dutie to do him reuerence A. 1 ALl glorie vnto God the guider of the iust Blest be his name in heauen earth whereto the righteous trust 2 Repaire his temples to him worship and adore Alleluiah sing and saie to him for euermore 3 He is the God of grace whose kingdom knows none end A mightie God from all annoies that can his flocke defend Most mercifull is he to such as do repent Forgiuing them which for their sins are sorie and lament Laud we his holie name as dutie doth command Each tongue sound out his maiestie adore him sea and land 4 My heart my tongue and voice shall plaie the organ pipes In praising him out of the skore our desperate debts which wipes No time will I let slip if God do giue me grace Great thanks to render to his name which filleth euerie place The fift Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 The reward of the proud and impenitent 2 An admonition not to be high minded 3 To be touched with compassion towards the afflicted 4 To be mindfull of Gods mercies in tribulation 5 A declaration of his omnipotencie and power 6 A petition that the word of God might be the rule of our life H. 1 AN humble heart is a sacrifice vnto the Lord a contrite spirit he will not despise as for the proud and impenitent he casteth them out of his fauour in the heate of his indignation 2 Be not high minded neither puft vp with a vaine opinion of thy selfe but consider that thou art but dust and ashes and that thou hast nothing but naughtinesse by nature 3 Relent at the aduersities and afflictions of thy neighbour and in the bowels of compassion mitigate his miserie for nothing falleth vpon him but the same may in time chance to thée Arme thy selfe with patience to endure all tribulations if God chastise thée with anie kind of punishment acknowledge thine owne transgressions in that behalfe and be penitent 4 Haue in thy mind the greatnes of Gods mercies which are aboue all his workes put thy trust in him in the time of trouble he will deliuer thée and set thée at libertie Aske after succour where it is to be found the Lord is all sufficient he hath treasures of good things for them that loue him as for the wicked of this world they are out of his fauour Much mightier is the mercie of the Lord than the heart of man can conceiue of his power there is no end all the world is replenished with his greatnes most excellent and glorious 5 Fall downe ye hils before his presence tremble ye deepes at the sight of his maiestie for the whole compasse of the world he holdeth in his hand to dispose the same at his pleasure Lord God of Iacob who is like vnto thée Heauen and earth are witnesses of thine excellencie the Sunne and the Moone declare the greatnesse of thy glorie to all nations Euerie creature telleth abroade that thou art omnipotent for at thy becke all things obeie yea heauen it selfe which is thine owne habitation trembleth and quaketh at thy thundering voice 6 Make me O Lord God obedientlie to leade my life direct thou my footesteps by the rule of thy lawe and let thy holie word be a lanthorne before me that I go not astraie If I haue at anie time swarued and done amisse it hath come to passe through the want of thy word which I beséech thée let lighten my goings like a bright burning lampe Notwithstanding O Lord I deserue no such fauour and loue at thy hands yet for thine owne sake which art the founteine of mercie vouchsafe to shew thy selfe gratious Glorie honour and praise be ascribed vnto thée which hast béene from beginning of beginnings and shalt continue in power and maiestie when all things vanish and decaie The sixt Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 A petition for humilitie and assistance against our enimies 2 For mercie and loue of Gods lawe 3 For the leading of a good life A. 1 AN humble heart O God vnto thy seruants giue Be thou to them a louing Lord whiles in this world they liue Regard thy little flocke be thou to them a sheeld And thē defend frō greedie Wolues least ouercome they yeeld 2 Haue mercie on vs all whose waies most wicked are And to the path of Paradise our speedie steps prepare Make vs to loue thy lawe and therein to delight For that is an oblation most pleasant in thy sight 3 Let me so leade my life that what I thinke or saie Extend vnto the laud and praise of thee my God alwaie Make me an instrument thine excellence to sound In faith and in good works O God vouchsafe I may abound Nothing though high of price and glorious to the eie Grant mightie God frō thy precepts may drawe my feete awrie The seuenth Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 An inuocation to God for succour in affliction 2 For restitution of perfection lost by sinne 3 For the fortifieng of faith in time of triall 4 For prosperous successe of our enterprises 5. For protection and strength in persecution of the Gospell 6 A deprecation against Gods enimies and the aduersaries of his Word M. 1 AT euening and at morning I praise thée O God earlie do I call vpon thée yea before the rising of the Sunne do I direct my voice to thee my King and my God Be not far from me in the time of mine affliction but when troubles assault me be thou present and at hand to defend me so shall I féele comfort in my soule and glorifie thy most excellent name 2 Restore to me the fulnesse of thy grace which mine owne sins and the transgressions of my progenitours haue diminished that by the restitution of the same I may the more vprightlie leade my life before thy face 3 And though the world be full of wickednesse and thy glorie dailie derogated by the diuelish deuises of lewd liuers yet so fortifie my faith that I fall not awaie from thee Helpe me O God to withstand the subtile suggestions of Sathan and all Sathanicall souldiours such I meane as set shoulder against thée thy son Christ. 4 Accept me among thy chosen children and ouershadowe me with the shield of thine omnipotencie that whatsoeuer I take in hand may haue happie successe to my profit and to thy glorie 5 Mightilie protect me in all perils and dangers speciallie in the time of persecution when thy Gospell is called in question among false Heretikes superstitious Papists and cauilling Scismatikes Fortific my spirit with the armour of thy word that I may powre it out plentifullie in the presence of thine enimies to their shame and confusion and to the aduancement of thy name Let not their sophisticall assertions intangle or intrap me but let thy sacred Scripture so flourish and fructifie in my heart that by thy gratious gift of vnderstanding I may controll them in their errours Enter thou with me O
