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
soules sadnes In darknes let me light espie in mid'st of sorrow graunt me gladnes On fruitfull ground Lord doe mee plant and build me vp on surest rocke Annoyes to ioyes to wealth turne want from future ills me keepe and locke As trees that grow by waters side whose leaues blossoms freshly flourish For euer let my state abide thy loue reuiue thy grace me nourish Let thy spirit dayly spring bud with faiths pure braunches frō my hart Let dewes drops of Christ's deer bloud feede vaines of hope from sinners dart My store's decayd thou can'st renew it my basket's empty thou can'st fill it Refresh my heart againe reuiue it reuiue it Lord for thou did'st kill it Thou help'st the simple poore needy thou see'st my state thou can'st all mend I know thou know'st when to be speedy and know'st thy time when to defend Helpe helpe O Lord else downe I fall hould me fast by thy strong hand And lift me vp against them all that by opposing me withstand Thy promise Lord thou doest performe thy words are deeds thou sai'st do'st A happie end thou doest returne and graunt to those that on thee trust My safety Lord thou hast ordain'd by faith my hope doth mount fly And by that hope I am sustain'd if that were lost my soule would dye My faith hath fixt an obiect right my will doth farre my power exceed But Lord I know that in thy sight the will is taken for the deeede Then Lord for deede my will do take and I secured shall be then Oh graunt me this for Christ his sake to whom be praise for aye Amen FINIS ⧠The eight Lamentation in distresse ¶ In which the distressed craueth pardon for his sinnes the cause of his misseries O Had I wings like to a Doue then should I from these troubles flye To wildernes I would remoue to spend my life and there to dye Mong'st bushes thicke and branches tall of mightie Cedars hughe and high With sauadges and wild beasts all for to auoide my misery But why thus wish I Lord alas that am vaine man of flesh blood Thou God that bring'st all things to pas do'st know this sorts not for my good For were I in vast wildernes in furthest part of earth or ayre I could no whit my case redresse as being in thy power there Were I in bowels of the earth were I in Sea in Cloudes or Skie With sorrow griefe with ioy or mirth there Lord thou art with powerfull eie There canst thou also finde me out and visit there my foule offence Thou art my paths and bed about t' is vaine to hide or seeke defence ¶ The second part of the eight Lamentation ¶ The penitent by faith preuailes against frailty in the fierie triall THen let me at thy footestoole fall there acknowledge mine amisse For pardon begge and mercy call and pray for grace and heauenly blisse And that thou bridle my desires clense mine affections with thy spirit Inflame me with thine holy fire in nought but thee let me delight Lord tame the fiercenes of mine heart reforme my words my mouth speach Thou fountaine of all wisdome art therefore right wisdome do me teach In vnderstanding truth instruct me vouchsafe me perfect patience So to that freedome wilt conduct me where is no losse nor paine of sence And from thiese dangers best me free which most I feare soon'st possesse The comforts most desir'd by me and so enioy true happines O make not Lord thy absence long but hasten my deliuerance Against my foes Lord make me strong which do themselus gainst me aduance That ready are with on set newe for to assault my silly soule Wearied with stormes that do accrew plungd with waues which or'e me roule The third part of the eight Lamentation WHerefore hast thou left vnto vs by thy word a commaundement To cast our cares on thee which thus with weighty burdens vs torment With promise to vs helpe and ease thou see'st knowest Lord our desire Our secret hearts and all our waies all 's plaine to thee as light as fire If therefore I should iustifie my selfe I should condempned bee Thou find'st me out and do'st me try my righteousnes is nought to thee disclay ming mine integritie I cast me downe Lord at thy feete And pray for pure sincerity that I do all in all that 's meete Wherefore thou art most bountifull when wants weakenes we confesse Yea then thy guifts are plentifull vs to releiue in our distresse On thee my burden Lord I 'le lay for well I knowe thou car'st for all That thee belicue loue feare obey and for thy grace and mercy call My faith and hope is all in thee I am of imperfections full I Aske why thou do'st visit me should I that blockish am and dull Defiled within and eke without pleade duties don or else be mute It is in vaine to goe about with thee O Lord for to dispute Who euill am in my best way in purest thoughts yea most impure Pardon my weakenes Lord I pray and giue me zeale strength t' indure With humblenes and perfect loue which Lord thou do'st of me require Instruct me God with wisdome moue mee guide and lead to thy desire Shew me the way that tends to blisse after this my long straying heere And bring me home where all peace is let thy free fauour Lord appeare Wherein is life and liberty comfort ioy and society With rest peace and tranquillity for them that liue in pietie The fourth part of the eight Lamentation OH happy he whō thou protec'st most hapy he whō thou dost loue Hee 's strong and wise in all respect'st hee 's fed and clad from thee aboue In all good things hee 's rich in deede when he doth call thou dost him heare What he doth aske thou giu'st at neede he seekes findes them euery where When he is sicke thou do'st him cure when poore thou do'st his wants reply When he is sad he shall be sure thy sauing health and helpe is nye When he is troubled do'st defend him in danger do'st securenes giue him whē men him hate thy loue wilt send him when dead to long life doth reuiue him And giu'st him thē such ioyes for euer as no mans wit can comprehend Me fauour graunt Lord bring me thither to thiese thy blessings without end This fauour Lord vnto me shew and blesse my contemplation Onely in heauen and thee I know is perfect contentation My sorrowes shal be turn'd to ioy my wants vnto sufficiency My teares to gladnes from annoy mourning to mirth and melody My soule keepe safe from death hell my feete from sliding from falling Let me vprightly walke and dwell and on thee still O Lord be calling Who do'st performe thy promises and let'st none empty part away That with their hearts seeke thy mercies or do for helpe comfort pray The
time of neede least that I fall into the snare O let thy comfortable loue betimes into my soule distill And let thy spirit like a Doue dwell in my heart and keepe me still Vpon thee onely I depend direct me in the perfect way And guide me to my iourneyes end for thou art my support and stay Good Lord defend me from my foes for vnto thee I fly for ayd Vnder thy wings hide me from those that for my soule their snares haue layd Teach me to doe the thing a-right that may be pleasing to thy minde And amiable in thy sight that I thy fauour still may finde Thou art my God and onely guide which dost protect me with thy hand O let thy spirit with me a-bide and lead me to the holy land For thy names sake Lord quicken me and for thy righteousnes I craue O set my soule from troubles free and let it neuer see the graue And for thy goodnes sake destroy mine enemies that me pursue And to my soule would worke annoy O Lord confound that damned crew I am thy seruant O my God Deare Father guide me with thy rod. FINIS ¶ A Mistery to be noted and followed of those that are parting out of this life IN the departure of the Lord of mortall bodies vitall breath Their liues a misterie worth record which he did shew vs heere on earth Who doth prepare to die each houre must follow Christ our Sauiour For he the night before he died did single out himselfe alone Disciples all he set aside and to his Father makes his moane His mother deere he leaues with Iohn to comfort her when he is gon So Christians all when they goe hence must cast of care of worldes respect Setling their house with prouidence and then all earthly care neglect Leauing all thoughts of common wealth which too much mens affections steale Commending wife and children all to Gods protecting will Diuine Himselfe to God Coelestiall betakes from world to Gods designe Forsaking friends and kinsfolkes heere exempts his heart from care and feare He must then secret be alone who will with high Iehouah walke Distilling teares with prayers moane and seruent sighes with God to take His soule and spirit let him commend to heauenly ioyes deuoid of end At time of death Christ watch't and prai'd with earnest zeale and seruencie In Oliue Mount all Night he stay'd a place for heauenly secrecie He there thrice his disciples warnes to watch and pray gainst tempters harmes Euen so all they must watch and pray with sighes and groanes for former sinnes