more wealth credit and prosperity And according vnto your guiltinesse herein to cry God mercy in purpose to amend and become more charitable towardes your neighbour Also how much and howe oftē ye haue sinned in wrath against your neighbour kept couertly or breaking foorth into rigorous or malicious words with appetite to reuenge Acknowledge and accuse your selfe imploring mercy and forgiuenesse with grace to become patient Also call vnto minde how slouthfull you haue béen to al goodnesse especially for the health of your owne soule in omitting to serue God deuoutly by praier comming to the Church or in due pondering on your repentance delighting rather in idle thoughts and imaginations of the world and the flesh Acknowledge your manifolde faultes here aske God heartely mercy esteeme lesse of your ease by dreading or thinking on the tormentes due to all sin Moreouer peruse your self and sée how diuersly and often you haue fallen into the sin of Couetousnesse by vnlawfull desires of worldely goods in mispending of them or in vnméet kéeping of them when they might bee well spēt And specialy in desiring of other mens goods wrongfully or in ambitius desire of worshippe or riches aboue that is meet and sufficient against your necessity Acknowledge your desires and dealings herein euen to to him that knoweth whether you say true or do cloak and make light of them Item how often you haue sinned in gluttony of meate or drink in taking more then sufficient or in eating at such times or in such manner as you ought to forbear preferring the regard of your belly before the cōscience of order obedience and example aggrauating the sundry offences herein by making your selfe woorse disposed to serue God and the more prepared and stirred vp to sin wrath and wretchednes Aske God mercy with teares and due sorrowing remembring the penury of the poore distressed and the voluntary abstinēce of Christ and his seruants Lastly how often and diuersely you haue offended in the sin of lecherie and fleshly liking either by vnclean desires or voluntary pollutions by actual performance Acknowledge your manifolde offences herein be thorowly penitent euer think that to be a sorrowfull pleasure which so much displeaseth GOD for the which he saieth Thou shalt not in that state of minde and purpose inherite the kingdome of heauen Furthermore you are to examin your self by the rule of the commandements Whether you haue loued God aboue all things or thy wife childe gold faire house or concubine more then him How much you haue vsed to take his name in vaine by needelesse swearing How negligent you haue beene in obseruing the Sabboth and other festiual days appoynted for prayer and Gods seruice How obedient or disobedient you haue béene vnto your own parents carnal or spirituall in not following their well aduised counsails and commaundements or in not doing vnto them due reuerence How slaunderously you haue vsed your tongue to the defaming of any person How iniurious you haue béene towardes your neighbours in taking away their goods or things without their good wils and consent How much you haue sinned with your neighboures wife or other women by vnlawful act or fleshly desire How wicked and malicious you haue bin in bearing false witnes against any person especially the innocent and he that standeth in that which is right and true How viciously enclined you haue béen in not forbearing to séek and practise how to get and obtain the vnlawfull loue and liking of other mens wiues daughters or seruants Or by what meanes you may get into your handes or possession the goodes house land office or liuing of your neighbour al which offences are committed against the expresse commandement of almightie God and therefore you can not be too scrupulous or diligent in looking well to these points nor thinke this superfluous or superstitious Likewise how much you haue sinned in misusing or in mispending of your fiue senses called the fiue wits that is in vnchast séeing in gluttonous tasting in vaine or vngodly hearing in pomppous or ruffianly smelling in wāton touching with hands féete or other places Lastly how much and how wilfully you haue sinned in not fulfilling the Temporall workes of christian pitty in not clothing the naked in not giuing drinke to the thirsty in not féeding the hungry in not visiting prisoners and the sicke in not giuing vnto the poore in not harbouring the harbourlesse in not burying the dead Spirituall workes of pitty In not giuing counsaile to them that néeded in not teaching the ignorant in not correcting or rebuking offenders in not comforttng the sorrowfull in not forgiuing them that haue missaide or misdéemd of you in not patiently suffering thē that haue reproued you in not praying for your ill neighbors amendement Sins of the heart Error heresie sinfull study not beléeuing all the articles of the faith euill delight imagining mischiefe or vengeance hatred wrath enuy ioy of other mens euill sorrow at other mens welfare no pittying of them that bee in paine or pouerty disdaine at poore or sinfull men hipocrisy or dissimulation flattery dreading more to displease man then God sinfull coueting of dignity benefice office or riches vaine-glory of goods lands gay houses or kindred loathing of poore kindred pride of kindred rich or noble sorrow for not dooing more euill or that he did not the sinne hee might haue done inconstant in good purpose loath to forsake sin not liking or not desiring to hear the word of God not attentiue to the calling of the holy Ghost Loath to serue God or to doe a good déede disobedient to the commandemēts of GOD or of the holy Church disdaining of good counsaile singularity obstination in euill purpose despaire Of these speaketh the Lord in the Gospell De corde exeunt cogitationes malae homicidia adulteria fornicationes furta c. Out of the heart proceede euill thoughts manslaughter adulteries fornications thefts c. Sinnes of the mouth Excesse in tasting eating or drinking idle words or wāton talke taking Gods holy name in vaine lying false bearing in hand swearing or forswearing slaundring scorning cursing blaspheming scolding railing obraiding disclosing of counsaile false-witnesse bearing euill counsaile giuing flattering wordes praysing of euill deedes peruerting of good deedes peruerting of Gods worde to a wrong meaning despising vaine arguing foolishe laughing proud or presumptuous speaking Of these our Lord speaketh by the Prophet Prohibe linguam tuam a malo labia tua ne loquantur dolum sic elige quid loquare quia mors vita in manibus linguae Kéep thy tongue frō euill thy lips that they speake not deceipte weighe what thou speakest for both life death is in the kéeping of the tongue And this of Salomon Qui custodit os suum linguam suam custodit ab angustiis animam suam Hee that kéepeth his mouth and his tongue kéeps his soule from sorrow Sinnes of deede Idolatry Necromancye treachery sorcery tiranny treason manslaughter sacriledge simony
