ALmightie God and most mercifull Father , who in mercie hast ordeined these lamps for thy chosen virgins , and commanded that with our loines girt about , and our lamps burning bright , we should take heed and be readie to execute the charge , which is committed vnto vs , and watch full warilie and continuallie in our seuerall callings by feruent and instant praier for the comming of thy sonne our spirituall Spouse , souereigne Lord , and sweet Sauiour IESVS : giuing vs in the meane season diuerse gifts and talents to occupie and imploie till he come ; and setting dailie before our eies the iust iudgement , that he shall execute and giue in that dreadfull daie of his sudden comming , both vpon the quicke and dead ; doo thou vouchsafe euen thine owne selfe ( we praie thee ) to gird and compasse our Ioines about , that no iniquitie haue power ouer vs , nor we decline or bow to anie sinne . Oh suffer vs not to take that contentation or vaine delight and pleasure of anie thing in this wretched world , that may lull or bring vs fast asleepe in the cursed cradle of senselesse securitie : nor with the foolish virgins to neglect the houre and daie of our last visitation , or to forget to wait and attend for thine appearing in the clouds . But so direct vs ( we beseech thee ) in this short race of our perilous pilgrimage by thy holie spirit our heauenlie loadesman , that in the lawfull vse of thy good gifts whatsoeuer bestowed vpon vs , our cheefest care may alwaies be to depart from all iniquitie , and how with them wee may liue soberlie to our selues , holilie to thee , and vprightlie to the world , and thereby gaine much profit and fruit to the better increase of thy kingdome .

Moreouer , make thou our lampes to burne cleere and bright in the sight of men and Angels ; and keepe thou them light and euer burning : that our loue towards thee wax neuer key cold , nor our charitie towards our neighbour be quite extinguished , nor yet our faith , deuotion , zeale , and gifts of the spirit be vtterlie quenched in vs . But being euermore both within and without kindled , inlightened , and inflamed by thee , which art a consuming fire , and a purifieng flame of vnspeakable feruent heate : let all our thoughts , words , and works be alwaies directed to doo thy holie will and righteous iudgements , that in all our works begun , continued , and ended in thee , we may euer glorifie thy holie and reuerent name .

Finallie , make vs verie carefullie to keepe this castle of our soules and temple of the holie Ghost ( our bodies I meane ) pure , holie , and vndefiled : and to watch continuallie in all maner of well dooing vnto the end : that when thy Sonne our heauenlie bridegroome shall come to iudge the world , to condemne the wicked , to reiect the reprobate , to cast awaie the vnprofitable , and to shut the gates of heauen against all vnbeleeuers and retchlesse virgins ; he finding vs heedfull , watchfull , praieng , well occupied and readie , as those that haue beene verie well content with our estates here for the time , and hauing our lamps filled brim full of the oile of his righteousnesse , grace , mercie , and merits , may ( thereby onelie ) escape the heauie iudgement and direfull doome of the dreadfull daie : and not perish in that common destruction and generall desolation of the wicked worldlings , and vnprofitable seruants ; but be receiued to himselfe as those that are made woorthie onelie by him , ioifullie to enter with him and all the elect and chosen wise virgins , into the celestiall wedding chamber of thine eternall kingdome : there and then to possesse that mansion place , which before all worlds thou hast prepared for thy chosen , and to receiue ( of his gift ) that which here now with deepe sighes and groanes we greatlie long for : that is , euen the saluation of our soules , and the coronation of thy gifts in vs : that both with thee ( ô Father ) and with him thy Sonne , in the vnitie of the holie Ghost , we may liue and reigne in the full perfection , holinesse and puritie of his euerlasting virginitie , to blesse , praise , and glorifie thee , ô glorious and blessed Trinitie , with all virgins , angels , and creatures , by all ages , throughout all eternitie ,

THE King of eternall glorie , who hath thus loued England in setting your Highnesse on the throne of his maiestie to execute iustice and iudgement , to instruct his people in Iacob , and to feed his inheritance in Israel , be blessed and magnified therefore for euer and euer , Amen .