That from this life depart away against temptations Sathans gins Exhorting all to liue to die to Faith sure Hope and Charity Christ bow'd his knees t' was not enough he fell downe flat vpon his face His cryes the heauens pierced through to God for ayde and heauenly grace He twice retir'd to feruent praier with ardent Zeale in open ayre He bends his knees with humblenes who himselfe commits to Gods dispose He falleth flat with lowlines that takes the loue for his repose And wholy doth himselfe deny fixing his faith in God on high As Adam first in paradise had seemely corps without array So Christ from Earth on Crosse doth rise his naked selfe doth them display As Brasen Serpent was erect so he 's lift vp for his elect Euen so that soule that Heauen aspir's from earths affections must ascend Mounting with heart and his desires to heauenly life that hath no end Himselfe to th' world must crucifie nayl'd with faith hope and charity This Champion there must combate make with Dragon fierce mans enemy Till he turne backe the victory leauing the Lambe tue victory Then victour shall enioy the nest of highest heauens and be possest FINIS ¶ Short Meditations or Iaculatorie prayers to be had in memorie vppon seuerall occasions When any sodaine feare assayleth thee pray BE vnto me O Lord a Tower of strength against my mortall foe O guard and ward me with thy power which way soeuer I shall goe Then shall my heart and soule reioyce in God my Lord with cheerefull voice ¶ If an ill Suspicion ouertake thee CReate O Lord my heart anewe regenerate my spirit within Suspicious thoughts which me pursue expell and purge me from my sinne Still let thine Angels me conduct and with thy spirit my soule instruct ¶ If vndesent sadnes perplex thee LEt thy saluation be my ioy confirme me with thy spirit of grace Let sadnes not my soule annoy for pensiue thoughts too much take place Oh let my comforts still reside in Christ who for my sinnes hath dy'de ¶ If vaine-glory seduce thee NOt vnto vs but to thy name all honour Lord we attribute For thou alone deseru'st the same what can we to our selues impute Oh Lord thou knowest we are but dust yet we presume in thee to trust ¶ If despaire molest thee THou art my hope euen from my youth from my Mothers wombe my guide Why should I then despaire in truth but in thy mercies euer bide For thou O Lord wilt still protect with consolation thine elect ¶ If thou be afflicted in minde HElpe me and I shall then be safe and I will meditate alwaies Vpholde me with thy strongest Staffe that I may euer sing thee praise Thy wonted loue Lord let me finde to comfort mine afflicted minde ¶ If Slouth assaile thee LOrd with thy powre my soule excite come and confirme me in thy way That in thy lawes I may delight and from thy statuts neuer stray Rouse and reuiue my drowsie spirit that ioyes with thee I may inherit ¶ If wrath disturbe thee OH giue me patience Lord and peace least y◠my soule should lose her crowne O let thy loue to me increase and powre thy grace and mercy downe For thou hast said in thy behest in patience be your soules possest ¶ If desire of honour or promotion tempt thee LOrd vnto thee my heart incline from greedie gaine my thoughts withdrawe From vanitie direct mine eyne and rectifie me in thy lawe For in thee doth all honour rest it comes not from the East nor West ¶ If Gluttonie solicit thee THy Kingdome is not drinke nor meate but ioy and peace in heauen aboue T' is not the flesh which we doe eate can profit vs without thy loue Then with thy grace my spirit cherish for that 's the foode which cannot perish ¶ If any blessing of God happen to thee VVHat shall I render to my Lord for all his blessings powr'd on me My heart and soule with one accord shall laud and praise thy maiestie All Blessings doe from thee descend blest be thy name world without end ¶ In any grieuous persecutions IVdge them oh Lord which me pursue and ouer-throw my foes in fight And with thy sword confound that crewe which prosecut me with despight Oh be thou still my guard and guide defending me on euery
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
dispaire To thee O Lord I doe commit my selfe I neuer will repine For thou know'st best what is most fit in life and death let me be thine FINIS ¶ Precepts of duties HIgh mightie God of righteousnes in wrath a dread consuming fire Thou did'st in perfect happines make man that dard gain'st thee conspire And breake thy lawes with all dispight whē thou had'st made him pure holy Plac'd him in garden of delight so great and wicked was his folly That hauing leaue to take or leaue to chuse refuse or vse at pleasure He did himselfe by sinne deceaue of that Diuine surpassing treasure And by his mutabilitie regardles of thy sacred sawes He brought in instabillitie lost his free will made breach of lawes Thou God of iustice must doe right man wanting grace with want of grace By grace substraction did'st requite bannishe him that blessed place By meanes of which we are inclin'd from thy behests to runne astray Our tōgue our heart our soule our mind by sinne is carried cleane away Thine honor first is sted fast faith in Christ and in thine holy booke And in thy truth that thy spirit saith which in mine hart for faith doth looke The next obedience to thy will as thou cōmanded'st by thy sweet word From Syna and from Sions hill to teach vs do thine hests O Lord. Vs for thy children hast elected and vs adopted to inherit Thy blisse if thy blisse be respected and seal'd vs with thine holy spirit Thou mad'st vs free by thy sons bloud to th' end thou mayest be glorifi'd In soules and bodies for our good his passion hath vs purified thou freed'st vs to that end we mought serue thee in holy righteousnes Thou gau'st thy sonne and he vs bought from thraldome of our sinfullnes Thou would'st he should for al men die to make him liue in thine elect And they in him to fructifie and with his graces hast them deckt By grace and holy inspiration rebellious nature seek'st to tame With precepts for instruction leau'st vs lawes in thine owne name The readie way of seruing thee and profit to our neighboures bring And louing thee most zealously who art our father Lord and King Though by thy Gospell we be free from lawes of sinne and Punishment Yet rules of life and pietie thou hast prescrib'd and to vs lent Thereby to mannage all our deeds and guide vs least we stepp awry And rightly vse our natures seedes both well to liue and well to die These lawes did'st write in tables two with the pure finger of thine hand Deliuered them Moyses vnto that we thy will might vnderstand The first cóntaineth precepts foure of duties due vnto thy fear◠The second six commandements more of loue we should to neighbours beare The summe and substance of them all and that fulfilleth euery part Is thee to loue on thee to call with all our soule might minde heart To other men especially thine houshold that are firme in faith As to our selues to giue supply with all our helpe as scripture saith But we are weake our case thus stands in this fraile mortall life of ours No man can keepe these thy commaunds but breakes them at all times houres Yet thou thy children oft dost will them selues to comfort hopeingly Ther 's left for them some measure still t' approach to thee acceptablie Namely when they bend their whole strength dayly preuented by thy spirit And stand in hope t' attaine at length what now they want by Christ his merit Walking and dayly going on by stepps thereof to Paradice Praysing and lauding thee alone sighes yet for their infirmities The faithfull know all and beleeue with thee our father mercie is For with thy sonne do'st all thinges giue how can we then of mercy misse Therefore my God now giue to me all that thou giu'st to thine elect Of thine eternall clemencie let not thy spirit my soule reiect Illuminate my knowledge darke Possesse my heart the Lord to loue What 's don amisse Lord doe not marke but let thy spirit my spirit still moue That I most constantly may walke the steps path's of thy iust lawes And of thy goodnes dayly talke with feare and loue and all applause To whom I wholie owe my selfe for thou hast Lord created me And bought me not with worldly pelfe but by thy sonne hast made me free Whence I doe also learne to loue all men in thee and for thy sake Who beare thy image from aboue and my vocation surer make O let me thus thy fauour finde and peace of consience vnderstand Thy blessings and thy mercies kinde to God the work 's of mine ill hand That fil'd with daies I leaue my life rest to inioy with all contents And liue eternally from strife and keepe thy ten Commaundements Finis ¶ An invocation to God humbly praying for remission of sinne WEll spring of bountie God of feare beginning that mak'st all begin With what oblation to appeare appease thy wrath that 's due for sinne I know