wouldest mercifully looke vpon me thy naughty seruant and haue mercy vpon me that haddest mercy on the woman of Canaan and on Mary Magdalene that sparedst the Publicane and forgauest the theefe hanging vpon the crosse To thee O most holy father I confesse my sinnes which if I woulde hide from thee O Lorde I can not Spare me O Christ whome I haue much offended in thinking speaking and dooing and in euery manner wherein I fraile man and sinfull might sin by my fault by my owne faulte through my great default Therefore O Lord I beseech thy mercy that cammest downe from heauen for my saluation that liftedst vp Dauid from his fall of sinne spare me O Lord spare mee O Christ that sparedst Peter whē he denied thée Thou art my Creator and my Redéemer my Lord and my sauiour my king and my God Thou art my hope and my trust my guide and my help my comfort my strength my defence and deliuerer my life my health and my resurrection my light and my desire my assistance and my refuge I pray and beséech thée helpe me and I shal be safe gouerne me and defend me strengthen mee and comforte me confirme and make mee glad lighten mee and vifite me raise me being dead because I am of thy making and workemanship O Lord despise me not being one of thy housholde seruants although lewd vnworthy and a sinner but whatsoeuer I am good or bad I am alwais thine To whome shal I flie except I goe to thée If thou doest cast me off who shall receiue mee If thou doest despise me who shal look vpon me Uouchsafe therefore to know mee one vnworthy flying vnto thee though I be vile and vncleane seeing if I be vncleane thou canst purge me if I be blind thou canst make me to sée if I bee sicke thou canst make mee whole if I be dead and buried thou canst raise me again For thy mercy is greater then my iniquitie thy godlines is greater then my vngodlines thou canst forgiue more then I can commit and release more then I can offend Dispise me not therefore O lord neither looke on the multitude of my iniquities but according to the multitude of thy mercies haue mercy on me be fauourable vnto mee a great sinner Say vnto my soule I am thy saluation who didst say I will not the death of a sinner but rather that hee may bee conuerted and liue Turne me O Lord and bee not angry against me I pray and beséech thée O most merciful father that for thy mercies sake thou wilt bring me to a good end and to the happinesse of true repentance by due contrition and pure confession of all my sins Amen A prayer before confession to God MOst holy and mercifull Lord Iesu Christ the only hope of my souls health receiue this the confession of my sins which I will make vnto thee and giue me I beseech thee due sorrowing of heart and grace to bewaile them with the tears of mine eies and that hereafter both day and night I may mourn for my negligences offences with an humble and pure hart Let my praier approch in thy sight O Lord if thou shalt be displeased with mee whom shall I séeke to helpe me who shal pitty mine iniquities Be mindfull of mee O lord who calledst the Cananean and the Publican to repentance and receiuedst Peter when he wept O lord my God receiue my praiers the Sauior of the world good Iesu that gauest thy selfe to the death of the crosse to saue sinners respect me miserable sinner that am calling vpon thy name neither respecte thou so much my euilnes that thou forget thy own goodnes And if I haue committed that wherby thou maiest cōdemne me thou hast not lost that whereby thou mayest saue me Spare me therfore thou that art my Sauiour and haue mercy on my sinfull soule vnloose her bonds and beale her wounds Lord Iesu I desire and beséech thée shew me thy countenance I shall be safe send forth thy light and thy trueth into my soule that I may sée in this grosse body the number quality greatnes of my offences which I ought nowe to confesse to thee with answerable sorrowing bitternes of hart Grāt thou that liuest rainest god for euer euer A prayer to be sayd after the confession of our sins to God O Lord I beséeche thee let this my confession be accepted with thee which I haue nowe made before thée by calling to minde and rehearsing of my sinnes and whatsouer there is wanting in me either of due contritiō and sorowing or of pure and dutifull confession let thy godlines and mercy supply it and according thereunto vouchsafe that I may bee receiued ful and perfectly absolued in heauen who liuest and raignest world without end Amen A prayer before the holy Communion TO come to the Table of thy most sweete banket O holy Lord Iesus Christ I doe feare and tremble that am a sinner nothing presuming of my own merits but trusting in thy mercy and goodnesse for I haue a hart and body spotted with many crimes togither with a mind and tongue not warily kept Therfore O holy Deity and dreaded Maiesty I poore wretch attached with many causes of sorrow and griefe of mind haue recourse to thée the fountaine of mercy vnto thee I hasten to be cured I flie vnder thy protection And whom I am not able to bear as a iudge I hope to finde a Sauiour to thee O Lord I shew my wounds before thée I wipe away my shamefastnes I wote my sinnes bee many and great for which I am afraide but I hope of thy mercies which are infinite Looke vnto me with the eies of thy mercy Lord Iesus Christ King eternall God and man crucified for man heare mee hoping in thee haue mercy on mee that am ful of sins and wretchednes thou which neuer wilt cease to let runne the fountaine of thy compassion Remember O Lord thy creature which thou redéemest with thy owne blood It repenteth me that I haue sinned and I am in desire to amend the works of my life Therefore most mercifull father take from me all my iniquities and sinnes that I being purified in minde and body I may worthely taste of that which is most holy and grant that the same that I vnworthy intende to receiue may be the remisson of my sins the perfecte purging of my offences the expelling of filthie cogitations the renuing of good godly intentions and a most firme defence of my soule and body against the snares deceits of my enemies Amen A praier to be saide after the holy Communion I Giue thee thankes holie Lord almighty Father god eternal that hast vouchsafed to feed me a sinner thy vnworthy seruaunt for no merites of mine but of the vouchsafing of thy mercy And I beséeche thée that this holy Communion be not vnto me a guiltinesse vnto punishment but rather a wholsome intercession to forgiuenesse
