vnto thee that it may keepe thy word and as a new thing be infixed in my memorie Thou art he that saidst by thy Prophet The word that shall issue from my mouth shall not returne to me in vaine but shall prosper in that for which I send it Goe to Lord and let thy word heard by me from the mouth of thy minister prosper in me giue me strength y◠my life may bee answerable to the doctrine I haue receiued Giue increase to thy word O thou celestial husbandman that it may augment and increase in me that by thy holy word it may not onely bring me to the knowledge of thy will but also that I may fulfill and execute that which thou biddest and wilt and so I may perseuer vnto the end vntil I may attaine to thy celestiall and euerlasting kingdome Amen When we goe about any worke VVE that are thrust into the most obscurest darkenesse through the fal of our first parents O thou fountaine of eternall wisedome know not what is pleasing or displeasant to thee and what is expedient or hurtfull for vs notwithstanding O bountifull mercifull Lord I notwithstanding y◠labour bee great if I respect my strength light easie if I regard thy assistance doe now vndertake the same not knowing whether thou wilt that the same should bee done by me or likewise whether it shall be profitable or hurtfull vnto me O thou light of diuine maiesty O beauty of the glory of the Father O giuer of gifts I beseech thee let the drops of thy grace fall vpon me that herein I may know thy will To thee therefore O thou that dwellest in the highest God and Father omnipotent with humble heart godly affection and deuout praier doe I fly crauing thy helpe and assistance in beginning this worke For thou vnderstandest the depth of my ignorance my pouerty in vertues my sluggishnesse in weldoing and the great deformity of my maners all which make me vnworthy to finish such a wor◅e giue me therefore wisedome that assisteth thy seat send her from thy holy heauens that shee may bee with mee and labour with mee Strengthen me O Lord God of Israel and at this houre behold y◠workes of my hands Giue mee strength assist and helpe mee that the euill spirit do not hinder me in atchieuing this worke or the detractious of wicked men reuoke me from the same let mee faile other waies or let me fall before the end of the worke but vnder such a moderator and rector let me institute and end all things orderly namely Iesus Christ the mediator who is God to bee praised for euer Amen A thanksgiuing when the worke is finished O Most sweete Lord Iesus Christ thou redeemer of mankinde who art Alpha and Omega the beginning and end by whom al things are made without whom nothing is done who weighest vowes crownest merits and giuest rewards I giue thee thanks that I haue ended the work begun by thy prouidence and ended by thy assistance Thine it is O good Iesus at this present to weigh the value therof If I haue any waies defaulted therein all that is mine and if any thing hath beene gracious in the eies of thy Maiesty all that do I ascribe vnto thee For being conceiued in sin borne in sin bred vp in sin what other thing can wee doe but sinne And how can we performe any good thing except thou giue it O Lord It remaineth now O God that by the same mercy wherewith thou wroughtest this worke with me by the same now thou wilt direct it to a wished scope and end lest the fruits thereof doe perish either to my selfe or to my neighbour And if for al those benefits which thou hast bestowed on vs wee should giue thee thankes most bountiful Iesus all our whole life should bee spent in that one thing so that it behooued vs to think on no other thing but the same But now our duety calleth vs hencefoorth to another thing our vocation exacteth another thing at our hands yet are thy new benefits alwaies to bee receiued with a new giuing of thanks For which cause I also for that it hath pleased thee so faithfully to finish this worke in me and by me although thy vile vnworthy instrument I blesse thee and praise thee and glorifie thee But grant me also O Lord not onely to giue thee thankes but also to haue them that is to remember continually thy bounties imploied on mee that when as thou findest mee not ingratefull thou maiest continue the increase of thy gifts in me vntil by these of thine I may attaine the perpetual fountaine of all goodnesse and blessednesse Amen When we prepare ourselues to studie VVE whatsoeuer we be by a hidden instinct of nature desire knowledge but in so palpable darkenesse are wee conuersant that not onely wee are ignorant of those things which wee ought to know but also how wee ought to know For it is the punishment of the first sinne that this naturall light wherewith in the state of innocency our vnderstanding was illuminate is now extinct and we as it were blinde grope for the wall and as it were without eies handle it To thee therefore O Wisdome dwelling in the highest heauens residēt in the fathers bosome make I recourse enlighten I beseech thee my nunde giue mee an vnderstanding heart y◠I may know the truth which thou thy selfe art follow and take hold of it Uerily I desire to know because I haue read that thou repulsest those that repine at Sciences I haue read that they that are learned shal shine like the brightnes of the firmament and they that instruct many in the waies of iustice shall bee as a star in the perpetuities of eternities But because I know not how I ought to know I beseech thee shew me the meanes order grant that I may first learne y◠which is most conuenient to saluation and that most ardently that vrgeth most vehemently to loue Grant that I may not desire to know for vaine glory sake not for curiositie nor in respect of profite but onely for the edification both of my selfe and of my neighbour O thou Creator of all things thou meridian light O the reward of the elect thou knowest the depth of mine ignorance my vnpolisht speech my defect of vertues and my fluggishnesse in apprehending good and ghostly things is not hidden from thee Notwithstanding O vncreated Wisdome which at thine owne pleasure of the wicked makest iust and of the ignorant suddainly and without delay learned send from the seate of thy Maiestie thy light and thy truth that may illuminate my darknesse and giue mee the vnworthy the vnderstanding of thy chaste and holy word Make me wiser better that I may impart to others likewise part of that light which thou impartest vnto mee I atribute nothing to mine industry cūning or wit for I know that all those who are rightly wise are wise by thy
occasion of my malice from the very same meanes which thou vsedst to kill sinne I tooke occasioÌ„ to quicken sinne in my selfe So so O Lord I haue peruerted thy counsels from thy mercy pickt out the method and meanes of my malignity Because yâ— wert so good I thought it was lawfull for me to be euill and because thou hadst bestowed so many benefits on mee I supposed it lawfull for mee to doe thee so many offences iniuries so that I conuerted the very medicines themselues which thou institutedst against sin to occasions of sinne and the sword which thou gauest me to defend my selfe with fight against mine enemies the same haue I whet against my selfe to endanger my own life Finally thou to the end that thou mightst rule the liuing the dead wouldst die as the Apostle witnesseth to the end that they which now liue shold not liue to themselues but to thee who daiâ—…edst to die for them and I like some Iesabel tooke the same death as a means wherby I might bereaue my selfe of thy benefits flying from thy seruice making my selfe the bondslaue of thine enemies O what deserued he that did those things If the dogs eate the flesh of that Iesabel for her sin how may mine remain vntouched that haue altogether done the like And if the Apostle so much exaggerateth the malice of mans heart because that from the law he tooke occasion to breake the law how much more greater shall the malice be of grace if any man take occasion thereby to offend grace it selfe O most patient Lord that sufferedst strokes for sinners but more patieÌ„t that sufferedst sinners theÌ„selues but shall that thy patience continue for euer I remember what thou saidst by thy Prophet I held my peace I was alwaies sileÌ„t I was patient I will speake like a womaÌ„ wtâ—…hild I see yâ— earth that yeeldeth no fruit after it hath bin moistned with the raine to bee reprooued and accursed the vine that after it had bene well trim'd and yeelded no grapes but briers by thy commandement cut downe and laid waste Therefore O vnprofitable and vnfruitfull branch why fearest thou not the voice of that husbandman or Uine-heard that taketh away yâ— branches that beare no fruite and casteth them into the fire Euery tree that beareth not fruit saith he my Father will cut downe and cast it in the fire Will he euer feare that feareth not such a iudgement How deafe is he that heareth not such a voice How profoundly sleepeth he that is not wakened with such a thâ—…der This earthly habitation delighted me I tooke pleasure to walke among these thornes The fire of my passions bâ—…ned mee the thornes of my concupiscence pricked mee the distractions of my thoughts â—…d mee the worâ—…e of my conscience bit mee and al these thought I to be liberty and solaâ—…e so many and so great eâ—…is did I caâ—… peaâ—…e O how ignorant rude was I in the knowledge of my selfe and how hard vnâ—…actable to obey serue thee What shal I do my God what shall I do 〈◊〉 coÌ„sesse I am vnworthy to appeare before thy presenâ—… vnworthy to lift vp mine eies to behold thee whither shall I goe whither shall I flye from thy presence Art thou not my Father yea the Father of mercies which neither haue end or measure for although I haue already desisted to be thy sonne yet thou hitherto ceasest not to be my Father and though I haue done many things for which thou mightest worthily condemne mee yet hast thou not lost the meanes wherby thou maist saue me What therefore shal I do but cast my selfe prostrate before thy feet and aske mercy Whom shal I cal vpon who shal helpe me but thou Art not thou my Creator my maker my gouernour my redeemer my king my shepheard my Priest and my sacriâ—… Whither therfore shall I go to whom shall I flie but vnto thee if thou repulse mee who shall releeue me if thou reiect mee who shall rescue mee Acknowledge O Lord this lost sheep behold I come vnto thee altogether wounded thou canst heale me altogether blinde thou canst giue mee sight altogether dead and thou canst reuiue me altogether leprous and thou canst clense me Sprinkle me O Lord with hysope and I shall be cleane wash me I shall be whiter than snow Greater is thy mercie than my iniquitie greater thy clemency than my malice and thou canst remit more than I can sin Repulse me not therefore O Lord repulse me not looke not vpon the multitude of my sins but on thine infinite mercy who liuest reignest world without end Amen An oblation of all the labours and passions of Christ for our sins WHat shal I render vnto thee O Lord for all the benefits thou hast bestowed vpon me with what signification of gratuity shall I recompence so many benefits what shal I giue thee for that thy so great mercy alasse how slenderly doe I requite the merits of so liberall and fauourable a benefactor I was alwaies vngrateful for thy benefits alwaies rebellious against thy commandements I alwaies shut vp my soule against thy inspirations