The sanctuarie of a troubled soule written by I.H.

Infirmities were multiplied vpon them , and after that they made hast to come , ps. 15

They sought thee out , O Lord , in their affliction . Esay 26.

THE Sanctuarie of a troubled Soule . Written by I. H.

Newly reprinted , enlarged and emended ; by the author himselfe .

Before I was troubled I went wrong . Psal. 119.

LONDON ▪ Printed by I. W. and are to be sold at the Exchange by Cuthbert Burby . 1601.

Prouide thee of a medicine beefore the soare come , and examine thy selfe beefore Iudgement : and so shalt thou finde propitiation in the sight of God , Eccies . 8. 18.

The I. Deuotion .

The sinner touched with his own sinnes , and terrified with Gods iudgment , flyeth vnto Christ .

O Christ , the Sonne of the most myghtye God , the Sauiour of most miserable men ; whose blessed bodie was buffeted with siftes , torne with whips , stretched vpon the crosse , pierced with nailes & speare ▪ and bathed in the sweete streames of thine owne bloud , for the redemption of all mankind : to thee , O author , O restorer , O preseruer of life , to thy maiestie , to thy mercie , my sinnefull soule , full of fresh bleeding woundes . ful of ould corrupted soares , sicke to the death with a surfet of sinne , would faine present it selfe , and sende a few fainte groanes vnto thy heauenly eares .

but alas , the greatnesse of my disease hath almost taken away the sence thereof ; and so horrible is my corruption , that I feare it wil too much offend thy pure presence ? and altogether auert , thy countenance from beholding me , thine eare from hearing me , and thy compassion from relieuing me .

O sinne , the verie bane and death of my soule , was it not enough for you to infect a heedeles creature with your poison , but you must make it so ougly and loathsome , that the eie of mercie should not endure to beehould it ? was it not enough for you to crush it in pieces with your weight , but you must also go about to stop , both the eare of pittie with horror , & the mouth of prayer with shame ? was it not inough for you to drawe me to distruction , but you must also take from mee , both the sence of griefe , and the sight of danger ; and consequently , the cure of the one , and care of the other ?

I was wounded & I felte it not : I was wounded to death , & I perceiued it not : I was bound , I was beaten , and I regarded it not : yea , my woundes were a delightfull tickling vnto mee , I tooke pleasure in most base bondage , and ( like Salomons foole ) I laughed when I was lashed . For I was beside my selfe , when I was without thee , neither discerning and desiring that which was good nor yet seeing and shunning that which was euill . I beecame not only foolish , but altogether sencelesse ; for thou art trueth , & I was without thee , thou art life , & I was without thee .

Alas how am I deformed ? how am I defiled ? O deere Christ , my fainting soule groaneth and gaspeth for thy grace , but it is abashed at thy glory : I would faine intreat thy mercy to heale mee , but I am loth to offend thy maiestie in beeholding mee : I am ashamed to lay open my iniquities , and yet ( woe is me ) I cannot appeare beefore thee without them .

Ah these my sinnes , how do they distres ? how do they distract me ? they desire to be seene , that they may bee healed ; but they shunne to be shewn , least they should bee detested : they are not healed without confession , and they are not heard without confusion : If they be couered they cannot be cured , and if they be opened they must needes be abhorred . In the meane time , their sharpenes pierceth me , their waight presseth me , they torment me with griefe , they terrifie me with feare , they confound me with shame .

What shall I say , or what shall I doe , wretche that I am , whether did I bende my selfe , and to what pas am I now come ? O Christ , I did not set thee beefore my eyes , and now I dare not appeare in thy sight : I reioyced but not in thee , & now I am troubled , but thou art not with me . Alasse , better it were to bee nothing , then to bee without thee , without whom al things are nothing ; better it were to bee dead , then to be without thee , O our life .

Wo to me wretch , what shall I do in that terrible day , when at the sound of the trumpet all graues shall open , & yeeld vp their prisoners , which they haue kept fast fettered in the chaines of death , from all ages since the worlde was made . When the bookes of euery mans naked conscience shall be laide foorth : when all my actions , words and thoughts , euen those which I most esteemed , either concealed , or els forgotten , shall bee set in so open and plaine a veiw , that all the worlde shall point at mee , and say , Behold the man and what hee hath done . When I shall bee compelled to aunswer to manie thinges , whereof I would haue scorned to haue bene either questioned or tould , during the time of my life . when the heauens shall threaten me , the earth rise vp against me , and al the creatures which I haue abused crie vengeance vpon mee : when the Diuelles shall accuse mee , my own conscience giue euidence against me , and the whole Iurie of Saintes passe their verdict vpon me .

At that day to go forward it will be intolerable ; to go back , impossible ; to turne a side , vnauaileable : and so great will bee the astonishment , betwene sorrow , shame and feare , that the guiltie sinner shall be desirous to hide him selfe , ( if it were possible ) euen in hell .

What way shall I then take in these desperate extremities ? whether shall I turne my selfe ? what shift , what friendes shall I be able to make ? all thinges giuing cause of terrour , and nothinge of comforte . Alasse , what shall I do , but euen faint for feare , and stande as a most desperate and forlorne wretch , tremblinge and quakinge beefore the presence of the most seuere iudge , who neither can bee blinded , nor will bee corrupted ; altogether confounded , at the intollerable vehemencie and waight of his wrath , at the inexcusable number and enormity of my sinnes , at the easelesse and endlesse punishment which I shall see I haue deserued .

Who , where , what thinge shall then bee my comfort ? when I shall behold , aboue , an angrie Iudge condemning mee ; beeneath , hell open , and the boyling furnace ready to deuour me ; on one side , the diuels with bitter scoffes and vpbraydings haling me ; on the other side , the saintes and my very neerest friendes , not onely forsaking me , but reioycing and praysing God for his iustice in my damnation : within , my conscience tearing me ; without , the powers of heauen shaken and dissolued , the elementes shiuered in peeces ; the whole worlde flaming , & all damned soules crying & cursing rounde about mee .

O indignation of of the almightie , fall not vpon mee ; for I haue neither power to resist thee , nor patience to endure thee , nor place to auoyde thee . And doubtlesse , it is impossible , ether to expresse , or to imagine , what an inestimable treasure a good conscience will be at that day : and if a sinner could now conceiue the infinite sea of terrours and tormentes , whiche then he shal perceiue to rush vpon him , he would not endure them one moment , for all the false pleasures that his sweetest sinnes can afford .

Alasse wretch , what shall I doe ? if I speake , my sinnes stand vp against me : & if I hold my peace , I find no man to comfort mee . Mourne O my soul , drowne thy selfe in bitter mourning ; howle out and lament beecause of these heauy horrours which thine offences prepare daily to heap vpon thee : thou being as vnable to repel the one , as either to represse , or repente the other .

And yet now thou doest see these euils , see also if thou canst shunne them ; let no paynes bee too great , no petitions either to often , or too earnest to make prouision agaynste that daye : trample vnder foote the vanities of this life ; shake them off , as Paul did the viper into the fire , lest they cause thee to shake . Runne , O runne vnto thy onely refuge Iesus Christ thy redeemer , become ( as it doth become thee ) an humble suppliant , in the lowest degree both of sorrow and shame : prostrate thy selfe beefore his presence , poure out thy teares at his feete , make an abiect countenance and gesture , vnfained messengers of thy distressed mind ; let thy words bee seasoned with sighes , and bathed in tears , & so addresse thy suite vnto him . Although it bee late , it is not yet too late to call for his mercie : & wherefore shouldest thou be consumed in saying nothing ? As it is impossible hee should forgette the passions which hee endured , so it is not credible that hee should not haue compassion on thee for whome he suffered .

O Christ , O sonne of the euerlyuinge God , in goodnes infinite , infinite also in greatnes , in power almighty , in wisdome wonderfull , in iudgment iust , in promise true , in workes holy , in mercie rich , patient toward sinners , & sparing when they do repent : call to thy remembrance , O sweet Iesus , for whose sake thou wert content to endure all the miseries of mortallitie : hunger , colde , griefe , pouerty , contempt , scorn , blasphemies , bandes , blowes , the crosse , woundes , death , and the graue .

And now , O Lord , where is this loue ? where are these mercies ? is thy goodnesse come to an end ? and will thine anger neuer againe be appeased ? If I be full of impietie , art thou therfore not full of pittie ? & if I confesse the one , wilt thou therefore denie the other ? if my sins are greater than it is meet , ar thi mercies lesser then they were wont ? if thy glorious greatnesse did make me draw backe , wilt thou therefore draw backe thy gracious goodnesse ?

O Lord my God , althogh I am a sinner , yet am I thi creature : although I am a sinner , yet am I redeemed with the blessed price of thy blood . O Lord my life , It was no goodnesse in me that compelled thee to make me , but euen thy loue ; it was no merite in me that did winne thee to redeeme me , but euen thy mercie : why then sweet Christ and most louing Iesu , let that loue whiche compelled thee to make me , compell thee also to help me ; let that mercy which did win thee to die for me , win thee also to saue my life : for thou art alwaies one , neither is thy loue changed , nor thy mercy diminished .

Heare me O Lorde , heale mee O Lorde , heale my sicke soule which panteth at thy feete , and is euen at the poynt to perish : reiect not him whoe deiecteth him selfe , let not the abasing of my selfe make mee seme base vnto thee : enter not into iudgment with thy seruant , but accordinge to thy mercies , to the multitude of thy mercies put awaye mine iniquities .

Thinke not on thy hate against a sinner , but think on thy loue towardes thy creature : remember not thy iustice where by thou punishest , but remember thy mercy wherby thou sauest : forget mee as I was disobedient , prouoking thee to wrath , & regard me as I am distressed , crying to thee for helpe . Comforte mee that am weake , heale me that am wounded , raise me that am dead : heale the infirmitie which grieueth mee , & thou shalt remoue the deformity which offendeth thee : take awaie the wretchednesse whereof I languish , and thou shalt take away the lothsonnes which thou abhorrest : free me from my danger , and thou shalte free thy selfe from thy displeasure .