This long and blessed peace wherin we your loiall subiects doo presentlie liue ( most noble QVEENE ) euerie man sitting vnder his vine and fig-tree throughout all your dominions , dooth giue iust occasion to the godlie to bee no lesse thankfull to God , and to your Maiestie , than free harted and studious to benefit his church and their countrie , by offering in the temple , some gold , some siluer , some one thing , some another , according to the measure of those graces , which God the giuer of all good things hath bestowed vpon them , or by his spirit hath incouraged & made them willing to further the worke of the Lord . Which mooued me also among the rest ( although of all other the meanest , & in euerie respect the vnwoorthiest ) to offer some thing , wherin I might bring profit to that mysticall bodie , wherof I trust I am a member . And persuading my selfe , I could not better employ my labour to the good of the church , nor present your Highnesse the mightie defender thereof , with anie thing of greater price and estimation in this world , than ( after a sort ) with that wherewith God the King of kings acknowledgeth himselfe to be so highlie pleased and glorified both of Prince and people ( praise and inuocation I meane ) whereby in this life we obteine at his hand all things needfull for our bodies , and in the life to come euerlasting ioie , rest , and comfort both of bodie and soule : I haue vndertaken in the name and feare of God , loue of his church , obedience of your Maiestie , and hartie good will of my countrie , out of the admirable monuments of your owne Honourable works , and some other noble Queenes , famous Ladies , and vertuous Gentlewomen of our time , and former ages , to addresse and make readie these seuen Lamps of your perpetuall virginitie , to remaine vnto women as one entire and goodlie monument of praier , precepts , and examples meet for meditation , instruction , and imitation to all posteritie . And now in most dutifull maner commending and appropriating so diuine exercises of the church , vnto your Maiestie the most naturall mother and noble nursse thereof ; the cause of a virgine to a Virgine , the works of Queenes to a Queene ; your owne praiers to your selfe ( to whom indeed the particular interest and due praise and honour thereof iustlie belongeth ) I here prostrate on my knees , in most humble maner meekelie beseech your excellent Maiestie , gratiouslie of your woonted clemencie , to pardon and forgiue this my too rash and bold enterprise ; attempted both with bashfulnesse , feare , and trembling : and fauourablie ( as in like cases you are accustomed ) to accept these your liege subiect his great labors and painfull trauels in good part , which he ( not to instruct your Highnesse ( of whose notable learning I am not able to speake ) but onelie for a monument of the hartie loue he beareth both to the church his deere mother , and to your Maiestie his dread Souereigne ) hath in a godlie zeale and conscience , bestowed to the good and profit of his countrie . That ( by your Graces good liking and princelie approbation ) they may be both patronized against the wicked , and practised of the godlie . And so manie ( by that means ) with due reuerence and great honour to so honourable works , may receiue these lamps as from your bountifull hand to inlighten them by your good industrie in all vertue : and to prepare them by your holie example , like wise virgins to perseuerance in all good works of the spirit . And that therein manie may often looke and labour mightilie for your Highnesse as they are bound , in feruent praier ; and manie mo thanks , I saie , be giuen of manie faithfull harts on your Maiesties behalfe for the benefit of such and so manie needfull and readie helps , ministred and afoorded by your painfull hand and princelie affabilitie to your euerlasting comfort and renowme , the praise of God , and glorie of his deerest sonne Iesus Christ your sweet spouse . Whom now for a conclusion as I began , I most entirelie beseech , that as of his owne good will he first loued his church my deere mother , and gaue himselfe freelie for hir to sanctifie and clense hir in the most holie fountaine of water , through the word to make hir vnto himselfe a beautifull virgine , and glorious spouse without spot or wrinkle , that she should be holie , pure , perfect , and without blame before him : so he will vouchsafe in like mercie , still both to cherish , defend , and maintaine the same in his continuall grace , religion , and holinesse , that she may yet bring foorth more fruit in hir age , and members , to his glorie : and also as your spirituall spouse to set your Maiestie ( a most woorthie and mightie gouernor of the same ) euer as a seale vpon his hart , to tie you fast as a signet or bracelet vpon his arme , to beare you still in his owne bosome , to set his eie ouer you continuallie for your health , wealth , and prosperitie , to bend his desires alwaies towards you , to doo you good ; that so your Highnesse may be kept in his continuall grace , peace , and fauour long to reigne ouer vs : and also defended and preserued euermore from all bodilie and ghostlie perils and enimies , to your euerlasting comfort , and the reioice of all christian harts . Finallie , the Lord blesse your Maiestie euen out of Sion with all his heauenlie gifts and spirituall graces , that hauing the principall & heroicall spirit of your holie father good king Dauid , doubled ( yea trebled ) in your noble and princelie hart , you may as in numbers of yeeres beyond manie ages , so in singular pietie and godlines far surmount & excell your most noble progenitors : that the remembrance