¶ Vpon the first Chapter .

O Iesu Christ , redéemer of the world , I thanke God through thee for all his benifites , and specially for the great gift of our redemption by thée , which wast borne of the sede of Dauid after the flesh , and are knowen the Sonne of God by the diuine power which thou hast declared to the whole world , healing the bodies and sanctifiing the soules of the faithful with thy spirite , the which thou hast communicated abundantly to mans generation , after that destroying our death with thy death , thou art retourned vnto lyfe for to be euerlasting life of whosoeuer accepteth thée for their onely Sauiour .

O my Lord , graunt me so much of thy grace , that I alwaies may be in the number of those . O Lord , the onely hope of my soule , cause me to know and to perceaue in the depnes of my harte , this thy vnspeakable benefite . Exercise in me thy healthful power , so that I may know thée alwayes , as well the Sonne of God , as the sonne of man . Heale the sences of my bodie to th entent that to my eyes , eares , smelling , tast and touching , all those things may be abhorred which be contrarie to thy holy lawe . Sanctifie my soule and my spirite , that they may be a worthy habitacle of thy spirite . Make me , my Lord , to vnderstand effectually the vertue of thy wonderfull resurrection , reuiuing me from day to day , and causing me to liue as dead to the world , and liuing to God : to whom with thée and the holy Ghost be glory .

Lord God graunt vs so great loue of our saluation that alwaies we may remember thée & none other in our prayers . Geue vs so great desire of thy glory that our soule may reioyce and render thée thankes through Iesus Christ , when the faith of the electes is séene in this darkenes of the world . Geue vs such perfection , that euery one of vs may serue thée with faith , and our neighbour with charitie in our vocation . Graunt vs such a tast of the fellowshipp of true christians , that nothing may delight vs more , than to comfort our selues with them by mutuall faith . Grant vs such light of thy spirite that we may vnderstande our selues to be debteours for to distribute frely to other the graces which by thee be geuen vs . Graunt vs so much strength of spirite that we be not ashamed of the Gospell of thy onely begotten Sonne : the which doctrine is accompted foolishnes to the wisedome of the flesh , but in veritie it is thy sauinge power to euery faithfull person . For by it is reueled and communicated thy iustice , with faith comming betwene , the which is planted by thy spirite in the harts of the elects , & encreaseth alwaies , & bringeth forth most swéete fruites of charitie . O father of mercies , graunt vs all these graces , that we may alwayes be knit in one spirite of faith and of charitie with Iesu Christ our head & thy Sonne , which with thée liueth and raigneth .

I sée my Lorde , by the grace that thou giuest me , that the knowledge of thée which is gathered by the meanes of naturall perseueraunce , is not inough of it selfe to make vs good , sith it is so that men by the contemplation of visible things created from the beginning , come into the knowledge of the euerlasting power & diuinitie inuisible , haue not glorified thée as God , neyther were thankfull to thée , but vainely wandering in their owne imaginations and makinge profession of wisedome , became most folish , in somuch that they worshiped the creatures in stede of the creatour . Wherupon thy iustice , for to punish their vnthanckfulnes deth depraue them of all good iudgement , in such wise that they embrace euill for good , & sewer for swéete . They haue defiled their bodies & soules with all abhominable vices and vncleanes .

O Lord god of my saluation , kepe me and al thy faithfull seruaunts from so great abomination , and from such great blindnes . Grant vs O father of lightes , in stede of the darke light of our vnderstanding , the cleare light of faith , that we may acknowledge thée truly , and knowing thée euery one of vs , to loue thée , feare thée , and glorifie thée , putting al the hope of our saluation in thy mercy through Iesus Christ our Lord .

¶ Vpon the ij . Chapiter .

O How great gods iustice and mercy is , we are very redy to iudge , & condemne other , not perceauinge that then we condemne our owne selues , for because that now with will and now in dede , we do those thinges that becondemned by vs in our neighbour , and plainely we know that after thy most iust iudgement , whosoeuer sinneth is worthy of death , and certeinly we weare already all condemned to death euerlasting if thy mercy & pacience were not , the which forbeareth vs and calleth vs to repentance .

