nowe o Lord Iesu thine accustomed mercies Wilt thou be displeased with me alwaies Be appeased I beseeche thee and take pittie of me and turne not away thy louinge face from me who to redeeme me hast not turned away thy face from those that did â—â—ocke and spit vpon thee I confesse that I haue sinned and my conscience doth adiudge me worthy of damnation neither is my pennance sufficient to make satisfaction neuerthelesse it is a thinge infallible that thy mercie doth surmount all offence whatsoeuer be it neuer soe abominable Wherefore o most mercifull Lord I beseeche thee doe not write any malitious bitternes against me neither enter into iudgment with thy seruant but according to the multitude of thy mercies blot out mine iniquities Woe be to me at the day of iudgment when the bookes of our consciences shal be opened wherein our actions are registred when of me it shall openly be proclaimed See heere the man and his deedes committed What shall I doe o Lord my God at that dreadfull day when the heauens shall reueale mine iniquitie and the earthe shall beare witnes against me Verilie I shall be mute and able to say nothinge but holding downe mine head through shame and confusion I shall stande before thee shaking and blushing Alas what shall I say I will call and crie vnto thee o Lord my God Why am I consumed being silent Neuerthelesse if I speake my greife will not cease and if I holde my peace I shall inwardlie be tormented with vnspeakeable bitternes Weepe o my soule and make lamentation as a younge married woman for the deathe of her newe married husbande weepe and bewaile thy miserie for that thy bridegroome which is Christ hath forsaken thee O anger of the almightie rushe not vpon me because thou canst not be contained in me verily there is nothing in me that is able to sustaine thee Take pittie of me loast I despaire of thy mercie that by despairing of my selfe I may finde comforte in thee And albeit I haue donne that for which thou maiest iustly condemne me yet thou hast not lost thy accustomed propertie of shewing mercie and pittie Thou o Lord dost not desire the death of sinners neither dost thou take pleasure in the perdition of those that die nay rather that those that were deade might 〈◊〉 thou thy selfe hast died and thy death hath beene the death of that death that was due to sinners And if thou dying they haue â—iued graâ—nt o Lord I beseeche thee that thou living I may not die Let thy heauenly hande help me and deliuer me from the handes of those that hate me lâ—ast they insult reioyce ouer me saying we haue deuouted him Howe is it possible o good Iesu that euer any one can despaiâ—e of thy mercie who when we were thine enimies hast redeemed vs with thy pretious blood and hast reconciled vs to God Beholde o Lord protected with the shadowe of thy mercie I runne crauing pardon to the throne of thy glorie calling and knocking vntill thou take pittie of me For if thou hast called vs to pardon euen when we did not seeke it by how much more shall we obtaine pardon if we aske it Remember not thy iustice o most sweete Iesu towardes me a sinner but be mindeful of thy meeknes towards me thy creature Remember not thine anger towardes me guilty but be mindefull of thy mercie towardes me in miserie Forgett my pride prouoking thee to displeasure and weigh my wretchednes imploring thy fauoure For what doth thy sacred name Iesu signifie sauing onely a Sauiour Wherfore o Sauioure Iesu be thou my succoure and protection say vnto my soule I am thy saluation I doe presume very muche of thy diuine bountie because thou thy selfe dost teache vs to aske seeke and knocke at the dore of thy mercie Wherfore I doe aske seeke and knocke at thy dore as by thy wordes thou hast admonished me to doe Thou therfore o Lord that willest me to aske graunt that I may receiue Thou that dost couÌ„sell me to seeke graunt me likewise to finde Thou that dost teach me to knock open vnto me knockinge at the dore of thy mercie Recouer me being diseased repaire me being crased raise me being deade Vouchsafe likewise soe to direct and gouerne all my senses thoughtes and actions in that which is pleasing vnto thee that from hence forth I may faithfullie serue thee I may liue and giue my selfe wholy vnto thee I knowe o Lord that by reason thou hast made me I doe owe my selfe vnto thee and by reason thou hast redeemed me and hast been made man for me I doe owe if I had it to giue thee much more then my self vnto thee by how much greater then me thou art who hast giuen thy selfe for me Beholde I hau nothing els to giue thee neither can I giue thee this without thee take me therefore and drawe me vnto thee that I may be thine by imitation and affection like as I am by condition and creation Who liuest and raignest world without end Amen A profitable Prayer CHAPT XL. O Lord God almightie who art Trinitie in vnitie who art alwaies in al thinges and wert before all thinges and wilt be in all thinges euerlastingly one blessed God during all eternitie To thee this day and all the dayes of my life I coÌ„mende my soule my bodie my seeing hearing taste smelling and touchinge all my cogitations affections wordes and actions all thinges that I haue without within me my sense and vnderstanding my memorie faith and beleife and my constancie in well doinge all these I commende into the handes of thy powerfull protection to the end that all the nightes and daies howers and moments of my life thou wilt vouchsafe to preserue them Heare me o sacred Trinitie and preserue me from all euill from all scandall from all offence mortall from all the deceiptes and vexations of the diuell and of mine ennimies visible and inuisible by the prayers of the Patriarchs by the meritts of the Prophets by the suffrages of the Apostles by the constancie of Martyrs by the faith of CoÌ„fessors by the chastity of Virgins and by the intercession of al those Saints and holy men that haue pleased and faithfullie serued thee since the worlde began roote out of my hart all vaine glorious ostentation and increase in me the spiritt of compunction appease my pride and make perfect my humilitie Stirre me vp to teares and contrition and mollifie my hart being as harde as a stone Deliuer me o Lord and my soule from all the snares of my ghostlie enimie and preserue me in the performance of that which is most pleasing vnto thee Teache me to doe thy will o Lord because thou art my God Giue me o Lord a perfect sense and intelligence wherâ—by I may be able to knowe and acknowledge thy maruailous greate kindenesse Graunt that my petitions may be such as that they may be pleasing to thee and profitable to my selfe â—raunt
me teares proceeding from my whole affection which may be able to dissolue the bandes of my sinnes Heare me o my Lord and my God Heare me o light of mine eies Heare what I demaunde and graunt that thou mayest heare what I demaunde If thou despise me I shall perishe and be consumed if thou respect me I shal be receiued If thou examine my righteousnes I shal be founde to be as a deade man stinking throughe rottennes but if thou beholde me with the eie of thy mercie thou wilt therby raise me being through sinne like a corrupt carkase from the sepulcher of mine iniquitie Whatsoeuer o Lord thou hatest in me expell and â—oote out of me and plante in me the spirit of chastitie and continencie to the end that whatsoeuer I shall demaunde of thee in my demaunde I may not offende thee Take from me that which is hurtfull and giue me that which is profitable Giue me a medicine o Lord by which the soares of my soule may be healed Bellowe vppon me o Lord thy feare compunction of hart humilitie of minde and a conscience free from all sinne Graunt me grace o Lord that I may alwares be able to liue in charitie with my brethren not forgetting mine owne sinnes not prying into those of other men Pardon my soule Pardon my sinnes Pardon mine offences Pardon mine abominations Visit me being weakened cure me being diseased refresh me being weaâ—ied raise me being deade Giue me o Lord a harte that may feare thee a minde that may loue thee a sense that may conceiue thee eares that may heare thee eies that may see thee Take pittie o God take pittie of me and beholde me from the sacred seatâ— of thy sacred maiestie and illuminate the darkenes of my harre with the bright beames of thy light Giue me o Lord discretion to be able to discerne betweene good and cuill and endue me with an vnderstanding that is alwaies watchfull I humbly craue pardon of all my sinnes I humbly craue it o Lord of thee from whom and by whom I hope to findefauoure in time of necessitie O Marie mother of God mother of Iesus Christ our Lord thou sacred and vnspotted virgin vouchsafe to make intercession for me vnto him who made thee a worthy temple for himselfe to dwell in O S. Michael S. Gabriel S. Raphael o holy quires of Angells and Archangells of Patriarches and prophetes of Apostles and Euangelists of Martyrs and Confessors of Priests and Leuites of Monkes and Virgins and of all such as haue liued righteously I presume to beleeche you euen for his sake by whome you haue been elected and by whose contemplation you are she much delighted that you will be pleased to pray for me