heaping offence vpon offence and adding sinne to sinne I confesse O Lord that I am not worthy to bee called thy sonne although I acknowledge thee to be my Father For thou art truly my Father thou art my hope thou art the fountaine of mercy that repulsest not sinners that flie vnto thee but receiuest them washest them and feedest them Behold therefore my helper see how I the poorest of al thy creatures come vnto thee bringing no other thing with mee but the grieuous burthen of my sinnes I prostrate my selfe before the feete of thy mercy humbly asking pardon Forgiue me I beseech thee O my firme hope saue mee for thy infinite mercy sake O sweete Iesus in remission of my sinnes I offer vnto thee thy immeasurable charitie wherewith thou being God of infinite maiesty wert moued not to refuse for my sake to be incarnate to be made man and to be conuersant in this world thirty three yeares in many tribulations persecutions paines vexations labours 〈◊〉 offer vnto thee that thy deadly affliction yâ— bloody sweate and that agony which afflicted and pierced thy hearâ—… when praying in the garden prâ—…ating thy selfe on the ground thou besoughtest the Father I offer vp vnto thee that aâ—â—â—nt charitie whereby thou desiredst to suffer for vs when as of thine owne accord thou offeredst thy selfe into the hands of thine 〈◊〉 as a wel pleasing sacrifice to thy Father for our sins 〈◊〉 offer vp vnto thee al 〈◊〉 iniuries blasphemies buffetings beatings spittâ—…s al other thoâ—…e tormeÌ„ts which in that miserable night thou sustainedst in the houâ—…e of Annâ—…s 〈◊〉 offer vnto thee O good 〈◊〉 al these things beseeching thine 〈◊〉 goodnes that by the merits therof thoâ—… wâ—…t pardon me all my sins thou wilt as wel remit the penalty as the crime and
and no man can come vnto mee except my Father draw him All that therefore which I haue all that which I am it is of thy grace thy gift thy liberalitie and mercie so that but in thinking I could not preuent the gifts of thy good works by my vertue For we are not sufficient to thinke any thing of our selues as of our selues but all our sufficiencie is from thee What therfore shall I do wretched naked and poore that I am I am weake and lame but by thy gifts and benefits rich and wealthy I sailed by the sea but a tempest arising my ship was drowned mâ—… riches perished my wares at one misfortune lâ—…st By thy bounty although I suffered ship wrack I my selfe escaped my soule being saued by the helpe of one planke swam to land But what now shall I do I haue not whereon to liue and through infirmity I can get nothing The onely remedy that is lest me is to beg but who is so liberall that hee will or so rich that hee can helpe a caitife so miserably poore but thou onely O God â—…enigne and mercifull rich and omnipotent To thee therefore do I cry to thee do I cal at thy gate without â—…rmission will I beg But heere once againe my conscience terrifieth mee shame and modestie reclaimeth for what soeuer I possessed before and now haue lost all that was thine that thou hast trusted mee with for all that as yet I stand indebted vnto thee moreouer I offended thee I did thee wrong 〈◊〉 abused thy blessings to thy dishonor What impudency shall it therefore be in me to aske new fauours at thy hands shall I therefore despaire shall I therefore say with Cam my iniquitie is more than may be remitted shall I therefore bee a vagabond an outcast from the land of the liuing nothing lesse for I know that my God and my Lord is mercifull and compassionate long suffering and of great mercy I know that my Lord is bountifull and of much mercie fauourable to such as offeÌ„d I knâ—…w that after he had seene his seruant that ought him ten thousand talents humbling himselfe he forgaue him the whole debt I will therfore say in like sort with that seruant Lord haue patience with me I will pay thee all But how shall I restore vnto thee O Lord except thou first giue mee and to whom shalt thou giue but to him that beggeth at thy hands and who dare not aske when as thou so liberally inuitest all men saying Come vnto mee all you that labour and are burthened and I will refresh you come all ye that thirst vnto the waters and those that want mony hasten buy and eate Come buy without money and without any exchange Wine and milke Incited by this so bountifull prouocation of thine behold I come vnto thee and beseech thee that thou wilt giue mee the meanes to satisfie all that which I ow thee and namely giue mee thy grace duely to adore thee serue thee praise thee and yeeld thee that due reuerence and honour that belongeth vnto thee that I may giue thee thankes for thy benefites loue thee with all my heart put all my trust in thee obey thy commaundements offer my selfe wholie vnto thee commend my selfe into thy hands and that I may learne to aske these or such like graces from thee that outwardly before mine eies and inwardly within my heart the glorie of thy Name and the saluation of my soule like a white or marke may continually bee prefixt before me I beseech thee also O Lord to graunt mee the remission of my sinnes true contrition and pennance giue mee grace that I neuer hereafter offend thee either in those sinnes which were hitherto familiar vnto mee or any other whatsoeuer But especially O LORD I require the grace and strength at thy hands that I may chastice my flesh refraine my tongue mortifie the inordinate appetites of my heart and recollect the dispersed and wandering thoughts of my imagination that so reformed both inwardly and outwardly and made a new Creature I may deserue to bee a liuing and gratefull Temple in the which thou maist rest and make thy biding place Giue mee those vertues also wherewith that thy habitatioÌ„ may not onely bee purged but also beautified such as are the holie feare of thy name firme hope perfect humility entire patience prudent discretion pouertie of spirit exact obedience continuall fortitude and diligent alacritie in all those things which appertaine to thy seruice and honour and aboue all ardent charitie as wel towards thee as towards my neighbour But because I know my self vnworthy of all these and vndeseruing any of them remember I pray thee O Lord thy old mercies remember that thou desirest not the death of a sinner as thou thy selfe testifiest but that hee bee conuerted and liue remember that thine onely begotten Sonne came not into this world to cal the iust but sinners remember what hee did and how much hee suffred from the day of his Natiuitie till the time hee died vpon the Crosse. Al which I offer vnto thee O most mercifull Father that they may be a sweete smelling sacrifice for my sinnes and not for my sinnes onely but for all other my necessities also For whatsoeuer I pray and whatsoeur I pleade for that do I aske in his not in mine owne name for it is said of thee that thou honourest the fathers in their children and sparest one for another euen as Dauid in times past honoured Mephiboseth for his Father Ionathans sake Honour thou thy onely begotten Sonne in like manner in me doing good vnto me for his sake because hee is my Father and my second Adam and I his sonne although disobedient ill-nurtured Looke vpon mee O Lord because I flie vnto thee come to the gate of thy mercie to thee doe I lay open my pouerty to thee shew I my wounds because thou art my true Physition I powre out my soule before thee and inflamed with the spirit of Dauid I crie vnto thee saying Incline thine eares O Lord vnto me and heare me because I am poore and in necessitie Keepe my soule because I am holy saue thy seruant O my God that putteth his trust in thee haue mercie vpon mee O Lord because all the day long I cry vnto thee glad yâ— soule of thy seruant because vnto thee O Lord lift I vp my soule for yâ— O Lord art sweete and mercifull and many are thy mercies to those that call vpon thee Open thine eares O Lord vnto my praier heare the voice of my cry In the day of tribulation I cried vnto thee and thou didst heare me leade me O Lord in the way and direct mee in thy truth let my heart reioyce that I may feare thy name I will confesse vnto thee O Lord my God with my whole heart and I will praise thy name for euer and euer Amen A most deuout meditation
the rest do not onely not profite but giue vs matter of greater damnation But O Lord what did I vnto thee that thou shouldst giue mee those things what obedience shewd I to thee that thou shouldst giue me this blessing what foundest thou in me worthy of so great honour reward nothing in mee was free frō sin I knew thee not I loued thee not I serued thee not neither had thee in remembrance I became the bottomlesse pit of darknes and iniquity I cannot choose O Lord but tremble with horror as oftē as I think hereon neither finde I any other cause of this benefite but thy bounty How many were my companions of the same age nature and impietie of whom I was the most reprobate yet tookest thou me vnto thee and forsookest them we were detained in the same Egyptian captiuitie thou admittedst mee to thy royall Table but condemnedst them cast out their flesh to bee deuoured by the creatures of hell Whilst I remember these things O Lord my spirit is no more in me and I know not how to praise thee or what thanksgiuing to offer vnto thee for so incomparable a benefite All the time of my life I will say O Lord what sawest thou in me O Lord what sawest thou in mee Lord what sawest thou in mee more than in the rest whom thou hast forsaken Why didst thou so call mee so deliuer mee so looke vpon me so succour me if so bee thou hast succoured me leauing the rest in sinne who were lesse euil than I I know not what to say I know not what to do I know not what to yeeld vnto thee O Lord for all the benefits thou hast bestowed on mee I will with the Prophet praise my Lord at all times his praise shall be alway in my mouth I will say with the same Prophet Thou hast brokē my bonds O Lord I wil sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise cal vpon the name of the Lord. To the Lambe that sitteth on the throne be blessing and honor and glory and power for euer euer Amen A thanksgiuing for the benefite of our spirituall conuersation in the life of grace I Adore thee I praise thee I glorifie thee I giue thee thanks most mercifull Father and eternal God with my whole heart for all thy benefits but in especiall for that thou hast called mee whom being beforetimes wounded thou hast ◅thout any my precedent merits ◅ured and being an enemie vnto thee reconciled redeemed from captiuity and called from death to life and of thy fatherly goodnesse hast hitherto conserued me in this state and as yet doest conserue me by thy grace Thou art he onely O Lord that created me made mee of nought and thou onely art he that conseruest that which thou hast created thou bountifully dost protect that essence of nature which thou gauest me lest it should perish Thou onely hast regenerated mee by thy Spirit in the life of grace By thee are we priuiledged from our sins by thee are wee conserued lest wee should fall againe into sinne If at any time I haue risen thou gauest me thy hand if I now stand thou sustainest me lest I fall As many good purposes as I haue conceiued as many godly inspiratiōs as I haue felt all are by thy benefite As oftē as I haue ouercome mine enemy as oftē as I haue refrained my euill inclinations and peruerse appetites it was thy benefite For if no man can