Graunt vs perseuerance , O Lord , to vnderstand so great a benifite , and mollifie our hartes with thy grace , to the end that our hardnes and vnrepentance do not encrease towards vs so much the greater wrath in the day of anger when thy iust iudgement shal be reueled , in the which thou wilt tender to euery person according to his doings that is , eternal death to those which continuing in euill works & resisting the truth , do prouoke against them thy furor . O lord suffer not that we , whom thy holy name is called vpon , be nombred among those , but for thy glory geue vs thy spirite , the which may teach vs to do thy will , and lead vs in the way of thy most holy precepes , to glory honour & peace euerlasting , through Iesus Christ .

When Iesus Christ shal come to iudge the quicke and the dead , no body shal be hable to excuse his vnrighteousnes with the pretence of ignoraunce , because that they which haue not had the light of the lawe written , haue not lacked the knowledge of good and euill by the lawe of nature : as clearly the conscience of euery on sheweth , the which aloweth that is good , and reproueth that is euill . But I know my Lord , that the knowledge of the lawe without thy grace can nothing profite a man , because he is not iust by the law . But who can obserue the same ? & our nature is so corrupt and peruerse , that it séeth the better and taketh the worse : wherby it cometh to passe that many do know thy will and make profession to rule the blind , to lighten those that be in darkenes , to instructe the ignorant , and to vnderstand thy doctrine and the veritie of thy lawe , and yet neuerthelesse teaching others they teach not them selues : they forbid theft and adulthy , and be theues & adulterers , they speake against Idoles , and be Idolaters , they glorie of the lawe , & be transgressors of the lawe , and slaunder thy holy name , and cause it to be euill spoken of amongst the wicked . Therfore to the end that we runne not into so great wickednes , and that the knowledge of the law be not to vs an occasion of greatter damnation : write the same ( O Lord ) in our hartes by faith , and graunt vs such grace that nothing may appéere to vs either so good or so profitable or so delectable , as the obseruation of thy commaundements : that hauing our hartes circumcised , wée may be thy true people , that our light may shyne after such a sort in the sight of men that seing our good works euery one of them may gloryfie thee O heauenly father , through Iesus Christ our Lord

¶ Vpon the iij. Chapiter .

MY Lord , like as the naughtines of the Iewes was not sufficient to make voyd thy faith of the noble promises made by thée vnto that people , because that thou art true and al men liares : semblably our iniquitie can neuer be hable to disanull the faith of thy promises which thy onely Sonne hath made to his faithful congregation , saying to the same : I am with you euen to the consumation of the world . Therfor although I sée the same altogether vexed , deformed , and as a little shippe in the middest of the sea beaten of furious windes , notwithstanding I am sure that she can not perish because that Iesus Christ , according to his promise , ruleth and gouerneth her , and bringeth her at the length to the porte of eternall saluation . And how much greater our vnrighteousnes is , so much more commendable is his iustice the which forsaketh vs not for our deserts , but defendeth vs for his promise sake .

Ought we therfore to continue in sinne to th intent that our vnrighteousnes may commend the iustice of Christ ? nay , aboue all other thinges we should abhorre sinne , as that which of his owne nature dishonoreth Christ , and yet he by his goodnes & wisedome , of so euill sede gathereth the fruite of his glory . Deliuer therfore , lord Iesus , thy Church from all slaunders and from all iniquities , so that like as now by our sinnes thou settest forth the faith of thy promises , so in time to come by our saluation we may glorifie thy holy name .

