AS EXPERIENCE playnely teacheth , tyme truely telleth , and nature for the moste parte approueth the diuersitie of our humane affects in diet : how not only to the worshipful or most honorable , but also to the very poorest and of most base estate , the delicatest , most deintie , swete and pleasant dishes , are not alwayes aptely agreable , or to contente fully their minds , but sometimes for a shift and to their better liking , desireth more ordinarie , grosse and familiar fare : wherby in nature they are the better contented , their appetites ofte times more quickened , their minds recreated , yea , and the healthes of their bodies the better also preserued : euen so ( righte worshipfull ) touching the interne parte , diuine substance or inwarde affections of the soule : the heauenly nature also and most christen diet therof , experience and tyme beareth likewyse their sway , effectually to iudge and declare the same in truth , among the sounde members of Chrystes onely immaculate , most preciouse and vnspotted body , to their sufficient contentation , quickning , recreating , and most healthfull preseruing . And albeit you are herein for your part , as the electe of God surely grounded in him of good purpose foreappoynted , and by grace moste happely called , to be in this life ( wyth prepared soule and quiet conscience ) partaker of sundry his heauenly delicates , accustomably norished , most dayntely sedde , and abundauntly satisfied , to your very well lyking , in the excellencie of such your ioyouse and inwarde refection : and without ouer secret hiding , a knowen distributor of your good portion to others , for their bothe bodily and ghostly comforte at all times in necessitie , as the shewer fauourably foorth the flowing frutes of faythfulnesse and true pietie : yet presuming vpon your vertue and christen clemencie , I haue nowe boldly attempted and moste humbly commended vnto you ( for varieties sake ) this moste vnworthy , very slender , and ouer base present , to be at the least by your godly sufferaunce ( as superfluous store among the rest ) but a backestander in your sight , to bee looked vpon aloofe , a long and farre off , as it were but by the way , euen with a glauncing eye , and at leisure to be tryed for your onely pleasure , what is the effectuall and true taast therof . But not to alienate or alter by any meanes , your already wel staied and most happy affections , so mightily confirmed in you ( and that in the best parte ) by the ineffable power of Gods moste sacred spirite , your only and omnisufficient piller : but rather in dede to incitate you ( if possibly it might be ) to the better estimation of your own former prouision , and most faultlesse fornamed furniture . And truely greate reason why it should be so , that things wel knowen , and of moste excellencie , should haue condignely their beste preferment : for so God him selfe with the most godly , would wishe by iustice it should so be , how soeuer most commonly they are knowne to the contrarie . And notwithstanding the dayes are nowe diuersly daungerous , very dayntie , and exceede in muche fynenesse , whether in speaking , curiouse deuising , exacte searching or penning of matter , touching either diuinitie or otherwyse of Prophane descriptions : so very singuler , exquisite , pycked , and tender are mens eares , naturally adioyned to their flourishing , quicke , and ready wyttes , profounde knowledge and iudgemente : and therefore the more hasardefull , and a meane truely to purchase vnto themselues that deale in suche cases , rather reprochefull and many scornefull scoffes , than commendation or shew of good countenance , vnlesse they rarely exceede or surmount the wel dooings of infinite others : and that also ( touching thys my presente attempt ( wheras the godly in these dayes , hath moste gratiously endeuored to set forth already , and that moste plentifully , diuers and sondry works , very diuinely , of great excellency , and of necessitie , to quicken and stirre vp daily to God , the ouer drousie , slacke , & sick sinnefull soules , to reioyce also their mindes , and to fructifie before him , their vnprofitable and baraine harts : yet as a pore helper , a most inferiour labourer , or well willing drudge in the vineyarde of Christe , humbling my selfe most gladly , vnder the correction of the charitable and frendly , of the godly wise in their known vertue and humblenesse , approued skilfulnesse , watchfulnesse , and needie diligence , in that their holy function appointed : beholding with them the necessity of the time , how the wilde weedes of wilfulnesse to wickednesse , sinne and abhomination , do daily abound and raign rankly without sufficient stoppe , in their very infectuous and filthie fulnesse , to choke , to represse and kepe lowe by the grounde , the fragraunte and sweete smelling fruites of vertue : whereby , as with infinite snares , the Diuell entangleth , still daily encreaseth , infecteth , poisoneth , and hazardeth all the leudly idle , carelesse and vaine children of this so sore crazed and old stouping world of deth ( alredie iudged , condemned , and at the brink of deth : ) in whom , by whom , and during whose time , Satan tempteth , allureth , deceiueth , plucketh towardes him , and tosseth them as it seemeth with his cruell clawes , vp side downe at his pleasure , and dalieth with them at his will , as with his owne possessed , as with those that forsake God , as in a time of the contempt of god , of hating the clere light of god , of louing the darknesse of the diuel to their condempnation more than the light , of selfe loue , of pride and vanitie , of defiled life , and suche like : a time approued of all times , most straunge , most monstruous , and therefore the more daungerous : wherby sathan with his whole rablement of hellike ministers , the world also it selfe , and the proud rebellious flesh , mainly bestirreth them with their full power togither , to make hauock , & to bring altogither vnder their seruile , most confused & bitter yoke : I haue in my moste simple vnderstanding , and as God therin by his grace hath directed me , endeuored to bestowe some parte of my time , in setting forthe sundry godly meditations and prayers , vpon special causes respected , as instrumentes , to shrub , to roote out , cutte downe , spoile and destroy , at the least some poysoned euils , from the most beautiful and louely vineyard of Christe . And as I haue by them thought most conuenient , that oure almightie and most terrible God ( who seemeth to be greatly amongst vs forgotten ) in euery of them shuld cheefely be had in remembrance , to be duely reuerenced and feared , to be called vpon and most highly magnified : so haue I for the most part , made mention of our frailetie , present and most wretched state , and of the mightie power also of our forsaid enemies , how politike they are , how puissant , how watchful , how cruel , how accustomably in all estates they do preuaile , and that God therfore by humble sute wold sone graunt vs his mercy , extend forth his arme to strengthen vs , and moste grationsly in time deliuer vs : least in the waightinesse of our sins yet daily amongste vs encreased , we be ouer sore pressed , oure consciences moste fowly defiled , burdened , depely galled and wounded , the iudgementes of the highest not wayed , oure inward senses benummed , oure hartes hardened , all diuine graces contemned , and so with the plages of God , the more swiftly by his iustice confounded : heaping in the while vengeance vpon our selues , against the day of his wrathe and publike declaration , of his proclaimed and iust iudgement , and to be dampned with the world , with the Diuell , and his Angels for euer : vnto whom , by whose custome , and importune knocking at the doores of our gracelesse , very vaine , and most frutelesse hearts ( the knocking of the Lorde Christ wilfully neglected ) wee haue subiected oure selues , and opened wide vnto him , to let in both him self , his conioyned companions , and with them all abhomination and vnrightuouseneste , to quicken with more hast the flames of Gods furie , to make ponderous and ouer heauie , the switfe descending ballance , of his very terrible & irrcuokeable iustice . To the ende therefore , this small and moste simple volume , may ( vnder youre godly protection ) gather the rather some estimation and credite , & passe forth for good to the vse of the godly , I moste humbly beseeche youre worship , so to accepte it in the simplicitie thereof , and graunt thereunto your Christian furtherance , that some good for Goddes glory , may growe thereby to some , that some liues at the least may be somewhat amended , the furies of God the sooner preuented , and the bright lighte of the sonne of god shine with more power amongste vs , to ouerthrowe vs in his feare , to beate flatte to the earth , our carthie and proude fleshe , and to waste soone or consume , for good and most happie chaunge , our most damnable works of darknesse . I shall ( as of bounden duetie , for this and for other the like causes deserued ) most humbly pray for you , that God in mercie may euer blesse , both you , your moste worthy beloued in Christe , your ofspring , and whole familie .

Your humble and daily Oratoure , THOMAS Paulfreyman .

