FYrste thou shalt exercyse thy selfe in the perfect and deepe knowlege of our lorde thy god callynge humbly to remembraunce how excellent and incomprehensyble he is , as well as the grace ( that thou canst optayne of god ) shal assist the , this knowlege thou shalt indeuer thy self to optayne rather by feruent desire and deuoute prayer , then with highe studye and outeward laboure . It is the syngular gyfte of god and very precyus . Wherfore thou shalte wyth most humble and lowly hart very oftentyme desyre the same lorde god , that thou myghtest possesse him , most deuoutly praynge that he vochsafe to manifest and shew hym selfe vnto the , that thou mayst know him , and hys hygh pleasure and perfect wyl , saying in this maner ( or lyke ) in thy hert & secrete mynd with all desire and gostly affeccyon .

MOst gloryous maiestie of my lord god , whom to knowe is the very blysse and felicitie of mans soule , and there can no manne knowe thee as thou art without thou wylt open and shew thy selfe vnto hym . Moost humbly I be seke the ( moost gracyus god and moste mercyful lorde ) vouchesafe , of thy infynite mercy and goodnes , to lyghten at thys present , and euer , my hart , my mynd , and knowelege with the very true and perfect knowelege of thyne owne selfe , and of thy moost holy and perfect wyll , and godly pleasure to thy moost honor and glory . Amen .

¶ Then shalt thou lyfte vppe thy heart and thoughte and consyder : not ( with to greate vyolence but soberly , ) the eternall euerlastynge and the infynite power and myght of god whiche hath creatyd al thynge , consyder hys moost excellent wysedome , hys vnmeasurable goodnes , and his incomprehensible loue . Consyder what thy lord god is , who he is , what maner and how great he is , not in body , but in might power goodnes , wisedome & mercy . For he is very and only god most gloryus , most blessed , moost excellent , and mooste hyghest , aboue all thyng , the excellent and hyghe verytie and truthe it self , the euerlastyng and vnchangable goodnes , a very and sempyternall substance , a charytie infynite , whiche is so great , so excellent and ineffable in hym self that all dignitie , perfeccyon , and goodnes that is possible to be spoken , by word , can not suffycyently expresse any parte of hys moost inconprehensible nobilytie , dignitie , perfeccion , and goodnes . Way and consider well also that god is the very true , propre and natural place , rest , and centre of thy sole , in whom thi soule from the beginning fyrst restyd , by the perfect resemblance and symilitude of hyr , in the blessyd mynd of god , from whens ( in the time of her creacion ) she came in to the bodie , whyther shee must returne agayne , and in whome she must ( by hym ) rest , or els she shall perishe for euer , and looseth that blysse that she was creatyde to , and Iustly shall be caste in to the vnrestefull myserie and turmente of hell . After thys thought then turne thy thought vnto the mooste holy and blessyd trinitie . ( Not musing to much theron ) with most deuout and obedient faith most mekely and lowly adoure and worshyppe , laude and prayse it with all the myghtes of bodie and soule : saing in thy hert thus or lyke .

O Moost blessyd and moost holy trynitie of persons and moost swete and most gloryus vnitie in one godhed . I most humbly beseche thy myghtyfull and moost mercyfull maiestie , that the blessyd vnitie ( which thou art in godhed ) may flowe and runne , by most feruent loue , in to my soule and in to all creatures that be able to laude and prayse the. Amen .

THen consyder the blessed parsonage of god the father , howe he is the euerlasting ineffable and incomprehensible goodnes which bryngyth forth incogytably of him self and substance , an euerlasting goodnes coequall and of one godhead , and substance with hym selfe , which is his only son . Whych two ( that is to say ) god the father with hys sempeternall son , loue together the one the other in a charytie infinite , and with an vnmeasurable and euerlastynge delight , and this charitie or delight is god the holy goost . ¶ Aspyracions , to come to the blessed knowlege of god the holy trinitie thou shalt fynd at the end of these excersies . Thou shalte also consider in this meditacion how al thynges are of thys blessed trinitie thy lord god , and remayne and abyde by hym thorowe hys myght , that vpholdeth them , and are in hym more perfectly than in their owne nature , therfore to hym be all honoure and glorye of creatures worldes without end .