My Lord , when thou gavest thy holy lawe to the people of Israell , they promised earnestly to obserue the same but afterward comming to the performance , they wanted so much of their promise , that one of the Prophetes speaking of them , saith : that there is not one iust , or wise , neither that seketh after god . By the which thing it is requisite that all mouthes bée shutte , and all the world confesse to be giltie and to be thy debtour , because that none shal be pronounced iust by the workes of the lawe in thy iudgement , sith it is so that the lawe doth not iustifie , but doth vs to vnderstand sinne : the which knowne leadeth a man to desperation if thy grace comforteth hym not . Therfore we thanke thée ( O my Lord ) with al our harte , for thy iustice , the which to put away our vnrighteousnes , thou hast manifested to the world , besides the lawe I meane the iustice which thou doest communicate by the faith of Iesus Christ , to all them that beleue , of all nations , for that without exception euery one hath sinned and is destitute of thy glory , and whosoeuer is iustified , receaueth wythout any deseruing , the iustice of thy grace , through the redemption wrought by Christ Iesu , whom from euerlasting thou hast determined to bée by the meditation of faith , the propitiation of the world through his bloud , meaning to set forth thy iustice by the remission of sinnes past , the which thou hast suffred for to shew thy iustice in the time of grace , to th intent that euery one might knowe that thou art iust and the iustifier of euery one that beleueth in Iesus Christ , the which with thée liueth & raigneth world without end .

My Lord , when thy saints do say that we be iustified frely by the meanes of faith , many beleue that by the preaching of faith thy holy law is destroyed : but I through experience that thou geuest me of my selfe , am constrained to say the contrary , that thy lawe is confirmed and established by fayth , sith it is so that the man which is not iustified through faith , doth feare thée as a sharpe and rigorous iudge , where as he that is iustified by faith , loueth thée & worshippeth thée as a father : the one as a most vile slaue serueth thée for feare : the other as a right louing sonne serueth thée for loue . Whereupon to the one thy commaundements do appeare very greuous , and vnto the other they be very pleasant . The one hauing thespirite of the world through the wisedome of the flesh loueth himselfe and the world : the other hauing thy spirite by faith loueth thée and his neighbour for thy sake : and the more faith encreaseth , so much the more groweth charitie in that which consisteth al the obseruation of the lawe . Therfore my Lord , encrease in vs faith , so that in vs may be established and fulfilled thy holy lawe , to thy honour and glory .

¶ Vpon the iiij . Chapiter .

O My Lord , if that noble Abraham could not glory in thy sight that he was iustified by his works , what ought I vnhappy sinner to hope of my workes ? Wherfore , like as he beleuing thy promises was fréele iustified by faith : so I besech thée , that I may obtaine from thy mercy the frée remission of my sinnes , beleuing on Iesus Christ . And like as Abraham receaued the circumcision of the flesh for a token of the iustice of faith , semblably let me receyue from thy spirite the circumcision of the harte , to th intent that I may serue thée in holines and in iustice all the dayes of my lyfe . And euen as Abraham receiuing the promise of posteritie innumerable as the starres , he doubted not through infidelitie , neither be considered his bodie vnable to procreation by age , neither his wyfe which was baren by nature , but beinge strengthned by fayth and trustinge through thy word , for that which he could not loke for by his naturall reason , he beleued that hée should be the father of many nations , and geuing glory to thée , beleued assuredly that thou wast able to perfourme that which thou haddest promised , which raisest vp the dead , and with thy word geuest being to thinges which as yet be not : likewise promising me ( my Lord ) by thy mercy the remission of sinnes and to take me for thy sonne & also to geue me euerlasting lyfe : graunt me grace that I thereof may not doubte through vnfaithfulnes , neyther permitte me to behold so much my vnworthines , that I should not fasten the eyes of my minde alwayes stedfastly vpon thy veritie , the which is more able to saue me , then my iniquitie to damne me , and geue me a fayth so strong that hopinge through thy promise for that which I could not trust for by my sinnes , I may beleue by the merites of thy onely begotten sonne , to become of the child of wrath , the child of grace and inheritour of eternall lyfe , and that I may render thée dew glory , beleuing stedfastly that nothing is impossible to thée , whom , though I be dead in sinne , thou canst reuiue with thy iustice . If my soule bée brought in a maner to nothing through iniquitie , thou hast power to geue it a being most noble and immortall , restoringe in it thy image . The which grace my Lorde I besech thée that thou wilt graunt vnto me and to all other thy elects , through Iesu Christ our Lord , the which by thy ordinaunce died vpon the crosse for our sinnes , and rose againe for our iustice .