a poore sinner vnto him our God that I may be deliuered from the furious â—awes of the infernall feinde and from that death which shall neuer haue end Vouchsafe o Lord according to thy meekenes and vnspeakeable mercie to make me partaker of eternall felicitie Graunt o Lord Iesu that Priestes may liue in concorde and amitie and that Kinges and Princes ruling as they ought to doe may be vnited in peace and tranquillitie I humbly craue grace o Lord for the whole Catholique Church for men women for Religious persons and for secular people for all Christian magistrates and for all that beleiue in thee and laboure for thy holy loue that they may perseuer in doing well all the dayes of their liues Graunt o Lord and king eternall to Virgins chastitie to Religious persons that haue dedicated themselues vnto thee the guift of continencie to maried folkes holinesse to suche as are truly sorrowfull for theire sinnes forgiuenesse to widowes and orphans succour protection to those that are poore to pilgrims a safe returne comforte to such as mourne to the faithfull departed the repose of heauen to marriners and such as sayle on the sea theire desired porte or hauen to those that haue attained to perfection grace to perseuere to beginners and proficients in vertue grace to doe better to sinners and to suche as offende as to me poore wretche that they may speedily amende O most milde and mercifull Lord and Sauiour the sonne of the liuinge God the worldes redeemer amongst all men and in all thinges I confesse my selfe to be a miserable sinner neuerthelesse I beseeche thee most sweete and soueraigne father that thou wilt not cast me as an abiect out of thy fauour Yea rather o Lord thou King of Kinges who hast determined and decreede the length of each mans life graunt me a deuoute desire to amend mine Stirre vp my sluggishe soule to the end that att all times and in all thinges it may seeke desire loue and feare thee who in al places art three and one and putt in practice that which is pleasing vnto thee Especiallie I beseech thee o holy father who art blessed and glorious â—or euer that thou wilt mercifullie preserue all those that in theire prayers are mindfull of me haue commended themselues to mine albeit little worthe and of noe valewe those likewise that haue shewed towards me any deede of charitie or pittie or are ioyned to me in blood and affinitie aswell those that are deade as those that yet liue in this mortall bodie to the end that thou guiding and assisting them they may not perishe euerlastingly In generall I beseeche thee o Lord to aide and succoure all Christians that are yet liuinge and on those that are deade to bestowe absolution and life euerlasting Finallie o Lord I most humbly and hartely beseeche thee who art 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the beginning and the ending that when the time is come that I must die thou wilt be a milde and mercifull iudge and a perpetuall protector to me against the accusations and snares of the diuell my ancient aduersary admitting me for euer into the societâ—e of the holy Angells and of all thy Saints in thy heauenly cittie where thou art blessed and praysed during all eternitie Amen A deuoute Prayer in memorie of Christs passion CHAPT XLI O Lord Iesu Christ my redemption mercie and saluation I praise thee and giue thee thankes albeit farre inferiour to thy benefits albeit wholy voide of deuotion and feruour albeit leane and without the desired fatnes of that most sweete affection which thou dost require neuerthelesse my soule doth render thee thankes such as they are which althoughe they are not suche as I knowe I am bouÌ„de to offer yet they are according to my best endeuour O hope of my harte o strength of my soule may it please thy omnipotent worthines to accomplishe what my woÌ„derfull greate weakenes doth attempt to performe because thou art my life and the scope of mine intention And albeit I haue not hitherto deserued to loue thee soe muche as I knowe is due yet at least I desire to loue thee soe muche as I ought to doe Thou seest my conscience o my light for that my
mine aduersarie o Lord is wily turning and winding diuers waies soe that the wilines of his waies and the forme of his countenance is very hardly knowne vnles thou illuminate our vnderstanding For sometimes he is heere sometimes there sometimes he transformeth himselfe into a wolfe sometimes into darknes sometimes into light vsing diuersitie of temptations according to qualities places and times and according to the variation of thinges For to deceiue those that are sad he seemeth to be sad to mocke those that are merrie to delude spirituall men he changeth himselfe into an Angell of light to subdue those that be feirce he becommeth milde like a lambe and to deuoure those that are milde he becommeth feirce like a wolfe All these temptations he putteth in practice according to the like-lihoode he hath that they will take effect to the end he may terrifie some with feare by night others with the arrowe that flyeth by day others with ghosts and gastly vsions walking in darknes others through feare of inuasions others with diabolicall temptations that happen at noone day Who then is able to knowe these thinges and to finde out his fallacies Who is able to describe the forme of his attire the hideous order of his teethe Beholde he hadeth his arrowes in the quiuer and couereth his snares vnder the forme of light in soe much that it is a thing almost impossible to perceiue them vnlesse we receiue light from thee o Lord who art our hope by which we may see all thinges Neither doth he hide his subtile snares in the workes of the fleshe onely which are easiely perceiued nor in vices onely but alsoe in Religious actes themselues making vices to seeme vertues and changing himselfe into an Angell of light These and many other abhominable enterprises doth this sonne of Belial SataÌ„ the diuell endeuoure to practice against vs lying in waite sometimes like a Lion sometimes like a Dragon openly and secretely within and without by day and by night to bereaue vs of our soules But thou o Lord who sauest those that truste in thee deliuer vs from him we beseeche thee that he may greiue to see vs deliuered and thou for the same maiest by vs be praysed o Lord our God A further acknowledging of the benefits of God CHAPT XVIII I Therfore the son of thy handemaide hauing alreaddy committed and commended my selfe into the hands of thy mercie will now with my whole harte confesse vnto thee o Lord my deliuerer and call to minde all the benefits which thou hast bestowed vpon me during my whole life euen from mine infancie Because I knowe that ingratitude doth very much displease thee being the roote of all spirituall euill and a winde that doth blaste and burne vp whatsoeuer is good hindering the fountaine of thy diuine goodnes from flowing into vs by meanes whereof our euill actions that were forgiuen and forgotten are againe remembred and our good workes become deade and are noe more obtained Wherefore o Lord my deliuerer I will giue thee thankes least I be founde to be vngratefull vnto thee for that thou hast deliuered me As often as that infernall Dragon hath swallowed me downe thou o Lord hast drawen me violently out of his mouth As often as I haue sinned and he was ready to deuoure me thou o Lord my God hast preserued me When I offended thee by breaking thy commaundements he stoode readie to hale me away to hell if thou hadst not hindered him I did offend thee and thou didst defende me I did not respect thee yet thou didst protect me I departed from thee seeking to ioyne my selfe to mine aduersarie and thou didst affright him to the end he shoulde not entertaine me These benefits o Lord my God thou didst bestowe vpon me and I knew it not Truly thou hast diuers times dealt in this mercifull manner with me deliueringe me out of the iawes of the Diuell snatching me out of the mouthe of the Lion yea thou hast often times saued me from fallinge into the pitt of eternall damnation I little thinking whither I was going Verily I haue descended to the very gates and thou hast kept me from entring in I drewe nigh to the dores of death and by meanes of thee they haue not beene shutt vpon me Thou hast deliuered me many times o my Sauiour from corporall deathe after the like manner When greuious sicknesses did afflict me when diuers dangers did affright me thou o Lord didst still assist and mercifullie saue me deliuering me both by sea and lande from fire and sworde and from all aduersitie Thou â—ruly o Lord didst knowe full well that if then I had chanced to dye my soule had gone to hell and I shoulde haue beene damned euerlastinglie But thy mercy and grace o Lord my God hath preuented me sauing me from the death both of soule and body These and many other benefits thou hast bestowed vpon me and I was blinde did not perceiue it vntill thou didst enlighten me Now therefore o Lord my God the light of my soule my life by which I liue the light of mine eies by which I see beholde thou hast enlightned me and I doe knowe thee because I doe liue by thee for which I doe hartely thanke thee offering thee prayses according to my poore abilitie although they are