sake thou hast hitherto spared me confirme now that swiftly in me whervnto from the beginning I am ordained And woe to me vnhappie sinner that haue left so louing and mercifull a Father who euer tendered me Yet haue I denyed thée in my heart wherein thou hadst determined the Tabernacle of thy delight and haue defiled it and made thereof a vessell of iniquitie and a denne of vncleane Spirits I confesse my selfe oh Lord the most wicked of all that the world sustaineth But neuertheles I trust in thy goodnesse For as my sinnes be aboue number so is there no number of thy mercies O most louing Father if it séeme good to thée thou canst make me cleane Heale my soule I confesse I haue sinned Remember Lord those comfortable words which thou spakest by the Prophet saying Thou hast done wickedly with many yet turne to me and I will receiue thee Truelie most mercifull Father I trust assuredlie in these swéet words and with my whole heart turne mee to thée as though thou hadst spokē these words to me alone and wouldest call none other for I am the vncleane and vnfaithfull soule the prodigall and wandring Sonne who hath alienated my selfe from that Father of Light from whome all goodnesse springeth loosing and neglecting all thy large giftes which of thy bountifull liberalitie thou hast graunted I haue straied from thée like a wandering shéepe I haue forsaken thée the fountaine of Liuing Water and digged to my selfe muddie pittes séeking outwarde comforts which hold no water haue followed Temporall and transitorie delights which vanish swiftlie as smoake I haue left also the bread of Life and eate the dregs of Swine following mine owne sensuall appetite and beastlie affections I haue forsaken thée the chéefe most perfect and continuall good and haue enclined to terrestriall and transitorie things Therefore I am become Naked Poore Miserable and vncleane and as a Calfe tied doe festure through mine owne infirmities But I praie thée oh Father remember not the contempt and Iniurie thou hast receiued of me pardon the passed faults of my tender yeares let not the old soares of wandring youth in setled yeares breake out to new bléeding woundes Accept the pittifull passion of thy deare Sonne in satisfaction of my former heaped euils graunt Lord to mee sorrofull sinner the assistance of thy holie Spirit to continue this I haue begunne to the health of my Soule and quietnes of mind and my tongue and heart shal speake the Triumph of thy louing kindnesse and mercie both now and euer Amen Eccles 4. Deliuer him that suffreth wrong from the hands of the oppressour and be not faint-hearted when thou sittest in Iudgement decide Law with Equity and Iustice with mercy bee fauourable to the Fatherlesse and bee in steade of a Husband vnto their Mother so shalt thou bee blessed in sight of the Highest and he shall loue thee more then doth thy Father and Mother Eccles 9.12 Day and night let the broad Gates of thy bounty be open to the Discreete and Vertuous Set honour alwaies vppon the head of the lowlye But to the prowde and ambicious keepe thy selfe secret and straunge giue not thy bread vnto him least hee become mightier then thy selfe nor trust not thine Enemy at any time for like as Iron cankereth so doth his wickednesse though he humble himselfe greatly yet locke vp thy mind and beware of him set him not by thee nor on thy right hand least he turne get into thy place take thy roome and possesse thy Seat Pro. 16. The cherefull countenance of the King is Life his louing fauour is as the Euening deaw L Loue God aboue all A Accept the wise D Doe no man wrong I In mercie delight E Expect a reward E Encrease Knowledge L Let vertue guide I In Prayer persever Z Zelously aske A Acknowledge Sinne. B Beware of presumption E Enuie no man T Tender the Helpelesse H Hope for Heauen Holy briefe and comfortable Meditations or Prayers discifering in Alphabet forme the gracious name of the Ladie Elizabeth L LOath not the Prayer of one that is in trouble turne not away thy face from the needie despise not the selie sewter nor grieue the heart of the helpelesse for if he complaine in the bitternesse of his soule his prayer shall be heard euen hee that made him shall heare him LIghten in mee oh God the Image of thy selfe though I looked backe from thy Lawes chastice me to amendment but suffer not the woorke of thy hands to perish Thou hast created my heart and giuen me a will to order the same so Lord I most méekelie yéeld the same again into thy hands I pray thée by thy holie spirite so direct my waies counsels and woorkes that they may be of chiefe regard with thée good God the giuer of all mercie suffer not my Soule to perish through the infirmitie of my flesh For thy Sonnes sake and thine own glorie set both now and euer his death and passion betwéene thy iust Iudgement and the perill of my soule I thirst after thée oh God and sith thou seest my heartie desire is to serue thee and liue in thy rule and to die in thy Faith and fauour allowe of mee and with thy mightie hand assist me Graunt that the Celestiall kingdome of thy grace and mercie euer occupie my heart and worthilie purchase me the sweet participation of thy glorious Throne and Maiestie Deliuer mee Lord through thy grace for in all my proper woorkes and deuises can be found no sure shield of defence for me Cast not away my sorrowfull soule Remember the pittifull Passion of thy deare Sonne and suffer it not to perish Guide my féete in the shining light of thy Veritie carrie me aloft from the snares of the vngodlie and from the traitorous trappes of the malicious saue me Suffer not thou oh Prince of all power who rulest the heauens and earth that any canckred or malicious stomacke rebell or increase against me Pardon my cursed crimes release my direfull debts giue me againe thy grace wrappe vp my woefull wounds that fester in my feeble flesh graffe mee a new with the garnishing of thy grace so shall thy glorie growe and my gained gladnesse heale my groning griefes If I deserue the fulnesse of thy furie to fall vpon me yet as a louing Sauiour rule ouer the roughnesse of thy rage and let thy most meeke mercie measure my paine as thou haste donne vnto numbers Grant most gracious God of all victorie that I may euer haue thy power and right hand to be my resident Rocke of refuge Giue gracious eare to my requests bee thou my staie in euerie storme and perill for all mans staies are vnsteadie Beate downe therefore mine enemies with thine own hand and Sword which art mine onelie aide and Protectour giue me thy grace and I shall neuer cease to giue thée glorie both with my tongue and heart shal I ioyfully sing Dominus illuminatio mea salus mea quem
timebo Dominus Protector Vitae me à quo trepidabo The Lord is my light and my saluation whome then shall I feare the Lord is the strength of my life of whome then shall I be afraide Amen A ALL thy delight being in equitie and Iustice incline thine heart to me cy then shall thy light breake forth as the morning spring and thy health florish thy righteousnesse shall preserue thee and the glorie of the Lord shall imbrace thee ASsist me oh God with thy grace and enrich me with thy Spirit illuminate my mind with thy vnderstanding be vnto me a sure saluation and whome should I feare Trulie neither will I feare any bodilie or ghostlie enimie thou being the strength of my life Though innumerable hostes doe rise against me my Spirite shall trust in thee and in my heart will I neuer bee affraide Arme mee with strength of warre oh GOD and teach my hands to wage battaile And I shall laye flat the enemies of thy truth and ioyfullie resist all those that rise against me My life shall euer declare thy sauing health and my soule shall not cease to sing thy praise Thou haste deliuered mee from the chaines of Hell and when I haue beene wrapped in the dangers of death thou hast cleared my pathes of all stumbling blocks and made thy rich mercie my Candle Lord if I haue beene vnthankefull a broken minde shall bee thy sacrifice my heart shall euer dwell in the house of thanksgiuing and my sptrit still mourne for her vnkindnesse Saue mee Lord I beseech thee in the day of my distresse for thou art the Horne of my health the shield of my glorie and bearest vp mine infirmitie Let them bee consumed in their deuises that shall worke against mee and faile of their force in the houre of their pretence Powre vpon them the Viall of thy wrath let them sinke by themselues and saue thy Seruauntes that trust in thy mercie I will honour thée for my sauiour and praise thée for a God aboue all Gods Amen D DOubtles God is gracious and mercifull he forgiueth sinnes in time of trouble and is a defender of them that seeke him with heartie prayer and wholie put their trust in his mercie and truth DIrect my feete oh Lord in the waies of peace and keepe my hands cleane from innocent blood Lord giue me grace to performe the trauailes of this Pilgrimage before thée with a pure mind and cleare conscience that when thou shalt shew thy selfe towards euerie creature according to their déedes I may be rich in thy mercie and not dread thy presence To thy mercie I appeale I flie vnto thee I depend on thée fearing thee and reuerencing