not blood of Bulles and beast or sweetest incense that doth rise From earth of old they were the least and are not now of any prise O how should I be reconcil'd againe vnto thy louing fauour How long Lord shall I be exil'd from my sweete Lord only Sauiour How long O haue I cal'd to thee to thee in name of thy deere Sonne Yet what I ask'd thou gau'st not mee and what I would is left vndonne I long haue knocked at thy doore of mercy but none entrance finde Sorrowes and troubles more and more increase and vex my soule and minde I dayly waite most wofull mortall before thy seate of clement grace But may not peepe within thy portall nor see thy glorious beautious face I sigh and mourne my teares are seas I sincke vnder the burdnous loade Of sinne and shame and find none ease prouoke me forward with thy word Of castigation I desire to quench thy wrath with flouds of teares Yet still increase thy fearefull fire and so increase my frostie feares By prayers thee to presse who dares except by thy sonnes mediation To seeke thy glory 's all our cares and th' end of earthly mens creation what course should I poor wretch thē take to doe or aske that 's good iust But vnto thee my prayers make and onely in thy sonne put trust Yf that my sinnes shall thee offend then all thy creatures rage storme And all conspire by thy commaund to beate on me poore sillie worme Where shall I be or whether flie from sight of thine all seeing ey ne As Noahs doue on earth am I and cannot looke against thy shine But if thou show thy louing face all creatures on my seruice tend Men beasts and Angels doe me grace to helpe me all their powers doe bend What should I
then say giue or doe what payne can gaine my fauour lost Riuers of Oyle or ought thereto they are thine owne and of thy cost Accept yet Lord the sacrifice of Heart Calues of lippes vnfained This is that Offring did'st deuise to haue thy grace to be obtained The free will offringe of my Zeale in sence of sighing still assending They to thy mercies seate appeale would make peace for mine offending faulter Although mine heart tongue doe yet in Christ Iesus meditation Receaue this offering on thine Alter with all my best imagination Heare me in him in him relieue me for without him noe helpe can be None can my soules or harts ease giue me nor can I inward comforts see Till I know that thy wraths appeas'd and haue thy charter of thy pardon Then shall I finde mine heart so eas'd that I desire noe further guerdon And now I most vnhappie man that did offend my God soe kinde By grace of him in all I can I 'le seeke with heart with soule minde To honor serue obey and please him that is mine al-seeing maker Whom I beseech to graunt me peace and make me of his ioyes partaker Finis A Godly meditation wherein the distressed sheweth he is vnfeignedly grieued hat he hath offended God who is so powerfull and so dread a iudge who also as the repentant thinketh hath armed man and all creatures against him for his sinnes But aggrauating the greatnes of his miseries and afflictions at the last heresolueth to goe vnto God in Christ his name with whom he is well pleased and in whom he will accept the prayers of the offendant ALas that I offended euer this God of Gods this Lord of powers That can in peeces all men shiuer and ouerturne the stateliest towers Ah woe is me that I offended and iustly God stir'd vpp to ire Who by his lawe hath sin condempned vnto the pit of endles fire I dayly see Gods creatures all iustly for sinne displeas'd with mee Mens hearts are hardned and with gall feede mee that haue offended thee My God thy blessings all one earth thou doest witholde from me keepe Alas my soule sustaines a dearth of grace vnto thy grace I creepe But what to doe or what to say I know not Lord but I know this My grieses encrease more day by day my mirth is moane bane is my blisse One euill doth another call like waues on waues in raging seas My weary burthen makes me fall I find no comfort helpe nor ease I hope of helpe but that hope quailes in crosses are my comforts ended I fly to faith but then faith failes when I neede most to be defended As if I were the onely man prepos'd by thine intendement Whom heauen earth must curse ban as subiect of all punishment Thy iustice dams me I appeale to mercy then appeald I feare To be reiected thus colde zeale and secret sinnes with griefe I beare Shall I thinke it a fruitles taste vnto my God for to repaire That Sinners calles and bids them aske and they shall haue all things by praier Can it be bootles downe to fall beâ—oâ—e his throne of maiestie And with repentant tongue to call for pardon for my iniquitie May not vnfained cries at last preuaile with him that 's pittifull To pardon my offences past moue my spr'its which now are dull I 'le frame my heart to meditate my tongue to vtter what may please Him whom best knoweth mine estate and seeke his wrath for to appease To him I 'le goe in Christ his name in whom I know hee is well pleased And will confesse my sinne with shame and so mine heart shall sure be eased ¶ The second part of the meditation FOr Christs sake looke on me againe hee is God all sufficient Hee doth behold and see my paine my inward faithfull hearts intent Hee knoweth what I goe about all I thinke speake or doe amisse He writes or noates without all doubt in his remembrance booke it is I know he will in worth accept what iustly I intend to doe And cannot it performe except He put his helping hand thereto He knoweth that I am but flesh and what is flesh but fraile and ill And what is man a lumpe of trash whom vaine desires do fully fill And will this God Iehouah high so strong and powerfull set his might Against a worme so weake as I a silly man a shade of night What conquest can there be in God to worke reuenge on mee poore soule Who still corrects me with his rod whose iustice doth my sinnes controle shall I dispute with thee nay rather poore wetch I should fal prostrate down And humbly kneele vnto my father pray with teares wheÌ„ he doth frowne If he afflict more be it so if further plague me let be so If he will kill with paines and woe do what he list let it be so For I am his do what he will with mee and all that mine can bee It is his owne and must be still there 's no disputing God with thee There is noe Art or Eloquence can quench thy coales of burning ire It is not words can make defence nor friends can saue me from they fire Nor take me from the powerful hands so full of might force strength power Or breake a sunder thy strong bands nor ease one minute of an houre I le yeelde me therefore to his will Lord doe what thy good pleasure is Turne me as may thy minde fullfill I 'le waite the time of happie blisse I le waite thy pleasure time will come wherein I may the issue see Of my afflictions all and some and what thy purpose is with mee The meanetime I will with thy word consult and vse my exercise And comfort take though hope O Lord refresh dull spr'ites cleare dim'd eies With dewe of thy sweete promises laying aside all fleshly ayde I onely rest on thy mercies in holy word as thou hast said And in true faith will I remaine and seeke thee beeing the true way Wherein who walkes at length shal gaine true blisse and happines foraye Who this embraceth shall not erre wherein who liues shall neuer die But weare a crowne past reason farre to liue with God etetnally FINIS ¶ A prayer wherein the distressed humbly confesseth his sinnes and the vanities of his former times lewdely mispent desiring others to take example by him and to returne to God by reptntance before it be to late And at the last preparing to die commendeth his soule to God with whom after death he hopeth to liue foreuer AN heart that 's broken contrite to God is a sweete sacrifice Repentant sinners him delight far more then iust men in their eies what I haue bin my God hath knowne what I now am the Lord doth see What I shal be to him is