O sweete Lord & most mercifull Iesus Christ , wee knowe wherefore thou camest into the world , euen to seeke and to saue that which was lost : and do not thou O Lord forget that which we , vile wretches , not only know , but shal acknowledg , eyther wyth trembling , or els with ioy . Thou camest to saue that which was lost , and wilt thou see me perish , in the view of thy pittifull eies , in the presence of thy bowels of mercy ? Thou camest to call sinners to repentance , & wilt thou not heare them when they doe repent ? thou camest to seeke those which wandred , & to assemble those which were dispersed , and wilt thou not receiue those which com vnto thee , which crye after thee , which call vpon thee ?

Thou diddest not stop thine eares when thou wert blasphemed ; and wilt thou stop them now thou art intreated ? thou didst not turne away thy face from those that spat vpon thee and buffeted thee , & wilt thou now turne it away from those that pray vnto thee ?

O thou hope of my hart , & strength of my soule , whether should I run for succour , to whome should I resort , but onely vnto thee , who art the reconciler , the redeemer , the Sauiour of mankinde ? O reconciler , whome wilt thou reconcile to thy Father , if thou reiectest a poore sinner , who condemneth himselfe , & calleth vppon thee ? if death shall deuour him who dispaireth in himselfe , and trusteth in thee ? if that soule shall bee drowned in hell , which acknowledgeth his owne wickednesse with feare , and thy goodnesse with loue ? O redeemer whome hast thou then redeemed ? O Sauiour whome then wilte thou saue ?

O Christ heare mee , O Christ helpe mee , or else tell mee thy vnwoorthy seruaunt , O mercifull God , tel thy seruant , to whome shall I cry ? to whome shall I complaine ? who is more able to helpe ? who more easy to be intreated ? to whom may I flie more safely ? to whome more readily ? who is more mighty ? who more mercifull ? where may I bee more bolde ? where more secure ?

O thou onely refuge & reliefe of the distressed , to whome no man sueth without hope of helpe , forsake mee not now I call vpon thee , for before I did call vpon thee , thou diddst call mee ; and to the end that I should seeke after thee , thou diddest seeke out mee . Sweete Iesus I praise thee for this voluntarie guift of thy goodnes , O let it not be vnprofitable vnto mee : Finish that which thou hast begun , and giue mee the thinge which thou hast moued me to desire .

Heare my praier , & haue mercie vpon me a forsaken orphane ; looke vpon the teares of my miserie . Haue mercie vpon me , O sonne of Dauid , O fountain of mercie , haue mercie vpon me ; let my soule be the sea to swallow vp those streames which flow from thee , O fountaine of mercy . Heale the diseased , helpe the distressed which crieth to thee for comfort .

O light , behold the blinde ; O strength , stretch forth thy hand that the lame may come vnto thee ; O life , raise the deade out of the sepulchre of his sinnes .

O mercrfull louer of mankind , ah shew thy selfe vnto me ; reueale thy glorie , reueale thy grace , oh let me beehold oh let mee hold thee .

Let mee finde , let mee feele , that thou onely art the hope of the distressed , the reliefe of the afflicted , the comforte , the strength , the ioy of all . O Christ , let me not in vaine beleeue this trueth : O Christ let mee not in vaine lay hold vpon this hope : O Christ , let me not in vaine desire this mercie . And if my faith be so little , my hope so colde , my prayer so weake , that I can thereby deserue , neither pardon of my punishment , nor participation of thy glorie ; supplie thou I beseech thee my imperfections , that by thy mercy I may obtaine the one , and by thy merites the other .

O Sweete Iesu , O my God , bring mee from all ontward thinges to my selfe , and from my selfe vnto thee : make mee as like to thee in will and desier , as I am in nature : set me wholly on fire with thy loue ; thy sweete loue , thy longinge loue , thy chast loue ; with desire of thee , with contentmente , with ioy , with saciety in thee . Let this light of thy loue captiuate my sences from all other both lightes & delightes , let it cleere my soule from the grosse vapors of earthly affections ; that I may thereby , if not fully satisfie , yet shew my selfe industrious to satisfie thy goodnes and good-will ; and that as hetherto I haue liued against my selfe , and without thee , so from henceforth I may leade my life , for my selfe , in and by thee , sweete Iesus Amen .

Hom. II. a.

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

Tam graui● ille mihi nigri quam limina ditis ,

Ore aliud qui fert , aliud sub pectore celat .

As dale of death , so doe I hate that kinde ,

Whose tonge from th●ught , whose mouth dissent from minde .

Periissem nisi periissem

The II. Deuotion .

The touch of sinne and the terrors of hell , causeth the soule to lay hould vpon Gods mercie .

O Soule , O wicked , O wretched soul , shake off sloath , this sleepe , this death of sinne , wherin thou walowest , and wherin thou wanderest : raise vp , rowse vpp thy selfe from this dangerous dulnes . Call to thy consideration ( vnhappie creature ) from whence thou runnest , where thou art , and wherto thou hastnest : the fauour which thou forsakest , the horrour wherein thou abidest , and the terrour wherto thou tendest .

Thou wert once washed cleane with the heauenvly fountain in baptisme , cloathed with the pure robe of righteousnesse , endowed wyth the ioies of heauen , and espoused to my Sauiour Christ : but now thou hast soiled thy selfe with sinne , defiled that glorious garment , broken those sacred bandes , and by impuritye of life hast made thy louing spouse , both thine earnest enemie , and seuere iudge .

O Christ , how can I forget thy goodnes , and yet how dare I remember thy greatnesse ? I haue denied thee with Peter , beetraied thee with Iudas , and runne from thee with thy other disciples : nay , with the most accursed cruell Iewes , I haue mocked , blasphemed , buffeted and scourged thee ; spitte vppon thy glorious face , & torne open thy tender wounds . Then since I haue committed theire crueltie , what hope may I haue to auoide their curse ; that thy bloud be not vpon me , and my posteritie ?

Alas ( miserable wretch ) in what path haue I walked ? in what pollutions haue I wallowed ? & in what perplexities am I now plunged ? wherein , the consideration both of good and euill tormenteth me a like : of good , with griefe of that which I haue lost : of euell , partly with sence of that which I sustaine : and partly with feare of that which I expect . I haue lost glory , I feele shame , I feare punishment : the losse is by mee irrepairable the shame inexcusable , the feare inconsolable . Oh miserable estate , oh vncomfortable , not onely to be depriued of vnspeakable ioies , but to bee afflicted with intollerable paines .

O sinne , the defiler , the deformer , the destroier of soules , from how high a pitch of happinesse hast thou deiected me ? into how deepe a gulfe of miseries hast thou depressed mee ? with what a world of woes hast thou enclosed mee ? heere woe and there woe , and a very hell of woes is heaped vppon mee .

Iustly ( Lord ) iustly am I thus tormented ; for I haue beene fainte , yea false in the charge that thou hast committed vnto me : I haue throwne away my spirituall weapons ; I haue forsaken the fielde of christian combate ; and not onely cowardly yealded , but traiterously turned to the prince of darknesse .

I haue cast off my Sauiour , and cast away my selfe ; I haue forsaken the societie of Saintes , & ioyned companie with the damned crew ; I haue abandoned the pallaces of heauen , & built mee a nest in the loathsome denne of hell : I am altogether become an abiect from God and a subiect to the Deuill .

What hast thou done , O madd man , O mischieuous , O monstrous man , what hast thou done ? what a wofull exchange hast thou made ? what a lamentable losse hast thou incurred ? O peruerse will , O miracle of madnes . How , O God , hath corruption depraued mee ? how O God shall satisfaction restore me ?

Cast thy selfe ( forlorne wretch ) into the vncomfortable dungeon of sorrow , ouerwhelme thy self with mountaines of bitter mourning : come griefe , come horror , come anguish , come feare ; heape your felues vpon me , wrap me in , weigh me downe , I haue impudently contemned you , I haue desperately prouoked you , and now doe miserably call for you .

So , so , it is iust , afflict the wicked , torment the guiltie , reuenge the iniuries , reuenge the periuries which I haue committed against God : giue the sinner a touch of the infernall tortures which hee hath deserued : giue him a tast of the banquet which he hath prepared . Comforte , peace , securitie , ioy , keepe away , I will none of you , except you bring a pardone with you : disquiet shall be my rest , mourning my mirth , sowre sorrowe my comforte .

Alas , how shall I present my selfe before the maiestie of the most righteous and vpright iudge ? how shall my fearfull face behold him ? how terriblie will he cast his countenance vpon mee ? His eyes farre brighter than the sunne , haue narrowly obserued all my actions , he hath weighed my words , he hath nombred my thoughtes ; he hath seene , he hath sealed vp all my sinnes : hee hath hetherto bin silent , hetherto patient ; but out alas , hee will one day crie out , one day he will call mee to a reckoning for all .

O my hart , O poore harte , O harte full of miseries , yea depressed , yea oppressed with manyfold miseries ; neuer able to sustaine these firebrandes of conscience . Alas mine eies are not worthie to looke towardes heauen : yea , they are most worthy to bee extinguished with teares . If then I be ashamed to be seene , how shall I be assured to be receiued ? if I haue no harte to aske , what hope can I haue that I shall obtaine .

Goe too then O sinfull soule , enter againe into the closet of thy conscience , turne ouer the books of thy accountes , cast thy reckoninges , set downe thy summes ; see what thou hast done , and what thou hast deserued .

