of thy benefits flying from thy seruice making my selfe the bondslaue of thine enemies O what deserued he that did those things If the dogs eate the flesh of that Iesabel for her sin how may mine remain vntouched that haue altogether done the like And if the Apostle so much exaggerateth the malice of mans heart because that from the law he tooke occasion to breake the law how much more greater shall the malice be of grace if any man take occasion thereby to offend grace it selfe O most patient Lord that sufferedst strokes for sinners but more patieÌ„t that sufferedst sinners theÌ„selues but shall that thy patience continue for euer I remember what thou saidst by thy Prophet I held my peace I was alwaies sileÌ„t I was patient I will speake like a womaÌ„ wtâ—…hild I see yâ— earth that yeeldeth no fruit after it hath bin moistned with the raine to bee reprooued and accursed the vine that after it had bene well trim'd and yeelded no grapes but briers by thy commandement cut downe and laid waste Therefore O vnprofitable and vnfruitfull branch why fearest thou not the voice of that husbandman or Uine-heard that taketh away yâ— branches that beare no fruite and casteth them into the fire Euery tree that beareth not fruit saith he my Father will cut downe and cast it in the fire Will he euer feare that feareth not such a iudgement How deafe is he that heareth not such a voice How profoundly sleepeth he that is not wakened with such a thâ—…der This earthly habitation delighted me I tooke pleasure to walke among these thornes The fire of my passions bâ—…ned mee the thornes of my concupiscence pricked mee the distractions of my thoughts â—…d mee the worâ—…e of my conscience bit mee and al these thought I to be liberty and solaâ—…e so many and so great eâ—…is did I caâ—… peaâ—…e O how ignorant rude was I in the knowledge of my selfe and how hard vnâ—…actable to obey serue thee What shal I do my God what shall I do 〈◊〉 coÌ„sesse I am vnworthy to appeare before thy presenâ—… vnworthy to lift vp mine eies to behold thee whither shall I goe whither shall I flye from thy presence Art thou not my Father yea the Father of mercies which neither haue end or measure for although I haue already desisted to be thy sonne yet thou hitherto ceasest not to be my Father and though I haue done many things for which thou mightest worthily condemne mee yet hast thou not lost the meanes wherby thou maist saue me What therefore shal I do but cast my selfe prostrate before thy feet and aske mercy Whom shal I cal vpon who shal helpe me but thou Art not thou my Creator my maker my gouernour my redeemer my king my shepheard my Priest and my sacriâ—… Whither therfore shall I go to whom shall I flie but vnto thee if thou repulse mee who shall releeue me if thou reiect mee who shall rescue mee Acknowledge O Lord this lost sheep behold I come vnto thee altogether wounded thou canst heale me altogether blinde thou canst giue mee sight altogether dead and thou canst reuiue me altogether leprous and thou canst clense me Sprinkle me O Lord with hysope and I shall be cleane wash me I shall be whiter than snow Greater is thy mercie than my iniquitie greater thy clemency than my malice and thou canst remit more than I can sin Repulse me not therefore O Lord repulse me not looke not vpon the multitude of my sins but on thine infinite mercy who liuest reignest world without end Amen An oblation of all the labours and passions of Christ for our sins WHat shal I render vnto thee O Lord for all the benefits thou hast bestowed vpon me with what signification of gratuity shall I recompence so many benefits what shal I giue thee for that thy so great mercy alasse how slenderly doe I requite the merits of so liberall and fauourable a benefactor I was alwaies vngrateful for thy benefits alwaies rebellious against thy commandements I alwaies shut vp my soule against thy inspirations heaping offence vpon offence and adding sinne to sinne I confesse O Lord that I am not worthy to bee called thy sonne although I acknowledge thee to be my Father For thou art truly my Father thou art my hope thou art the fountaine of mercy that repulsest not sinners that flie vnto thee but receiuest them washest them and feedest them Behold therefore my helper see how I the poorest of al thy creatures come vnto thee bringing no other thing with mee but the grieuous burthen of my sinnes I prostrate my selfe before the feete of thy mercy humbly asking pardon Forgiue me I beseech thee O my firme hope saue mee for thy infinite mercy sake O sweete Iesus in remission of my sinnes I offer vnto thee thy immeasurable charitie wherewith thou being God of infinite maiesty wert moued not to refuse for my sake to be incarnate to be made man and to be conuersant in this world thirty three yeares in many tribulations persecutions paines vexations labours 〈◊〉 offer vnto thee that thy deadly affliction yâ— bloody sweate and that agony which afflicted and pierced thy hearâ—… when praying in the garden prâ—…ating thy selfe on the ground thou besoughtest the Father I offer vp vnto thee that aâ—â—â—nt charitie whereby thou desiredst to suffer for vs when as of thine owne accord thou offeredst thy selfe into the hands of thine 〈◊〉 as a wel pleasing sacrifice to thy Father for our sins 〈◊〉 offer vp vnto thee al 〈◊〉 iniuries blasphemies buffetings beatings spittâ—…s al other thoâ—…e tormeÌ„ts which in that miserable night thou sustainedst in the houâ—…e of Annâ—…s 〈◊〉 offer vnto thee O good 〈◊〉 al these things beseeching thine 〈◊〉 goodnes that by the merits therof thoâ—… wâ—…t pardon me all my sins thou wilt as wel remit the penalty as the crime and
healed my wounds by thy Sacraments thou hast satisfied by thy dolors for my defaults now in Heauen thou sittest on the right hand of thy Father as mine aduocate what neede many wordes Thou art made vnto me wisdome and iustice sanctification and redemption and therefore all goodnesse What impudence were it therefore in me not to loue my Lord who did all this for my sake to whom I am bound vnder so many titles benefits If men with the same loue where-with they affect them selues do also loue al those things which are their owne why should I not also loue thee O Lord if I would haue thee to bee mine and that by so many offices and benefits in things so pregnant And if for euery one of these benefits I owe thee my whole heart and not this one onely but more if I had them what shall I owe thee or what am I not indebted vnto thee if we ioyne all these benefits together What iniquitie therefore should it be not to giue one heart wh◅h I haue vnto him to whom I owe so many and other diuerse things And if euery one of these benefits be a goade or prouocation to loue yea and arrowes to pierce the hearts of men how shall I choose blit burne amids so many flames of loue How comes it to passe that I am altogether cold amidst so many weapōs how escape I from wounds How comes it to passe that I perseuer in the hardnesse of my heart as it were without sense O Lord I lament in thy presence the dulnesse insensibility of my heart I confesse the infidelity thereof for thou raining into it innumerable causes of loue yet receiuest nothing from y◠came that deserueth so many fauours O heart more felon than furious beastes more insensible than stones more hard than Adamant that is not mollified by so many strokes I pray thee therefore O thou fairest amongst the children of men grant that I may desire thee loue thee as much as I list as much as I ought Thou art immeasurable and oughtest to be loued beyond measure especially of vs whom thou hast so loued so saued and for whom thou hast done so great and so many things O loue that alwaies burnest art neuer extinct sweet Christ good Iesu charity my God inflame me wholy with thy fire with thy loue with thy sweetnes with thy affection with thy desire with thy charitie with thy pleasure ioy which is holy and good which is chast and cleane that wholy filled with the sweetnes of thy loue wholy kindled with the flame of thy charity I may loue thee my most sweet Lord with my whole heart with all my soule with all my strength with al my intention and let nothing bee in me that doth not loue thee And for that to loue is to wish well to him wee loue and thou O Lord aboundest with so much goodnesse that I cannot wish thee more than thou hast that onely thing I wish that thou be possessed of my heart also and that all that is mine may be thine and for thine infinite glory I giue thee heartie thāks This likewise do I desire that al creatures should serue thee honor thee praise glorifie thee and that the whole earth should be filled with thy praises Let this be alwaies my desire this my meat this my dainties to praise thee alwaies let thy laudes be alwaies in my lips But because praise is not seemely in the mouth of a sinner let the Saints and all the spirits of the celestiall throne praise thee continually for to them praise belongeth O all ye works of that Lord therefore blesse yee the Lord praise yet and magnifie him for euer O yee Angels and Archangls blesse yee the Lord praise yee and magnifie him for euer O yee vertues dominations blesse ye that Lord praise him and magnifie hime for euer O ye prince-domes powers blesse ye the Lord praise him and magnifie him for euer c. Yee blessed thrones in which God sitteth an iudgeth blesse ye the Lord praise him c. O ye Cherubins Seraphins that burne altogether inflamed with the loue of your creator blesse ye the Lord praise him c. O yee Apostles and Euangelists founders of the Christiā Church blesse yee the Lord praise him c. O yee glorious hosts of Martyrs blesse yee the Lord praise him c. O all ye renownced and chaste virgins blesse ye the Lord praise him and magnifie him for euer Blessed is the God of our Fathers blessed bee the name of thy glorie holy and laudable and magnified for euer and euer Amen The first prayer vnto the holy Trinitie expressing the Maiestie thereof LOrd God without beginning immortall incomprehensible incircumscribed incorporall indefinite vnsearchable inuisible immutable euery where present but hidden euery where al but immeasurable who by thy neuer too much praised wisdome hast created this huge world and placed man in the same holy Trinity one God haue mercie vpon me If that Publican in the Gospel durst not lift vp his eies to heauē but standing afar off strooke his breast saying God be merciful vnto me a sinner if that holy penitent was affraid to appeare before the presence of our Lord but standing behinde neare his feete obtained remission of her sins by him teares flowing from her eies if that holy Patriarch Abraham willing to talk with thee o God said shal I speak vnto my Lord whereas I am but dust and ashes If all these were so humble and so reuerent in respect of thee comming before the sight of thy diuine maiestie thy most holy what shall a poore miserable sinner doe such as I am what shall dust and ashes doe what shal the Abysse of all miserie sins do But because o Lord I cannot obtaine that feare reuerence which is due to so great a maiesty except I fixe mine eies immediatly on the same giue mee leaue to dare to lift vp mine eies vnto thee neither let the brightnes of thy glorie bee an impediment to the frailty of my sight Truely I see that thou art that great God that transcendest al the reach of our vnderstanding I know that no vnderstanding created can comprehend thee and although this be thus yet can I not do any thing more profitable than to fire mine eies on thee Therefore O most high omnipotent merciful iust faire strong stable simple perfect incomprehensible secret and yet present withall inuisible and yet seeing all things immutable changing and renewing al things whom altitudes dilate not neither limits restraine nor variety changeth nor corruption wasteth nor affliction fasteneth on nor ioyes moue in his essence from whom neither obliuion detra◅h nor to whom memory addeth any thing to whom neither things that are past are past nor things to come shall succeed to whom nothing gaue beginning nor time augment neither any thing shall giue end for thou