may also bee couered in Christ his righteousnes and then complaining that his prayers are not heard commendeth himselfe to God whose good pleasure he still attendeth in steadfast faith hope OVr fathers Lord were comforted steength'ned relieued blest Onely by grace and iustified as righteous men in Iesus Christ. Impute not sinne vnto my charge not for my merrit and desert Thou Lord art loue in loue inlardge all those that bee of contrite heart Thou Lord full of compassion and in thy mercies infinite Beare with my imperfection and let me in thy lawes delight Couer my sinnes as right'ous take me and right'ous shall I euer bee That right'ous am not right'ous make me in Christ O Lord cosider mee O Lord what can it profit thee mee to forsake or leaue in thrall As though thou did'st disualew mee my dayly cries and offerings all My troubles yet continue still I seeke thee and am yet denied Of earthly blessings do thy will thy name be alwaies glorified Wretch that I am what end shall be I still complaine I sigh and cry I cry and call yet heerest not me I still will seeke thee till I die Thou mai'st be found be as thou wilt Into thy hands I me commend Thou full of mercy I of guilt in faith and hope do still attend Finis ¶ The second Lamentation containeth Godly and deuout prayers for constancie in afflictions and to beare malicious slaunders patiently ⧠The first part of the second lamentation ¶ The repentant sheweth that his miseries and troubles increase dayly and therefore his aduersarie that iudge with a carnall cie say that God hath for saken him but he replieth to them that God alwaies chastiseth them whom he loueth and doth but correct his children as a louing father doth for the amendment and bettering of their life O Lord how doe my woes encrease how many are my miseries My troubles rise and neuer cease men iudge thou wilt not heare my cries They say thou wilt me quite forsake that ther 's no helpe for me in thee But Lord they are but such that make their sensure with a carnall eye And do not spiritually discerne thy secret purpose and intents Correcting thē whō thou would'st learne to know thy law cōmaundements Chastizing them whom thou do'st loue and scourging them oft with thy rod that thou their harts minds maist moue to feare and serue thee mightie God The wicked outward meanes preferre worldly helps at neede they muster And not to God themselues referre nor comfort take from heauenly lustre Who workes by meanes his sacred will and without meanes brings to effect And against meanes can saue or kill for those him serue his true elect Therefore let not their mallice moue nor yet their taunts dismay my mind I will hould fast by God aboue whose promise iust true I find I striue thy statutes Lord to keepe what thou cōmaund'st I will performe Direct me right to thee I creepe O Lord doe thou my life reforme Defend me Lord from their dispight that watch to catch me in their snare And to intrap me day and night with nettes and ginnes er'e I be ware And scoffe me basely with reproach with shamefull scandalls and disgrace With thy protection Lord approach and let thy mercy me imbrace Let not me come within the reach of their inuentions and deuice whose facts are foule they faire in speach and by base flattery me entice Nor such as lie in waite for me obtaine their wish who doe desire Fit time and oportunitie to worke the euill as they conspire FINIS ⧠The second part of the second lamentation ¶ The repentant prayeth that God would direct him in the right path that so he may grow from grace to grace and from vertue to vertue he also confesseth that his sinnes deserue very sharpe punishments and yet desireth that the Lord would spare him in his mercy O Let me treade in the right path walke frō faith to faith in loue Obserue thy lawes and shun thy wrath and forward to all vertue moue And let my conscience witnes beare of my saith and integritie Let all men see the christall cleare and pure heart of conformitie Though I good father cannot liue free from all sinne and all offence And some take cause though I none giue yet keepe thou cleare my conscience Shall I deserue still as I doe mens iust reprouffes though in discretiō And that against my meaning too and suffer carnall mens oppression That breake forth into bitternes against me that am weake and lame And vomit out their filthines that thou hast don they count my shame And take it as an argument that I am in deiection And thinke it is thy full intent to keepe me from protection Indeed O Lord I must confesse my sinnes deserue sharpe punishment Worthy of more and not of lesse then all the plagues on me hast sent I more should tast then I can beare or able them for to endure Thy mercies yet they doe me spare and make me cleane that am impure But in my weakenes of mine hauiour I this haue done which caus'd me fall And therefore trust in Christ my sauiour his pretious bloud hath paid for all Depending on thy mighty power to saue keepe and deliuer me Least miseries doe me deuour and enemies my sorrowes see And take occasion to pursue pretending to my soule no good Inuettred hatred they renue to eate my flesh drinke my bloud ¶ The third part of the second lamentation ¶ The poore suppliant complaineth that God doth refuse to assist and helpe him and hideth his face from him to his seemming Neuertheles he continueth importunate and will not be denied as pleading the merits and mediation of Christ in whom God the father is well pleased O Lord consider my great moanes preuēt the dangers cōming nigh me My heart is rent with grieues groanes I fly to thee O Lord stand by mee Why standest thou a loofe a lasse seem'st not my troubles to regard Why turnst thou Lord away thy face mine heart doth hope for some reward Why hidest thou thy selfe me fro when troubles are so much abounding As though thou lord did'st me not know thy darts are always mine hart wounding There is no helpe for me in thee they say thou nothing do'st respect me I ne'rethelesse will come to thee in Christ his name wilt not reiect me The rather therefore me relieue that righteous men may well perceiue Thou ready art thine ayde to giue and their desires wilt not deceiue And not to faint when they are tride with like affections any waies But shall with patient minde abide thy will and giue thy name the praise The dullest hearts thou dost prepare to call on thee and thou againe Do'st heare their cries them do'st spare and easest them
of griefe and paine The fourth part of the second lamentation ¶ The repentant in humility reasoneth with God that sith that the Lord threatneth sorrowes to those that seeke to other Gods that he would be pleased to mittigate his afflictions and to romoue his heauie hand because he poore man onely flyeth to the Lord as his chiefe rocke and fortresse whereon he may safely build HOw long O Lord how long wilt thou forget me how long shall I Seeke to be hard and know not how to make thee listen to my cry How long shall I thy councell seeke yet ignorant what course to take I pray to thee O Lord most meeke with sighes groanes which neuer slake My heart with griefe and heauines pow'rs forth complaints continually Before thee in my great distresse yet inward light obtaine not I. That lighten should my pensiue soule and comfort mine afflicted heart Thy wrath with rigour doth controule my forward hopes and causeth smart Thou threatnest sorrowes to increase to such as seeke to other Gods Why should not then my torments cease that child-like feare thy awfull rods Sith I in thee my faith repone why should I then true wisdome want It being sought from thee alone why doest thou then refuse to grant Thou did'st create all men at first and do'st preserue all maintaine Thy sunne doth shine on best worst the same to all thou do'st remaine But sith to thee alone I kneele and onely vnto thee doe call O let me Lord thy mercies feele and let thy dropps of mercie fall With thee there is redemption and thou deliuerest all that trust In Christ for their saluation by whom the sinfull are made iust Thou keep'st thē safe vnder thy wings of fauour from the mercilesse Thy fauour giueth all good things to thine elect in their distresse O therefore be my rocke whereon I may both safely build and rest Castle of refuge Arke alone in which I am in safetie blest For thou hast promi'st in thy loue that they that put their trust in thee Like Syons mount which doth not moue shall safely stand eternally Breake thou the chaines which haue me ty'de remoue the sorrowes from my heart Wherewith Lord all my vaines are dry'd and I am parcht in euery part That I walking at libertie with a free spr'ite may salue my sore My hope may liue and crosses die and I sing praise to thee therefore And let my foes no more preuaile that Lyon-like doe me destroy And like to Wolues they me assaile that spoile the sheep the shepheards ioy O carry me Lord in thine armes throughout thiese miseries cleane away And safely keepe me from all harmes that now sticke fast in mire clay Let no vntimely suddaine fate cut off my daies er'e fully spent Or raging floudes sincke mine estate nor swallow me incontinent But rather Lord returne them backe these swelling waues that roare rage On euery side to worke me wracke their gusts tempests Lord asswage Let me passe on my mortall course and finish thiese my daies of life Of thy meere loue and kind rem orse in peace and loue from hate and strife FINIS ¶ A thankesgiuing to God with magnifing of his holy name vpon all instruments YEeld vnto God the Lord on high praise in the cloudes firmament With heauens earth's sweet harmony tunes which are from motions sent His laude be with the stately sound of trumpets blast vnto the skye Let harpe Organes foorth be found with flute and timbrell magnifie Praise him with Simballs loud