thee louing thee and trusting in thee If thy wrath waxe hot against mee I cannot withstand If thou punish me according to my deserts I cannot beare deale mercifullie therefore with mee heale my sores and pardon my sinnes Whilest I tread this wearie Laborinth leaue mee not Lord to my selfe but graunt mee thy continuall grace for my staffe I am not of might in my selfe to doe any thing that is good my righteousnesse and glorie stand in thy hand Therefore oh Lord I appeale to thy mercie and pray thy grace that I may in mind be made strong with thy holie Armour which I desire may bee thy righteousnesse for my Brest-plate firme faith for my Target hope of mercie for my Helmette and true knowledge of thy woord for my Banner so that I may stand here strong and perfect against thine enemies and in a newe life participate thy ioyes I will blow thy wonderous name through thy people and will praise thee amongst all the faithfull My praises shall haue being vnto the farthest part of thy congregation and my vowes will I performe in the sight of all them that feare thee I will endeauour that the endes of the World shall remember themselues and will do my best to turne them vnto thee Giue me therefore ioyfulnesse of heart rest of conscience continuall comfort in thy word and truth and that I may with a thankefull mind aduance thy name for euer y YEa in the feare of God who so liueth shall gather his Fruites in a pleasant Garden of blessinges it giueth thee true Honour Glory Triumph and ioyfull Crowne YEa in the multitude of all my sorrowes that euer I haue had in my heart Thy comforts oh Lord haue euer refreshed me Such is thy louing kindnesse and aboue all thy mercie that if I should straie farther in my vnthankefulnesse mine owne thoughtes would accuse me Therefore I doe come vnto thee to bee taught thy Testimonies that I may make thy Lawes my delight Truelie hoping of thy grace for my assistance I do meane to make thy cōmandements an Alley of my pleasure to walke in and the Trueth of thy woords will I weare on as an Armour against mine enemies Guide my fleshlie eies oh Lord least they behold vanities and my heart in thy righteousnesse Plucke my féete into the pathes of thy Precepts when they would wander print the remembrance of thy goodnesse alwaies in the table of my heart and let my power faile to offend thée Heape my hands with sure hope of my saluation satisfie my faith in the forgiuenesse of my sinns that my fraile flesh wauer not in thy mercie Temper my tongue oh Lord that it alwaies teach thy Testimonies locke vppe my lips that out of my mouth doe not procéede neither blasphemie of thy name Hazard to my soule nor hinderance to any creature Bowe downe thine eares oh Lord and strengthen me in these requestes For behold I bowe the knées of a contrite heart and with assured mind do hope them for the truth-sake which I will euerlastinglie praise To thée bee glory for euer and euer Amen E EXercise mercie and set thy bread and Drinke vppon the table of the poore and hungry couer the Naked with thy clothes and these shall deliuer thee from Sin and Death and not suffer thy Soule to come in darkenesse EZechiell the Prophet saith When the wicked turneth from his vngodlines hee hath done he shall saue his Soule With thy Seruant Esay therefore I say oh Lord thou art a great and feareful God Thou kéepest couenant and mercie with them which loue thée and kéepe thy commaundements And with thy Apostle Barnabie I acknowledge I haue sinned I haue offended I haue beene disobedient and gone backe yea I haue departed from all thy pathes and Iudgements Lord to thée belongeth righteousnesse and Mercie to me shame and destruction for my Iniquitie Yet Lord enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for no flesh is righteous in thy sight neither correct mee in thy wrath for then I shall not abide it Haue mercie vpon me oh Father from the depth of thy mercie take pittie vppon mee forgiue Lord heare my Praier and blot out mine offence Let thy louing face shine ouer the worke of thy handes that lieth waste Lord for thy owne sake doe it Encline
thought much lesse to do well in déed Assist me therefore with thy grace that I may doe as thou hast commanded And let me comfort my selfe with thy swéet wordes by thy Prophet which are That as the house of Iuda and Israel were accurst amongst the heathen so thou doost promise to make them a blessing Am not I an Ofspringe of that séede O Lord to whome thou diddest promise this blessing Or were not these things written to put mee in mind of thée and cause me turne from my wickednesse and trust by thy mercy to obtaine fauour againe Remember then O Lord in thy Mercy Turne me and I shall be turned say to my Soule I am come vnto thée thy health and thy saluation A A Double tongued mā is to be abhorred and he that beareth hatred can nether pray rightly nor speake truly of whom beware for the malicious double tongued hath ouerthrowē high Palaices laid wast strong Cities who so harkeneth to thē shall neuer find rest nor dwell in safety neare the Prince they are more perilous then a Fistula in the breast to the health of Man AVenge not thy cause on me thou God of al Iustice forgiue mee my contempts of thy Commaundements and omission of prayer If thou giue me equall pay of my Merites I perish Forget my wickednesse I beséech thée and clothe mee with the comfort of thy compassion Purifie my Soule and Bodie wash away my wickednesse with the bloud breaking from the Woundes of my Sauiour Christ and I shall no more be vnkind Giue mee Wisdome to knowe all thy preceptes and pleasure graunt thy mercy euer to kéepe me and thy grace to guide me It yrketh mee that euer I did forsake so sweete a Lord and Sauiour my sorrowe wasteth me and my sighes ouer-whelme my heart Haue mee in remembrance therefore for I tremble and quake were not thy mercie knowen I should vtterly despaire Turne away the stroke of thy vengeance from me bring my mind out of trouble into rest Fetch now againe thou most precious Prince of all power that which thy puissant might hath shapen Restore Sonne of the Father Almighty that which thou hast so well guided and bought with terrible torments Take againe into the Sacred seate of thy blessed custodie Lord God Holy Ghost my Bodie and Soule that haue wandred Thou hast pittifully preserued them long from the violence and vtter destruction of the wicked Serpent and throwes of worldly chance Most mighty God sith thou hast aduanced thy Glory by such compassion continue in me hearty Prayer put about me the girdle of thy grace and lincke my loue in the lore of thy lawes and my heart shall be thankefull Day and night will I say blessed is the Lord. And will praise thy Name and magnifie thy mercy for euer and euer B BE ashamed of sins and vnrighteousnes be ashamed to turne thy face away frō thy friend in his need be ashamed to obbraide thy friend with thy gifts be ashamed to take not to giue but be not ashamed of the truth of god his Couenant but do thy best to fulfill it and thou shalt liue BE my comforter in al counselles and dangers oh God make cleare my vnderstanding and heape my Forte with new effects and Spirituall motions Renew my Body and spirit that all sinne fly from me and grant that I liue to righteousnesse Powre vpon me the Spirit of thy grace lead me with the True knowledge of thy worde Hold my heart alwayes in thy feare build a true faith and hope of thy promises and mercie in the Bowels of my breast The heauenly Father of our Lord Iesus Christ hath promised it vnto me for his sons sake I séeke it and for that thou mayest ouercome when thou art Iudged denye mee not Though there belong nothing to me but confusion and shame yet Lord correct mee not in thy dreadfull displeasure but with the louing fauour of thy face looke vpon my festured wounds Heale them good Lord from the bottome let them be healed Mingle thy mercy and precepts and sow the séed of them so déepe in my heart that no burning blasts of persecution make ashes thereof neither any thorny cares of this life do choke it but that it may bring forth as thou hast appointed like good ground thirty sixe and an hundred folde The fruites of my haruest Lord shall bee the flowers of thy glory my tongue shall alwaies speake of thy maruailous workes and my heart shall kéepe thy Lawes I will not denie thée my God for the power of any wicked but wil séek thy grace hope of thy mercy and saye The mightie God of Israel is to be loued feared and obayed world without end Amen E EVill seedes see thou sow not in the Purrowes of vnrighteousnesse so shalt thou not reape thee seuenfoulde labour sue not vnto man for any Lordship neither vnto the King for the Seat of Honour EStablish my heart oh Heauenly Father in league and loue with thy lawes print thy Precepts in the bowels of my breast and sequester my mind from all thoughts studies and labours that may draw mee from thée My soule consumeth in care to be with thée and my bodily eyes tremble to behold thée onely because thou hatest sin and abhorrest iniquity Alas there is nothing in me but vnrighteousnesse and the examples be dreadfull which declare how grieuously thou hast punished sinne Thou diddest drowne the world for