of you our good Iosias , may to all posterities be like the composition of the most pretious perfume of the Apothecarie , and as sweet as honie in all mouthes , and as harmonicall musicke at a banket of wine ; that in you our zealous Hezechias , I saie , we may still remaine in happie peace , and haue an hiding place from the wind , and a refuge from storms and tempests , and riuers of waters to quench our thirst , and temperate shadowes to shrowd vs from parching heate in a drie land : so shall the harts of manie thousand virgins in England and else-where , be ioifull and thankfull to God and your Maiestie ; so shall the daughters of Ierusalem sing ioifullie the sweet songs of Sion in their owne land , with great triumph to their celestial King , reigning on high ouer all ; yea so shal all your faithfull and louing subiects , I saie , in all humble obedience and dutifull seruice both towards God , your Maiestie , and their countrie , resound by all possible meanes to all posterities your most excellent and woorthie praises , vntill the comming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ : to whom with the Father and the holie Ghost be all empire , honor , dominion and praise , now and for euer ,

HAuing my selfe taken no small comfort ( good Christian Reader ) by the reading and pervsing of diuers verie godlie , learned , and duiine treatises , of meditations and praier , made by sundrie right famous Queenes , noble Ladies , vertuous Virgins , and godlie Gentlewomen of al ages ( who to shew themselues woorthie paternes of all pietie , godlinesse , and religion to their sex , and for the common benefit of their countrie , haue not ceased , and that with all carefull industrie and earnest indeuour , most painfullie and diligentlie in great feruencie of the spirit , and zeale of the truth , euen from their tender & maidenlie yeeres , to spend their time , their wits , their substance , and also their bodies , in the studies of noble and approoued sciences , and in compiling and translating of sundrie most christian and godlie bookes : a tast whereof you haue here in the second Lampe ) as namelie among the rest , the godlie and learned treatise called The lamentation of a sinner , written long since by the vertuous Ladie Queene Katherin , which for the excellencie thereof was first published in print by Sir William Cicill , now the right Honourable Lord Treasurer of England , as by his verie godlie , learned , and eloquent Epistle therevnto prefixed , and here also in this edition now inserted , to Gods glorie , and his high commendation doth and may appeere : but especiallie and aboue all , the most diuine , learned , and godlie treatise intituled The Queenes meditation , written first in French by the vertuous Ladie Margaret Queene of Nauar , and after verie exactlie and faithfullie translated by our mostgratious souereigne , and learned Ladie Queene ELIZABETH , who among manie Queens , virgins , and women , through the feare of the Lord hath doone verie vertuouslie , and gotten thereby great renowme . And therevpon considering with my selfe what great profit , and singular pleasure might thereby come also to other of like mind to my selfe , if the same their excellent and rare works ( dispersed into seuerall pamphlets , and in part some thing obscured and worne cleane out of print , and so out of practise ) were by some painefull hand collected togither , and reuiued , or brought againe to their former good and godlie vse in the church : mee thought I could not better spend my time , nor emploie my talent , either for the renowme of such heroicall authors and woorthie women , or for the vniuersall commoditie of all good christians : than in , and by some apt treatise or collection , to reduce these their manifold works into one entire volume , and by that meanes , for to register their so rare and excellent monuments , of good record , as perfect presidents of true pietie and godlinesse in woman kind to all posteritie . Wherevpon , God working in me both the will and consent , I vndertooke the same in his feare : which when after a sort I had doone , and perceiued that there wanted per manie things to make the same an absolute and perfect booke for the simpler sort of women , according to my mind : to satisfie my selfe further in this my purposed collection , I fell to the pervsing of the holie Bible , and manie other good bookes as well of praier , as of other diuine matter , such as from time to tune haue beene penned by diuers godlie learned men : out of the which ( that I might now particularlie applie that vnto them , women I meane , which generalise heretofore was written of them , or by some other , for them , as also to the inter & that all godlie and deuout women readers might haue in some measure , wherewith to exercise their faith ; to stir vp their deuotion , and to satisfie their godlie desires : and also verie readilie find without tediousnesse , or distraction of the mind vertuouslie inclined , whatsheuer they would either by praier aske , by meditation ponder , by precepts learne , or by examples imitate , or auoid to their comfort & edification ) I indeuoured for their sakes , by all possible diligence , to cull and bring out of the rich store and treasurie of the approoued works of manie learned men , things both old and new concerning the same , both for priuate and publike vse , adding therevnto such plentie of heauenlie and spirituall helpes , both for profit and pleasure , as the diuersities of so diuine matter , and varietie of so honourable inuentions would affoord . Besides , to auoid confusion and disorder ( a thing verie preiudiciall to so holie an exercise ) I haue carefullie digested the same into such a plaine , easie , familiar , and certeine method , order , and direction , both for matter and maner , as I could possiblie deuise . or was requisite for such a worke , to make it profitable to the simple and vnlearned reader . Lastlie , bicause the diuersitie of matter forced a distinction of the treatises , I fitly , as I could , haue diuided and contriued the whole booke into seuen seuerall parts or Lampes : all which for diuers good and approoued considerations I terme or intitle by this generall name , THE MONVMENT OF MATRONES . And now make bold , yet vnder the deliberate view , and carefull correction of manie vevie graue , wise , learned , and godlie Diuines , therevnto appointed by authoritie : as also with the approbation and allowance of the right reuerend father in God my Lord the bishop of London , to publish the same abroad in print , as a booke , in the iudgement of them that are learned , not vnprofitable to the church : but verie necessarie , and in some respect , more proper and peculiar for the priuate vse of women , than hertofore hath beene set out by anie . Which I haue doone not for that there lacked praier bookes sufficient for women to read , but onelie to increase the plentie of heauenlie comforts , wherewith this our church and realme of England ( thanks be to God ) floweth : as also to make this treatise heretofore ( in part ) priuate to my selfe , and a few of my freends , now publike and common also to you good christian readers . For behold ( I protest ) I haue not laboured for my selfe , but for you , and all them that seeke knowledge , feare God , be deuout , and would ( not by fits and starts , as those that can find scarse anie leisure to attend vpon the Lord and his seruice as they ought : but ) daie and night continuallie and incessantlie , either silentlie in hart with Hanna , or openlie in mouth with Marie , as they are bound , spend their whole life , and make it their whole worke to praie , meditate , and read Gods word with other such good bookes , or at the least to allow to themselues some little portion or part of the daie and night , to prostrate themselues apart from all companie in praier and meditation before the Lord of heauen and earth their creator , redeemer , and sauiour , and that in all christian perfection , and humble obedience to his word and commandements . So haue you good reader , by the goodnesse of God , who worketh all our works for vs , here now at the length in this Monument or collection conteined ( if you list so for distinction or names sake to call or intitle them ) not onelie a burning Lampe for virgins , but also a christall Mirrour for Matrones : as also a delectable Diall for to direct you to true deuotion , with a perfect President or register of holie praier for all women generally to haue recourse vnto , as to their homelie or domestical librarie .

First , a Lampe , readie replenished and prepared of the wise virgins , with that fragrant oile , pretious perfume , and odoriferous incense of holie inuocation , pure praier , diuine sacrifice , and heauenlie worship , wherewith God is so highlie pleased and whereby at his holie hand the virgine or single woman , through the intercession of Christ , obteineth the gift of puritie , modestie , shamefastnesse , and chastitie : the deflowred woman findeth grace to repent , and to be restored to fauour both with God and men : the naturall or stepdaughter to reuerence and obeie hir parents in all childlike duties : the wooed woman not to be by anie meanes cosined or abused in marriage : the yoong married wife to consecrate hir selfe to liue holilie in that honourable estate : the elder married woman , to liue louinglie , faithfullie , and quietlie with hir husband : the woman with child , to escape the pit of so great perils , and to be thankfull for hir mightie deliuerance after childbirth : the midwife , and women assistants , dutifullie and diligentlie to aid , comfort , and cherish the trauelling woman : the mother carefullie to bring vp hir children : the daughter naturallie to cherish and obeie hir mother : the mother in lawe , to liue charitablie and louinglie with the daughter in lawe : againe , the daughter in lawe to be haue hir selfe christianlie and curteouslie to the mother in lawe : the dame or mistresse , to intreate hir handmaids well : the handmaids to shew all dutifull and faithfull seruice to their mistresse : the widowe , to comfort hir selfe in all sorrowes : the old woman to number hir daies , that she may applie hir hart vnto wisedome : both yoong and old , one and other to consider their creation , condition , vocation , and saluation , the better to liue to learne , to learne to liue , and to liue to die . To conclude , a Lampe ( I saie ) for all estates and degrees of women generallie , to carrie euer in their hands and hart by the burning light and flaming fire of the reading whereof , their faith , knowledge , zeale , deuotion , perseuerance in praier , almes deeds , fasting , with the loue of God and their brethren , the desire of vertue , and all maner of godlinesse shall be thoroughlie kindled and increased in them , so oft as they war cold , heauie , drowsie , slouthfull , dull , negligent , and remisse , by too much bodilie ease , worldlie prosperitie , vaine pleasures , pomps , and delights of this wretched life : and they at all times made readie , like wise and prudent virgins , to meet the bridegroome whensoeuer he commeth , to be receiued of him , and to enter with him ioifullie into the celestiall wedding chamber of his eternall happinesse , there to glorifie and praise him for euer and euer .