Simballs with instruments were vs'd by Iewes With Syrons crowdes Virginalls to sing his praise do not refuse Praise him vpon the claricoales the Lute and Simfonie With dulsemers and the regalls sweete Sittrons melody with Drumes Fife Shrillest shalmes with Gittron and bandore With the Theorba sing you psalmes and Cornets euermore With Vialls and Recorders sing the praises of the Lord With Crouncorns musicke laud the king of Kings with one accord With Shackbuts noate that pierce the skies with Pipe and Taberret What tunes by reedes or Canes arise do not his praise forget Let euery thing that yeeldeth sound by land or eke by sea The birds in aire or beasts on ground sing yea his praise alway All instruments deuis'd by art all liuing things by nature Praise yee the Lord with ioyfull heart of all the world creatour ¶ The third Lamentation in distresse ¶ Wherein is contained the hope faith and confidence of the distressed whereby he relieth wholy vppon God not trusting in the helpe of man nor fearing any euili that mortall man can doe vnto him I Cannot Lord excuse my sinne most infinite before mine eies And many more are me within I haue forgot which secret lies which slightly I haue ouer past as if they were no sinnes at all Thy wrath for them makes me agast to mercy I appeale for all There 's no man liuing at this houre can satisfaction giue for me It is so farre beyond his power of the least sinne to set me free Who can rehearse or call to minde what he hath don amisse before Who in his reckoning booke can finde his sinnes that thou put'st on thy score If by my selfe I nothing knew yet thou that see'st and iudgest all Can'st finde enough both old new yea there 's enough in Adams fall I haue no meane for to be freede neither from wrath or miseries But by the wounds of Christ that bleede and wash me from iniquities Condempne me not oh father deere but in him haue compassion Though with thy rod thou beatest me heere yet graunt to mee saluation And then in death I shal be safe by thy grace preseruation Thou wil't vphould me by thy staffe from hell and condemnation Thou seem'st as if thou had'st me left why art thou Lord so farre me fro That am of comforts all bereft depriu'd of hope and wrapt in woe Why turnest thou away thy face I offering sacrifice to thee In prayers praise vnto thy grace and thou no whit regardest mee I onely put my trust in thee oh come Lord come now at the last Performe thy promises to mee remember not my sinnes bee past Vaine is the hope in mortall man weake is his arme his heart not right No iustice iudgement shew he can but thou artiust O Lord of might Therefore I onely trust in thee to thee I onely am inclin'd Let me not disappointed bee but let me now thy mercies finde O Lord looke on my miseries behould my troubles paine griefe Who liuing in extremities of life am weakned in beliefe Our father 's prayed with trust in thee in dangers out of troubles all Being deliuered and set free and were rais'd vp when they did fall thou heardst thē whē they thee sought did'st them lend thy ayding hands when they almost to
striue to speake these words vtter helpe me opprest hide not thy face Though father that did me begett my mother that frō wombe me bare And all my frindes forsake me yet thou Lord of me tak'st charge care O Lord thou wilt me not forsake for so ha'st promis'd in thy word In all distresse noe feare I 'le take but fourthwith fly to thee O Lord. Thou giu'st not like our earthly Sires nor wants suppli'st like carnall friends That would but cannot our desires performe in deedes as heart pretends Hopeles I should downe faint fall did I not in thee surely trust That holdeth noe respect at all but vnto those whom Christ makes iust And thou accept'st not vaine glorie as worldings do nor thinges eternall Thou look'st not to thinges transitory but to the thinges that are internall A lowly and obedient heart a troubled spirit thou do'st elect Of poore opprest thou tak'st the part proud men downe thou do'st deiect frame thou therefore my inward zeale that outward busines me deceiue not Of comforts which thou dost reueale to thine and me of ioyes bereaue not When at thy mercy gate I knocke do not as rich men vse the poore That gain'st them fast the gates do locke but quickly Lord set ope the dore Let not my miseries depriue my spirits of ioy or soules comfort Let noe vaine thinges ill men deuise drawe me to be of their consort make strong my faith hope lord giue me and I 'le take hould of thy protection Be my defence and panoplie and guide me safe to thy election Thou hast O Lord my troubles seene Hast knowne my soule in bitternes Thou hast mine helpe succour beene O helpe me now in my distresse In mercies thou hast mightily sau'd me from perills infinite My life consumes mine heart doth die my yeares do waste my daie is night the day telles day the night the morrow the base reproach of my disaster Yea friendes foes add griefe to sorrow each base mate doth me or'e-maister I am now at the point to pine O let it be thy blessed pleasure To ease my griefe for I am thine my paines asswage lord in some measure For thou my paines ha'st measured and all that 's good for those that feare Lord thou in store hast treasured to me Lord let the same appeare In sight of those that are my foes that thinke there is noe period Of all my tortures paine and woes graunt this for Christ his sake O God ⧠The fift Lamentation in distresse ¶ Wherein the distressed prayeth God to keepe him from dispaire howsoeuer men goe about to make him afraide IN thee O Lord I put my trust and yet there are which dayly say There is no helpe for me vniust but Lord thy word cannot decay Thou art my God how can they then proue that thou wilt none helpe me send I am brought lowe in sight of men there 's none will helpe or comfort lend My basket and my store is spent they say it was by thee accurst Thou did'st it take that had'st it sent but they take all thinges at the worst At me they gape at me they wonder as at a monster seldome seene On all their works and words I ponder What I now am what haue I beene I faint at nought thou know'st my smart th' art my Father do'st me foster what words or workes can daunt my hart I am in thee become a boaster Thiese men thy might power disable or else thy loue to man diminish Or else they thinke thou art vnstable or do'st begin and wilt not finish Or that the poore wilt not support nor helpe thee needy in distresse But as thou know'st what they report so make them feele their wickednes But I do know thou failest neuer them that in thee their trust repose If they be constant and perseuer all things are for the best to those Thou art in deed a iealous God and first thy children thou dost monish Thou bear'st with loue beat'st with rod if they mend not wilt further pūnish Yet cal'st thy chosen children backe by gentle stroakes from running riot And sufferst them to suffer lacke and do'st prescribe to them their diet We may condignely then deride the iudgments of such foolish men That vnto thee Lord wilt prescribe the measure what the time when Such fleshly men by wealth woe censure thy loue or thy displeasure As natures friend or graces foe by humaine reason all things measure They thinke thou lou'st whom thou feed'st fatt with plentie pleasures worldly riches And that all others thou do'st hate thiese world flesh deuils bewiches And great is this temptation vnlesse our natures thou assist Infeebled with affliction whose helpe doth rest in Iesus Christ When thou therefore do'st me correct with one hand hould me with the other Let faith in thee make thee accept me for thy sonne by Christ my brother Lay not vpon me greater loade then I poore wretch can well indure If I do sincke stay my aboad and if I fall then keepe me sure thou know'st lord whereof I am made I am a silly simple man A worme a flea a puffe a shade that no good doe nor no good can Try by the crosse true to the crowne that we may proue by wants losses But to dispaire pull me not downe but vnto comforts turne my crosses I am not able beare thy yoake least Christ thy son doth with me draw I am not able fend thy stroake lesse he O Lord doth beare the blow Lord with thy mercies compasse me protection draw out of dispaire O let me thy saluation see and all things fit obtaine by pray'r Thou showest mercy to thee meeke that trust in thee in all mens sight Thy children shall finde that they seeke thou shalt to sunshine turne their night a place whēce worldlings are excluded and all that hellish rable rout though here on earth they haue intruded to roote Gods faithfull children out And such as haue with hate pursu'de and trusted in the arme of flesh And would their hands in blood imbru'd shall say in iudgement they were rash god 's on my sid who cā or'ethrow me Christ pleades my cause cā god refuse me As iust in Christ the Lord doth know me he doth acquite who can accuse me Wee thought that this mans life was madnes then shall the wicked worldlings say But see his words are turn'd to gladnes whom we haue deem'd a cast away his hād hath wrought that he would haue yea I my selfe shall say I er'd That thought poore wretch would'st not me saue because my ioyes were then defer'd I thought my cries thou would'st not heare when I thee sought thy selfe did'st hide When I complaind thou cam'st not neare I would no time and place thee tide But now I knowledge and confesse thy wisdome great in humbling me Thy loue sustain'd me in distresse thy prouidence
