An approved medicine against the deserued plague

AN APPROVED Medicine against the deserued Plague .

¶ Is any among you afflicted ? Let him pray .

Iames. 5.13 .

¶ JMPRINTED AT London , by Thomas Est , dwelling in Aldersgate-streete , at the Signe of the black Horse .

1593.

To the honorable and vertuous Lady Scudamore , attendant vppon hir Maiesties most excellent person in hir priuie Chamber , Anthony Anderson , Preacher of Christs holy gospell , Subdean of hir Maiesties Royall Chappell , wisheth all honorable encrease , and heauenly felicitie .

ALthough ( Honorable Madame ) the matter herewith tendred , be of small worth , to some men , & lesse esteemed with many , yet sure I am the right vse thereof , may aduaile moe , then make accompt of it . If in the daies of health & prosperitie , wee thinck it duetifull to pray the Lord , to continue the same , how much more ought wee , in affliction and aduersitie , to practise sound petition , which godlinesse hath this riches , that the faithfull by it in Christ from God , doth receiue , both temporary good , and eternall comforts . Wee in this Realme , are vnder the rod of affliction , and who doth pray , but those which are taught of God , to vse it . Amongst the number of whome , for that in my knowledge , with many others in Court , your Ladiship doth dayly vse and desire it , and my selfe for your good opinion and Christian kindnesse conceiued and bestowed on mee , to you greatly bound , I am bold to patronize my poore indeauors present , vnder your Godly protection , assured that both in Court & country , it shal be the more in vse , which vndoubtedly will counteruaile their paines , if they pray in faith . The cause mouing this my boldnesse , to present the Church here with , is , my dutie to the same in general , & especially , next to the most honorable Court , ( whereof I am a poore membre , in hir Maiesties goodnesse , ) to my comfortable charge at Stepney , a people of great import , for Maryne seruice , cheefely zealous in God , loyall to hir Maiestie , well deseruing of the whole Realme , and now vnder the rod of this smart visitation , for whom , I humbly besech all them , which may or shall feele any comfort by this poore tender , that in their feruent prayers , they will effectually commend vs to the Throne of Gods mercies in Christ . And to you good Madame , with the rest of the honorable and godly Ladies and others at Court , I humbly commend mee , beseeching God , to graunt vs mercifull deliuerance of this his louing rod , that wee hir Maiesties seruants , may thether returne to our bounden dutie , as apertaineth , and so humbly I take my leaue .

August 1. 1593. Stepney . Your honors deuote in the Lord , Anthony Anderson .

¶ To the humble hearted Readers , in the Lord .