abhominations How farre these swine are from the footepath to felicitie anie man may iudge 5 It is not to be spoken for the truth trieth it selfe that these men sit in the shadowe of death and though they séeme to haue their heauen in this life yet doubtles both their féete are in hell mouth and their bodies and soules are like to followe one daie except the wonderfull grace of God and his vnspeakeable mercie worke in them a strange and vnthought vpon alteration For no man of himselfe can streighten his crookednes plaine his roughnes soften his hardnes swéeten his sowrenes tame his wildnes refourme his wickednes cleanse his filthines supplie his vnperfectnes this is the worke of Gods spirit the aide and assistance whereof we must séeke by praier and inuocation before we can treade the footepath to felicitie 6 Now séeing that we are subiect vnto falling and not able to stand vnlesse the Lord staie vs moreouer for that the waie of the King and the begger in respect of this life is all one Againe séeing we haue a daie of resurrection when we all shall receiue as we haue deserued paine in hell or ioie in heauen were it not madnes naie were it not desperatenes in vs the cogitation of these things with a number more neglected to runne on still with full raine in wickednes to become slaues to sinne to serue Sathan to fight against God to adnihilate or make of none effect the merits of Christs passion to minister occasion to the Angels of mourning to gréeue the holie Ghost to buffet and wound thine owne soule to throwe thy selfe wilfullie into destruction I thinke yes what is thine opinion 7 Well fare the prodigall childe for he wandering in this wrong waie and being touched in conscience and taught that he was not right retired and came home with a sorrowfull song and lamentable outcrie Father I haue sinned Well fare Marie Magdalene for she trauelling in this bypath of perdition and inwardlie called to a reformation of her filthie life for she was a gréeuous sinner submitted her selfe fell on the ground stooped knéeled vpon her knées washed the féete of Iesus with her teares and wiped them with the heares of her head Well fare the poore and contemned Publicane for he in the heauines of his hart lamented that euer he ranne at randon in this crooked waie he thumped his breast with his fistes and from the verie bottome of his heart cried out for mercie saieng O Lord haue mercie vpon me a sinner Well fare the Niniuites for they hauing gone astraie like lost shéepe and walking in the waie of sinners which is the waie of death heard the Prophet Ionas ringing vnto them the alarum bell of repentance and being reuoked from their wickednes escaped threatened destruction Well fare Ioseph that paterne of integritie and vprightnes for he would not in anie wise walke with the wife of Potiphar in the waie of wantonnes her alluring lookes her flattering enticements her proffered violence her instant and importunate temptations notwithstanding These with millians more may teach and instruct such as tender the saluation of their owne soules that it is better to treade the streight and narrowe path of vertue and innocencie which leadeth vnto life though it séeme vnpleasant and troublesome than to wander in the wide waie of wickednes which tendeth vnto eternall death though it be most delectable and fragrant for this is no footepath to felicitie 8 But wo worth that cruell cutthrote whose maister hauing forgiuen him a great debt euen the summe of ten thousand talents arrested his fellowseruant for a debt of an hundred pence cruellie cast him in prison and would not release him till he had discharged the whole summe which was but fiue and twentie shillings This fellowe walked in the waie of wickednes and therefore he is condemned vnto death eternall Wo vnto that graceles and dissembling sonne who being commanded of his father to go and worke in his Uineyard answered that he would and yet went not but spent the time otherwise vnthriftilie this man walked in the waie of disobedience which is sinne and therefore is in danger of eternall death Wo vnto those merciles husbandmen vnto whome the trauelling housholder hauing let out his Uineyard and requiring the increase of the fame by his seruants whome he had sent to that purpose was not onlie withstoode in his message but had not onelie his seruants but also his onelie sonne the heire of all his lands kéeping possession abused beaten and killed These husbandmen for their crueltie and vniust dealing shall abie at the daie of iudgement and as they walked in the waie of death so death euen euerlasting death shall be their portion Wo vnto those vnthankefull and careles worldlings who being solemnelie inuited and bidden to that great supper in the Gospell excused themselues by the necessitie of their weightie affaires and refused to come for they in so doing neglected their owne soules health therby most wilfullie ran in danger of eternall death Wo vnto him that being vngarnished with a wedding garment durst notwithstanding sit downe at the banket for he in so doing did highlie offend the maister of the feast and by his presumption ranne in danger of death and damnation Wo vnto that yong man whom Christ by his owne mouth taught how to become perfect namelie by selling all that he had and giuing it vnto the poore which doctrine séeming bitter vnto him and too sharp for his digestion he departed too too heauie and sorrowfull as very loth to pay so deare for heauenlie treasure This rich Gentleman would not pay so hie a price for the discipline of Christ and therefore was so much the further off from life and saluation by how much he was nearer vnto death and condemnation Wo vnto that couetous foole who hauing his hart set vpon his halfepenie inlarged his barnes to receiue his plentifull crop singing swéetelie to his soule Be merrie and take thine ease thou hast wealth enough for manie yeares not mistrusting or doubting anie thing that the diuels were agréed that same night to fetch his soule away And thus he wretched worldling walked in the way of death and destruction Wo vnto the vncleane beastlie Gergesens among whom Christ working manie miracles was so farre from any curteous intertainment that he was desired for the safetie of their swine to depart from their coasts thus preferring their hogs before their souls health they wilfullie walked the way of death and vtter desolation not passing a point for the footepath to felicitie 9 The Scripture abounding with such examples teacheth vs the danger of walking in darkenesse and sitting in the shadowe of death And therefore néeding no better schoolemaister vnto Christ let vs be content to learne in them the wholsome lessons of life which if we print in the tables of our hart kéepe grauen in memorie as in a marble stone to imitate and followe them to be ruled
Lord when I am cited to appeare before the Sathanicall synagogue which presumptuouslie call the professours of thy Gospell to a reckoning of their religion O be thou mine assistant Make them ashamed of their malicious imaginations and in their owne snares let them be intangled ouerwhelme them in the pit which they haue prepared for others so shall I magnifie thy heauenlie power Increase in them the spirit of wilfull blindnesse because they haue not béene harbourers of thy faithfull ministers and because they haue contemptuoustie withstoode thy word which is the liquor of life Neuerthelesse if it be thy pleasure such as féele anie remorse of conscience and be sorie for their obstinacie vouchsafe to receiue them into thy fauour that they may be witnesses of thine vnspeakeable mercie God the father God the sonne and God the holie Ghost heare my praier and let my crie be considered for thine owne sake and for thy sonnes sake O God looke downe from aloft and shew thy louing kindnesse to all people The eight Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 The chiefest comfort in this life 2 The meanes whereby to obteine blessednesse 3 The cause of a quiet conscience and how it is come by 4 An exhortation to glorifie GOD. F. 1 AMid so manie miseries depending on our life Behold a comfort namelie this with sinne to be at strife 2 Resisting of concupiscence subduing fleshlie lust Are meanes to come to blessednesse enioied of the iust 3 Hereof the true tranquillitie remaining in the minde According to her qualitie doth flourish in her kind Most mightie Ioue be praisd whose grace doth compasse this For no deserts of ours whose liues are dailie lead amis 4 Land we his holie name as doth vs