sin Thou didst send fire vpon Sodome Gomorrha Thou didst cast foorth Adam and his off-spring out of Paradice for sin Thou didst grieuouslye punish thy seruant Dauid notwithstanding his hartie repentance Yea thou persecutedst Salomon in himselfe and his Posterity with many other to our example and all for shamefull sin Lord sith these examples are true and mine iniquity equall with theirs what should become of my Soule if I had not amediatour Christ whose bloudy Passion then appeased thy wrath when nothing else could By his Death I am once redéemed oh God therefore let me not now be consumed bearing thy Image but graunt the paines of his pittifull Passion may put out all mine offences With my voice I will spread thy mercies ouer all Nations my Life shall glorifie thy name and all that thou giuest mee I will acknowledge to be thine with euerlasting praise Amen T THe greater thou art the more humble thy selfe in all things and thou shalt find fauour in the sight of God for great power belongeth onelie vnto God and he is honoured of the lowly TVrne awaye thy face from mine vnrighteousnesse Lord no Creature is cleare in thy sight If thou shouldest call thine Angelles to the Barre they might not abide the Sentence of thy iust Iudgement I come vnto thée for succour Lord vnder the wings of thy mercie receiue me Thou delightest not in any Sacrifice or burnt Offerings but thy accustomed condition hath béene euer to accept a sorrowfull Spirit and a broken heart Lord if thy louing
owne sight and neither pride nor selfe loue ouertake or at any time allure me to exercise the vnséemely pleasantnes of nature but euer preferring a pure and chast life may winn the victory of all vncleanes and glorifie thée which art the heade and Patrone of al mercy truth singlenesse whose triumphe my tongue shall neuer cease to aduance Therfore most louing Sauiour leaue mée not to my selfe but stand alwaies by mée and with thy stronge hand make my waies sound and perfit confound mine enemies in theire deuises Amen T THou hast sayd most swéete redéemer Christ that the Mountaines shall remooue and the Hiles shall fal downe but thy louing kindenesse woorde mercy truth shall not moue and also that the band of thy peace shall not faile vs. Déere Father I beséech thée for thine owne truth and mercyes sake remember this thy promise Couenant graue it so déepe in the inward partes of my heart that I may neuer forget neyther fall from thée but euer acknowledge thée mine only God and Sauiour Loue thée with all my heart thy people for thy sake exercising iustice mercy and Truth to all thy Creatures and neuer suffering mee to doe that may mooue thy wrath but more and more assisted with thy grace may encrease thy loue and liking and finally obtain thy ioyes euerlasting Amen H HEare these my Prayers sweet Lord Iesu and for thy excéeding Loue which brought thée from the Sacred seate of thy Fathers breste into the wombe of the blessed vergin to banish death and Sinne to redéeme mans nature whereby in thy austere Passion as thou hast restored mée and with so blessed a Shield defended mine eternall death by the selfe same Loue call me that haue wandred home againe to thy Folde renew me with thy spirite confirme mee with strong fayth nourish in me such thy aboundance loue garnish me with thy plentiful grace lade me with infallible hope of thy mercy finally restore all parts in mee which are decaied and quicken in me what so is dead should liue that my spirit set at liberty from Terestriall thinges thou mayst euer dwel in me And my Soule and body assisted with thy ritch guift of all these may fully purely safely and strongly settle them in thée To whome be praise both now and euer Amen ¶ A Prayer ALmightie God which flyest with the winges of the Ayre rydest vpon the Cherubins and hast Empire aboue the Starrie Firmaments Thou that sittest in Sacred seate most hye beholding the wretchednes of man in this lowe Earth attending through thine owne loue his deserts when with any occasion thou maist offer thy mercy Bow downe thy pittiful eies and fauour in me the Image of thy selfe as thou diddest vouchsafe in Zache when thou calledst him out of the Figge trée enritch my eares with the same voice of Remission and Gladnesse as thou diddest his incline thine eares and heare these cries oh Lord redéemer for though I am but Dust Earth ano Ashes yet I am bould strengthened with thy truth and the merits of Christs death and passion to lay my prayers before thée requiring mercie and forgiuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy grace to doe thy will all the dayes of my life and to obtayne all these my peticions through Iesus christ thy deare Sonne and my onely sauiour to whome with thée and the holy Ghost be all honor power dominion and glorie for euer and euer Amen A MEDITATION vpon the Lords Prayer ¶ Our Father which art in Heauen TRuelie thou O Almighty Father hast iust Cause to execute thy seuere iudgement vpon vs sinners which so often and gréeuously moue thy wrath and indignatiō against vs but sithence by thy mercy thoue doost not onely pardon but also commaundest and teachest by thy Sonne Iesus Christ that we should hould thée for a father we pray thee through him that thou wilt giue vs a full and sure trust in thy Fatherly clemencie and that we may likewise féele some taste of that securitie which thy Children haue and with ioye call thée Father acknowledge thée loue thee and in all our troubles call vpon thée defend and guide vs that wee may perpetually abide thy Children and let vs not goe out of thy protection Though we bée the Children of wickednes yet let vs not hold thée in stéed of a seuere Iudge when thou wilt that wée shall not only call thée Father but our Father and that we pray not in our owne name alone but in the name of all thy Children Giue vs therefore an vniforme and brotherly loue that in déede we may perceaue our selues to be Brothers Sisters and thée our generall Father Let vs praye for all the rest no otherwise then Fathers were wont to pray for their Children neither suffer any of vs to séeke his own and forget his brother but taking away what enuie hatred or discorde so euer raigneth among vs that as becometh Gods children we may mutually loue one another and trewly call thée not Father but our Father Of our carnall and earthly Fa ther we receue this brickle body and he is such a one as is subiect to death neither are wée sure how longe hee shall remaine a Father Furthermore if aduersity happen he can not chaunge that but thou art a heauenly Father truely farre better and more Nobler So much more right is it then that we contemne for thee our Father Countrey kindred Riches Flesh Blood yea and whatsoeuer is in this world vnder the scope of Heauen This also graunt to vs that wee may bee thy heauenly Children whome thou doost teach that we shall regarde nothing but the soules health and that heauenly Heritage least in this carnall and earthly countrey deceiued stirred vp or letted by ritches wee become heyres of sensuality but trwely let vs say our heauenly Father and that truely wee may be thy heauenly Children Halowed be thy name ALmighty GOD heauenly Father thy holy name is miserably prophaned many wayes in this world scorned taunted and blasphemed when it is applyed to those thinges in which is no glory of thy Deity yea many abuse it imploying it to sinne and truely that vnwoorthy life in a christiā man deserueth to be called a Prophanation of thy holy name graunt therefore to vs good Lord through thy mercy that wee may beware of all those thinges by which the honour and glory of thy name is diminished and purifie vs that the Arts of Magike may be abolished let people cease to enchaunt Diuels or other cretures by thy name see that all disturst and supersticion perish Heresie and wicked doctrine also which notwithstandinge they preferre thy name yet they deceiue many lette them perish be brought to nothing graunt that thy people be not deceiued throgh any outward shew onely of Truth righteousnesse or holinesse Suffer not any man to forsweare himselfe lye or deceiue others by thy name Take from vs O Lord all false aydes which