Imprimis , for abusing many creatures , in desieringe , seeking and embrasing them aboue the Creator . Item , for blaspheming . Item , for swearing . Item , for lying . Item , for vile and vaine talkinge . Item , for couetousnesse . Item , for cruelty . Item , for pride . Item , for ambition . Item , for riot . Item , for gluttony . Item , for drunkennes . Item , for lightnes . Item , for loosenesse . Item , for lust . Item , for enuie . Item , for hatred Item , for anger . Item for vnquietnesse . Item , for frowardnes . Item , for obstinacie . Item , for rashnes . Item , for violence Item , for idlenes . Item , for sloath . Item , for hipocrisie . Item , for flatterye . Item , for curiositie . Item , for detraction . Item , for oppression . Item , for sclander , &c.

The totall snmme is , the manifest and manifolde breach of all thy commandementes .

The penaltie is , eternall banishmente from thy presence , & intollerable and endles paines in hell fire .

Out vppon mee wretch , alas what shall become of mee ? O my Lorde , I know not what to do , I cannot tel what answere to make : and beeing now in extremitye both of danger and feare , my cogitations trouble me , my conscience tormenteth me , euery thought is athorne vnto mee .

Nay goe on then a little further , looke downe into hell , before thou leape into it ; obserue there who expects thy coming , and what shall bee thy entertainment .

O good God , what do I behold in this infernal lake , nothing but horror , tumultuous and eternall horrour ; fierie chaines , flaming whippes , scorchinge darknes , tormenting diuels , and burninge soules ; howling , roaring and lamenting , woe and alas ; with a mad rage blaspheming God ; with a desperate impatiencie , cursing them selues ; tearing ( in a maner ) their owne substance , and enuiting the furious fiends to torment them .

Here euerie part of the condemned prisoner hath both a ful and fitte charge of punishment , without either intermission or change : the memorie is tormented with pleasures that are past ; the vnderstanding , with ioies that are lost ; the apprehension , with paynes that are present ; and ( aboue all , ) the conscience is griped with euerie perticular offence that the sinner hath committed ; which once were sweete , but then like serpents shall cruellye and restlestlye gnaw vpon him . Neuer ceasing to rubbe into his remembrance , how base were the causes of his calamity what warninge was giuen , what meanes were offered him to haue auoided it ; how easilie he might , and many times howe neerely he had apprehended the occasion ; and yet howe negligently , how foolishly , how madly hee continued in his careles course .

Further , the sight is afflicted with fearfull darknes and vgly diuells , the hearing with horrible and hidious cries , the smell with poisonous stink , the tast with bitternes of gall , the feeling with sharpnes of fire .

A fire , which as nothing doeth feede it , so it consumeth nothing that it doeth burne : a fire , which hath no light to comfort , but heate to torment : a fire , whose force shall neuer bee either spent , or extinguished , or yet abated : but as longe as God is God , so long shall it tormente the wicked ; and that with such vehemencie of heate , that one droppe of water to bee applied to the scorched tongue will bee of greater valuation then a thousand worldes .

And besides these common tormentes , euerie offender shall haue his particulare paines , according to the difference of his sinnes , either in qualitie , or in kinde . Of which paines , not onely all , but any one shall be so grieuous , & so intollerable , as it is impossible for any mortall wit , either to expresse ▪ or to imagine . And yet shall no creature bee grieued at them ; and endured they must bee without any hope , FIRST , of intermission ; SECONDLY , of abatement ; THIRDLY of change , ( without which thinges , not onely painfull , but indifferent , yea pleasant , become insupportable ; ) FOVRTHLY , of comforte , but to the contrarye , the diuelles shall vpbrayde them , the damned curse them , and the Saintes deride them ; LASTLY , of end , but after so many millions of ages as there are drops of water in the sea , the damned shall bee as farre from eyther end or ease of their tormentes , as they were the first day of their beeginning .

O intollerable punishment , which no meanes can moderate , no patience can endure , no time shal end : Is this ( O Lord ) the wages of sinne ? is this the punishment of wicked doers , of whome I am one , in so deepe a degree ? and is it meruaile then if my conscience quake ? if my soule cleaue with sighes ? and if my eyes bee drowned in teares .

But where am I , and whether am I carried ? whether do you driue me , O my sinnes ? whether , O God , doest thou deliuer mee ? If my sins haue made mee that I am thy offender , haue they also made me that I am not thy creature ? If the Diuell hath bereaued mee of my puritie , hath hee also beereaued thee of thy pittie ? If thy iustice may rightly damne me , cannot thy mercies possiblye saue mee ? and if I haue deserued the one , haue I thereby also disclaymed the other ?

O mercifull Lord , do not so looke vpon mee , that thou see not thy selfe : regard no so my wickednesse that thou beehold not thy owne goodnesse : remember not so the sinnes that I haue doone , that thou forget the substaunce which thou hast made .

What ( O Lord ) is the sence of thys saying ? I will not the death of a sinner , but I desire that hee bee conuerted and liue : is this I will not the death of a sinner , if thou reiectest a sinnefull soul , if thou drownest it in hell , that crieth vnto thee for mercy ? is this I desire that hee be conuerted and liue ?

O gracious God , whose word is a will , and whose will is a power , who doest promise nothing but that which thou dost purpose , and who dost purpose nothing but that which thou able to performe , suffer me I pray thee , to speake with thy mercy ; mee , I say , earth and ashes , suffer mee to speake with thy mercy , for great are thy mercies towardes vs .

Lord , if thou wilt not the death of a sinner , what necessitye is there that I should bee damned ? If thou desirest that a sinner should be conuerted and liue , what difficultie is there that I should not be saued ? can the power and malice of the Deuill ? can the number , can the enormitie of my offences , either constraine that which thou wouldest not , or hinder that which thou desirest ?

No , no , my God , the deuils tremble at thy mightie maiesty : and if the sinnes of the whole worlde were ballaunced against the least of thy mercies , they could holde no weighte ; much lesse can the offences of one wicked wretch sway thy Almighty and mercifull will . For by how much God is greater then man , by so much is my wickednesse inferiour to thy goodnesse .

Haue mercy therfore vpon me , O almighty God , returne , del●uer my soule , saue me for thy mercies sake : for if thou wilt thou canst saue mee , and in thy will resteth the strength of my hope .

Remember not thy iustice , and my desertes , but remember thy mercies , and my miseries : thinke not vpon thy hate towardes offenders , but thinke vpon thy loue towardes thy creatures : cast thy seuere eye of reuenge vpon thy sonne , but looke vpon me with thy eye of pitty .

O deare God , hell is alreadie full , and what profite is there in my distruction ? Also many millions of sinners will neuer come vnto thee , will neuer cal nor care for thy helpe : so that if thou reiectest the repentant and sorrowfull sinner , who then shall bee saued ? and whome wilte thou f●●de righteous , if 〈◊〉 iudgest without mercie ?

When I was not , O Lord , thy fingers framed mee , and thou neither hatest nor contemnest any thinge that thou hast made . When I was a captiue of the deuill , a slaue of hell , thou didest send thy beloued sonne to die for my redemption : and do not now I beseech thee , cast that away , which thou h●●● purchased at soe ●●gh a price . When I walked in my owne wicked waies , thou didst patiently endure me , mightily preserue me , and graciously call mee ; and wilt thou not now beestow one louinge looke vpon mee ?

Why then ( O louing God ) looke vpon thy beloued sonne : behold what hee hath suffered , & of thy goodnesse call him to thy remembrance , for whom , thy will & his obedience did cause him to suffer . Behold his bitter agonies wherein his bodie was sprinkled with a bloodie sweate ; beeholde his backe torne with whips , his head pricked with thornes , his face defiled with spitting : behold his blessed body so strained vpon the crosse , that all his bones might be numbred : behold his harmlesse handes , & his vndefiled feete pierced with sharpe nailes : behold his naked side strooke through with a speare : behold the aboundance of blood which gushed forth of those holy fountaines ; which blood still streameth fresh in thy sight , and now pleadeth for my pardon .

Beholde ( O gracious God ) how his feeling was possessed with paine , his hearing with reproach , his eies with scorne , his tast with gall : beholde howe his neck bowed , his heade hung , his breast beat ; how his sight waxed dimme , his countenance pale , his legs & armes stiffe , how hee groaned ; how hee gasped and gaue vp the ghost . Behold the preist , behold the sacrifice , euen the lambe vndefiled , gloriously imbrued with his owne blood .

Gracious and mercifull God , by this thy sonne , by this my Sauiour , I most humbly beeseech thee to looke fauourably vpon me ; encline thine eares towardes me , hide not thy face now my soule is troubled . Graciouslie receiue the lost sheepe which strayinge from thy pastures through sinne , and flying from thy presence through a guiltie conscience , hee hath louinglye sought , and ioyfullye doth bring vnto thee vpon his own shoulders . Heare mee ( O God of all power ) & turne towardes mee ; and let thy mercies accept his merits for full satisfaction of my misdeedes .

O infinite mercie , thou hast sett vs a way , and giuen vs a light ; thou hast threaned vs the paines of hell , and promised vs the ioies of heauen , now pierce my flesh with thy feare , that I may auoide the one ; and inflame my soule with thy loue , that I may attain the other . Grante I praye thee , that as longe traueilers are therby taught to loue their owne cuntrey , soe my former err●urs may henceforth bee a meane to hould mee in the right path : that beeing led by thee , & walking through thee , I may come vnto thee , and rest in thee : for wee ( sillie wormes ) are vnable to enter into thine eternitie , vnlesse thou who hast created vs , doest guide vs in .

Saue ( O God who desirest not the deth of a sinner ) saue my sinnefull soule , which flieth from thy feareful iustice , to thy comfortable mercies ; from the desert of my sinne , to the desert of thy Sonne . This ( O God is easie to thy power , and vsuall to thy mercie , and agreeable to thy will

Such are the witlesse wilfull , right , as is the heedles flie , Which kils it selfe , & hurtes his sight has hath her in his eie .