say Lord Iesu but in the holy Spirit nor doe any good deede without thee euen as the branch can yeeld no fruite being deuided from the vine sure it is that if any fruite grow from this cluster it is by the benefite of that vine to which it cleaueth If at any time I haue fasted it came from thee if I haue endured aduersity patiently thou didst assist me if at any time I haue denied mine owne will it was thy working If euer hitherto I haue shed the teares of contrition if my prayers haue preuailed with thee I confesse O Lord that I did it by thy helpe I confesse that thou hast wrought all good workes in me for all theese doe I giue thee thanks I referre al these benefits with thanksgiuing to him from whom they proceeded that hereafter they may flow more plentifullie I acknowledge my selfe to bee indebted for so many benefits as I haue done duties to thee O Lord in this life if I haue done any at all What shall I say of the occasions and opportunities offered by thee vnto me of good life How many preachers hast thou sent to teach me how many counsellers to instruct me how many good friends how many godly companions how many good examples how many deuout bookes hast thou lent mee by whose helps I am incited to goodnesse and pricked forward to vprightnes of life Great are these thy benefits but greater doth he owe thee who hath profited without these blessed is hee whom thou hast taught O Lord and instructed in thy law for so much more hath hee profited by how much thou art a better Doctor and wiser Master then others But who can recount the perils and dangers from whence thou hast deliuered mee O bountifull shepheard of mens soules or the sinnes whereinto I had fallen wtout thine assistance There is no sin so great that was euer attempted by man which another man cannot fall into if the Creator bee wanting by whom he is made For whi◅h cause vpon good occasion I will call all mens sinnes my benefits for into al them might I haue beene plunged except thine infinite mercie had preserued mee Is many occasions of sinne therefore as might haue inforced mee to fall for they could inforce Dauid so many had I fallē into except thou O Lord hadst taken them away because thou knewest my infirmities All men acknowledge not these thy benefits but I through the grace doe both acknowledge embrace them How often O louing Father hast thou vsed this mercy towards mee How often hast thou bound the enemies hands lest he should tempt me or if he should haue tempted me that yet hee might not ouercome mee how often hast thou inchanted that old Serpent that although I walked amongst Uipers Bas◅lisques yet could they not hurt me How often hast thou trauelled with mee through water fire lest I should bee burned in the flame or drowned in the water How often in the midst of the seruants of this world hast thou tempered the flame of this Babylonicall furnace with the dew of the holy Spirit and so cooled it that it might not consume me How often might I iustly say with the Prophet I was thrust fore at y◠I might fal But y◠Lord was my helpe If at any time I haue stood I stood by thee if I haue fallen I haue fallen by my selfe thy hand hath staied me vp lest I shold be bruised Yea I had alwaies lien in y◠dirt
thee so could not any thing be created by any other but by thee to the end that all things might serue thee praise thee and publish thy glory Thou art the vniuersall dispenser of good things so that there is no benefit to be found either of nature or grace body or soule which taketh not his originall from thee who art the fountaine of all goodnes Thou art the maine of all perfection the Abysse of all greatnesse the Dâ—…ean of infinite mercy and goodnes the image of incomparable beauty Thou art the God of Gods the holy of holiest the King of Kinges the Lord of Lords the cause of causes the being of beings the life of the liuing the order of the Uniuers the beauty of the world the glory of the heauens Thou art my Creator that madest me of nothing to thine owne Image and similitude Thou art my conseruer who by thy prouideÌ„ce maintainest me lest I should become nothing Thou art my sanctifier who by thy grace extollest me vnto things which are diuine Thou art my glorifier who hast made me to enioy the glorie euerlasting Thou art my defender helper pastor benefactor Thou art my King my Lord my father my spouse Thou art the center of my soule my last end in whom alone consisteth all my felicity happinesse and the last perfection of my life what neede many words Thou art to me all in all in as much as thou art God But in as much as thou art man thou art my redeemer my sauiour and deliuerer Thou art as the Apostle testifieth my wisedome my iustice my sanctification my redemption my sacrifice my Lambe my priest my aduocate my intercessor my doctor my example my fortitude my consolation Thou art the generall phisition of all my wounds infirmities Thou hast healed my pride by thy humility my auarice by thy pouerty my pleasures by thy dolors my wrath by thy meeknes my enuy by thy charity my excesse by the gall and vinegar which thou tastedst for my sake my sloath by thy diligence and vnmeasurable labors vndertaken for my sake For my sake thou didst fast wander hither and thither sweate watch pray weepe for mee thou wert banished persecuted deâ—…ded mockt spit vpon whipt crowned with thornes crucified and more afflicted than all other men of this world and at length put to death 2. A thanksgiuing ALL these are thy benefits O Lord for which I ought to yeeld thee thanks nay rather they are most iust causes for which I am indebted vnto thee bonds by which thou holdest me captiue bound vnto thee What shall I giue vnto our Lord for all the benefits hee hath bestowed on mee by what duty or what humble seruice shall I recompence so manie graces bestowed vpon me Uerily I beleeue that although I onely had all mens hearts and with all them did only loue thee yet might I not in the least sort yeeld thee that which belongeth vnto thee How then for many so great benefits shall I yeeld thee satisfaction How can I deny thee that one heart which I haue for all wheÌ„ I owe thee so much for all thy benefits towards me What shal I say my God what shall I doe for I alone am not sufficieÌ„t to yeeld thee condigne thanks for such a multitude of blessings But I know what I shall doe I will call vpon all creatures that are in heauen on earth and I will desire them to assist me and vouch safe with me to sing thy praises and glorifie with mee the Lord of all glorie Let vs therefore sing the song which the three children sang in the burning Furnace in Babilon saying O blesse ye all the workes of the Lord God praise ye and magnifie him for euer O yee angels of the Lord blesse yee the Lord praise him and magnifie him for euer O yee heauens blesse the Lord praise yee and magnifie him for euer O yee waters that are aboue the firmament blesse yee our Lord praise him and magnifie him for euer c. 3. The oblation of a mans selfe ALL these praises and blessings doe I owe thee O father yea and far more greater belong vnto thee For if I shal more neerely examine the matter I not only owe thee mine but my selfe also For if in India a man buy another man for a red cap and hee that is bought at so slight a rate is in such sort wholly obliged subiect to the buier as that he is neither master of a moment of time or of a farthing but is very often cast into fetters by his Lord beaten with clubs and handled according to the humour of him that bought him what shall become of me O Lord I am thine yea truly wholy thine not tied vnto thee vnder one name and title but by infinite respects Thou hast created me thou hast bought me not with a red cap but with thy precious blood thou hast conserued me in all and euery momeÌ„t of my life For without thee I can nether stir haÌ„d or foot without thy prouidence I can neither breath nor respire or act any thing with what colour theÌ„ can I cast off thy dominion ouer me How an I deny thee that which is thine By what right can I challenge liberty to my selfe Or with what impudence shaking off the yoake of my Lord can I wish to liue according to my wicked desires when by so many reasons I am thine ought so wholy to be dedicated vnto thee Most humbly therfore acknowledging thy dominion ouer me behold I dedicate my self wholy vnto thee and intirely submit my selfe to thy perpetuall seruice subiection Neither doe I onely offer my selfe vnto thee but also all that which is mine what soeuer this day or in the rest of my life I shall thinke speake or do with all those things which at any time for thy sake shal be offered me to admit or further 〈◊〉 so that henceforward I wil neither eat nor drink nor sleep nor do any such like thing whose end shall not bee the honour glory of thy most holy name Once more I say O Lord I sacrifice my selfe vnto thee lest hereafter I be mine owne not thine I will liue no more according to mine owne will I will not labour for my selfe I wil not seek my selfe but in all things euery way will I seeke thee obey thy will and be diligent in thy seruice and if at any time I shall doe the contrary I will call my selfe a theefe and rauisher of an other mans right for that dutie and obedience which vnder so many titles and by so much right appertaineth vnto thee deniing and stealing the same from thee I shall vsurpe vnto my selfe 4. A petition for new benefits BUt because without thy grace I cannot yeeld thee that duty I pray thee O Lord that thou wilt assist me herein and create in me a new heart that shal not iudge himselfe to be his own no not for 〈◊〉
daigned to take on thee all my euils I will therefore say with the Prophet I will trust in thee O Lord I will reioyce and be glad in thy mercie But because hope is not secure without obedience as one of thy friends saith Offer the sacrifice of iustice and trust in our Lord I beseech thee O most deere God grant me that the hope of thy mercies may strengthen mee in the obedience of thy commandements for no lesse is this obedience due vnto thee than hope than loue and the other rest Thou art my Emperor my King and my God to whom Heauen and earth the Sea and all that is therein do obseruance which haue neuer broken thy lawes but alwayes obserued thy commandements Grant mee O Lord that with no lesse dutie than all other creatures I may bee obedient to thy holy will by reason I am bound vnto thee in more offices of dutie than they are vouchsafe O King of Kings that I may obey thee and may neuer decline from the prescript of thy law Reigne in me O Lord and suffer not the world neither the Prince thereof to gouerne in mee any longer let not the flesh hold mee captiue neither mine owne will but thine Let all these tyrants intruders vpon thy possession theeues of thy glorie wretâ—…hed subuerters of thy iustice flie and forsake me Gouerne thou onely in mee O Lord that I also may reigne with thee whose Kingdome shall haue no end Come O thou mercifull Father take away the scandalles of thy Kingdome driue away sinne from my soule that thou maist reigne therein who oughtest to gouerne the same For auarice commeth and challengeth to himselfe an inheritanâ—…e therein boast desireth to rule therin pride will be my King lechâ—… saith 〈◊〉 will reigne ambition detraction enuie wrath striue in mee for mee which of them seemeth to haue the chiefest title prerogatiue ouer me But I as much as in mee lieth