Secondlie , a Mirrour for all sorts of wicked women , as in a cleere glasse with Athalia , Iezabell , Herodias , and such like , perfectlie to see their shamelesse pride , crueltie , idolatrie , and contempt of religion , with Putiphers wife , to behold their incontinencie and infidelitie towards their husbands : with Appam their shamelesse impudencie : with Cozbi , their manifest whoordomè and adulterie : with the witch of Fndor , their abhominable sorceries : with Queene Dasthy their disobeence to their souereigne : with Bethshemah and Iudith their rebellious stubbornesse to their louing parents in lawe : with Hagar their contempt of their mistresse : with Miviant their murmuring against their onelie brother : with Heua their subtiltie and couetousnes to beguile their husbands : with Zipporah , Michol , Iobs wife , old Anna , Tobit , &c. their vnsemelie vpbraidings and bitter taunting , or chiding of their godlie husbands , &c. least that for their great impietie and vngodlinesse with Queene Maacha , they be deposed from their seate of maiestie : or with Baara , and Q. Dasthy , they be diuorced from their husbands : or with Athalia , they be slaine without the temple : or with Cozbi , be thrust through with a sword , or with Iezabel , in all their brauerie they be throwne headlong downe into the street out of their owne windowe , and be eaten and deuoured of dogs , and so want the honour of christian buriall : or with Saphyra be striken with sudden death at the Apostles feete : or with the Leuites wife be shamefullie abused to death , and after chopt in peeces : or with Samsons wife be burnt to ashes in the house where they dwell : to conclude , least with the whoore of Babel they be cast quicke into the bottomlesse pit of perdition : or with the flue foolish virgins they be shut cleane out of heauen , and go aliue downe into hell , there to be damned for euer , if in time they call not for grace to beware and repent them of their former wickednesse . Againe , a Mirrour contrariwise for all godlie and vertuous women plainlie to behold the faith , religion , modestie , sobrietie , sinceritie of life and conuersation of Sara , Ruth , Q. Candaces , Bernice , Susanna , Elizabeth , the blessed virgine Marie , &c. The holinesse , deuotion , feare of God , iustice , vprightnesse , &c. of Hanna , Q. Hester , &c. The rare wisedome , excellent knowledge , great learning , politike gouernement , courage , magnanimitie , with the memorable vertues of Deborah , Abigael , Bethsheba , Huldah , Iacl , the woman of Tekoah , Philips foure daughters , the Ladie commended by saint Iohn , &c. The famous cities , and statelie territories and towers built by Sherah that noble Gentlewoman to hir perpetuall renowme . The bountifull hospitalitie , great liberalitie , and often almes deeds of the Shunamitesse that vertuous Gentlewoman , of Dorcas , Lydia , Ioanna , Iudith , &c. The constant and faithfull loue towards their husbands , of Sara , Michol , Susanna , &c. The motherlie and carefull affection towards their children , of Sara , Hannah , Bethsheba , the blessed virgine Marie , the widowe of Sarepta , Samsons mother , &c. The dutifull obedience towards their parents , of Q. Hester , Iepthas daughter , Orpha , Ruth , Sara , &c. The good intreatie and christian behauiour towards their handmaids of Sara , Lea , Iudith , &c. The fidelitie and obedient seruice towards their mistresse , of Hagar , Abia , Rhode , &c. The great kindnesse and curtesie towards their freends , kindred , and aliance of Bethsheba , Elizabeth , Q. Hester , Iehosheba , Rizpah , &c. The womanlie pitie & tender harted compassion and affection toward the distressed and persecuted members of Christ , of Puah , Shiphrah , Rachel , Pharaos daughter , Rizpah , O Hester , Iehosheba , Pilaces wife , Marie Magdalen , Martha , &c. The sore labour and paines taking to get their owne liuing , of Anna Tobit , Lydia , Naomy , Ruth , Dorcas , &c. Finallie the admirable humilitie , and inuincible patience and constancie in all aduersities and persecution euen to the death and martyrdome , of Iepthas daughter , Susanna , the mother of the seuen brethren , and women of the Machabites , and manie other : that looking in this glasse of the holie liues of their foremothers , they may christianlie conforme and adorne themselues after their good examples , and become for their rare vertues verie beautifull spouses in the fight of their spirituall bridegroome Iesus Christ : to whom , as the kings daughters , they may appeere all glorious within , and of whom with the lambes wife they may be marked in the forehead with the testimonie of his name Iesus , to the end that being clothed with the sunne of righteousnesse , and crowned with the twelue stars of God and his word , and treading the moone of this worldlie affections vnder their feet , they may euermore be deliuered by him their valiant Michael , and his angels from the power of the red dragon , which so greedilie gapeth to deuoure them : and possesse their soules in patience , in the restfull place of the presence of God , long since prepared for the elect where they shall be nourished and preserued for time & times , and together with all holie virgins , matrones , martyrs , and elect people of God , ioifullie triumph and be glad for the gift of their euerlasting happinesse .