THE Almightie GOD , the Lord of Hosts ( as Father of mercies ) deare brethern , for many yéeres past , hath swéetly called vs to vnfained repentance , by the Ministery of his holy woord , but wée haue not hearkened therevnto . Wherefore eftsoones and againe , the same mightie God , doth at this present , sommon vs , by his smart Preacher , Micah . 6.9 . the visiting rod . Whose encreasing voyce , cryeth to all in the persons of many , thus . Oh sinfull earth hearken and giue eare : stop thy course , stay thy race , tourne thy selfe to mée , receaue my stripes with pacience , and wisely foresée the plague and hide thée . For he that sent mée saith farther vnto thee . Pro. 22.3 . Zoph. 2.1 . O Nation not worthie to be loued , how yet , haue I , loued thee ? What should I haue done , that I haue not done vnto thée ? I haue giuen thée a wonderfull peace , an inuincible protection , an heauenly doctrine , and the choyse store , of all earthy treasure . The gold of Ophir , Salomon sought after , 2. Chron. 8.18 . but the Indians gold , I haue powred into thy lap , as vnlooked for . A Prince thou hast , the holy wonder of the world . Else , aske the Ilands which know not God . Thy Realme and rest , is kept by mée , the watchman thereof , and when soeuer the enimie assaileth , I put him back , with great disgrace . The heauens doe drop the fatnesse , & the earth doth make thée laugh and sing , what wouldest thou haue more , but a continuance of that spirituall comfort , and corporall pleasures which yet abide with thée , but be wise and consider , sée how I now begin to beate thée , beware therefore , repent in tyme , least I vtterly remoue , Reue. 2.5 . thy Candlestick from thée , and then who will pittie thy last dissolution ? Behold , and heare my rod , Micah . 6.9 . and mée that sent it . I haue made thée sick with striking , doe not my percing arrows , stick fast in thée ? Psal. 38.2.5 . Are not thy wounds putrified ? Doth not hasty death greatly deuoure thée ? Mark it well and the cause therof . Thy sinne is the cause , Micah . 6.13 . thy great sinnes , and they passing accompt . Oseas . 9.9.17 Turne therefore vnto mée that am in iust angre comming vnto thée with a mynde of reuenge : prepare thée therefore to méete mée , before the daye of my decrée come foorth . Psal. 106. in all . Lucke . 7.38 . Ioel. 2.13 . Come to mée , not with Israells hipocrisie , but with Magdalens teares . Rent your harts , and kéepe whole your garments , for I cannot take pleasure , in that bodely exercise , where the penitent spirit , speaketh not for mercie . If any be afflicted let him pray . Iam. 5.13 . If many be vnder the rod , let all come together , turne together , mourne together , cry together and say : O Lord of Hosts , in the midle of thy wars thinck vpon thy promised mercies . Wée come , no more to fight against thée in our sinfull lusts , but to fall before thée , forsaking & confessing our sinnes , swéet Lord haue mercie . And let euery of you , Esa. 1.5.6 . Hos. 4.1 . Iero. 8.6 . from the top to the toe , ( for you are sore from the head to the foote ) applying profitably the contrauersie to your selues , say : Our sinnes O Lord , yea euery man say , my sinnes , as our sinnes are the causes of this malady . Our rebellions , presumptions , scorning , Atheistical , our Romane sinnes , our carnall apetites , present , past , remembred , and forgotten sinnes . Sinnes without remorse , without conscience , against all conscience , euen when the spirit quaketh in dread : euen then the flesh burneth in lust . Sinnes in Court vnbridled , sinnes in the Church not repented of , in the country not cared for . Iero. 17.27 . The prophanation of the Sabboth day , the abhominations in the wéeke day , no truth , lesse trust , Hose. 4.1.2 . no faith to God , no loue to our brethern , much fayll of loyaltie to the Prince , and small proofe of due obedience , to hir Magistrates . But a mightie scorne of the Lords Preachers , through an vtter contempt of his woord . Resolute , in league with sinne , Esa. 28. death and hell , and an absolute distrust , of Gods sure promises , either for mercies , or Iudgement . And what should I say more ? Oh how many are the foolish wise , which say in vnpunished boldnesse , they haue no God , Psal. 14.1 . There is no God . Oh England , O people , why wilt thou dye ? Say to thy selfe , Oh Soule , repent thée of thy sinne , Iero. 18.8 . & . 26 3. Psal. 91.4.7 . and God will repent him of the plague , will take thée into his protection , and hide thée vnder his wings . They shall fall on both sides thée , but it shall not come to thee .