¶ Of the knowlege of god commeth and groweth in the soule of manne all vertue and goodnes . And of the ignorance of god aryseth all temptacyon all bytternes and dampnacion therefore thou owghteste to geue the more dylygence and to trauel the more earnestly to haue alway in thy memorie swetely , louyngly & delectably , these thre ( if thou canst ) that is to say . His essence or goodnes , His presence , and his loue .

¶ Fyrst attendynge and consyderyng his infynite nobilytie , his hyghnes , his rightwisenes , his swetenes , liberalitie and mercy , and other his innumerable perfeccions the whiche verely so farre passe , and excede so incomparably al wyt and understanding of any creature , that what so euer of any of all these perfeccyons , all the creatures together , in all the whoole world can thinke or speake , it is lesse in comparison of hys hyghe worthines and perfeccion , then one lytle droppe of water in comparyson of the whoole mayne sea . And yet ( marke well ) he so myghty so great , so hyghe , and so wonderfull a lorde god , hath creatyd thy soule moost nobly vnto hys owne lykenes , and made it able and mete to be pertaker and to receaue his hygh maiestie and goodnes by loue of hym . For he hathe knytte vnto thy soule three excellent myghtes or powers , that not only in the lyfe to come in heauen , but also in this present life and world , thou myghtest know hym by thy vnderstanding in fayth , and goostly contemplacyon . And by thy wyll thou myghteste choose and loue hym . And by thy memorie thou mightest reste in him and be knyt vnto him , thou myghtest remayne and dwell euer in hym . And playnely ( yf thou weere not blyndyd by the deuell , the world and the fleshe , and the loue of thes ) thou woldest be so rauished in the pleasure and loue of hym , that for Ioye and wonder thou shuldest not be able to stand , but faynt and synke . The Ioyes and sorows of this world thou shludest not marke , nor take any heede to them , nor passe for them any thyng at all . For thou woldest not suffer thy selfe in any wyse to be seperatyd not one momente , from the consyderacyon and loue of that hyghe and infinite goodnes .

¶ Secondlye consyder and beholde with greate Ioye , gladnesse and thankefulnesse how so hyghe , excellent , wonderfull a lord of his euerlastynge loue and charytie , offreth hym self euery where , in euery place , specyally in thy soule , very presently vnto the. Yea more nearer the then thou arte to thyne owne self , to vpholde thy lyfe and being , to conserue , to gouerne the and to saue the and to bring the to eternal blisse . Wherfore thou haste more neade to be ware and charie of thy honestie & of verteous couersacyon ( yf thou wylt not dissemble ) for as muche as thou dost all thynges , yea al that thou thynkest and spekest is openly done , spoken , and thought in his very presence , whiche seeth all thynges . Take heede therfore and consyder thy moste deare louyng lord god , thy creator & thy very hartes loue alway before the present , and walke in thy conuersacion ) lyke a chaiste spouse with reuerent feare , & louely shamefastnes mekenes obedyence and pacyence , before the eies of so highe a maiestie of god , preparing thy selfe alway without ceassyng to please him , syghyng and desyryng in the botome of thy hart , to haue hys loue in thy hart and moost louyngly to enbrase hym .