Thirdlie , a Diall of deuotion to direct you by the glorious globe and shine of the bright sunne of righteousnesse , which inlighteneth all things in the world , verie readilie and plainlie at all feasts and seasons of the yeere , and at all houres and times of the daie and night continuallie vnto the holie mount of heauenlie contemplation and to the christian meditation and consideration of euerlasting felicitie in celestiall things , the better to contemne and forget all terrene , base , vile , momentanie , and earthlie vanities .

Fourthlie and lastlie , a domesticall librarie plentifullie stored and replenished both of the best approoued presidents of christian praiers and diuine meditations , made from time to time by manie right godlie authors , men and women of all ages : and also of the chosen sentences or perfect precepts of holie scripture concerning the christian duties of all degrees and estates of women in their seuerall callings , together with the pleasant histories and memorable acts , liues , and death of all maner of women good and bad , by name or without name , mentioned in the old and new testaments of the bible , where among , for the better vnderstanding of the text , I haue inserted some notes out of the Geneua bible with some difference by parenthesis , verie necessarie for the simple reader . All which treatises , though not so portable , yet so delectable , profitable , and readie prepared to lie in your secret chamber or oratorie to vse : howsoeuer intituled or called , God grant they may as diligentlie be read and fruitfullie practised of you , good readers , as they and euerie of them ( I am sure ) were painfullie compiled and faithfullie purposed of the authors . And for these , and all other such good helpes and furtherances to faith , deuotion , and godlinesse , God make both you and me alwaie thankfull vnto his maiestie , who by all meanes , at all times , and through all ages , most gratiouslie vseth both the ministerie of men and angels , to doo vs good continuallie , that through our vnthankfulnesse and wilfull contempt of his good gifts and graces dailie offered by so manie high , learned , and painfull hands , we may not loose the same and the profit thereof , by loathing that , which we ought most to loue and imbrace , but rather in good time by our grateful acceptation and approbation of that which deserues good liking , gaine to ourselues comfort and consolation , and encourage others ( which as yet of anie singular affection for their priuate vse conceale or deteine the woorks of anie godlie authors men or women ) to take good opportunitie by this occasion offered euen for the common benefit of Christs congregation , to publish the same abroad , for the perfection of this good worke , to the glorie of God , and the authors euerlasting praise and commendation both with God and men : that full deseruedlie it may be said of them , as most woorthilie it is of these my right christian and heroicall authors . Etsi mors indies accelerat , Viuit tamen post funera virtus . Thus being awaked vp last of all as one that gathereth after them in the vintage , I haue laboured as you see ( good reader ) like a poore gleaner or grape gatherer with restlesse Ruth to go after the maidens in the haruest , and to gleane and gather for my mother Naomi certeine handfuls of corne , after the reapers and painfull labourers among the sheaues , let fall of deuotion in the fruitfull feelds of charitable Boaz : and haue assailed , as you well perceiue , to replenish my wine presse with the grapes of the Lords plentifull vintage , and to fill my lampes brimfull with the oile of Gods good blessing and rich store , left behind by the wise virgins in the holie vessels of his increase . Here therefore if I might be so bold without offense , as in the name of the foresaid blessed Boaz , I would gladlie exhort and persuade Ruth , and in hir all other godlie women of the simple sort , to followe this his good counsell ( who saith : Heare me , my daughter , and go to none other feeld to gather , neither depart from hence to gleane , but abide here by my maidens , let thine eies be on the feeld that they doo reape in , and go thou after the maidens : and when thou art athirst go also to the vessels , and drinke of that which the seruants and handmaids haue drawne , and when thou art hungrie , come hither and eate of the bread , and dip thy morsell in the vineger , and sit by the reapers , and thou shalt be satisfied to the full . ) So now least you should gather by anie method , order , diuision , title , direction , or application , that you shall find in this booke , or anie part therof , that I go about nicelie , curiouslie , or strictlie to inioine you to obserue hours , daies , feasts , times , or seasons , or to bind you vnlawfullie to an impossibilitie , as of necessitie