place in all places without diuision In magnitude thou art infinite in vertue omnipotent in goodnesse chiefe in wisedome inestimable in counsels terrible in iudgements iust in thoughts secret in words true in works holy in mercy copious towards sinners patient toward penitents compassionate But what in especiall should I speake of thy wisedome but that which earst the Prophet aid O Lord thou knowest my thoughts afar off thou hast searcht my commings in and goings out and all my waies hast thou foreknowne because there is no speech in my tongue which thou knowest not Behold O Lord thou knowest al things both the first and the last Thou hast made mee and laid the hand vpon me Such knowledge is too wonderfull excellent for me I cānot attaine vnto it Whither shall I goe from thy spirit or whither shal I fly frō thy presence if I climbe vp to heauen thou a◅ there if I goe downe to hell thou art there also if I take the wings of the morning and remaine in the vtmost parts of the sea euen there also shall thy hand leade mee and thy right hand shall hold me If I say the darkenes shall couer me then shall thy right hand bee turned to day yea the darkenes is no darknesse with thee but the night is as cleare as day the darkenesse and light to thee are both alike For his eies saith another are vpon the waies of men hee considereth all their steps there is no darknes nor shadow of death to hide them that work iniquity But what shal I say of the greatnes of thy power I wil say that in times past which the Prophet said saying For God is my king of old the helpe that is done vpon earth hee doth it himselfe Thou diddest deuide the sea through thy power thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters Thou smotest the heads of the dragons and gauest them for meate to thy people in the wildernesse thou broughtest out fountaines and waters out of the hard rockes thou driedst vp many waters The day is thine the night is thine thou hast prepared the light and the sun thou hast set all the borders of the earth thou hast made sommer and winter And in another place the same Prophet saith O Lord God of hoasts who is like vnto thee thy truth most mighty Lord is on euery side Thou rulest the raging of the sea thou stillest the waues therof when they arise thou hast subdued Egypt destroied it thou hast scattered thine enemies abroad with thy mighty arme The heauens are thine and the earth is thine thou hast laid the foundation of the round world and all that therein is Thou hast made the North the South ◅abor and Herm◅ shall reioyce in thy name Thou hast a mighty arme strong is thy hand high is thy right hand Blessed Iob knew this thy power when he said With him is counsel strength wisedome vnderstanding Behold if he breake downe a thing who can set it vp again If he shut a thing who will open it Behold if he withhold the waters they ◅ry vp if he let them goe they destroy the earth with him is strength wisedome both the deceiuer and ◅ee that is deceiued are his hee carrieth away the wise men as it were a spoile and maketh that Iudges fooles hee looseth the rule of Kings guirdeth their loines with a band he leadeth away the great men into captiuity and turneth the mightie vpside downe he stoppeth the mouth of them that speake truth and disappointeth the aged of their vnderstanding hec poureth contempt vpon Princes and maketh the strength of the mightie weake Looke what lieth hid in darkenesse hee declareth it openly and the verie shadow of death bringeth he to light he increaseth the people and destroieth them he maketh them to multiply and diminisheth them These o Lord are testimonies of thy mightines but what shal I say of the riches of thy glory and the veine of thy felicitie If thou hast sinned saith the scripture what hast thou done against him if thy offences be many what hast thou done vnto him if thou bee righteous what giuest thou him or what wil he receiue at thy hands Thy wickednesse may hurt a man as thou art and thy righteousnes may profit the sonne of man But thou O Lord art such and so blessed as thou needest not another mans goods I confesse thee to be such a one for such a one I praise thee and glorifie thy most holy name Infuse thy light into my heart giue me words in my mouth that my heart may alwaies think of thy mightines and let thy praise be in my mouth for euer But for that thy laud is not seemely in y◠mouth of a sinner I therefore require all the Angels of heauen and all the creatures of the world that they together with me may praise thee and may supply my defect inuiting them thereunto with that glorious song which the three children sung in the midst of the fierie furnace in Babylon saying Blessed bee the Lord God of our fathers bee hee praised magnified for euer And blessed be the name of his glorie holy and laudable and magnified for euer and euer Blessed art thou in the throne of thy maiestie to bee praised and magnified for euer Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths and sittest vpon the Cherubins to be praised and magnified for euer Blessed art thou in the firmament of heauen and praised and glorified world without end Amen The third prayer to the holy Trinitie GOD holy of holiest God omnipotent God eternall God that art strong God of spirits and all flesh at whose presence heauen and earth trembleth at whose beck the heauens and elements obey trinitie in vnitie and vnitie in trinitie Father Son holy Ghost thou being of my being life that quickenest me light that illuminatest me science that instructeth me yet aboue all essence light life and science all creatures adore and celebrate thee and I incited by the dutie I owe thee this day do bow the knees of my heart before the footstoole of thy Maiestie I giue thee thanks that thou not onely didst frame me when I was nothing but also didst fashion mee according to thine owne forme that is gauest mee a perfect shape that where I deserued no fauour thou hadst compassion on mee for that thou hast sanctified mee with the sacraments of y◠Church that from my child-hood hitherto thou hast brought me vp in al goodnes But O thou maker of heauen of earth whereas I am not able to serue thee to any vse for whose cause didst thou so much bountie vpon me how commeth it to passe that thou louest mee so much for what haue I giuen thee to induce thee to recompence me yea where was I before I was made that I might shew thee a former curtesie Truly by thy benefit in times past I was made dignified with
that thou wilt prepare thy selfe a dwelling place in my heart to that end that thou adorne the same with all kinds of vertues to the end that thou perpetually maiest dwell in the same Would to God O Lord it might please thy bounty that my heart should bee such that I might not feare to inuite thee but that thou mightest come dwel with me and I might deserue to entertaine thee kindly thou in the same heart mightst rest contentedly for all eternities O that I might embrace thee with so powerfull armes of loue that neither in thought or affection I might euer bee drawne from thee I giue thee thanks most sweete Iesu for that after thou wert conceiued in the glorious wombe of the Uirgine Marie thou wouldst haue her passe the mountaines visite her Cousen Elizabeth to the end shee might salute her minister in her childbirth vnto her Thou didst not disdain to be inclo sed for nine moneths space in the glorious womb of thy mother And therefore I pray thee giue me the grace of true humility and vouchsafe that I may imprint the same in the bowels of my heart that by the benefit thereof thou maiest alwaies finde mee ready in matters which appertaine to thy seruice Grant O Lord that my heart may alwaies loath transitory things and alwaies desire to haue thee O Lord inhabitant therein I giue thee thanks most sweete Iesu that thou wert borne of the pure Uirgine thy mother without staine of her virginity who laid thee presently in a manger as a poore mortall creature and humbly adored thee as God and the creator of al things I beseech thy diuine mercy to vouchsafe to bee continually borne in mee by new heate of charity that thou maist be my onely destre my sole sacietie the firme hope of my heart That it may please thy bounty that I may onely and alwaies seeke thee alwaies think of thee alwaies loue thee with an ardent affection I giue thee alwaies thanks O sweet Iesu that being borne in the extremest horrour of winter thou diddest not refuse to be wrapped in most vile swathing bands and to suck milke from y◠Uirginal breast of thy blessed mother as it were a simple innocent babe to draw the Uirgins teates where indeede thou wert God omnipotent Grāt me o Lord the in thy sight I may be alwaies a very infāt in humility truly poore in spirit Uouchsafe that for thy loue sake I may refuse to endure no tedious or laborous troubles whatsoeuer Grāt that I may loue nothing in this world but thee neither desire to possesse any thing in the same but thee I giue thee thanks most bountifull Iesu for that as soone as thou wert borne it pleased thee to bee praised by the Hymnes of Angels and to be adored by the shepheards with great ioy admiration Giue me the grace O Lord that I may perseuere likewise in thy praise with gladnes and that I may seeke thee in the societie of shepheards and seeking thee finde thee and finding thee possesse thee eternally Bee thou praised and glorified alwaies O good Iesu for that y◠eight day according to the custome of other infants thou wouldest be circumcised for that in thy tender age thou beganst to shed thy blood for my loue and to the end thou mightst blesse mee with vnspeakeable consolation thou wert pleased to be called Iesus I beseech thee O Lord vouchsafe to reckō mee amongst the number of thy elect and to register my name in the booke of life that thou wilt circumcise my heart from al superfluitie that is idle and vndecent speeches and wicked works and roote out in me all impure and vaine cogitations My redeemer thou art called Iesus which is a Sauiour for to thee alone it appertaineth to giue saluation I therefore request thee O Lord that the sweet remembrance of this name may expell from mee all inordinate pustilanimity and sluggishnesse and may giue me the firme hope of thy mercie and defend me from all the persecutions of mine enemies I giue thee thanks most sweete Iesu who wert found by the wisemen who of entire deuotion and with sincere faith sought thee out and that by the meanes of a starre which conducted them who humbling them on their knees before thee offered thee gold frankencence and myrrhe Grant mee O Lord that in the company of these holy kings I may seeke thee not in Brthleem but in the hiue of my heart and that