small of little value and nothing answerable to the manifold benefitts which I haue receiued froÌ„ thee Because thou art my onely God my kinde creator who louest our soules and hatest nothing that thou hast made Beholde I o Lord the cheife of al those sinners that thou hast saued will confesse and acknowledge the manifolde benefits which I haue receiued from thee to the eÌ„d I may stirre vp others to doe the like and be a witnes of thy wonderfull mercy because thou hast deliuered me from the lowest hell not once or twice or thrice onely but an huÌ„dred yea a thousande times I alwaies went on towardes hell and thou didst bring me back againe continuallie soe that if thou wouldest thou mightest a thousand times haue iustly damned me Yet thou wouldest not because thou dost loue our soules and in hope that we will amend and doe pennance thou dost as it were winke at our wickednes o Lord our God of much mercy in all thy wayes Now therfore o Lord my God I doe see and perceiue these thinges by meanes of the light which thou hast giuen me and my soule doth as it were faint by thinking of thy maruailous greate mercy towardes me for that thou hast deliuered my soule from the deepest hell and hast restored me to life I was wholie deade thou hast wholie raysed me Wherfore sithence that my whole life doth depende wholy of thee I doe wholy offer my whole selfe vnto thee Let my whole spirit my whole harte my whole body yea my whole life liue to thee my sweete life because thou hast wholy deliuered me that thou mightst wholy possesse me thou hast
where our forefathers did sit in darknes and hast returned from thence on the third day as a glorious conquerour resuming againe thy sacred bodie which for our sinnes had remained deade in the sepulcher and reuiuing it the third day accordinge to the scripture that thou mightest place it in glorie at the right hande of God the father For hauinge deliuered those from captiuitie whom the ancient foe and ennimie of mankind hath detained as prisoners in â—imbo Patrum thou the true sonne of God hast ascended aboue all the heauens with the substance of our flesh that is with a soule and humaine flesh taken of the glorious Virgin mounting aboue all the orders of Angells where thou sittest at the right hande of God the Father where there is the fountaine of life and that light vnto which noe creature can attaine where there is the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding We adore thee Iesus Christ belieuing thee to be there confessinge God to be thy Father from whence we expect thee to come at the end of the worlde to iudge both the quicke and the deade and to render to all men whether good or euill a rewarde or punishment accordinge to theire actions donne in this life like as euery one shal be deemed worthy either of perpetuall peace or paine For all men that haue receiued a humaine soule shall arise at that day in the same fleshe which they had heere being by the voice of thy diuine power summoned to appeare to the end that euerie man his soule and body being reunited in one may according to his meritts receiue ether glorie or damnation Thou o Lord Iesus Christ art our life and our resurrection whom we expect as our Sauiour to come and saue vs who wilt reforme the bodie of our basenes making it conformable to the bodie of thy brightnes I haue knowen thee true God and one holy Spirit of the Father and the Sonne proceeding equallie from both of them consubstantiall and coeternall to the Father and the Sonne being our comforter and aduocate who in likenes of a doue hast descended vppon the same God our Lord Iesus Christ appearing likewise in tongues of fire vppon the Apostles Who alsoe by the guift of thy grace hast taught all the Saints and elect of God from the beginning openning in like manner the mouthes of the Prophetes to the end they might declare the wonderfull thinges of thy heauenly kingdome who together with the Father and the Sonne art adored and glorified of all the Saints of God Amongst whome I likewise the sonne of thy hande-maide doe with my whole hart glorify thy name because thou hast enlightned me For thou art the true light the light that telleth the truth the truth the fire of God and the maister and directour of our soules who by thy sacred vnction dost teache vs all truth Thou art the Spirit of truth without whose ayde it is impossible to please God because thou thy selfe art God of God light of light proceeding after an vnspeakable manner from the Father of lightes and from his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord with whom thou art glorified and dost raigne together with them superessentiallie being consubstantiall coequall and coeternal with them in the essence of one Trinitie I haue knowen thee one liuing and true God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost three indeede in personnes but one in essence whom I confesse adore and glorifie with my whole harte as the tâ—ue and onely God holy immortall inuisible immutable inaccessible vnsearcheable one light one sunne one breade one life one good one beginning and one end one creator of heauen and earthe by whom all thinges doe liue are preserued guided gouerned and reuiued in heauen in earthe and vnder the earth besides whom there is noe God either is heauen or earthe Thus o Lord God I haue knowen thee who knowest me thus I haue knowen thee I haue knowen thee o my light by thy faithe which thou hast inspired into me o Lord my God the light of â—â—ineeies the hope of the vniuersall worlde the ioy that maketh glad my young and tender yeares and the good that sustaineth my old age All my bones reioyce in thee o Lord saying O Lord who is like vnto thee Who is like vnto thee o Lord amongst the Gods For that the handes of men haue not made thee but contrariwise it is thou that hast made the handes of men The idolls of the Gentills are siluer and golde the workemanship of the handes of men but the maker of men is not such an one All the Gods of the Gentiles are diuells but our Lord hath made the heauens he therefore is the true God Let those Gods which haue not made heauen and earthe perishe and be cast forth of heauen and earthe and let heauen and earthe prayse that God which hath created heauen and earthe The acknowledging of our owne basenes CHAPT XXXIII WHo is like vnto thee o Lord euen amonge the Gods Who I say is like vnto thee Thou art greate in sanctiâ—ie terrible and worthy to be praised doing things that deserue to be admired Too too late haue I knowen thee o true light too too late haue I knowen thee And the cause was for that there was a great and darke cloude before mine eies that delighted in vanitie which hindred me from beholding the sunne of iustice and the light of all veritie I was wrapt in darknes being the child of darknes because I knewe not the light I was blindâ— and loued blindnes and walked through one darknes into an other Who hath deliuered me from thence where I remained as a blinde man sitting in darknes and in the shadowe of death Who hath taken me by the hande and lead me forthe of the same Who is he that hath thus enlightned me I sought him not and he sought me I called him not and he called me But who is he Thou art he o Lord my God being most mercifull and pittifull yea the Father of mercies and God of all comforte Thou o Lord my God most holy art he that hast donne the same whom I confesse with my whole harte rendring thanks to thy holy name I did not seeke thee thou hast sought me I did not call vpon thee thou hast called me yea thou hast called me by thine owne name Thou hast thundered from heauen with a greate voice into the internall eare of my harte saying Let light be made and light was made whereupon that greate and darke cloude which had couered mine eies departed and was dissolued whereby I haue seene thy light and knowen thy voice And I saied Trulieo Lord thou art my God who hast deliuered me out of darknes and from the shadowe of deathe calling me into thy admirable light soe that now I see Thanks be to thee o Lord who hast enlightned me And I looked backe and beheld the darknes wherein I had liued and the deepe darke dongeon wherein I had remained