resist them I impugne as much as I am helpt I surrender to thee my God I defend my selfe for thee because I acknowledge my selfe to bee thine owne I esteeme thee for my God and my Lord saying I haue no other King but my God Come therfore O Lord destroy them in thy strength thou shalt rule in me for yâ— art my very King and my God who sendest saluation to Iacob No other lawes no other prescripts shall haue place in me but thine no other name no other Scepter except thine shall be adored in me that thy will may be done in earth as it is in heauen O Lord when shall that day be when I shall bee freed deliuered from these tyrants what no other voice but thine shall be heard in mee When shall my heart bee cleansed When shall the forces of mine enemies be so defeated that no contradiction may hinder mee in the obseruation of thy commandements When shall the force of mine enemies be so broken that no force may be found in me contrary to thy law when shall this sea bee calme when shall this heauen wax cleere when shall my affections bee so bridled and my passions so subdued so that no flouds no clouds no troubles may bee found in mee that may disturbe thy kingdome in me but that I may euery way enioy happy peace secure tranquillitie and obseruance of thy lawes Giue mee O Lord this obedienâ—…e or to speak more aptly giue mee that authority and emperie ouer my heart that vpon my becke it may neuer rebell against thee but in all things bee subiect vnto thee But euen as I am alwaies bouÌ„d to obserue obey thee so also both profit doth perswade equâ—…ty require that I offer my self wholy vnto thee sacrifice my self vnto thee for whatsoeuer I am I am all thine Thine I say am I vpon most iust titles thine becaue thou didst create me gauest mee that being which I enioy thine because in this being thou hast conserued mee and plentifully furnished mee with the benefits and offices of thy prouidence thine because from thraldome thou hast set mee at libertie not with gold or siluer but redeeming mee with the ransome of thy most precious blood Finally I am thine because thou hast so often bought me as thou hast deliuered me from any sinne If therfore vpon so many grouÌ„ds I am thine thou likewise art my King my Redeemer and deliuerer Behold I turne vnto thee that I may yeeld thee that which is thine owne that is I yeeld my selfe vp vnto thee as a perpetuall bondmaÌ„ and slaue Behold I giue thee the keyes of my liberty the dominion ouer my will that hereafter I neither bee mine owne neither any other mans but altogether thine that I may not liue to my selfe but to thee not serue my selfe but thee so that whether I eat or drinke or whatsoeuer I do I may referre al things to the glory of thy name I stay my selfe for thee I deliuer my selfe vnto thee that thou maist dispose of mee as of thine owne and that according to thy good liking and pleasure whether it please thee that I liue or yâ— I die whether I bee whole or sicke whether rich or poore whether praised or reprooued in all things I offer and deuote my selfe vnto thee I resigne my selfe into thy hands I renouÌ„e the right possession of my selfe that hereafter I be not mine owne but thine vntil that which is thine by right may be made thine by my will that not once nor one day but alwaies euery where Amen The second prayer of the penitent O Lord thou that createdst me my only God my onely Lord thou art my creator and my redeemer in whom I hope from whom I expect al those things which are requisit for my soule Thou forsakest not those that trust in thee thou art my sweetest my bountifullest my liberalest God thou art the father of light from whom all good things proceede and euery perfect gift desceÌ„deth froÌ„ aboue vnto mee Thou createdst me wheÌ„ I was no thing thou redeemedst me when I was created lost thou restoredst vnto me the Seale of innocencie which I lost in my first baptisine Thou sauedst mee after I had receiued the knowledge of the truth voluntarily sinning againe almost shipwrackt in the seas of this world by the sacred anchor of true repentance and all this of thine owne will and meere grace for if by my good deedes I had preuented thee where is that which thy Prophet saith his iustice preuented mee If I had done any good worke whereby I might deserue thy mercie where is that of thine Apostle Through grace you are saued by faith and not of your selues for it is the gift of GOD If my loue preuented thee how is that true Not because wee loued him but for that he first loued vs If without thy helpe and by our owne vertue we follow thee where is it that thine onely begotten Sonne saith Without me can you doe nothing
and the directions of my superiors onely follow those things which are of the Spirit O most bountiful Iesu giue me perfect renouncement and hatred of my sinne and perfect conuerston of my heart vnto thee that all my thoughts and all my desires may bee fixed on thee and in thee onely O life without which I am dead O truth without which I am deceiued O way without which I go astry O saluation without which I perish O light without which I walk in darknes Suffer me not O Lord suffer mee not to be at any times drawne from thee for I liue cnely in thee without thee 〈◊〉 die in thee I am saued and without thee I am lost in thee I am somewhat without thee I am nothing because I had not bene at all except thou hadst bene in mee and except I were in thee thou shouldest not bee in mee Bee thou therefore O good Iesu in my memorie in the morning by the same may I know thee in the same â—…et me finde thee when I remember thee delight in thee and deriue my pleasures from thee from whoÌ„ all things by whom all things in whom all things are Amen The third prayer for the loue of God IF yâ— duty whereby we are bound to our benefactors for the benefits we haue receiued be so great if euerie of the bounties wee receiue bee as it were brands and motiues of loue if the sire waxe in greatnes according to the multitude of the fuell O Lord how great a fire of loue ought there iustly burne in my heart if the matter of thy bounty be so infinite which kindleth nourisheth the same If the whole world as well visible inuisible with all that which is found therein bee but meere benefits of thine towards vs how huge ought that flame of my loue bee which ought to glow in me And that so much the more because I ought not to loue thee for these benefits onely but also for that in thee all the causes and reasons of loue are to bee found and they euery one of them in the highest degree of perfection For if we consider thy goodnes who is found better than thou art if wee respect thy beauty thou art the fairest one whose face the angels desire to contemplate if wee seeke for bounty sweetnesse who is toâ—…ee found more sweete and benigne than thou art if we desire riches and wisdome who richer or wiser than thou art 〈◊〉 friendship who will soue any thing more thaÌ„ he that pawned his life for vs Now if we returne vnto benefits O Lord from whom proceedeth all that which wee haue but from thee what shall wee say of hope when as from thee alone and from thy mercie wee hope and crpect whatsoeuer we want if by the only right of nature wee owe much dutie to our carnall parents who is more father than he of whom it isâ—… Call not your selues a father on the earth for you haue one Father who is in heaueÌ„ If the husband be so tenderly beloued of his wife what other spouse hath our soule than thy selfe O Lord who shall replenish the bosome of my heart and my desires but thou If the Philosophers say that the finall end is beloued with infinite loue who is my beginning who my latter end but thou O Lord for froÌ„ whence tooke I my originall and whither shall I go to be perfected but from thee and in thee From whom is all that which I haue from whom hope I to receiue the same which I want but from thee Finally if sâ—…tude bee the cause of loue to whose similitude and likenesse is my soule created if not to thine So then if this speciall title and euery one of the rest bee motiues of loue what ought that to be that is deriued from all these vnited together verity as the Sea is more spacious than all other flouds that enter into the same and by how much it ouercommeth the rest in greatnesse by so much also is thy loue more abundant greater and more excellent than all other eternall loues Since therefore I haue so iust causes O Lord and so pregnant occasions to loue thee why should I not loue thee with all my heart with all my soule with all my strength and inward thoughts O my hope my glorie my ioy O my amiable beginning O my sacietie and sufficiencieâ—… when shall that day bee when I shall truely loue thee and embrace thee with my whole heart WheÌ„ shal I shew my selfe gratefull vnto thee in all things and for all things When shall I feele all that mortified m ine which is opposed against thee WheÌ„ shal I be wholy thme WheÌ„ shal I ceasie to be mine own WheÌ„ shall that houre come when nothing shall liue in me but thy selfe When shall I feele my selfe wholy inflamed with thy loue WheÌ„ wilt yâ— rauish mee perforce When wilt thou make me drunke with that milke of thy teares When wilt thou transferre mee wholy into thee When shall I see that happy day when all impediments and perturbations of the minde taken away thou wilt make mee one spirit with thee so that hereafter I shal not be drawn from thee Ah Lord how much cost it thee to redeeme me but being once redeemed how easily canst thou do good For when yâ— doest good vnto man what is takeÌ„ out of thy house what is lost of thy riches what is taken out of thine infinite treasures Why O Lord doth thy wrath fight with thy mercy against mee whereas thou art thâ—…ea of infinite liberalitie and 〈◊〉 Remember therefore O Lord that I am thine thou art mine Fly me not therfore O Lord but suffer mee to finde thee out I make a long iourney 〈◊〉 stand ofeÌ„ I often returne let it not grieue thee O Lord to expect mee who cannot keepe company with thee O my God and my saluation why am I so idle why runne I not which speedie alacritie vnto thee the chiefest good in whom at once are all goodnesses found I will loue thee O Lord with an ardent and strong loue I will stretch the armes of my affections and desires that I may embrace thee the sweet spouse of my soule from whom I promise vnto my selfe all goodnesse The Iuâ—…e so strongly embraceth her neighbouring tree that euery twist thereof seemeth to bee a seuerall arme for sustained by this helpe it groweth high and attaineth to full perfection but O Lord to what tree shall I cleaue but vnto that which planted-on the mountaine of Caluarie is become a sure supporter vnto me The Iuy increaseth not so largely neither extendeth the beauty of her branches so far being sustained by the tree as my soule increaseth in vertues and graces beeing vnderpropped by this tree Why therfore are not all the members of my body turned into armes that on euery side I may embrace thee why shall I not loue thee why shall I not put all my trust 〈◊〉 confidence