to vse all or euerie of these praiers and meditations , in place , maner , and forme as they are set downe ( although it is to be wished that for the most part they might , if it were possible , or the necessities of this turbulent life would permit ) that you should not mistake me , I saie , and iudge that my purpose is in anie respect to hinder common praier , or interrupt the ministration of the word and sacraments in the church , where & at what time I knowe we ought all to glorifie God together with one hart , spirit , and mouth , and to be no otherwise occupied , either in reading or in praieng , than the publike minister is , vnlesse we would be deemed meere superstitious , and vnder the pretense of seuerall deuotion to commit manifest vngodlinesse : I thinke it verie necessarie for me to let you vnderstand ( gentle reader ) that my meaning herby was and is , simplie first to plaie the part of a faithfull collector , by following my copies trulie , and placing their works and praiers together as I found them referred by the authors for priuate or publike vse : secondlie , for order and memorie sake , after the good example of the learned fathers of our time , to intitle , reduce , and applie those other godlie meditations and praiers , which for the matter I found woorthie the more often vse in the church , or elsewhere , vnto some more speciall place , apt time , and peculiar purpose , than heretofore ( to my knowledge ) by anie others haue beene intituled , referred , or applied . But thirdlie and principallie by the meanes of some plaine forme and easie method of praier and meditation , to prepare for the vnlearned at all times , and in all places such and so manie sorts , as to auoid ignorance and tediousnesse might conuenientlie serue to further their godlie desires , to the glorie of God , the confusion of sathan , and their owne eternall comfort in Christ Iesus : referring them notwithstanding , which you shall find proper for the church to be vsed there onelie at conuenient times by the ordinances of the church lawfullie permitted : the rest which are more priuate to be vsed elsewhere at your discretions , when and so often as opportunitie shall serue , and Gods spirit by his heauenlie motion giue you anie occasion . For as I would not haue you thinke hereby , that I my selfe doo in all respects obserue this order here prescribed ( although I assure you I striue to doo it either within booke or without : and repent from the bottome of my hart the often omission of it in times past ) so I wish you good readers , which christianlie haue consecrated and vowed to giue your selues to this holie exercise ( as the Lord , I saie , in mercie shall giue you grace , leisure , time , and occasion , and not suffer you to be tired with anie worldlie necessitie ) in the name and feare of God , to obserue this or that order , method , forme , or direction , which he in his word dooth allow of , or you knowe best will keepe you in the continuall faith , feare , and fauour of God .

For trust me , if you will but a little together with me call these ten memorable things to your christian remembrance in this so holie an exercise . First , the commandements of almightie God himselfe , whom in consideration of our owne great miserie and necessitie , and common lacke of the christian congregation , hath willed vs to call vpon him , saieng : Praie alwaies with all maner of praiers and supplications in the spirit , and watch therevnto with all perseuerance . Secondlie , his most sweet and comfortable promises made gratiouslie both to heare and grant our godlie and lawfull requests , saieng : Aske , and ye shall haue ; seeke , and ye shall find ; knocke , and it shall be opened vnto you : for euerie one that calleth vpon the name of the Lord , and departeth from iniquitie , shall be saued , &c. Thirdlie , our great and manifold sinnes , whereof we are guiltie , which will not suffer vs to sit still without care , but briueth vs of necessitie to beg his most gratious pardon . Fourthlie , our feeble flesh and weake nature vnable in euerie respect to doo anie good thing , which requireth continuall praier to aid and strength it . Fiftlie , the wilie subtiltie of our spirituall enimie sathan , who priuilie lurketh in the inward parts , waiting euen in our best actions to trip and ouerthrowe vs , against whom we must by feruent praier vehementlie striue . Sixtlie , our owne greeuous assalts and cruell temptations , which neuer giue vs truce , rest , nor quietnesse , but hasten vs verie much vnto God for helpe . Seuenthlie , the zeale of the glorie of God , and aduancement of his kingdome , which ought wholie to drawe and moone vs continuallie to exercise our selues in the seruice of GOD . Eightlie , the dailie dangers and continuall calamities that hourelie hang ouer our heads , which giue