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
If I by chaunce a foile might haue they would exalt with ioyfull cries With deadly plagues I am beset and heauy thoughts in me doe stay My horrid sinnes I le nere forget but mourne for them both night and day My cruell foes are great in strength and they in number doe exceed Therefore O Lord ayde me at length and succour me in time of neede ⧠Psalme 51. LOrd of thy mercies multitude and goodnes great I doe implore My hainous sinnes from me exclude and sanctifie me euermore Wash me cleane from my wickednesse and purge me from my sinfull crimes That I may neuer more transgresse but glorifie thy name all times For I acknowledge all my faults my sinnes are euer in mine eyne Defend me still in all assaults thou know'st O Lord my soule is thine Gainst thee alone was mine offence my sinnes lay open to thy view Therefore the Lord's Omnipotence if I were cast is iust and trew Behould I first was form'd in sinne and from my mother so was borne And so poore soule continue in yet let me neuer be forlorne But loe the truth thou do'st require from the interiour parts of mine And then my soule thou shalt inspire with prudence secret and Diuine Purge me with Hisop then I know although my sinnes are wondrous blacke I shall be whiter then the Snow no brightnes then my soule can lacke O Lord into my wounded heart send downe thy spirits ioyfull voice That my brus'd bones in euery part which thou hast broken may reioyce From mine offences turne thy face and Purge me from mine euill deeds Increase in me thy spirit of grace from whence new birth of heart proceeds Let me not from thy presens part take not thy holy spirit from me But be a comfort to my heart still with me let thy spirit be And then the man that doth transgresse I shall reclaime from wicked waies O free me from bloud guiltienesse that I may sing thy rightfull praise O Lord doe thou my lips vnfould that open'd mouth may offer praise Which is the sacrifice of ould gratefull to thee in all my daies A contrite heart thou dost require for a sweete smelling sacrifice A broken spirit is thy desire which at no time thou wilt despise Be gratious Lord to Sions hill and Salems wales build and repaire Then Caâ—ues and Lambes we 'le offer still vpon thine Alter fat and faire FINIS ¶ Psalmes 102. O Heare my prayers Lord and let my mournefull moanes to thee assend Hide not thy face nor me forget in time of trouble me defend Encline thine eares vnto my call heare me O God and that right soone Support me euer least I fall both Morning Euening Night Noone My daies like smoake consume away my bones are burnt my heart is dead And withered like grasse or hay that I forget to eat my bread My flesh will scarce cleaue to my boanes I am become so weake a man And worne away with grieuous groanes like to some Owle or Pellican In watching I haue spent the night and like a sparrow all alone That on some houses top doth light disconsolate I made my moane All the day long I am reuil'd by those which are against me sworne And lead a life like one exil'd and of his country quite forlorne For I like bread did ashes eate and powred teares into my cup. Cause in thy wrath and anger great thou threw'st me downe took'st me vp My daies doe like a shadow passe but thou for euer Lord art sure And I am wither'd vp like grasse but thy remembrance still shall dure O Lord arise and pitty take with Sion let thy mercy stand Good God euen for thy meries sake for now the time is full at hand For why thy seruants Meditate vpon her stoanes with greeuance iust To see her lye so ruinate deuoid of comfort in the dust The heathens then thy name shall feare and earthly Kings thy maiesty When thou O Lord shalt Sion reare vnto her glorious dignity And then all Nations of the earth which vex the poore with furious hate Shall quake and tremble at thy breath when thou shalt helpe the desolate This shal be written on Record for vnborne babes which shall ensue That they may lawd the liuing Lord and magnifie his iudgements true The Lord lookt from his mighty throane and glorious seate of maiestie That he might heare the playning moane of Captiues then adiudg'd to die That they in Salem might declare the glorious name of God the Lord How he of Sion tooke such care as with his mercy did accord My strength in progresse down he brought and suddainely cut of my daies To spare me yet I him besought till riper age when life decayes Thy yeares O Lord endure for aye there is no limmit to thy times For thou did'st the foundations lay of heauenly Spheres and earthly Climes Thy handy workes shall weare away but thou for euer wilt endure They like a garment shall decay thy yeares eternall are most sure Thy Seruants Children shall remaine and their posterities abide And they in heauen with thee shall raigne in earth stand fast and neuer slide ⧠Psalme 130. OVt of the deepe to thee I cry'd therefore O Lord heare thou my voice Oh let thine eares to me be ty'd that I in thee may still reioyce If thou O Lord wilt be seuere to note in me what is amisse Thy iudgments I might iustly feare dispairing of thy heauenly blisse But thou art mercyfull O God and still thy grace doth most abound To them that reuerence thy rod thy fauour euer wil be found On thee O Lord I did attend and in thy word repos'd my trust Till thou thy light to me did'st send and raise me vp euen from the dust Trust in the Lord O Israell his mercies rich as sands on shore Redemption great with him doth dwell in bounteous plenty plenteous store Then he from sinne will thee redeeme and ransome home from soule offence Houlding thee in as great esteeme as Adam in his innocence ⧠Psalme 144. TO my Petitions bow thine eare good Lord consider my desire O comfort me in dreadfull feare for thy truths sake I thee require With vs in iudgment enter not no man is righteous in thy sight O let thine anger be forgot and thine Annoynted vs acquite The enemy hath vex't my soule and cast my life downe to the ground My boanes in darkenes he doth roule that like a dead man I am found Therefore my spirit is opprest my heart within me grieued sore That I can finde no quiet rest but desolation euer-more Yet former times to minde I call musing vpon thy workes begun And exercise my selfe in all the wondrous acts which thou hast done To thee doe I stretch out my hand and vnto thee my soule doth groane Euen as the dry and thirsty land that for her moisture maketh moane Heare me O Lord and that with speed because my spirit waxeth spare Hide not thy face in
nature is inclin'd to euill though his with good accord My senses seeke to serue the diuell his will to please the Lord. Wherefore O God which art most iust in him my debts to pay In his desert my soule doth trust thy wrath for to alay Finis ¶ The first Lamentation in distresse coÌ„teineth a confession of sinnes and a petition to be released of the punishments due for the same The first part ¶ The first part sheweth that a man must not only repaire vnto God in prayers in silent sighes and in inward desires and groanes But wee must also worship God with our tongue words and voice and in royall speech praise his holy name O Father full of knowledg deepe thou searchest secrets of each hart Behold'st desires we priuate keepe with hidden silence in the darke But yet thou do'st thus much require thy children should know confesse Thee for to be their lightsome fire that iudg'st their works in righteousnes As thou hast fram'd in man a heart wherewith his maker to beleeue A tongue and lippes and euery part wherewith he glory may thee giue And thou do'st challenge at his hands free sacrifice of prayers praise And honors due throughout all lands that all men can'st deâ—ect and raise Thy children must not in their minde be dumbe nor in their tongues be mute wheÌ„ they should seeke thine help to find and by petition shew their suite Thy sonne doth bid me aske and haue and find to seeke to knock and enter What they do want that they may craue by faith in him they may aduenture Thou still art ready to be found helpe thine owne in their distresse That in their faith are constant sound and patient in their heauines Therefore deere father I beset with many miseries distrest Come vnto thee thine ayde