¶ Vpon the v. Chapiter .

MY Lord , we are iustified through the liuely faith which thou hast geuen vs , and be reconciled vnto thée , through Iesu Christ our redéemer , which hath brought vs vnto his kingdome by the meanes of fayth . Graunt vs O Lord , grace to continue in thy grace , and augment in vs fayth in such wise , that our soule may reioyce and glory , not onely in hope of eternall glory , but also in the tribulations of this present life , knowing for a suretie that tribulation worketh pacience , and pacience probation , & probation hope , which deceaueth not , by thy increadible loue that thou heare bearest vs ( wherof the holy ghost rendreth a most certein testimony , which is geuen vnto our spirite ) and the passion of thy onely begotten sonne , the which , to obey thy will , died vpon the crosse for vs miserable sinners and thy enemies , where as scarse might be founde one that wold die for his frende either for one iust & vertuous man . If therfore thy charitie toward vs hath ben so great that while we were euill and wicked , Christ dyed for vs , much more now that we are iustified through hys bloud , we shal be saued from thy anger by him : because that being thy enemies hée hath brought vs in fauour with thée by his death , much more now being reconciled we shal be saued through his life . O Lord God , write these most sweete thoughts with thy finger in our hartes , that being crucified by thy grace , we may here glory that thou art our God and our father , through Iesus Chryst thy sonne & our redéemer . Amen .

My Lord God , man was by thée created vnto thy image & similitude , that is , most holy , iust , and Lorde of the world : but he through his disobedience became vniust , vngodly , deceitfull and seruaunt of the Deuill , neither should this our misierie euer haue had an end , if thy mercy had not ordeyned it from euerlastinge that thy onely begotten should be the beginning , the middest , and th end of our saluation . Therfore we can not so much bée sory for the sinne of Adam , as we ought to be thankefull vnto thée for thy benifites , because that , like as by Adam sinne entred into the world and so death , euen so through Iesu Christ is come vnto vs life , iustice and grace , a great deale more and of more force ( which wée haue receiued from thy kindnes by Iesu Christ ) than the hurte that Adam hath done vs through his transgression , because that one sinne alone hath condemned vs , and the grace of Christ doth deliuer vs from many sinnes . And if by the sinne of Adam death hath reigned in the world , much more through Iesus Christ life shall reigne in those that receiue the aboundaunce of grace and of iustice which he geueth to the faithfull . Therfore like as the disobedience of our first parents made vs sinners & worthy of eternal death , so the obedience of thy sonne maketh vs iust and worthy of eternal life : And if afterward the lawe taking place sinne dyd abound , the Gospell comming after the lawe , grace hath much more abounded , to th end that like as sinne hath reigned which leadeth to death , so now grace may reigne that iustifieth & guideth such as beleue vnto eternall lyfe , through Iesus Christ thy sonne and our redéemer .

¶ Vpon the vj. Chapiter ,

O Iesu Christ my Lord , we are dead and buried in baptisme and be risen againe with thée as thy true members . Therfore my lord with thy spirite mortifie our flesh and quicken our spirite , that we may liuely perceiue the vertue of thy death and of thy resurrection . If our old man be crucified with thée , to th intent we might walke toward heauen in the newnes of lyfe , why in vs as yet do liue the lustes of the flesh which do drawe vs vnto the earth ? Why do they not suffer vs to worke all that which the spirite desireth ? O our Sauiour , heare our lamentations and helpe vs for the glory of thy holy name sake : and if we be verely thine , make vs in dede conformable vnto thy image . And like as death after thy gloryous resurrection hath no more power ouer thée , but beinge destroyed by thée thou liuest eternally wyth God , semblably we all being releued by thy grace , permit not ( my Lord ) that we be any longer maistered of sinne which is the death of our soule , but graunt vs grace to liue alwayes to thée , and to sanctifie our soules & bodies to thy seruice , to th end that vnto thy honour may be set vpon the earth a resemblance of that holy and blessed lyfe which we shal liue in heauen after the last resurrection .