¶ Oh what abundance of grace wold grow in thee yf thou coldest thus do . At the leaste do as thou maist vntyll more grace come . ¶ Thyrdely consyder that the same so myghty and omnipotent lord of his vnmesurable charytie and of moost constant and free loue turneth hym selfe and hath speciall regarde to the , so specyally and syngularly , that it passeth the vnderstanding & desire of the aungels . So great is his dignacion and goodnes toward the an vncleane and vyle worme , that he intendyth and taketh soo great hede and care for the , as though ther were no mo creatures left hym , neyther in heauen nor in earth but thou alone . He also hath deliuered the , and defendid the from many periles and dangers both of body and of soule , and dothe styll euery moment kepe the. He also vnaskyd , doth geue thee , allure the , and intyse the wyth so many benyfytes , gyftes and graces ( thoughe thou be very vnkynd and most vnworthy vnto hym agayne ) that thou canst not number the least part of them . And of the same hys charitie he geuyth the most free lybertie to come to hym euery momente , so that with onely a good thoughte and a louely desire thou maist obtaine and possesse infinite and euerlastynge goodnes whiche he his hym selfe . In so muche that thou mayst safely , surely , and most profitably open vnto hym ( as vnto thy moost faithful louing and trustye frynde ) all thy necessyties . Wherefore for a special laude and praise vnto so louing and so good a lord god ( among the infynite number of these thinges that myght be spoken or written to hys honor ) it shal help the greatly , to come to hys loue , contynually to remember and to haue meditacyon of his infynite and perpetuall goodnes , wysedome , mercy , swetnes , lowelynes and charitie . That by this as by smal coles of fyre , thy hart may be kindled to render some loue for loue agayne . And that thou mayest be transformed and made lyke hym in lyke vertues and graces . Oh wolde God thou couldest and woldest exercise thy selfe contynually in these thre , how wold it delyght the to aryse earely and to watche wyth thy lorde god . How sone sholdest thou be delyuered from thy vices and passions from al betternes , and from all temptacions beynge in maner dronken in the loue of thy sauyour . Yea thou shuldest be turned into a newe man , and be transformed in maner into almyghty god . For there is no exercise more holyer , and more fruteful than this , whiche perced the harte of holye saint Augustine and other fryndes of god , with the darte of loue , when they wyth their inner eyes ( lyghtened of god ) did depely consyder the wonderfull tokens of the loue of God towardes them , specially in this incarnacion , lyfe , and passion , wyth other innumerable benefites of so greate and myghtye a lorde god geuen vnto them , specyally when they consydered earnestly the wonderfull charyte of god , wherby he hath geuen him selfe vnto vs , by his birth , as a felow in our nature , in the sacrament , as our foode . In hys death , as the pryce of our redempcion , and reigninge in heauen , as our euerlasting rewarde whiche he graunt vs of hys mercy and charitie Amen .

¶ Of the consyderacyon of thy selfe .

AFter this done , then turne thy thought vnto the profunde and depe consideracion of thy selfe , & earnestly behold how noblye thy soule was created of God , and made by his power of nought to his ymage and likenes . Then consyder also how miserable , fylthy and abhomynable it was made by orygynall syne in Adam , and howe mercyfully thou arte redemed throwe the vnspekable loue and moost harde and paynefull satysfaction of thy lord Iesu . Yet after thy baptisme thou hast innumerable tyme defyled thy selfe agayne , by thy actual synnes , turnynge thy loue and obedience from the sempiternall goodnes , which is god hym selfe by thy frowarde , cursed , and noughty wyl and arte become now more filthye , & more vyle than is the vnresonable beast . Consyder well and marke into how manye euyls thou arte fallen by thy owne sinnes , from the whiche euylles thou arte neuer able to aryse by thy selfe , but only by the helpe of almyghte god , by whom thou arte able to do all thynge that thou can do . For by the true turninge or conuersion of thy loue to god , and to all vertue , thou mayst come agayne vnto the vnion wyth god . Attende & consyder earnestly , that thou arte created therfore of god , bycause that thou shouldest alwaie loue him to haue contemplacion & fruicion of him , & shuldest euer possesse him . And that thou arte set here , that thou shuldest faithfully serue hym , thanke hym , laud prayse and honour hym , and to knowe and fulfyl his moost blessyd wyll and pleasure in thy self and in al creatures . Consider also that thou art here in thys world ( as concernyng thy soule ) in a straunge contrey as an outlaw and a stranger , beset round about with many grynnes and ennemyes in danger of innumerable peryls . But yet yf thou remayne in god , there can no man hart nor harme the. Consyder how noble , how fayre , how wyse thy soule is creatyd of god to hys owne lykenesse and ymage , and yet neuerthelesse thou arte created ( as concernyng thy bodie ) of the slyme of the earth , weake , myserable , vyle , nedy , redy and prone to all sinnes and vyce , in goyng styll toward distruccyon . Wherefore take good hede dylygently , thou compel not thy soule to serue thy vyle fleshe for the moost filthi and most vile pleasures and delightes ( whiche soone passeth awaye ) of thy stynking fleshe and caren , and so cast both body and soule into euerlastyng paynes and turmentes of hell and dampnacion . Consyder diligently all thy cogytacyons , thy workes and dedes whether the end and purpose , in the vse of all thy powers and sensies be alway towarde god , eyther toward thy selfe or toward creatures . And thou shalt perceyue that thou canst neuer marke nor amend thy selfe suffyciently . Consyder also how thou of thy self art nought , thou hast naught & canst naught do , but syn . Where fore ( I say ) consider oft tymes , from whens thou camst , wher thou art , what thou art , & whither thou shalt . Thou maist see in thy selfe thre sorts of naught . The first , by innumerable deadely synnes thou art come to naught but to be turmentyd ( yf it please god ) perpetually in the deapth of hel like a stinking vessel and fier meate . Secondly , by the great corrupcyon of al thy powers and senses of thy bodye and soule , thou canst do naught but syn and sholdest fall in to innumerable enormyties yf god dyd not preserue the.