healed my wounds by thy Sacraments thou hast satisfied by thy dolors for my defaults now in Heauen thou sittest on the right hand of thy Father as mine aduocate what neede many wordes Thou art made vnto me wisdome and iustice sanctification and redemption and therefore all goodnesse What impudence were it therefore in me not to loue my Lord who did all this for my sake to whom I am bound vnder so many titles benefits If men with the same loue where-with they affect them selues do also loue al those things which are their owne why should I not also loue thee O Lord if I would haue thee to bee mine and that by so many offices and benefits in things so pregnant And if for euery one of these benefits I owe thee my whole heart and not this one onely but more if I had them what shall I owe thee or what am I not indebted vnto thee if we ioyne all these benefits together What iniquitie therefore should it be not to giue one heart wh◅h I haue vnto him to whom I owe so many and other diuerse things And if euery one of these benefits be a goade or prouocation to loue yea and arrowes to pierce the hearts of men how shall I choose blit burne amids so many flames of loue How comes it to passe that I am altogether cold amidst so many weapōs how escape I from wounds How comes it to passe that I perseuer in the hardnesse of my heart as it were without sense O Lord I lament in thy presence the dulnesse insensibility of my heart I confesse the infidelity thereof for thou raining into it innumerable causes of loue yet receiuest nothing from y◠came that deserueth so many fauours O heart more felon than furious beastes more insensible than stones more hard than Adamant that is not mollified by so many strokes I pray thee therefore O thou fairest amongst the children of men grant that I may desire thee loue thee as much as I list as much as I ought Thou art immeasurable and oughtest to be loued beyond measure especially of vs whom thou hast so loued so saued and for whom thou hast done so great and so many things O loue that alwaies burnest art neuer extinct sweet Christ good Iesu charity my God inflame me wholy with thy fire with thy loue with thy sweetnes with thy affection with thy desire with thy charitie with thy pleasure ioy which is holy and good which is chast and cleane that wholy filled with the sweetnes of thy loue wholy kindled with the flame of thy charity I may loue thee my most sweet Lord with my whole heart with all my soule with all my strength with al my intention and let nothing bee in me that doth not loue thee And for that to loue is to wish well to him wee loue and thou O Lord aboundest with so much goodnesse that I cannot wish thee more than thou hast that onely thing I wish that thou be possessed of my heart also and that all that is mine may be thine and for thine infinite glory I giue thee heartie thāks This likewise do I desire that al creatures should serue thee honor thee praise glorifie thee and that the whole earth should be filled with thy praises Let this be alwaies my desire this my meat this my dainties to praise thee alwaies let thy laudes be alwaies in my lips But because praise is not seemely in the mouth of a sinner let the Saints and all the spirits of the celestiall throne praise thee continually for to them praise belongeth O all ye works of that Lord therefore blesse yee the Lord praise yet and magnifie him for euer O yee Angels and Archangls blesse yee the Lord praise yee and magnifie him for euer O yee vertues dominations blesse ye that Lord praise him and magnifie hime for euer O ye prince-domes powers blesse ye the Lord praise him and magnifie him for euer c. Yee blessed thrones in which God sitteth an iudgeth blesse ye the Lord praise him c. O ye Cherubins Seraphins that burne altogether inflamed with the loue of your creator blesse ye the Lord praise him c. O yee Apostles and Euangelists founders of the Christiā Church blesse yee the Lord praise him c. O yee glorious hosts of Martyrs blesse yee the Lord praise him c. O all ye renownced and chaste virgins blesse ye the Lord praise him and magnifie him for euer Blessed is the God of our Fathers blessed bee the name of thy glorie holy and laudable and magnified for euer and euer Amen The first prayer vnto the holy Trinitie expressing the Maiestie thereof LOrd God without beginning immortall incomprehensible incircumscribed incorporall indefinite vnsearchable inuisible immutable euery where present but hidden euery where al but immeasurable who by thy neuer too much praised wisdome hast created this huge world and placed man in the same holy Trinity one God haue mercie vpon me If that Publican in the Gospel durst not lift vp his eies to heauē but standing afar off strooke his breast saying God be merciful vnto me a sinner if that holy penitent was affraid to appeare before the presence of our Lord but standing behinde neare his feete obtained remission of her sins by him teares flowing from her eies if that holy Patriarch Abraham willing to talk with thee o God said shal I speak vnto my Lord whereas I am but dust and ashes If all these were so humble and so reuerent in respect of thee comming before the sight of thy diuine maiestie thy most holy what shall a poore miserable sinner doe such as I am what shall dust and ashes doe what shal the Abysse of all miserie sins do But because o Lord I cannot obtaine that feare reuerence which is due to so great a maiesty except I fixe mine eies immediatly on the same giue mee leaue to dare to lift vp mine eies vnto thee neither let the brightnes of thy glorie bee an impediment to the frailty of my sight Truely I see that thou art that great God that transcendest al the reach of our vnderstanding I know that no vnderstanding created can comprehend thee and although this be thus yet can I not do any thing more profitable than to fire mine eies on thee Therefore O most high omnipotent merciful iust faire strong stable simple perfect incomprehensible secret and yet present withall inuisible and yet seeing all things immutable changing and renewing al things whom altitudes dilate not neither limits restraine nor variety changeth nor corruption wasteth nor affliction fasteneth on nor ioyes moue in his essence from whom neither obliuion detra◅h nor to whom memory addeth any thing to whom neither things that are past are past nor things to come shall succeed to whom nothing gaue beginning nor time augment neither any thing shall giue end for thou
place in all places without diuision In magnitude thou art infinite in vertue omnipotent in goodnesse chiefe in wisedome inestimable in counsels terrible in iudgements iust in thoughts secret in words true in works holy in mercy copious towards sinners patient toward penitents compassionate But what in especiall should I speake of thy wisedome but that which earst the Prophet aid O Lord thou knowest my thoughts afar off thou hast searcht my commings in and goings out and all my waies hast thou foreknowne because there is no speech in my tongue which thou knowest not Behold O Lord thou knowest al things both the first and the last Thou hast made mee and laid the hand vpon me Such knowledge is too wonderfull excellent for me I cānot attaine vnto it Whither shall I goe from thy spirit or whither shal I fly frō thy presence if I climbe vp to heauen thou a◅ there if I goe downe to hell thou art there also if I take the wings of the morning and remaine in the vtmost parts of the sea euen there also shall thy hand leade mee and thy right hand shall hold me If I say the darkenes shall couer me then shall thy right hand bee turned to day yea the darkenes is no darknesse with thee but the night is as cleare as day the darkenesse and light to thee are both alike For his eies saith another are vpon the waies of men hee considereth all their steps there is no darknes nor shadow of death to hide them that work iniquity But what shal I say of the greatnes of thy power I wil say that in times past which the Prophet said saying For God is my king of old the helpe that is done vpon earth hee doth it himselfe Thou diddest deuide the sea through thy power thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters Thou smotest the heads of the dragons and gauest them for meate to thy people in the wildernesse thou broughtest out fountaines and waters out of the hard rockes thou driedst vp many waters The day is thine the night is thine thou hast prepared the light and the sun thou hast set all the borders of the earth thou hast made sommer and winter And in another place the same Prophet saith O Lord God of hoasts who is like vnto thee thy truth most mighty Lord is on euery side Thou rulest the raging of the sea thou stillest the waues therof when they arise thou hast subdued Egypt destroied it thou hast scattered thine enemies abroad with thy mighty arme The heauens are thine and the earth is thine thou hast laid the foundation of the round world and all that therein is Thou hast made the North the South ◅abor and Herm◅ shall reioyce in thy name Thou hast a mighty arme strong is thy hand high is thy right hand Blessed Iob knew this thy power when he said With him is counsel strength wisedome vnderstanding Behold if he breake downe a thing who can set it vp again If he shut a thing who will open it Behold if he withhold the waters they ◅ry vp if he let them goe they destroy the earth with him is strength wisedome both the deceiuer and ◅ee that is deceiued are his hee carrieth away the wise men as it were a spoile and maketh that Iudges fooles hee looseth the rule of Kings guirdeth their loines with a band he leadeth away the great men into captiuity and turneth the mightie vpside downe he stoppeth the mouth of them that speake truth and disappointeth the aged of their vnderstanding hec poureth contempt vpon Princes and maketh the strength of the mightie weake Looke what lieth hid in darkenesse hee declareth it openly and the verie shadow of death bringeth he to light he increaseth the people and destroieth them he maketh them to multiply and diminisheth them These o Lord are testimonies of thy mightines but what shal I say of the riches of thy glory and the veine of thy felicitie If thou hast sinned saith the scripture what hast thou done against him if thy offences be many what hast thou done vnto him if thou bee righteous what giuest thou him or what wil he receiue at thy hands Thy wickednesse may hurt a man as thou art and thy righteousnes may profit the sonne of man But thou O Lord art such and so blessed as thou needest not another mans goods I confesse thee to be such a one for such a one I praise thee and glorifie thy most holy name Infuse thy light into my heart giue me words in my mouth that my heart may alwaies think of thy mightines and let thy praise be in my mouth for euer But for that thy laud is not seemely in y◠mouth of a sinner I therefore require all the Angels of heauen and all the creatures of the world that they together with me may praise thee and may supply my defect inuiting them thereunto with that glorious song which the three children sung in the midst of the fierie furnace in Babylon saying Blessed bee the Lord God of our fathers bee hee praised magnified for euer And blessed be the name of his glorie holy and laudable and magnified for euer and euer Blessed art thou in the throne of thy maiestie to bee praised and magnified for euer Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths and sittest vpon the Cherubins to be praised and magnified for euer Blessed art thou in the firmament of heauen and praised and glorified world without end Amen The third prayer to the holy Trinitie GOD holy of holiest God omnipotent God eternall God that art strong God of spirits and all flesh at whose presence heauen and earth trembleth at whose beck the heauens and elements obey trinitie in vnitie and vnitie in trinitie Father Son holy Ghost thou being of my being life that quickenest me light that illuminatest me science that instructeth me yet aboue all essence light life and science all creatures adore and celebrate thee and I incited by the dutie I owe thee this day do bow the knees of my heart before the footstoole of thy Maiestie I giue thee thanks that thou not onely didst frame me when I was nothing but also didst fashion mee according to thine owne forme that is gauest mee a perfect shape that where I deserued no fauour thou hadst compassion on mee for that thou hast sanctified mee with the sacraments of y◠Church that from my child-hood hitherto thou hast brought me vp in al goodnes But O thou maker of heauen of earth whereas I am not able to serue thee to any vse for whose cause didst thou so much bountie vpon me how commeth it to passe that thou louest mee so much for what haue I giuen thee to induce thee to recompence me yea where was I before I was made that I might shew thee a former curtesie Truly by thy benefit in times past I was made dignified with