take vpon thē a shewe of thy name remooue from vs that Spirit of Pride and vayn glory and the study of prayse and glory Graunt that in all our troubles and euilles we may call vppon thy holy name yea in the feare of our conscience and euen when death assayleth let vs not be forgetfull of thy holy name Sée that in all our successe both in woordes and déedes we may praise worship thee onely and not séeke out of these ours but the glory of thy name which alone possessest all things take frō vs O Lord that most foule vice of ingratitude Plant in vs such good workes and life that others may be allured to vs not to our but vnto thy praise and glorie Lord let not other be offended through the vices or euill workes which yet remayne in vs least thy name for our sinnes should be ill spoken of or not henceforth praised Suffer vs not to aske any thing of thee either momentary or eternall which agreeth not to the glorie of thy holy name and praise if wee do aske any such thing of thée in that heare vs not graunt vs so to liue as becommeth Gods Children that we seme not vnworthy of thy holie name Thy Kindgome come IN this miserable and wretched life all kindes of sensual apetite wickednesse beare rule in vs and the euill spirit head and fountaine fo all siin hath gouernment But in thy kingdome O Lord grace and vertue guide the sway Iesus Christ thy deare sonne true patrone of all grace and vertue holdeth empire Thou therefore deare Father fauor vs with thy grace Giue vnto vs a true and constant faith in Christ fortifie vs with a firme sure hope in thy mercy where with our weake and feble conscience may be raysed vp from the feling of sins loade vs with an earnest loue both towardes thée all other thy good Creatures Take from vs distrust desperation and hatred remoue from vs the delightes of the flesh and plant in their stéede an earnest study of chastity with perfect fayth in thée which may worthely winne the rewarde of vndefiled battaile Make vs frée O Lord from discordes ambition warre and discention and let thy kingdome come let vs leade a peaceable mutuall and quiet life Graunt that neither zeale anger or other vyces with the which dissembling hatred are nourished rayne in vs but a milde simplycitie brotherly loue all kind of duties contentment and humilitie suffer vs not to bée afflicted with immoderate sorrow and heauinesse but let vs feele the pleasantnesse of thy grace and mercy and that in fine al our sinnes may be taken away and wée abounding through grace and vertue in our good workes may bee thy kingdome I say our mind our soule with all our strength which thou hast powred on vs may obay thy commaundements and beare thy gouerment neither follow themseules the world the fleshe nor the Deuill Sée Lord that this thy kingdom happely begunne in vs may so grow be increased that wée bée not vnaduisedly oppressed of sin neither causeles do cease from good woorkes for so it may come to passe that we shall labour in vaine Giue therefore vnto vs a firme faith wanting no strength which not onely may instruct vs to a better kind of life but also in that same may happely go forward and euer amongst vs encrease as the Prophet saith Psalm 13. Illuminate mine eies that I slepe not lest whilest the Christian life is but begunne wée negligently goe forward and finally come againe into Sathans power Graunt that wee may constantly endure and thy kingdome to come may performe and consummate the rule begunne in vs. Take vs from this life which is full of sinne and daungers make vs to desire that other life and let vs beginne and continew to hate this graunt that we doe not feare death but rather wish and desire it let vs cast out of our minde the loue of this life thot thou onely maist raigne in vs. Thy Will be done IF wee should conferre our wil with thine it is alwaies naught but thy will is euer best which deserueth that we should loue and desire that Therefore haue mercy vpon vs deare Father and let not any thing be done after our will Grant if any thing happen contrarie to that wee would we may patiently bear it temper so our brickle mettall being the worke of thy hands that if any either speak or hold his peace doe or omitt any thing contrary to our will that thereby wee bee not provoked to anger and impatience Let vs not blaspheme complaine crie out iudge condemne or malitiously accuse others therfore but grant that wee may quietly giue place to those which worke contrary to our will prayse them giuing thankes as to those which stirre vp thy will which is good against ours which is ill And further assist vs that we may patiently beare all trouble need pouerty sicknesse slander imprisonment and all other discommodities and acknowledge all these to happen vnto vs by thy will that our will may be mortified let vs patientlie beare iniuries and take from vs the desire of reuengement suffer vs not to encounter one euill with another nor resist force with strong armes but graunt thy will which hath throwne vs into those euils may satisfie vs and that with thanks-giuing we may beare aduersities If any ill come contrary to that wee would graunt we beseech thee that we iudge not that calamity to proceede either of Sathan our wicked enemy or of ill men but of thy diuine will which doth minister all thinges so that it may let our wil wherby thou mightest the better raigne and beare rule in vs. Graunt that wée may patiently and with ioyfull minde die least any being ouercome with impatience or desperation we séeme lesse obedient to thy will Grant that all members of our body eies tongue heart hands and feete follow not their owne delights but ouercome and constrained may doe all things after thy will Take from vs O Lord a hardened and an vntractable heart frée vs from frowardnesse obstinate and stubborne minds grant that we may obey thy will that we commit our selfe wholy to thy iudgement in all thinges whether they pertaine to the body or the soule whether they bee momentarie or eternall take from vs these horrible vices that we impeach not the fame of any slaunder any rashlie iudge accuse or condemn thē that vice of the tongue I beséech thee amend in vs and teach that if others commit anie euill we may retaine and hide it to thée only let vs shew it and leaue it to thy iudgement that wee may remitte what is committed against vs and let vs take pittie vpon them teach vs to know that none can hurt vs but hée shall more disprofite himselfe before thee that we may bée the rather stirred to mercy then to anger in any thing let vs not reioice if they bee throwne into calamitie which
not repent with them whom they haue transgressed withall After David had willingly confessed his fault and acknowledged the iust iudgement of God behold what great hope he conceyued of the mercy of God Sprinckle me O Lord saith he with I sope and I shall be cleane Wash mee and I shall bee whiter then snowe By the sprinckling of the bloud of the immaculate Lambe he promiseth to himselfe clearenesse too thogh he acknowledge his conception to be sinfull yet by this washing hee hopeth after the whitenesse of iunocency which passeth the whitenesse of the Snow And he trusteth not only in the innocency but looketh to sée his doubtful penitency turned into heauenlie ioy Thou shalt make me hear joy and gladnes saith David that the boÌ„es which thou hast broken may reioyce Giue mee the comfort of thy helpe and stablish me with thy free spirite O singular faith of a sinner what man hath at any time cried Iesu haue mercy on me but forthwith he hath obtayned grace Take pitty Lord sayeth the woman of Canaan and her daughter was was healed The blind poore man cryed out O Sonne of David haue mercy on me and he receyved sight Let vs heartily zealously constantly call on him and in the midest of our miseries say Iesu thou Sonne of David haue compassion vpon vs. And of poore impotent beggers hee will make vs fellow heyres with him of the kingdome of Heauen He hath opened the sanctuary of his holinesse and thou runnest into the dungeon of dispayre hee hath stretched out his hand to thee thou turnst away thy face he openeth the gates of Heauen and thou hastest to destruction behold the bosome of his goodnes and thou créepest into the lake of vnhappinesse The Theefe that hung on the Crosse heard him saying This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise and thou offerest thy selfe to the Deuill The mercy of God came vnto vs wheÌ„ he sent his Son into the earth Let vs therefore goe to it Let vs incline to him as he did to vs The way is first to leaue our life For first the Physitians vse to purge the body that they may minister wholesomer Medicines Forsake O thou Sinner thy wicked imaginations which fight against God leau to lust be not couetous refrain riot flie arrogancy that God may powr his blessings vpon thee He that persisteth in his wickednesse and calleth for grace is like to an enemie which being ready armed asketh peace of his Master hee that asketh receyueth he that séeketh findeth and hee that knocketh hath it opened vnto him if thou wilt desire mercy craue it truely if thou séeke it séek it indeed if thou knock at the gate of forgiuenesse knocke earnestly If thou require an example of one that faithfully craued the fauour of God Marke the Prodigall Child who leauing his Swine returned to his Father and said Father I haue sinned against Heaven and against thee make me as one of thy hired servants Marke the Publicane which for the guiltinesse of his conscience dare not lift vp his eyes to heauen dare not come to his redéemer but standing a farre off hee knocketh his breast and saith Lord bee mercifull vnto me a Sinner S. Hierome affirmeth the offence of Iudas to be greater in despayring the mercie of God theÌ„ in betraying Christ as Cain stirred God to anger more through desperation of pardon then by the slaughter of his brother Abel Manie which haue persecuted Christ being conuerted beléeuing in him haue obtained pardon are made examples to man that he ought not to distrust the remissioÌ„ of his wickednes seeing the death of our Sauior is forgiuen to the penitent Wilt thou heare saith Augustine the mercy of God leaue thy abhomination hee will forgiue thée Wilt thou see the truth of God do good thou shalt