A Path vvay to Penitence VVith sundry deuout prayers fruiteful aduertisementes and wholesome counsailes of godly Fathers towards the amendement of life and some withdrawing of the bridle of ouer-much liberty taken Luke 1◠〈…〉 by the narrow gate 〈…〉 shall seeke to enter 〈…〉 LONDON Printed by Iohn Wolfe 1591. The end and purpose of this Booke LAy downe thy lofty lookes Thy rich and rufling ragges Sith God nor godly brookes That beggars make such bragges This wretched state you know Shall soone be laide full lowe Death puls thee by the sleeue And cals thee to account Thou woâ—st a moneth to liue To what it doth amount But least it be a weeke Prepare be not to seeke Examine by this squire And see if all be square To scape that lasting fire Flie paines nor cost nor care To helpe thy life to looke T is purpose of this Booke Of Penitence and the parts thereof PEnitence is the griefe and sorrowing of the heart for the sins and offences committed together with an earnest purpose and desire to forsake them and to be clensed of them that grace may be restored by such meanes as GOD hath lefte whereby to obtaine it To say thou art sorie for thy sins coÌ„mitted against the diuine maiesty and yet hast a liking thereof or some remnant of a will or purpose in thy hart to renew them againe it is but wicked dissumulation deriding of the holy action of Penitence without which no sinner can wel hope to attaine to saluation Let such take this for admonitioÌ„ both dreadful and often verified they are most likely to be preuented and ouertaken with the wrath of God whose merciful fauor in giuing theÌ„ sufficient space and means to repent they haue neglected and ouerpassed and so shal be disappointed both of time and the necessary means to their forgiuenesse Therefore it will be most safety readily to embrace Gods mercy when it is offered with some deuotion fear and dread of his iustice Like as it is a thing most dreadful to despaire of forgiuenes or vpon presuming of his mercy and forgiuenes and perseuere in a delight liking of the former sins and offences Penitence is thought to consist of three thinges viz. Contrition which is the inward griefe and hearty sorrowing for our sinnes committed to the impairing of that dignity and polluting of that purity whereunto wee attained by our calling in Baptisme but especially to the prouocation of GODS wrath thereby Which contrition and inward motion of grace mooueth and counsaileth to procéede to the acknowledging of our manifold sins and accusing of our selues in the court of conscience by confession there to iudge our selues least we bée iudged of the Lorde And sith the account of our life and offences committed is the waightiest cause that any mortall man can passe through and deale with in his life it is to be attempted and taken in hand rather with all care feare and diligence possible then sleightly superficially without due regard which we vtterly disalow of in the meanest of our worldly causes Then resteth the thirde parte which is restitution and amends making which some do cal satisfactioÌ„ which is not to be taken as though we are able by any workes or merits to deserue the forgiuenesse of our sinnes or to yéelde any méete recompence to God for offending and displeasing his diuine Maiesty for in that respect Christ in his most precious bloudshedding hath wrought a satisfaction for vs if wee withall perfourme our dueties thereby to bee partakers in that benefite as by his holy word and the counsaile of the holy Ghost in his Church hee hath willed vs. But the satisfaction belonging of our parts is the humbling of our hearts the brideling of our fleshly appetites the bringing forth of peniteÌ„t fruits in expres actions to the world as in almes prayer fasting abating of our pride pompe in our apparell the charitable bestowing of our superfluity to the comfort and reliefe of the needy or otherwise to the honour of God or good example in the Common-wealth Also by forgiuing others offences against vs and by restoring vnto all meÌ„ whatsoeuer we with-hold or tooke away wrongfully and that is that little which wée are able to do towards satisfaction wherewith GOD may be pleased his wrath the better appeased Reasons perswading to Penitence and the speedy performance thereof The néedfulnes thereof The profite thereby The sundry examples of men in time past Ezechiel 18. If the wicked shall bee conuerted from his wickednesse and become righteous all his iniquities which he hath done shall bee forgotten Chris. de Penit. O penitentia quid de te nunc referam c. O Penitence what shall I now say of thée thou settest free the soule that is bound and preseruest that which is vnbound By thée the théef obtained Paradice the prodigall sonne a chaine of worship the cittie of Niniuie pardon and Peter forgiuenesse when as hee had denied Christ. Philosophy saieth that euery thing is vndone by the same causes it grew The rule of law saith the thing is not forgiuen excepte the thing wrongfully taken be restored God graunt that the Penitence which is to bee performed for our sinnes and offences be not required to the last farthing If thou aske when Penitence is to be done forsooth presently it is but presumption to defer it Eccles. That which thou maiest doe doe it forthwith Gal. 6. Whiles we haue time let vs doe thinges that be good Aristot. Of all our time non habemus nisi nunc we haue but this time which we call Now. Godly cogitations inducing to Penitence and amendment of life THinke on the goodnesse of God on his diuine might and vertue Thinke how good he hath béene to thee to create thée of so noble a shape as in his owne likenesse Thinke what grace hee hath done to thee in the Sacrament of Baptisme cleansing thy soule from sinne Thinke how often and manifoldly thou hast offended him since the vow and profession in Baptisme Thinke howe weekely monethly or yearely he hath tarried for and expected thy returning from sinne Thinke from howe many daungers he hath preserued thee in body and soule Thinke how ill thou hast bestowed the time that hath béene giuen thee to performe true Penitence and yet perhaps thou hast not done it Thinke how many times he hath forgiueÌ„ thée in christ and howe many times thou hast fallen to sinne againe Thinke what paine and torment thou haddest beene in now and euermore if god had taken thee out of this worlde when thou wast in deadly sinne Thinke how dearely hee bought thée from the danger of the diuell suffering continuall pains in this world about the space of 32. yeares going barefoote in cold and in heate suffering hunger and thirst and many reprochfull iniuries at length sheading his precious bloud and yéelding his body to the Crosse. Cassiodorus Thinke all that time to be lost in which thou hast not thought on