any time my rebellious flesh doth chance to throwe me downe through the remembrance of the woundes of my Lord I arise againe When the diuell seeketh to entrap me I forthwith fly to the bowells of my Lords mercy and he presentlie departeth from me If the heate of vnlawfull luste doth at any time cause any inordinate motion in my flesh through the remembrance of the woundes of our Lord the sonne of God it is immediatlie mitigated In all aduersities I doe not finde a more soueraigne remedie then are the wounds which Christ suffered for me In them I sleepe securely and repose assuredly Christ hath died for vs and therfore in deathe nothing can be founde soe bitter and vnpleasing which is not sweetned and cured by Christs death and passion My whole hope is in the deathe of my Lord. His deathe is my merit succoure and saluation it is my life and resurrection our Lords mercy and compassion is the merit which I rely vpon I am not voide of merit aslonge as I haue the Lord of mercies on my parte and sit hence the mercies of our Lord are many I my selfe am likewise riche in merits By howe much the more powerfull he is to saue me by soe much the greater is my securitie Howe the remembrance of Christs woundes is an approued remedie against all afflictions CHAPT XXIII I Haue exceedingly sinned and I knowe mine offenses to be many which I haue committed and yet I doe not despaire because where sinnes haue abounded there grace hath superabounded He that despaireth of obtaining pardon for his sinnes denieth God to be mercifull He doth almightie God a greate iniurie that mistrusteth of his mercy As much as lieth in him he denieth God to haue charity truth and power in which three notwithstanding doth depend my whole confidence that is in the charitie of his adoption in the truth of his promise and in the power of his redemption Nowe therfore let my foolishe imagination murmure as much as it will saying Who art thou that speakest after this fashion how wonderfull greate I pray thee is the glory of heauen by what merits then doâ—t thou hope to obtaine the same To whom I will answere confidently saying I knowe to whom I haue committed my selfe for that throughe his surpassing great charitie he hath adopted me to be his sonne because he is true in his promise and able to performe the same and may doe whatsoeuer it pleaseth him I cannot be terrified with the multitude of my sinnes if the deathe of my Lord come into my minde because my sinnes cannot oâ—ercome him The nayles and lance doe tell me that I am truly reconciled to Christ if I loue him Longinus with his lance hath opened Christs side for me into which I haue entred and doe rest there securely He that feareth let him loue because loue chaseth forth feare Verilie the whole worlde doth not afforde such a powerfull and present medicine against the heate of dishonest pleasure as is the deathe of my redeemer He stretcheth for the his armes on the Crosse and spreadeth out his handes as one readie to embrace sinners I purpose to liue and desire to die betweene the armes of Christ that hath saued me There I will sing securely I will extoll thee o Lord for that thou hast receiued me and hast not permitted mine enimies to triumphe ouer me Our Sauiour at his death bowed downe his heade that he might giue the kisse of peace to his beloued So often doe we kisse God as we are egged forwards through his loue to doe good A deuoute Meditation of the soule stirring vs vp to the loue of Christ. CHAPT XXIV O My soule who art famous by being framed according to the likenes of God beinge bought with Christs owne blood espoused vnto him by faith endowed with the holy Ghost adorned with vertues esteemed equall with the Angells loue him of whom thou art soe much loued attende to him that attendeth to thee and seeke him that seeketh thee Loue this thy louer of whom thou art beloued with whose loue thou art preuented who is the fountaine froÌ„whence thy loue proceeded He is thy merit and rewarde he is the fruite the vse and end of thy loue Be carefull to please him that is carefull to please thee thinke on him that thinketh of thee be pure with him that surpasseth in puritie be holy with him that excelleth all others in sanctitie According as thou shalt carry thy selfe towardes God in thy conuersation in the same manner will he carrie himselfe towardes thee againe He therfore being courteous milde and full of mercy and compassion doth exact of thee that thou likewise be courteous milde sweete huÌ„ble and mercifull towardes all men Loue him o my soule who hath deliuered thee from the lake of misery and from the myre of sinne and iniquitie Choose him for thy friende especiallie who alone will faithfullie adhere vnto thee when all other thinges and friendes shal be taken from thee On the day of thy buriall when thou shalt be abandoned by all thy friendes he will not leaue thee but will defende thee from those roring and infernali fiendes ready to deuoure thee yea he will conduct thee throughe that vnknowne region and bring thee into the streetes of heauenly Syon and will place thee there with his Angells before the face of his Maiestie where thou shalt heare that Angelicall songe Holy holy holy c. The Canticle of ioy the voice of mirthe and 〈◊〉 thanks-giuing praise and perpetuall Alleluia is songe there euerlastingly There there is a heape of happines supereminent glory superaboundant gladnes and all manner of goodnes O my soule sighe vehementlie and desire earnestlie that thou maiest attaine to that celestiall citty of which soe glorious thinges are saied and in which is the dwelling place of all those that are truly glad By loue thou maiest mounte vp thither because nothing is harde nothing is impossible to an vnfained louer The soule that loueth ascendeth very often and runneth vp and downe familiarlie in the streetes of the heauenlie Hierusalem visiting the Patriarches and Prophets saluting the Apostles admiring the armies of Martyres and Confessores and considering the quires of Virgins Heauen and earthe and all thinges in them contained doe continuallie exhorte me to loue my Lord God How nothing can satisfie the soule besides God the supreame good CHAT XXV IT is impossible that the harte of man should remaine constant and stable if it be not setled in the desire of thinges eternall but being more mutable then mutabilitie it selfe it passeth from one thing to an other seeking repose where it is not for in these fraile and transitorie thinges in which the affections thereof are held captiue it cannot content it selfe and liue at quiet because it is of soe great dignitie as that nothinge but the chiefe good is able to suffice it it is likewise of that freedome as that it cannot be constrained to commit any sinne Wherfore
of my vitious inclinations set open this pious place of refuge to which I may flie from the tumults of mine inordinate affections Graunt o Lord thou strength of my saluatioÌ„ that I be not of the number of those whoe for a â—ime beleiue and in time of temptation doe departe and leaue thee couer my heade in the day of battaile my hope in the day of affliction and my safegarde in time of tribulation Beholde o Lord my light and my life I haue asked those thinges which I want I haue made knowen those thinges which I feare neuerthelesse my conscience tormeÌ„teth me the secrets of my hart doe reprehende me and what loue affordeth feare disperseth zeale encourageth me dreade daunteth me mine actions cause me to feare but thy pittie giueth me cause of hope thy mercie emboldeneth me but my malice with-holdeth me And to speake the truth there occure to my memory many sinfull imaginations which reprehende the boldnes of my presuminge affections Mans complainte who for his disobedience is not heard of God CHAPT III. HE therefore which deserueth anger with what face can he demaunde fauoure he which meriteth to be punished howe can he be soe foole-hardie as to aske to be rewarded he incenseth the iudge whoe neglectinge to make satisfaction for his offence maketh meane to obtaine a recompence that malefactor mocketh and derideth his kinge and Lord that carnestly requiteth that price and honouâ—e which he nouer deserued That foolishe sonne likewise preuoketh to anger the sweete affection of his father whoe after reproaches offered bâ—fore repentance doth vsurpe and lay title to his inheritance What is this o Father thaâ— I recompt of myselfe I haue desâ—rued deathe yet begge for life I haue moued my kinge to anger whose aide not withstanding I impudentlie implore I hauâ— dâ—spiâ—ed my judge whome rashely I demaunde to be my helper I haue insolentlie refusâ—d to heaâ—e himâ—a a father whome nowe I presume to choose for my dâ— fender Woe is me for not comminge soe soone as I ought Alas alas howe little haâ—â— doe I make Woe is me for that I runne nowe after woundes be receiued disdatning to take heede of the dartes before I was wounded I neglected to beware of the weapons before hande yet nowe I am troubled throughe the apprehension of deathe at hande I haue inflâ—cted woundâ— vppon wounde for that I haue not feared to adde sinne vppon sinne I haue made my former scarrs to fester with newe sores for that I haue renewed my former faultes by newe iniquities and those whome the diuine salue had made sounde my phreneticall itching hath againe vnbound The skin which being growen ouer my woundes had hidden my maladie by reason of the corruption breakinge forthe hath growen to putrifie because mine iniquitie beinge reâ—â—eraâ—ed hath euacuated and bereaued me of mercie which before was graunted for that I knowe it is written In what hower soeuer a iust man shall sinne all his good deedes shal be forgotten If the righteousnesse of a good man is abolished when hâ—â—â—lleth into sinne by how much more is the pennance of a sinner defaced if he returne to the same O howe often haue I as a dogge returned to that which I had vomitted vpp before and as a sowe haue wallowed agains in the mire I confesse that it is impossible for me to remember howe manie simple and ignorant personnes by my meanes haue sinned howe manye that were desirous to cease from sinne I haue persuaded howe many that haue with-stoode me I haue constrained to howe many that were willing I haue consented