death were brought and them deliuered out of bands Great was thy fauour Lord to all them that tooke hould of thee by faith But what am I that am so small a worme no man as Dauid saith Yet I belieue helpe vnbeliefe Lord I am couered ouer with shame Be thou my glory ease my griefe that I may magnifie thy name The wicked worldlings me contempne because thou hid'st thy face from me Deriding grace and me condempne because of imbicillity My neighbours that should me assist disdaine me my familiars all That should me comfort do desist their helpe to raise me from my fall They say of me my hopes are vaine my kinsfolkes who should yeeld me ayde In my necessities refraine to come to mee they are afraid And tauntingly they scoffe and say deseruedly he thus doth suffer Is iust he wrought his owne decay none other kindenes they me offer I know t' is thou that sitt'st on high do'st send and suffer maladies And therefore I on thee rely to remedy my miseries My woes O Lord by such increase as should in friendly wise relieue me They that should seek to make my peace they are the men that most do grieue me But I that taste the cuppe will say t' is thou hast don 't and I will beare it When t' is thy will who can say nay t' is out of loue why should I feare it Releiue my soule with timely dewe and comfort me restore Restore my soule vnto those ioyes the which I felt too sore Now after stormes Lord send a calme and graunt me peace yet now at last And I will praise thee with a psalme with thankes for all thy fauour past I 'le magnifie thy name for aye that bring'st such wondrous things to passe That worldlings neither thinke nor say nor know why t' is or how it was The iust shall heare saints be glad when wicked men shall faint quaile To see what fauour I haue had all their hope doth quench quaile whō they so lōg haue scornd deem'd euen through afflictions cast away For thy name sake Lord mee esteem'd their night is past they haue their day Respect my meditation helpe mee in time conuenient Lord graunt my supplication thou know'st tri'st my hearts intent Let not the righteous be dismaide nor wicked triumph in my fall Nor yet let sinners be afraid in time of neede to thee to call And let me put my confidence direct my faith erect mine hope Vnto thy gratious prouidence this of my praiers is the scoape FINIS ⧠The fourth Lamentation in distresse ¶ Wherein the distressed prayeth for faith for zeale and strength in vndergoing Gods corrections and to be deliuered from dangers prepared against him O Lord I lift my heart to thee my soule in thee doth euer trust O let mee not confounded bee but make me righteous with the iust Let men not haue their wills gain'st me but powre on mee thy comfort sweete Thy sauing health Lord let me see who prostrate begg it at thy feete Let thy right hand and prouidence be stretched out to hould me vp And giue me grace and patience in lowlines to tast thy cuppe So shall I sit on surest rocke and strength and power to me get And ablely beare mine enimies stroke though round about they me beset For why my comfort is in thee and on thy prouidence I depend O keepe mee safe in libertie till all my troubles come to end From perills six hast me deliuered I know therefore thou wilt from seauen From earthly thoughts let me be seuer'd and conuersation haue in heauen I know that loue a multitude of shamefull sinnes doth closely couer Within the gates I me include thou art my soules true spouse louer The faithfull thereby may take hold of hope to haue a prosperous end Of their desires this makes me bolde for ayde and comfort to attend And with all patience to perseuer I know thy word it is most sure Poore penitent by faith I 'le euer stand firme and to the end indure Alas deere God I nothing craue to haue of thee by mine owne right But in Christs name I 'le aske and haue for hee 's most gratious in thy sight Yea for his merrits thou do'st loue me in him I know thou art well pleas'd And hearest sinners whē they moue thee forgiu'st their sin and they are eas'd Among'st whom Lord I am the chiefe and of good things am Ignorant Yet on the crosse did'st saue the theefe for Christ his sake me mercy graunt In this worlds vanities most vilde I liue and haue no taste of trueth I knew not I was in exile but did in folly spend my youth Of thee alone I knowledge haue for of my selfe I am but weake Thou art my God that strength me gaue to worke to rest to liue to speake For of my selfe is misery and of my selfe is all that 's ill But from thee Lord comes all mercy and perfect power to worke thy will With in to consolation of my sadde soule wounded heart With out to preseruation o◠my weake body in each part Therefore teach me the truth oh Lord thy sacred truth shew mee thy waies That I should walke led by thy word to thy glory spend my daies Lord keep frō wicked thoughts mine heart mine hands that they commit noe ill Mine eies my tongue and euery part Lord grant they may performe thy will My feete from falling still preserue as of my selfe regard me not Deale not with me as I deserue as are my sinnes reward me not Behould not my deformities but looke on me in Christ by loue My sinnes and all enormities as mists and cloudes from me remoue Thou righteous art and gratious reformest sinners sinnes forgiu'st O be to me propitious to liue in thee that euer liu'st Keep thou my soule let me not perish nor vtterly to be confounded That trust in thee but my soule cherrish ioy mine hart which thou hast wounded Thou art my strength sure defence in time of dangers imminent Though all helpe faile experience hath taught me thou art permanent I goe vnto thine Oracle and from thy word I councell take And finde a wondrous miracle thou neuer do'st thine owne forsake Thy seruants that in thee do trust thy tabernacle shall them shield In secret thou do'st hide the iust that are not with foule sinne defilde Harken O Lord harken and heare vnto my voice that call and cry O let thy loue to'wards me appeare with streames and floods of thy mercy Thou sayest O Lord seeke yee my face what is it but in my distresse To cry for helpe and craue thy grace and ayde in time of heauines My soule by the pure priueledge of thy free spirit which teacheth truth My heart prepared with knowledge and faith and hope vnto thee sueth My tongue doth speake mine heart doth mutter and euery member in his place Doth