And thus art thou become a botomles deapth of darkenes a vessell worthy of all contumelye and reproche , be gotten by vnclennes and syn , lyuyng in concupiscence , and shalte die in anguyshe and agonye .

Thyrdly , in comparyson vnto thy lord and sauyor Chryst , thou and all creatures , are naught , and creatyd of nought , and should in a moment come to naught , yf thou and they were not contynually conseruyd of almighty god . Wherefore thou shuldest desyre to be contempned , dispised , & to be vnknowen of all men , yet without thy faulte and deseruyng it . For thou must not do any thynge synfull to be dispysed , but if the worlde dyspise the ( god permittyng it ) thou must be glad , and thinke thy selfe very worthy therof . Thou must also punishe thy self wyth thy lorde Iesu ( but yet wyth discrecion . ) Feare god euery where , & alway with chyldely or louely feare . Speke fewe , meke and lowely wordes . Thynke and remember alway beleuing that the commynge of thy heauenly brydegrome & spouse is at hand , alway callyng and saying to the : Ecce sponsus venit , exite obuiam ei . And thus alway returninge thy thought and consideracion vpon thy naughtynes , thou shalt merueyle greatly that god doth suffer the , so foule , filthy , and vnthankefull a creature to abyde one moment before his eies or sight . Thou shalte wyth all meekenes cry vnto thy lord god from the botomles deapth of thy mysery , deuoutelye callynge for the botomlesse deapth of hys mercye with the ofte searche of thy conscience , wherby he of his mercy , by his grace synguler ( for of it thou haste nede ) wyl vouchesafe to geue thee the clere sight and knowledge of al thy vices , imperfections , passions , and synful inclinacions to syn , and all thy sinnes which cleaue and lye hidde within and withoute thy powers and sences , and do miserablye blynde thy soule , and drawe the continualy to perdicion and destruction . And thus must thou lerne to know thy selfe , and that very dilygently . For thoughe thou profite very much continually , yet art thou not able to penetrate and perse to the botome of thy naughtynes , the herte of man ( as Esay sayeth ) is so wycked and vnsearchable : yet by grace thou mayst come to a great knowledge therof . Where fore to optayne thys specyall grace , thou shalt make deuoutely vnto god in thy herte and most herty desire , and not with voyce , thys prayer which is the practyse of this exercyse that folowe these fewe aspyracions . ¶ These briefe & short prayers be called aspyracions : for they be ( as it were ) syghings and longinges to obtaine of almighty god that which we aske in them : and they must be vsed and sayd in hert and desyre as often in the daye as they come to mynde , what euer we do , or where euer we be euery daye so longe as we do vse thys present exercise . ¶ Oh most mercifull Lorde whose loue is the lyfe of my soule , lyghten my soule with thy grace to knowe thee .

¶ Oh mooste swete Iesu , to knowe all the worlde , and not to know the , is but darkenes and foly , graunte me grace therfore mercifull lorde to knowe the.

¶ Oh most mercifull Lorde make me Ignorant and a foole in all thynge so I maye knowe the , whiche is the hyghest wisdome of all .

¶ Oh Gracius Iesu whiche arte not knowen but of clene heartes , purge my harte that I maye see the.

¶ My Lorde Iesu whiche doest reuele thy secretes vnto the litle babes , make me perfecte , meke and a babe in euyll that I may knowe the.

¶ Oh mercifull Lorde graunte me to come to the knowlege of my selfe the ground of all mekenes .

¶ Graunt me grace ( good Lord ) perfectly to contempne my selfe and to se the botom lesse pytte of all my myseries .

¶ Mercyfull sauiour graunt me an holye hate of my selfe for the verye pure loue of the and thy honour .

¶ The practise of the exercise to come to some knowledge of god & of thy self .