death which is nothing else but the doore to eternall life Let me thy seruant then depart in peace because mine eies haue séen my saluation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people as a reuealing light to the Gentils to the renowne of Israel thy people Giue me grace that at the last instant I may speake at the least this word which thy beloued Son vttered vpon the Crosse saying Father into thy handes I commend my spirite And when I shall not be able to speake yet vouchsafe I béeseech thee to heare my last grones through Iesus christ Amen Against desperation O Most iust and mercifull GOD seeing through my owne faulte and will I haue often transgressed thy commaundements and contemned thée my Lorde God to my greeuous burden of offences whereby my conscience is sore vexed and wounded that thereby trembling and weakenes of mind groweth vppon me I beséech thee most holy father suffer mee not to distrust thy grace and mercy at any time leaste I fal into desperation which is the most gréeuous of all sins Comfort me that euen in the middest of death I may fixe all my hope in thée which art my life without distrust of thy mercy and helpe Behold me with the eies of thy mercy as thou didst Peter after he had denied thée least dispairing like Iudas the traytor I might sin against the holy Ghost O God the holy Ghost helpe mee in my extreame necessity when Sathan shall gréeuously accuse me before thée laying open the Booke of my conscience and the sight of Hell terrifie mée when I shal be compassed about with the sorrowes and fearefull temptations of death when al the world shal forsake me and take parte against mee then I beséeche thee to comfort me that my hope fall not from me Comfort my heart with thy testimony and seale that I may firmely beléeue the remission of sinnes and that I may bée mindfull of thy most holy couenant in Baptisme and of the annexed promise He that beeleeueth and is baptized shal be saued The prayer of a Magistrate or one in authority O Almighty God Lord of heauen and earth who hast brought and set mee in the place of a ruler and giuē me power ouer others I beséech thée to giue me a wife prudent heart that I may gouern thy people according to my office and vnderstand good from euill to the performing of iustice without any feare or respecte of persons Giue me counsail strength that I may doe that which is acceptable vnto thée profitable for thē that be vnder me auaileable to publike peace and quietnesse Let mee not forget that I haue not my authority of my selfe but from the high God and that I am to execute the iudgement or rule not of man but of God in heauen and thou assisting me in the same beholdest all my doinges who at length wilt inquire and take accoūt of my words workes and ordinaunces that am sure to liue but a short time in mine office And because the punishment shal be sore gréeuous on them that rule not well when the mighty shall be mightely tormēted For God is the ruler of all who wil not spare the person of any nor feare his greatnesse who hath made both greate and small hauing an equall care for all Assist me therefore O mercifull and eternal god that I may by thy grace and helpe bear my selfe well in my office offring violence nor iniury to any nor suffer it to be done of others or to beare with any iniustice sith I am thy seruaunt and the sonne of thy handmayde a weake man and of short life vnable for to vnderstand thy iudgement and lawes Send therfore wisedome to be assistant vnto mee in the place which I doe occupy that it may be with me and labour with me that I may knowe what is acceptable to thee which also may guide me in all my affaires and kéepe me in hir power that my doings may be to thy liking in christ Iesu our redeemer sauior The prayer of a sonne or daughter MOst mercifull God the celestiall father who hast commaunded that I shoulde honor my parents of whom I tooke this life who also acceptedst in good part that duty and obedience for Christ thy beloued Sonne and promisest to rewarde the same with long life together with sundry temporall benefites and the heauenly blessing I beseeche thee euen from the bottome of my heart that thou vouchsafe to giue vnto my most kind and louing parentes long life and prosperous yeares and also to defend them from al mischaunces hurt and domage Giue me also a heart apt to loue and obay them and that I may honour them in deedes speech and all patience that the same blessing of god may come vppon me and that I may succéede my father as well in old age as in worldly benefites And likewyse that I offende not or greeue my swéete mother that bare me in hir wombe with much griefe and brought mee vp with much car◠and busines whom I ought not to forsake or discomfort least her curse come vpon me And if before this I haue shewed my selfe disobedient to my parents or vnquiet vouchsafe mercifully to forgiue me the sinnes of my youth and my secret offences O Lord remember not but let me acknowledge my owne foolishnes and performe due repentance therefore carefully setting before mee the wholesome example of Iesus Christ who in his childhood was an admonition to his parents and an example to all children by his obedience So let me by thy help be endewed alwaies with Christian obedience Kéepe mee from the company of naughty persons and if they intice me let me not go with them but with-holde my féet from their paths Let me encrease and profit in wisedom age and fauour with GOD and men through the same thy beloued sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ. Amen The praier of a seruant O Mercifull God who by the precious passion and death of thy Sonne Iesus Christ hast made me an ouercommer of hel and death being deliuered from perpetual seruitude from the power of sin from the kingdome of darkenesse and from the horrible tiranny of the diuel I beséech thée vouchsafe vnto me by thy grace that I fall not into any wearines or disliking of that state and seruantly condition whereunto thou hast caled me according to thy good wil and pleasure nor through impatience neyther murmure against this thy ordinance or enuy the dignity and better calling of others But that I may performe this thy will with all ready willingnesse as if I serued the Lord of al and not men Helpe me most pittiful Lorde that I may with all feare and patience obey my carnal maisters be they good or euill in those things that be not contrarie to thy will not seruing to the eie as ther with to please men but from my heart for thy commaundementes sake Giue mee grace that I may be sounde faithfull in all