best become Exalt him in his holinesse O nations all and some Make all your mirth and glee on him alone to rest In him reioice and clap your hands oblations such are best Nothing so much becoms a Christian than deth this Grant vs the same O gratious God that liuest aloft in blis The ninth Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 A petition for repentance and remission of finnes 2 A deliuerance from our enimies 3 An inuocation vpon God for present help 4 A depâ—ecation against the aduersaries of Gods truth L. 1 A Penitent heart O God thou wilt not despise O teach me thy statutes that I may sée my sinne Be fauourable vnto me whose iniquities are gone ouer my head O heale my sores and vlcers which stinke in thy sight 2 Rise vp thou holie one of Israell like a Giant in triumph and rescue me from the irruptions and inrushings of mine enimies According to thy greatnesse deliuer me O set me frée from the furiousnesse of my foes from the furiousnesse of my mortall and deadlie foes Horrible are the mischéefes which they haue imagined against me but thou which art omnipotent wilt ouerwhelme them in their maliciousnesse 3 As for me I will be confident vpon thy prouidence will I depend vpon an assured hope of thy heauenlie helpe will I attend O Lord. Make no long tarieng O my King and my God for vpon thée onlie doth the anchor of my saluation rest thou art my health and my safetie Forsake me not in the time of néede least mine enimies taking courage against me scorne at me in their pride and saie where is thy God 4 Let not the enimies of thy truth beare vp their bristles against thée and contemptuouslie cast thy glorie to the ground O Lord destroie both them and their deuises Euen as the Sunne consumeth snowe and as waxe wasteth in the fornace so let them be put to silence in the rigour of thy wrath and iudgement Make them like vnto Sodom and like vnto Gomorrha make them like vnto Pentapolis and Babylon that they may knowe thou liuest which art Lord ouer all Inlarge their torments far aboue the torments wherwith they haue persecuted thy people deale with them according to thine own pleasure Not my will but thy will be fulfilled O father according to thine owne decrée deale with them either in mercie or in iudgement Giue them proofes of thine omnipotencie that they may knowe thée which sittest aboue whose eies sée their deuises and art able to reuenge thine owne cause The tenth Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 An exhortation to praise the Lord. 2 That all states and degrees ought to stoope before him and do him reuerence 3 Wherein our mirth and melodie should consist 4 That all creatures must magnifie Gods Maiestie E. 1 ATtend ye nations giue eare O learne to laud the Lord Behold his wondrous works and praise his name with one accord 2 Rich poore weake strong old folke yong approch and praises sing All people dwelling in the world to God oblations bring High potentates and all estates the king that crowne doth weare And subiects sworne to loialtie the Prince of Princes feare 3 Make all your mirth aud melodie his honour to resound Feare him in truth and faithfulnesse whose blessings do abound Let euerie thing lift vp their voice and laud his holie name 4 Each creature drawing vital breth extoll and praise the same Magnificent and wonderfull yea onlie God is hee In these his works before our eies his puissance we may see No time therefore let vs omit in publishing his praise Giue glorie oh heauen oh earth and sea to him which liues alwaies The eleuenth Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 A petition to God vnder a continued allegorie for a renewed life 2 The weedes of the heart 3 The good and wholesome hearbes of the soule M. 1 AS siluer is purged from drosse by the force of the fire so by thy mercie O Lord GOD let me be purged from mine offences and sinnes Be fauourable vnto me an vnfruitefull bough of old Adams rotten and putrified stocke O water thou me with thy sanctifieng spirit Raine downe from heauen vpon me I beséech thee O let the drops of thy grace fall vpon me that I may bud and beare blossoms As for the wéedes of wickednesse and sinne let them wither and die in me that I may leade an vpright life in thy sight and glorious presence Husband me in such wise O Lord that I may fructifie and increase abundantlie that I may bring foorth thirtie sixtie and an hundred fold according to thy good pleasure A riuer of pleasantnesse be thou vnto me whereby I may be filled full of sap and flourish continuallie like the gréene Baie trée Make my leaues neuer to wither or vade let not the Sunne scortch or drie them to the losse of their beautifull colour and séemelinesse From all stormes and tempests shéeld and ouershadowe me that my roote may be replenished with pith and my branches spread abroade Let not the blustering blasts of winter do me anie harme but as my lips and my tongue gratte in me a desire and delight to speake the truth iustlie vprightlie and Christianlie Lighten thou my waies and
direct all my goings let the deaw of thy blessed spirit drop into my heart so shall I be obedient vnto thy lawe 4 Enter not against me in iudgement and rigour but let thy mercie preuent thy iustice so shall I be sure to escape shame reproch and confusion 5 My heart my tongue and my voice shall become instruments of praise to sound out thy greatnesse and goodnesse in the cares of all people and nations In my bed will I meditate of thy commandements at my meate thy lawe shall be in my mouth thine ordinances statutes shall be my dailie exercise Neither gold nor siluer neither precious stones neither robes of roialtie nor princelie treasure delight me like thy word Gréedilie will I séeke after the loue of thy lawe at morning and at euening yea at midnight will I comfort my soule in thy gratious Gospell The fourteenth Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 Sententious exhortations from sundrie sinnes 2 To liue according to Gods lawe 3 Not to mistrust his power in the time of trouble 4 The reward of them that do after Gods will 5 To esteeme the Preachers of the Gospell 6 To take no euill thing in hand G. 1 ABsteine from fleshlie lust and spirituall peace possesse Be slowe to followe wanton waies all wicked thoughts suppresse Reuolt from vitious workes forbidden deedes detest Alluring lookes and lieng lips in silence let them rest 2 Haue God before thine eies who searcheth hart and raines And liue according to his lawe then glorie is thy gaines 3 Mistrust not thou his might when sorrowes thee assaile For he is of sufficient force in perils to preuaile Laie vp within thy heart his testament and will 4 Eternall life is their reward that do his lawes fulfill 5 Make much of such as teach and preach his gospell pure In them if thou attend their talke God will thy peace procure 6 Nothing attempt in hast which hurtfull may be found Growe daie by daie from grace to grace so shall thy blisse abound The Conclusion Not onlie with tongue and sound of thy voice But with thy whole hart in IESVS reioice FINIS A Referendarie to the premisses for the godlie Reader SOme liue in fleshlie pleasure And some in courtlie brauerie Consuming lands and treasure About a golden slauerie Whose sweetenesse whiles they couit They cannot choose but loue it Some neuer ceasse lamenting Because they are in penurie And alwaies are inuenting Their end by mortall iniurie Whereas they should content them With that which God hath sent them But be thou better learned Which louest Christ his veritie Whereby thou hast discearned That euerie thing