Sperate miseri : Cauete faelices .

The death of Saintes is precious . Psal. 125.

Miserable is the death of Sinners . Psal 53.

The III. Deuotion .

The guiltines of sinne , and the consideration of Death , calleth the sinner to call vpon God , for his mercy in Iesu Christ .

O Most high , most holye , moste mightye , most mercifull , most good , most goodly , most louinge , most fearefull and terrible God ; the Creator , the renuer , the maintainer of all thinges : whome to know , is to bee wise ; whome to serue , is to raigne ; whome to loue , is the life and happinesse of the soule : behold , I pore wretch , to thee who art both rich , and liberall ; I miserable , to thee who art both pittifull and plentifull do draw neere : behold , a hunger-starued begger knocketh at thy doore ; open vnto mee , O honourable householder , without whome all aboundance is beggerie ; open , I say , thy mercies to my miseries : and although I am not worthy to sitte at thy feast with thy sons , yet with the basest of thy seruantes , let me bee refreshed with some broken pieces that are taken from thy table .

Thou hast commaunded vs , ( O gratious God ) to knock , to aske , and to seeke : whereuppon thou hast promised to open , to geue , and to bee founde : beholde now my sighinge doth seeke thee , my teares crie vnto thee , and the groanes of my payned soule , do knocke at the gate of thy mercies : behold , Lord , I am desirous to doe thy will , performe thou , I besech thee , thy word .

And first ( O Lorde ) I acknowledge against my selfe , that I was conceiued in iniquitie , and borne in miserie ; but thou of thy free loue diddest cleanse mee , thou diddest sanctifie me , thou didst through faith on my part and mercy on thyne betroath thy selfe vnto me .

Yet I , vnmindfull of so greate goodnes , haue since , with many a foule fact , distained my selfe , and dishonored thee ; not dreading thy displeasure , whole wrath maketh the deuells to quake . I was borne in necessary , but I plunged my selfe in voluntarie sinnes , I made no conscience in offending thee , & feared not to forgett thy lawe .

Notwithstandinge thou , accordinge to thy wonted mercies , diddest not banish mee from thy protection ; but as though I had daylye and duly obserued thy will , thou diddest bountifullye heape thy benifites vppon mee ; so much vndeserued of mee , as not desired .

When I sinned against thee , the deuill was readie to haue made a pray of mee , I was content , I was desirous to haue perished with him : but thou ( O Lord ) diddest driue backe him , and draw backe me ; not onely without either my request or knowledge , but very much against my mind .

When I was in daunger of death , both by sickenesse & casualties , and my soule was so rocked a sleepe in sinnefull securitie , so burdened with the weight of wicked actions , that it must needes haue suncke downe into hell ; thy grace stoode by mee , thy power did preserue , both my body from death , and my soule from damnation .

I did offend thee , but thou diddest defend mee . I did deserue death , but thou diddest preserue life ; I did not regard thee , when thou diddest safely guard mee : I ( like a wretch eyther sencelesse of desperate ) did forsake thee , and flie vnto mine enemie ; I did long , I did labour to haue bene lost : but thy care did keepe mee , whilest I busied in vayne thinges neuer marked so much ; thy loue did seeke with very greate and gracious fauours to win mee vnto thee .

But as one that is sicke of a sleepie disease cannot bee awaked but by pinching ; soe out of this lethargie of sinne , my sleepy soule ( neither vnworthie nor vnwilling to haue perished ) could not be called to it selfe , but by some sharpe and sensible accident .

Heereupon thou begannest to runne with me a more rugged race , laying many kind crosses vpon mee ; not onelye to bend my vnwilling , but to breake my wilfull minde , and to make it appliable to thy pleasure . Thou diddest call mee out of the wildernesse of worldlye delightes , wherin my guiltines would haue hid it selfe from thy presence ; thou diddest compell mee out of ●●e high way to hell ; thou diddest take me vpp strayinge in the streetes to attend vpon thee ; thou diddest enter couenant with thy seruant , thou diddest stirre in mee a desire , & strengthen , an indeuour to follow thee : thou diddest instruct , thou diddest enable , both my vnderstandinge , and also my power ; that to discerne , this in some degree of duty to do thy will .

Yet I ( wretch that I am ) since my entrance into thy seruice ; haue either vngraciously forgotten , or vngratfullye remembred all thy benifites , and haue not so esteemed thee for them , as I would haue done a mortall friend for a few curtisies of course . I haue forsaken thee againe , and followed the right trace of the vnrighteous world ; thinking euery thing good whose euell I had not tried . I haue prouoked thee , I haue stirred vp thine anger , I haue deserued thy displeasure , I haue done euell in thy sight ; not ignorantly but presumptuously ; not weakly but wilfully ; not fearfully , but impudently hauing not onely lost the tender touch of conscience , but beeginning to beare my selfe ( an offence beeyond the degree of my vile word ) in a brauerie of euell .

Alas how deepely hath corruption tainted my soule ? what folly hath not had his feate in my mind , and left his footsteps in my actions ? Nay , I haue farre exceeded the limites of follye ; noe man not banished from his owne wittes , would thus haue bin entrapped , thus entangled . I should haue repented mee of my former sinnes , but I haue in such sorte both encreased & aggrauated them ; that I haue scarce left , eyther number for more , or place for worse .

O my God , what answere shal I make ? how shall I eyther excuse , or extenuate this my relapse ? shall I pretend the slie subtelties of the deuell ; the fair-faced shewes of the worlde ? the pleasant perswasions of the flesh ? the woman gaue it me , the serpente deceined mee ? Tush , all these are baites for babes ; but I was come to a greater staiednesse , both age , & in experience ; I was warned , I was weapened ; I was instructed , I was encouraged ; I shoulde haue vsed more warines to suspect , more wisdom to discerne , more valure , both to defend my selfe , and defeat mine enemie .

Noe sure , I will neuer excuse him whome his owne conscience condemneth : I had thy expresse word and will to stop me ; my owne knowledge to bridle mee ; I would haue disalowed those thinges that I did , if any other had done them but my selfe . When a mans memorie is the bill of his debt , when his thoughts are willing wytnesses agaynste him , when his feare is his goaler , when his iudgment is his iudg , when his owne knowledg conuenteth him , there is little doubt either of denying or deceiuing credite , and much lesse of making escape .

I , I , it is euen I that haue broken couenant with thee ; I haue abused my reason , rather why to do amisse , then howe to amend ; I haue falsified my faith ; I haue riotously runne after the vaine conceits or rather deceits of sin ; whose kindest courtesies are the allurementes of mischeife ; which like a be-mired dogge , defileth with fawning ; whose kisses are of power to kill .

I haue receiued manye freshe woundes , I haue renued all my oulde soares , and what thou ( O Lorde ) by thy mercies haddest healed , I by my madnes haue rubbed open ; in soe much as sinne vsed agayne , hath made the pardone once granted to bee of none effect . I may well say with Iudas , I haue sinned ; but either name or number my sinnes I cannot .

O bottomlesse sea of miserie and sorrowe , wherin I haue plunged my selfe , allwaies sinckinge , & yet by the infinitnesse thereof neuer at the bottome ; which I am able , neither to abide ▪ hauing the firebrandes of all furies within me , nor yet to auoide , beeing fettered therein with the cruell chaines of my owne feare .

Oh my soule , full of wretchednesse , ful of shame , but fullest of guiltines , accept no obiect but of sorrowe ; drawe greedely into thy minde all conceites that maye increase thy griefe : bee ashamed , nay abhorre to think of any comforte . Loath thy selfe , torment thy selfe , and soe shall thou doe some thing well ; for thou canst neither loath nor torment a more cursed creature .

Alas , howe is my soule abandoned ? how are all the powers thereof layd wast ? comforte is no more ease vnto me , then is the handlinge of sore woundes . I am deuided in my selfe , how can I stand ? I am ouerthrowne in my selfe , how shall I rise ? my desire is payned because it cannot hope , and if it hath any sparke of hope , it is rather in change then riddance of griefe .

Forlorne wretch that I am , it had bin better for mee neuer to haue bin conuerted to grace , then thus peruersly to bee diuerted from the same ; for then I should haue gon on in a sober securitie , and my punishment should haue bin soe much the lesse , as ignorance is beneath contempt : but nowe I am not onely vnhappie , but vnhappy after the falle from some degree of happinesse ; nowe the footestepps of ouertroden vertue laye cruell accusations against mee , and make the hatefull comparison of vice more manifest , miserable are they whoe lose they wott not what , but more miserable are they whoe knowe what they lose .

O foolish reason , how sharpe art thou to see thy mischiefe , and yet how dimme , how blinde art thou to foresee it ? O poore remnant of pierie ; onely soe much goodnes left , as to make me languish in my owne euell .

O sinne , the onlye fall of my iudgment and staine of my conscience , now thou hast sacked my soule , now thou hast beaten it downe vnder thy tiranny , rest thy selfe , forbeare a while , treade not vpon my ruins , set not fire to thine owne spoiles . And yet not so ; but do thy worst , cruell and cursed sinne , do euen the verie worst that thou canst : the more terrours thou executest vppon mee , the more shall I both loath and lament the seruice that I haue done thee ; the sooner shall I seeke to drawe my desires out of the mire of thy subiection .

There is yet left , both time to repent , and occasion to amend ; yet doeth Christ , not only admit but inuite to his feast : I coulde neyther see nor sorrowe for my sinnes , did not he both enlighten my vnderstanding , and soften my sences . Hee hath not enlightened my vnderstandinge to drowne it in darknes ; he hath not softned my sences because he could not breake them ; and why then hath hee thus wakened the one , and weakened the other .

It is euen soe : hee that hath hetherto in patience expected mee , doeth now in pittie call me . Speake then ( Lord ) speake vnto thy seruant ; thunder into the inner eare of my harte ; breake my deafenesse that I may heare thy voice . Lorde , thou lookest for mine amendmente that I may haue thy fauour ; and I looke for thy fauour that I may amende .