be crowned with Iustice God is not so mercifull to vse vniustice nor so iust to be vnmerciful but som man wil say meÌ„ encrease their offeÌ„ces by too much hope but how much doe they enlarge their guiltines by distrust of remission If there were no forgiuenes then thou wouldâ—t rage say I am wretched I am condeÌ„ned why is not my law why shall I not fill my selfe with sacietie if after this there bee nought but torment this would be thy saing O worse then dispayre it selfe Hee doth better therefore that correcteth thée with promise of forgetfulnesse and sayth I will not the death of a finner but that he convert and liue God by his promise would not haue sinners to presume but his will is they should not in any wise distrust and therefore he hath made them ignorant of the day of their death if thou repent present pardon is prouided no day is prefixed Wherefore to conclude if thou hast liued well till this day and still abidest in this life liue well amend thy life and beholde forgiuenesse and bee sure that what hee hath pardoned shall not bee imputed to thee againe which for his merry he grant that taketh away the Sinnes of the world Amen CONSOLATIO NVLLA maeroris magnitudo nulla angustiarum acerbitas nulla defectuum multitudo nulla scelerum enormitas te ad desperationem nimiamve pusillanimitatem adducat Quantumcunque peccaveris semper Dej misericordia in infinitum excedit tuas iniquitates Quantumcunque infirmus sis semper illius benignitas a diuvare parata est tuam fragilitatem Vult potest Deus sanare ac liberare te si ad eum verè conuerteris atque humilis factus ipsum piè inuocas speras in eo O quam homini salutaris Deo grata est spes atque confidentia illa quam Dei amor sanctaque humilitas parit quae homineÌ„ non ad negligentiaÌ„ vel incuriaÌ„ sese emendandi neque ad facilitatem peccandi pertrahit sed magis ad conatum proficiendi extimulat THE AVTHORS Prayer IN the deapth of thy mercy O Lord bow down thine eyes behold encline thine eares and heare stretch out thine Arme and helpe for I am thine vnworthy creature and haples man that thorow thy rodde of wrath haue experience of most wretched misery Mine enemies pursue mée with gaping iawes and whetted teeth saying within themselus let vs now deuoure him for the time that we looked for is come wee doe find and sée it They haue fortified round about me and haue inclosed me with tormeÌ„t and trauell My flesh and skin are made old my bones are bruised they haue hedged me that I cannot gett out haue said heauy links vpoÌ„ me Helpe Lord thy seruant whome thou neuer faylest I cry and call pittiously yet am I not heard my innocency is trodden downe and my life suddued with like surmises My mourning they dayly heare but comfort I find farre off They haue stopped vp my wayes with quartred stones and made my pathes crooked They lay wayte for me as wilde Beares and deuouring Dragons with open mouth deliuer me from their gréedy gripes
kindnesse be such I heare present thée with a heauie heart a broken bodye a martyred mind and a sighing Soule These all appeale to thée O Lord for thy mercie and cry out with the Prodigall Son saying I haue sinned against Heauen and before thée wash me therefore with thy rich mercy not that any good in mee doth deserue it but because thou art God of all mercie and it declareth thy mightinesse to forgiue Thou diddest shew compassion vpon the woman of Canaan for her great Faith and from the beginning thou hast not reiected the effectuall praiers of a single heart Lord I giue glory to thy name with the highest thy mercy stretcheth aboue the Firmaments the sure hope and trust I haue in thy vnspeakeable truth and compassion is equall with the strong Faith of the Cananite woman I confesse my sinnes are manifold But Lord I know thy mercie and sauing health are infinite Lord sith thou art of power to forgiue aboue that I can offend for thy names sake release my sorrow cut the sacke of my sins and make mee strong in thée So shall I liue and all my thoughts acknowledge thy praise Amen H HAppy is the man that hath not fallen with the Woorde of his mouth and is not pricked with the conscience of sin that hath no heauinesse in his mind and is not falne from his Hope HOw mighty thou art oh God of Hoastes in thy precelling powre by Creating this world of nothing we are taught to know Thou doest gouern the same and puttest downe with thy hand the prowde and traiterous Tyrants thereof Thou destroyest their deuises kéepest the raging Sea within her bounds These and such like declare thy power ouer all The plentie of thy bountifull hand giueth not onely increase of things but also the encrease of euery kinde of thing shewe forth thy louing kindnesse Thou doest multiply yearly and daily these kindes how many séeds good Lord doest thou encrease of one séed Lord what manifolde springs commeth thereof These cannot but kéepe vs mindfull of thy excéeding Riches and Mercy Lord if to thy enemies as to the greatest number of the worlde which loue thée not thy condition be to deale thus bountifully what shall I déeme resteth with thée for thy frindes Truly such blisfull ioyes and rest as maketh me only desire of thée to bée dissolued from this earthlye and vncleane bodye when thy pleasur is I am the freshe Image of thy selfe and the worke of thine owne hands take mée therefore vnto thée burnish me a new frée my soule from the poysoned prison of sinne that it may giue equal thanks vnto so swéete a Lorde and guide Whilest I abide in this wretched body of Sinne I cannot sée thée oh Lord yea it is a heauy habitation and depresseth down sore my Spirit from the familiarity which it els should haue with thée my louing Father Lord this world and life is a Dungeon of Darknesse a Mountain of miserable Martirdomes a lewde Laborinth of lothsome Lustes a cankred course of chokinge Calamities being voyde of all vertues to gaine eternall Life Make mée therfore strong to walke vpright in this wretched wildernesse and arme mée with the guift of thy grace against the power of Sathan my Ghostly enemy Here is nothing where I am Lord but daily assaults of Temptations troubles torments carefull calamities contention for thy word horrible hatred and worldly ambition against which Lord perfect me in knowledge and strong fayth and with thy righte hand beat downe mine enemies that thou mayst be knowen to bée my God and Shield ¶ The Versicle FOR thy deare Sonnes sake O Lord heare and receaue my Prayers ¶ The Answere AND in thy truth and mercie pardon mine offences and graunt mee thy grace ¶ The Collect. O Lord Iesus Christ Sonne of the pure Virgin Marie thou art not onely the swéet spouse of my soules health but with God the Father a most meeke Mediator full of mercie and truth wash awaye my sins with the most precious blood of thy holie passion make mee rich in thy mercie and my faith so strong in thée that assisted with thy grace and holie Spirit to all dutie and workes in this life towards thée I may enioye afterwards the glorie of thy blessed kingdome with thy holy Saints in euerlasting honour and tryumph Amen L LOuing Father plant thy grace so surely in me oh Lord that from this day I neuer become enemie with thée againe but that I may onelie rest in thée Guide me with the cleare light of thy woord through the darke deserts of this wretched world Heere no miserie nor trouble lacketh Héere euerie place is full of snares of mortall enemies yea héere one trouble and temptation being ouerpassed an other ensueth and after the first enduring a new battaile suddainlie assaileth whereby I neuer haue peace and want wherewith to warre O Lord kéepe me helpe me saue mee regard me oh Lord Lord assist me with the power of thy holie Spirit and as thou hast commaunded I come vnto thée praying for the guift of all these my requests and speciallie Lord I require the Sword of my sauiour Christ true and firme Faith that established in thy Truth holding that for my defence I may be safelie armed against all mine enemies and strong to cut down the thornes which shall spring in my waye of passage vnto thée in whom sweet Sauiour aboue all honour glorie triumph swaye rule power and dignitie make me settle all my ioyes yea aboue all health riches beautie fame and felicitie to desire thée loue thée and magnifie thée which giuest all and therfore of all to bee beloued and sought art most worthy Amen A ARise O Lord I beséech thée and ease the paines I suffer and the troubles of my soule let the fountaines of thy grace ouerflow my barren bodie and the floudes of thy mercie strengthen my féeble Spirit let thy louing kindnesse couer mine infirmities and thy suffered drops of deaw vpon the Crosse drown mine iniquitie Thy woord is Truth and thou hast said thy delight is not in the death of a Sinner but wouldest he should conuert and liue Teach me therfore to number my daies in the loue of thy Lawes that I may alwaies thirst after thy kingdome and neuer forget thée but in this that I haue here begun may perseuer and increase setting at naught all worldlie pompe respect of persons and mans helpe and onelie cleaue to thy Omnipotent power mercie strength and goodnes wherein Lord make mee so rich that I neuer may haue power to swerue from thée nor want thy grace to resist all temptations neither yet thy strength to tread downe mine enemies and so my heart shall ioyfullie liue and giue thanks to thée my God of all truth mercie and victorie Amen D DEare God thou mercifull father of my redéemer Christ which hast promised to heare the petitions of them that aske in thy sons name giue downe thy feare into my hart conioyne thy