fift part of the eight Lamentation SEnd helpe therefore O Lord and saue me from thē that would me quite deuoure And dayly grieue me and depraue me my soule 's with Lyons euery houre I wade as through the rageing sea I dwell amongst men set on fire whose teeth are speares whose tongs bear sway like two edg'd sword with wrath ire Thy mercy therefore and thy truth let be my bucklar and strong shield Hast bin mine hope euen from my youth let troubles cease new ioyes me yield Set me vpon thy rocke foreuer of perfect loue and true reliefe Let rest and refuge faile me neuer and thy protection saue from griefe Bring thou to passe what 's fit for me what thou dost know expedient That righteous men my end may see and how mine hope obtain'd content That they may of thy glory talke and speake of thy eternall praise All men shall say that see mee walke doubtlesse God will the righteous raise There is a God that 's gratious good to them that bee of perfect heart When he hath all their foes withstood heauen's ioyes to them he will impart Finis The first part of the ninth Lamentation in distresse ¶ The penitent acknowledgeth mans vildenes Gods mercies by faith and example of Gods prouidence relieth on his goodnes O Lord thy name 's most excellent in all the world thy glorie 's spred Through heauens and the firmament and by all creatures vttered In vniuersall harmony extold in heauen and in earth Exprese'st in Song and melody with all alacritie and mirth What thou bestow'st what man can number vpon vs slaues and sonnes of men Who by our sinnes are farre put vnder all Creatures we can name by pen. Forgetfull and so capeable of sinne as pouder is of fire In all our words and workes vnstable and know not what we should desire Aboue all Creatures we fotget thy grace are prone to disobey And if thy mercy did not let all Adams broude thou should'st destroy And I for my part me confesse guilty of all sinnes and all euilles And that I haue deseru'd no lesse then to be damn'd among'st the diuels The world for disobedience did'st punnish thou mought'st subuert But chiefely me for negligence mai'st plague with all plauges t' is desert I am not worthy breath in th' aire nor haue the vse of any creature Much lesse to the e to make my prayer cause gainst my God I am a traitor Thou worthily me do'st afflict at me thou takest iust offence All punnishments thou do'st inflict because thy wrath I did incense My trespasses do more offend then I can please with my best zeale The worthines I best intend I least performe my soule Lord heale ¶ The second part of the ninth Lamentation I Shame at mine vnworthines yet faine would be at one with thee Thou art a ioy in beauines a succour in necessitie To them that do their liues reforme and rightly frame their penitence Sincearely follow and performe thy will without all negligence All this to doe I do desire and what thou sayest I do belieue Thy pardon graunt me I require release and pardon Lord me giue O be with them that doe thee seeke yeeld them helpe that hould by thee Instructing humble men and meeke that wisdome seeke by thy mercy Sith I so long haue to thee cride so long thee sought yet hope I will Though my sad soule in silent bide in constant patience I 'le waite still thou rightly hear'st my inward grones my sorrowes sighes wants desire And do'st respect the outward mones of men distrest that feare the fire Though in their lippes they mute do seeme do speake nothing with their tonges what they would haue thou doest deeme and present art to right their wrongs But loe the time is not expir'd of mine ordeined punishment Nor of that freedome I desir'd I 'le waite by hope in languishment My helpe my comfort and my life saluation mine depends on thee Within my conscience stint the strife and giue me grace and libertie ⧠The third part of the ninth Lamentation MY life my comfort helpe and all saluation on Christ dependeth T' is he doth raise me when I fall he all begins and he all endeth I will not murmure neither grudg nor feare nor faint but alwaies waite He is my Sauiour and my Iudge his grace decree'd who can retrait Is there not an appointed time for all things that by God be wrought Iob was brought low at last did clime to wealth and honor he was brought And Ioseph was afflicted long by brethren and by false accuse He was shut vp in prison strong did'st all his cause and wrongs peruse At length brought'st him to honor great and Dauid was at first cast downe And then inthron'd in princely seate and long enioy'd the royall Crowne Poore widdow of Sarepta shee and hirs were ready for to pine Hir barrell and hir cruise by thee were blest and by that Prophet thine Her meale and oyle did neuer faile thou send'st that Saint eu'n to that end That they in dearth should neuer quaile so did'st from famine hir defend Wherefore a little while I 'le waite I know th' appointed time will come I shal be freed from sinnes deceite wilt mercy send in miseries roome The fourth part of the ninth Lamentation THou art my portiō my strength my defence and saluation Thou seest my troubles and at length wil't giue me consolation Thou send'st them notas ignorant of thē thou know'st thou did'st me make Therefore what 's needfull God me grant good Lord do neuer me forsake I am brought to the very pit of all confusion men suppose Thou hast decreed the time most fit of my deliuery from my foes To me vnknowne that being seene I may attribute to thee then The praise who praised ere hast beene without the aide of mortall men Which I haue sought so long in vaine yea while I called thee vpon Let me acknowledge helpe againe to come from thee or else from none And all that the world can affoord bee but th' effects of thy deere loue Thy power thy prouidence and woord do send me comfort from aboue O blessed man whom thou dost chuse and call'st by crosses vnto thee Whom thou by death seem'st to refuse by secret sweetenes liues by thee With inward consolation fed with the Manna of thy loue Who dwels in thy protection with liuely hope can neuer moue He fainteth not at mightiest frowne so I O Lord assured rest Thou art my portion and my crowne to dignifie those loue thee best Thou tendrest me as a deare sonne though thou me visit with thy rod Yet sufferest not me for to runne with sinners and to fall from God Although I seeme of hope depriued and that my wonted comforts past Yet I O Lord shal be reuiued by thee and by thy grace at last For all my long and instant cries I will not