O Moost myghtyful maker & swete sauiour Iesu whiche taughtest & saydest : Thys is the lyfe euerlastinge , the very hygh waye to the blysse of heauen , that we maye knowe the very god thy father , & thee his sonne whom he hath sente to redeme the worlde . There can none come to the knowledge of the father , but such to whom thou wylte vouchsafe of thy gracious mercy to reuele hym , For it is thy gyfte onely , and we must receyue it only at thy hand . Wherfore most mercifull mediator Iesu , by whose onely mercyfull meanes , and the blessed merites of thy holy manhead all grace is geuen to vs wretched sinners of thy father celestial , and thou also , as very god , doste geue with thy father al mercy and grace . I most humbly beseche thee graunte me thy heauenlye lyght and the blessed knowledge of thy blessed godhead . Manifest and open to me thy blessed father and thine owne selfe , whych arte one god with hym and the holy goost . I knowledge , good lorde , that to know the my Lorde god perfectly and profoundlye , is the synguler gyfte of thee , whiche I cannot come vnto without thy speciall grace , which I most hertely and most mekely beseche thee to graunt me that therby I may perfectly know thee and thy holy wyl , and moost blessed and acceptable pleasure .

¶ Graunt me good lorde , now at thys present and oftentymes to consider profoundly , & perfectly to knowe that thou my lorde god art moste higheste and moost excellent aboue al thynges , moost blessed wysedom , euerlasting and vnchaungeable goodnes . A very incomprehensible and sempiternal substaunce , an infinite and mooste blessed bryghtnes , and an euerlasting and incomparable lyghte of blysse , whiche in thy selfe arte so myghtye , so gloryous , so good , and so perfecte , that there canne nothynge be thought so good , so perfecte , so worthye , so excellent , & so gloryous , but thy goodnes , thy perfeccion , thy wysedome , thy power , and thy incomprehensible loue surmounteth and excelleth it infinitely and incomparably . For if al power , vertue , goodnes , wysedome , & the perfeccions of all the creatures in heauen and in earth , and in al the whole worlde were knytte in one , it weere not so muche in comparison of thy blessed and most excellent maiestie , as is one lytle drop of water in comparison of the vnmesurable maine sea . Yea what soeuer the thoughtes of al men , the vnderstandyng of al aungels good and bad , be able to thynke or vnderstande of anye goodnesse or perfection , thy blessed goodnes , vnmeasurable might , and infinite perfeccion passeth it without comparison .

¶ O moost blessed , holy and glorious trinitie , most myghtyful father euerlastyng , ineffable , incomprehensible goodnes , which of thyne owne substance sempiternally doest brynge forth an euerlastyng , ineffable , and incomprehensible goodnes , coequal , & consubstanciall wyth thy selfe , which is thy sempiternal & onely son . And both you father & sonne equally the one louyng the other infinitely , in a charitie & delighte infinite , are knyt together in one holy gost the third person For this infinyte charytye , is none other then the holy goost , proceding incogitably of the father and of the sonne .

¶ Thus art thou my ( Lorde God ) thre dystincte persons in one very God , thre persons in one godhede , and one very godhed in thre persones .

¶ Most dredfull mayestye I moste lowlye and most deuoutly as I can I adore the , & worshype the , with all myght and powers of my body and my soule , moste swete and blissed vnite , most blessed & holy Trynitye . ¶ Oh my deare and mercyfull lorde and my god , shew thy selfe vnto me , and I aske no more .

¶ Oh most myghty maker and most swete Lorde God , infunde & powre into my hart and my vnderstanding , thy heauenly light and blessed charitie , that I may know and loue the aboue al thynge , comforte the wekenes and infyrmytie of my frayle nature wyth thy blessed presence , fyll my harte & my delyght with the loue of the and wyth the goostly influence of thy synguler grace , that I maye knowe how louyng , how gracious , how good , howe mercifull a Lorde God thou arte , and hast bene vnto me specially , and vnto all creatures .

¶ Graunte me grace most mercyfull lorde ofte tymes louyngly and verye delectably to remembre , how so myghtyful & so dredfull a lorde god , hast created and made my soule most nobly vnto thyne owne likenes and ymage , and hast geuen vnto my soule thre excellent powers or myghtes , that I myght and should , not only in the worlde to come , but also in this presente lyfe by wit and vnderstandinge , in constant fayth knowe the , by wyll I myght and ought to chose and loue the aboue all thinge , and by memorye , I myght rest in the , and beyng knytte fast vnto the , I myght so faythfully remayne and cleue vnto the , that for the pure delyght and loue of the , I myght contempne and forget all thynge .