there finding thee I may adore thee in spirit truth Let me offer thee the gold of shining charitie the incense of deuotion and the perfect myrrh of mortification Finally giue me grace that I may imploy with a willing minde and alacrity all my forces and all the strength of my minde in imitating thy fortitude I giue thee thanks O Lord Iesu Christ who that thou mightst giue vs an example of obedience and humility wouldest be subiect to the law of our Lord and bee brought into the temple in the armes of thy holy mother haue an oblation not of a rich but of a poore man offered for thee for which cause iust and old Simeon with Anna the Prophetesse reioycing at thy presence gaue a famous testimonie of thy glory Let it bee pleasing to thy good will O Lord that neuer hereafter the least thought of vanity enter into my hart Ah how blessed shold I be if each kinde of presumption were banished from mee and each desire of worldly fauour together with all my inordinate loue were wholy extinct in me Uouchsafe to impart that grace vnto me that I may flie al worldly praise and subiect my selfe to all men and obey them willingly I giue thee thanks sweet Iesu for that being as yet yong thou beganst to suffer persecution in the company of thy deere mother neither didst disdaine to fly into Egypt Giue me the grace that in all y◠tempests of my persecutions in all my tribulations and temptations I may flie vnto thee seeke thee only call vpon thee and as oft soeuer as any of y◠aforesaid troubles shall bee inflicted on mee by thy hand grant O Lord that I may sustaine them with ioy and suffer them with a quiet heart yeelding thee continuall thankes for all things which it shall please thee to impose vpon me I giue thee also infinit thanks O Lord Iesu for that thy most deere mother sought thee with great griefe when thou remainedst in the Temple and after three daies with great ioy found thee sitting in the midst of the doctors whom thou heardest questionedst with wonderfull wisedome O Lord for thy meere mercie sake grant that I may neuer bee separated from thee nor thou from mee Expell from mee all idlenes and sluggishnesse banish the coldnesse of my minde which displeaseth thee so much giue mee perfect deuotion and ardent thirst of thy iustice which may
for mee doth the Thrush sing for mee doth the Peacoke spread her party-coloured plumes what need more There is nothing that liueth or mooueth in water earth oâ—… ayre which either feedeth me noâ—… or recreateth mee not or medicineth me not so that all this inferiour world is no other thing thaâ—… my store-house my walke and 〈◊〉 Poticaries shop If I shall ascend aboue the elementall world how many how great wonders hast yâ— made there for me The moone the sunne the stars to whom shine they but to me to whose vse doe they impart their influences to those inferiour bodies but to mine To whom do the times of yeares moneths and daies varie and admit measure but for me I wil ascend higher it was thy will that those noble and pure Angelicall spirits who minister vnto thee assist thee should bee my ministers also that they might defend me from the assaults of al mine enemies visible and inuisible induce mee to goodnesse by their suggestion helpe me in my tribulations offer my prayers vnto thee and bring my soule departing out of this life to thy presence Arise now my soule arise number if thou canst all these benefits wherwith God ceasseth not to follow thee though a sinner euerie day All and euery one of these are certaine voyces inuiting thee to prayse this thy bountifull benefactor Doest thou not heare nor know who he is who insinuateth himselfe vnto thee by so many arguments makes himselfe known by so many testimonies draweth thee vnto him by so many rewards esteemed thee so much that hee made all things for thy vse who is made the shepheard of thy flocke the steward of thy houshold the Physition of thy bodie soule wilt thou not loue him wilt thou not serue him wilt thou not giue him thanks wilt thou not prayse him I desire to prayse thee O Lord giue thee thanks with my whole heart but in my selfe I finde no means how I may do it for praise is not seeming in the mouth of a sinner But for that thou hast created all things to my vse seruice I will cal vpon all creatures that they with me may praise the Lord of al things saying O alye works of the Lord blesse yee with mee the Lord praise him and magnifie his name for euer The third thanksgiuing for the benefite of our redemption I Giue thanks with my lips my heart and all the vertue that is in mee to thine infinite mercie O Lord my God for that being created according to thy similitude and likenesse and fallen and lost in my first parents thou wouldst not banish me for euer like the proud angell from thy presence but of thy vnspeakeable goodnesse thou hast redeemed me Because thou madst mee O Lord I owe my selfe vnto thee but for that thou redeemedst mee I should owe thee farre more than my self if I had it But wher as thou couldst not helpe vs by thy life yet was it thy pleasure to effect the same in thy death to the end thou mightest expresse vnto vs the force of thy loue for lesse hadst thou loued except for a time thou hadst sustained to the end thou mightest disburden vs. And so much more worthily art thou to bee honoured by vs by how much more greater things thou hast sustained for our sakes For who art thou that sufferest what of what kinde are the things thou sufferest for whom sufferest thou and why sufferest thou Tell me O Lord that I may counterpoise equallie this wonderfull worke incomparable benefite What therefore O my God shall I say that thou art I will say that which thou thy selfe saidst to Moses in times past Thou art that thou art Thou art an infinite being that proceedest from no man but thy selfe and without thee there is no being that hath being of himselfe but from thee onely who art that beginning and fountaine of al being Thou of thy omnipotent power madst al things of nothing thou of thy goodnesse conseruest all things without any forraine helpe thou by thy will if it so pleased thee maiest reduce al things to nothing thou onely art that art and all that seemeth to be is nothing in comparison of thee The moone shineth not and the starres are not cleane in thy sight All beautie compared to thee is deformitie all power infirmity all wisdome ignorance and all goodnesse is malice Thou art good without defect wise without error liberall without acception of persons iust without wrath cleane without detriment thou workest all things and art not distracted thou labourest and art not wearie thou art euerie where and nothing is wanting in thee What therfore shal I speake of the greatnes of thy maiesty Thou beholdest the earth and makest it tremble thou touchest the mountaines and they smokke thou hast shut the sea within bounds when it brake out as a child from his mothers wombe thou numbrest yâ— multitude of starres and callest them all by their names whom the dominations and Angelical powers adore before whom the highest Seraphins clock their wings hide themselues with their fethers All thy works praise thee and thy Saints blesse thee the morning starres praise thee and all the children of God reioyce in thee the heauens declare thy glory and the firmament sheweth thy brightnesse the flowers of the field testifie thy beauty the earth thy prouidence the Sea and the flouds thereof doe preach thy Maiestie Such and so great art thou O Lord oh now let it be lawfull for mee to speake or rather to feele what and how vnworthy wrongs thou the God of so great maiesty hast suffered for mee and whilst I reckon vp these things let all â—…he Quires of Angels fall downe before thee and giue thee thanks for that which thou hast sustained for our redemption Thou being so sublime and admirable didst descend from the height of thy glory into this vale of miserie inuested with our carnall body and in habite like a man subiect to sinne Thou in this world sustainedst for my sake hunger and thirst yâ— heate of the Sunne and the cold of the Winter persecutions and dolors thou sufferedst for me so much pouertie that where the Foxes haue dennes and the birds of the aire their nests thou the Lord of heauen hadst not a place to rest thy head on borne in a Stable among beasts thou didst beg the heate of their breath from them and wert wrapped in ragged clouts On the eight day thou tookest on thee the marke of a sinner Presently after this the world persecuted thee thou fledst to forraine Lands and to a Nation honouring idols and to that purpose soughtst the silence of the night the innocency of thy â—…s excused thee not neither was there rest giuen to thy tender bodie neither was thy delicate childhood idle as thy body increased thy griefes and labours grew For who can expresse O Lord thy praiers watchings fastings wearines hunger thirst persecutions and
iniuries done thee by thine enemies They spake against thee who sate in the gate and the drunkards made Ballads of thee In a word thy life was tormented in so vnworthy sort as that thou maiest iustly say with the Prophet I am poore in labours from my youth and infancie These were the things thou sustainedst in thy life time but greater are they which thou sufferedst in thy death and on the Crosse There was liberty takē prisoner innocency strooken beauty spit vpon iustice condemned glorie deluded and life slaine and crucified Good Lord what more admirable what more horrible what more strange Life dieth God is whipt the power of God tied with cords the image of the Father spit vpon finally naked God is nailed to a Crosse and hanged betweene two theeues in the sight of the whole world Further may not my soule wade my strēgth is weak ned my heart faileth within mee O height of charity O depth of immasurable humilitie O greatnesse of mercie O incomprehensible bottomlesse pit of bounty If I owe thee so much O Lord for that thou hast redeemed me what shall I owe thee for that after so admirable a manner and so hard and difficult vnto me thou hast redeemed me O most mercifull Pastor O most faithfull shepheard who gauest thy life for thy sheepe whom thou tookest vpon thee to defend and keepe with what duty may I remunerate so great a benefite with what teares may I prosecute my plaints with what life shal I imitate thy pure and immaculate life Truly I owe thee farre more O Lord for thy sufferance wherby I was redeemed than for thy worke by which I was created And if O Lord thou hadst sustained these things for Angels or archangels for cherubins or seraphins it were lesse to be wondred at but now hast thou not suffred for these but for man what is man that thou art mindfull of him or the sonne of man that after this sort thou visitest him If thou consider his bodie man is the most wretched of al liuing creatures if his manners more miserable and worser Dost thou therefore O God die for the sonnes of Satan for y◠corrupters of all honesty iustice for parricides and breakers of thy diuine Lawes for contemners of thy Maiesty and blasphemers of thy glory Dost thou then die O God for thy infernall tormentor whose heart is not allured by benefits nor terrified by threatnings nor mollified by promises nor moued by punishments For a man who is not content with his own power and domesticall malice compasseth the earth also sorteth out all the worse sensualities putteth on the nature of beasts becoming