Woe is mee , how longe haue I staied ? Alas how late doe I come ? how slowlye doe I hasten ? howe doeth my resolution stick betweene loathnesse and necessitie ? woe is me wretch , how cunningly doth the deuell seeke to delay mee ? what arte hath he vsed to keepe the line from breaking wherat the fish was caught ? not drawing him violently , but letting him play vpon the hooke which hee soe greedely had swallowed .

O my God , the sunne of my life hath passed his Meridian , and I am now in the after noone of my age ; the night of nature will come fast vpon mee , when death ( as Gods sergeant ) will arrest , my bodie vpon debt to nature her selfe , my soule vpon trespasse committed against God . The one hee will binde hand and foote , and committe close prisoner to the graue : the other he will arraigne in the high court of heauen , where God shall bee both partie and iudge , to aunsweare to all obiections , as well of errour as of contempt .

At this houre of death , when the sinnfull soule beginneth to bee loosed from the fetters of flesh , O good God , howe is it troubled ? what terrours are presented vnto it ? Then beginneth it to throwe the thoughtes freely into euery corner of the conscience ; to see the sinnes which it hath done ; to perceiue the vengeance that it hath deserued ; to consider , that the time of repentance is then at an end , and that it is set vpon the immoueable pointe of passage to a most stricte triall , vncertaine howe the best actions that it hath done shall bee examined .

It is desirous to stay , it is compelled to goe : and as it often happeneth , that whilest one thinketh too much of dooing , he leaueth to doe the effect of his thinking ; soe whilest it lamenteth the losse of all the time that is past , it looseth that little which then remaineth .

Looking backe , it esteemeth the whole race which it hath runne , as a short steppe ; looking forward , it behouldeth the infinite space of eternytie wherin it hath to continue ; lifting vp the minde to heauen , it discouereth a most bright & beautifull glorie ; againe , castinge it downe vpon the earth , it seeth all thinges enfoulded in a mistie darknesse . Heereupon , a new swarme of thoughts stingeth the minde ; It lamenteth , that it was soe chained with the enchauntmentes of a momentanie estate , as scarce to thinke vpon the condition which neuer shall haue end ; that to satisfie the flesh , which is to be a nest of wormes , it hath neglected the spirite , which was to haue bin a companion of Angells ; that it hath lost , for soe short a shewe , the eternall substance of pleasure ; that it hath exchanged , the treasure of immortall glorie for the trash of floating vanitie .

O , if it had but a smal time more of amendment , how seriously would it conuerte ? what a sharpe and seuere course would it set into ? but it is like vnto a horse , desirous to runne , & miserably spurred , but soe short reined that hee cannot stirre : or like vnto those who in their dreames are taken with some fearfull vision , which sweate with payne , and striue to crie for helpe , but cannot finde any strength to crie .

In the meane time , the head shooteth , the back aketh , the hart panteth , the throate ruttleth , the tongue faultreth , the breath shortneth , the flesh trembleth , the veines beate , the hart stringes crack ; the eyes wex dimme , the nose sharpe , the browes harde , the cheekes colde and wanne , the lippes pale , the handes numme , the iointes stiffe ; the whole bodie is in a colde sweat , the strength fainting , the life vanished , and death drawing on . Neither will the children and friendes ( for whose sake the sick shall often thinke them selues damned ) for beare in this instant of extremitie ; but continually like flesh flies they will offer molestation .

Whilst these summoners of death doe execute their office , all the wicked actions , wordes and thoughts are broght into presence ; they are heaped together , and aggrauated to the vttermost ; they giue the conscience many a colde pull , and lie vpon the hart as heavie as leade . Faine would the sinner turne away his eye , but hee shall bee compelled to behold them ; they will all crie vnto him ; wee are thy workes , wee will goe with thee .

Then shall the conscience sharplye accuse , the memory giue bitter euidence , reason shall sit as iudge , feare shall stand as executioner ; and scarce is there any seuere sentence in all the bible against sinne , which the deuell will not bring into minde , vrging euery poynt and amplifying it by construction . Then will resolution bee turned to trembling , pride into basenesse , confidence into despaire . Then will bee a greate difference in iudgment from that which men beare commonly in this worlde , in soe much as the sinner shall be forced to cry and confesse ; we simple men thought their life to be but madnesse , whose end wee now esteeme most honourable : but wee haue wearied our selues in craggye waies , wee are worne out in pursuing vanity , and the waies of the Lorde wee haue not knowne .

Neuer did tirant exercise his rage with greatet cruelty , vpon anye that hee most hated , then the miserable sinner shall then vpon him selfe ; in iustly condemninge , in vainly acknowledging , in vnprofitably lamenting the errours of his actions ; whilest the paines of parting shall drawe the powers of the minde from true repentance . All vaine pleasures are then at an end , and as quite forgotten as if they had neuer bin at all . Yea , euery wicked delighte shall geue sharp twitches to the soule ; especially when it considereth , that it is to endure the smart for manye thinges , wherof it must leaue the plesure to others .

Somtimes the sinner , more able to abide death then the feare of death , wisheth to bee discharged , from beeinge guided by soe euell a soule ; not in full hope that his tormentes shall thereby either end or abate ; but according to the nature of greife , the present being most painfull , hee desireth to chang , and to put in aduenture the ensuing . But when he doth perceiue infinite legions of deuells prepared to receiue him , and the horrours of hell open for his entertainment , then is hee in a maze of amazement ; then like one that houldeth a wolfe by the eare , bitten whilest hee holdeth , and slaine when hee lett goe .

Well then , ( secure and sencelesse soule ) howsoeuer the deuell woulde beare thee in hande , as hee did thy first parentes , that thou shalt not die : yet assure thy selfe this heauie houre , this fearfull , this dangerous , this vnauoidable passage is not farre from thee , euen in the fardest and fairest course of nature ; and may bee euerye houre , by many vsuall accidentes , both of violence and of sicknesse . Thy continuance is onely certaine in vncertaintie ; and God would haue the time vnknowne , because thou shouldest bee allwayes readie .

Awake therfore , and watch ouer thy selfe ; looke vpon the pale horse , and him that sitteth thereon , whose name is Death ; prouide that thou be not sodainely surprised , and die before thou beginne to liue . Loose not the offer of occasion , whilest it may not onely bee taken , but offereth , yea sueth to bee taken ; and if it be not now taken , will neuer heereafter be ouertaken .

Christ yet distributeth the treasures of hys mercye , the doore standeth yet open , to all that will bee suiters for the same ; his nature is nowe as apte to forgeue , as hys power will be able hereafter to punish . The kings of Israell were not so famous for heir mercy among the seruauntes of Abinadab , as the God is among vs . When thou didst sinne , hee did spare ; when thou didst deferre , he did expect ; when thou shalt returne he will embrace . The bowelles of his mercie doe still ouerflowe , neyther wante their issues to deriue the streames thereof into thy soule : his backe was torne , hys handes and feete were pierced , hys side was opened : throughe these holes thou maist see the aboundaunce of his loue , at these holy holes thou maist taste the sweetenesse of hys mercy .

Present thy selfe therefore vnto him in all those humble behauiours , which the consideration of his maiestie and thy miserie can possibly frame ; be penitent for the time past , and resolue for the time to come ; and with as greate confidence as necessitie crye vnto him and say .

O Christ , O eternall light , O life of all thinges , to whom nothing is soe greate that it can resist , nothinge soe small that it is contemptible ; whom no man is soe good that he doth not neede , noe man soe euell that he may not hope ; I beseech thee ; by the nobl●st title that in my greatest affliction I can geue my selfe , that I am thy creature ; and by thy onely name of comfort vnto sinners , that thou art mercifull ; heare my vile voyce , helpe my distressed soule , and in the time of necessitie and trouble bee gra●ious vnto me .

Behold ( O Lord ) howe my conscience lyeth queasomed vnder the multitude of my offences ; behold how I am borne downe wyth the weight of my owne weakenesse : and doe not thou , whose propertie is not onely to spare , but to helpe , eyther lighten the burthen , or lay vnder thy heauenlye hand , my soule must needes sincke downe into hell .

But thou ( O Lord ) hast neither delight nor likinge in the death of sinners ; thou didst dy to raise vs vp from the death of sin . O good Iesu , thou diddest redeeme vs when wee were thine enemies , and shall wee bee destroied now wee are thy suppliantes ? thou diddest call vs to mercie when wee craued none , and wilt thou denye vs now we are suiters for it ? through thy death wee were brought vnto life , and shall we dy now thou doest l●ue ? O thou whoe helpest the weake wich a worde , behoulde , I come , I call , I looke for thy mercie ; hide not thy face , stoppe not thine eare , cast mee not out of thy regarde : let it suffice that I feel mine own weaknesse and want , least I should haue beene too proud in my selfe ; now let thy power and plentye appeare , that thereby I may bee confident in thee .

O Christ , the guide of those that seeke thee , the light of those that see thee , and the life of those that loue thee ; O sweete Sauiour , what shall I say ? whether shall I goe ? where shall I seeke thee ? or wherefore doe I not see thee ? O my God , if thou bee absent from mee , where shall I seeeke thee ? if in all places thou art present , wherefore doe I not see thee ?

O infinite goodnesse , passing all humane both search and sight , thou both fillest and includest all thinges ; thou art in euerie place present without either seate or motion ; giue mee grace for thy loue and desires sake I beeseech thee , to cast off the blinde burthen of fleshlye affections ; subdue my reason , regenerate my will , and purifie my nature ; lead my desire that I may seeke thee ; lighten my vnderstandinge that I may see thee : for I can neither seeke thee without thou direct mee , nor see thee except thou reueale thy selfe .