¶ Graunte me good Lorde that I may be so rauyshed in the loue , and the delyght of thy blessed essence , & goodhed , that for Ioy , gladnes , and admyracion I may forgette my selfe , I maye feele nether prosperytie , neyther aduersite of this worlde , and that I maye not feare to suffer all the payne in this world , rather then to be pullyd or parted away from the , whiche arte of infinite power , wysedome , Iustice , goodnes , charytie , swetnes , lyberalitie , and of infynite pytie , clemencye and mercy , whose perfeccions excedyth infinitely all thought and vnderstandynge .

¶ Graunte me most mercifull and louing Lorde , grace to perceaue and remember alwaye wyth gostly Ioy and thankefulnes that thou so gloryous , and gracious lorde god , of Infinite charitie , of godly myght & mercy doest offer thy selfe vnto me euery where , specially in my soule , more verylye present , then I am with my selfe , beyng alwaye and euery where , redye to conserue , to gouerne , to saue me , and to brynge me to thy blysse .

¶ Wherfore ( most dredfull Lorde ) I haue a great cause yf I wyll do my dewty , to be circumspecte and take greate hede , how I do vse my selfe in the presence of the my lord whiche seist and lokest vpon al my wordes dedes and thoughtes .

¶ Graunte me therfore ( moost mercyfull Lorde ) grace to walke and conuersant my selfe before thy blessed presens , like a chaist and an holy spouse , with al reuerence , feare , shamfastnes mekenes , obedyence , and pacience , contynually preparing my selfe with al dilygence to please the sight of thy dredfull maiestie , and wyth al my hearte and wyl , to loue the aboue al thyng , wherby al grace and vertu may encrease in me .

¶ Graunt me , o merciful sauiour , alwaye in euery place to remember that thou , so myghty a Lorde God berest towarde me vyle wretched worme of the erthe , an euer lastinge , vnmesurable , most constant & fre loue and charitie , which passeth al thoughtes and desire , so greate is thy goodnes towarde me moost vyle wretche , whiche am but sinne and claye , that thou doest vouchsafe to tende and to take so great hede , and care vpon me , as though thou haddest no mo creatures in heauen or earth , and hast , and doest deliuer me , and defend me from innumerable perels & dedly dangers bothe of body and soule , and hast , and doest frely adorne me , indewe me , and multyplye in me most vnthankeful and vnworthy , with so many gyftes and benefytes at al tymes , that I am not able to reken the least parte of them , and of thy Infinite loue and charyte moost lyberally , I maye at all tyme , ( yea euery minute of an houre ) come vnto the , in so muche that with one godly thought and desyre I maye optayne and haue the whiche art euerlastyng felicitie , and to the as vnto my most nearest , derest , most faithfull and trusty frende in heuen or earth , I maye safely open all my griefes & necessytyes , and be certayne and sure to haue such help of the , as shal be most for my soule helth . Wherfore , most merciful lord god , which arte the sempyternal lyght of heauen vochsafe for thy mercy sake to lyghten the darkenes of my synfull soule and the blindnes of my harte , with the blessed beme of grace that I may come to the perfecte knowlege of thy blessyd godhed , of thy infinite charite towarwe me . And that I maye contynaally remember thy blessed presens in euery place . Lyghten myne inward and goostly eyes to se & consyder effectuously the wonderfull tokens of thy infinyte loue & kindnes to me , and the innumerable benefites geuen vnto me and all mankynd , specially by thy most holy Incarnacion , thy life , deth and passion , and that I maye the better perceyue what thou hast done for me : graunt me most mercyful good lord , grace to com to the perfecte and exacte knowlege of my selfe . Fyrste to consider and acknowlege howe noble thou haste creatyd my soule , vnto thyne owne similitude and ymage of nought . And howe myserable , how foule , fylthy and abhomynable it was made by oryginall sinne as sone as euer it entred the synfull bodye and fleshe . And how thorow thy infinite mercy , and tender charytye it was redemed by thy precious deathe & purged by vertewe of thy bloud and passion in baptysme and so restoryd vnto grace and mercy agayne . Yet afterward , & syth that tyme I haue innumerable tymes most fylthyly defyled my selfe wyth many a deadly synne forsakyng thee my lorde god , & turnynge awaye my loue frome the , and from thy holy commaundementes , folowynge myne owne corrupte wyl , and beastly lust and desyre , and haue made my soule more filthy feble , and more vyle in thy syght , than any vnresonable beast . And thus in the foule puddell and durtie dongion of sinne , I must nedes haue sunke in vnto the bottome of damnacion , yf thy mercy had not or wolde not yet helpe me vp agayne by thy Infynite mercy and blessed grace . For of my selfe & of myne owne power I am not able to arise by trewe and perfecte repentaunce with out thy mercyfull grace do helpe me . And yet thou arte so good and gracious , that I may ( yf I wyll ) euery , daye houre and mynet , recouer thy gracius fauer , for thou art euer redie knocking at my harte continually . ¶ Oh merciful Iesu , how moch nede haue I of thy mercy and grace .