woorse than they crueller than a Tyger fiercer than a Liō greedier thā a Wolfe venomouser than a Toad craftier than a Serpent Which not sufficing him hee descendeth into hell and borroweth whatsoeuer detestable things in the diuels themselues as blasphemy pride enuie and perpetuall hardnesse of heart And when hee findeth no more ◅ee inuenteth of his owne braine ◅ost prodigious monsters of sin ◅ertaine new kindes of ryot lechey and other sorts of vncleannesse ◅hich are neuer heard of a◅ongst very Beasts or the diuels themselues Dost thou thinke O Lord this monster to bee worthy that thou shouldst open thine eies on him Doest thou die for this sinke and caue of Serpents replenished with Uipers and Scorpions to the end to sanctifie y◠same My heart faileth mee in considering thy mercies O God there is no more spirit left in me Because I haue once begunne I will speake vnto thee my King my God though I am dust and ashes What mooued thy mercifull heart What ouercame and conquered the same that thou sufferedst so much for so abhominable a creature didst thou hunt after profite didst thou expect greater glory and blessednesse than thou hadst O meere grace O loue wtout respect O pure and sincere goodnesse What profite hast thou by the seruice of one poore Ant What fruit was there expected to thee by the saluation of man Thou hast no neede of riches Who gaue thee that thou mightst restore againe vnto him all things vnder the heauens are thine What hadst thou therefore to do with our dolours and miseries Through the bowels of the mercy of our God thou didst visit vs rising from on high O pittifull bowels O sweet bowels O bowels vnto vs the Sea of loue and mercy In these bowels and not mooued either with profite or necessity thou tookest compassion on our griefes and hadst mercie vpon vs Thou sawest the affliction of thy people and appearedst in the bush amongst thornes and bryers discending from Heauen and taking on thee our nature Be not angry o Lord if I speak If the force of thy loue were so great thou fountaine of charitie that it compelled thee to a marriage so vnworthy thy maiestie that thou wouldst espouse thy selfe to thy creature was there not a more noble spouse for thee on the earth and more allied to thee by grace and nature Why didst thou not rather entertaine the Angelicall nature why didst thou loue a wife of an vncircumcised nation which shall afterward betray thee to thine enemies and kill thee what doest thou answer mee my God what doest thou answer but I would haue this this was pleasing in my fight as ◅ampson who erst prefigured thee once said What thanks shall I therefore giue thee O Lord for this incomparable benefit with what loue shal I loue thee that hast giuen so manifest and incomprehensible testimony of thy goodnes towards mee How can it bee that there should bee any one in this world that should not loue thee how can hee bee vnmindfull of such a benefit First O Lord let mee forget my selfe than the memorie of so great a mercy bee extinct in mee Those nailes which pierced thy most innocent hands shall also pierce my heart and that admirable change wherein thou tookest vpon thee my infirmities powredst thy goodnes liberally vpon mee shall neuer depart out of my minde And whereas thou all thy life time diddest desire the Crosse with great affection whereon thou wert to die for my sake Grant that I also as long as I liue may not abhorre the Crosse but beare the same patiently vntill thou transferre me to that place where nei◅ death nor mourning nor cry nor dolour shall be heard of where thou reignest world without end Amen The fourth thanksgiuing for the benefit of our vocation and iustification I Giue thee thanks O Lord God my helper Redeemer for that from darkenesse thou hast called me into so admirable a light as that being without hope of mercy I haue now obtained mercie For during the time that I liued in the land of Obliuion and in the shaddow of death when my waies were most wicked and contrary vnto thee then did thy mercie call mee not onely flying but also repugning then gauest thou me thy holy Spirit
care we shall onely endeuour our selues to keepe vs as farre as in vs lieth in thy fauour which care thou wilt further who if thou beest wanting nothing can prosper with vs. Translate my heart from the seruice of Idols to thy seruice toward whom whosoeuer is deuout he obtaineth dignitie Grant mee in stead of this desire of riches which are exposed to time the iniuries of men and mischances to grow in loue with thine which being once receiued are eternall and inuiolable Amen Against pride O Most wise beloued Father who alwayes studiest how thou maiest further vs whereas wee alwayes endeuour how to offend thee thou gauest to mankinde the proudest vntamed and rebellious creature the heauenly example of moderation and obedience in thy Sonne Conuert our minds vnto thee and that thine example that wee may so humbly demeane our selues beeing wicked and weake as hee that was most worthy and most strong Amen Against drunkennesse ALmighty and most mercifull God vouchsafe so to looke vpon vs that wee may so detest that most shamefull sinne of drunkennesse that wee neuer permit the same to take place but let that which was to perish in drunkennesse bee imployed for the sustenance of the poore through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Against remembrance of iniuries O Lord of thy goodnesse fill our hearts with thy peace clense vs from all euill cogitations and vncleannesse and from all memorie of iniuries and from all enuy and mind of mischiefe which bringeth death O Lord make vs all worthy to salute one another with a holy and immaculate salutation and graunt that wee may receiue without iudgement and death thy heauenly gift that is thy grace with the holy Spirit Amen Against wrath HOw much error breedeth this blind indulgence of our selues in our minds that we esteeme that to be done vniustly which is done most vprightly that in those things wee denie pardon vnto others in which wee our selues euerie houre are faulty and want pardon that wee challenge to our selues a reuenge being children mad furious vniust and take it from him who is only wise and iust who in respect of his wisedome is deficient in nothing and in regard of his equitie seduceth no man from the truth O most mercifull Christ example of modesty fountain of meekenesse 〈◊〉 into vs some part of this thy lenitie whereby in imitation of thy humility being assailed with railings affected with iniuries oppressed and afflicted with slanders and reproofes yet that we may reward good for euill Against enuie THou O Lord art the founder and maker of all things thou art the dispenser of thy mercies which thou by thy immeasurable liberality bestowest on men yeelding euery one more than hee deserueth and defrauding no man of that which is sufficient for him What cause therefore haue we to enuy thee when as thou bestowest thy liberality vpon al men of thine owne and art bountifull to those that deserue it not and giuest to euery one that which sufficeth him for his beatitude O Father adde this also to the rest of thy benefits that we may submit to thy iudgement and satisfie our selues with thy â—…stributions that we may giue thee thanks for those things which wee haue receiued And for those things that thou hast bestowed on others grant that secretly we condemne not thy holy will and vnsearchable iudgement but rather that in other mens blessings wee may loue and laud thy munificence who art so bountifull vnto all men wanting of thy selfe nothing neither receiuing any thing from any man neither hoping any thing Amen In extreme troubles and persecutions O Lord God that deliueredst the honest matron Susanna from false iudgement at such time as she was reprochfully circumuented by slander that keptst Daniel thy prophet in the denne of Lyons and preseruedst the three children in the flaming furnace that deliueredst Peter ready to be deuoured by the sea swallowed in the waues thereof by the might of thy right hand I beseech thee O most mercifull God that thou wilt redeeme and deliuer both me thy vnworthy seruant all other christian people out of these miseries and calamities wherewith wee are circumuented Spare thy people I beseech thee whom thou hast redeemed by thy precious blood keepe this natioâ—… and people redeemed by so precious a ransome in peace mutuall concord and coniunction to the glory of thy holy name Amen In the time of warre amongst Christians O Lord Father of mercies God of peace and dilection how long I pray thee wilt thou be angry with thy christian people punishing them with erecrable wars and vtter ouerthrows Behold the affliction and extreme extinction of thy people nations Heare the groanes of the poore let the christian blood moue thee vnto mercy Ah las O Lord these are truly that iust punishments of our sins wee haue sinned wee haue done wickedly we haue left thee the fountaine of life our felicitie we haue contemned thee mocked thee and with an obstinate minde made war by our sins against thy commandements wee haue kept none of thy testimonies of which thou hast said If you shall keepe them they shal keepe you if you dispise them the sword shall consume you But thou O Lord notwithstanding thou art iustly displeased remember thee of thy mercies and to the end we may be made capable therof giue vnto thy people I beseech thee the knowledge and confession of their wicked liues powre vpon them the spirit of thy grace and of prayer that euery where with a contrite and humble heart which thou despisest not they may crie vnto thee saying O Lord haue mercie O Lord haue mercy vpon thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood wee haue sinned we haue done vniustly Thy iudgements are iustly vrged against vs prostrating our selues we call vpon thy grace and mercie to the end that thy reuenging hand may be appeased Put o Lord thy cruell and deuouring sword into thy sheath command the euill beasts that is all those things which giue cause of warre to returne vnto their place leaue most holsome peace long desired amongst Christians safely to reigne amongst them to the praise glory of thy most holy name who strikest and healest â—…illest and quickenest Amen In the time of plague WE know O Lord God and most iust Father that the rebellion almost of all creatures against man onely is very great whom if all things were disposed according to the order of creatioÌ„ they ought to obey and acknowledge Now earthquakes now thunders now inundations now most fatal coniunctions of Stars now the infection of the aire and daily new and other kinde of euils are heard of But this punishment falleth vpon vs because wee abuse the giftes of thy munificence transgresse thy commaundemenis for that we are not terrified with threatrungs nor allured by promises We acknowledge that by these thy chastisements thou drawest vs from these earthly affaires and inuitest vs to heauenly