to howe many that walked in the right way I haue prepared a ginne to how many that sought the right way I haue vncouered the pit that they might fall in and that I might not be deteried from committing still the like I easily put those past out of my minde But thou in the interim being a â—ust iudge markinge and sealinge vpp mine offenses as it were in a bagge hast considered all my waies and hast numbred all my foote stepps Thou hast all this while helde thy peace thou hast bene silent thou hast beene patient Woe is me for that thou wilt speake at length as a woman in her trauaile The dreade of the iudge comming to iudgement CHAPT IV. O God of Gods o Lord in mercy surmountinge the malice of men I knowe thou wilt not be alwaies silent then I meane when a flaminge fire shall burne before thee and a terrible tempest shall shoure downe rounde about thee when thou shalt call both heauen and earthe to iudge and discerne thy people And loe in the presence of soe many millions of people al mine iniquities shal be reuealed before soe many troupes of Angels al myne abominations shal be desplaied not onely of mine actions but likewise of my wordes and cogitations Ther shall I poore wretche stande to be iudged by so many as haue gone before me in doing good I shall by soe many accusers be thought worthy of hell as haue giuen me example of liuing well I shal be conuinced by soe many witnesses as haue admonished me by theire wholesome speeches and by their godly and pious conuersation haue caried themselues worthy of imitation O my Lord I knowe not what to say I knowe not what to answere And albeit I am as yet free from that terrible danger neuerthelesse my conscience doth afflict me the hidden secrets of my harte doe torment me couetousnes doth presse me pride doth accuse me enuie doth consume me concupiscence doth enflame me luste doth moleste me gluttonie doth disgrace me dronkennes doth conuince me detraction doth rent me ambition doth supplante me extorsion doth check me discorde doth distract me anger doth disturbe me leuitie doth vndoe me drousines doth oppresse me hyprocrisie doth deceiue me flattery doth subdue me fauoure doth eâ—toll me backbitinge doth disquiet me Beholde o my deliuerer whoe hast deliuered me out of the hands of cruell people Beholde with whome I haue liued from the day of my birthe with whome I haue studied and with whome I haue kept promise Those veâ—ie studies which here â—ofore I affâ—cted doe condemne me which in imeâ— paâ—t I praysed doe dispraise me These are the friends to whome I haue assenâ—ed the teachers whom I haue obeyed the maâ—sters whome I haue serued the consellers with whome I haue beleiued the cittizens with whome I haue inhabited the famâ—har acquaintance to whome I haue consented Woe is me o my kinge and my God for that my abode heare is prolonged Woe is me o my light for that I haue liued with those that liue in darknes And seeing holy Dauid saied soe muche howe muche more may I be able to say My soule hath dwelt too longe in a strange lande O my God my force and my fortresse noe man shal be iustified in thy sight My hope is not in the sonnes of men Whom wouldest thou find iustified if thou shouldest iudge seuerely setting mercie aside Neither is there any thinge
my cause from vniust people teache me to fulfill thy will for thou art my God Because I beleiue that in whom soeuer thou doost vouchsafe to make thine habitation in him thou doost builde a house for God the Father and the Sonne That man doubtles is blest who shal be thought worthy to haue thee for his guest for that by thee the Father and the sonne will with him make their mansion Come now come most kinde comforter of a sorrowefull soule come most ready helper in tribulation and time of trouble Come o cleanser of sinnes o healer of woundes Come o strength of such as are fraile o releife of suche as fall Come o instructer of the simple and lowly destroyer of the proude and hautie Come o pittifull Father of the fatherlesse milde iudge of widowes Come o hope of the needy refresher of the fainte and sickly Come o bright starre of those that saile o hauen of those that by shipwrack faile on the sea Come o singular commendation of all men liuing the onely saluation of the faithfull departing Come o most holie Spirit come and take pittie vpon me Vnite me vnto thee and gratiously graunt me that according to the multitude of thy mercies my smalnes may be pleasing to thy greatnes and my weakenes to thy force through our Sauiour Iesus Christ who together with the Father in thy vnity liueth and raigneth for euer and euer Amen A Prayer for one seruing God and thinkinge humbly of himselfe CHAPT X. I knowe o Lord I knowe and confesse that I am not worthy to be beloued of thee yet certainely thou art not vnworthy to be beloued of me I am vnworthy I coÌ„fesse to serue thee but thou art not vnworthy worthy of my seruice seinge thou hast created me Graunt me therefore o Lord to doe that whereof thou art worthy and I shal be worthy of that whereof I am now vnworthy Make me by what meanes thou wilt to cease from iniquitie that accordinge as I am bounde I may be able to serue thee Graunt me soe to keepe gouerne and end my life that I may sleepe in peace and rest in thee Giue me grace at my dyinge day to sleepe with repose to repose with securitie to be secure for all eternitie Amen A Prayer to the Holy Trinitie CHAPT XI WIth my whole harte and mouthe I confesse thee God the Father vnbegotten thee the Sonne onely begotten thee the Holy Ghost giuer of comforte and consolation the holy and vndeuided Trinitie to thee be glorie for all eternitie The acknowledginge of God almightie and of his maiestie CHAPT XII O Holy Trinitie one virtue and vnseparable maiestie one God and God almighty I confesse vnto thee I that am the last and least of thy seruants and a poore member of thy church I confesse vnto thee and honour thee with a sacrifice of praise as is my duty according to the small knowledge and abilitie which thou hast giuen me And for that I haue noe exteriour guifts to offer vnto thee I therfore from an vnfained faith and vndefiled conscience doe willingâ—ly and ioyfully offer vnto thee those vowes of praise which by the guift of thy grace are fouÌ„de within me I therefore with my whole harte beleiue and call vpon thee I confesse the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost three in persons and one in substance to be the true God omnipotent of one nature or essence simple spirituall inuisible incompreâ—ensible hauing nothing higher or lower or greater then thy selfe but beinge perfect without deformity great without quantity good without quality eternall without time life without death strong without infirmity true without falshood euery where present without situation wholy euery where without location filling all thinges without extension occurring euery where without contradiction going beyond all thinges without motion stayinge in all thinges without station creatinge all thinges hauing want of nothing gouerning all thinges without trauaile or perturbation giuing beginning to all thinges thy selfe being without beginning making all thinges mutable thy selfe being without mutation In greatnes infinite in vertue omnipotent in goodnes superexcellent in wisedome inestimable in thy counsells terrible iust in thy iudgements most secrett in thy cogitations true in thy wordes holy in thy workes aboundant in mercies Most patient towardes offenders most pittifull towardes penitent sinners beinge still the same eternall and euerlastinge immortall immutable whom the largenes of places doth not enlarge nor the litlenes make lesse nor any places of receipt whatsoeuer doe any way straighten and presse together Neither doth thy will alter thee nor freindshipp corrupt thee or dolefull thinges trouble thee or ioyfull thinges moue thee Whom neither forgettfullnes doth make to forgett nor remembrance to remember any thinge To whom thinges past and thinges to come are alwaies present To whom beginning neuer gaue beginning nor time augmentation neither shall any hap or chaunce euer giue ending but thou art he who liuest for euer and euer before all ages and in all ages and through out all ages To thee therefore is due perpetuall prayse and eternall glorie most soueraigne power and singular dignitie and euerlastinge kingdome and dominion worlde without end duringe all eternitie Amen After what manner it pleased God the Father to succoure mankinde Of the incarnation of the diuine Worde and thankes for the same CHAPT XIII HItherto o God almighty the beholder and searcher of my hart I haue confessed the omnipotency of thy maiestie the maiesty of thy omnipotency but now after what manner thou hast vouchsafed to helpe mankind towardes the end of the world as I beleiue with the hart for my iustification soe I confesse with my mouth before thee therby to attaine saluation Certaine it is we cannot any where finde it written of thee that thou o God the Father hast at any time beene sent alone but of thy sonne thus writteth thy Apostle But when the fulnes of time was come God sent his soâ—re When he saieth he sent he sufficiently declareth that he came at that time sent into this worlde when being borne of blessed Marie euer a Virgin he appeared in our flesh true and perfect man But what is that which the cheife euaÌ„gelist affirmeth of him He was in the world and the world was made by him Doutlesse he was sent thither by taking vpoÌ„ him our humanitie where he alwaies hath beene and is remaining by his diuinity Which Mission I verily beleiue with my whole hart and confesse with my mouth to haue bene the work of the whole holy Trinity Now how greately hast thou loued vs o holy and louing Father how greately hast thou loued vs o pitâ—ifull Creator who hast not spared euen thine onely son but hast giuen him for vs sinners He hath beene obedient vnto thee vnto death euen the death of the crosse and takinge our hand writing or obligation wherin we stoode bounde aâ— slaues to the diuell by sinne and fastninge the same to the crosse he