clay The curteous minde by all men is surcharged The Innocents poore wretches are condempned Monsters of mischiefe are by thee enlarged Fooles are receaued wisemen are contempned So that preposterous all thine order is And all things are done not as don should bee T' is thou that lead'st all mortalls to their misse Thou ruld'st the roast all must be rul'd by thee And as thy waies are all prepostrous So all their Issues shal be prou'd disastrous Nay further in thy delectations No man doth hould his fit and rightfull name But by strange change of Appellations Thou would'st them change they should not be the same Vaine world rash Roisters thou call'st valliant The fearefull foole thou nam'st him patient Thou sai'st hee 's secret that is ignorant The busie body thou call'st diligente The suttle wise the vnthrift liberall The meeke a moane the babler eloquent Vaine glorious gallants bloud suckers tall And so turnst right to wrong and wrong to right Turnst sweete to sower and day thou turnst to night In thee therefore is no securitie Thou subiect art to maledictionn What though that worldlings praise thy puritie Yet I must giue thee valediction Farewell vaine world thou art the common Cheator Of all that trust thee topsie turuy turning All states and people euery liuing Creature Thou shalt at length consumed be by burning I purpose so to liue as I shall die I le die to liue yea while I yet draw breath Though I liue in thee of thee liue not I To liue from thee t is life in thee t' is death I le carry nothing with mee that is thine Nor leaue behind mee ought that I call mine Finis TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY Prince CHARLES Sonne to our Soueraigne Lord the King WHen I had written these Lamentations most worthy Prince for my exercise and contentment for which I had likewise made sundry notes ayres I was desiered by some of my best friends to publish my whole indeauours therein and being very willing to giue such men as delight in Musicke perfect contentment some of the most excellent Musitions this Age can afford haue in their loue to me composed for the better grace of my poore labours most full and Melodious Musicke which I Purpose by Gods assistance to Dedicate with all conuenient expedition vnto your Highnes and if these my Lamentations shall any way merrit your Princely regard I shall all waies vowe my future seruices vnto your Highnes and will not cease to pray that your high vnderstanding admired by all men in these your tender yeares may increase and beautifie your dayes with all pietie and Godlines Your Highnes Most humble seruant William Leighton TO ALL THAT ARE IN Any distresse Affliction in Crosses imprisonments troubles of minde or body Peace and Saluation in Christ Iesus To the Reader I Vide lege Tace GEntle Reader the vnfained zeale and dutie I owe vnto the most free and honorable seruice and glory of almighty God hath bred a restles desire doubtfull dilemma in my troubled thought so that euery sence stands a mazed with doubt whether I were better to make knowne the least part of my vnfained and true repentance and mine experience of afflictions in rude and vnpollisht lines or else lay open the plaine demostrations of my weakenes in this my rash presumption But the deepe affection I haue wishing the good of all the Faithfull And chiefely the praysing magnifying of the mercy of Almighty God hath ouercome all difficillities I confes my too-too much insufficiencie to attempt to shew mine owne infirmities in matters of so great consequence and of so high a nature yet I hope the gratiousnes of your mindes will answere the goodnes of my meaning and that you will rather blame the want of Art then want of heart A further motiue that sets forward mine attempts in this busines was the due consideration of afflictions and whence they came I wayed that God may finde sufficient cause in all men because all men are sinners yet doth he worke in his punishments by a geometricall not an Arithmeticâ—ll proportion laying vppon the strong the heauier burthen and on the weake the lighter and on no man more then he can well beare I considered the end wherefore the Lord did the same And I found that they were for instructions not distructions and that he doth often try vs by the crosse to make vs true to his crowne And from this by reflection looking backe to my selfe who haue had a wofull large and long experience of imprisonment troubles crosses sicknes and afflictions and haue past euen the Alphabet of Calamities to make good vse of them and to lenifie my griefe I composed thiese swanlike songs And because Bonum quod Communius eo melius euery good guift is of it selfe difusine I thought it the dutie of brotherly loue to make common to all that was comfortable to me being assured that my rudenes and rashnes in thiese my willing laboures can not spot or staine the richnes of beautie and Gods most pretioas and blessed workes on which I haue endeuoured to imploy my meane capacity in this mine exercise where the foundation of building is good the fault is in the Artificer if the worke want vniformitie or Corespondencie For his erring in proportions can no way impeach or derogate from the true substance and sound ground worke of a sure foundation A little or smale spring from the first head cannot stop the curraunts of great floods or the maine waues of the Ocean Sea These Cantons are but drops taken out of the fountaines of Israell though the booke be but as a wooden dish it will serue the poore mans turne to drinke in quench his thirst The rest I leaue to the flowing streames of the graue Diuines as fragant flowers out of a pleasant garden being grosely gathered and vnorderly placed yet retaine their beautie and sauour and the fault in vnorderly placeing is to be found not in the flowers but in the gatherer lay the fault of any errour herein to the man the manner and meeter no to the matter In loue is no labour therefore my labour is nothing and yet wy labour exceedes my learning my will my skill Paynting is fit for ragged wales not for fine Marble And often times smoth filed tongues are ioyned to defiled hearts God knowes towards him my soules sinceritie and towards you mine hearts integritie If thou art curious be curteous and doe not discourage if learned though thou seest the fault be many let thy louo be more In all giue God glory to whom be all glory for euer and euer Amen Tibi et mihi quod bonum tibi quod malum mihi laus Deo Thine in perfect loue and vnperfect labour William Leighton ¶ To the true deuoted Reader ALL curious quaint abiliments exil'd In humblest habit now my verse compil'd Like a poore Pilgrim all alone I stand Taking my iourney to the