for the honour and glorie of thy holy Name I giue thee thanks O sweetest Iesu that vpon thy departure out of this world thou didst admonish comfort thy Disciples commending them in the words full of loue praiers fraught with charity to thy Father shewing with how much loue thou didst embrace them all those that through their doctrine should beleeue in thee I beseech thee O Lord that my heart may taste some sweetnes in thy words and that they may be sweeter vnto mee than the honey and the honey combe Let thy spirit full of exhortation wound my breast and alter my affections that I may wholly transforme my selfe into thy loue Order all mine actions that thy will may bee alwaies fulfilled in me and of me I giue thee thanks most beloued Iesus that falling vpon the earth with outstretched armes thou didst pray vnto thy Father resigning thy selfe wholy into his hands requiring that in all things not thy will but thy Fathers should bee fulfilled I beseech thee O Lord giue me grace that in all my troubles and necessities I may haue recourse vnto thee in praier and that I may trust my selfe wholy to thy prouidence without the election of my will or expectation of any priuate profite Let mee neuer flie aduersities nor faile in any good intent through them but that whatsoeuer befortune mee I may receiue it with a quiet minde as that which is giuen mee by thy mercifull hands suffering all things with an humble quiet heart I giue thee thanks o bounteous Iesu for that thou vouchsafedst to bee taken by armed souldiers and to be bound with cords like a wicked man and offender and thence bee led to Annas and for that before him thou fearedst not to stand in iudgement o admirable meekenes of my Redemer whilst then art apprehended whilest thou art bound whilst thou art moâ—…kt whilst thou art abused thou lamentest not thou murmurest not thou striuest not but silently followest their steps who led thee or rather draw thee weary thee Thou obeiest such as command thee and with infinite patience bearest the torments wherewith thou art crucified O my Lord eâ—…uy mee not that such and so excellent an example of so much vertue may shine in me for the glory and honour of thy most holy Name I giue thee thanks O most amiable â—…su king of heauen earth who standing before the proud inflamed Bishop in no other sort than as if thou hadst bene a vile abiect man wert stroken and didst patiently suffer the cruell stroake which one of his wicked ministers inforced against thy face I pray thee o Lord mortifie in me all vnbridled heate of wrath restraine al indiguation take away all hate extinguish in mee euery sparke and desire of reuenge that when as any man shall do me iniurie I may not bee moued or thought full of reuenge but suffering all things patiently for thy loues sake I may doe good to all those that doe mee euill Our Father c. The fourth prayer of the life of Iesus I Giue thee thanks sweet Iesus who in the night of thy passion wert mocked deluded stroken by thine enemies hands and kickt with their heeles and vexed with diuerse sorts of iniuries Thou knowest o my Lord how grieuous and troublesome it is vnto mee to suffer the least iniury Thou know est I haue no vertue that my will is slow and my good desires are cold in mee O Lord for thy mercie sake helpe my inâ—…nitie Giue me grace that my minde may be deiected by no storme of aduersity but humbled by afflictioÌ„ Help me lest I saint vnder the burden of my tribulations which shall come vpon me neither let iniuries offered mee by other men â—…re vp my impatiencie but giuing thee thankes in all things I may refer all things to the honour and glory of thy Name I giue thee thanks o Lord Iesu for that standing before the President Pontius Piâ—…ate thou didst not answer to the false accusations slanders of thy accusers but like an innocent Lambe that openeth not his mouth and is silent before his sheerers so with a reuerent â—…lence diddest thou ouerpasse all things Grant O Lord that reproofes murmurings detractions may not moue mee to choâ—… but that instructed by thy example I may ouercome all those that inâ—…ure and defame mee with silence Giue me the grace of perfect humility that I may neither desire to bee praised by men nor feare to bee dispraised by thee I giue thee thanks most mercifull Iesus for that amidst the great tumult and furie of the people by the commandement of Pilate thou wert led to King Herode Giue me strength that persecutions confound me not neither the iniuries of mine enemies prouoke me to wrath nor their impudence make me ashamed but that I may endure all things with meekenes and ouercome them with silence and possesse my soule in my patience according to the prescript of thy holy commaundements I giue thee thanks merciful Iesus that standing before Herod and accused of many crimes and offences by the Bishops and Priests thou wouldest answere to none of them but didst iustifie thy cause with silence Giue me O Lord the deâ—…ritie to refraine my tongue that I may neuer take pleasure to speake idle vaine or fillthy words or consume my time vnprofitably 〈◊〉 telling fruitles and vaine stoâ—…s but grant that my tong may â—…und with nothing but that which is iust honest and profitable and consonant likewise to thy heauenly will make mee detest the vice of backbiting and grant that I may take pleasure to heare and speake that which is honest I giue thee thanks sweete Iesus that being compared with that infamous and seditious Theefe Barrabas thou wert iudged worse than he and vnworthier life in so much as the homicide was set at liberty and thou the author of life condemned to death King of eternall glory with what more great ignominy I pray thee might thy maiesty be affected Heere Lord hence it appeareth that thou art that liuing stone refused by men which God chose vnto himselfe made the corner stone May it please thee o Lord that I preferre nothing before thee nor change any thing for thee but let al thingâ—… seeme as dirt vnto mee in comparison of thee Grant that the venome of enuy may neuer infect my soule but that I may alwaies rest in thee and build my whole salâ—…tion vpon thee I giue thee thanks most louing Iesu that being dispoiled of thy garmeÌ„ts thou sufferedst that maiden skin of thine to be laid naked and then tied with hard cords vnto a pillar thou wouldst suffer the same flesh to be torne with horrible scourges to the end thou mightest heale our wounds by thy wounds O Lord spoile my heart of all vncleane cogitations put off mine old man with all the concupiscence thereof and put mee on a man which is created
pilgrimes and strangers Thou art not ignorant of mine infirmity O sweet Iesus thou knowest how weake fraile a fortresse this is thou knowest it must needs fall beeing shaken with so many volleyes except thou O Christ rampaire it by thy might To thee therefore do I cry from the depth of my heart giue me grace that I follow not the concupiscence of my flesh that I prouoke not my vnbridled senses with liberty but that I may strongly resist them Helpe me that I may tame my body and bring it in subiection lest my flesh growing too proud make me offend and breake my appointed limits lest my heart and body bee stained with carnall concupiscence lust riot and vnlawfull pleasures Sanctifie mee and gouerne mee that mine eies may bee gouerned mine eares shut that I may touch no vnlawfull thing but â—…e from that which is hurtfull though I feele a sting yet let mee not giue coÌ„sent so let me nourish my flesh that it rebell not and so bridle it that it allure not Grant that in all and through all I may so subiect my flesh to my spirit that at the last it may willingly obey her tyrannize ouer her no more is a mistresse but serue as a handmaid that betweene both there may bee an harmonious concent wished peace and perpetuall concord Amen When temptations are ouercome Giue thee thanks O Lord God â—…y whose bounty I am enabled 〈◊〉 such sort that this teÌ„pest being â—…ed I enioy a destred calme To thee be the honor of the triumph by thee and not by mee this proue Goliah is ouercome to thee I attribute whatsoeuer good effect hath succeeded For in respect of mine owne forces I must needs be subdued but now am I conquerour because I grounded my assured hope of victorie on thee my stroÌ„g assister hauing this alwaies hanging before mine eies If God be with vs who can be against vs and I can doe all things in hâ—… that comforteth me And though I sing praises to thee O Lord for this victory yet for that we are taught that when wee haue done all those things which belong to or become a stroÌ„g Champion we should not returne to lusts and pleasures but by the assistance of thy holy Spirit stand strong in the battell against the continuall assaults of the dwell Therfore I flie vnto thee the helper of all those that hope in thee increase my trust in thee that dailâ—… more and more increasing in faitâ—… the power of our enemies may faâ—… vntil thou hast setled vs in that security whereas there is no feare of battell perill or anguish but eternall security purchased by thee when thou shalt surrender thy kingdome to thy Farher with whom thou liuest and reignest God for â—…uer Amen Against the conflict of vices MOst mercifull Lord Iesus Christ behold me miserable wretched and vile sinner prostrate before the feet of thy mercy behold the wounds botches infirmities and vices of my soule which I my selfe ah lasse by my sinne haue inforced against my selfe and now present them to bee healed by the eies of thy mercy Most mercifull Iesus take pitty of my infirmity captiuity and infelicitie wherewith my wretched soule is drowned in transitorie things and distracted by diuers desires Most louing Iesus by that charity which deliuered thee bound into the hands of sinners and haled thee to the Crosse and there afflicted thee more than those nailes that pierced thy hands feet I beseech thee loose the yoake of my captiuitie and deliuer me from all vices concupiscences and euill inclinations and from all the assaults of mine enemies and euery tribulation defend me Extinguish and kill in me vtterly all prâ—…ate loue all inordinate motions passions and affections each occasion all promptnes and inclination to pride wrath enuie