froÌ„ whom proceedeth all fatherhood boâ—… heauen and in earth take 〈◊〉 me all rebellion â—…d contenâ—… lest I attempt and dare to brâ—… and infringe all the bonds â—…ume and humane lawes 〈◊〉 vouchsafe that I may proâ—… my parents in all kinde of 〈◊〉 serue them with due honor reâ—…rence obey their commandeâ—… with humble readie obediâ—… and that I may helpe them 〈◊〉 kinds of succour obsequiosâ—… offices of kindnesse that I 〈◊〉 suffer their reproofes austeâ—… vnbridled mislikes or exclaiâ—… all their imperfections whatsâ—…uer with a willing minde not â—…greeuing or vexing them in the whole course of my life if at any time through age they shall dote default in reason yâ— I may not coÌ„â—…emne them but that I may suffer their age imbecillity with due modesty Finally if they want or bee sicke that I may nourish and sustaine them by my succour and sustenance lest through my default and auarice they should lose theiâ—… liues from whom and by whom I had the beginning of my life but that I may serue them that begot me in all things as my Lords O Lord forgiue me all those my sins wherein I haue euer offended my most deere parents Increase the â—…ltitude of their daies and keepe them in all health of minde and of body let them behold their sonnes like oliue plaÌ„ts round about their â—…ble let them bring them vp in all 〈◊〉 let them gouerne their family in holy counsels and conuerâ—…on that at the length they may â—…culate and faultlesse come â—…to thee where thou liuest with 〈◊〉 Sonne and the holy Ghost 〈◊〉 God world without end AmeÌ„ The prayer of the Schoolemaster OMnipotent and eternal God in whose power all things â—…re giue mee thy holy Spirit without whom I neither can learne or teach any thing that I may diligently instruct the youth committed to my charge and forme them not onely to follow pietie and good manners but 〈◊〉 diligently to apprehend learâ—… to the glory of thy holy namâ—… the end they may become 〈◊〉 citizens and profitable 〈◊〉 of thy Church Giue theÌ„ a 〈◊〉 and vnderstanding heart that 〈◊〉 may easily apprehend and 〈◊〉 that which I teach them and 〈◊〉 â—…ee in all things which coâ—… my function suffering themseâ—… to be directed and informed 〈◊〉 an humble and obedient will 〈◊〉 their age who haue spent 〈◊〉 youth in good arts in increaseâ—… bee increased in knowledge 〈◊〉 may reape and communicate 〈◊〉 others the most pleasant fruits 〈◊〉 his former studies Amen The prayer of a professor of any facultie O My Creator and incomprehensible Lord God who from the treasure of thy wisedome didst informe the nine orders of angels and placedst them in worthy order aboue the imperiall heauen aâ—… hast most wonderfully disposed yâ—â—…rts of the world Thou I say y◠〈◊〉 called the true Fountaine of life and wisedome and the supereâ—…t beginning vouchsafe to 〈◊〉 vpon the darknes of my vnâ—…tanding the double beame of the brightnes remouing from me â—…tion sinne and ignorance â—…erein I was borne Thou that â—…est the tongues of infants eloâ—…t order my discourse and 〈◊〉 on my lippes the grace of thy blessing Giue me the sharpnes of â—…erstanding the capacity of reâ—…ning the subtilty of interpreâ—…g the faculty of learning the â—…pious grace of speaking instruct mine entrance direct my proceedings and fulfill my issues Who with the Father and yâ— holy Spirit liuest and reignest God world without end Amen The prayer of a Student O Most wise Father and omnipotent God the fountaine and giuer of all wisedome and vnderstanding without whom aâ—… our studies want their successe whâ—…y thy holy Spirit madest of shâ—… heards of sheep yâ— Prophets of 〈◊〉 people and of fishermen the Apostels and doctors of the whâ—… world Infuse into me by yâ— meâ—… of Christ thy Son yâ— grace of thâ—… same holy Spirit whereby my vnderstanding may be the better â—…formed in the liberall Scienceâ—… which hereafter I way conuert 〈◊〉 thy diuine honour and the spirituall profite of thy Church Grant yâ— I may faithfully learâ—… good letters necessary tongues and retaine them with apprehending memory and conuert them to the vse of a better life that according to the example of thy holy youth I may dailie increase in yeares wisedome grace before GOD and men Grant mee vnderstanding and subtiltie of wit that I may the easier comprehend those things that are to be learnt and cull out the sublimest and deepest knowledge thereof Giue me also alacrity in study lest my minde wearied with continuall labour and surprised with a certaine loathsomnesse abhorre studies Suffer mee not to spend my time vnprofitably nor passe my young yeares that are most apt for studie in idlenesse lest my parents charge being euilly imployed on mee I increase their hate against me and I leaudly delude the hope and expectation of my friends Amen Seuen Psalmes of Dauids repentance commonly called Penitentiall Psalmes PSALME VI. O Lord rebuke mee not in thine indignation neither chasten mee in thy displeasure 2 Haue mercie vpon mee O Lord for I am weake O Lord heale me for my bones are vexed 3 My soule is also fore troâ—…bled but Lord how long wilt thou punish me 4 Turne thee O Lord and deliuer my soule Oh saue mee for 〈◊〉 mercies sake 5 For in death no man remembreth thee and who will giue thâ—… thanks in the pit 6 I am wearie of my groaning euery night wash I my bed and water my couch with my teares 7 My beauty is gone for verie trouble and worne away because of mine enemies 8 Away from mee all yee that worke vanity for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping 9 The Lord hath heard my petition the Lord will receiue my prayer 10 All mine enemies shall bee confounded and sore vexed they shall bee turned backe and put to shame suddenly PSALME XXXII BLessed is hee whose vnrighteousnesse is forgiuen and whose sinne is couered 2 Blessed is the man vnto whoÌ„ the Lord imputeth no sinne and â—…t whose spirit there is no guile 3 For while I held my tongue â—…y bones consumed away through â—…y daily complaining 4 For thy hand is heauy vpon me day and night and my moisture is like the drought in Summer 5 I will acknowledge my sinne vnto thee and mine vnrighteousnesse haue I not hid 6 I said I will confesse my sins vnto the Lord and so thou forgauest the wickednesse of my sinne 7 For this shall euery one that is godly make his praier vnto thee in a time when thou maist bee found but in great water-flouds they shall not come nigh him 8 Thou art a place to hide mee in thou shalt preserue mee from trouble thou shalt compasse mee about with songs of deliuerance 9 I will informe thee and teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go I wil guide thee with mine eie 10 Bee yee not like vnto horse mule which hath no vnderstanding whose mouthes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 den
purifie my soule from all reliques of sin at length bring me to eternall life I offer vp vnto thee that thy inestimable humilitie obedience patience which thou shewedst when they whipt thee being bound to a hard pillar after crowned thee with thorns thy meeknes when as those assistaÌ„ts of satan perpetual tormeÌ„tors of hel in way of disgrace aâ—…tired thee in a purple raiment wheÌ„ as mocking they saluted thee and spit in thy face with a reed which thou barest in thy hand in steed of a septer strook thy wounded and brused head I offer vnto thee wearines of thy afflicted body thy bloudy steps the grieuous burden of thy crosse which thou barest on thy delicate shoulders miserably martyred with whipping I offer vnto thee that thirst wherewith in thy passion thou wert afflicted and al those other tormeÌ„ts which thou sustainedst for vs with a meek hart All these with thanksgiuing do I offer vnto thee beseeching thy immeasurable mercy that for the merits herof thou wilt wipe away my sins thou wilt remit the penalty and crime purifie my soule from the reliques of sinne and bring the same at length to eternall life Sweet Iesus in satisfactioÌ„ for my sins I offer vp vnto thee thy most cruel dolors which thou sufferedst when as the soldiers cruelly haled from thy body thy garment sticking with clotted blood vnto thy flesh and bones and renued againe al those wounds which thou hadst receiued in thy scourging when as cast vpon the crosse thou sufferedst thy hands and feete to be fastened with sharpe nailes to yâ— holy crosse with so much violence that al the articles and members of thy ioints were remoued from their naturall places when as thy precious blood flowed from all thy members in no other sort than the springs from the ouerflowing fountaines I offer vp vnto thee all and euery drop of thy precious bloud and beseech thy mercy that for the merits therof thou wilt blot out my sinnes remit both the penalty and yâ— crime purifie my soule from the relikes of sin and bring the same at length to euerlasting life Most merciful Iesus I offer vp vnto thee thy bounty meeknes wherewith thou sustainedst the reproches and slanders of the reprobate who wagging their heads scorned mocked thee whilst thou praiedst for theÌ„ to thy Father I offer vp vnto thee those horrible torments which thou sufferedst when as thou wert altogether giueÌ„ ouer as a prey to al afflictions tormeÌ„ts and dolors destitute of al internall or external consolation and forsaken of God and man and miserably affixed to a crosse betwixt heauen earth didst hang in yâ— midst of two most notorious theeues I offer vp vnto thee thy intollerable thirst wherewith thou wert afflicted on the crosse and that humility and reuerence of thine wherewith in hanging downe thy head thou commendedst thy spirit to thy Father I offer vnto thee that most holesome bloud flowing from thy side inforced by the soldiers lance Al these things do I offer vp vnto thee and for them giue thee most hearty thanks humbly beseeching thee to forgiue me my sins to purifie my soule from al reliks of vnrighteousnes bring the same at length to eternall rest where thou liuest reignest with the Father the holy ghost world without end Another praier for remission of sins O Omnipotent and eternal Father God almighty all mercifull behold I the most wretched amongst sinners lying lowly prostrate on yâ— ground before thy feete confesse my most grieuous many sins wherin al my lifetime I haue hitherto offended thee most mercifull Father I acknowledge my great ingratitude in that 〈◊〉 haue so lightly set by thy infinite inestimable benefits hitherto bestowed vpon mee as that amongst the rest thou hast shewed me so much loue bounty as to expect mee so long time that conuerting vnto thee I might repent and escape my damnation and punishment in the bottomlesse pit of hell as heretofore my sinnes haue often times deserued nay rather for that thou hast inuited mee so many waies to follow iustice and that to the end I might follow thee thou hast offered me thy grace and assistance How often my most sweet lord hast thou stood before the doore of my heart and knocked thereat by manifold inspirations desiring that I would open the same vnto thee How often hast thou prouoked mee by thy benefits How often allured mee by thy bounties How often enforced mee by calamities tribulations Notwithstanding I haue alwaies repulsed thee from me I haue resisted thee I haue turned my backe against thee yet thou of thy infinite goodnesse and patience hast sustained mee I confesse O Lord that iustly deseruedly thou mightest haue cast me into the depth of hell but for thy mercy sake thou restrainest the force of thine ire which after so many waies 〈◊〉 had increased against my selfe Truly it is to be adâ—…red O father yea it is very admirable that my heart is not broken with griefe as often as I weigh these things with my selfe I am vnworthy to bee called thy creature vnworthy that the earth should any longer sustaine me vnworthy that the earth should afford me either succour or sustenance It is infinitely to be admired at that the elements all creatures doe not at once rise vp against me and reuenge the iniurie I haue offered to the vniuersall Lord of all things Yet vouchsafe O thou most mercifull Father to be fauourable vnto me and open the bowels of thine infinite pittie and pardon me in that I haue so long time deferred my conuersion vnto thee Open vnto mee thy most benigne Fatherly bosome and giue mee that nutriment which thou wert woont to giue vnto thy Children Humbly I beseech thee O Lord now at length effect that in mee for which thou hast hitherto so long tune expected me I confesse vnto thee O Lord with my whole heart and soule that of all the sinners that are in the world at this present I am the most grieuous yet distrust I not thy goodnesse for although my sins be many yet thy mercies may not be numbred O most louing Father if thou wilt thou canst make me cleane heale me O Lord and I shal be healed because I confesse my sins vnto thee Remember thee of thy promises which are sweeter then the hony and the hony combe than which nothing can be more comfortable vnto a sinner For thou saiest by the mouth of thy Prophet thou hast committed fornication with many louers yet returne thou vnto me and I will receiue thee Wherefore O most mercifull Father cleauing and depending on this thy promise I returne vnto thee with my whole heart in such sort as by thy word thou hadst only called mee and inuited mee alone vnto thy mercy I know O Lord and I confesse my selfe to bee the wretchedest creature of thy creatures for I am that prodigall son that departed froÌ„ thee