to get and after trouble to finde rest And haue thy grace with-out with-in but I that am of sinners chiefe Because thou hat'st in me my sinne many doubt thou wilt not giue reliefe Alas poore wretch what shall I doe to aske I am so far vnfit Vnapt my God to seeke vnto vnworthy to haue benefit Of what I craue or do desire and yet to cry I will not lin Till thou do'st send refining fire and purifie me from my sinne The second part ¶ The distressed prayeth to be sanctified and to inioy the renewed graces of regenerations and though his infirmitie causeth him to thinke that the Lord doth not heare his prayers but deferreth him too long yet he concludeth that Gods faithfull promises still nourish and feed him with neuer dying hope of comfortable issue O Let thy spr'it me sanctifie vntie my tongue open my lips I cannot silence keepe for why my conscience euery houre me whips My miseries grow more and more within my bones I find no rest Thy grace anew to me restore let me speake what likes thee best That thine eares euer be inclin'd to my extreame and dolefull cries Let me thy mercies ready finde to take my teares from weeping eies Thou euermore do'st heare the cries of all that feare thy holy name And comforts them with thy mercies that trust in thee and begge the same Their soules thou do'st from death defend cheares their hearts in time of need To me therefore thy comforts send and giue thy helpe with louing speede Thy seruants caÌ„not hold their tongue though oft they muse cannot see Why their afflictions last so long and they for mercy cry to thee Till at the length the fire of zeale doth kindle then it out must breake Tongue cannot hould but must reueale their grones grieues neds must speak To shew their hope which like to fire none can suppresse when they belieue T' will pierce the cloudes to thee aspire yet thou do'st seeme no helpe to giue At last thy goodnes doth appeare and thou imbracest him with ioy Time of deliuerance draweth neere thou Lord feed'st him from anoy Good God how coÌ„meth this to passe that I so long haue sought to thee And thou still seem'st to hide thy face and keep'st thy graces still from mee How long haue I vnto thee pray'd and thou seem'st not to giue me eare This makes mine hart thoughts afraid ready to faint with deepe dispaire I ready was for to surcease the suite which I so long had sought Made vnto thee for to appease thy wrath by Christ that hath me bought O Lord my God thy promises and louing kindnes only feed'st And comfort'st me in heauines with neuer dying hope in neede I know expected time will come when thou forgetting all my sinne Wil 't see my sorrowes all and some and free the bondage I am in The third part ¶ The repentant sheweth his faith confidence in Gods fatherly goodnes and wisdome who knoweth best what and when to giue his children and therefere he conditioneth not with God by appointing him a time but onely desireth that the Lord would not defer his graces too long but mercifully heare him as he did alwaies heare the righteous and holy fathers who also were subiect to the same impuritie of sinne as well as the suppliant THou art my god thy helps at hand thou art a father thou know'st wheÌ„ To giue the state do'st vnderstand of richest kings and poorest men The things most fit thou do'st bestow and helpest when all helpe is missing Those could not creep thou mak'st to goe pourest downe on them thy blessing Therefore God all sufficient repleate with mercy full of loue I doe not presse to know th' intent but pray thee doe what mercy moue To say come now or then doe this for the time when where what how What thou do'st ayme my marke may misse me to thy prouidence I bow Yet be not ouer long away for thou do'st know my feeblenes Thou see'st my troubles day by day bow'd down to extreame wretchednes Without hope of recouery I fall alas what shall I doe There is no trust but trust in thee for helpe and ayde and succour too I know by proofe that thou art bent to heare poore sinfull wretched men When they are truely penitent and when they pray deliuer'st then From troubles strife and all debate from sicknes death and deadly paine From enuy mallice sinne and hate the righteous thou wilt not disdaine But who is righteous in thy sight or in thy iudgements cleane are seene Angels before thee are bright much lesse we wretches righteous been But all are sinners all transgresse our elder fathers were impure All haue offended more or lesse yet was thy promise firme and sure And did obtaine mercy and grace reliefe hope strength saluation They saw the brightnes of thy face thou gau'st them consolation The fourth part ¶ The repentant sheweth that the Fathers were iuflified onely by grace in Iesus Christ And therefore desireth that his sinnes
handes in life and death to him we flee FINIS ¶ The bodie is buried but shall be raised vp againe at the last day PIllor of faith Basis of blisse of true religion sure supporter The pointe of Resurrection is in death it is the chiefe comforter If this doe fall all faith may faile what article doth vs refresh When life and health and strength doth quaile the Resurrection of the flesh Our bones shall blossom as the grasse we shall be raised out of dust The bodie that before time was by power of Christ's spirit rise it must The first fruit's Christ the head is rais'd the members shall the same likewise The Lord God for the same be prais'd we know that we shall also rise If head aboue the water bee how can the body then be drowned We shall arise and Iesus see and with him shall be kingly crowned FINIS ⧠In the pangs of death and in all tribulations the remedies be to be learned in the sufferings of Christ. OF life and death the true director who in his life and his dying Of our misdoing is corrector and into all our actions prying Christ is afflicted for our sake left vs example that we should Follow his stepps and his way take thy Crosse to beare with courage bould Our Sauiour Iesus teacheth thee how can that be say'st thou behold Example if thou punisht bee with sicknes hunger thirst colde With thy selfe reccon and accompt how it cannot compared be with his thornes yea his nailes surmount the greatest payne that paineth thee Art thou restrain'd of thy desire lusts that draw thou know'st not whether Thinke on Christs crosse Gods wrath ire put his tortures all together If prid puffe vp thy mind with motiōs looke on Christ nailed on the Crosse And thinke as bound by due deuotions of our great gaine by his great losse If thou in filthie lust dost burne or any other ill desire Thinke but how Christ his flesh was torne to saue thy soule frō flames of fire With stripes thrust through and all to brokē his drinke was Ezell mixt with Gaule With his last gaspe the earth was shoken who suffered for the sinnes of all If enuy hate reuenge thee grieue thinke with thy selfe how Christ did pray O Father doe them all forgiue for them that tooke his life away FINIS An exhortation to forgiue one an other before we depart out of this world GOd vs commaunded to forgiue saith then we shall be forgiuen Without offence noe man can liue and God his ballance hangeth even He that doth not forgiue his brother will then the Lord his faults remit Noe as he dealeth with another another shall repaire t' is fit And when you kneele to God pray forgiue if you haue any thing Gainst any liuing man that day that Christ may your remission bring And when thy guift thou dost present and on the Aulter sacrifice First with thy brother make consent and him forgiue in any wise When thou to Christ wast enemie and strengthned in great extreames Yet then did he giue remedie and or'e thee spred his mercie beames He gaue to thee his holy spirit to guide and leade thy soule aright And gaue thee heauen there to inherit all ioyes and blisse lay in his sight When thou from him wa' st gon astray he sought thee out did thee finde And finding thee brought thee away vnto his fould he thee resignde Thanke God therefore render praise exalt and laude his holy name Vnto the heauens sing alwaies all men on earth doe ye the same Hence forth my soule walke in his path and erre not from him any more Lesse thou prouoke his heauie wrath and then art worse then wer't before Let not Gods spirit be giuen thee to worke thy condempnation But let thy eye remembred bee for thy soules preseruation Shun thou all wicked company with dooers ill associate not Least thou from faith should'st fall fly and soule body soile and spot But blesse his name who called thee vnto the state of righteousnes And thy sinnes vengance tane hath hee to giue thee heauens happines Blesse thou his blessed holynes his praise let minde heart record And let thy tongue and voyce confesse the gratiousnes of God the Lord. Prostrate thy selfe downe at his feete offer thy seruice with free heart O yeeld God all for t' is most meete