vaine-glorie c. for from these thou onely canst deliuer me Sweet Iesus fill me with graces and most perfect charity keepe me in all goodnesse that I may 〈◊〉 all occasions of sinne ouercome all temptations constantly subiect my flesh to my spirit persecute and banish sin auoide the assaults and subtilties of the diuell neuer consent to any sinne neuer nourish that which displeaseth thee but that I may ardently thirst after thy glory faithfully further the same and addict my selfe wholly 〈◊〉 thy good liking Amen Against euill thoughts O Lord my God bee not farre from me O my God haste thee to helpe me because diuers cogitations are risen vp against mee and great feares afflicting my soule How shall I escape vnhurt how may I ouercome them I saiest thou will go before thee and will humble the mighty on earth Doe O Lord as thou speakest and let all euill cogitations flie from thy presence This is my hope and onely consolation to flie vnto thee in all tribulation to trust in thee to call vpon thee with my whole heart and patiently to expect thy consolation Amen Against diuerse sorts of sinnes GOD Father of our Lord God Sauior Iesus Christ lord of great might blessed nature effused goodnesse God and Lord of all things who art blessed for euer who art glorified by the Seraphins to whom thousands of Angels assist and whom infinite hoasts of Angels and Archangels attend for thy Christs sake and the coming of thy holy Spirit sanctifie we pray thee our soules our bodies and our spirits touch thou likewise our minds search our coÌ„sciences and take from vs all euill cogitations all immodest talke al filthy destres al vndeceÌ„t thoughts all enuy pride and hypocrisie all lying all deceit all distraction of this life all auarice all vaine glorie all sloth all vice all wrath all ire all remembrance of iniurie all blasphemy all commotion of the flesh or spirit contrary to thy holy will Amen Against euill thoughts O Lord my God bee not thou estranged from me o God take me into thy protection for diuers cogitations are risen vp against me and great feares that afflict my soule How shall I escape vnhurt how shall I ouercome them I sayest thou will goe before thee and I will humble the mighty vpon earth Doe O Lord as thou speakest let all wicked thoughts fly from thy presence This is my hope and onely comfort to fly vnto thee in all tribulations to trust in thee to call vpon thee with my whole heart and patiently to expect thy consolation Amen A prayer against couetousnesse THe daily necessities of the body draweth and tieth the minde thereunto send vs O Lord who as wee know hast care ouer vs that daily Bread which thine onely Son Iesus Christ coÌ„manded vs to aske and hope for at thy hands Grant vs to liue coÌ„tent with those things that are needfull to despise such things as are superfluous that neither vnauoidable necessitie ouercome vs neither affluence ouerwhelme vs so send vs those things that are necessarie for vs that we obtaine not the same to offend thy Maiestie So deliuered and discharged of all
care we shall onely endeuour our selues to keepe vs as farre as in vs lieth in thy fauour which care thou wilt further who if thou beest wanting nothing can prosper with vs. Translate my heart from the seruice of Idols to thy seruice toward whom whosoeuer is deuout he obtaineth dignitie Grant mee in stead of this desire of riches which are exposed to time the iniuries of men and mischances to grow in loue with thine which being once receiued are eternall and inuiolable Amen Against pride O Most wise beloued Father who alwayes studiest how thou maiest further vs whereas wee alwayes endeuour how to offend thee thou gauest to mankinde the proudest vntamed and rebellious creature the heauenly example of moderation and obedience in thy Sonne Conuert our minds vnto thee and that thine example that wee may so humbly demeane our selues beeing wicked and weake as hee that was most worthy and most strong Amen Against drunkennesse ALmighty and most mercifull God vouchsafe so to looke vpon vs that wee may so detest that most shamefull sinne of drunkennesse that wee neuer permit the same to take place but let that which was to perish in drunkennesse bee imployed for the sustenance of the poore through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Against remembrance of iniuries O Lord of thy goodnesse fill our hearts with thy peace clense vs from all euill cogitations and vncleannesse and from all memorie of iniuries and from all enuy and mind of mischiefe which bringeth death O Lord make vs all worthy to salute one another with a holy and immaculate salutation and graunt that wee may receiue without iudgement and death thy heauenly gift that is thy grace with the holy Spirit Amen Against wrath HOw much error breedeth this blind indulgence of our selues in our minds that we esteeme that to be done vniustly which is done most vprightly that in those things wee denie pardon vnto others in which wee our selues euerie houre are faulty and want pardon that wee challenge to our selues a reuenge being children mad furious vniust and take it from him who is only wise and iust who in respect of his wisedome is deficient in nothing and in regard of his equitie seduceth no man from the truth O most mercifull Christ example of modesty fountain of meekenesse 〈◊〉 into vs some part of this thy lenitie whereby in imitation of thy humility being assailed with railings affected with iniuries oppressed and afflicted with slanders and reproofes yet that we may reward good for euill Against enuie THou O Lord art the founder and maker of all things thou art the dispenser of thy mercies which thou by thy immeasurable liberality bestowest on men yeelding euery one more than hee deserueth and defrauding no man of that which is sufficient for him What cause therefore haue we to enuy thee when as thou bestowest thy liberality vpon al men of thine owne and art bountifull to those that deserue it not and giuest to euery one that which sufficeth him for his beatitude O Father adde this also to the rest of thy benefits that we may submit to thy iudgement and satisfie our selues with thy â—…stributions that we may giue thee thanks for those things which wee haue receiued And for those things that thou hast bestowed on others grant that secretly we condemne not thy holy will and vnsearchable iudgement but rather that in other mens blessings wee may loue and laud thy munificence who art so bountifull vnto all men wanting of thy selfe nothing neither receiuing any thing from any man neither hoping any thing Amen In extreme troubles and persecutions O Lord God that deliueredst the honest matron Susanna from false iudgement at such time as she was reprochfully circumuented by slander that keptst Daniel thy prophet in the denne of Lyons and preseruedst the three children in the flaming furnace that deliueredst Peter ready to be deuoured by the sea swallowed in the waues thereof by the might of thy right hand I beseech thee O most mercifull God that thou wilt redeeme and deliuer both me thy vnworthy seruant all other christian people out of these miseries and calamities wherewith wee are circumuented Spare thy people I beseech thee whom thou hast redeemed by thy precious blood keepe this natioâ—… and people redeemed by so precious a ransome in peace mutuall concord and coniunction to the glory of thy holy name Amen In the time of warre amongst Christians O Lord Father of mercies God of peace and dilection how long I pray thee wilt thou be angry with thy christian people punishing them with erecrable wars and vtter ouerthrows Behold the affliction and extreme extinction of thy people nations Heare the groanes of the poore let the christian blood moue thee vnto mercy Ah las O Lord these are truly that iust punishments of our sins wee haue sinned wee haue done wickedly we haue left thee the fountaine of life our felicitie we haue contemned thee mocked thee and with an obstinate minde made war by our sins against thy commandements wee haue kept none of thy testimonies of which thou hast said If you shall keepe them they shal keepe you if you dispise them the sword shall consume you But thou O Lord notwithstanding thou art iustly displeased remember thee of thy mercies and to the end we may be made capable therof giue vnto thy people I beseech thee the knowledge and confession of their wicked liues powre vpon them the spirit of thy grace and of prayer that euery where with a contrite and humble heart which thou despisest not they may crie vnto thee saying O Lord haue mercie O Lord haue mercy vpon thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood wee haue sinned we haue done vniustly Thy iudgements are iustly vrged against vs prostrating our selues we call vpon thy grace and mercie to the end that thy reuenging hand may be appeased Put o Lord thy cruell and deuouring sword into thy sheath command the euill beasts that is all those things which giue cause of warre to returne vnto their place leaue most holsome peace long desired amongst Christians safely to reigne amongst them to the praise glory of thy most holy name who strikest and healest â—…illest and quickenest Amen In the time of plague WE know O Lord God and most iust Father that the rebellion almost of all creatures against man onely is very great whom if all things were disposed according to the order of creatioÌ„ they ought to obey and acknowledge Now earthquakes now thunders now inundations now most fatal coniunctions of Stars now the infection of the aire and daily new and other kinde of euils are heard of But this punishment falleth vpon vs because wee abuse the giftes of thy munificence transgresse thy commaundemenis for that we are not terrified with threatrungs nor allured by promises We acknowledge that by these thy chastisements thou drawest vs from these earthly affaires and inuitest vs to heauenly