and no man can come vnto mee except my Father draw him All that therefore which I haue all that which I am it is of thy grace thy gift thy liberalitie and mercie so that but in thinking I could not preuent the gifts of thy good works by my vertue For we are not sufficient to thinke any thing of our selues as of our selues but all our sufficiencie is from thee What therfore shall I do wretched naked and poore that I am I am weake and lame but by thy gifts and benefits rich and wealthy I sailed by the sea but a tempest arising my ship was drowned mâ—… riches perished my wares at one misfortune lâ—…st By thy bounty although I suffered ship wrack I my selfe escaped my soule being saued by the helpe of one planke swam to land But what now shall I do I haue not whereon to liue and through infirmity I can get nothing The onely remedy that is lest me is to beg but who is so liberall that hee will or so rich that hee can helpe a caitife so miserably poore but thou onely O God â—…enigne and mercifull rich and omnipotent To thee therefore do I cry to thee do I cal at thy gate without â—…rmission will I beg But heere once againe my conscience terrifieth mee shame and modestie reclaimeth for what soeuer I possessed before and now haue lost all that was thine that thou hast trusted mee with for all that as yet I stand indebted vnto thee moreouer I offended thee I did thee wrong 〈◊〉 abused thy blessings to thy dishonor What impudency shall it therefore be in me to aske new fauours at thy hands shall I therefore despaire shall I therefore say with Cam my iniquitie is more than may be remitted shall I therefore bee a vagabond an outcast from the land of the liuing nothing lesse for I know that my God and my Lord is mercifull and compassionate long suffering and of great mercy I know that my Lord is bountifull and of much mercie fauourable to such as offeÌ„d I knâ—…w that after he had seene his seruant that ought him ten thousand talents humbling himselfe he forgaue him the whole debt I will therfore say in like sort with that seruant Lord haue patience with me I will pay thee all But how shall I restore vnto thee O Lord except thou first giue mee and to whom shalt thou giue but to him that beggeth at thy hands and who dare not aske when as thou so liberally inuitest all men saying Come vnto mee all you that labour and are burthened and I will refresh you come all ye that thirst vnto the waters and those that want mony hasten buy and eate Come buy without money and without any exchange Wine and milke Incited by this so bountifull prouocation of thine behold I come vnto thee and beseech thee that thou wilt giue mee the meanes to satisfie all that which I ow thee and namely giue mee thy grace duely to adore thee serue thee praise thee and yeeld thee that due reuerence and honour that belongeth vnto thee that I may giue thee thankes for thy benefites loue thee with all my heart put all my trust in thee obey thy commaundements offer my selfe wholie vnto thee commend my selfe into thy hands and that I may learne to aske these or such like graces from thee that outwardly before mine eies and inwardly within my heart the glorie of thy Name and the saluation of my soule like a white or marke may continually bee prefixt before me I beseech thee also O Lord to graunt mee the remission of my sinnes true contrition and pennance giue mee grace that I neuer hereafter offend thee either in those sinnes which were hitherto familiar vnto mee or any other whatsoeuer But especially O LORD I require the grace and strength at thy hands that I may chastice my flesh refraine my tongue mortifie the inordinate appetites of my heart and recollect the dispersed and wandering thoughts of my imagination that so reformed both inwardly and outwardly and made a new Creature I may deserue to bee a liuing and gratefull Temple in the which thou maist rest and make thy biding place Giue mee those vertues also wherewith that thy habitatioÌ„ may not onely bee purged but also beautified such as are the holie feare of thy name firme hope perfect humility entire patience prudent discretion pouertie of spirit exact obedience continuall fortitude and diligent alacritie in all those things which appertaine to thy seruice and honour and aboue all ardent charitie as wel towards thee as towards my neighbour But because I know my self vnworthy of all these and vndeseruing any of them remember I pray thee O Lord thy old mercies remember that thou desirest not the death of a sinner as thou thy selfe testifiest but that hee bee conuerted and liue remember that thine onely begotten Sonne came not into this world to cal the iust but sinners remember what hee did and how much hee suffred from the day of his Natiuitie till the time hee died vpon the Crosse. Al which I offer vnto thee O most mercifull Father that they may be a sweete smelling sacrifice for my sinnes and not for my sinnes onely but for all other my necessities also For whatsoeuer I pray and whatsoeur I pleade for that do I aske in his not in mine owne name for it is said of thee that thou honourest the fathers in their children and sparest one for another euen as Dauid in times past honoured Mephiboseth for his Father Ionathans sake Honour thou thy onely begotten Sonne in like manner in me doing good vnto me for his sake because hee is my Father and my second Adam and I his sonne although disobedient ill-nurtured Looke vpon mee O Lord because I flie vnto thee come to the gate of thy mercie to thee doe I lay open my pouerty to thee shew I my wounds because thou art my true Physition I powre out my soule before thee and inflamed with the spirit of Dauid I crie vnto thee saying Incline thine eares O Lord vnto me and heare me because I am poore and in necessitie Keepe my soule because I am holy saue thy seruant O my God that putteth his trust in thee haue mercie vpon mee O Lord because all the day long I cry vnto thee glad yâ— soule of thy seruant because vnto thee O Lord lift I vp my soule for yâ— O Lord art sweete and mercifull and many are thy mercies to those that call vpon thee Open thine eares O Lord vnto my praier heare the voice of my cry In the day of tribulation I cried vnto thee and thou didst heare me leade me O Lord in the way and direct mee in thy truth let my heart reioyce that I may feare thy name I will confesse vnto thee O Lord my God with my whole heart and I will praise thy name for euer and euer Amen A most deuout meditation
many blessings thy bounty and benignity hath done all this and I being insufficient to yeeld thanks for only one of them how can I requit so many thousands And how may darkenesse praise light how may vanity commend verity how 〈◊〉 a mortal man by nature fraile conceiue thine immortalitie how may a grosse substance comprehend him who is free from all weight of matter how may vncleannes praise puritie who then shal applaud thy works who shall resound thy praises but thou like a most mercifull Father receiuest our vowes and takest in good part thy childrens thaÌ„sgiuing whosoeuer Make me therfore worthy O good God to giue thee thanks to cleaue perpetually to thy charitie that I may praise thee for the many and mighty benefits wherewith thou hast honoured mee That I may pay thee thanksgiuing for the perils from whence thou hast deliuered me Finally that I may doe thee dutie for protecting mee both in prosperity aduersitie because thou hast done all things with discretion and for that thou art the Lord of our bodies and soules of life death of health and sicknes of felicity infelicity To bee short the moment of all things dependeth on thy hand Thou dost reioyce in vs by thy benefits thou dost amate vs by thy menaces thou differedst in chastising comfortest vs reclaming our frailty vnto thy self Glory be to thy wondrous power praise to thy vnsatiable loue to mankinde gouerne the rest of our life most mercifull guide and vigilant gouernour deliuer mee O Lord from all mine enemies visible and inuisible stretch out thy bounteous hand that may drawe vs out of the deepe waters of the roaring flouds of this world and that may relieue and lighten the dangers of our nauigation Gouerne yâ— the magistracy O King which thou hast committed to our charge for thou art the steersman we the rudder let thy hand therefore inuisibly rule this Rudder whither it please the and whither thou hast decreed it for neither wil I trust in my bow neither shal my sword saue me but thy right hand and thine arme and the cleare light of thy countenance Thy wil be done o King in vs as it is in heauen and earth if at any time wee shall run astray from the lawes of thy commandements conceiue not suddaine wrath O most mercifull God since thou art not ignorant how fraile and weak we are from our beginning if thou list thou canst saue mee vouch safe it may be accordant to thy wil. For vnlesse thy power strengthen mee I cannot do that which I would Consider my heart therefore with the vnspeakable sweetenes of thy bounty to the end that a little sense and taste of the future and eternall blessednesse which we shall enioy in thee may refresh our minds Lastly make nice worthie that after this present life I may hasten vnto thee my Lord God that I may behold the riches of thy kingdome and contemplate the beautie of thy looke which grant o most holy King my true God and maker for thy Sonnes sake our Lord Iesus Christ AmeÌ„ A prayer vnto the Father wherein we demand sanctification THou that rulest in the highest reignest for euer onely canst doe all things God the gouernor of heauen and earth at whose becke all creatures tremble the pillars of heauen shake O heauenly God perfect workman and Potter I wretch made out of clay or rather of filthy mudde with feare and trembling come before the throne of thy maiestie I acknowledge confesse my wickednesse I know that I am nothing yea that I am meere