13 Whether thou hast on this maner folowing considered of Sathans chalenge and comparison with thee , and sayde thus vnto hym in the secrecies of thy faithfull soule , The true christian at earnest defiance with the diuel : and sheweth vnto him for his disco●●gemēt the power of his fayth . for thy defence : O thou very mortal , most cruel and damned enemie , I vnfaynedly from myne hart defie thee : I withstande thee to the face : thou hast naught to doo with me , or to make suche comparisous with mee in my christen and most holy profession . I know full wel thy malice and stoutnesse , which hath ben in thee from the beginning , bothe agaynste the annoynted of God and all his . Experience teacheth me , of thy not slumbring , of thy wandring about , and seeking watchefully to deuoure and to spoyle mee of my faith , wherby I must be saued . I tell thee thou most wicked one , thy trauell is all in vayn . I am none of thyne , nor nothing inclined to thyne affection or motions . I am Gods I tell thee , and the perswaded childe of God by his spirit of truth , who by grace possessing me , and by his power mightily working in mee , hath moste graciously planted in my harte , the frutefull tree of pictie , of true and perfect fayth , fast roted in me , deply stayed , and surely setled , euen with the finger of god my father , touching the dignitie , price and true estimation of his sonne , and mine onely sauiours most preciouse body , for mine only health and eternal saluation . And though I haue falne or fainted , as traiterously thou hast tripped me , yet of frailtie haue J falne , & not wilfully of malice , as thou haste most maliciously tempted me : which God hath seene in me , in mercy therfore hath raised me vp ageyne , and wil stil vpholde me in spite of thee . Art thou ignorant of this ( thou griseled and foule helly monster ) that I am not such a one as thou art , or as thou woldest haue mee , to bee doubtefull of my faythe , as the wicked are , to leaue the freedome of Gods spirite , and to bee entangled agayne in thine infernall filthy bands ? Thinkest thou , that I beeyng nowe called to the lighte and knowledge of the sweete woorde of life , whereof I haue truely tasted , and haue in detestation mine olde conuersation , will be newly agayne deceiued , offer to approche , eyther once nibble or smell to thy beslubbered , brackishe , and most filthy embrued baytes ? Notest thou me of suche slipperinesse , that hauyng farre entraunce in the spirite , and feele the incomparable ioyes therof , that I will nowe ende in the greefes and sorrowes of the fleshe ? to sette so lyttle by the Kyngdome of Iesus Chryste , that taking holde of the Plough , will now looke backe agayne , to bee as a Dogge , and to returne agayne to my vomite , or as a beastely Swyne , to beraye my selfe agayne in the myre , to defourme the Image of God , and to defile his holy Temple ? No no Sathan thou arte deceiued , I tell thee truely for thy discouragemente , I am now better schooled , well armed , and better warned , to let thee goe for naughte . Knowest thou not that I haue put vppon me to endure for euer , my Lorde and God , my Chryste and Sauioure ? Art thou forgetfull ( O thou enemie ) that I in true faythe professing his name , and receyuing woorthily hys bolye and most blessed Sacraments , by the onely rule of his word , am armed ouer all , with his only healthful , and most mercifull merites , to strengthen me mightily ageinst thee : who is made mine with all that he hathe : and I am onely hys , both body and soule : one bodye wyth him : fleshe of his fleshe , and bone of his bones . Ah Sathan , this certeinty and truth in faith considered , wastefull are thy wretched wandringes and wylye waightings to wreck and vex my soul . Away from me , away J say thou cursed and spightfull spirite : or stay if thou lust to offer boldly vnto mee ( as thou darest ) thy very blashlesse and bragge attempts of malignitie . I yet tell thee , they shall not hurt me : neither do I any thing esteeme thee : J regard not thy force : J feare not thy fury : The Lorde is my God : he is the God of my strength and considence : thou hast of thy selfe , no powre at all ageinst me : For what so euer thou attempteste or seekest to performe , therin to thy wil thou wantest powre . But that which thou doest , is by his onely omnipotent hande and sufferaunce that is my God : whose waight and mightinesse , thy broosed braines hath felte , to make thee stonpe for euer , to hamper thee at his will to thine owne irons , to ouer throwe thee soone in thine owne tourne , and to blowe thee backewarde at will , euen with the breath of his mouth , into the bailesse and deepe botomelesse pitte : whose bonde slaue thou art and a drudge enforced : and in thine outrage by his permission , a knowne peerelesse paricide , a very restlesse , pitilesse , and most gracelesse raunging roge , the only ring leader and infectuouse ranke roote of all reproch , of all mischieues and abhomination vnder the sonne .