vs all cause enough , yea euen the most holie , and that with sighs and grones continuallie to flie vnto God our heauenlie father , and call vpon him by feruent praiers . Ninthlie , the infinite benefits and great blessings of God so bountifullie and plentifullie euerie waie powred continuallie vpon vs , which giue vs both ample matter , and iust occasion hourelie by thankesgiuing , euen from the bottome of our harts to praise and magnifie him for the same . Tenthlie and lastlie , the great excellencie , woorthinesse , necessitie , vertue , fruit , and profit of true and christian praier , consisting partlie in the dignitie of God the commander , and partlie in the effect of obteining of whatsoeuer we aske according to his will . These things I saie , good reader , well considered , I suppose you will saie here is nothing superfluous : but all little enough to so needfull and profitable an exercise of our faith , praier I meane , as wherein the peace of conscience , yea our whole saluation consisteth , and whereby God himselfe is said to be present with vs , not onelie by his prouidence to watch ouer vs , but also by his power to susteine and succour vs , and by his goodnesse and mercie to receiue vs into his fatherlie grace and fauour .

Yea I doubt not , but you will willinglie confesse with me , I saie , that all sorts of deuout women haue great cause , and that continuallie , to take these lamps into their hands , thereby either with vanished Hagar to acknowledge Gods graces towards them : or with desolate Naomi to praie that God would blesse their children to be staies and staues of their age to their comfort : or with heuie Hanna to powre out their harts before the Lord in teares for a sonne , and for his mercie and fauour towards them : or with wise Abigael , by praier to preuent the mischeefes that hang as well ouer their heads , as their families : yea or with hir often on their knees to praie for the good prosperitie and preseruation of their gratious gouernour Queene ELIZABETH : or with the church and faithfull soule of all christians , to long for the kisses of the peace of Christ their spirituall spouse , and neuer to cease daie nor night to seeke him , whom their soule loueth , till by praier and meditation they haue found him : or with the wofull daughter of Sion , to lament and mourne pitiouslie for their sinnes , till their miseries be mitigated , and they comforted : or with sorrowfull Sara Tobit in fasting , and teares to be deliuered from dailie reproches and slanderous roongs : or wich vertuous Iudith in sack cloth and ashes to obteine strength and courage mightilie to destroie and ouercome proud Olophernes , with all the huge host of his bloudie ruffians : or with noble Queene Hester to proclaime a fast , and call their virgins , families , and people together , to praie daie and night to the hazarding of their owne liues also , if need so require for their owne further preseruation , and their peoples and subiects safetie and deliuerance out of the hands of cruell Haman , and all his seditious conspirators : or with chast and innocent Susanna to appeale to God the high iudge of iudges , to be acquitted from a violeut death by false accusation , and more vniust condeinuation : or with the afflicted church in exile , to acknowledge their sinnes , and call for mercie to be deliuered from distresse : or with the woman of Canaan to flie vnto Christ in all necessities , to be releeued both bodilie and ghostlie : or with our most gratious Souereigne Ladie Queene ELIZABETH , to muse diuinelie of the inward loue of the soule towards Christ their spouse , their Lord and father , mother and brother : or with the vertuous Ladie Queene KATHERINE , to vewaile the ignorance of their blind life led in superstition : and with hir also in all their troubles to stir vp their godlie minds patientlie to suffer all afflictions for the loue of euerlasting felicitie : or with the right godlie Ladie Iane Dudley to endure the crosse to death most patientlie : or with good Ladie Tirwit to exercise them selues morning and euening in fruitfull and godlie praiers , psalmes ▪ hymnes , and meditations : or with the honourable Ladie Aburgauennie by the like , to tread the path to paradise for the health of their soule : or with holie Agnus and Eulalia the martyrs , to triumph in the victorie of Christs death : or with Anne Askew the marryr to praie hartilie for their enimies : or with maister Bradfords mother to be petitioners vnto God for the constancie in faith to death of their children : or with mistresse Dorcas Alarten carefullie to instruct their whole familie in the principall points of christian religion : or with other graue and godlie matrones vnknowne , to exhort others to mortification and holinesse of life , and to flie vnto God in all troubles for releefe as he hath commanded .