is vanitie The world and all within it Though worldlings sweate to win it And when conuenient leasure Doth serue for recreation Then vse these plants of pleasure And grifts of consolation Yea then and alwaies vse them And at no time refuse them A Groue of Graces Supplied with plentie of Plants appliable to pleasure and profit Whereof whosoeuer be disposed deuoutlie to take a view they shall haue the choice of fortie and not so few godlie exercises of Christian dutie ordinarilie to be vsed before and after their dailie diet BY ABRAHAM FLEMING 1. Tim. 4. ver 4 5. ¶ Euerie creature of God is good and nothing ought to be refused if it be receiued with thankesgiuing for it is sanctified by the word of GOD and praier AT LONDON Printed by Henrie Denham Anno Dom. 1581. A Preface to the true Christian Reader AS the benefits of God are manifold or rather infinite bestowed vpon man from the time of his creation euen so ought the fruites of his obedience thankefulnesse to be aboundant and plentifull For if a man hauing diuers good friends but some more beneficiall than othersome sheweth himselfe most officious and dutifull to them of whome he hath receiued most commoditie by how much the greater reason ought we so to behaue our selues in all kinde of holie seruice towards God who hath heaped vpon vs more blessings than the tongue of anie man can vtter or his memorie conteine We see that all things are created by God all things nourished by him all things increased by him all things multiplied by him and all things preserued by him for the vse of man vnto whose gouernement he hath committed them put him in full possession and giuen him a lordlie title ouer them to vse and dispose at his pleasure requiring at his hands for this singular bountifulnesse nothing but an vnderstanding hart a renewed mind and religious lips which might tell abroade the great goodnes of so louing a God and stir vp others to magnifie his name And although we ought to glorifie God at all times according to the continued course of his compassion and kindnesse shewed vnto vs from the daie of our birth vntill this present houre sundrie and manie waies as well in clothing vs as also in nourishing and feeding vs besides other inuisible graces which not appearing to the world can not so well be remembred yet because my purpose is particular and stretcheth no further than to Christian dutifulnesse proper vnto God for his dailie blessings presented vnto vs all vpon our ordinarie tables I would not wish thee good Reader to looke for anie other matter at my hands than the verie title of this treatise doth import which I haue called by the name of A Groue of Graces For as in a Groue there do growe manie plants of great varietie and choice the weakest and slenderest whereof may in due and conuenient time do some good and necessarie seruice euen so gentle Reader thou hast heere in this Groue sundrie good Graces put into thine hands some in verse and othersome in prose all and euerie of them tending to Gods glorie as blessings and thanksgiuings vnto his diuine Maiestie for his vnspeakeable clemencie and fatherlie prouidence which he hath ouer vs sinfull and wretched creatures whereof the Lord giue vs grace to continue mindfull and keepe vs in the reuerent vse of his good gifts for Iesus Christes sake our onlie mediator and aduocate Amen Abraham Fleming A Groue of Graces The first Plant. ¶ Grace before Dinner ALmightie God thou giuer of all good things blesse we beséech thée the meate which is set before vs for our repast and vs the receiuers of the same that we may prosper with it and that the substance thereof conuerted into nourishment may make vs strong and able of bodie to endure and goe through our dailie labour Open our eies also O Lord that we may sée from whome all things do come and séeing may extoll and magnifie thy name through Iesus Christ Amen The 2. Plant. ¶ Grace after Dinner BRethren and Sisters assembled and refreshed with the blessings of God forget not to giue him thankes for the present vse of these his comfortable and nourishing creatures beséeching him to continue them among vs and to make vs thankefull partakers of the same for his sonnes sake Iesus
this life or of the life to come both those which we either haue or yet hope to enioie from the greatest to the smallest from the kingdome of heauen to one onelie drop of water that we are worthie of all the plagues which either haue heretofore seazed or bene yet possessed of vs. Yea if thou shouldest ransacke all the hid and secret treasures of thy fearefull iudgements which in thy lawe thou threatenest against the breakers thereof not onlie to the rasing and swéeping of vs from the face of the earth but also to the throwing of vs headlong into the bottomles pit of hell yet would we therin also acknowledge thy righteous iudgements For to vs belongeth shame and confusion of faces but vnto thée glorie and righteousnes The third Blossome conteining 1 An appeale to Gods promises in Christ for the remission of our sinnes 2 The bloud of the Lambe washeth vs wooll white 3 A praier in the behalfe of the dispersed Church against Papists and Heretikes and for godlie vnitie 4 Gods blessing maketh our land fruitefull and that we are the Lords sheepe our vnworthinesse notwithstanding 5 A request for the continuance of his loue and mercie 6 To what end it is to be desired 1 ALl this both guilt of sinne and desert of punishment notwithstanding O father of mercies and God of all comfort we trusting vnto the promises which thou hast made vs in Iesus Christ are bold through him humblie to call for the performance of them And first we humblie desire thee to forgiue vs all our sins Thou hast said that if we confesse our sinnes thou art faithfull to forgiue vs them We acknowledge the debt cancell therefore the obligation let not the multitude of them preuaile against vs but where our sinne hath abounded let thy grace more abound and as we haue multiplied our sinnes so we praie thée to multiplie thy mercies 2 And although we haue by continuance in them so soked ourselues that thereby we are not onlie lightlie stained but also haue gotten as it were the scarlet and purple die of them yet let them all we praie thée being washed in the bloud of thy swéete Lambe be made as white as the snowe in Salmon and as the wooll of the shéepe which come from washing And to conclude as our sinnes haue magnified themselues in an infinite length breadth deapth and height so let thy mercies which passe all vnderstanding of all sides and assaies outreach them 3 Therefore also we most humblie desire thée O Lord that the sinne being pardoned thy wrath which is alreadie declared may be appeased towards all the Churches of our profession and especiallie towards vs that the manifolde breaches of the Churches and Commonwealthes maie be made vp that those being receiued into the bosome of the Church which belong to thine election the rest of the Papists and Heretikes may be vtterlie rooted out and that our enimies in religion béeing slaine we may to the vttermost thinke all one thing in the honest and peaceable gouernement of the Commonwealth 4 Upon which vniting of vs in all truth and honestie the curses of the plague and barrennesse being remoued a waie may be made to thy blessings which as the hills do the vallies may make our land holesomelie fruitefull And that not onlie the wrath which is alreadie kindled may be quenched but that which hath bene latelie threatened may be caused to retire For the graunt whereof vnto vs we beséech thée to remember that