by Iesus side Confessing sinnes at his last time was in his suffering sanctifide To comfort him our Lord did say this day thy soule to heauen seal'd vp On Iacobs ladder heauens high way because thou tasts with me my cup. Then sinners all that him belieue repent their sinnes mend their life As mercy them shall sure releeue and so cut off their mortall strife The suffering Martiers testifie Christ and his Gospell he vs sent The law doth sinners scourge and try faith frees their paines if they repent Whē thou sufferest for right or wrong let steadfast faith in Christ remaine Such sufferings shall ere it be long the crowne of endlesse glory gaine No man therefore ought to dispaire Christ dyed for our redemption Him aduocate did God prepaire from sinne to cause exemption And thē he wil'd his word be preached to euery creature instantly And by his Gospell his grace reached cause he would haue no sinners die The health of all he doth desire calls all to him that burdned bee And to forgiue doth vs require and all to pray that troubled bee FINIS A disputation betweene the Diuell and vs. Man IF Sathan heape vp all thy sins addresse thy selfe to God on hie Fall thus to pray when he begins Lord turne thy face heare my cry The Diuell with strong inuasion suggesteth his temptation Guarde me from Sathan death hell the Feind on me his wrath doth wreake All ill temptations Lord repell defend my soule for it is weake Looke on the face of Christ thy Sonne consider Lord what he hath donne For Christ is mine and I am his mine is his iustice mine the gaines Lord turne thy face from mine amisse Christ bear'st my sins bore the paines Thou did'st me aske and I shall haue in faith therefore thy grace I craue Diuell God heares no sinners why do'st pray thy sinnes the sandes in number passe M. Christ blood hath washt my sins away and made me righteous as he was Christs merits shall me cloath abont God will not finde my vildenesse out D. Shalt thou the sincke of sinfullnes goe on with Peter and with Paule To euerlasting blessednes noe noe to Hell downe must thou fall I but in thought did him offend and he me dampned without end M. I with the theefe reach out my hand of faith to Christ his hand of grace He holdeth me that fearefull stand and drawes me vp to heauenly place Thou neuer canst be sau'd and why for men not Angels Christ did dy D. How hast thou this assured trust Which hast done nothing that is good M. Because though god be god most iust My debts are paid with Christ his blood My sinnes are all to Christ imputed And righteous I in him reputed D. Thou shalt be haled downe to hell M. my head 's in heauen ther 's no hel fire D. with vs in chaines paines shalt dwel M. Thou art a murderer and a lyer When head 's aboue who can be drown'd Christ is the head mine head is crown'd Thou art a damned fiend no iudge T' is thou set'st God man at warrs Thou art that enuious slaue do'st grudge That man should shine as do the starrs heauē enioy whence thou wert thrown Thy malice ould false fiend is knowne D. Legions of Diuells watch sinners soules M. but Angels pitch their tents about me God me protects thee controles Diuels are in chaines I need not doubt thee If thy power stretch not to a Swine How can'st thou hurt this soule of mine D. God is not iust if for thy euils He giues thee euerlasting life Thy balefull portion is with diuels Where thou shalt haue torture strife Endles mercles remediles Due for thy monstrous wickednes M. God's iust and doth his promise keepe From iustice to his mercie seate In Christ's name I appeale and creepe And so obtaine his mercie great And by his grace in largest scope By Christ I doe erect mine hope D. Thou feed'st thy selfe with hope in vaine M. Christ is the truth he cannot lye He saith his saints with him shall raigne And such a one by Christ am I Presumptious slaue my hope 's not vaine Cause Christ is heauen cheefest gaine D. Thou see'st what thou shalt leaue behind What thou shalt haue thou seest not M. Sathan auaunt thy faith is blind From the heauens blisse is far remote That may be seene with natures eies My soule doth scorne and I dispise D. y◠part'st hence loadē with misdeed And of good workes th' art naked bare M. Christ's works merrits stand in steed Of mine by faith are mine I dare By faith in him and true repentance Still hope for blisse and scape Gods vengance D. But thy repentance comes to late Againe thy God's the God of truth I must needs say he must thee hate Cause gainst mee all thy flower of youth Think'st now that he will take the bran No ti 's to late thou wicked man M. To late it was not for the theefe D. yea but the theefe his faith was true Thine is a wauering weake beliefe Hast no more faith then hath a Iewe Now what remaineth but deepe dispaire For God of thee will take no care M. I 'le fly to God I 'le him beseech To blow this little sparke of fire And he that is in mercy rich I know will graunt me my desire Faith pleaseth God by quallitie He cares not for the quantitie D. Do'st not thou see God hath in store In earth in hell and euery where Ten thousand thousand plagues more Which makes vs Diuels quake feare Yet art so sensles foolish dull To say thy God is mercifull M. He like a good Chirurgion Doth hurt to heale they are his launces That lett out our corruption And so saues vs from worse mischances Our plagues on earth saue vs from hell diuels wel may feare for there they dwel D. It is a wretched thing to dye M. To die in Chri'st a blessed thing D. A sinners death 's a misery M. By death is lost my sin deaths sting D. god hath made thy death most biter M. the ioyes of heauen will be the sweeter D. Thou leau'st this world go'st know'st not whither M. I leaue this Hellish place on earth Mine home is heauen I l'e goe thither My soule doth claime it by hir birth Heauen is my country there was bred My soule there is Christ mine head D. Thou leau'st cōmodities behinde And many great and pleasing things Thou many moe ill things maist finde that men to care sorrow brings M. Ther 's nought on earth that 's worth the buying For that 's in heauen is worth my dying D. Thou leaust thy riches thy store M. Thay'r other mens that I do leaue I beare mine with me and no more D. Therein thou do'st thy selfe deceaue Thy wife and Children do'st forsake M. They are y◠Lords he will them take D. It 's hard to be quite pluckt away From those thou