thinges committed to thy charge that I léese nothing or suffer it to perish by my sloth and negligence O Lorde kéepe mee in health and comforte my strength giue me vnderstanding wit to go forward with the worke of my Maister or Mistres and by thy gracious help for to increase their substance that by my diligence they may bee replenished with thy blessing And further that whatsoeuer I shall do at any time the same may turne to the glory of thy most holy name and to the wholesome exercise of my faith through Iesus Christ thy beloued son which liueth with thee and raigneth in the vnity of the holy Ghost worlde without end Amen The praier of one in a troubled conscience LOrde reproue mee not in thy fury thy arrowes are fixed in me and thou hast laide thy hande vppon mee There is no helth in my flesh because of thy wrath there is no quiete in my bones because of my sinnes My heart is sore troubled my strength and valour hath failed mee the light of mine eies is not with me sorrows haue compassed me without number my iniquities are gone ouer my own head they are multiplied as the haires of my head gréeuing oppressing me as a sore burden The sorrowes of death haue compassed me and the troubles of hell are come vpon mee My conscience and my heart are both against mee O Lorde deliuer me hasten to helpe me and bring my soule from the terrors of hell forgiue me my sins which my enemy the diuell heapeth vppon me like a mountaine so as the same standing before my eies I may not beholde the brightnesse of thy grace Let thy mercy therefore appeare vnto me I beseech thee and let me not be destitute of thy fauour Comfort me O God that I may haue the inioying of a quiet conscience for all this is inferiour to thy greatnesse and mercy if thou wilt Why art thou sorrowfull my soule trust in God the helth of my countenance and he shall take thée out of temptation and bring thée at liberty through the innocent death of our Lorde Iesus Christ which is the holy and vnspotted sacrifice for our sinnes Amen The prayer of a sicke person ALmighty God and heauenly Father forasmuch as thou hast commaunded vs saying Call vpon me in the day of trouble I will heare thee and thou shalt honour me therefore I doe call vpon thée in this my great distres through Iesus Christ thy beloued Son forsake me not a wretched sinner And if this my infirmity extend not vnto death help me that by thy mercy I may recouer my helth and glorify thy power and vertue which thou hast shewed vppon me But if it be thy good pleasure more expedient and méete for me to die then to remaine in this sorrowfull vale and troublesome life let thy godly will be done in Earth as it is in Heauen And giue me grace I beséeche thee that I may commit my selfe to thy will which alwaies is best Kéepe me firme in the Catholique faith to the end that I be not seuered from thee and thy vnity but receiue my soule into thy kingdome through the same thy beloued sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Another prayer of the sicke O Mighty and omnipotent God which art mercifull and ful of pitty and long suffering forgiue me my sinnes and put away my iniquity Uouchsafe beséech thée to comfort my soule against whatsoeuer temptation and afflictions helpe me that my faith doe not faint or wauer in thee nor my hope haue any distrust nor my charitye waxe cold nor that my frailty be ouercome with the fear of death And when the extreame houre of my life shall come then send me forth in peace I beséech thee because mine eies haue seene thy health which thou hast made ready before the face of all people as a light to lighten the Gentiles and as a renowne for all thy people of Israel In this my Sauior I beléeue in him doe I trust I beséech thée O Lord let me not be confounded sith thou art my help and my strength beholde mee with the eies of thy pitty and turne thy fatherly fauour towards mee through Iesus Christ thy sonne who by his most sacred passion and death obtained for vs eternall redemption Amen A prayer of such as be present at the extreame sicknes or death-pangs of any O Most holy and omnipotent God that preseruest our life euē at the point of death wee do beseech thee vouchsafe to cast the eies of thy mercy vppon this sicke person to reléeue him both in body and soul and to forgiue him al his sins accept we beséech thée the oblation of the most innocent death of Iesus Christ thy beloued Son in place of satisfaction for all his iniquities For in the confession of his name hee was baptized deliuer him now therefore from the pains and griefes of his body shorten his griefe and affliction conserue him against the accusation of his own conscience and against whatsoeuer temtations of the enemy that hée may striue manfully by the faith of the holy Church and ouercome him Sende vnto him thy holy Angelles that they may bring him to the felowship of al Angels and of the elect in Christ Iesus our Lord. Amen A prayer in time of plague or common mortality ALmighty God wee doe grant and acknowledge that we haue often and gréeously offended thee by our diuerse and manifold sinnes forasmuch as wee haue all swarued from thée and therwith are become vnprofitable neither we nor our fathers kéeping thy commaundements With a right sorrowfull spirite wee beseech thy infinite mercy for Iesus Christe thy beloued Sonnes sake that thou wilt not deale with vs according to our sinnes but haue mercy vpon vs according to thy great goodnesse and fauour Be mercifull to vs of thy fatherly good wil take from vs this fearefull cogitation of pestilence infectiue sicknes and suffer vs not thus to perish by thy dreadfull disease Rebuke vs not Lorde in thy fury nor consume vs with the wicked vngodly Lorde I beséech thée let thy displeasure cease leaue vs shew vnto vs thy mercy and deliuer vs bée mindfull of thy goonesse and pitty for thy names sake Thou O Lord art good and thy iudgements be right but we haue sinned and stirred vp thy displesure against vs forgiue I beséech thee the iniquity of my people and take from vs this pestilent infection for the bitter passion of thy sweet Sonne Protect vs from thy wrath from euill and sudden death and from eternal damnation But if thy good pleasure bee such that thou wilt needes visit our iniquities with this temporall punishment so fauour vs I beséech thee that bearing thy fatherly hande laide vppon vs wee dispaire not in thy chastisement For when we are iudged we are so corrected by our Lord that wee be not condemned with this worlde And more profitable it is to suffer here temporall punishment then eternall in