how vnworthie soeuer yet are we thy people and the shéepe of thy pasture whome thou hast redéemed with thy most pretious bloud watched ouer with a carefull eie defended with a mightie hand despise not therefore O Lord the workes of thy hands 5 And séeing thou hast loued vs when we hated thée visited vs when we desired thée not then acknowledged vs when we knewe thée not now that there be a number of vs which loue thée desire thine abode and acknowledge thée hold on thy loue still depart not from vs denie vs not O thou God of truth which art the God that sinne by the assistance of Gods spirit 6 For the due examination of our thoughts and an vpright hart 7 For conuersation fit and agreeable to our calling 8 For constancie in our profession against all temptations and impediments 1 O Mercifull and heauenlie Father we thy seruants do humblie prostrate our selues before thy diuine Maiestie acknowledging here in thy sight our hainous offences committed against thine omnipotencie séeing and beholding thy heauie wrath against them We féele our selues laden O Lord our God with a huge companie of horrible sinnes whereof euen the verie least being but conceiued in thought is sufficient in iudgement to throwe vs downe to the euerlasting burning lake 2 Our owne consciences O Lord do beare witnes against vs. of our manifold transgressions of thy blessed lawe of our securitie and senslesse blindnes running headlong to destruction committing sinne after sinne although not notorious to the world yet horrible before thine eies The thoughts of our hearts rise vp in iudgement against vs the vanitie of our talke before thy Maiestie condemneth vs the wickednes of our déedes from thy sight reiecteth vs all our wicked thoughts words and déedes with the inward corruption of our nature do altogether as it were a whole lumpe and loade of sinne lie heauie vpon vs and with their intollerable weight do euen presse vs downe to Hell 3 We do dailie grone vnder the burthen of them inwardlie lamenting our owne follie so gréedilie running into them In heauen earth or hell we sée none able to susteine the weight of them but euen thy dearelie beloued sonne Iesus Christ who in mercie intinite and compassion endlesse hath susteined and ouercome that endlesse punishment due vnto them in him therefore in him most mercifull Father and through him we come to thée being fullie assured according to thy promise that thou wilt accept and take that full recompense which he thy deare son hath made for vs as a iust ransome for all the sinnes of all those who with a true faith take hold on him In him therefore we sée thine anger towards vs appeased thy wrath satisfied and our debts paied 4 Increase in vs good Lord we beséech thée this liuelie and féeling faith for we féele it oftentimes in vs verie weake and troubled with manie doubts increase it in vs O Lord that we maie through thy holie spirit be assured that the punishment of our sinnes is fullie in thy sonne discharged Make vs O Lord our God to feele this â—ame in our soules and consciences that Iesus Christ is ours and all that he hath done that we are graffed into his bodie and made one with him and therefore fellow heires with him of eucriasting life Let vs not onelie haue these words in our mouthes good Lord but through thy holie spirit let vs feéle the comfort of them in our hearts fullie sealed and setled in vs
starres in the skies yet I beleéue that thy mercie which is aboue all thy workes is able to dispense with the multitude of my sinnes and throughlie to cleanse and wash me from the blots and spots of mine iniquities And therfore O gratious God with vnfeined repentance I prostrate my selfe before theé crieng and calling vnto theé to deale with me in the measure of thy mercie and not in the weight of thy furie though my transgressions exceede number For if thou shouldest reckon with me in rigour I should be found more light than vanitie it would fare with me as with chaffe before the winde or as with bauen in a scorching fornace mine end would be death my reward confusion O heare me therefore O louing Lord faithfullie calling vpon thee with him that said O sonne of Dauid haue mercie vpon me and with her that said If I might but touch the hemme of his garment I shall be whole and with him that said Lord I beleéue oh helpe mine vnbeleéfe and with him that said Father I haue sinned against heauen and against theé and with him that said O Lord be mercifull vnto me a sinner Cast downe thy louing lookes vpon me lamenting Lazarus lieng in wofull case visited by thy hand and groning vnder the rod of thy correction spare me O God spare me O good Lord and be not angrie with me for euer I take it for an vndoubted truth that all manner of punishments proceéde from theé as accustomed meanes and wonted waies which thou vfest to call thy best children home and therfore I am in so much the more comfort that this thy visitation and chastisement is no signe of thine endles anger against me though sicknes and all kind of annoiances sprang and issued from sinne but a token and argument of thy fauour and louing kindnes Yea Lord though it tend to temporall death whereby my bodie is wounded yet I am reposed in this hope and affiance that my soule shall not seé corruption but shall be receiued into heauen to rest in the bosome of faithfull Abraham till the time be come of the generall iudgment glorious resurrection I knowe and it is the duetie of all true Christians to confesse no lesse that from the beginning thou visitedst thy children yea on them whome thou most tenderlie louedst thou diddest laie some portion of thy correction partlie to trie them in tribulation and to confirme their faith by patience in aduersitie but speciallie to assure their spirit that they are thy children and thou their father they thy shéepe and thou their shepheard they thy people and thou their gouernour they thy souldiours and thou their captaine they thy chosen and thou their glorie Thou calledst to the inheritance of thy kingdome after the daies of his pilgrimage were spent Abraham the father of the faithfull Thou calledst vnto the ioies of heauen Iacob and Ioseph when they had runne their appointed race Thou calledst vnto endlesse blessednesse that mild minded man the mirrour of méekenes Moses I meane thy righteous seruant when he had fulfilled his course Thou calledst vnto the place of eternitie Iosua and Caleb and other gratious Iudges of thy people when the houreglasse of their life was run out Thou calledst vnto the fort of felicitie Samuell and Dauid prophets of thine owne appointment when their full yeares were expired Thou calledst vnto the Paradise of perfect pleasure Ezechias Iosias other vertuous Kings when their earthlie tabernacle was torne and rent in sunder Thou calledst vnto euerlasting happinesse Esaie Ieremie and the rest of thy seruants the Prophets when they had liued their full time in this world Thou calledst vnto thy kingdome Iames Iohn Paule Peter and other thine Apostles when they had discharged their dutie in fulfilling their commission And to conclude thou calledst vnto the throne of triumph and victorie Iesus Christ thy son that immaculate and vnblemished lambe that innocent shéepe that swéete Samaritan and surgion of our soules when he had finished the spirituall building whereof he himselfe was the foundation and chéefe corner stone when I saie he had accomplished thy will and vanquished sinne Sathan death and hell In bringing which things about thou didest vse ordinarie meanes euen death the waie of all flesh that by their