which may delight thee whether generally or particularly it come into thy mind Sorrow not out of measure nor suffer such imaginations and fātasies take place as though I were so angry that I would not be pleased pardon nor receiue thee againe into fauour for these are the suggestions of the wicked Serpent wherwith he endeauoureth to train thée to desperation whose custome is in the beginning of his illusions to plucke the remembrance of me from their hearts to promise my mercie to them that sinne and confirme the security boldnesse obstinacie of an vngodly wil but afterwards finding them declining and that they will forsake him if by other means hee cannot procure them to euill he setteth vpon the weak and fearefull minds with the assault of Desperation he perswadeth to vnbelief he telleth them that euill custome cannot be ouercome he feareth them with the greatnes of their sinnes committed like a lyer telleth that I will not forgiue sinne But thou my Daughter beleeue him not whatsoeuer thou feelest fall not into Desperation This Contrition sufficeth that it pittieth thee of mine anger wishing thou haddest not transgressed and determinest not to sinne any more But if thou doe erre yet rise again yea again with heartie repentance purpose to sinne no more if thou fal the third time yet rise againe if the fourth or fift time yea lastlie if thou fall seuentie times seuen times so often returne to me and I wil receiue thee Is it not better that I should receiue thee then lose thee together with all my labors and paines which for thy redemption I haue suffered Let nothing O Daughter cal thee away O Daughter let nothing keepe thee from me which art redeemed with my bloud though thou hast giuen thy selfe to the Deuill denied mee an hundred times taken my name in vaine spitt at me slaundered my holie word onelie be forie from thy hart that thou hast done this and I will forgiue thee Let no offence be so great in thine eies that it plucke away the hope of pardon no sinne so ponderous that it may be able to ouercome my mercie I make no differēce whether from few or manie sinnes I deliuer thee all haue neede of my mercie which floweth aboundantlie to euerie man faithfullie asking it Thy wickednesse cannot exceede my mercie the more thou hast sinned the more willinglie I forgiue thee being penitent for the greater the sinner is on whome I bestow my compassion so much the greater is my glorie I am not hard nor sparing but liberall and bountifull to thée my Daughter if thou only haddest committed all the offences that be and I forgaue them my mercy is no whit the lesse There is peraduenture some other thing that feareth thée yet when thou wert ouerpressed with sinne that which thou diddest then willingly cōmit now against thy wil are compelled to bear whatsoeuer vnwillingly thou sufferest shall not damne thée nor spoile thée of my grace for sinne must be so voluntarie that if it be not voluntarie it is no sinne bridell therefore thy will from consenting and then suffer the Flesh and the Diuell to rage and though by thy former life and conuersation thou hast deserued euill yet because thou truly repentest thereof and doest studie to liue better thou shalt not be guiltie of that thou sufferest so thy will consent not And if at anie time the Diuell suggest thée with blasphemous or cursed thoughtes against mee and my Omnipotency be not therefore troubled or faint hearted For so long as thou hast not voluntarily erred or performed consent thou doest rather suffer then do offence when these things bring thee rather heauinesse and affliction then delights they are no way to be feared but I suffer thée to feele them and they to molest thée that thou mightest be rather thereby defiled Therefore truely the Diuell stirreth vp those thinges that whilest thou goe about to resist them thou mightest bee hindered and letted from the taste of my loue and being so much astonied fear to come to me For he reioyceth when thou wallowest in doubts troubles but thou Daughter feare no such thing looke not toward them answere them not striue not against them nor take any héed to them but rather as one vntroubled goe forward in thy exercise passing by and contemning such chances as the barking of dogs and hissing of geese for if thou wouldest renue dispute feare and discusse them thou dost alwaies more printe them in thy mind and tangle thy selfe in greater trouble The penitent Soule after it hath taken some knowledge and taste of my goodnes considering that I am so good and so mercifull and finally that I am so slow to impute sinne that I doe not only pardon it but also receiue him into my fauour and friendship as thogh he had neuer sinned I comfort him and bestow on him gifts Thus whilest the afflicted conscience doth meditate yea euen of his fall I say hee getteth to himselfe a great occasion of feruentnesse and thankfulnes towards me a far greater occasion of hatred and displeasure towardes himselfe whilest he rigorously accuseth his owne follie for despising me a God so mercifull vnto him as whom iustlie I might both condemn and destroy I spare comfort and deale boūtifully with so that how much the more hee perceiueth my mercie to him so much the more is he moued with greater zeale of Iustice against himselfe and in a manner desireth to be reuenged on himselfe for the contempt of mee whereby it commeth to passe that hee doth not onely desire pardon and reconciliation for his sinnes but suffereth the dignity of my iustice humbleth himselfe and punisheth himself because he hath wickedly lift vp himselfe against me whereof procéedeth that how much the more he perceiueth himselfe comforted of me so much the more hee abhorreth and detesteth his own vnworthinesse and with sorrow disdaineth the enormitie of his sinnes maruailing how he could be so vngrateful to me As a droppe of water on the burning fire so are the sinnes consumed of that Soule which is come to this zeale that it no lesse loueth my iustice then mercy Therfore amongst all kindes of repentance there is not a better for man then continually to consider my great loue and fidelity towards him and contrarily his owne infidelity ingratitude and frowardnesse towards me The Diuell is so enuious to my Seruants that hee omitteth no time in tempting them and euen when they are about to repent and bewaile their sinnes he chiefly casteth in doubts causing thē againe and againe to confesse their faults that thereby they might neuer attaine to any quietnes but distrust all their confessions when they find any circumstance or offence neglected whereof they haue not made mention But beware O my Daughter thou fall not I am thy Confessour It is onely I that can ease thy burthen cure thy wounded conscience and refresh thy hungry Spirit Oh how it grieueth me to sée thee alwayes conuersant in
Fruits and all other things then the fabrication of so many pure Celestiall Soules so that who durst bee bold to affirme had not the Prophet manifestly spoken it that the mercy of God doth excell the glory of his handie workes Holy Scripture sometime tearmeth the mercie of God great sometime too great sometime it amplifieth the force thereof by the name of multitude or number The Kingly Prophet David in one selfe place comprehendeth both the greatnesse and multitude of Heauenly mercy saying Haue mercy on me O God after thy great goodnesse and according to the multitude of thy mercies doe away mine offences Where great iniquity is there néedeth much compassion If thou doe but weigh how haynous the offence of David was thou wilt acknowledge the greatnesse of Gods goodnesse If thou consider how oft he offended in that sinne thou shalt sée the multitude of his mercies That GOD which is our King our Father our Master our Spouse prescribeth no determinate number of offences but as oft as through true Repentance we returne to him he forgetteth and forgiueth the punishment which he threatneth to vs he entertaineth vs amongst his Familie leadeth vs into the Chamber of his Loue and receyueth not vs onely but forgetteth our offences Hee bringeth the lost shéepe vpon his shoulders to the staules and biddeth the Congregation of the Chosen to his reioysing He goeth to méete the Prodigall Sonne returning from his long and loathsome iorney and putteth a Robe a King vpon him and commaundeth the fattest Calfe to be killed for him What other thing doth this signifie but the Immense or as I may say the ouermuch mercy of God It is no maruaile though his mercy excéede which loueth vs so excéedingly Paule feareth not to write thus to the Ephesians We are saeth he by Nature become the Children of wrath But God which is rich in mercy for his tender loue wherewith he loved vs when wee were lead to sinne hath raysed and reconciled vs againe to Christ Saint Iohn in his Gospell more plainely