with bit and bridlâ—… 〈◊〉 fall vpon thee 11 Great plagues 〈◊〉 foâ—… the vngodly but who so putâ—…h his trust in the Lord mercy embraceth him on euery side 12 Be glad O yee righteous reioyce in the Lord and be ioyfull all ye that are true of heart PSALME XXXVIII PUt me not to rebuke O Lord in thine anger neither chasten me in thy heauie displeasure 2 For thine arrowes stick fast in me and thy hand presseth me sore 3 There is no health in my flesh because of thy displeasure neither is there any rest in my bones by reason of my sinne 4 For my wickednesses are gone ouer my head are like a sore burthen too heauie for me to beare 5 My wounds stink and are corrupt through my foolishnesse 6 I am brought into so great trouble and miserie that I goe mourning all the day long 7 For my loines are filled with a 〈◊〉 disease and there is no whole â—…rt of my body 8 I am feeble and sore smitten 〈◊〉 haue roared for the very disquiâ—…esse of my heart 9 Lord thou knowest all my â—…sire and my groaning is not hid â—…om thee 10 My heart panteth my strength â—…th failed mee and the sight of â—…e eies is gone from me 11 My louers and my neighbours â—…id stand looking vpoÌ„ my trouble â—…nd my kinsmen stood afarre off 12 They also that sought after â—…y life laid snares for me and they â—…hat went about to doe mee euill â—…alked of wickednesse and imagiâ—…ed deceit all the day long 13 As for me I was like a deafe man and heard not and as one yâ— is dumbe which doth not open his mouth 14 I became euen as a man that heareth not and in whose mouth are no reproofes 15 For in thee O Lord haue I put my trust thou shalt answer for me O Lord my God 16 I haue required that they â—…uen mine enemies should not â—…umph ouer mee for when my fâ—… slipt they reioyced greatly agaâ—… mee 17 And I truly am set in 〈◊〉 plague and my heauinesse is eâ—… in my sight 18 For I will confesse my wiâ—… ednesse and be sorie for my sinnâ—… 19 But mine enemies liue aâ—… are mighty and they that hate mâ—… wrongfully are many in number 20 They also that reward euill for good are against mee because I follow the thing that good is 21 Forsake me not O Lord my God be not thou farre from me 22 Hast thee to helpe mee O Lord God of my saluation PSALME LI. HAue mercie vpon me O God after thy great goodnesse according vnto the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences 2 Wash me throughly from my wickednesse and clense mee from my sinne 3 For I acknowledge my faults 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sinne is euer before me 4 â—…gainst thee onely haue I sinneâ—… done this euill in thy sight thâ—… thou mightst bee iustified in thâ—… saying and cleere when thou aâ—… iudged 〈◊〉 Behold I was shapen in wicâ—…nesse and in sinne hath my mothâ—… conceiued me 〈◊〉 But loe thou requirest truth in 〈◊〉 inward parts shalt make me 〈◊〉 vnderstand wisedome secretly 〈◊〉 Thou shalt purge me with Iâ—…e and I shall bee cleane thou â—…lt wash me and I shall be whiâ—… than snow 8 Thou shalt make me heare of â—…y gladnes that yâ— bones which thou hast broken may reioyce 9 Turne thy face from my sins and put out all my misdeedes 10 Make me a cleane heart o God and renew a right spirit within me 11 Cast mee not away from thy presence and take not thy holy Spirit from me 12 O giue mee the comfort of thy helpe againe and stablish mee with thy free Spirit 13 Then shall I teach thy wayeâ—… vnto the wicked and sinners shâ—… be conuerted vnto thee 14 Deliuer mee from bloodgâ—… tinesse O GOD thou that aâ—… God of my health and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousnesse 15 Thou shalt open my lips O Lord and my mouth shall shew thy praise 16 For thou desirest no sacrifice else would I giue it thee but thâ—… delightest not in burnt offerings 17 The sacrifice of GOD is a troubled spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God shalt thou not despise 18 O bee fauourable and gracious vnto Sion build thou the wals of Ierusalem 19 Then shalt thou bee pleased with the sacrifice of righteousnes with the burnt offerings and oblations then shall they offer young bullocks vpon thine Altar PSALME CII HEare my prayer O Lord and let my crying come vnto thee 2 Hide not thy face from mee in 〈◊〉 â—…e of my trouble incline 〈◊〉 eares vnto mee when I call O heare me and that right soone 3 For my daies are consumed away like smoke and my bones 〈◊〉 burnt vp as it were a firebraÌ„d 4 My heart is smitten downe withered like grasse so that I forget to eate my bread 5 For the voice of my groaning my bones will scarce cleaue to my flesh 6 I am become like a Pellican in the Wildernes like an Owle that is in the desart 6 I haue watched and am euen as it were a Sparrow that sitteth alone vpon the house top 8 Mine enemies reuile mee all the day long and they that are mad vpon mee are sworne together against me 9 For I haue eaten ashes as it were bread and mingled my drink with weeping 10 And that because of thine indignation and wrath for thou hast taken me vp and cast mee downe 11 My daies are gone like a shadowe and I am withered 〈◊〉 grasse 12 But thou O Lord shalt â—…dure for euer and thy remeâ—…brance throughout all generâ—…ons 13 Thou shalt arise and hauâ—… mercy vpon Sion for it is time that thou haue mercy on her yeâ—… the time is come 14 And why thy seruants thinke vpon her stones it pittieth theâ—… to see her in the dust 15 The Heathen shall feare thy Name O Lord and al the Kings of the earth thy Maiestie 16 When the Lord shall build vp Sion and when his glory shal appeare 17 When hee turneth him vnto the prayer of the poore destitute and despiseth not their desire 18 This shal be written for those that come after and the people that shall be borne shall praise the Lord. 19 For hee hath looked downe from his sanctuarie out of the heauen did the Lord behold the earth 20 That hee might heare the mourâ—…g of such as be in captiuiâ—… 〈◊〉 deliuer the children apâ—…ed vnto death 21 That they may declare the 〈◊〉 of the Lord in Sion his â—…rship at Ierusalem 22 When the people are gatheâ—…ed together and the kingdomes 〈◊〉 to serue the Lord. 23 Hâ—…e brought downe my strength in my iourney and shortened my daies 24 But I said O my God take me not away in the midst of mine age 〈◊〉 for thy yeares they endure thoroughout all generations 25 Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth and the Heauens are the worke of thy hands 26 They shall perish but thou
liuest and reignest for euer Thou art he who possesseth all things in all places and that disposest them sweetly Thou art he that createdst all things without any necessitie and conseruest them without labour and gouernest all things without molestation and mouest al things thy selfe being immoueable Thou art all eie all foote all hand for thou seest sustainest and worâ—… all things Thou art in al things yet art not concluded thou art without all things and yet art not disioyned Thou art vnder all things yet art not subiect thou art aboue al things yet art not lifted vp Thou art the soueraigne and true God the soueraigne and true life from whom and by whom all things haue birth and being Thou O Lord art very goodnes and beauty it selfe by which and from which all that is good faire is good and faire Thou art he who willest vs to leeke thee and giuest vs leaue to finde thee thou bidst vs knocke and thou openest when wee call vpon thee thou art hee whom to forsake is to fall and whom to weare is to rise and in whom to stand is to endure for euer Thou art hee whom no man forsaketh but the foolish no man seeketh except hee bee called no man findeth except he be purged thou art hee whose knowledge is life whose seruice is a Kingdome whose praise is saluation and thou art the very ioy of those that reioâ—…e in thee What therefore shall I O my king Sauior what shal I say vnto thee I say a wretched worme what shal I say of the greatnes of so many praises I wil say that which the Prophets inspired with thy truth said who hath measured the waters with a hand weighed the heauens with a palme who hanged the weight of the earth on three fingers poised the mountaines in ballances and the hils 〈◊〉 scales Who assisted the spirit of our Lord or who is his counseller and instructour Of whom tooke hee counsell and instructed him and taught him the way of his â—…stice and brought him vp in science and shewed him the way 〈◊〉 prudence Behold the Gentiles are but as a drop of a bucket and are reputed as a graine in the ballance Loe the Ilands are but as a little dust the Woods of Lybanus shal not be sufficient to burne and the beasts shal not suffice for a sacrifice All nations as if they were not so are they before him in his sight are reputed as nothing a vain thing For if at the presenâ—…e of the Sunne al the stars in the heauens shine not nay rather are as if they were not whereas notwithstanding both the one and the other are creatures what shall all created things bee in his sight who is the Creatour of the whole world I adore thee therefore especially O Lord with profound humility and due reuerence with that adoration and worship which is only due vnto thee and to no other creature with such duty as all the dominations of heauen and all the creatures of the world adore thee of whom though many know thee not yet can they not choose but euery one in their kinde adore thee end in their manner offer homage to the Scepter of thy diuinity and acknowledge thy greatnesse For thou onely art the God of Gods thou only the King of Kings thou onely the Lord of Lords and the cause of causes thou art Alâ—…ha and Omega the beginning and ending of all things Thou art the beginning without beginning and the end without end Thou onely art he that thou art for all other things how excellent soeuer they bee haue their beeing borrowed from another but thy beeing is high perfect vniuersall and that dependeth on none other And therefore deseruedly art thou said to bee that which thou art because whatsoeuer is created hath no beeing if it be compared with thine For which cause O Lord acknowledging all these great and wanderfull things prostrate before the foote of thy Diuine presence with all that humility which I am able to expresse I adore thee in such maner as those blessed spirits adore thee who falling downe before thee seated in thy Throâ—… of Maiesty and laying down their crownes before thy feete adore thee confesse that all that which they haue proceedeth from thee So I also o Lord who am the vilest of all creatures adore thee and a thousand times remember thee confessing vnto thee that thou art my true Lord and God and that all that which I am or whatsoeuer I finde in my selfe as my being liuing breathing is all thine and therfore I call vpon all creatures that they together with mee may praise thee adore thee glorifie thee in that diuine song of the Prophet saying Come let vs sing vnto the Lord let vs praise the God of our saluation let vs come before his presence with thanksgiuing and reioyce to him with Psalmes because our God is a great God a great King aboue all Gods in his hands are all the corners of the earth the height of the hilles is his also The sea is his and he made it and his hands fashioned the drie land Come therefore let vs adore and fall downe before him and weepe before our Lord God that made vs for hee is our Lord God and wee are his people and the sheepe of his pasture Wherefore O my God since thou art so worthy to bee adored and honored giue me grace that without intermission I may magnifie thee not onely in words and with my tongue but also in my heart my actions and my whole life Thou which liuest and reignest world without end Amen The second praier to the holy Trinitie of the greatnesse of the diuine Maiestie OMnipotent eternall God three in persons one in substance iust and meet it is agreeable with reason that I should imploy all my whole life in the exercise of repentance feare when as I haue so iust causes of lament feare Tuen as therfore the greatnesse of thy glory impelleth mee to honour and praise thee so also commandeth it mee to praise and glorifie thee For a Hymne becommeth thee in â—…ion and a vow shall be made to thee in Ierusalem because thou art the Ocean of all perfections the Sea of wisedome the Abysse of power beauty greatnesse riches sweetnesse and maiestie in which are all perfections and beauties of creatures which are in heauen or on earth and all these perfections are found in thee in the highest perfection degree All beauty compared to thee is deformitie all riches pouerty all strength weakenesse all wisedome ignorance all sweetenesse bitternesse and to conclude many things in a few all things that are in heauen and on earth make lesse appearance in thy sight than a little candle before the sun-shine Thou art perfect in all things without any deformity great wtout quantity good without quality strong without infirmitie true without falsitie alwaies present without