example thy seruants might be comforted in sicknes that as thy kindnes was plentifullie declared vnto them in deliuering them out of this wildernes and translating them to eternall happinesse so to me no lesse than vnto them though for a time thou laiest thy hand vpon me and scour gest me with thy rod thy fatherlie loue and affection is manifest For whome thou louest him thou chastenest and whippest euerie child thou adoptest and choosest that the consolation of their spirit may be the more increased Wo were I if thou shouldst not visit me O Lord wretched were my state and condition it thou shouldest not trie me with the fire of afflictions Sicknes is thy messenger pouertie is thy messenger yea death is thy messenger whome thou incessantlie sendest vnto thy seruants to call them vnto thée and thy kingdome In consideration whereof I thy child as I faithfullie beléeue adopted in Christ visited at this present by thy hand and patientlie abiding the sharpenesse of thy scourge am erected and incouraged with a certaine and infallible hope that at thy good pleasure thou wilt worke all in me for the best to my soule saluation and to thy selfe glorification Why should I murmur against thée though I am griped with anguish Why should I mistrust thy mercie though my paines be somewhat extreame Why should I despaire as though thou wert not mercifull No no so long Lord as there remaineth breath in my nostrels and so long as mine eies are open and so long as my tong hath the power of speach thy spirit being present with me and comforting me I will thus thinke with my selfe The Lords will be fulfilled when he séeth best time he will make an end of my tribulation He doth not punish me as a reprobate to my condemnation but he correcteth me as a child to my saluation I am the worke of his hands he created me and made me of nothing to the honour of himselfe did he make me and therefore I hope he will not destroie his owne workemanship though it resteth in his will and pleasure to dispose all things as séemeth best to his diuine Maiestie His child I am adopted in the bloud of his sonne Iesus Christ inheritour of the kingdome of heauen through the spirit of sanctification a member of his mysticall bodie a grape of his vine a sheafe of his haruest a shéepe of his flocke and therefore I trust he will be my gratious God This is my comfort that thus thou doest chastise me not in iudgement to desperation but in mercie to consolation and this is my ioie that hereby I am assured that my name is written in his register and as for my faults he hath raced them
that thereby they might amend their inordinate trade of life he professed himselfe a teacher in this Schoole to the end that others as well as he might perceiue what aduantage a well disposed life affordeth This Schoolemaister we must presuppose to be such a one whose hart the finger of the Lord had touched and into whose vnderstanding the sunne of sanctification had shined He was not one that walked in carnall libertie neither in the concupiscence of the eie neither in the vanitie of the mind for then should there be a repugnancie and dissention betweene his conuersation and profession which ought to agree like musicall concords Take him therefore to be such a one as being renewed in the spirit of the inner man is able to teach to instruct to rebuke and to informe that the man of God might be made perfect in all righteousnesse But now entering into this Schoole of Skill let vs like good scholers with full purpose Gods grace being our gouernour to profit and go forward in that we professe learne by hart our A B C in this Schoole and according to our lessons frame the course of our life Abraham Fleming To the Reader The starkest foole if well he marke This skilfull Schoole prooues greatest clarke Come therefore you that wise would be And learne anew this A B C. The Schoole of Skill or The rule of a reformed life The first sententious sequence of the A B C deliuering diuers doctrines of vertue and vice to be folowed and auoided A Wife man shal heare and increase in learning and a man of vnderstanding shall atteine vnto wise counsels Be not wise in thine owne eies but feare the Lord and depart from euill Commit thy works vnto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be directed Death and life are in the power of the tong and they that loue it shall eat the fruit therof Euen a foole when he holdeth his peace is counted wise and he that stoppeth his lips prudent Fauour is deceiptfull and beutie is vanitie but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised Giue ye strong drinke vnto him that is readie to perish and wine vnto them that haue gréefe of heart He that turneth awaie his eare from hearing the lawe euen his praier shall be abhominable In the transgression of an euill man is his snare but the righteous doth sing reioice Kéepe thine hart with all diligence for thereout commeth life Let thine eies behold the right and let thine eielids direct thy waie before thée Manie reuerence the face of the prince and euerie man is a friend to him that giueth gifts Northerne windes driue awaie the raine so doth an angrie countenance the slandering tongue Obey thy father that hath begotten thee and despise not thy mother when she is old Pride goeth before destruction and an high minde before the fall Quietnes in a poore cottage is better than strife in a princes pallace Riches gather manie friends but the poore is separated from his neighbour Smite a scorner and the foolish will beware reprooue the prudent and he will vnderstand knowledge The foolishnes of a man peruerteth his waie and his heart fretteth against the Lord. Ualiantnes in a King is like the strength of a Lion his lookes shall sraie his foes Wisedome is high to a foole therefore he cannot open his mouth in the gate Youth is worthie to be reuerenced if it be adorned with discretion and continencie Zeale without knowledge is foolishnes loue without honestie is lewdenes and friendship without faith is flatterie The second sententious sequence of the A B C deliuering diuers doctrines of vertue and vice to be followed and auoided APplie thine heart to instruction and thine eares to the words of knowledge A man that wandereth out of the waie of wisedome shall remaine in the congregation of the dead Be not light of credit but lay thine eare open to truth and honestie so shalt thou be worshipfull Be thou not enuious against euill men neither desire to be with them Count nothing thine owne whiles thou liuest in this world for euerie man hath his talent but lent Cast out the scorner and the seditious man so shall contention and reproch ceasse Do good to thine enimie to the vttermost of thy might so shalt thou fulfill the law of charitie Drawe towards the wise to learne wisedome so shalt thou be had in reputation Eate thou not the bread of him that hath an euill eie neither desire his deintie meates Euen in laughing the hart is sorowfull and the end of that mirth is heauinesse Foolishnes is ioie to him that is destitute of vnderstanding but a man of vnderstanding walketh vprightlie Flatterie is like vnto the wéeping of a Crocodile and when he talketh most friendlie he meaneth least honestie God ouerthroweth the wicked and they are not but the house of the righteous shall stand Giue no eare to the report of a slanderer for in his tongue lieth deadlie poison He that keepeth his tongue kéepeth his life but he that openeth his lippes destruction shall be to him He shall be sore vexed that is suretie for a stranger and he that hateth suertiship is sure