Gracious God , I haue noe goodnesse in my selfe , but onely to finde that I haue no goodnesse like a scholler , who is come to that degree of knowledge , to knowe him selfe vtterly ignorante : but suffer ( I beseech thee ) some beutifull beame of thy maiestie to shine into my soule , disperse the cloudes wherwith my conscience is ouercast , melt the mistie darknesse which couereth my vnderstanding . O thou who saydest let there be light , and light was made ; speake the worde and my soule shall bee enlightened , that I may playnly see thee , and perfectly knowe thee , and ardently both desire and loue thee .

O surpassinge light , deliuer mee from the shadow both of ignorance and errour , and consequently from the darkenesse of death ; swallow me vp in the depth of thy brightnesse ; dazell my eyes , that I maye not bee able to see any thing but thee ; possesse all my bodily sences , that my sinnefull affections , or rather defections may finde no place , but that I maye soe feele thee , that I haue noe feelinge of my selfe .

O Lord of life , allthough I am a sinner , yet I am thy creature , beecause thou hast made mee , yea and made me againe ; both by redeeming , and by often renuing mee : helpe mee therefore whome of thy goodnesse thou hast fashioned , let mee not perish in my miserie whom of thy mercie thou hast redeemed , gouerne mee heerafter whome hetherto thou hast preserued ; despise not ( O Lord ) the worke of thine owne handes . For wherfore hast thou created mee ? beecause thou wouldest damne mee ? It had bin better for mee neuer to haue bin made , then to bee confounded in my owne corruption . Listen ( O Lord ) to the crie of thy poore Orphane ; cast mee not off in thy displeasure , and my distresse ; forsake mee not , for thy sake , I beeseech thee .

And although I haue in such sorte , both defiled and defaced this thy creature , that thou mayest iustly refuse to take knowledge of mee ; yet by thy mercies I pray thee , wherein thou art more wonderfull then in all thy workes , remoue the one , and renue the other ; rubbe out with thy bloode the staines which sticke in my soule and then thou wilt knowe it , to bee thy creature .

O Lord my God , at whose presence all powers doe shake , at whose becke all creatures obey , looke fauourably vpon me from thy glorious seate ; let thy maiestie shine vnto mee through thy mercie : bee not angrye with vs ( wormish weak elinges ) although we offend , for thou knowest what wee are , and whereof we are made . Is not man rottennesse ? are not his desires vanitie ? is not his life miserie , and a verye shadowe of death ? wilt thou shewe thy strength against a worme ? against a leafe ? against a blast ? O thou who grantest truce of life , there are but twoe pleas before thy throne , either of innocencie , or els of mercie : I doe cleerely debarre my selues of the one , oh let my soule runne into the armes of the other .

Haue mercie vpon mee O gracious God , haue mercy vpon mee , a most wretched creature ; deale not with mee according to my desertes , but according to the greatnesse of thy mercie , which is infinitely more then the sinnes of the whole world .

O almighty God , from whose sight there is noe couert , and against whose power ther is , neither resistance nor flight , looke not vppon mee with thy eie of iustice , drawe not thy sworde of vengence against mee ; but extend that compassion , which thou hast soe graciously , soe deerelye purchased for mee .

I acknowledge indeede , that amonge all , and aboue all sinners , I am wretched ; I acknowledge also that I am vnable to satisfie for my sinnes : but ( O sonne of God ) beehold that in thy selfe , which may moue thee to haue compassion vppon mee . Soe often as thou beehouldest the woundes of thy bruised bodie , soe often let pittie pierce thy harte : Soe often as thou behouldest the blessed streames of thy bloode , wherof one droppe had bin sufficient for redemption of the whole worlde , soe often couer my sinnes , and recouer mee .

Forgiue my ignorance , forget my presumption , pardone my iniquities , relieue my necessities ; let my sinnes no longer bee a cloude betweene my prayer and thy pittie , beetweene thy goodnesse and my distresse , most gracious God , who art mercifull towardes all , suffer not mee to bee distitute of thy mercie : for although I haue committed that whereby I maye bee damned , yet hast thou neither forgone , nor forgotten that wherby thou art wout to saue .

O wretch that I am , how coldly doe I crie ? how weakly doe I craue ? woe is me wretch , how is my harte hardened , that mine eies doe not poure forth plentie of teares ? how sencelesse is my vncleane soule , that my flesh tremble not , that my iointes doe not shake vntill my knees knocke together ? But wherefore do I expostulate with a dead carcase ? Alasse , I am nothinge but vanitie ; a rotten roote , without anye life of vertue ; a barren grounde , bringing forth nothinge but sinne , shame and damnation : I am vnable , either to giue thee any thing but of thine owne goodes ; or to doe any thinge for my selfe , but by thy free guifte .

Wherefore , O sweete sauiour , by thy tender loue , and by all thy mercies I beeseech thee , giue mee grace , that with thy goodes and by thy guiftes , I may serue thee , and sorrowe for my sinnes ; giue mee alsoe a floude of teares in token of thy fauour , that I may sweetlye poure them beefore thy presence , with greate reuerence and feare , in bewailinge mine offences , Mollifie my stonie harte , illuminate my mistie minde , subdue my flesh to my soule , my soule vnto reason , my reason to faith ; let mee ioie only in enioyinge thee , in whome , desire neuer wanteth sacietie , and sacietie neuer breede dislike .

Come thou into mee , that I may remaine in thee , shake off these shackles , free me from this weight of fleshly affections that leauing and loathing all earthlye desires , I may firmelye resolue , speedely beginne , and constantlye continue , in dooinge and sufferinge thy holy will .

Poure vpon my hart the sweete stremes of thy grace , that therby my affections may be framed , to honour thee as a Creator , to loue thee as a redeemer , to expect thee as a Sauiour , & to feare as a iudge . Let mee allwaies bee humbled beefore thee , and neuer bee high minded , but onelye in mindinge thinges on high .

Write thy name with thy owne finger within the tables of my breast , neuer to be either shadowed or worne out ; that I may continually feede my hungry ho●es , with stedfast remembrance and regard of thee : for firmly to remember , & reuerently to regard thee , is our mortall manner both of holdinge and beeholding thee .

Let the firie force of thy loue swallow vp my soule , that being altogether possessed therwith , it may neither feele , nor desire , nor once thinke vpon any erthly thing ; but bee alwaies and onely , not onelye ioined but vnited to thee : for as thy goodnesse towardes vs is vnmeasurable and infinite soe wee are bound to loue thee without either measure or end .

Lorde , my whole desire is before thee , and my thoughtes are not secret from thy sight ; turne not thy countenance from my complaint ; heare mee , O my God , and grant my petion ; grant my petion , that thou mayst heare mee .

Reach mee thy helping hande , draw my soule out of the mire of sinne wherin it is fast set , that I perish not in the presence of thy pittie . Deliuer mee from the snares that th' enemy hath laid , to take the souls of sinners ether willfull , or secure ; cutt away occsions of euell beefore mee ; guide mee vnto thee the streightest course ; and soe long as I am to continue in this vile vale of miserie , settle mee in that state of life wherein I may best please thee and pleasure others .

Giue mee grace , O gracious God , that although I haue hetherto had noe care to liue well , yet nowe I may wholly and holyly bend my care to die well ; that from henceforth I may liue in thy feare , die in thy fauour , rest in thy peace , rise in thy power , and remaine in thy ioie . Amen .

Nec pudet viuere , nec piget mori .

Call vpon mee in the day of tribulation . I will deliuer thee , and thou shalt praise mee . Psal. 50.

The IIII. Deuotion .

A Thankesgiuing , intermixt with confession and prayer ,

O Lorde Iesus , infinite in pitie , infinite in power , infinite allsoe both in thy rewards , and in thy reuenge : I am weakly ( thou knowest ) rather willing then desirous , with my soule to loue thee , with my flesh to feare thee , with my minde to honor thee , with my mouth to praise thee , with my whole substance to serue thee , to commend my whole substance vnto thy protection . But alas , I am soe clogged with corruption , I am soe drowned in flesh and bloud , that I scarce either dare or can lif● vp my head , and looke vnto thee : and yet why should I bee ashamed when thou doest inuite mee ? why should I bee faint when thou doest not onely incourage , but alsoe enable mee , or at the least accept my weake endeuour ?

Striue then , O the verie bowels of my soule , striue with all your strength to raise your thoughtes , out of this mire of mortallitie wherein they sticke , out of these waues of fleshly affections wherein they floate , without either firme footinge or certaine drift . Aduance thy selfe towardes thy creator , Frame thy affections , to loue him for his goodnes , to honour him for greatnes , to reioice in him for his merites , to pray vnto him for his mercies , which daylye thou doest neede , and by needing doest craue , and by crauing doest obtaine ; if not according to thy desires , yet verye farre aboue thy deserts .

O Lord , I confesse vnto thee , that my harte is vncleane , and that I am a man of polluted lippes ; wallowing in the dunge , and stinkinge in the rottennesse of my owne sinne : soe that I may iustlye tremble to appeare before thy glorious presence , much more to present vnto thee thy pure prayses out of my defiled mouth . But who except thou ( O Lorde ) can make mee cleane , and what is pure which thou hast not purged ?

Thee therefore , O Father of life , O Lord of light , thee with all the forces of my soule , thee most humbly , most earnestly I do beseech ; heare O mercifull , helpe O myghtye Lord , helpe thy seruant whome of thy mercie thou hast created : clense my filthynes , lighten my darknes , enflame my coldenes , quicken my dulnes , awake my drowsines , reuiue my deadnes ; repaire the ruines of my soule , enlarge the frame of the vnderstanding thereof , clense it from all earthly corruption , garnish it with thy heauenly graces , that it may bee conueniently both fitt and furnished to receiue thee ; that thou maist make thine entrie , & possesse that which is thine owne , both by creation , & also by redemption ; and that as thou art exalted aboue all creatures , soe aboue all creatures I may honour thee , loue thee , and praise thee ; not with that affection wherewith my weakenesse is able , either to doe or to desier ; but with that perfection wherewith in dutie I should , and wherewith thy Saintes and angells indeede doe .