14 O beloued Christian : Whether art thou in this wise armed with saith too stande too the face of the Diuell , sharply to reproue him , and put him to flighte ?

15 Whether hast thou in thine harte through this saith , heauenly mirth and melody , inward reioicing , and thy retourne with triumphe , exalted the name of thy God , felt in thy selfe to bee doubtlesse his childe , and too loue ( as thou lawfully oughtest ) the lawe of thy deare and most louing father ?

16 Whether hast thou considered or not , this heauenly mistery aforesaid to be the Sacramente of true pietie , the Character of perfecte vnttie , and the most assured band of frutful and christian charitie ?

17. Whether thou , being a subiecte in any estate ( borne to be ruled vnder thy soueragne and not to rule ) bearest vnto hir thy dere and natural Prince as also to thine natiue countrey ( by the bloud of Goddes woorde ) a naturall , saithfull , and true louing harte .

18 And finally , whether thou bee christianly charitable , or a cleere remitter of all thy neighbours offences as thou thy selfe woldest of God be clerely remitted . And so foorth in all other thinges , as best behoueth thine holye profession : least to the contrary ( in gods sighte ) all thy conceyued holinesse by orater or whatsoeuer , beeing but provbane , hipocritish , childish , mere darknesse and very folly , there be founde in thee , but the only title , or vnauailable bare name of christianitie : and therefore verie perniciouse , burifull , and to be tourned into sinne ageinst thee : and so in stead of healthfull , very delightfull , and beautifull blessings ( which thou daily huntest after ) the banefull , most bitter , and blacke curses of God , doo sodeinly fall vppon thee . Beware then J exhorte thee , looke well to thy selfe : in time : flatter not thy selfe vainly or rather dampnablie : be not longe a dalier , in the schoole house of daliaunce : be not alwayes a fondling , a weakling , or a suckling , a milkesoppe , or babish infante in Chryst : weye truely the vertue of healthefull , manfull , and strong nourishmente in Chryste , attende to the tyme : thou shouldeste nowe bee a strong man in Chryste : thou art now as a man most grationsly visited , for the highest doo seeke thy company : than the which , what shouldest thou more desire . O remember then , how very reprochfull , how vnmāfull , vnhealthfull , hurtfull , miserable , and discommendable , is thy seruile state , in such wise to be pind in , not to growe out in time , nor get from thy rockinges , thy wearisome wrappinges , or swadling bandes of extreame weakenesse : but alwayes to be lulde in the armes of vntimely tendernesse , wherby thou art barred from thy highest and moste chiefe solicitie . Way warely by the scriptures , thy due danger and discommendation , of suche thine insensibilitie and wearishnesse . Shouldest not thou rather reioice , to be calde as a man of strength to the felowship , ripe age , and strong manhode of Christe , and to be partaker in his presence , of his most frendefull , healthfull , strengthfull , and heauenvly banket ? whereunto , al things are already prepared , and therunto art thou now called . God also graunt thee , to be in the number of his electe , that thou maist with saith set forwards thy fote , hungerly with zeale to striue for thy place , & to beleue by Gods only word , that the lord of the feast fauoreth thee . Be not hindred , hinder not thy selfe , let excuses be farre from thee , deferre not the fauouring of thy soules refreshing , loke to thy turne in time , open to day thine eyes , and be not yet blinde to morowe , least with the blinde , in thy wil of blindenesse , thou be sone blindely led , into the irrecouerable , deepe , and most damnable dungeon of blindnesse , darknesse & horror , with the diuel , the Prince of darknesse and death foreuer . Consider this , he that seeth thee ( euen as in deede thou art ) is a God of moste cleare sighte , bright lighte , truthe and rightuousnesse . Call to minde towardes him , thy true profession & seruice : turn not th●● but of true kinde : leane simply 〈◊〉 truthe : ioyne not with the wicke● which by their questions dout of that truth , and aske how knowe you that it is the word of truth : for bothe they & thou shall answer to that word of truthe : whereby must be directed , bothe thy religion and manners : and wherin , thou must be bothe mindefull , skilful and thankeful