neuer the better of an hundred hearers scarce one is conuerted to true Penitence when at one sermon of Peters or of some other Apostle fiue thousands were conuerted Men bearing the name of Christ yet voide of Christian life and sanctimonie The vulgar sort giuen to fraud in their workmanship and deceitfulnes in their dealings specially seruants Gouernors without iustice and vertue Churchmen without holines and deuotion Religious men without obseruing the rules of their profession and statutes of their order Married persons without honest and continent life Scriptures and fruitefull sayings of the Doctors to edefie in these points following Prayer I would haue men to pray lifting vp pure hands without wrath and contention I haue said I will confesse mine iniquities When yee doe praye if yee haue anie thing against others forgiue it The sounde or voyces of prayer come not vnto Gods eares except it be made with great affection of mind Prayer if it bee true if it bee chast it pierceth heauen and returneth not emptie For the daily and light sinnes without which this life is not led the daily praier of the faithfull recompenceth By fasting the passions of the bodie by prayer infections of the minde are to be cured The more we haue to doo with carnal things the more earnestly ought we to be giuen to prayer The kingdome of heauen is not gotten by taking our rest nor eternall blessednesse promised vnto the negligent Charitie Hée that loueth abideth in the light In this al men shal know that ye be my disciples if ye loue one another In Charitie a poore man is rich and without charitie euerie riche man is but poore Charity féedeth the hungry pride also féedeth but charitie dooth it to the praise and honor of God and pride for the prayse of her selfe Charitie cloatheth the naked pride clotheth also charity fasteth so doth pride Charitie is the strength of faith and faith is the fortitude of charitie where they bee not both together there both be wanting A man may haue in him the helpe and benefites of the Sacramentes and yet bee an euill man but hée cannot haue charitie and bee euill Fasting This kind of Diuels may not be cast out but by prayer and fasting My legges are weakened with fasting and my flesh is altered for want of wonted sustenance Fasting purgeth the mind reléeueth the senses subdueth the flesh to the spirite maketh the heart contrite and humble disperseth the clouds of concupiscence quencheth the burning of lustes kindleth the light of chastitie Hee that will well and truely fast let him abstayne from sinne and vice for what auayleth it to emptie the bodie of meate and to ouerlode the soule with sin What can it profit any man to be pale with fasting to consume with hatred enuie What good is it to abstaine from wine and to bée dronke with the lées poyson of anger and mallice What gaine is it to abstain from flesh made for mans vse to be eaten and to teare asunder the members of our neighbour with backbiting and slaunder It is no profite or a thing praise-worthie to abstaine from that which sometimes is lawfull and to doe that which neuer is permitted but always forbidden Let thy fasting chasten thée but glad an other and so thy sorrowes shall be fruitfull if they bring ioye to others Fast so that thou maiest bee as glad as if thou hast dined in hauing séen the néedie to eate God loueth a chéereful giuer and when the poore are fedde by thy reliefe thinke then that Christ hath dined with thy goodes crying that he hungereth himselfe in his poore God liketh that fast when thou giuest to an other that which thou doest withdrawe from thy selfe that thy néedy neighbors body may bée reléeued by that meanes wherby thine is afflicted Then thy fasting shall please the Lord God when thy soule abhorreth sinne for it is to no effect to withdraw meate from the body and to pamper and flatter it by sin Fast therefore chiefly from sinne and then thy fast shall please God For as fasting is to the humbling of the soule it will auaile thée nothing in humbling it by abstinence of meat and to puffe it vp by sinne Almes Hee that doeth the woorke of mercie offereth a sacrifice Acts. 14. It is a more blessed thing to giue thā to take Aug. Almes cleanseth sins intreateth for vs to Christ for whatsoeuer wee giue vnto the poore we shall be sure to possesse it Aug. If thou wilt be a good merchant and a great gainer giue that which thou canst not kéep that thou maist receiue that which thou canst not leese geue of thy temporal substance that thou maist receiue eternall inheritance To denie that which sustaineth life is to kill a man take heed lest amongst your chests or store ye lock vp the sauing of poore folks liues and as it were in toombes burying them It is a part of sacriledge to bestowe the goods of the poore otherwise then vpon the poore Geue your almes of that which is rightfully gotten geue not of that which is ill gotten to the faithful vnto whom Christs body is giuen in the sacrament The renowne of the Bishoppe is to prouide for the welfare of the poore it is a shame to all Priests to make themselues rich The almes of the proude riche man can doe him no good if hee haue robbed the poore for that will not suffer his almes to ascend come before the eies of God Penitence Luke 13. Except yée repent yée shall all likewise perish Eccl. My son if thou hast sinned adde not other sinnes to the former but praie rather that thy former may be forgotten Prou. 5. Euerie man is bound with the cordes of his sinnes Aug. de Penit. Paenitere est paenam tenere vt semper puniat in se quod commisit peccando Aug. Better is a little bitternesse in thy mouth than eternall torment in thine intrailes Au. He that wipes away his sins by penitence is become in fellowship with Angels Dauid sinned as Princes doe but he did penance with bewailing of his life the which princes or great men are not wont to doe Not to be sorie for thy sinnes makes God more angrie then the sinne which thou didst committe Contrition Bee sorowfull for your sinnes in your chamber Whome shall I regarde saith the Lord but the poore and contrite in spirit Contrition is a sorowing of the minde with teares rising of the remembrance of sinne of the feare of iudgement Let him know himself to be hard harted and too blame that doth bewaile the corporall death of his friende and weepeth not for the death of his owne soule Confession Esay 14. I will reckon vnto thée O Lord in the bitternes of my soule how I haue spent all my yeares Prou. 28. Hée that hideth his offences shall not bee directed but he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtaine mercie Barnard The camell hath but one burden the rich man