abomination and horror in thy sight if thy grace and mercie do faile me without thee I thinke no goodnes without thee I do no good thing without thee I am a contemptible creeping worme I cannot be saued without thine assistance my saluation dependeth on thy hands I giue thee thanks O God in especiall for this for that thou hast giuen me that know ledge that I may see and know that I am nothing and vnable to do aniething without thee Thou art the Potter I the clay such as thou wilt haue mee bee such canst thou forme and fashion me if thou makest mee blessed thou shewest thy mercy grace if thou castest mee into perdition thou shewest thy iustice and executest thy iudgement neither is it my duety to contradict thee why or vnder what reason thou doest it For thou hast mercy vpon him whom thou louest these things I meditate with my selfe o Lord I feare thy iudgements Since therefore all my safety saluation dependeth on thee and consisteth in thy hand and power and sith thou hast shewed thy selfe a mercifull long-suffering God to the whole world and hast testified the same indeed in that thou woldest thy only son Iesus Christ the innocent should die for our offences and expiate our sinnes with his blood on the Crosse. Finally since thou hast taught vs in all our perturbations to cal vpon thee and aske thy grace and mercy for that thou wilt giue vs all things which wee shall aske in the Name of thy Sonne I come vnto thee being drosse and a lumpe of clay O mercifull and celestiall Potter beseeching thee most humbly that thou wilt vse thy mercie and make of this vnworthy matter a Uessell of eternall Glorie Uouchsafe also of thy meere grace to fixe my minde on perfect faith assured hope and chaste and holie loue that being iustified by these thy gifts I may become vpright perfect good and holy according to thy good will both in the midst and end of my life as also at the latter day of iudgement O mercifull Father grant mee pardon of all my sinnes through yâ— death of thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ make me to please thee alone grant me to be thy gratefull sonne and heire increase in me that iustice whatsoeuer which is giuen me and granted from heauen that I may continue and end my life 〈◊〉 the same increase in me that faith which thou hast giuen mee kindle my loue of thee and make it more apparant that by thy helpe and the presence of thy grace and the accomplishment of thy holy will I may obtaine euerlasting life which thou hast promised vs to the end I may praise thee and giue thee thanks in thy kingdome for eâ—… and euer Amen A prayer to God the Sonne OThou maker and redeemer of makinde Iesus Christ who saiedst I am the way the truth and the life the way in doctrine precept and examples the truth in promises the life in reward I pray thee by thy vnspeakeable charitie wherwith thou daignest to imploy thy selfe wholly for our saluation suffer mee neuer to wander from thee who art the way neither euer to distrust in thy promises who art the truth and performest whatsoeuer thou doest promise neither to repose or relie on any other thing because thou art eternall life than which there is nothing more to bee desired neither in heauen nor in earth
adoptedst mee for thy sonne The grace which in baptisme I receiued of thee I cursedly neglected I rent my first robe and like the prodigall sonne spent all my substance Thy holy temple which thou sanctifiedst in me for thy le◅e I haue prophaned raising in the same an idoll of my disordinate pleasures defiling it with diuers sinnes The tune was once o Lord my Sauiour wherein I was so blinde and liued so loosely as if I had no law or as though I beleeued there were no God I was vnmindfull of death neither remembred I y◠latter iudgment or the life to come The Lawes according to whose prescript I did liue were mine appetites I followed mine owne inuentions and walked according to mine owne waies So diuers yeares of my life were ouerpast wherin I liued in so palpable darkenes tha◅ in like sort as that of Egypt I might haue felt it with my handes O eternall light how ouerlate did I know thee how slackely did I open mine eies to behold thine ancient beauty All this time thou obseruedst me sustainedst me expectedst mee not permittting timelesse death to apprehend mee O altitude of thy iudgements O greatnesse of thy ◅ercies How many men in the ◅eane space in the midde race of their sinnes are there swallowed by sodaine death who now are miserably tormented in hel I who was one of them protected by thy mercy am reserued euen vntill this houre Ah what had become of me if at that time thou hadst summoned me likewise before thy iudgement seat What account could I haue made in so miserable an estate O my mercy my redemption I giue thee no lesse thanks for this bounty than if thou hadst acquited me being condemned amongst those damned and deliuered mee from perpetuall torments Blessed bee thy patience by the benefite whereof I liue and blessed be thy mercy which so long time defended and kept me Neither didst thou onely keepe me whē I sinne◅ against thee but very often times thou didst also visite me as my friend calledst me vnto thee by thy sweete and secret inspirations obiecting to mee the greatnes of my sins the shortnes of this life the eternity of y◠other the seuerity of thy iustice and ◅he bounty of thy mercy In the midst of mine iniquitie afterwards thy presence appeared vnto mee so effectually that perseuering in my delights seeking after y◠Leeks ◅urneps and Garlike of Egypt thou extortedst plentifull teares from mee I did sinne and thou didst recall me from finne I did flie from thee as though it had bene a slight matter to lose thee and thou didst seeke me as though it were much for thy profit to finde me out So many yeares did wee liue wrastling resisting thou in doing good I in doing euill and contemning thy goodnesse With these voices didst thou call mee with these cords didst thou drawe mee At length when it pleased thee to single me out and to call me by thy grace thou sentest a great cry into the eares of my soule wherwith as it were the roaring of a Lion thou didst awake mee from sleepe and thou calledst me from death vnto life This is the voice which Dauid thy friend so highly commendeth in vertue and power breaking the Cedars cutting the flames of fire and shaking moouing the desart of Cades For no lesse is thy power than thy mercie which thou art wont to vse in this worke for it is great mercie to remit sins mighty power to make finners iust O how many and how great are the benefits which together with this one are powred into vs here is giuen pardon of sinnes grace is giuen charity is giuen with those other vertues which attend her finally the gifts graces of the holy Spirit are giuen Heereby the sinner is reconciled vnto thee of an enemy made a friend and of the slaue of the diuell thy Sonne and the heire of thy kingdome Heere the Prodigall Sonne is entertained into his Fathers house the first Robe Ring and Shooes ornaments of a Sonne are restored vnto him And although I cannot be assured O Lord whether I be worthy of hate or loue yet hope I y◠same and confidently euery way trust in thy bounty my conscience likewise beareth mee witnesse that I am partaker of the grace of iustification for which I acknowledge my selfe deepely indebted Blessed bee thou therefore O bountifull Lord the giuer of all goodnes yea of thy selfe for that I liuing most lasciuiously thou gauest mee thy holy Spirit for my nurse tutor master gouernour comforter and all my good hee is to mee the pattent of adoption the pledge of matrimonie the assurance of euerlasting life Blessed bee the day in which such a guest entered my soule and blessed bee the houre in which the gates of my wal were opened to receiue him That day was holy vnto mee in that day I came out of Egypt that day was my birth day in which I was regenerated into the Son of God This my Easter day in which I rose againe from death to life in which I receiued the holy Ghost Let Iob curse the day of his natiuitie I will blesse this this is the day in which the Angels reioyced at the conuersion of a sinner in which the woman reioyced that found her groat in which the shepheard assembled his neighbours with ioy for the lost sheepe which he found in which the diuels doe houle for their lost prey This is that day in which thou my Father doest acknowledge mee thy sonne and thy Sonne termeth mee his brother and thy holy Spirit hath consecrated mee for his Temple and the Quire of Angels haue saluted me for their companion and fellow Citizen If on this day the Angels reioyced and sung vnto thee O Lord how can my lips bee shut how may my tongue be silent how can my mouth choose but bee ◅lled with thy praises whatsoeuer the Psalmi◅ or Prophets sung of the comming of my Redeemer all y◠will I sing vnto thee O Lord. It was a great benefite of thine O Lord that thou diddest create me for thereby thou didst produce me from not being to a being but much more is it that thou iustifiedst me for in this thou tookst frō me the being of sinne and bringest me to the being of grace in that am I made the son of man in this am I adopted the son of God It is a great benefite which I expect of glory but no lesse in this kinde is that of iustificatiō For it is no lesse to make a iust man of a sinner than of a iust man a blessed man since there is a greater distance betwixt sin grace than betweene grace and glory Great also yea very great is the benefite of redemption but what had redemption profited if vocation and iustification had not followed I acknowledge therefore O Lord that the benefite of iustification is the keie and ground of all the other without which