¶ Vpon the vij . Chapiter .

MY Lord , when I consider the great corruption of mans nature , on me cometh a horror and incredible feare of my selfe , sithens it is so that whyle thou leauest man in his darknes and in his ignorance , he hath neuer true feare of thée , nor true knowledge of thy lawe , but may be well compared vnto foolish beastes , & is verely like vnto them , and now thinketh that sinne which reigneth in hym is dead , and it liueth . But when thou giuest him such perceueraunce that he is hable to sée and to consider to what thing the lawe bindeth him , then sinne shewing forth his force declareth it selfe aliue , horrible and very mightie , and man is knowne to be moste weake and worthy of death , because that the lawe is spiritual and requireth the puritie of the harte , and man is carnall and full of affections and of vncleane desires . The lawe commaundeth that a man should loue thée with al his soule , with all his harte , and with al his powers , that he put al his hope in thy mercie , and that he directe al his doings to thy honour : but man loueth himselfe aboue all things , he dependeth vpon creatures , and is most desirous of glory , and for euery little trifle he is angry with his neighbour , and ( as much as he can ) persecuteth him , whereas the lawe commaundeth him that he should loue him as himselfe . Finally the the law forbiddeth the desire of the flesh , & the more it is forbidden , so much more it waxeth fierce , & bringing forth fruite to death , encreaseth damnation . Likewise sinne which dwelleth in man , taking an occasion by the lawe that is holy and iust , becometh more mightie and more pernicious , and by the lawe , in which is set forth iustice & life , is gendred in man death and vnrighteousnes . And while the power of the lawe lasteth there continueth enmitie of man with thée and with the lawe . Let therfore ( my lord ) thy mercy be blessed the which hath brought vs from most greuous bondage of the lawe vnto the moste pleasaunt libertie of the gospell , and to the kingdome of grace , and in the stede of the face of Moyses , which feareth , threatneth , curseth and condemneth , serueth vs the face of Christ which assureth , blesseth , and saueth vs , geuing vnto the faithfull the holy ghost , the which deliuering them from the yoke of the lawe , maketh them in loue with thée and with the lawe , that liuing iustly and holily vpon the earth , we may liue in Paradise eternally , through Iesus Christ our Lord . We besech thée my Lord , when that day shal come , and when this most greuous battayle shall end , that the spirite may not desire against the flesh , & that the flesh likewise may not desire against the spirite : which eftsones maketh my life very bitter , because I do not that which I would , but I do that which displeaseth me . Albeit , it is not I that any longer in this wise do worke , but the sinne that dwelleth in me , for that I know there dwelleth not in me , that is , in my flesh , any goodnes . Then it is so that I haue a good will , but I can not do that good which I desire . Wherfore I do not that good which I would , but that euill which I wold not . And if I do that euill which I would not , it is but the sinne that remaineth in me . This I say because thy holy lawe deliteth me as touching the inward man , that is , as concerning the spirite , the which is prone and bent to serue thée and to liue after the order of thy lawe . But I se an other lawe in my flesh , that is , an other inclination that striueth continually against the inclination of my spirite , & maketh me prisoner and seruaunt of the tyranous lawe of sinne , the which is directly contrary to thy holy lawe . Wherby it cometh to passe , that like as my spirite is wholy geuen vnto iustice & to holines , and desireth the death of the body for to liue with Christ , farre from the greuaunces of the flesh : euen so my flesh is delited with iniquitie , it feareth nor loueth thée my Lord , neither geueth credite to thy promises : it loueth the entisements of the appetites & the pomps of the world , neither wisheth euer to come to an end of this mortall life . Vnhappy person that I am , who shall deliuer me from this defiled and sinfull flesh ? from this mortal clod of concupiscence , the which neuer giueth me rest , but alwaies vexeth me , and continually fighteth against my spirite . I yeld thée thankes my Lord , through Iesus Christ , which with the sacrifice of his flesh hath purged all the sinnes of my sinful flesh , in so much that they be not imputed to me by thée to damnation . In the meane season I liue after thy spirite and through liuely faith I am partaker of the most pure flesh of Christ , which at length shall make my corruptible flesh conformable to his glorious flesh , and shall deliuer me from the body of this death , makinge that which is carnall , spirituall , after such sorte that all the lustes and rebellings of the flesh shall bée brought to nought , that all the parts of my body and of my soule and of my spirite might be pure , holy and cleane , and most redie to accomplish eternally thy holy will .