But if thou wilt not hearken to this his voice , O flesh , ( of what mould so euer , ) but still wilt pamper thy selfe in carnall delights , to a further transgression , ( which now ought to be feared ) then feare , for he hath not sent this scourage for little purpose , and be sure that he hath his store-house full , of finall instruments , which can and will make quick dispatch . As cleannesse of téeth , barrennesse of earth , Amos. 4.6 . brought of heauen , deuouring wormes , fierie feauers , burning botch , scowring sword , reuenging axe , haylestones and stormes of fier , as of Sodome and Gomorrah , to persecute , to pull downe , to cast out , and into hell , all those which forget God . Are the treasures of wickednesse still in your houses , the false balance , small waights , naughtie wares , counterfaite lights , swéet woords , sowre déedes ? Eccle. 10.16.17 Do your heads eate for lust , and not for néede , drinck to surfet , and not for thirst , send their proud seruants , to bring , and neuer satisfied ? Are the daughters of Sion proud , as Esay descryes them ? Amos 4.1 . Esa. 3.16 . Ezech 13.18 . Esa. 28.10 . 1. cor. 9.26 . & 14.9 . Ier. 20.9 . Micha. 3.12 . Be your Prophets chamber groomes , to lay pillowes , vnder sinfull elbowes ? or doe their tongues cleaue to the roofe of their mouthes ? or speake they to the Clowds , or in the Ayre ? or is fearefull Ieremy , become an example ? Oh for woe . Ah Syon , thou plowed field , sometime , the bewtie of the world ? what is become of thée ? Oh England the present Bride , beware of widowhood , Psal. 19.5 . Cant. 6.1 . the Bridegroome is come out of his chamber , goe foorth to méete him . He is gon into his beds of spiceries , shall be finde store ? Cant. 4.13 . He féedeth of flowers , where be his Lillies ? Oh thrise happie land , perceaue thy present happinesse , preuent a future horror , pray for the lyfe of thy Princely light , and harden not thy hart , 2. Sam. 21.17 . being still dayly called in mercie . 1. Cor. 11. Lucke . 13.3.5 . For this sinne , many are sick , and many are dead , let the Remainder repent , least ye all likewise perish . And now my beloued , and important charge , Ro. 12.1 . I besech you by the mercies of God , remember with mee , Amos. 1.2 . & . 3.4 . there is no plague but for sinne , and the Lyon roareth not , without his pray . Wée are now vnder this growing plague with others , Zeph. 2.3 . lette vs repent effectually as others , which truely , Esa. 30.22 . séeke the Lord , Cast our sinnes from vs , and draw the Lords mercie to vs . Forget not what godly Sirach saith , Eccle. 10.8 . because of vnrighteous dealing , and wrongs , and riches gotten by deceipt , the Kingdome , is translated , from one people , Hab● . 2.9 . to an other . Wo vnto the buylder which buildeth with blood . And be wise to vnderstand this . Goods euill gotten , are of no long continuance . Finally let this sentence sommon you , before the last Tromp , sound for you . Go to now , Ia 5.1.2 ye rich men , wéepe and howle , for your miseries , that shall come vpon you . Your riches are corrupt , and your garments are moth eaten , your gold and siluer is canckered , and the rust of them , shal be a witnesse against you , and shall eate your flesh , as it were fier . Ye heaped vp treasures for the last daies . Behold : the hyer of your laborers , which haue reaped your féelds ( roomed your shippes ) which is of you kept back , by fraud , cryeth , and their crye , is entred into the eares of the Lord of Hosts . Iames , 5.1.2 . &c. Lay your selues open to the Lord , for all things are apparant vnto him , Pro. 28.13 . but he will haue thée to accuse thy selfe , that he may forgiue thée . He that hideth his sinnes ( saith Salomon ) shall not prosper , but he that confesseth his sinnes , and forsaketh them , shall finde mercie . Therefore take a good heart to thée , bring repentance with thée , fall on your knées , 1. Tim. 2.8 . lift vp pure hands , the whole in Church , in our great assemblies , the sick at home , amids their children and families . Take these prayers ( or such ) into your hands , send them hartely , vp to God , in Christ our onely Mediator , and feare not to finde mercie , with gracious deliuerance , because , Pro. 50.15 . he hath so promised , saying : Call vpon mée in the day of thy trouble , and I will heare thée , and deliuer thée , and thou shalt glorifie mee . Math. 11.28 . And our sauiour Christ doth tenderly inuite all penitent sinners thus . Come vnto mée all you that trauell and be heauie loden , and I my selfe will ease you . To whome with the Father and the holy Ghost be alwaies , all honour and glorie , one God euerlasting . Amen .

A Prayer to God against the Plague .