for thy discharge . Jgnoraunce cannot excuse thee , it shall not excuse thee : thou oughtest not be ignorant , thou nedest not be ignorant : what so euer is written , is written for thy learning : thou readest it , thou hearest it , or thou maist if thou luste : It is not farre from thee : It is before thine eyes & in thine hart , if grace be with thee towardes it , and is most truely pronounced vnto thee , by the eternall spirite of truth , & that most miraculously with al simplicitie , by his zealous ministers , inwardly to pierce thee , to lighten the darknesse of thine hart , and to quicken true life vnto thee , if thou haste eares to heare in these dayes , the dayes of gods grace , and of his heauenly visitation . Vaine curiositie of faultes finding and complaining , shal not serue thee , in thy respecting of persones , dayes and times : they oughte not to hinder thee : haue thou thine hart prepared , & stick thou to the graces of god offered . What are slanderous brutes to thee , if thou be of god & a louer of the truth : of which truthe , let thine owne conscience be the iudge , if it be not vtterly dead , or most damnably benummed . When thou hearest the truth , in time take hold of truthe , let not occasion slip from thee , with hir turned baldnesse towardes thee : for shee flieth swiftly , and to cal hir again back wil not help thee : yea , the truth wil then reproue thie , be iuste iudge ouer thee , and condempne thee to thy face , for thy moste folishe and late repentaunce Jf truthe therefore offer hir selfe vnto thee , stand most amiably before thee , and sound most heauenly words vnto thine eare : O attend then to the truth , haue good opinion in the truth , slie not from the truthe , feare not the truthe ioyne to the truth , be familiar with the truth , beleue the truthe , confesse boldly the truthe , and stand stedfastly to the truth : for truthe is of high excellencie a glorious ladie , a dame of noble fame and of great antiquitie : she is euer gratious vnto the frendly , of full power also , of great maiestie , and familiar with the highest . Thinke well therefore of truth , entertaine hir reuerently , shee shineth with glory vnto thee . O let hir alwayes possesse thee , reioyce in hir companie , and vse hir very frendly , for she wil highly againe requite thee , & shen thee sone most freely , hir natural vsage & propertie : which shal be , all inwardly to serch thee , thorowly to purge thee most clerely to pollish thee , most beutifully to adorne thee to breake thy bands of impietie , to make the spiritually free and prefer thee , through true saithe to possesse the high presence of the deitie . This is truthes nature , to deale kindly with thee , if thou most vnkindly , neglectest not hir companie . Of whiche truth , the Apostle thus wryteth vnto thee , that without al contradiction she must nedes be vnto thee , either the sanoure of life vnto life : or the sauoure of death vnto death . Such iudgement will truth haue ouer thee , and stand in full effect , there will be no meane , but to be either with thee , or else flatly againste thee , as it shall truely finde thee , at thy fal from this life . there wil be no daliance : it will for euer saue thee , or eternally damne thee , how so euer thereof thou makest thine account , or leanst of will to the contrary , with thy very blinde , wicked , and peruerse hart . Feare therfore , harken to the truth in time , haue sure confidence in truthe , thine helper is at hand , be and the truth are one , he is grateful , he is faithful , dout thou not double not , nor wilfully withstand not , the offred graces of thy mylde master , thy iust Lord , and moste louing God : and be not before him , and in the presence of his holy Angels , vnprepared , or a dallier , a man indifferent , a slacke Simme , a drousie one , a lyngrer , a double deaier , a wanton , or a carelesse one , among the reiectes and wretches of this worlde : that in their coldenesse , darkenesse , hopelesse houeryng , vayne deuising , wilfulnesse , tolitie , forgetfulnesse , contempte of God and Godlynesse , tempteth so hygh , so magnificent , terrible & great God of maiestie , most deadlily to danger them , elues : who diuersly in a moment , and in the twinkling of an eye , is able by his iustice to destroy thee , to cracke sodainely in sunder the thred of thy life , & to twine strongly the cordes of thy perdurable & eternal death . Therfore as he ought , in his mightinesse , of euery wighte to be feared : so he shold not of any one , either presumptuously or vainely be tempted . But for thy part , obey him in his will , and suffer him with all pacience , to try thee through aduersitie , committing thy selfe wholely vnto his only wil & mercy : for surely he will ( beholding in thee the power of saithe ) not suffer thee to be tempted aboue thy strengthe , or yeelde thee so farre to fall , but with his owne right hand , will raise thee quickly vp againe . And I exhorte thee also to take heede , that thou possesse not in his sight at any time , an vnstayed , ofte wauering , and winde shaken hart , through Sathans blustrings , stormie and tempestuous blastes , stirred vppe daily and hourely againste thee , and that by Goddes permission for good : least by thine impaciencie , diffidente trembling , and sore shakes of thine vnchristen inconstancie , thou be sodainly turned to thy shiftes , put to thy faultie flight , and so be dispossessed of thy verie healthful , safe , and most sure holde : or else spoiled with reproche of thy christen armor : or be occasioned by desperate pursute , to starte from the face of the ennimie , to stacker fearfully at his offered blowes , and in hazarde to take hurt by some dangerous and sodain fal● greatly to dishonor thee before Christe thy captaine : and with him infinite armies of heauenvly soldiors : whose tents ( to encourage thee ) are pitched round about thee . I say therefore vnto thee ( O Christian ) stand thou cherefully to thy charge in all things , and defende manfully thine owne : dismaie thee not J say : for the Lorde God him selfe will be thy defender and keeper , and wil stand by thee to strengthen thee , and to deliuer thee from all daungers . And if legions of diuels should copasse thee , trench thee in round about , plant their power , and bend forcibly their shot agaynst thee : well may they threatningly thunder far from thee , rore , rattle and rumble in the aire ouer thee , tumble terribly about thee , parche something thy tender skin , and wonderfully in such sort amase thee : yet shall they not preuayle agaynst thee , hurte any member of thee , or once remoue thy fast fixed soote , but shalt stand sure fer euer , euen as the highe , mightie , steadie , and strong mounte Sion : for Gods arme stayeth thee , who by his power hathe ouercome the diuell , euen the great diuell Sathanas him selfe , he holdeth him at will by his infernall chaynes , his whole cursed armie also , hell gates , and al the powers of hell . O praise therfore thine almightie God : exalt his glorious name for euermore , watche and pray continually : pray with understanding , pray at al times , and in al places , as his holy spirite shall moue thee , for the vpholding of thee , and for the auoyding of the engins , sleights , and temptations of the enimies : that God himselfe may be pleased , thy soule strengthned , the diuels chased , vanquished , or put to flight . And when thou prayest , deceiue not vaynly thy selfe : be not blinded with the proud Pharisie in thine owne conceite , boasting of thy righteousnesse in the presence of God , neither glorying in any thing : for he throughly beholdeth thee , and seeth that truely in thee , euen thy secrete and hidde sinnes ( a masse of all abhomination ) as thou oughtest chiefly therein to be thine owne iudge . But humble thy self before him , with the penitent and poore wretched Publicane , confessing thy sinnes and wickednesse : and feare not then to attayne grace , through suche true faith & humblenesse . Moreouer , forget not , that as God is a moste highe , heauenly and diuine substance , and a spirite of al goodnesse and truth : so wil he also of thee be spiritually worshipped , praysed , and prayed vnto , euen in the truth , by the word of truth , and from the depth and bocome of thine hart . This also I put thee in remembrance of ( a thing greatly requisite ) that in the tyme of thy prayers , which thou daily consecratest to god ( be they more or lesse , long or short ) thou be not withdrawen with the snarling suggestions , secret twitches , inward motions , or wylie sleightes of the enimie Sathan , thorough the abuse of thy senses and outwarde bodily members , as thine eyes , thine eares , and suche like : that whilest thy tongue onely oft babbleth , and vaynely wastest muche breath : thine hearte , whiche God chiefely respecteth , and dothe very gladly desire , bee fardest off , and bee moste vaynely turned another way , gretly to displease him , to vexe sore thine owne conscience , and to make vtterly frustrate al thine attempts , or importune sutes of greate necessitie . This I say also vnto thee : If thou desire to be the child of God , and voyde of al doubts so in dede to be , fauour from thy hart Christ thy forerunner and sauiour , by whose onely grace thou arte adopted the childe of God . Make not towards him , thy fidelitie , crased , mingled , or patched : let it goe soundly and al whole togither , both from thy body & thy soule . Let him alwayes enioy from thee the whole & perfect man , the man regenerate & new borne , and made by his spirit the child of light , ful of agilitie and liuelinesse : whose soule mounting with felicitie still vp to the heauens , is there resident with Chryst the sauiour , and alwayes conuersant in heauenly things . And let him also bee euermore vnto thee , thine onely , whole , ful , perfect , and sufficient redemer , ear nest petitioner and ready pacifier of the diuine fury against thee for al causes : who with great glory ( as thou sholdest confesse ) is ascended on high , and sitteth with almightinesse , power and maiestie , on the right hand of his heauenly father , with open and fresh bleeding wounds ( the many fest marks & impressions before him for euer ) of the purchased & most preciouse redeemed inheritance , euen for thee , most notoriouse and deadly sinner , by the secrete testimonie of thine owne conscience . These things & such like , of thee thus christenly considered , thou mayest bee bold with thy most merciful and louing God . But yet agayne I say vnto thee , hold thee sure vnto thy sauiour christ , swarue not from him , nor from the vertue of his onely merites , wherby thou must be onely saued . Cleaue then close to the rocke of assurance : leane to no loose nor sandie safetie . Trust not to the rottennesse of our humane deuises , labour not to languish in a maze of vncertaintie . Bemoyle not thy selfe in suche myre of mortalitie , and shun soone such shoures as wil wrecke thy soules fidelitie . Then cry ( as J sayd ) and ceasse not to craue pardon of God thy father in his sonne : name , ' Doubte not of thy sute , what so euer it be , for it shal by good motion be so vpright , so reasonable , so acceptable before him and allowable : and shal touch therwith so neere the tendernesse of his mercy , his truthe and fidelitie , that of necessitie graunt muste bee made vnto thee : he wil not denie thee the requests of thy lippes : yea , he will so graciously tender thee , that foreseing thy cause of inwarde complaynte , he wyll prepare quickely thine heart most faithfully to call vpon him . Beleeue therfore faithfully , trust of assurance , and thou shalte surely obteine thy desire , with greate mercy and fanour at his holy hande . Thy sinnes shal not be imputed vnto thee , thou shalte bee blessed and righteouse in the sighte of God all the dayes of thy life , so happily shall thine hart be prepared : so mightily shal thy prayers preuayle for thee : they will forcibly pearce the celestiall and high heauens : approche neare to the onely throne of grace and maiestie : cry incessantly for thee , & will not returne from the presence of God , nor once be satisfied , before the full graunt of their humble sute , for thy sauing health and commoditie . To conclude in all thy godly attemptes , whether in praying , fasting , geuing of Almes , frequenting the holy Sacramentes , or rendering moste hartie thankes vnto God , for his infinite Mercies , Graces , Blessinges and Benefites bestowed vppon thee , and vppon his whole Churche , from the beginning vntill this present day : and what soeuer in holinesse thou commendest daily vnto him : let it always be done vprightly , orderly , with christian comelynesse , and modestie , with peace of conscience , faithfully , constantly , cherefully , and in charity , as the only worde of God moste straitely byndeth thee . Which I pray to God may clerely shine into thee by the power of his holy spirite : who quicken thee this day , to morow , and for euer , and kindle in thee towardes him , the firie flames of his true loue , throughe his sonne Chryst Iesus : who speedely graunt thee the same signement of his holy hand , and satisfie thee with inward ioy , in all thy moste lowefull and diuine desires . Amen .