Therfore I that in times past was wont to serue with the mind of my flesh to the lawe of sinne , now with a mind renewed by thy spirite I serue thy lawe , my Lord : but with the remnantes of my flesh , that is , of the olde man , I serue neuerthelesse the lawe of sinne , and do know my selfe so farre from the perfecte iustice of thy holy lawe , that altogether I should despayre of my saluation , if I did not acknowledge Iesus Christ for my redemer and for my iustice . To him with thée be glory euerlastingly .

¶ Vpon the .viij. Chapiter .

MY Lord , my soule melteth for swetenes , when I read these moste swéete wordes pronounced by thy spirite : that they be frée from all condemnation which be in Christ Iesu , which do not liue after the flesh but after the spirite , because that the law of the spirite & of the life which is in Christ Iesu hath deliuered me from the lawe of sinne & of death , so that now I am become by thy grace a member of Christ Iesu , the which making a sacrifice of his flesh vppon the trée of the crosse , hath destroyed sinne and death , to iustifie & to geue vs eternall life , that we should not liue after the flesh but after the spirite , because that if we shall liue after the flesh we shall dye , for that the affection of the flesh is contrary vnto thy holy lawe and to the spirite of Christ , which is the fountaine of life . Mortifie therfore my Lord , the affections & appetites of our flesh , that the spirite of Christ may liue in vs , the which now shall sanctifie our soules with his presence , and thou hereafter shalt make glorious and immortal our bodies in the last resurrection .

My Lord , if the people of Israel haue gloryed so much of the lawe , by the which they receaued the spirite of bondage that engendreth feare : how much more ought we Christians to reioyce of thy gospell , by the which we receaue thy sonne , whose spirite bringeth forth loue , and geueth vs boldnes to cal thée father . O my Lord , graunt me to taste so much of thy spirite , that my soule may onely glory of this incomprehensible treasure . Cause my lord , that thy spirite alwaies may render testimony vnto my spirite that I am thy sonne , and consequently thy heyre and coheritour with Christ , which through reproch and bitter death entred into the kingdome of glory and of life . Therefore my Lord , strengthen my harte so that following thy steps I may boldly set thy crosse before the honours and pleasures of the world and this temporall life , loking with pacience for the redemption of my body , and knowing for a suertie that the tribulations which be susteined in this world for Christes sake , be not worthy the glory which shal be reueled vpon vs in the world to come . And for because the inuocation of thy holy name is our onely refuge in our afflictions , and I of my selfe know not how to pray as it is mete , let thy holy spirite ( O Lord ) helpe my infirmitie , direct my praiers : & in my tribulations comfort me , certifyinge me that like as to Iesu Christ all thinges wrought together for the best when he semed to the world forsaken of thée : semblably euery thing helpeth the saluation of those which loue thée , and be called by thée after the determination of thy good pleasure , because thou hast appoynted from euerlastinge that thy children should become conformable to the image of thy sonne in the crosse and in glorie , to th end that he might be the first begotten among many bretherne . If therfore ( my Lord ) thou hast shewed me this fauour , to call mée vnto this brotherhod , why should not I glory with my selfe in the crosse of Christ , specially knowing that thou iustifiest them whom thou callest , & doest gloryfie those that be iustified by thée . And if thou be with vs , who shal be against vs ? If thy charitie was so great , that to deliuer vs from death , thou hast geuen to death thy sonne , how can it be that thou wilt not graunt vs with him al things ? Who then shal be so bold to accuse at thy iudgement seat thy electes ? If thou by thy mercy assoylest them and acceptest them for good & iust : yea if Christ be dead to deliuer them from damnation , and be risen againe and ascended into heauen to make intercession for them , who shal be hable to condemne them ? And if thou hast geuen vs so great and worthy gages of thy loue , who may make vs beleue that thou louest vs not ? Whether tribulation , misery , persecution hunger barenes , daungers , or swerd ? yea I do beleue that all these thinges shall cause vs to be more certaine of thy good will towards vs , because that through thy grace we shal ouercome , and in ouercoming let vs vnderstand & be assuredly perswaded that we shall haue the vpper hand in all our temtations . I besech thée , my lord , to confirme vs with thy spirite in this holy persuasion , so that euery one of vs may say with thy Apostle : I am sure that neither death neyther life , neither Angelles , neither princes , neither powers , neither thinges present neither things to come , neither highnes , neither lownes , neither any other creature shal be able to separate vs from the loue that God beareth vs in Christ Iesu our Lord .