Intend nothing that may turne to the harme of thy neibour for he is as thine owne selfe Iustice and truth are in such as feare God as for the wicked they abhorre vertue Kéepe not companie with dronkards nor with gluttons for the féete of such go to death Knowe him well whom thou makest of thy counsell least he bewraie thy secrets Looke not vpon the wine when it is redde and when it sheweth his colour in the cup or goeth downe pleasantlie Let not thine heart be enuious against sinners but let it be in the feare of the Lord continuallie Mercie and truth do preserue the King for his throne shall be established with mercie Make no friendship with an angrie man neither go with the furious man Notorious liers flée from as from a Scorpion for they are the verie frie of Sathan Neuer giue thy consent in a thing that is wicked for God rewardeth both with shame Opprobrious words defile the scule of him from whome they proceede and wound to the death Of thine increase spare somewhat to the poore that God may blesse thy store Pitie the case of such as be succourlesse and shut not thine eies against the naked Patience is a souereigne vertue and bringeth the soule of the iust to euerlasting comfort Quicken thy heart with honest mirth least too much heauines ouerthrowe thy health Quietlie tarrie the Lordes leasure in the tune of thy trouble for so to do is wisedome Rob not the poore because he is poore neither oppresse the afflicted in iudgement Righteous lips are the kings delight and he loueth them that speake right things Set not thy mind vpon vanitie for therein consisteth nothing that is sound Submit thy neeke to the yoke of obedience so shalt thou be praised among the people The wrath of a King is as
the messenger of death but a wise man will pacifie him The heart of man purposeth his waie but the Lord doth direct his steps Uiolence and tyrannie are the ruine of a Realme but mercie vpholdeth the Kings throne Upbraide not thy better with contumelious talke least thou heape hot coles vpon thine owne head Without counsell thoughtes come to naught but in the multitude of counsellers is stedfastnesse Wisedome resteth in the heart of him that hath vnderstanding and is vnknowne in the minds of fooles Yeald to the magistrate dutifulnes and with thine equall vse courtesie Yong or old rich or poore strong or weake thou art not thine owne but Gods who made thée Zacheus the Publicane offering to make restitution if he had done anie man wrong teacheth the rich of this world what their duties should be Zerubbabell shall laie the highest stone of the spirituall temple his hands haue laid the foundation of the same The third sententious sequence of the A B C deliuering diuers doctrines of vertue and vice to be folowed and auoided A Sound heart is the life of the flesh but enuie is the rotting of the bones A faithfull witnes deliuereth soules but a deceiuer speaketh lies An angrie man stirreth vp strife but he that is slowe to wrath appeaseth strife Better is a dinner of gréene hearbes where loue is than a stalled oxe hatred therewith Better is a litrie with the feare of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therwith Better is a drie morsell if peace be with it than an house full of sacrifices with strife Childrens children are the crowne of the elders and the glorie of the children are their fathers Contemne not anie that is in authoritie for that is the readie waie to runne into Gods wrath Chasten thy sonne whiles there is hope and let not thy soule spare for his murmurings Diuers weights are an abhomination vnto the Lord and deceiptfull balances are not good Depart from the foolish man when thou perceiuest not in him the lips of knowledge Destruction shall light vpon them that imagine euill but to such as thinke on good things shall be mercie and truth Enter not into lawe with a rich man for it is in him to peruert equitie and right Exercise thy selfe in that which is honest so shall no shame followe there vpon Exempt thy selfe from the companie of wanton women for they leade thée the waie to hell Foolishnesse is bound in the heart of a child but the rod of correction shall driue it awaie Frowardnesse is the token of a foole and inconstancie is a signe of little trust Followe not the counsell of the wicked least thou be partaker of their punishment Giue admonition to the wise and he will be the wiser teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning Good vnderstanding maketh acceptable but the waie of the disobedient is hated Grudge not to giue of thine abundance to him that is néedie least God be angrie He that mocketh the poore reprocheth him that made him and he that reioiceth at destruction shall not escape vnpunished He that is slowe vnto anger is better than the mightie man and he that ruleth his owne mind is better than he that winneth a citie How much better is it to get wisedome than gold and to get vnderstanding is more to be desired than siluer In the mouth of the foolish is the boasting of pride but the lips of the wise will beware of such It is a great abhomination when Kings are wicked for a Kings feare should be vpholden with righteousnes If thou sinitest a scornefull person the ignorant shall take better héede and if thou reprouest one that hath vnderstanding he will be the wiser Kéepe thy selfe from strife for therein consisteth a mans honour but they that haue pleasure in bralling are fooles euerie one Kings ought to be feared as the roaring of a Lion who so prouoketh him vnto anger offendeth against his owne soule Kindle not contention betwéene neighbour and neighbour for the Lord will roote such out of the land Laie no priuie wait wickedlie vpon the house of the righteous and disquiet not his resting place Let not thy wrath and gelousie moue thée to follow the wicked and vngodlie Like as the cold of snowe in the haruest so is a faithfull messenger to them that send him for he refresheth his maisters minde Make not thy boast of to morrowe for thou knowest not what may happen to daie Manie there be that séeke the princes fauour but euerie mans iudgment commeth from the Lord. Mercie in a King is like a pearle of great value in a golden crowne O happie is the land that hath such a King Nourture thy sonne with correction and thou shalt be at rest yea he shall do thée good at thine hart Neuer trust a flatterer with anie secret for such a one can not kéepe counsell Notwithstanding thou be poore and yet hast wisedome thou shalt be had in reuerence One poore man oppressing another by violence is like a continuall raine that destroieth the fruit Oppresse not the fatherlesse and widowe for the Lord himselfe will take vengeance Ouercome euill with good so shall the Lord blesse thée in all thy procéedings Put thou nothing vnto the word of the Lord least he reprooue thée and thou be found a lier Plentie bringeth lothsomnes and forgetfulnes of God O well is he that kéepeth measure Pitch not thy tents among the wicked least thou be ouerthrowne in their destruction Quéenes and Kings are to be feared of their subiects O well is he whose heart is obedient Quench the wrath of thine aduersarie with patience so shall his anger asswage Quicklie reforme thy selfe if thou haue offended and excuse not the thing wherin thou hast done amisse Riches and honour wait vppon wisedome yea excellent goodes and righteousnesse Receiue knowledge before siluer and vnderstanding before the finest gold Remoue from thée all malice and enuie for the heart of the froward is a tormenting hell Some men are rich though they haue nothing againe some men are poore hauing great riches Séeke wisdome in thy youth so shalt thou be honoured in thine age Set aside all slouthfulnesse and walke vprightlie in thy vocation and calling The lawe is a well of life vnto the wise that it may kéepe him from the snares of death The righteous eateth and is satisfied but the bellie of the vngodlie hath neuer enough The poore is hated euen of his owne neighbours but the rich hath manie friends Uisit thy friend in the time of his aduersitie so shalt thou shew thy faithfulnesse Uaine are all things vnder the Sunne onelie the word of God lasteth for euer Unto the counsell of the wise let thine eares be open but flée the conuersation of the wicked When it goeth well with the righteous the citie is merrie and when the vngodlie perish there is gladnesse Wéepe ouer the sinnes which thou hast committed and praie to God penitentlie for pardon Where pride is