O giuer of life , O restorer , O preseruer , O enlightner of life ; O most louinge and louely Lorde . But what shall I say ? where shall I finde full praises to extoll thee ? my speach faltreth , and my spirit faileth ; my tongue can applie no fitting wordes , neither can my minde supplye sufficient matter : I want wordes to expresse my minde , I want alsoe a minde to apprehende thy merites : I conceiue farre aboue the abilitie of my vtterance , and yet farre vnder the dignitie of thy desertes .

Lord , my soule is desirous to yeelde praises to thee for thy benefites , but it is vnable to conceiue that which is worthy , and vnwilling to vtter that which is vnworthy ; it is ashamed to sende forth woordes , knowinge how weake they are for soe weightie an office . without thy presence it can neuer attaine to any degree of thy praise : let it therefore haue thee ( O Lorde ) that it may in some measure praise thee .

For what worthy praise can I giue vnto thee , by whose goodnes I was created , by whole mercie I was redeemed , by whose power I am preserued , and by whose grace I looke to bee glorified ? when I was not , thou diddest make mee ; when I was lost and forlorne , thou camest downe , and tookest mortallitie vpon thee to redeeme mee : thou a King , diddest humble thy selfe to exalt mee ; thou wert sould to redeem mee ; thou wert wounded to heale mee ; and thou diddest dye to saue mee .

O sonne of God , how hast thou abased thy selfe ? how were thy affections inflamed ? how large were the limits of thy mercie ? Lorde , thou hast loued mee more then thy selfe , beecause for my sake thou wouldest endure , not onely a contemptible life , but both a shamefull and painfull death .

And yet did not thy loue in this sorte leaue mee , but thou hast continuallye soe followed mee with thy fauours , as though thou haddest regarded mee alone , and neglected all thy other creatures .

When I wandred thou diddest seeke mee , when I was ignorant thou diddest instruct mee , when I offended thou diddest correct mee , when I sorrowed thou diddest comforte mee , when I stumbled thou diddest stay mee , when I fell thou diddest raise mee , when I stoode thou diddest strengthen mee ; in my affaires thou diddest direct mee , in my troubles thou diddest helpe mee , in my dangers thou diddest deliuer mee ; waking thou diddest inlighten mee , sleeping thou diddest watch mee , sinninge thou diddest suffer mee , and prayinge thou diddest heare mee . Further , thou hast annointed mee with thy holy spirit , and giuen mee a minde to follow thee ; thou hast called mee by thine owne name , and thou hast sealed mee with thy bloude vnto eternall life .

These and manye other benefites haue I receiued , some in hand , and some in hope ; although through my owne sinnefull demeanor , I haue almost both let go my hold , and lost my hope . But what ? if by my owne fault I haue lost these graces , shall I bee vnthankefull to him , by whose fauoure once I had them .

Lorde , I can yealde noe reason wherefore I had them but that thou wert mercifull ; ney ▪ can I say any thinge nowe I haue soe neere lost them , but that thou art iust : & therefore I thanke thee beecause thou diddest giue mee them , I am sorie beecause I haue noe better kept them , and I pray thee that thou wouldest againe fully restore them . For I assure my selfe , that thy goodnes is as willinge to restore as it was to giue ; and that my weakensse is as able to recouer as it was to receiue .

Therefore , O Lorde Iesus , by thy precious teares , by thy blessed bloude which thou diddest shedd for my redemption , by the aboundance of thy mercies I most humbly beeseech thee , saue thy seruant , saue one of thy members , though poore and feeble ; saue , I saye , a part of thy selfe . Be as greate in pardoning those that are submitted vnto thee , as in punishing those that are rebellious : poure vpon my heart the sweete streames of thy mercies ; conforme my life , confirme my faith , settle mee in a right and vpright course , and contynue mee in the same euen vnto the end .

The worlde ( O Lorde ) is wrapped in darkenesse , whereby it is made subiect , both to the pollicies and power of our most dangerous and deadly enemy : who beeing the prince of darkenes , is thereby become alsoe the prince of the worlde : but by thy light his malice is discouered , by thy wisdome his deceites are auoided , and by thy strength his power is repelled . Hee hath manye and verye greate thinges ( I confesse ) to laye vnto my charge , but for thy names sake ( O Lorde ) rebuke him , and deliuer me . Drawe my desires aboue the pitch of his darkenesse , raise my soule out of this myrie lake of misery , which affoordeth nothing , but eyther daungers or discontentmentes ; that this filthy lumpe of flesh onely may abide on earth , but my thoughtes may continually attend vpon thee .

O sweete Iesus , the way of health , the gate of life , the pallace of pietie , of ioy , of safetie ; I doe too much depresse thy benefites whilest I labour to expresse them : for they haue not onely filled , but ouerflowed the frame of the worlde . But , O thou who vnfealest the silence of the dumbe , vntie my tongue , that I may declare thy goodnes , and giue my voice a power to praise thee for the same .

By thee ( O Lord ) the exile is reduced , the captiue redemed , the sinner is iustified , the sicke are healed , the dead are raised , and the damned are saued . By thy goodnesse wee are created , by thy power wee are preserued , by thy mercye wee are saued . Thou diddest create vs without any neede , thou doest gouerne vs without any labour , thou mayest destroie vs without any losse . Thou hast giuen all thinges vnder heauen for our vse , either necessarye or conuenient ; and yet diddest thou not thinke that enough , but thou hast allsoe appointed thine angells to attend vpon vs , to stande aboute vs , to watch ouer vs , to bee messengers for our seruice beetweene thee and vs .

And not onelye mankinde hast thou exceedinglye both honoured and enriched with thy blessinges , but the heauens , the starres , the earth , the aire , the seas , the floudes , the day , the night , and whatsoeuer else thou hast ordained , either for the necessitie or delight of man , are by thee renued , and restored to the end for which they were created . For all thinges were made for the seruice of man , and man for the seruice of God : but once they serued those who serued idoles , and then they were without anie dignitie , then in a verie kinde of death , being diuerted from the right vse of their creation . But now they are exalted , now reuiued , now they reioice to serue those , who serue and worship thee , O Lorde .

But why doe I confine thy benefites within the compasse of the whole worlde ? They haue prepared downe into hell ; they haue alsoe surmounted aboue the heauens . Thou hast subdued the kingdome of Sathan ; thou hast broken the chaines of darkenesse and death ; thou hast loosed the captiuitie of hell . By thee alsoe the angells expect a restitution of the breach which was made amongst them , by reuolt of those which fell .

O singular grace , O admirable goodnesse , whereby mankinde is saued ; the elementes are renued hell is vanquished ; and heauen is repaired . O beutifull , O bountifull Iesu , thou hast blessed al creatures , & all creatures againe doe blesse & praise thee : by thy holinesse they are blessed , by thy happinesse they reioice , by thy fullnesse they flourish .

O holy , O happie , O high Iesu , how is my dull sight dazelled with thy exceeding brightnesse ? My affections laboure to attaine vnto thee , but whether , I pray thee , doest thou flie the pursuite of my vnderstanding ? How exceedest thou the compasse of my conceite ? Tarry O Lord , tarrie a while for my feeble feete , which straine to followe thee : hide not thy selfe from my dim eies , which seeke to see thee : haue pittie vppon my weake soule , which wearily panteth after the sauour of thy saluation . Reach forth thine heauenly hand ; leade mee Lorde , lighten mee Lorde , let mee put the finger of my faith into thy woundes ; let mee looke a little how thou hast loued mee .

Oh wonder of wisdome , O miracle of mercie : God made all thinges , and God was made man : God made all-thinges of nothinge , and without man all-thinges had turned to nothinge : God made all thinges of him selfe , but God would not restore all thinges without man . Hee was beegotten of God by whome all thinges were made , hee was borne of a woman by whom all thinges were renued : he was beegotten of God with out whome there was nothinge , hee was borne of a woman without whome nothing was well .

O Christ , perfect God , and perfect man ; O sweete safetie , O secure ioye ; howe wonderfull , how worthy a matter , how weightie is it which I doe beehoulde ? I am much delighted to see it , and yet I scarce dare vtter it . Let my sences bee silent for a time , let the tumultuous cogitations of my minde bee quiet ; reason cannot shewe her selfe more reasonable , then to leaue resoning in matters aboue her reach . What was hee made ? and what hath hee made vs ? Shall I speake with ioie , or with modestie houlde my peace ? But that which my hearte doth beelieue with loue , shall not my mouth confesse with praise ? I w●ll speake therefore , not with an high , but with an humble spirite ; not to glorie in my selfe , but to glorifie God .

The Sonne of God was made man , to make men the sonnes of God . If then hee hath made vs the sonnes of his father , hee hath therby made him selfe our brother ▪ therfore , our intercessor is our brother , our iudge is our brother , our Sauiour is our brother , our God is our brother . With what assurance then may wee hope ? what feare shall inforce vs either to dispaire or to doubt ? seeing our saluation dependeth vpon the will of our most louing brother ? With what securitie may wee flie vnto him ? with what bouldnesse may wee embrace him ? with what confidence may wee intreate him ? Our louinge brother will giue vnto vs the good which wee do desire , and forgiue vs the euell which wee doe deserue ; hee will aske for vs , hee will obtaine for vs , whatsoeuer is expedient : the sonne wil entreat the father for his children , and the father will heare the sonne for his brethren .