expresseth the maruailous Loue of God our Father towards vs saying So God loved the world that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne that who so beleeveth in him should not perish but haue everlasting life Wherevnto Paul aptly agréeth He that spared not his only Son but gaue him for vs all hath hee not given vs all things together with him This so great loue this so great kindnesse doth it not worthily appeare vnmeasurable because we haue nothing which wee haue not freely receyued of God Whatsoeuer wee doe whatsoeuer we possesse it commeth by the mercy of God Yea it is the mercy of God that made the Angels and created the world If he had wrought it to himselfe his power and policie might haue béen praised but sith to our vse hée hath framed all these things shall we not acknowledge his mercy to be maruailous For whome haue the Celestiall Ayres their course to whom lendeth the Sun his beames by day the Moone with the Starres their brightnesse by Night but for Man For whose vse made hee these things of nothing For whose sake but for mans onely doe the hanging clouds giue their shade and bedew the pleasant fields Why blow the winds why flow the Riuers why spread the Springes why encrease the Seas but for the vse of man Who reapeth the cōmodities of the fertile earth which engendreth so many liuing thinges such wealthy store but man There is nothing that God hath not made Subiect to man onely he would that man should be obedient vnto him Manie times our merciful God sendeth aduersity either to cleare vs of our transgressions or to deterre vs from sinne or to minister occasion of well-doing Thus was Abraham tried so was Iob prooued with many miseries thus is euery one which liueth in Iesus Christ tryed in this world with sundry afflictions as the Golde with the fire Where are those that murmure against GOD when eyther infirmity of health or death and losse of wife and Children or decay of worldly wealth happeneth to them no thing knowing that these are the manifest signes of a mercifull GOD. Let vs giue ear to the coūsel of Salomon My Son saith he Despise not the word of God nor forsake his correction For whom the Lord loveth hee chasteneth and delighteth in him as a Father in his Sonne The Apostle Paul hath the like saying to the Hebrues Whome the Lord loveth he correcteth and rebuketh every Childe that he receyveth Then by Paules Counsel when any storme of aduersity ariseth let vs stand fast in the Truth knowing that hee offereth himselfe to vs as to his Children like a mercifull God If the loue of God lend vs prosperity let vs giue him thanks and bee carefull that we abuse not his bounty If misery oppresse vs let vs neuerthelesse giue thankes to him and commit our selus to his iudgement To obtaine health thou giuest thy selfe vp to the Phisition thou yéeldest thy selfe to the Coard Saw and Searing of the Chirurgion And to enioy euerlasting health fearest thou to trust thy Creator thy Master thy Father and onely Sauiour Thou darest not say to the Physition thus thus cure me And wilt thou prescribe to God the means of thy sauing health Let euery one of vs descend into the depth of his conscience let vs consider how oft and how grieuouslie we haue offended God how his benefites are defiled with our iniquities and so we shall sée how much wee are indebted to his infinit mercy which hath borne with our frailety so gently which by so many meanes calleth vs to repentance which so wllingly pardoneth the penitent and conuert Truely he is greatly to bee lamented which refuseth the fountaine of euerlasting life and neuer by repentance returneth whence he departed The Prodigal Child straied farre left and forsooke his Fathers House yet returned Peter was far gone when he denied his Master thrice but yet remēbring the wordes which Iesus spake to him he recanted and wept bitterlie How gently doth the Lord in Hieremie vnder the person of the wife which hauing forsaken her husband gaue herselfe to euery man Call his people to repentance Returne my Children and be converted saith hee because I am your husband But oh wretched is the mā that stoppeth his eares at this voyce of the Lords To day saith the Psalme If you hear my voyce harden not your hearts This is our day as long as we liue in which the Lord ceaseth not to call bpon vs to repentance offering vs prepared pardon God himselfe in Ezechiel doth not onelie promise remission to him that forsaketh his euill but voweth obliuion of all his former offences For after he had reckoned all the errours which man fell into he added If the wicked man will be sorry for his sins keep my commaundements do the thing that is right he shal liue and not die and I will not remember ought that he hath done Haue I pleasure
of the field is known by his fruit So are the rotten thoughtes of the dissembling person by his open déeds of malice Forgiue thy Neighbor the hurt that hée hath done thée so shall thy sinnes bee forgiuen thee when thou prayest Remember the end and let enmity passe which séeketh death and destruction abide in the commaundement of thy God that thou mayest reape his blessing They that reioyce at the fal of the righteous shal be taken in the snare anguish of heart shall consume thē before they die Wrest not thou the Law nor know any person neither take any reward for giftes blind the wise and peruert the wordes of the righteous that which is iust follow that thou mayst liue Hee that leadeth a godlie life and speaketh the truth hée that abhorreth gaine won by violence and deceit hee that kéepeth his hand that hee touch no reward which stoppeth his eares that he hear no counsell against the innocent bloud which holdeth down his eyes that hee sée no euill he it is that shall dwell in hie whose sauegard shall be on a Bulwarke of rockes and his ioyes incomprehensible Esa 33. The Congregation of dissēbling Hipocrites shall be desolate and vnfruitfull and the fire shal cōsume the houses of such as are greedy to receiue gifts the dissembling person conceiueth crauell and beareth vanity and their bodie bringeth forth deceite Iob. 15. There bee many that for their sundry friendshipps and benefites which are diuerslie giuen vnto them bee euer the more proud and hie minded and vndertake not onely to harm the benefactors but are vnthankefull for theyr receyued goodnesse goe about to escape the iudgement of God whose eyes vieweth all vertue séekes to punish all wickednes be not in the number of such Hester 16. My right hand shall not spare the sinners my sword shall not cease ouer them that shed the innocent bloud vpon earth Esdras 15. Despise not a man that turneth himselfe away from sin and cast him not in the téeth withall but remember we bee all fraile and offenders Eccle. 8. Thrée things there be that my Spirite fauoureth the vnity of Brethren the loue of Neighbours and a man and wise that agrée well together Thrée things there be which my soule hateth a rich man couetous a poore man proud and an old man that is vnchast Eccle. 25. Oppresse not thou the law nor know any person neither take any reward for giftes blinde the wise and peruert the wordes of the righteous that which is iust shalt thou follow that thou maiest liue Levit. 19. Sée that thou know no faces in iudgement nor doe any vnrighteousnesse in iudgement in meat yard in weight or in measure true Ballances true waights a true Epha and a true line shall you haue to all men Ibidem Thou shalt not fauour the poore nor honour the mighty but in righteousnesse shalt thou iudge thy neighbour Ibidem Thou shalt not auenge thy selfe nor bee mindfull of a wrong but shalt loue thy Neighbour euen as thy selfe Iames. 21. As the Sun riseth is heat and the Grasse withereth his flower falleth away and the beauty of the fashion of it perisheth euen so shall the malitious rich vnrighteous and dissembling person perish in the wickednesse of his wayes Iudge nothing before the time which wil lightē thinges that are hidden in darknesse and open the counsels of the hearts so shall euery man haue prayse of GOD. Cor. 4 Sée thou robb not the poore because he is weake and oppresse not the simple in iudgement for the Lord himself wil defend their cause and do violence to them that haue vsed violence Pro 22. God resisteth the proud giueth grace vnto the lowly Iames 4. Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord neyther dispayre when he giueth thee aduersity for whome the Lord loueth him hee chasteneth yea he scourgeth with affliction euery Sonne that he receyueth Heb. 12. Let euery man be swift to heare slow to speake slow to wrath for the wrath of man worketh not that which is righteous before God wherfore lay apart all malice and with all meeknesse of heart exercise truth and quietnesse Iames. 