WE prostrate our souls and bodies , before thy mercy seate , O Father of mercies , & humbly confesse , that we haue most iustly procured , thy heauie indignation against vs . We haue hetherto , spent our time in wanton appetites , & carelesse abuse , of thy singuler bounties , but thou hast in mercie , curbed the bitte , & straytned the rayne , of our vnbrydled affections , whereby we begin to dread thy threatned Iudgements . Our sinnes are as manyfold , as manifest , ( O Lord ) we haue dayly heard the word of our sauing health , with the eare of grudge & contempt , either deriding or not caring , but neuer truely repenting , at the cry thereof . Thine aboundant blessings erthie , we haue gréedely deuoured , and by our wealth , haue encreased our wickednesse But O swéete Father haue mercie , and pardon our sinnes , ( euen the whole trée , with hir braunching fruits , ) which at this present , we heartely disclayme , and wherewith , euen the téeth of the whole Land , hath béene set on edge , namely infidelitie , incredulitie , and all impietie . No faith , no truth , no mercy , no knowledge of thée in our harts , though great pretence of thy Religion in our lippes , but by falsehood , and cunning circumuention , one of another , by lying lips , and decitfull tongues , vanitie , hath béene tossed , one to another , pryuat pilffrie , and open stealth , robbing at home , and rouing abrode , swearing , forswaring , whorring and killing , oppressing , & deuoureing , to all our powers and pollicies , euen blood vnto blood , passing by pleasure to pleasures , from profite to pride , from pride to ambition , and in ambition , to inward contempt , & outward disdaine , each one of another . Our common peace by thée , hath not yet procured our Godly peace with thée , but rather we haue taken occasion thereby , to harden our hearts against thée , which mightilie hath drawen thée to this great contrauersie with vs . O Lord vnbend ( in mercy ) thy bow of strength , for thy stéeled Arrows , sticke fast in vs , and our putrified wounds , bewray our iniquities . Yea Lord that more is , if we by thée , tourne not spéedely to thee , the wise in thée , doe behold thy sharpned sword , with an outstretched arme , drawne out against vs . O Lord heare vs , and heale vs , for in this our sickenesse and trouble ( in our mediator Christ Iesus ) we call vnto thée . And Lord it is high time , for our head Citie is sicke , hir Sister Cities grone vnder this burden , their neighbor people are turned to their earth , and no part is frée , from the noysome pestilence . It flyeth by day , it walketh in the darke , it destroyeth at noone tide , & none can resist it , but onely thou O Lord , which sent it , euen thou onely ( if thou wilt ) canst vtterly restrayne it . O déere father forgiue vs wretched sinners , relieue vs miserable wretches , remember that we are but earth and ashes , yet in thy mercie thy déere children : deliuer vs from death , and worke life in vs . Let this thy louing rodde , ridde vs , of our carnal rust , and quicken vs with thy sanctifying spirit , open our harts to thy holy word , purge our consciences from all dead works , and rebuild vs fit , for thy holy seruice , giue vs patience in euerie aduersitie , an humble and regardant eye , in all prosperitie , feruent spirits to pray to thée , and now to giue thée no rest , till thou vouchsafe to haue mercy vppon vs . Our Prince thine holy Anoynted , prayeth for vs , hir potentates , thy preaching ministers , and sanctified people , mourne and lament . Thy wydows , and desolate Orphanes , yea thy smal and tender Infants cry , lifting vp pure hands , swéete Lord , ( say they ) haue mercy . And now O Lord both one and all , powring out the teares of our hearts vnto thée , most humbly besech thée , relieue vs , release vs , heare vs , forgiue vs , reuiue vs , preserue vs , protect vs , deliuer vs from euill , and receaue vs into thy euerlasting fauor , through Iesus Christ our Lord : To whome with thée and the holy Ghost , thrée distinct persons and one onely our good God , be all honour and glory , for euer and euer . Amen .

An earnest prayer for the Queenes most excellent Maiestie .