esteemed otherwise we shall seeme to preferre the shell before the kernell the barke before the pith the shadowe before the substance yea most absurdlie we shall refuse wheate for chaffe pure gold for drosse cleere wine for dregs and in conclusion repent our want of grace It were behoofull therefore for vs first and principallie to see to our mind which is chiefest part of our essence and being that the same after some serious studie and contemplation desiring to be refreshed be not fed with fond fansies fables dotages imaginations dreames I cannot tell what idle and vnfruitefull discourses which kindle the affections and set the flesh a gogge but rather with holie exercises and godlie meditations such as are and may be prouided for the purpose to reuiue the spirit and quicken the new man if the partie be gratiouslie affected Thou hast heere therefore presented vnto thine hand good Reader a plant of pleasure bearing fourteene seuerall flowers called by the name of holie Hymnes and spirituall Songs to reade at thy leasure for thy recreation and not so much for thy recreation as for thy profit which I haue put partlie in rythme and partlie in prose for the satisfaction of sundrie Readers desires some beeing addicted to this and some delighted in that kind of writing I would to God it were in me to frame my wit to the will of the well disposed in all points I haue done what I could the Lord knoweth what I would his name be praised for all whose glorie to seeke and set foorth I beseech him giue vs all grace so shall the faithfull reioice and clap their hands but shame shall fall vpon the reprobat force them to hang downe their heads Abraham Fleming A Plant of Pleasure bearing fourteene seuerall Flowres ¶ The first Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 A petition vnto God for the remission of sinnes 2 A description of Gods greatnesse 3 Of his habitation and that he seeth all things A. 1 AS the Sunne is the soule and life of the world so is thy word O God the comfort of my heart Be gratious fauourable vnto me thy seruant that I may be freé from the malice of mine enimies Reward me not according to my deseruings O Lord for I am full of sinne and in me there is no righteousnesse According to thy louing kindnesse therefore O mercifull father blot mine offences out of thy register and pardon me Haue mercie on me O founteine of all mercie cleanse me from the corruption of sinne and wash me with the water of thy word Am not I a reasonable creature indued with knowledge and vnderstanding O Lord to whom should I then come but to theé 2 Men beasts fishes and foules they are the works of thine hands by the vertue of thy word they were created and made From the rising of the Sunne to the going downe of the same I will continue in the contemplation and view of thy greatnes Lighten the eies of my hart O Lord that they may seé the mightines of thy maiestie in thy creatures Endlesse is thy glorie and thy power is incomprehensible wonderfull art thou in thy iudgments Maruellous things are wrought by thine omnipotent hand day by day the eies of all people are witnesses of thy power 3 In heauen is thy dwelling place from whence thou beholdest the commings in and the goings out of all men Nothing is hidden from thine eies O Lord the brightnesse of thy maiestie can not be absent Giue me grace O God to leade my life in the loue of thy lawe so shall I not miscarrie The second Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 A commemoration or remembrance of the benefites of Christes death and passion 2 A petition for thankefulnesse 3 A confession of Gods greatnesse and almightinesse B. 1 AL people praise the Lord with faithfull heart and voice Be bold to magnifie his name and therein to reioice Remember well the worke which he for vs hath wrought And laud his name accordinglie in word in deed and thought Hell gates he hath shut vp in spite of Sathans power And saued the soules of sinfull men from torments sharpe and sower Most mightie is his arme his greatnesse hath none end From force of foes that vs assault all his he doth defend 2 Lord lighten thou our hearts that we may praise thy power Eternallie which flourisheth and worketh euerie hower 3 Most mightie is thy word thy maiestie surmounts In glorie none so excellent as scriptures cast accounts No Prince nor Potentate may once with thee compare Giue vs thy grace no lesse to learne O Lord with Christian care The third Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 A request for assistance against our aduersaries 2 A confession of our vilenesse by reason of sinne 3 A petition for true mortification and regeneration 4 Of the pretiousnesse of mans soule R. 1 ACcording to thine vnmeasurable mercies O God heare my praier and let thine eares be open to the crie of my complaint Be my sauiour and deliuerer from danger and distresse bridle thou the desperatenesse of mine aduersarie that he do me no mischefe Rebuke them O Lord that go about to raise reproches against me chastise them that they may seé wherein they haue offended As for me I will withstand them in their maliciousnesse for I hope thou wilt arme me with the spirit of fortitude and patience Holie one of Israell heare the supplication of me thy seruant and in the time of necessitie assist me 2 A worme and no man I confesse my selfe to be yea more vile and contemptible than anie vnreasonable creature for sinne hath sâ—oong my soule My heart is defiled with a thousand corrupt cogitations yea the thoughts which are hidden in my heart are not so infinite as they are wicked From mine infancie and cradle I haue bene blemished with sinne and as for righteousnes or iustice there is none in mine entrailes Lord I am so ouerwhelmed in sinne and iniquitie that I stand in continuall feare of thy punishment Oh giue me grace to repent Euening and morning I call my sinnes to memorie and they are more in number than the haires of my head yet O Lord be mercifull 3 Make me a new creature by the inspiration of thy sanctifieng spirit and let mine inward man be circumcised with the razour of mortification Increase in me godlie desires and let all carnall concupiscences be quite quenched in me that I may long after nothing but the loue of thy lawe 4 Nothing is more pretious in thy sight O Lord than the soule of man O let not sinne preuaile against it Grant me thy grace euen to the last houre of my life that I may haue in heauen mine inheritance purchased by Christ his death and passion Amen The fourth Flowre called a Spirituall Song conteining 1 A glorifieng of God 2 An exhortation to praise him 3 A repetition of certaine properties in him 4 A protestation or vow of Christian