hath crucified sinne and vanquished death he I say who only remained free amongst those that were deade hauinge power to giue his life for vs and for vs to take it againe He therefore is both a conquerour and an oblation offered for obtayning the coÌ„quest and for this cause a conquerour because an oblation for vs he hath beene a Priest and a sacrifice In him therfore and not without iust cause haue I settled my whole hope hoping that by him thou wilt cure all my maladies who sitteth at thy right hande maketh intercession for vs. My maladies and miseries o Lord are greate and many many and greate for that I knowe and confesse that the Prince of this worlde hath many thinges to lay to my charge but for his sake that sitieth at thy right hande our Redeemer in whoÌ„ the Diuell coulde neuer finde any iniquitie deliuer me I beseeche thee Iustifie me by him who neuer committed any sinne neither was there deceipt at any time founde in his mouth By him beinge our heade in whom was neuer seene the least spott of wickednes deliuer me that am a small and infirme member of his Free me I beseeche thee from my finnes vices faultes and negligences replenishe me with thy sacred virtues and perfections and make me complete in good manners and conditions Make me for thy blessed names sake to perseuer all the daies of my life in good workes acceptable to thee accordinge as thy holy will shall teache and direct me Of the confidence which a Christian soule ought to haue in Iesus Christ and in his passion CHAPT XIV WEre it not that thy diuine Worde o God had beene made flesh and dwelt in vs I should verily despaire by reason of my manifolde sinnes and infinite negligences But now I dare not despaire because if when we were thine enimies we haue beene reconciled by the death of thy sonne how much more being thus brought in fauour againe are we by him made assured of saluation For my whole hope and vndoubted confidence is in his pretious bloud which he hath powred forth for vs and for our good In him I breath and take comforte and trusting in his bounty I desire to come to thee not hauing any iustice or deserte of mine owne but only that which proceedeth from our Lord Iesus Christ thy onely sonne Wherfore I giue thee thankes o God the most milde and mercifull louer of mankinde who by thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord hast powerfully made vs when as yet we had noe being and hast by him wonderfully deliuered and recouered vs when we were past recouerie through sinne I thanke thy pitty and rendre thee many prayses from the very bottome of my hart who through the vnspeakable loue wherwith of thy mere goodnes thou hast loued vs beinge wretched creatures and vnworthy of any good thinge hast sent for our common good the same onely begotten sonne of thine from thy bosome to saue vs sinners beinge then the children of perdition I giue thee thankes for his sacred incarnation and natiuitie and for his glorious mother the blessed virgin Marie of whom he vouchsafed to take fleshe for vs and for our saluation that as he was true God of God soe likewise he might be true man of man I giue thee thankes for his crosse and passion for his deathe and resurrection for his ascension into heauen and for the rhrone of his maiestie at thy right hande For he hauinge for fortie daies togither appeared vnto his disciples after his resurrection ascendinge in theire sight aboue all the heauens and sittinge at thy right hande powred forth the holy Ghost accordinge to his promise vppon the children of adoption I giue thee thankes for that most sacred effusion of his most pretious bloude by which we haue beene redâ—emed as likewise for that most holy and liuelâ— mysterie of his bodie and bloude wherewith we are daylie in thy Churche sedd and inebriated walhed and sanctified and made pertakers of his soue aigne Good I giue thee thankes for thy admirable and vnspeakeable charitie through which by thine onely and beloued sonne thou hast in this manner loued and releiued vs being altogeather vnworthy Soe greately hast thou loued the worlde as that thou hast giuen thine onely begotten sonne to the end that euerie one which beleiueth in him might not perishe but haue life euerlasting which life euerlasting consisteth in this that by a pure and perfect faith and workes answerable to the same we knowe thee the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Of the surpassing great charity of the eternall Father towards mankind CHAPT XV. O Infinite mercy o inestimable charity thou hast giuen thy sonne to deliuer thy seruant God hath beene made man that man might be freed from the power of the Diuell when he was vtterly vndonne How kinde a louer of men hath thy sonne our Lord God shewed himselfe to be who thought it not enough to haue debased himselfe so lowe as to haue taken humaine fleshe for vs of the immaculate virgin Marie vnlesse he had likewise sustained the torments of his passion pouring forth his bloud for vs and for our saluation Our good God hath come being moued thereunto through his goodnes and mercy he hath come he hath come to seeks and saue that which was lost cast away He hath sought the sheepe that was lost he hath sought and found it and as a merciful Lord and vnspeakeable louing shepheard he hath on his owne shoulders brought it backe to the foldes of his flocke O charity o pitty Who euer heard the like who is not astonied at this soe feeling an affection of his mercy who is not through admiration almost striken into an extasie who is not moued with gladnes through this thy excessiue charitie wherewith thou hast loued vs Thou hast sent thy son in the likenesse of flesh subiect to sinne that he might conuince sinno of sinne that we might become iust in him For he is the true immaculate lambe who hath taken away the sinnes of the worlde who by dyinge hath destroyed our death and by risinge againe hath raised vs to life But what recompence can we giue thee o good God for these soe greate benefits of thy mercie What praises or thankes giuinge Albeit we had the knowledge and power of the blessed Angels yet could we not make any requitall answerable to thy soe greate loue and goodnes yea if all our members were turned into tonges yet woulde our poore abilitie be no way sufficient to render thee those prayses which thou hast deserued Soe that thine inestimable charitie which thou hast shewed towardes vs being altogether vnworthy proceeding froÌ„ thy meere goodnes and mercy doth surpasse all the knowledg and learning that either is or may be For that thy sonne our God hath not takeÌ„ the nature and essence of Angells but the â—eede of Abraham becomming like vnto vs in euerie thinge setting aside onely sinne Taking therfore
be wanting if the wife be conioyned to her husband with that feruoure of minde as that through the greatnes of her loue shee can take noe repose being not able without greate greife to sustaine the absence of her beloued husbande with what affection desire and feruoure of minde ought that soule whoÌ„ thou hast espoused and linked vnto thee by faith and thy manifold mercies to loue thee the true God the most beautifull spouse who hast after that wonderfull manner loued and saued vs who hast donne soe many soe greate and such vnspeakeable thinges for vs. But althoughe the transitorie thinges of this worldâ— haue theire particular loues and delightes yet is the delight and content which they yeilde farre inferiour to that which proceedeth from thee o Lord our God In thee the iust man is dâ—lighted because thy loue is sweete and peaceable thou being accustomed to replenishe those hartes which thou dost possesse with vnspeakeable delight sweetnesse and quietnes Contrariwise the loue of the worlde and of the fleshe causeth a thousande woes not permittinge the soules into which it entreth to be at any repose but continually vexeth them with suspitions with diuers doubtes and perturbations Thou therfore o Lord art the delight of good and iust men and truly not without reason for that in thee is true repose and a life free from molestation He that entreth into thee o good God entreth into the ioy of his Lord and shall not be any more afraied but shall finde himselfe happily placed in a most happie habitation saying This is my rest for euermore heere I will dwell because I haue chosen the same And Againe Our Lord