1. Lay aside all malitiousnesse and all guile faynednesse and enuie all backbiting and as new born babes desire ye that milke not of the Body but of the soule which is without deceit that ye may grow thereby vnto Saluatiō 2. Ep. Peter The eyes of the Lord doe gouerne the Righteous his eares open vnto their Prayers Ibid. Cap. 3. The desire of the Lowly is acceptable and the Lord will encrease it but the hope of the Proude is the Indignation and in the freshnesse of their Labours hee will roote them out He that casteth out his words rashly worketh care to his life but who so through silence seasoneth his thoughts with wisedome is the Author of long rest Euery labour giueth foorth his fruit onely lippe labour destroyeth time and bringeth forth penury The dayes of aduersity are a blessing of God and a clear conscience is a continuall Feast A malitious man kindleth strife A Foole vttereth his wrath in hast but a discréet person couereth wrong The Lord abhorreth the Prayer of the malitious but who so humbleth his Prayer in faith and Charity shall find his desire The desires of the Couetous man bring vppon him confusion but who so gathereth his riches with loue and fauour shall prosper Through Mercy and Truth sinnes are pardoned and through Righteousnesse and Faith are thy Prayers heard and euill eschewed Righteous lippes are pleasant vnto Kings and dissembling tongues ouerthrow hie Pallaces Better it is to be of humble mind with the lowly then to deuide the spoiles with the proude Presumptuousnesse goeth before destruction and after a proude stomacke followeth a foule fall Mercy faithfulnesse preserueth the King and with louing kindnesse his seat is holden vp Who so followeth Righteousnesse and Mercy shall finde both life righteousnesse and honour Like as the golden pillars are vpon the Sockets of siluer so are the beautiful parts of the Body vpon a woman that hath a constant mind The heart of the foolish is like a Cart whéele and his thoughtes runne about like the Axiltree The wiseman tempereth his rage with Patience and seasoneth his wordes with wisedome Who so is mercifull and giueth Almes that is the right thanks offering but he that stoppeth his eares at the cry of the poore shall be cast downe crie himself and not be heard All that is of the eath shall turne to the earth againe all brides and vnrighteousnesse shall perish but Faithfulnes and Truth shall endure for euer Rewards and gifts blinde the eyes of the wise and make him runne that he cannot tell men their faults Let not thy mouth bee accustomed with swearing for in it there be many faults The heauinesse of the hart is all the punishment and the wickednesse of a woman goeth aboue all Like as to clime vp a sandy way is to the féet of
sinnes Answere Neyther reward vs after our iniquities Let vs pray O God mercifull Father that despisest not the sighing of a contrit hart nor the desire of such as be sorrowful mercifully assist our prayers that wee make before thée in all our troubles and aduersities whensoeuer they oppresse vs and gratiously heare vs that those euills which the craft and subtlety of the Deuill or man worketh against vs be brought to nought and by the prouidence of thy goodnes they may bee dispersed that we thy seruantes being hurt by no persecutions may euermore giue thankes vnto thée in thy holy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord. O Lord arise helpe vs and deliver vs for thy Names sake O God we haue heard with our eares and our Fathers haue declarud vnto vs the noble workes that thou diddest in their dayes and in the olde time before them O Lord arise helpe vs and deliver vs for thine honour Glory be to the Father and to the Sonne c. From our enemies defend vs O Christ Gratiously looke vpon our afflictions Pittifully behold the sorrows of our hearts Mercifully forgiue the sins of thy people Fauourably with mercy hear our Prayers O Sonne of David haue mercy vpon vs. Both now euer vouchsafe to heare vs O Christ Gratiously heare vs O Christ gratiously heare vs O Lord Christ The Versicle O Lord let thy mercy bee shewed vpon vs. Answere As we doe put our trust in thée Let vs Pray VVE humbly beséeth thee O father mercifully to looke vpon our infirmities and for the glory of thy names sake turne from vs al those euils that we most righteously haue deserued graunt that in all our troubles wee may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy and euermore serue thee in holinesse and purenes of liuing to thy honour and glory through our onely mediatour and aduocate Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ¶ A Prayer for the Kinges Maiestie O Lord our heauenly Father high and mightie King of Kings Lord of Lords the onely Ruler of Princes which doest from thy throne behold all the dwellers vpon earth most heartily wee beseech thee with thy fauour to behoid our most gratious Soueraigne Lord King Iames and so replenish him with the grace of thy holy Spirite that hee may olway encline to thy will and walke in thy way indue him plentifully with heauenly gifts grant him in health wealth long to liue strengthen him that hee may vanquish and ouercome all his enemies and finally after this life he may attaine euerlasting ioy felicity through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Prayer for the Queene and Prince and other the King and Queenes Children ALmighty God which hast promised to be a father of all thine Elect and of their séede we humbly beséech thée to blesse our gratious Quéene Anne Prince Henrie and all the King and Quéenes Royall Progenie endue them with thy holy Spirite enrich them with thy heauenly Grace prosper them with all happines and bring them to thine euerlasting kingdome through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen ALmighty euerlasting God which onely workest great maruailes send downe vpon our Bishoppes and Curates and all Congregations cōmitted to their charge the healthfull Spirite of thy Grace and that they may truely please thée powre vpon them the continual dew of thy blessing graunt this O Lord for the honour of our Aduocate and Mediator Iesus Christ Amen A Prayer of Chrysostome ALmighty God which hast giuen vs Grace at this time with one accorde to make our common Supplications vnto thée and doest promise that when two or thrée bée gathered together in thy Name thou wilt graunt their requests fulfill now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy seruants as may be most expedient for them graunting vs in this worlde knowledge of thy truth and in the worlde to come life euerlasting Amen THe Grace of our Lorde Iesus Christ and the Loue of GOD and the Fellowshippe of the Holy Ghost be with vs al euermore Amen For Raine if the time require O God Heauenly Father which by thy Son Iesus Christ hast promised to all them that séeke thy Kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof all thinges necessarie to their bodily sustenance sēd vs we beseech thée in this our necessity such moderate raine and showres that wee may receiue the fruites of the earth to our comfort and to thy honour through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen For faire weather O Lord god which for the sin of man didst once drown all the world except eight persons and afterward of thy great mercy diddest promise neuer to destroy it so againe we humbly beseech thee that although wee for our iniquities haue worthily deserued this plague of raine and waters yet vpon our true repentance thou wilt send vs such seasonable wether wherby wee may receiue the fruits of the earth in due season and learn both by thy punishment to amend our liues and for thy clemencie to giue thee prayse and glory through Iesus Christ our Lord Amē In the time of Dearth and Famine O God heauenly Father whose gift it is that the raine doth fall the earth is fruitfull beasts increase and fishes doe multiplie behold wee beseech thée the afflictions of thy people and grant that this scarsitie and dearth which wée doe now most iustly suffer for our iniquitie may through thy goodnesse bee mereifully turned into cheapenesse and plenty for the loue of Iesus Christ our Lord to whome with thee and the holy Ghost be all honour c. Amen In the time of warre O Almighty God King of all Kinges and Gouernour of all things whose power no Creature is able to resist to whom it belongeth iustly to punish Sinners and to bee mercifull to them that truely repent saue and deliuer vs wée humbly beséech thée from the hands of our enemies abate theyr pride asswage their malice and confound their deuises that wée being armed with thy defence may bee preserued euermore from all perils to glorifie thee which art the onelie giuer of all victorie through the merites of thy onely Sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen In the time of any common plague or sickenesse O Almighty God which in thy wrath in the time of King David diddest slay with the plague of pestilence threescore and tenne thousand and yet remembring thy mercy diddest saue the rest haue pitty vppon vs miserable Sinners that now are visited with greate sickenesse and mortality that like as thou diddest then cōmaund thine Angell to cease from punishing so it may now please thee to withdraw from vs this plague and grieuous sicknesse through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen O God whose nature property is euer to haue mercy and to forgiue receiue our humble Petitions and though we be tyed and bound with the chaine of our sinnes yet let the pittifulnesse of thy great mercy loose vs through Iesus Christs sake our Mediatour and Aduocate Amen A Thankesgiuing for Raine O God our heauenly Father who