side ¶ When thou seest thou art forsaken of God LOrd why doest thou depart away and turn'st thy face out of my sight Oh let thy comfort with me stay for now O Lord it waxeth night O let my soule not be dismaide to the O Lord I cry for ayde ¶ Against Detractours SAue me O Lord for righteous men and truth begin to faile There is no truth in tongue nor pen detractions now so much preuaile Confound the tongue and lipps of those who to deceipt themselues dispose ¶ For our enemies LAy not their sinne vnto their charge alas they know not what they doe But of thy mercies them inlarge free them from sinne and Sathan too Open their eies that they may see and so repent their iniurie ¶ If Corrupt flesh prouoke thee LOrd pearce my flesh with thy true feare subdue my wicked vilde desire I know thy iudgements are seuere in me Lord quench lusts burning fire Which sinne God graunt all may abhore which is the cause of many more ¶ If labour tyre thee BEhold Lord my humillity and eke my labour doe respect Forgiue my faults continually wherein my duty I neglect Let neither time nor labour tyre my thoughts to serue thee with desire FINIS ¶ The penitent prayeth for the Testimonie of a good Conscience LOoke down O Lord on me poore man In thee I liue I moue and am O cleare my soule and conscience That I in thee my peace may finde Rest to my heart ioy to my minde freed my sinne and mine offence Let me not stretch my conscience But trust vnto thy prouidence nor by deceipt or guile get gaine Ill gotten goods let me restore And of mine owne giue to the poore as thou my portion shalt maintaine From conscience that shall erre amisse Out of the way of heaueuly blisse and hath not warrant from thy word From all the pathes Hereticall From all the waies Scismaticall Restraine refraine my feete O Lord. From conscience strict and full of nicenesse And ouer curious much precizenesse represse mine heart my soule and minde And with traditions new inuented That are not with thy word indented let not my actions be inclinde A wounded conscience who can beare T is full of horror dread and feare it is an endles perturbation A witnes torture Iudge and Gaile It makes our faith and hope to faile and lead'th to desperation A conscience wicked and peruerse That none but great sinnes can it pearse and mightie mountaines mole-hills makes It hindreth our Saluation It furthereth Obduration and sence of sinne it from vs takes Of each good guift Lord thou art giuer From all ill conscience me deliuer and euer and euermore preserue me Then I in quietnes and rest As one of thine whom thou hast blest for euer euermore will serue thee FINIS ¶ A heauenly Himme of the ioyes Celestiall O Lord that art my propugnacle I looke vnto thy Tabernacle where doth thy wondrous glory dwell By th' eye of faith I doe beholde Such ioyes as noe tongue can vnfolde scarse holy Angells can it tell I see the downefall of my foes The glory of thy Saints and those sweete quiers of Angells shning bright Me thinkes I see thy Maiestie Thine honour and high dignitie allclad in Radient beames of light O how I long for to imbrace The benigne kindnes of thy grace that reall rich possession Which thou by Charter of thy word Dost giue to them that feare the Lord and thereof make prosession I meane that high Ierusalem The Cittie dwelling for all them that shall in endles glory raigne The Cittie of that holy one Hath Walls vprear'd of pretious stone of Pearle the gates there 's nothing vaine The Temple thou the Lambe the light Noe Sunne by day nor Moone by night neede there to shine there is no iarre But all is peace all well there do Yet subiect vassalls there vnto all Monarks Kings and Princes are Possessions none impeachment haue Lordshipps noe care noe worldly slaue can take away my right from me Loue without iealousie is there Ther 's noe distraction ther 's noe feare ther 's noe corrupted state can be Good shall we be not persecuted Noble and not as proud reputed rich and not rob'd nor flattered For to enioy we shal be sured For to retaiue we are secured Heauens walls cannot be battered Take thou the troubles Lord from mine heart To me these ioyes of ioyes impart and me vnto this Cittie bring That I with all hearts enargies In heauens most blessed hierarchies may Alleluia to thee sing FINIS ¶ A prayer for a good Conscience TO him I le sing my songs and himmes That rideth on the Cherubimes and heauens doth like a Courtaine spread My Madrigalls and roundelayes Shall be my makers name to praise whose mercie doth vphold my head I lust not drinke of Hellicon To Poets that I leaue alone they climbe that high Parnasous mountaine I will assend to Sions hill I long haue longd to drinke my fill of blessed Israells sacred fountaine Faith hope and loue shal be my proppes In steede of Aganipes droppes on me God powre down showers of graces His holy word and spirit Diuine In stead of all the Muses nine my heart my soule and minde imbraces I seeke not grace from graces three But begge grace of the Trinity early at Morne at Noone and Night I scorne a Sycophants applaudings I hate a flatterers base collaudings I way not blacke mouth'd Momus spight Great God that know'st each secret part To thee I offer hand and heart and waite to doe thy gratious will And thee beseech for Christ his sake My meaning well for deed to take my heart for Art cunning skill How wise and good is God by this Each man may see that euery misse in vs and euery thought and word Both good and bad by conscience And power of his spirit influence is Regestered and of Record Iut all our actions hit doth pry Accust'h or excust'h by and by and as a thousand witnesses Will speake before the iudge the truth Of all thinges done in age and youth of iustice and all wickednesse If conscience to Hell doth runne The same to vs shall sure be done we shall goe to for company What thousands say we neede not care Doe what they will doe what they dare if conscience doe not test fie A conscience good doth make vs blest T' is chearefull a continewall feast a Paradice of passing pleasure The Temple of the holy Ghost This makes the blessed Martyres boast and is the Christian treasure A conscience good let 's striue to keepe For though some-times it seemes to sleepe at iudgement t' will awake And in a booke all shall lie open Before the iudge what 's done or spoken when we accompt must make FINIS ¶ The penitent proueth that sinne is not of God but of the diuell and our selues CVrious discourse religious rod Sinnes not in God then not from God what 's not from him is not his deede