¶ Graunt me good Lorde , grace earnestly to consyder oft tyme from whens I came , what I am , wher I am , and whether I go . Fyrst from whens I came , playnely I came frome vyle and synfull fleshe , begotten in fylthy concupysence and beastly lust , in the stinkyng vylenes of oryginal sinne , fed in my mothers womb with foule menstruus vilitie . And where thou ( moost mercifull lorde god ) creatyd the planettes & the starres of the fyer , the fyshes and foules of the water , thou haste created me and all other beastes of the foule and vyle earth , so that as touchyng my bodye I am no better than a beaste , created of the earth & vnto the earth I shall agayne . What I am I maye sone perceaue , I am nought els but drosse and durte , rotten earth wormes meate , & much lesse perceuing how I shal depart , subiecte vnto many necessities , ful of misery , borne in sinne , liuing in wretchidnes and labour and must dye in payne and agonye . And yf I shuld earnestly & depely consyder I may perceiue and se , that the trees herbes bring for the leaues , swete flouers & frutes , & my bodye bryngeth nothing els , the foule wormes , stynking sweat and corrupcion . Yf I wolde wel consider and marke what commeth out of the nose , the eares , & of other yssues of the bodye , I shall perceaue that ther can be no fowler and more horible or more stynking dunge hyll in the worlde . Nowe wher I am , plainly in this wretched worlde the vale of mysery , as an out lawe & stranger and in a foren contrey , beset wyth many galthroppes , and grinnes on euery side in the myddes of innumerable dangers & perels , among my most mortal ennymies against whome , I must fyght bothe nyght and daye , for they lye in wayte for my dysstruction contynually , whose mortall malyce . I can not escape wythout thy moost mercyfull helpe . And whither I go lorde , whyther els , but from whens I toke myne orygynal , that is vnto earth dunge & claie . Of earth & asshes my wretched fleshe was created , and to the earth it must go fyrst or last . But when and howe sone , thou only knowest most myghtyfull lord , but sure I am that thyther I go contynually where euer I be , what euer I do , wherfore ( moost mercyfull lorde ) graunt me grace , that the perfect knowlege and consideracion of my wretched estate , neuer go from my memorye . Wherby ( wyth the helpe of thy grace ) I may seke earnestly and contynually the amendemente of my selfe wyth thy mercyfull help and fauour .

¶ Oh merciful lord were not thy exceding greate mercy , my soule ( throwe the innumerable and most greuous sinnes ) where nought els but a brand of hel fyre & a foule stynking vessell full of abhomynacion of sin apte to be caste into hell and euerlastynge damnacion . Moreouer ( yf thy grace were not ) I colde do nothing els but synne , and increase my damnacion , yea ther were no kynde of synne so abominable , the which I should not commyt , yf thy grace dyd not preserue me , yea my soule shoulde returne to ryght nought , yf thy myght and godlye power dyd not vpholde it & conserue it .

¶ Oh mercyful Lord howe many euyl affectyons , croked inclynacions , synfull passions : noughty dysposicions and redynes to all kynde of synne and myschefe , are in the senses , wit , and power of my soule both inwardly and outwardly . Whome I can neuer wythout thy specyall grace & helpe know nor perceaue , and much lesse amend reforme & mortyfie : wherfore ( myghtyfull gracious and moost pytyfull sauiour ) In the blessed merytes of thy most bytter & paynfull passion , whiche thou sufferest in euery member parte , power and myght of thy blessed bodye and soule , lyghten my sinfull blyndnes , that I maye come to the perfect knowlege of my selfe , and therby to come vnto that most acceptable ( the grounde of all vertue and grace ) blessed mekenes , and contempte of my selfe and to the very and most perfecte loue of the my lorde God , vnto whome only belongeth and euer myght be all glory & honour of al creatures nowe and for euer . Amen .