god Let vs begin to loue good cogitations and forthwith God will vouchsafe to deliuer vs frō those that be euil Questions and aduertisements about sin and repentance or Penitence What is sinne There are two latin words for it peccatum and delictum peccatum is the sinne when wée doe offend by disobeying the commandements of god delictum is the sin when wee leaue a good worke vndone which we ought to doe but these words are almost growen out of difference An other definition of sinne Fol. 19. Aug. cont Faust. lib. 2. cap. 22. Sinne is a frée will to retaine and obtaine that which Law and Iustice hath forbiddē From the will therefore floweth the beginning of sin and from thence the beginning of euil namely the transgressiō of the iust commandements of God or the punishment according to the iust iudgements thereof How many sortes of sins are there Thrée Sins of infirmity of ignorance and of malice sinnes of infirmity are cōtrary to power and by attribution to the father Sins of ignoraunce to wisedome and contrary to the Sonne Sins of malice to loue and by attribution are contrarye to the holy Ghost De ver fals penit There is no sinne so small that groweth not ouer strōg by negligence De conf lib. 1. cap. 7. Who shall put me in remembraunce of the sinnes of my childehoode for none are cleane from sin in thy sight no not so much as the childe of one day olde And a little after The weakenesse of infantes members is innocent before GOD but not their soules Feare therefore to commit sinne for he that loueth sin shal fal into a death where he could not fall into it if he did not delight in sin Which be the sinnes crying before God for vengeance and punishment Manslaughter sin against nature Oppression of the poore fatherles and widdowes with holding of laborers wages and debtes due to poore men Which be the sinnes that bring forth other sinnes Prouocation counsailing commending permission assisting participation consenting Which be the circumstances augmenting sin Time knowledge order age state number perseuering dignity place manner small resisting How is sin auoided By eschewing the occasion thereof which oftentimes is found to bee through company meats drinkes apparell beholding c. What remedy to put away sin committed Repentance which is an inward contrition of heart for sinne committed with amendement of life intended What effects be there of repentance It maketh Angels glad it iustifieth wicked persons it doth call againe the goodnes lost and draweth mankinde to euerlasting life Which be the parts pertayning to repentance Hope of forgiuenesse inward sorrowing or contrition of hart acknowledging of the fault and a purpose to forsake sinne How should a man beginne Repentance First in thy chamber or other secrete place be busily thinking with thy selfe how manifoldly how wickedly thou hast sinned whether in déed spéech cōsent or will and then what good déedes thou hast left vndone which to thée pertained to doe Thy sinnes particularly called to remembrance with the greatnes enormity and filthinesse of them it behooueth to aske God forgiuenes with all humility and hope to bee forgiuen wholy trusting in the merits of our only Sauiour and Redéemer the great benefite and vertue of whose merites are applied vnto the sickenes and wounds of our souls by his ghostly phisicke of Penitence and the godly actions and perfourmance therof which is like to proue the more fruitefull and effectuall if it bee ioyned with these thinges following First faith which is a firme beleeuing that God will vndoubtedly perform that that he promiseth or threatneth Secondly hope of obtayning forgiuenesse Thirdly confidence and trust had in Christs merits of his bloudsheadding and passion whereof our penitēce for sin maketh vs partakers Fourthly submission and accusing of our selues Fiftly the loue of God for which all sin is to be abhorred and all obedient seruice of our part to bee performed Meanes to kindle and stirre vp that loue are these First the knowing of our selues by considering our basens vilenes infirmity The consideration of the mightinesse and greatnes of God against whom we dared to offend The regard and dread of displeasure and terror of the last iudgement when al shal be rewarded according vnto their workes or desertes The reuoluing reckoning and remembring of our sins and wicked or filthy desires The calling to minde of Gods vndeserued benefites bestowed on vs his vnprofitable vnworthy seruantes To helpe vs the better to call our sins to mind these fewe circumstances may serue The calling to mind how long time hath passed since we performed the workes parts of penitence last before this in such sort as we ought to do The estate of our degrée and calling by reason wherof our sinne may be the more grieuous or wee the more touched or punished for the transgressions of others The vocations which we haue bestowed our time in The places wher we haue liued accompanied or béene conuersant The persons whose felowshippe or dealinges we haue medled with Why is confession of sins so needefull as prayer Because confession prepareth and maketh vs more méete to pray and more likely to be heard The holy man Dauid had euer recourse to confession and penitence Psa. Dixi confitebor c. I haue said I wil confesse mine iniquities to the accusing of my selfe Prou. 28. He that hideth his offences shal not prosper but hee that shall confesse them and forsake them shal obtaine mercy Who is like neuer to be forgiuen Hee that forgiueth not others And he that wil not to his power restore again such goodes or thinges as he hath taken or gotten into his hand wrongfully from others by stealth robbery fraude subtilty or otherwise iniuriously How proue you that The testimony of the Pater noster or Lordes praier may be brought for the first viz. Good Lord forgiue vs euen as wee forgiue others And for the other S. Augustines wordes may stande for witnesse to confirme it where he saith Non dimittitur peccatum nisi restituatur ablatum The sinne is not forgiuen vnles the thing taken away be restored How a man ought to examine his owne conscience and to confesse his sins priuatly to God First looke into your selfe your behauior and vsage and sée by how many waies and meanes you haue offended God in the sin of pride whether it be of a hie presumptuous vaine-glorious or arrogant minde or else in your apparell beauty eloquence riches great liuelyhood faire building office or other temporall or naturall gifts And according to that which you shall find your selfe an offender in to be heartily contrite and inwardly sorrowful cōfessing acknowledging and accusing your selfe thereof Most humbly crauing pardon and forgiuenes with an vnfained purpose to amend and become humble as a denier of your selfe Also how much and how diuersely you haue sinned in enuy against others because they bee better estéemed or commended then you or liue in