Gods workes haue none enormitie We are the workes deformitie all 's good that doth from God proceede He tempt'h to try not ouerthrow vs Yet needes not try for he doth know vs. but t' is that we our selues should know From him all 's good from vs all 's ill He makes all good wee all doe spill our selues our selues doe ouerthrow In punishments that t 'vs are ill What he doth doe he doth it still hee 's one the same and that same one Not doing ought but by not doing In him t' is good to good ensewing hee 'le see if we can stand alone Gods grace is not difficient Sinne hath not cause ifficient and thee to sinne God doth not make Suggestions by the deuill are sent And there vnto man giues consent why should not God that man forsake Our conscience is sent as a spiall Our punishments sent as a triall and oft times plagues sent as a curse God neuer was to vs a debter If all be sau'd hee 's neuer better if all be damn'd hee 's nere the worse God made all good that all good can Then looke into thy bosome man an Ambuscado there there doth lie Of hideous sinnes by good omitting And monstrous sinnes by ill committing t' is there plac't by mans enemy ¶ A comfor able Himne for the Children of God SAluation doth to God belong He blesseth all both old and young that are his chosen and elect He doth defend his Children all That are in danger griefe and thrall by his good meanes and kinde respect He hath meanes all sufficient And power all perills to preuent to those with thankes doe euer pray What comfort helpe or good soeuer Wee finde from him let vs parseuer and magnifie him night and day Let vs with humble hearts confesse His mercies loue and great kindenesse with heauenly himnes to God aboue With mirth and ioy sing euery one God heard our soules petition and sent his sonne to show his loue The Lord receaues and heares our prayer Hee heares and helpes vs in dispaire be glad my soule in him reioyce Oh spread abroad his holy fame With songes Melodious lawd his name with heart with minde with tongue voice O thou most high God art not prais'd Vnlesse from heart that praise be rais'd who onely knowst our thoughts and minde The glory all must be thine owne By prayers thy powers are euer showne to those by faith thou iust dost finde O hallowed be Gods holy name Who Heauens made and world did frame and man like to his Image pure He all his other Creatures blest Fish Cattle Foule and all the rest to comfort man while times indure FINIS A prayer against temptations especially fit for a man that findeth in himselfe a continuall Inclination to any particuler sinne OH gratious and most louing God who in beginning did'st Create Man to thy shape and image good and likenesse in most pure estate And did'st him place in holy place the garden sweete with all delight With mercies and abonnding grace dect heauenly with earthly sightes And did'st thy Creatures all ordaine in heauen and earth man for to serue Oh what was man that he should gaine Gods great respect him to preserue Yet Lord how soone he fell away from thee and from originall grace How gresly did he disobay thy secret will before thy face Which thou to him did'st then reueale by whose fall all corruption grew And sinne shut out true godly zeale and earthes corruptions did insue And all things in the earth began to disobay him instantly By God made good to comfort man who hated him forsaking thee By his transgression these proceedes of his pollutions Lyneall Haue all defild their waies and deedes and all men tainted by his fall Which first offence bred infinit sinnes in corruptions of mans nature As I my selfe both day and night doe feele know most wretched Creature Which I confesse oh Father deare to whom this chiefe offence was done How Sathans workes in me appeare who hourely into euills run Which are most vilde most meane base doe iudge my selfe of all the worst When I behold my wicked case considering how I am accurst I that confesse I cannot hide how most to sinne I am inclin'd Knowne vnto thee my God and guide who see'st the secrets of my minde Much more the deeds which I commit of darknes seene to thee aboue To whose bright eyes both darke and light at seasons all doe seeme as one And therefore find'st out all my sinne in thought in action or intent Though by each sinne death did begin yet thou do'st promise those repent That they shall be forgiuen all within which number Lord make me Who seest my sinnes for mercy call that raignes in me continually And as hit were commaund me goe drawne there vnto by violence By Sathan vilde our deadly foe that neuer ceaseth ill pretence Who workes in me corruptions corruptions more pollutions breeds Which draweth mine affections which minde inclines to wicked deeds And chiefely to that odious sinne which makes me weake for to fullfill Thy lawes and precepts iust wherein thou vs commaund'st to doe thy will Yet strong and apt for to effect those thinges forbidden by thy lawes Therefore to kill Lord sinnes conflict remoue from me the wicked cause Especially this hedious crime that hanges and stickes so fast on mee That hit doe raigne no longer time which feele it loathsome vnto me A heauy burthen to my soule which I cannot shake off at all By mine owne power or strength controule but by Gods workes parpetuall Who worketh all repentance true therefore Lord make me penitent With contrite heart my spirit renew let loathsome sinnes thy grace preuent For thou Lord seest I doe commit sinnes as hit were against my will Giue me therefore power strength and wit corrupt affections all to kill The thoughts whereof we vex and grieue and heapes of feare my soule possesse Dispaire Attemptes hopes to depriue me to deuour in all distresse FINIS ¶ An exhortation to praise God and to acknowledge our thankesgiuing to him without ceasing WE praise thee God we knowledge thee Our onely Lord and Christ to bee the earth and world doe worship thee Eternall father Heauenly King To whom aloud bright Angells sing the thrones and powers thee magnifie The Cherubins and Seraphin To cry to thee doe neuer linne holy holy most holy Lord Of Saboth God of Maiestie Heauens full and earth of thy glory all Nations laud thy name and word The glorious postles company The goodly prophets Vnitie the holy Marters noble army The holy Church the world through out Doth spread the Gospell all about the Father of true pietie Thy sacred true and onely sonne The Holy Ghost vs comfort wonne thou art of glory King oh Christ Thou art the euelasting sonne Of God whose blessed will was donne in the all people to deliuer Thou did'st not then the Virgins wombe Abhorre nor loath that sacred Tombe till thou wast borne