the rest do not onely not profite but giue vs matter of greater damnation But O Lord what did I vnto thee that thou shouldst giue mee those things what obedience shewd I to thee that thou shouldst giue me this blessing what foundest thou in me worthy of so great honour reward nothing in mee was free frō sin I knew thee not I loued thee not I serued thee not neither had thee in remembrance I became the bottomlesse pit of darknes and iniquity I cannot choose O Lord but tremble with horror as oftē as I think hereon neither finde I any other cause of this benefite but thy bounty How many were my companions of the same age nature and impietie of whom I was the most reprobate yet tookest thou me vnto thee and forsookest them we were detained in the same Egyptian captiuitie thou admittedst mee to thy royall Table but condemnedst them cast out their flesh to bee deuoured by the creatures of hell Whilst I remember these things O Lord my spirit is no more in me and I know not how to praise thee or what thanksgiuing to offer vnto thee for so incomparable a benefite All the time of my life I will say O Lord what sawest thou in me O Lord what sawest thou in mee Lord what sawest thou in mee more than in the rest whom thou hast forsaken Why didst thou so call mee so deliuer mee so looke vpon me so succour me if so bee thou hast succoured me leauing the rest in sinne who were lesse euil than I I know not what to say I know not what to do I know not what to yeeld vnto thee O Lord for all the benefits thou hast bestowed on mee I will with the Prophet praise my Lord at all times his praise shall be alway in my mouth I will say with the same Prophet Thou hast brokē my bonds O Lord I wil sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise cal vpon the name of the Lord. To the Lambe that sitteth on the throne be blessing and honor and glory and power for euer euer Amen A thanksgiuing for the benefite of our spirituall conuersation in the life of grace I Adore thee I praise thee I glorifie thee I giue thee thanks most mercifull Father and eternal God with my whole heart for all thy benefits but in especiall for that thou hast called mee whom being beforetimes wounded thou hast ◅thout any my precedent merits ◅ured and being an enemie vnto thee reconciled redeemed from captiuity and called from death to life and of thy fatherly goodnesse hast hitherto conserued me in this state and as yet doest conserue me by thy grace Thou art he onely O Lord that created me made mee of nought and thou onely art he that conseruest that which thou hast created thou bountifully dost protect that essence of nature which thou gauest me lest it should perish Thou onely hast regenerated mee by thy Spirit in the life of grace By thee are we priuiledged from our sins by thee are wee conserued lest wee should fall againe into sinne If at any time I haue risen thou gauest me thy hand if I now stand thou sustainest me lest I fall As many good purposes as I haue conceiued as many godly inspiratiōs as I haue felt all are by thy benefite As oftē as I haue ouercome mine enemy as oftē as I haue refrained my euill inclinations and peruerse appetites it was thy benefite For if no man can say Lord Iesu but in the holy Spirit nor doe any good deede without thee euen as the branch can yeeld no fruite being deuided from the vine sure it is that if any fruite grow from this cluster it is by the benefite of that vine to which it cleaueth If at any time I haue fasted it came from thee if I haue endured aduersity patiently thou didst assist me if at any time I haue denied mine owne will it was thy working If euer hitherto I haue shed the teares of contrition if my prayers haue preuailed with thee I confesse O Lord that I did it by thy helpe I confesse that thou hast wrought all good workes in me for all theese doe I giue thee thanks I referre al these benefits with thanksgiuing to him from whom they proceeded that hereafter they may flow more plentifullie I acknowledge my selfe to bee indebted for so many benefits as I haue done duties to thee O Lord in this life if I haue done any at all What shall I say of the occasions and opportunities offered by thee vnto me of good life How many preachers hast thou sent to teach me how many counsellers to instruct me how many good friends how many godly companions how many good examples how many deuout bookes hast thou lent mee by whose helps I am incited to goodnesse and pricked forward to vprightnes of life Great are these thy benefits but greater doth he owe thee who hath profited without these blessed is hee whom thou hast taught O Lord and instructed in thy law for so much more hath hee profited by how much thou art a better Doctor and wiser Master then others But who can recount the perils and dangers from whence thou hast deliuered mee O bountifull shepheard of mens soules or the sinnes whereinto I had fallen wtout thine assistance There is no sin so great that was euer attempted by man which another man cannot fall into if the Creator bee wanting by whom he is made For whi◅h cause vpon good occasion I will call all mens sinnes my benefits for into al them might I haue beene plunged except thine infinite mercie had preserued mee Is many occasions of sinne therefore as might haue inforced mee to fall for they could inforce Dauid so many had I fallē into except thou O Lord hadst taken them away because thou knewest my infirmities All men acknowledge not these thy benefits but I through the grace doe both acknowledge embrace them How often O louing Father hast thou vsed this mercy towards mee How often hast thou bound the enemies hands lest he should tempt me or if he should haue tempted me that yet hee might not ouercome mee how often hast thou inchanted that old Serpent that although I walked amongst Uipers Bas◅lisques yet could they not hurt me How often hast thou trauelled with mee through water fire lest I should bee burned in the flame or drowned in the water How often in the midst of the seruants of this world hast thou tempered the flame of this Babylonicall furnace with the dew of the holy Spirit and so cooled it that it might not consume me How often might I iustly say with the Prophet I was thrust fore at y◠I might fal But y◠Lord was my helpe If at any time I haue stood I stood by thee if I haue fallen I haue fallen by my selfe thy hand hath staied me vp lest I shold be bruised Yea I had alwaies lien in y◠dirt
pilgrimes and strangers Thou art not ignorant of mine infirmity O sweet Iesus thou knowest how weake fraile a fortresse this is thou knowest it must needs fall beeing shaken with so many volleyes except thou O Christ rampaire it by thy might To thee therefore do I cry from the depth of my heart giue me grace that I follow not the concupiscence of my flesh that I prouoke not my vnbridled senses with liberty but that I may strongly resist them Helpe me that I may tame my body and bring it in subiection lest my flesh growing too proud make me offend and breake my appointed limits lest my heart and body bee stained with carnall concupiscence lust riot and vnlawfull pleasures Sanctifie mee and gouerne mee that mine eies may bee gouerned mine eares shut that I may touch no vnlawfull thing but â—…e from that which is hurtfull though I feele a sting yet let mee not giue coÌ„sent so let me nourish my flesh that it rebell not and so bridle it that it allure not Grant that in all and through all I may so subiect my flesh to my spirit that at the last it may willingly obey her tyrannize ouer her no more is a mistresse but serue as a handmaid that betweene both there may bee an harmonious concent wished peace and perpetuall concord Amen When temptations are ouercome Giue thee thanks O Lord God â—…y whose bounty I am enabled 〈◊〉 such sort that this teÌ„pest being â—…ed I enioy a destred calme To thee be the honor of the triumph by thee and not by mee this proue Goliah is ouercome to thee I attribute whatsoeuer good effect hath succeeded For in respect of mine owne forces I must needs be subdued but now am I conquerour because I grounded my assured hope of victorie on thee my stroÌ„g assister hauing this alwaies hanging before mine eies If God be with vs who can be against vs and I can doe all things in hâ—… that comforteth me And though I sing praises to thee O Lord for this victory yet for that we are taught that when wee haue done all those things which belong to or become a stroÌ„g Champion we should not returne to lusts and pleasures but by the assistance of thy holy Spirit stand strong in the battell against the continuall assaults of the dwell Therfore I flie vnto thee the helper of all those that hope in thee increase my trust in thee that dailâ—… more and more increasing in faitâ—… the power of our enemies may faâ—… vntil thou hast setled vs in that security whereas there is no feare of battell perill or anguish but eternall security purchased by thee when thou shalt surrender thy kingdome to thy Farher with whom thou liuest and reignest God for â—…uer Amen Against the conflict of vices MOst mercifull Lord Iesus Christ behold me miserable wretched and vile sinner prostrate before the feet of thy mercy behold the wounds botches infirmities and vices of my soule which I my selfe ah lasse by my sinne haue inforced against my selfe and now present them to bee healed by the eies of thy mercy Most mercifull Iesus take pitty of my infirmity captiuity and infelicitie wherewith my wretched soule is drowned in transitorie things and distracted by diuers desires Most louing Iesus by that charity which deliuered thee bound into the hands of sinners and haled thee to the Crosse and there afflicted thee more than those nailes that pierced thy hands feet I beseech thee loose the yoake of my captiuitie and deliuer me from all vices concupiscences and euill inclinations and from all the assaults of mine enemies and euery tribulation defend me Extinguish and kill in me vtterly all prâ—…ate loue all inordinate motions passions and affections each occasion all promptnes and inclination to pride wrath enuie vaine-glorie c. for from these thou onely canst deliuer me Sweet Iesus fill me with graces and most perfect charity keepe me in all goodnesse that I may 〈◊〉 all occasions of sinne ouercome all temptations constantly subiect my flesh to my spirit persecute and banish sin auoide the assaults and subtilties of the diuell neuer consent to any sinne neuer nourish that which displeaseth thee but that I may ardently thirst after thy glory faithfully further the same and addict my selfe wholly 〈◊〉 thy good liking Amen Against euill thoughts O Lord my God bee not farre from me O my God haste thee to helpe me because diuers cogitations are risen vp against mee and great feares afflicting my soule How shall I escape vnhurt how may I ouercome them I saiest thou will go before thee and will humble the mighty on earth Doe O Lord as thou speakest and let all euill cogitations flie from thy presence This is my hope and onely consolation to flie vnto thee in all tribulation to trust in thee to call vpon thee with my whole heart and patiently to expect thy consolation Amen Against diuerse sorts of sinnes GOD Father of our Lord God Sauior Iesus Christ lord of great might blessed nature effused goodnesse God and Lord of all things who art blessed for euer who art glorified by the Seraphins to whom thousands of Angels assist and whom infinite hoasts of Angels and Archangels attend for thy Christs sake and the coming of thy holy Spirit sanctifie we pray thee our soules our bodies and our spirits touch thou likewise our minds search our coÌ„sciences and take from vs all euill cogitations all immodest talke al filthy destres al vndeceÌ„t thoughts all enuy pride and hypocrisie all lying all deceit all distraction of this life all auarice all vaine glorie all sloth all vice all wrath all ire all remembrance of iniurie all blasphemy all commotion of the flesh or spirit contrary to thy holy will Amen Against euill thoughts O Lord my God bee not thou estranged from me o God take me into thy protection for diuers cogitations are risen vp against me and great feares that afflict my soule How shall I escape vnhurt how shall I ouercome them I sayest thou will goe before thee and I will humble the mighty vpon earth Doe O Lord as thou speakest let all wicked thoughts fly from thy presence This is my hope and onely comfort to fly vnto thee in all tribulations to trust in thee to call vpon thee with my whole heart and patiently to expect thy consolation Amen A prayer against couetousnesse THe daily necessities of the body draweth and tieth the minde thereunto send vs O Lord who as wee know hast care ouer vs that daily Bread which thine onely Son Iesus Christ coÌ„manded vs to aske and hope for at thy hands Grant vs to liue coÌ„tent with those things that are needfull to despise such things as are superfluous that neither vnauoidable necessitie ouercome vs neither affluence ouerwhelme vs so send vs those things that are necessarie for vs that we obtaine not the same to offend thy Maiestie So deliuered and discharged of all