¶ Vpon the .ix. Chapiter .

MY Lord , when thy sainctes do say that the predestination of the electes doeth not depend of mans workes but of thy mercie , because that onely they be saued which by thée be chosen through grace : the wisedome of man can not abide this veritie , saying that this being true , thou shoulddest be vniust , cruell and parciall : As though that if a potmaker can make of one lumpe of clay some vesselles to honour and some other to dishonour , it might not bée lawfull for thée to fashion of one selfe substaunce some men to perdition , which bée the vesselles of wrath , in the which doth appeare thy iust iudgement , and some other to saluation , which be the vesselles of grace , in whom is set forth thy glory . But the wise of the world say as pleaseth them . I for my selfe ( my Lord ) do render thée infinite thankes that it hath pleased thée that eternall life should depend of thy mercy and not of mans will , because that my corruption is so great , that I am sure I should go into perdition , if my saluation did depend vpon me . And I knowe for a suertie that euery one to whom it shal be graunted by thy grace to enter into the knowledge of his vanity , wil be of the same opinion , because he is wretched which trusteth in his owne power , and blessed is he that putteth affiaunce in thy mercy throuh Iesus Christ our Lord .

¶ Vpon the x. Chapiter .

MY Lord , I know by experience that thy onely begotten sonne Iesu Christ , is th end of thy holy law , because he promiseth lyfe to all the fulfillers , and curseth the transgressoures therof . But how much more a man vnderstandeth the lawe , and is enclined to obserue the same so much more hée knoweth himselfe for a sinner , and doth despayre of his owne strength . And for what end doth the lawe bring a man to desperation ? To this end that he might be constrayned to runne vnto Iesus Christ the onely Sauiour , whereunto the iustice of faith exhorteth him , speaking to him in this wise : O sinfull man despeire thou not for thy vnrighteousnes , for if thou wilte beleue with thy harte and confesse with thy mouth , that Iesus Christ very God and very man , dyed for thy sinnes , and is risen againe & ascended into heauen for thy iustice , thou shalt be iust and saued . Graunt therfore ( my Lord ) for the glory of thy holy name , a liuely fayth to those which be as yet vnder the lawe , that beleuing and confessing with harte and with mouth the Lord Iesu , they may be iustified and receaue thy holy spirite , the which writeth the lawe in their hartes , and of seruauntes of the lawe maketh them thy children , and leadeth them by the way of good workes vnto eternall life , the which thou hast promised to euery one that shall beleue in Iesu Christ our Lord .

My Lord , thou hast promisod that who so euer calleth vpon the name of Iesu , shal be saued . But how be they able to call vpon the name of Iesu , which beleue not in him ? and how shall they beleue in him if they haue no knowledge of him ? and how shall they haue the same , if thy gospel be not purely preached vnto them ? and how shal it be sincerly preached if thou send not faithfull preachers vnto them ? Send therfore my Lord , preachers vnto thy people , & open our harts with thy spirite , to th end we may liuely beleue thy word , and beleuing may call vpon Iesu Christ our mediatour , and by calling vpon him we may be preserued from thy anger , because that without his protection , no liuinge creature shal be iustified in thy sight , sith there is not geuen vnto men vnder heauen any other name by the which they may bée saued , but the name of Iesus our redemer , to whom with thée and the holy ghost be glory world without end .