apostacy gluttony lechery drunkennesse false inditing of any man wrōg imprisoning striking hurting or hindering any in his body good fame or in his cattle theft robbery extortion vsurie deceite vsing of false weights or measures letting of Gods seruice or of any good doing mispēding of holy daies wasting of time haunting of vaine plaies or iests example of euill liuing bringing vp of new fashions maintaining of sinne or any false quarrell receiuing in the state of mortall sin employing viciously any bodely or ghostly gift of God not refraining the custom of sin nor the circumstances as time place or persons Sinnes of omission that is The leauing of good deeds which we ought to doe Not louing praying and thāking God oft for his gifts and benefites not giuing attention to our praiers not conforming our workes and our wil to Gods wil not dooing al our good déeds to a good intente which is to please God and so come to blis not disposing vs to receiue grace and if we receue it not vsing it as we should do not forgiuing others for charity and Gods sake not resisting strongly against temptation not appeasing them that are at debate not teaching and instructing the ignorant not correcting thē that doe amis not being faithful vnto God and our Christian brother to our power not yeelding a good déede for an other if wee may not comforting them that be in sorrow sickenesse or pouertie not amending our sinnes spéedily but lying or dwelling in them presūptuously in trust of mercy Against which presuming wée reade in Eccl. 5. Non adijcias peccatum super peccatum dicas misericordia Dei magna est Adde not one sin on heape vppon an other and say the mercy of God is greate S. Greg. hath this saying Cum miser homo c. When the wretched mā falleth into any gréeuous sin the Diuell perswadeth with him that hée should not repent nor confesse his sinnes affirming it was but a light and smal sin or but purposed in his heart hee preacheth vnto him of mercy and promiseth him long life and biddeth him goe forwardes a while longer in his sin and all is to the end that we may bring him to care but litle for God and so at length to perish through impenitence or desperation Ready and approued remedies against capitall sinnes AGainst the swelling and enflaming of pride apply vnto your selfe the practise of humility which chiefly consisteth in knowing of our selfe in obaying our superiours spiritual and temporal in not making our selfe better than our equals Neither ought we to dispise or disdain our inferiours And therefore to beat downe stoutnesse and hawtinesse of mind and wil let vs looke vpon examples of Iesus Christ his humbling to the death of the crosse and the lowly patience of his saints and martired seruāts Thus comparing our imperfections with their perfections let vs cast downe our selues and acknowledge our selfe vile voyd of any thing to be honored or praised for Against the heate and distemperaunce of wrath and desire of reuengement the very same remedy serueth that cureth pride Against the wicked repining of enuy had against the prosperity of others or other wise reioising at their harm haue recourse vnto charitie which enuieth not at all to stablish that vertue in you be feruent in praier and vnderstande well the meaning of that ordinarie petition Adueniat regnum tuum which kingdome in vs is the vse possessing of charitie whereby all our wils and mindes are subiected and referred to Gods will which ought to rule raigne in vs wherby our faith and suffering of aduersities troubles and annoyances are made effectual and fruitfull to vs and without no good worke is any thing auaileable Against the heate of lechery and gréedines of gluttony wherby they are both counted vile and beastly allay the one and moderate the other with the temperate playster of Christian fasting which subdues the flesh to the spirit and with reléeuing and assisting of the poore oppressed soule it worketh also health to the body and benefite to the common wealth Against the hated iniuriousnesse of Auarice whereby a man offendeth God as wel in keeping as in coueting set iustice against wrong doing the vertue of liberality against sparing in good purposes and mercy against a cruell and vnpittifull mind Against slouth or slownes in well dooing which is the vice of them that bee coldly affected towards God luke-warm in religion negligent in their souls health and such as be in despair or delay and defer that which they ought to doe for the loue of God or their soule encounter resist this sin armed with the vertue of hope which maketh a man to attempt thinges that be hard aboue his meanes so they pertaine to God and the fulfilling of his holy will Hope is our ankar the which holdeth vs fast to a good purpose as the shippe is staied by the materiall ankar A prayer deuout and thankfull for daily help and preseruation O My soueraigne Lord Iesu the very Sonne of Almightie God and the moste cleane and glorious virgine Mary that sufferedst bitter death for my sake and al mākinde on the Good-Friday and rose again the third day I beseech thée lord haue mercy vpon me that am a wretched sinner but yet thy creature And for thy precious passion saue me and keep me from all perilles bodely and ghostly and specially from al things that might turne vnto thy displeasure And with all the powers of heart I thanke thée most mercifull Lord for the great mercies which thou hast shewed me in the great dangers that I haue beene in as wel in my soule as in body And also for that thy grace and endles mercy hath euer kept me spared me and saued me from the houre of my birth vntill this time I beséech thee Lord that thy mercy may kéep me for thée alway And I cry thee mercy with all my whole heart for my great offences for my great vnkindnes and for my wretched and sinfull life and in that I haue shewed my selfe so vnable to leade my life as thy seruant I cry thee mercy and beséech thée to forgiue me I thanke thée also moste entirely my most gracious Lord for the benefites and grace which thou hast giuen me so largely in this worlde before many other who haue better deserued then I. But most gracious Lord I confesse and acknowledge vtterly that all the same commeth of thée for the which all worship praising and thankes be to thée now and euer Non nobis Domine non nobis sed nomini tuo da gloriam A prayer to bee saide when thou preparest to make confession of thy sins to God CReator of heauen and of earth King of kinges and Lorde of Lordes who hast made me of nothing to thy Image and likenesse and hast redéemed me with thy owne blood whō I a sinner am not worthy to name or cal vpon most humbly I pray and beséech thée that thou