aske and haue of thee let me by faith my suite obtaine Thy louing fauour shew to mee all other fauour is but vaine Restraine my vaine imaginations preuent by grace Sathans intrusions Let not him taint my cogitations nor blind mine eies with false illusions Which are th'nticements the baites of that great ghostly enemy That still for worldlings seekes waites within which rancke poore wretch am I. But as my mouth and lipps haue said wordes of a faithfull seruant true So let my soule of Christ craue ayde with inward spirit to liue a new For now my poore soule is a-fraide and time mispent alasse I rewe To thee I run imploreing ayde within me do thy spirit renue O Lord I see the bloudy woundes of thy sweete sonne my Sauiour I see thy mercies there aboundes and promised by thy fauour And therefore I by sinfull deedes that er'st liu'd carelesse in dispaire Do fly vnto those woundes that bleedes plucke down grace by force of praier Oh in that grace graunt me to liue and in that grace grant me to die And when I die Lord grace me giue to reigne with thee perpetualy A generall confession of sinnes OMnipotent and gratious Father froÌ„ thy waies haue I strayed er'd Like a lost sheepe follow'd rather Mine harts deuises and prefer'de My foolish fancies fond desires broake the lawes set downe by thee I haue not done what thou requires but done those thinges that should not be No health 's in me but thou O God haue mercy on me sinfull wretch Spare me oh spare me hould thy rod that to offendors thou dost stretch I do confesse my faults restore me that doe repent for Iesus sake That promis'd euer is before thee which thou in Christ to man did'st make And graunt for his sake liue I may a godly righte and sober life To thy names glory still for aye possessing heauen that shuts out strife All laude and praise be to thy name for euer and euer now and then To whom all nations sing with fame sweete psalmes of ioy Amen Amen A Morning meditation I Laide me downe to rest and slept and in the morning rose againe God me sustain'd and safely kept and by his grace did me maintaine His Angels pitch't me round about sleeping and waking keeping me Both comming in and going out they guarde me with securitie Lord here my voice in morning bright when I my praiers do direct And waite till thou the God of light doe heere and helpe me with effect O Father full of power and might mercie and loue how dare I cast Mine eies into thy heauenly sight If thou remember my sinnes past How can I thinke or hope for good heere in the earth to come from high Hauing so much thy lawes withstoode And sin'd against thy maiesty Thou in thy power knowledg deepe lord seest the wicked waies of mine Whether in sinne I wake or sleepe they are all open to thine eyne My vaine corrupt and euill deeds my imperfections more and more With my pollutions which still breedes thine anger worse then was before Thy iudgement I might iustly feare if thou should'st note what 's don amisse Thou might'st in torture be seuere but thou giu'st rest sleepe peace blisse And hast me rais'de vp by thy hand for onely thou preseruest mee And me defend'st by sea and land a wake or sleepe I seruing thee whether I walke worke eate or drinke or what ere else doe what I will Thou blessest all that I can thinke without thy blessings all were ill For I a creature weake and faint subiect to daungers that are rife And closly workes my soule to taint in this corrupt and euill life I lie alasse in night and blindenes and haue no watch mee to defend Yet am preseru'de by thy kindnes from them that ill to mee intend Whose owlish eies doe shun the light who lay their traps snares in darke But thou defend me with thy might with bright eie their worke do'st marke Thou deare kinde Father full of loue regardest thy weake and little ones Thy many mercies do thee moue tinuiron them soule blood bones O gratious God I giue thee thankes for all thiese mercies maniefold Saue me from all the perilous prankes of sinne and of that Serpent ould Forgiue me mine offences Lord with true repentance Lord me right Let thankes with life reform'd accorde with trewe obedience in thy sight I am inclin'd to vanitie to slide into one sinne or other No day nor houre true peace finde I since first I came froÌ„ wombe of mother With many foes I am beset corruptions in me dayly fight Which workeing of thy graces let and gain'st my faith vse all their might Wresting my will and settled minde rom true sincerity to sinne From good desires to be inclin'de to deepe dispaire and die therein To make one trust in blandishment of wiâ—ked world my soule deceauing And in my soules sad languishment of comforts all my soule bereauing I flie vnto the sanctuary of thy deare care and prouidence Assured I shall not miscarry when I depend on thy defence Keepe me therefore O King of Kings as precious Apple of thine eie This day me shroud vnder thy winges for by thy sauing health liue I. Teach me the truth me knowledg giue and wisdome with all humblenes Obedience zeale and faith relieue my soule with hope in all distresse Chaunge me from sinne to sanctitie from the nights darknes vnto light Let my colde zeale most ardent be to serue the Lord both day night Teach me iustly to execute my outward calling giue successe And happie issue to my suite and all my lawfull labours blesse To brethren loue and equitie to me and mine in godly care With heart and minde true pietie to God alone let me repaire And let thy holy spirit so nourish and gouerne me that more more I may increase beare fruit and florish in godlines and goodnes store Vntill thou shalt cut off this life that is corrupt with deadly sinne And by Christs merrites end the strife of mortall warres my soule liues in And draw me then with cords of loue to thee and thy Tuition To new Ierusalem aboue and giue mee there fruition Off thee those that raign with thee with Christ and all that in thy word Thou promi'st me graunt this to mee for the same Christ his sake O Lord. An Euening Meditation I Le lie me downe to sleepe in peace for thou Lord only mak'st me dwell In saftie with great quietnes and do'st ill dreames from me expell My body to innormitie is subiect without rest and sleepe Because of mine infirmitie my life and health it cannot keepe Good father all sufficient my louing God I yeelde thee praise For this dayes blessings to me sent and guiding me in all my waies