guideth me and I shall want nothinge he hath placed me in a place of pasture O sweete Christ o good lesu fill my harte perpetually with thy vnquenchable charitie with the continuall remembrance of thee soe that beinge become as a fierie flame I may wholy burne through the sweetnes of thy loue which loue in me let be soe greate as that whole fountaines flouddes of water may neuer be able to quenche it Make me most sweete Lord to loue thee and for thy loue to lay a side the heauie and vnsuportable burden of all earthly and carnall conscupiscences which doe molest and presse downe my wretched soule to the end that being freed from them and runninge after thee in the sweete smell of thy odoriferous ointments I may at length hauinge thee for my guide be able to attaine to the vision and fruition of thy beauâ—ie and by the same to remaine truly satisfied eternally For two seuerall loues the one good the other â—uill the one sweete the other bitter cannot in one harte possibly dwell together And therefore if any one doth loue any thinge besides thee thy charitie in him o God is not the loue of sweetnes and the sweetnes of loue for thou art that loue that afflicteth not but delighteth that loue that for euer remaineth chast and sincere that loue alwaies burneth and neuer consumeth O sweete Christ o good Iesu my loue my loue and my God inflme me wholy with thy fire with the loue of thee with thy sweetnes and delectaâ—ion with thy mirth and exultation with thy pleasure and desire which is holy and good chast cleane quiet and secure to the end that being wholy replenished with the sweetnes of thy loue being wholy inflamed with the fire of thy charity I may loue thee my God with all my harte force and strength hauinge thee at all times and in al places in my harte in my mouth and before mine cees soe that noe receptacle may be founde in me to receiue the counterfayted loue of thinges transitorie Heare o my God heare o light of mine eies heare and graunt what I demaunde of thee to the end thou maiest heare me O most meeke and mercifull Lord refuse not to heare me by reason of my sinnes but for thy goodnes sake receiue the prayers of me thy vnworthy seruant and graunt me the effect of my peticion and desire by the intercession prayer and request of the glorious virgin Marie thy mother and my Ladie and of all the Saintes of thy heauenly Cittie Amen A most deuoute Prayer demaunding Grace of God to praise him as wee ought CHAPT XXXVI O Christ our Lord the diuine worde of the Father whose comming into the worlde was to saue sinners I beseech thee by the bowels of thine infinite mercie amende my life make better mine actions compose my manners take from me whatsoeuer is hurtfull to me displeasinge to thee and giue me that which thou knowest is pleasinge to thee and profitable for me Who is there that can cleanse man from sinne conceiued in the same sauinge thou alone Thou arâ— God almighty of infinite mercy who iustifiest the wicked and raysest to life those that through sinne were deade who changest sinners from that which they were before vpholdinge them that they fall not any more Remoue from me therfore I beseeche thee whatsoeuer in me is displeasinge vnto thee Thy eies I knowe doe plainely see mine imperfections to be very manie Wherefore may it please thee to stretche forth towards me the hande of thy mercie and with the same remoue from me whatsoeuer is offensiue in me to the eies of thy diuine Maiestie My health o Lord and my sicknesse doe depende of thy power preserue I beseech thee the one and cure the other Cure me o Lord and I shal be cured saue me and I shal be saued thou art he that dost cure those thinges that are diseased keepinge them in health after they are healed thou art he that with the very becke and nod of thy heade dost repaire those thinges that are ruined and decayed For if it be thy pleasure to sowe in my hart the good seedâ— of vertues it is necessarie that first with the hande of thy pittie thou pluck vp the thornes of mine iniquities Most sweete benigne louinge deare desired beloued and most beautifull Lord powre into my harte I most hartlie beseeche thee the aboundance of thy sweetnes and charitie that I may neither desire nor as much as thinke vppon any worldly or carnall delectation but may loue thee alone hauinge thee onely in my mouthe and in my affection Write in my breaste with thy finger the sweete remeÌ„brance of thy hony sweete name by noe forgetfulnes euer to be blotted out of the same Write in the tables of my harte thy most holy will and thy iustifications that alwaies and in all places I may haue thee and thy preceptes before mine eieâ— who art a Lord of infinite sweetnes Inflame my minde with that sacred fire of thine which thou haâ—t sent into the world and dost greatlye desire that it should be kindled to the end that with teares I may daylie offer vnto thee the sacrifice of a humble and contrite harte O sweete Christ and louinge Iesu giue me as I desire as I desire with my whole hart giue
me thy loue which is chast and holie that it may replenishe preserue wholy possesse me Giue me likewise I beseeche thee in token of thy loue a fountaine of teares trickling downe from mine eies that they may beare witnes of thy teÌ„der affection towardes me let them speake and declare how much my soule doth loue thee seing it cannot containe it selfe from teares by reason of the surpassing great sweetnesse surpassinge greate charitie I remember o louing Lord that good woman Anne who came to the tabernacle to desire a sonne of whom the holie scripture relateth that after her teares and prayers to this effect offered shee remained as one assured to obtaine what shee had desired Now when I call to minde this her soe greate vertue and constancie in not doubtinge to receiue what shee demaunded I caÌ„not but be greatelie greiued and ashamed1 For if a woman did thus weepe perseuer in weeping which did onelie seeke to obtaine a sonne in what manner ought my soule to lament and to continue in lamentation which doth seeke and loue God desireth to attaine vnto him how ought that soule to lament and weepe which doth seeke God day and night whâ—ch refuseth to loue any other thinge sauinge Christ alone Verilie we might very well wonder and be astonished if the teares of such a soule were not her continuall foode Wherefore I beseâ—che the take pittiâ— of me and be mercifull vnto me because the sorrowes of my harte are exceeding manie Imparte vnto me thy celestial comforte and despite not my sinfull soule for which thou hast suffered a death soe cruel Bestowe vppon me the guifte of teares proceeding from an internall affection loue towardes thee which may breake the bands of mine iniquities and alwaies fill my soule with celestiall gladnes Although I durst not demauÌ„de to be pertaker of that vnspeakeable rewarde which thou hast ordained for true perfect moÌ„kes and religious men for that I am altogether vnable to followe the footestepps of theire angelicall conuersation yet at least lett me obtaine some place or other in thy kingdome amonge the deuoute blessed woemen The wonderfull deuotion of an other deuoute woman doth likewise come into my minde who with greate loue sought thee lying in thy graue who after thy disciples were gone went not away from thy tombe but â—att still sorrowfull and lamenting and for a long time together very bitterly weeping and rising vp from the place where shee had sitten with watchfull eies and many teares shee diligently sought thee againe and againe in euery corner of thy sepulcher from which thou wert departed being risen to see if peraduenture shee might any where see and finde thee whom shee sought with soe greate affection Doubtles shee had entred and sought thee in the sepulcher diuers times before and yett all was not enoughe in respect of her ardent loue for that perseueraÌ„ce is the perfectioÌ„ of euery good action And because aboue others shee loued thee and with loue lamented thee and with lamentation sought thee and in seeking continued coÌ„stantly for this cause before all others shee deserued to finde thee to see thee and to speake vnto thee Neither was shee onely thought worthy of this one fauour alone but besides this was made the messenger Apostle vnto the Apostles themselues of thy glorious Resurrection thou gently bidding and coÌ„maunding her saying Goe tell my brethren that they goe into Galilee there they shall see me If therefore this woman did in this maner weepe and perseuere in weeping who sought thee as one shee thought to be deade albeit thou wert liuinge who touched thee with the hande of her faith how greately ought that soule to lament and persist in lamentation who beleiueth with the hart and acknowledgeth thee with the mouth to be her Reedemer and to rule and raigne both in heauen and euery where how greately ought that soule to groane and weepe who with the whole harte loueth thee and with the whole harte desireth to see thee O thou-that art the onely hope and succoure of such as are in miserie to whom we neuer pray without hope of mercie for thine owne sake and for thy holy names sake graunt me this grace I beseeche thee that as often as I thinke speake write reade or talke of thee as