¶ Vpon the .xj. Chapiter .

MY Lord , we are thy faithfull , but greater is the number of the vnfaithful . The which thinge may minester an occasion vnto our flesh to waxe proud , if thy spirite did not restraine it . Graunt vs therfore grace ( my lord ) that we may knowe our faith to be the gift of thy mercy , and not the reward of iust works which we haue done : So that we ought not to put our affiaunce in our selues , but to feare , because that if thou shouldest leaue vs in the power of our owne disposition , we should fall into incredulitie : like as contrary wise they that be now vnfaithful shal beleue if they shal be visited with thy mercy . O the depenes of the riches of thy wisedome and of thy knowledge . How vnserchable bée thy iudgementes , and thy waies impossible to be found out ? And yet not withstanding mans wisedome presumeth to call thée in iudgement , and to require the reason of that thou doest . From this wicked presuption kepe vs ( my Lord ) and graunt vs grace to bée fooles in this world , to th entent we may be wyse in thy sight , for that the wisedome of the worlde is folishnes wyth thée , to whom be honour and glory .

¶ Vpon the .xij. Chapiter .

MY Lord , graunt mée grace that like as thy onely begotten sonne offered vp in sacrifice his flesh vppon the trée of the crosse for our saluation , semblably we may make a sacrifice of our selues to thy glory , by mortifying our will and our reason in the seruice of fayth . Wherfore let thy spirite liue in vs , the which permitteth not vs to be conformable to worldly men , but transformeth vs into thy image through the renuing of our mind , to th end that we may knowe and worke thy holy will , in the which consisteth felicitie & perfection . Graunt my lord , that euery one of vs may be sober , neither let vs presume of our selues more then that which is conuenient , but humbly conteine our selues within our vocation , in exercising that talent faithfully which thou haste geuen vs to profite our neighbour . Giue vs ( my Lord ) a pure loue , to th entent wée may be louers of goodnes . Make vs feruent in spirite , diligent in thy seruice , pacient in aduersitie , continuall in prayer , louing and gentle toward our brethren , keping hospitalitie , glad with them that be glad , sory with the sorowfull , of one mind and of one accord : not proud and arrogant , but gentle and courteous to our inferriours : not sclaunderous , but shewing good example to al men : not contentious , but quiet : not reuenging , but ready to forgeue . Poure into vs my lord , so much swetenes of thy spirite , that euery one of vs may blesse and not curse , pray for his persecutours , & not be ouercome of euill , but ouercome euell with good , recompensing wrongs with well doing , that we beinge holy and perfect , through our perfection and holines thy holy name may be gloryfied .

¶ Vpon the .xiij. Chapiter .

MY Lord , I sée many amonge Christian people the which vnder the pretence of the libertie of the Gospell ( which is all spirituall ) do hide the licentiousnes of the flesh , and will not obey their superiours : as though the powers being ordayned by thée , he dyd not resist thy ordinaunce , and condemned not himselfe whosoeuer resisteth power .

Therfore we pray thée , my Lord , that thou wilt graunt vs grace to obey redily the commaundements of our heads , the which now are not against thy ordinaunces , and make vs to render willingly that which is our dutie , to euery person , either reuerence , either tribute , ether honour , or what soeuer it be , that we may remaine in nothinge dettoures one to an other , but onely to loue together , because that loue is the acomplishment of the lawe . Behold now the night approcheth to an end , & draweth neare to the day of eternall lyfe . Therfore ( my lord ) send forth thy spirite that may clense our soules from the workes of darkenes , and put vpon vs Iesus Christ thy brightnes , causing vs to liue after such a sorte , that our life may be a true resemblance of him , to the honour and glory of thy holy name .