since he made sau'd blest each part Who spared not his only Sonne but let him die thy soule to saue To pay and ransome thy faults done and to redeeme thee from the graue So in the prayer of our Lord we doe forgiue that 's done gainst vs As God forgiuenes shall afford our Sauiour Christ doth teach vs thus That is that we forgiue them must who did vs harme in any thinge In thought in word in deede vniust or ought to thine indamaging FINIS ¶ Diuers consolations that the life and time of affliction is short THe cōfort that doth make vs bould is our afflictions transitory Cause wee of Christ doe take sure hould the troubles short endlesse the glory Eye hath not seen eare hath not heard the ioyes that God for his elect In heauen already hath prepar'd through many troubles to effect Light are our troubles temporarie because Christ and his spirit deuine This weight and burthen helpe to carry and strongly vs to them combine We looke not on things seene vaine but on things vnseene cast our eye The soules of Saints for Christ was slaine Christ answeared when they did cry How long a time that they must stay a little while though he doth lower His stay till wrath be ouer past t' is but a minute of an howre Christ calls the time of troubles little but Paule doth say the glories great As in respect of th' earth a little so griefes compar'd to Heauens seate A while saith God I thee forsooke that is short time in misery But there th' eternall mercy tooke that is to heauen felicity FINIS ⧠A consolation for them which suffer for their offences IF men you buffit for ill deedes what praise mongst mē get you therby Corrections from your faults proceedes and therefore take it patiently See none do suffer as an Actor of ill as busie bodies theeues Nor as a wicked male factor for that barrs pitty from your grieues But if please God we suffer must for wicked deedes were done by vs Deseruing punishment most iust may holy be by suffering thus And vnto God t' is no lesse pleasing then suffering of the Innocents God can and will helpe our diseasing we are but as his patients If euill men their faults confesse and noe good course of life omit Belieue in Christ and faith expresse then surely he 'l their faults remit And their deserued punishment and crosses all he 'l lenifie And giue a crowne magnificent to purenesse them he 'l sanctifie The theefe who died for heineous crime hang on the Crosse
shrinke though knowing this Thy wonderous power great mercies most infinite thy mercy is Yf mad'st the Rocke a water spring thy thirsty people to refresh Frō mine hard hearted foes can'st wring some comfort for my withered flesh Yf thou raind'st Manna from aboue meate by a Rauen thy saints to feede Thousands of men did feede with loue when their was little shew of bread Yf to thy people thou sendest Quailes in desert where all foode was scant And since thy goodnes neuer failes should I suppose that I should want ¶ The fift part of the ninth Lamentation COnfirme my faith for euermore that I most constantly belieue Thou can'st and wilt encrease my store and all good things thou wilt me giue All power belongeth vnto thee who can imagine or will say Thou can'st not in my neede helpe me or that thy loue is tane away Sith thou hast don such mighty things so freely for men in distresse Should not I fly with swiftest wings to thee in time of heauines But lo O Lord all things are thine the heauens are thine the earth also The Cattle Fowles the shrubs vine all things in heauen and earth belowe All things aboue all things beneath is thine who truely then can say Thou can'st not giue or them bequeath to whom thou wilt who can say nay Thou makest the corn to spring grow waterst th' earth with thy sweet showers Thou causest beasts with thankes to low with dewes thou water'st fragrāt flowers Since then thou art the Lord of all sith thou cōmaund'st do'st forbid The rich poore mak'st proud men fall that down can'st throvv raise at need Sith that thou tryest vvilt revvard sith thou dost vvhat shall please thy will And in what manner vvilt regard vvhom thou vvilt can'st saue or spill No liuing man commandeth thee not all the vvorld can thee controle O Lord I still vvill pray to thee for health of body and of soule Let it be thus O father deare for Christ his sake thy dearest sonne That dyed and rose my soule to cleare in all things Lord thy wil be done All glory to the Trinity to Father Sonne and holy Ghost Combind in holy vnity of power in might and glory most FINIS ⧠To God the Father WEll-spring of deity God God-head giuer who giu'st away yet kepest what was giuē A fountaine vndiminisht by thy riuer Riuer and fountaine both in fullnes euer Father by euerlasting generation Without precedence in paternity Whether it be of substance or relation For all things are togither in eternity Disclose the depth take frō my muse obscurity Thine hidden depth which makes my verse an oracle So shall I both attaine vnto thy purity And all that read my lines conceiue this miracle How God in getting of another yet Another not an other God did gett FINIS To God the Sonne GReat sonne of God but borne the sonne of man One subiect of a double substance fram'd wherein nor man-hood lost nor god-head wan But of thē both at once one Christ was nam'd Before all times begot in time created The Lord of Lords a seruant from retaining And yet no former forme thereby abated In seruāts forme the forme of God remaining Great sonn of God thē whō there is no greater No not the father in his great diuinitie As God creator and as aman a creature For more and lesse agree not in infinity Teach me to know how man by God assumed Ys both and yet not man by God consumed To God the holy Ghost O Spirit Diuine the cōmon knot whereby The father the sonne do loue together For sonne and father vniuersally Are loue though loue be proper vnto neither Thou that frō both Proceedest from none Vnequally but with the like authority As from one principall though from that one Principally yet without priority One all the first from two the last of three Sweete breath that ioyest euery pensiue heart Breathed from God O God breath into me Skill aboue skill and teach me how thou art The last of three and yet of three so cast As in them all is neither first nor last FINIS ¶ Diuers consolations that the life and time of affliction is short THe comfort that doth make vs bold is our afflictions transitory Cause wee of Christ do take sure hold the troubles short endlesse the glory Eye hath not seene eare hath not hard the ioyes that God for his elect In heauen already hath prepar'd though many troubles to effect Light are our troubles temporarie because Christ and his spirit diuine This waight and burthen helpe to carry and doth in yoake with vs conioyne We looke not on things seene vaine but on things vnseene cast our eie The blessed saints for Christ were slaine Christ answered when they did cry How long how long Lord wilt thou stay a little time though God doth lowre Stay till his wrath be past away t' is but a minute of an howre Christ calles the time of troubles little but Paule doth say the glori's great And in respect t' is but a tittle if 't be compar'd to heauens seate A while saith God I thee forsooke that is short time in misery But thee t'ernall mercy tooke that is to heauen's felicity I 'le feare no danger paine nor losse t' is but the twinckling of an eye I see the crowne I 'le beare the crosse for I shall liue eternally Good gratious God me patience send and then do send what send thou wilt Graunt me those ioyes that ne'r shall end for to that end Christ's bloud was spilt FINIS ⧠Of Death WHat 's death a seperation of mortall body frō our breath What 's that but a Cessation from cares and from a liuing death What 's that Cessation it t' is a sleepe by which we wholie are refreshed Yea but in sleepe who shall vs keepe he that blest all and is most blessed But who made death t'vvas made by sinne what is sin the lawes transgression Of that how should I vauntage win all sinne is weakned by confession But by death's dynt t' is ouercome and whence came sin frō hell beneath Whē wa'st first bred in mothers wombe when will it end not till our death This seemeth strange but this is true by nature sinne is hatcht in vs Old Adams rules till God renue why then I see the case stands thus As sinne goes in soe life goes out as sinne goes out so life comes in So by the Lord t' is brought about sinne conquers life Life conquers sinne Though life by sinne be still anoyde sinne of death by strength sting Yet Viprous sinne by death's destroy'd life killeth death whē death kill'th sin The death of body or of nature is that where to all subiect be Cause sinne hath tainted euery creature according vnto Gods decree When bodies life doth fade away and we giue vp our dying ghost And this our Corps is clad in clay and vnto God