O Lord God holy Father , infinitly wise , omnipotent , and aboundant in mercie , mightie in worke , & iust in reuenge , which for the common conuerse , of all men , hast planted them plats , & put them vnder soueraigne auctoritie , through which good gouernment , they might most firmely , liue and loue one another , most wisely ordaining each one , to haue mutuall need and occasioned entercourse one with another ▪ Sondry which Royall staues , of bewtie and bands , eftsoones thou hast broken into shieuers , when by ouermuch prouocation & contempt , thy awonted long suffering , hath bene abused : as therby vnder a sparing chastisement , to reduce them , or by a deadly blow , vtterly to subuert them . O Lord magnificent , by thee it is , that Kingdomes are , and Kings doe raigne . Puttest downe one , & setteth vp another , as , where , & when it pleaseth thee , in all & euery place , vnder the Coape of heauen . Wee thy chosen children and people of England , magnifie thy mercies , and prayse thy power , for giueing & preseruing vnto vs , a most rare and pearelesse Queene , our Soueraigne Ladie ELIZABETH , by whose sacred scepter , thy holy Church , this common weale , and many other Nations and people haue found , both celestiall blessings , and terrestrial comforts . The faithful Protestant from whersoeuer , findeth heere a secure & fertile norcery . The wilfull papist , sitteth vnder his Vyne , & the malcontent carnall , hath long lasting fauour , but euery of which by hir , haue from thee O Lord , thy gospell , to reclayme them , hir Scepter , to protect them , with a sweet rod , in sparing hand to refine them . Hir disloyall subiects at home , & hir professed enimies abroad of all sorts , thou hast miraculously brought vnder , or to vtter confusion . For the which wee render vnto thee continuall praise . And inasmuch O Lord , as our life , & the light of the land thy golden Candlestick , is deadly darckned in the want of hir , Lord , still giue vs thy bountifull mercie , and therein preserue , hir Highnesse , long to raigne ouer vs . Encrease , thy graces in hir , hir goodnesse to vs , to th aduaunce of vertue , & suppression of vice . Keepe thyne anoynted our Soueraigne , from the trechery of dissembling subiects , and mallice of the forren foe . Hide hir vnder the shadow of thy wings , from the noysome pestilence , and defend hir against the hurtfull sword : that our selues and families , may liue in peace , our land , may yeld hir encrease , & that no inuasion , Psal. 144.10 . may empeach vs , or going out may daunt vs , nor any crying be in our streetes .

Deare Father graunt hir our Soueraigne , a swift eye and speedie rescue , from the subtill snare , of euery wily hunter . Giue hir Lord , fast , and not faylling confederats . Wise and faithfull Councellors , loyall and louing subiects , and so in thy mercie keepe vs from euill , that wee prouoke not , thy iudgements , to depriue vs , of our chiefest comfort . Graunt this O Father , through Iesus Christ our Lord . Amen .

The Preface . MY Father hauing speciall care , of Stepny his great charge : Hath made sweet prayers for their confort their harts to God enlarge . And I desirous of your health , my bretheren , Sisters all : Haue sent you these to traine you vp , rather on God to call . For th' health and wealth of our parents , our selues and neighbours eke : Pray we to God with one accord , for so it is most meete . And so my bretheren fare you well , with all my sisters deere : God graunt that we may giue vnto , gods word attentiue eare . Antony Anderson , Iunior .

A prayer for the infection of the plague . 1593. O Lord our God omnipotent , of mercy wee thee craue : Poure downe thy truth most excellent , that we the same may haue . And cease O Lord thy iry rod , which doth opresse vs sore : And giue vs true repentance Lord , that wee may sinne no more . Cease now O Lord thy heauie hand , the Father wee entreate : And let vs in our harts thy woord , full often times repeate . From thee O Lord wee cannot fly , Thy power doth so excell : But keepe from vs we thee beseech , thy rod which is most fell . But giue to vs O Lord of might , the pardon of our sinne : And take thy plague from vs O Lord , that heere of long hath bin . Giue vs O Lord thy holy word , which alwaies is most true : And giue vs grace to praise thy name , for praise to thee is due . Remember blessed Lord thy flock , which else is like to pyne : And take from vs that heauie clogge , which loads vs at this tyme . Thy will be done O Lord of might , as seemeth best to thee : For thou wilt strike where thou thinkst best , no man a lette can bee . When it shall please thy maiestie , to take this life away : Receaue our soules vnto thy Throne , to liue with thee for aye . O Lord preserue our noble Queene , our realme and people both : And keep vs from the deadly feare , of thyne eternall wroth . Graunt our request O Lord of might , for Christ his sake thy sonne : And take away thy cruell plague , that now is vs among . Finis qd Anthony Anderson , iunior .