often as I meditate of thee and as often as I stande before thee to offer prayses prayers and sacrifice vnto thee soe often lett me with teares aboundantly sweerely weepe in thy sight that my teares may be my foode day and night Thou truly o king of glorie and maister of all vertues hast taught vs by thy worde example to lament and weepe saying blessed are they that mourne for they shal be comforted Thou thy selfe didst lament the death of thy disceased freinde and with many teares didst bewaile the cittie that in fewe yeares after was to come to ruine I beseech thee o good Iesu by those most pretious teares of thine and by all thy mercies by which thou hast in that wonderfull manner releiued our miseries graunt me the guift grace of teares which my soule doth much desire and couet because without thy guift I cannot obtaine it it being the Holy Ghost that doth effect the same whose propertie is to mollifie the harde hartes of sinners and to moue them to compunction Graunt me the guift and grace of teares like as in times past thou hast donne to our forefathers whose footestepps I ought to imitate that I may during the whole course of my life lament as they did both day and night By theire meritts and intercession who haue pleased and deuoutely serued thee take compassion of me thy vnworthy seruant being in great miserie graunt me the guift grace of teares I beseeche thee Graunt that the water of teares may flowe from mine eies as from a floude that night and day they may be vnto me in steede of foode O my God let me become as a pleasing and acceptable oblation to be sacrificed in thy sight by the fire of compunction and as a most gratefull sacrifice lett me be accepted of thee in the odoure of sweetneâ— O most louing Lord lett me become as a faire and flowing fountaine in which let this sacrifice be daily washed from the filthe of sinne For albeit by the assistance of thy grace I haue offered my selfe wholy vnto thee yet neuerthelesse I doe dailie offende in many thingeâ— throughe my exceeding greate frailtie Graunt me therefore most blessed and beloued God the guift and grace of teares especiallie through the sweetnes of thy loue and the remembrance of thy manifolde mercies prepare this banquet in thy â—ight for me thy vnworthy seruant and graunt me this prerogatiue that as often as I will I may be fedd and refreshed with it Afforde me this fauour for thy mercy and goodnes sake I beseeche thee that I may soe drinke and become drunke by drinkinge of this most excellent cupp of teares
that seeing there thy glorious admirable and most fâ—ire face replenished with all sweetnes I may together with that elected companie fall prostrate and adore thy Maiestie and being at length filled with the celestiall and vnspeakeable ioy of that eternall delectation I may with those that loue thee cry out saying Beholde I nowe see what I coueted I nowe enioy that for which I hoped I nowe haue that which I desired because I am nowe ioyned to him in heauen whom whilst I liued on earth with my whole strength I loued with my whole loue I affected and to whom with my whole affection I was vnited him doe I praise blesse and adore who liueth and raigneth God both nowe and euer more Amen A Prayer to be saied in time of tribulation CHAPT XXXVIII TAke pittieâ—o Lord take pittie o mercifull Sauiour of me a most miserable sinner doing thinges worthie of blame and worthilie suffering for the same being by thee dailie afflicted for that continuallie I am founde to haue offended If I ponder the euill which I daylie commit that which I endure is nothing in comparison of it that which I haue donne being much more greiuous then mine affliction Thou art iust o Lord and right is thy iudgmentâ— all thy iudgementâ— are iuste and true Thou o Lord our God arâ— iust and full of goodnes neither is there in thee anie wickednesâ— because when we offende thou dost not vniustlie and cruellie afflict vs who when we were not hast powerfullie made vs and when for our sinne we were guiltie of damnation thou hast by thy wonderfull mercie and goodnesse set vs in state of saluation I knowe o Lord God and am assured that our life is not gouerned by the vnaduised influence and concurrence of secondarie causes but is wholie disposed and ordered by thy almightie prouidence Thou therfore takest care of all thinges but especiallie of such as serue thee who putt theire whole confidence in thy onelie mercie Wherefore I humblie pray and beseeche thee that thou wilt not deale with me according to mine iniquities by which I haue deserued thine anger but according to thy manifold mercies which surmounte the sinnes of the whole world together Thou o Lord who dost punishe me outwardlie giue me alwaies an inuincible patience inwardlie to the end I may neuer cease to praise thee Take pittie of me o Lord take pittie of me and helpe me like as thou knowest to be expedient for me both in soulâ— and bodie thou I say who knowest all thinges and art able to doe all thinges whatsoeuer who liueth and raigneth for euer and euer Amen A verie deuoute Prayer to God the Sonne CHAPT XXXIX O Lord Iesu Christ the sonne of the living God who with thy handes stretched forth on the Crosse hast drunke the cupp of thy passion for the redemption of all mankinde succouâ—e me this day I beseeche thee Beholde o Lord I that am needie doe come to thee that art wealthie I that am full of miserie doe approache to thee replenished with mercie suffer mâ— not therfore to departe voide or as one worthie to be despised I beginne hungrie let me not end emptie I approache as one hunger-starued let me not departe vnfed And if I sighe before I eate graunt that I may eate at least after I haue sighed First therforâ— most sweete Iesu before the magnificence of thy sweetnes I confesse against me myne iniustice Beholde o Lord for that I was conceiued and borne in sinne and thou hast washed and sanctified me from the same and 〈◊〉 this haue defiled my selfe with greater offences because those sinnes wherin I was borne were of necessitie but those in which I afterwardes lay wallowing were voluntarie This notwithstanding thou being not vnmindfull of thy mercie and goodnes hast drawne me from my fathers house and from the tabernacles of sinner inspiring me with thy grace to followe thee in the companie of those that seeke thy face who walk the direct way that leadeth to felicâ—tie liuinge amiddst the 〈◊〉 of chaâ—itie and sitting at table with thee in the parloure of most profounde pouertie But I ingratefull and forgetfull of soe many benefits receiued haue after my entrance into Religion committed many sinnes and abominations and where I ought to haue corrected my faultes by doing satisfaction there haue I added sinne vpon sinne These therfore o Lord are the faultes by which I haue dishonoured thee and defiled my selfe who thou hast created according to thine owne image similitude to wit pride vaine glorie and many other sinnes almost infinite by which my vnhappy soule is troubled and afflicted rent and destroyed Beholde o Lord mine iniquities haue ouerwhelmed mine heade being vnto me as a greiuous burden vnsupportable to be endured in soe much that if thou whose propertie is to pardonne and to shewe mercie doe not lift me vp with the right hande of thy maiestie I shall woefullie sinke downe into the gulfe of eternall miserie Beholde o Lord God see because thou art holy beholde I say how my ghostlie ennimie doth insulte ouer me saying God hath forsaken him I will pursue and take him because there is none that can deliuer him Howe longe o Lord wilt thou thus leaue me Tuâ—ne backe and deliuer my soule o sauâ— me for thy mercies sake Take pittie of me thy sonne whom thou hast begotten in the greate greife of thy passion and doe not soe attende to my wickednes that thou forgett thy goodnes What Father is there who seeing his sonne in danger doth not endeuoure to sett him free or what sonne is there whom his Father doth refuse to correct with the staffe of his pittie Wherefore o Lord and Father albeit I am a sinner yet I doe not cease to be thy sonne because thou hast made me and newe made me againe like as I haue sinned soe correct and amend me and being by the staffe of thy fatherlie pittie corrected and amended commit me to the care and custodie of thy onely begotten sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. Is it possible for a woman to forget the childe of her owne wombe And albeit shee shoulde forget it yet thou o most louinge Father hast promised not to forget the same Beholde I cry and thou dost not heare me I am afflicted with greife and thou dost not comfort me What shall I say or doe being in this extreame miserie Alas I am altogether comfortles and which is worse am chased forth of thy presence Wretche that I am from howe greate good into howe greate euill am I fallen Whither did I attempt to goe and whither am I come Where am I and where am I not howe is it that I that did sighe after heauen doe nowe sighe through soe great tribulation I haue sought comforte and haue founde affliction And truly it is better for me not to be then to be without thee o sweete Iesu It is better not to liue then to liue without thee the onely true life Where are