In that thou hast this day now past me strongly guarded with thy handes With loue refresh't me first and last with mercies more thē sea shore sandes That hast me brought to this daies end blacke night darknes drawing neere Wherein all creatures rest attend and lay them downe t'il day appeare I finding my debilitie poore creature run to thee Diuine Oh strengt'h mine imbecilitie and ayde this soule and body mine Thou hast me made of matter grosse and brittle substance out of clay Which still is subiect to the crosse a tennis ball for worldlings play He wanting comfort cannot liue after great sorrow and much griefe Therefore I doe my body giue and soule to thee Lord graunt reliefe O Lord I doe thee humbly pray as thou art fountaine of all rest Be thou my succour helpe and Stay let me by thee this night be blest Consider me in my weaknes and let thy carefull eies behold My miseries and my distresse to cry for mercy make me bold And since t' is time that night now brings of bodies rest quiet sleep Oh shadow me vnder thy wings let thy protection safe me keepe Looke ouer me with watchfull eies when this corrupted flesh of mine In flumbering sleepe and dulnes lies depriu'd of sence with closed eyne Vnnable my poore selfe to saue from dangers of the darksome night Keepe me my bedd else is my graue and I shall neuer see the light Lord thou that onely mak'st me dwell and in sure saftie to abide Thou watchest ouer Israell watch ouer me be by my side Thou art my Castle and my fort my Sword my Buckler defence My Rocke my Refuge Comfort saue me from force and violence Alasse without thee what am I a beast that rightly nothing knowes A senceles block a sillie flie that no good doe nor no good showes Thy louing fauour Lord extend ouer the house wherein I rest My bed with Angels Lord defend my spr'it by thy spr'it be possest Oh lie me downe in rest and peace in rest and peace O let me rise In rest and peace O giue some ease from torments troubles teares cries Let not the sleights of sinne deceaue nor wicked practize ouertake me Let nothing me of hope bereaue Oh doe not thou though all forsake me Lord I am poore Oh make me rich with those great riches of thy blessing My soule my soule is blacke as pitch let pardon follow my consessing In hope of this I lie me downe depending on thy prouidence I care not if the world doe frowne for I am safe by thy defence Lord let it be for I am thine my rest make sweete comfortable To thee I doe my selfe resigne lord graunt all this for thou art able FINIS ¶ A Nosegay gathered in the holy Paradice ALmighty God which hast me brought in saftie to this present day Keepe me from sinne in hart thought and teach me what to doe and say Prosper me Lord in all my workes helpe me with thy continuall grace Keepe me from Sathan vilde that lurkes to trappe my soule in euery place Almightie Lord and God ofloue direct mine heart and guide my waies Amend my misse my minde remoue from all that from thy glorie straies Thou that of wisdome art true sprung and fountaine of felicitie Let mercie meere my prayers bring by faith in me to sight of thee Thou which art Author of all peace and the true louer of concord Keepe me from foes that neuer cease to take my life from me O Lord. Thy seruice is most perfect free to know thee t' is eternall life Reach out thy helping hand to me against my foes that gain'st me striue O God from whom all good desires from whō all iust workes doe proceed Whose counsells wise all men admires assist me in the time of neede O Lord whose power and qualitie is sinners trespasse to forget Being ti'de and bound with chaines loose me of sinne for pittie I intreate Assist me in this mortall age what chaunge or chaunce so e're befall From Sathan sinne and enimies rage Lord still defend me from them all Almightie God which giuest vs grace now in thy name to pray to thee And promiseft in any place when Ioynes together two or three Tho'wilt giue graunt what they request now lord doe the desires fulfill Of vs thy seruants as seemes best and most expedient to thy will In this world knowledge vs granting of thy pure truth and sanctitie And after death let our newe being belife with thee eternally O God that noe time do'st despise the sighing of a contrite heart Nor the desires of sinners cries in troubles anguish griefe and smart Assist our prayers in distresse and gratiously vouchsafe to heare When sudden euills vs oppresse and subtill craft of foes vs feare Let thē oh Lord be brought to nought and by thy goodnes scattered bee That so to vs noe heart be brought we may giue thankes praise to thee Oh God of mercie wee thee pray to looke on our infirmities And all those euils turne away which we deserue continually Graunt that in troubles and sickenes we put our trust hope in thee And serue thee in true holines of life and praise thy deitie Through Christ the only Aduocate and mightie Lord of all mankinde To worke Gods loue frō wrath hate towards his elect to be most kinde Oh God to whom all hearts are seene and hid desires are plainely knowne My life reforme minde make cleane my spr'it inspire to be thine owne That I may loue thee perfectly and magnifie thy holy name Through Christ my Sauiour worthely and all the world confesse the same Lighten my darknes Lord I pray thee from this nights dangers me defend Let not flesh world nor diuell dismay me keepe me both to and in the end Thy mightie hand arme protect me thy mercy in Christ be my saluation Lord euer let thy word direct me and thy spr'it giue me consolation The peace of God which far exceedes all vnderstanding of mans wit Preserue my soule from wicked deedes and guide mine heart to doe what 's fit Finis ¶ A particuler confession of a sorrowfull sinner MOst mightie and al-knowing Lord true spring of consolation I doe confesse with heart and word thou art my preseruation I haue offended grieuously by my transgression don gain'st thee And haue drawne down a weight on me of thy great Iudgements wilfully Vnder which burden cannot I but faint and fall in wofull sort Vnlesse thy hand and thy mercy through Iesus Christ doe me support Thou know'st good father I am weake and cannot beare thine heauie ire Not knowing what to doe or speake or how to saue mee from this fire Vnlesse thou poynt mee out the way with thy wise spr'it me directing Vnto the deuill I am made a pray were not thy power me protecting Not euery one that heares thy word