Let the diuell then doe his worst to dismay mee ; let my foolish feare murmur as much as it will ; let them both vrge theyre abiect obiections , and saye ; who art thou ? howe greate are thy sinnes ? and where ( in Gods name ) are thy demerites ? I will answere with assurance , I knowe what I am my felfe ; and I knowe who hee is vnto whome I trust Hee hath giuen mee his gracious worde , who is both in promise true and mightie in performance ; hee will doe what he can for my safetie , and can doe whatsoeuer hee will . When I call to my consideration the inestimable both bent of his loue , and treasure of his mercie , then may I plainly both see and say , as the seruant of the prophette did when his eies were opened : they are more that stande for vs , then they who are against vs . 2. Reg. 6. 15. The multitude of my sinnes shall neuer choake his loue ; I can want noe merites soe longe as hee doeth want noe mercies : If his loue bee greate , my sinnes are but small ; and if greate bee his mercies , greate likewise shall bee my merites .

He hath registred mee on his backe ; he hath engrauen me in his handes , hee hath sealed me on his side ; the whippes , the nailes , the speare haue surely signed his loue vnto mee : they proclaime his mercie to bee claimed of all men ; they crie comfortably vnto mee , that I neede not feare .

Hee hath displaied his blessed bodie abroade vpon the crosse , his armes spreade to imbrace mee , his heade bowed downe to kisse mee , his hearte laide open to loue mee ▪ Into those armes of my Sauiour will I runne , beetweene these armes will I rest , beetweene these armes will I reioice . I will sprinckle my heart with the bloud of this lambe , and the destroyer shall haue noe power to hurte .

My sinnes greater then can bee forgiuen ? Thou liest , Caine ; our sinnes can stande in noe degree of comparison with the mercies of God ; but soe farre as God is greater then man , soe much doeth the goodnesse of the one exceede the euell of the other . As the nature of God is infinite and vnmeasurable , soe cannot his loue bee limitted , soe is there noe measure of his mercie ; as the nature , soe the goodnesse of God is knowne only to him selfe .

The sonne of God hath taken our substance vpon him , hee hath exalted it aboue the heauens , he hath seated it in the kingdome and glorie of his father : In him I haue a portion of flesh and bloud , in him a parte of my selfe euen now doth reigne , in him a part of my selfe is alreadie glorified : and as I doe nothing doubt of this his communion with mee in nature , soe will I not distrust of my participation , both heere of his grace , and heereafter of his glorie ; for although I am sinnefull , yet is not hee soe vnnaturall , that either hee can forgette , or will forsake his owne members .

Hee that dispaireth or distrusteth his owne safetie , hee denieth Christes mercie : and consequently , hee denieth his loue , hee denieth his truth , hee denieth his power ; the loue of his passion , the truth of his promise , and the power of his ascention . Therefore , the more willinge hee was to suffer , and the more able hee is to saue , the lesse cause haue I to feare ; for when all thinges shall faile , he will most constantly keepe his faith .

O wonderfull misterie , O exceeding mercie , euer to bee admired , euer to bee loued : wee were not worthye to bee seruantes , and loe we are made the sonnes of God ; yea the heires of God , and fellowe heires with Iesus Christ . Who but must bee amased at such bowelles of mercie ? who but will reioice at such aboundance of loue ? which when I call to my consideration , the burthen of my flesh doeth not so presse me , the weight of my mortalitie and miseries are not soe grieuous as they were wont .

Gracious Lorde , what thankes , what praise shall I tender to thee for this adoption ? where shall I get good wordes to set forth this thy good will ? Surely , if I had the tongue and knowledge of Angells , yet could I neither thanke thee , nor thinke of thee as is it meete . For thy exceeding loue , proceding from thy meere goodnesse , reacheth beyond all boundes , both of vtterance and vnderstandinge : thy praise , Oh Lord ; is incomprehensible ; and then wee doe most praise thee , when wee knowe thee to bee thine owne praise , and acknowledg our selues vnable to praise thee .

But , O sweete Sauiour , whome none seeketh but the admonished , none findeth but the guided , I beeseech thee by thine inestimable goodnesse , let mee not bee vnthankfully silent for these thy benefits teach me secretly in my hearte , O my God , teach mee thy humble seruant , O mercifull God , euen by thy greate mercies , I beseech thee , teach my hearte , with what reuerence it shoulde thinke of thee ; tell my soule , with what delight it shoulde loue thee ; giue my tongue some power to poure forth praises vnto thee : correct my weakenesse , erect my hope , direct my desires : finish the work that thou hast beegunne , and bringe mee to the fullnesse of thy mercie .

I was dead and buried in sinne , I shoulde haue rotted in distruction , but thou diddest raise mee , thou diddest reuiue mee , by thy loue I liue : a●d therfore I offer my selfe wholly vnto thee , most earnestlye entreating thy gracious acceptance , that wee may loue and liue together .

O Lorde Iesus , I bowe the necke of my soule vnder the feete of thy maiestie , and in the lowest degree of reuerence , doe giue thee most humble and hartie thankes for these thy benefites : I yeelde thee praise ( O Lorde ) although base and bare , and farre vnanswerable to thy desertes : yet something my weaknesse is bounde to performe ; namelye , to settle my minde to beeholde and loue thee , and to praise thee with wordes soe well as I can .

O amiable , O admirable Iesu , let mee loue thee allwaies , because thou diddest loue mee firste : let mee loue thee onlye , for hee loueth thee too little , that loueth any thing besides thee , except it bee for thy sake ; allwaies and onely let mee loue thee , beecause by thee onelye I shall alwaies liue .

O that my hearte did so languish with thy loue , that it might melt the moysture of my bodie into teares , oh that the bowells of my soule were soe enflamed with thy loue , that it might consume all drossie desires , and drie vp the verie marrowe of my bones : oh that I were sicke for the loue of him , whoe died for the loue of mee .

Lorde , allthough I bee not worthy soe to loue thee , yet art thou worthy much more to bee loued . Therefore ( O louing Iesu ) doe not soe denie mee that wherof I acknowledge my selfe vnworthy , that thy selfe be depriued of that , wherof thou art most worthye . Graunt ( O Lorde ) graunt I beeseech thee , not for my desertes , but for thy mercies sake , graunt to my soule , that it may loue thee as thou hast deserued . Grannt ( I say ) that I may bee worthy to giue that , which thou art worthy to receiue : soe shall I bee worthy of that , whereof nowe I am vnworthy .

It is verie much ( O Lorde ) that I doe desire , beeinge alltogether vnworthy to speake vnto thee ; but thy bountie hath made mee bold ; I will speake therefore againe vnto my Lorde , although I bee but dust and ashes : I will speake againe vnto him , who hath not onelye licensed , but prouoked , but commaunded vs that we should aske .

O Lord our God , O gracious , O allmightie God , is it not better that thou shouldest freelye giue mee that which I haue not deserued , then that I shoulde vnthankefullye not yeelde to thee , that which is thy due ? the one woulde bee a propertie of thy mercie , the other an effect of my iniustice . Giue therefore vnto mee thy grace , that I may returne vnto thee thy due ; bestow vpon mee thy mercies , that I may commit against thee noe iniustice ; bee liberall vnto me , that I may not seeme iniurious to thee , giue ( O Lorde , ) giue vnto my soule aboundance of thy loue , which I doe iustlye desire , that I may not be vnthankfull vnto thee , which thou mayest iustlye punish .

Deare Christ , I doe feele in my heart a weake warmnesse of thy loue , but my prayer is , that the coales were throughly kindled with desire , and blowne with delight into a full flame . O sacred fire , how comfortablye doest thou burne ? O heauenlye lighte , how sweetlye doest thou shine ? how desirous are they more and more to burne whom thou dost enflame ? how are they delighted whome thou doest enlightten ?

Alasse , how late haue I loued thee , O beautie most exceedinglye both auncient and fresh , and yet , alasse , how little do I loue thee ? wherfore I beeseech thee , O Lorde , by thy precious woundes , from which gushed out the streames of our redemption , wound my sinnefull soule with the dart of thy loue , strike Lorde , strike with the two edged sworde which procedeth out of thy mouth , strike deepe into my harde harte , pierce my sencelesse soule , parte all the inner partes of my spirit , that I may crie out , ( but not complaine ) how I am wounded with thy loue .

O sweete Christ O good Iesu , euen for thine intercession sake , and for thy merites sake I beeseech thee , giue me thy holy and chast loue , and then shall I bee fullye furnished with all heauenly ver●ues . Lorde , thou diddest loue vs when wee were thine enemies , and wilt thou denie vs now to loue thee againe ? thou hast commaunded vs with our whole harte to loue thee ; and wilt thou not graunt vs abilitie to obey .

Heare O my God , heare O light of mine eies , encrease my desire , and grant my request ; stop not thime eares against mee , beecause of my sinnes . Indue my soule with thy loue , subdue my flesh with thy feare , that I may allwaies thinke of thee ioyntlye both with tremblinge and trust . Settle the loue of thee in mee , and the care of mee in thee : let my prayer come vnto thee , and thy mercie come vnto mee ; let the ioy of thy happinesse remaine with mee , and the compassion of my miseries remaine with thee . Let my hearte loue thee , let my flesh feare thee , let my whole substance in this worlde ioie whollye in thee , that it may enioye thee wholye in the worlde to come . Amen .

Aut vbique aut nusquam liber

pag. Lin. error corrected 49 9 my thy 51 13 path pathes 73 12 at them for them 112 7 my any 121 4 shall shalt 114 16 both age both in age 151 7 the God the God of Israell 4 heir their 153 7 resolue resolute 1●3 11 goodnesse goodnesse ; 161 15 sonle soule , 16 it , it 187 14 ether either 16 occsions occasions 184 8 wheeein wherein 189 3 lif lift 191 1 for his merites , for his happinesse , to praise him for his merites , 193 4 sonle soule 197 15 thert veat vtter that 216 2 the whole world the world 3 prepared pierced 217 11 beutifull beautifull 223 2 resoning reasoning