THE TEARS OR LAMENTATIONS OF a sorrowful Soul.  
SET FORTH BY SIR William Leighton Knight, one of his majesties Honourable Band of Pensioners.  
AT LONDON Printed by Ralph Blower. Anno Dom. 1613.   

A Declaration by the Author to the religious and devout.  
I Have published these Hymns and spiritual Sonnets, not in vain affectation or ostentation of my own skill, which ingeniously I confess to be but small and mediocrious: but only in an unfeigned affection & earnest desire that the humbled hearts (together with mine) may reap profit and consolation by singing or reading of them. If thou art not skilful in Music, then mayest thou read them or sing them in the common and ordinary tunes beseeming such a subject: But for them who either delight in Melodious Harmonies, or else are themselves skilful in Pricksong, I intent (God willing) likewise to divulge very speedyly in print, some sweet Musical Airs and Tunable Accents, whereof some of the plainest sort are mine own Airs and the rest are done by expert and famous learned men in that science and faculty, as hereafter in the same book appertaining to this shallbe expressed, to which tunes all or the most part of all these songs, Hymns or Sonnets are at the pleasure of all those that delight in Music, to be sung or played, as shallbe most pleasing unto them.   

LECTORIE IN LIbrum egregij Militis Gulielim Leighton. Thomas Burt. Verbi sacri Concionator.  

Hiliad's of Books, and Iliad's full of pains,  
In Rhyming riot spent in this age quickness,  
(Neglecting grace, respecting Godless gains)  
Are Symptoms of this world's most deadly sickness  
What witty spirits, their spirits have even exhausted  
In lustful lays? and precious time have wasted?  
But hear behold (against the common course)  
A bird of Paradise heavenly Hymns doth carp,  
By sense of sin and conscience true remorse,  
This Knight in Key of grace tunes David's harp:  
And (though in lowly and submissive verse)  
With his laments the highest Heavens doth pierce.  
Tears, prayers, plaints, may draw, move, mollify  
The ruthless most relentless, hardest heart,  
Tears, prayers plaints, heart, soul and mind, with cries  
Here offer, sacrifice and still impart.  
here's fainting, falling, dying, and reviving,  
here's death on death, and yet life everliving.  
'Gainst all temptations here's th'apology,  
Hear is a stay against all desperation▪  
'Gainst all soul's sickness hear gives learned theology,  
Cure, comforts, cordials, preservation.  
Yea in this book (a Paradise divine)  
Are all herbs for souls, meat and Medicine.  
The matter meeter, manner, man and muse,  
Do show zeal, love, faith, hope and true devotion:  
Sad Elegies and Enargies to use,  
(Even as God's spirit in us shall make the motion)  
To conquer sin, flesh, world, death, Devil and Hell,  
Through Christ. And bid this wicked world farewell.   
FINIS.  
Thomas Burt.   

¶ A Farewell to the world.  

SAd soul (my form infused by my Creator,  
must sigh out groans, & grieves cause cannot speak:  
And since it long, hath been the worlds spectator,  
It must reveal things seen else heart will break.  
And cause she findeth by experience,  
That best is worst that all the world can do.  
I world renounce and all the confidence:  
I put therein or aught that longs thereto.  
And Mundane, men whom this world's God, bewitches.  
That hold yourselves encircled with all pleasure,  
Of honour, fame, renown & all earth's riches,  
Shall see 'tis nought but dross, her gold & treasures:  
Leave of for shame, yea in your soul's behalf,  
To fall down & adore this golden Calf.  
Is not that gone before time that is past?  
That that is present pleaseth but a moment:  
Thou knowst not what will come nor how 'twill last:  
Things present of things past are but a Comment.  
We soonest lose the things of greatest price.  
Age, weakness, strength that we in youth assumed:  
That soon killeth, soon doth entice,  
What seems most durable is soonest consumed,  
The things we most do hate, w●e most do use,  
And what we most do love, we most do lack:  
What we should do, to do that we refuse:  
Through worlds allurements, thus we work our wrack.  
So that an hundred years though God doth give,  
We may not say of them we one do live.  
Hit takes from us our good, no good bestows;  
Hit stealth our time, and no time can restroe:  
Hit makes us sad, but cannot help our woes:  
Hit makes us rich, in grace to make us poor:  
Hit doth accuse before complaint be made:  
Hit judgement gives ere parties both be hard,  
Begins to flourish and forthwith doth fade.  
His joys are gone, ere any joys appeared:  
Hit bids us spare to spend, and spend to thrive:  
Hit fawning faînes, when most it seeks to kill,  
Hit bids us joy, yet us of joys deprive.  
Hit falsehood proves, yet most seems to fulfil,  
Thus doth it take, yet seems still to be giving,  
Hit makes us win to lose, and save to spill.  
Us kills and buries whiles we are yet living  
Pure joy hast none (vain world) 'tis mixed with sorrow,  
Thou hast no peace, with discord thine is mixed,  
Thou hast no love, suspicion doth it worrow:  
Thou hast no rest, thy rest to fear is fixed:  
Thou hast no plenty, for thine's penury,  
Thy plenty is exhausted by penury.  
Thou hast none honour 'tis killed by vainglory,  
Thou hast no wealth thy wealth is injury:  
Hast no stayed state for all is transitory.  
Possessions impeachment doth disturb,  
Lordships have care and love hath jealousy:  
Estate his greatness, Prince and people curb.  
Religion pure is counted heresy:  
So that thou hast no good, nor peace at all,  
To rise to thee, It is to rise to fall.  
Unto th'ambitious honours thou dost offer,  
To innovatours thou wilt give the change:  
To turblent spirits thou dost office proffer.  
To men irregular thou giv'st leave to range.  
Thou wealth bestowest upon the covetous,  
Malicious men have vengeance for their will,  
And dainty fare givest to the gluttonous:  
Unto the wrathful mind and power to kill:  
And aged men thou fillest full of Choler,  
To young for ill giv'st opportunity  
Thou fillest the bones of grieved men with dolour,  
Lust, ire, and vice, in superfluity,  
Are thy chief instruments and working tools,  
Vain hope's the b●ite by which dost catch vain fools.  
Falshood's thy doctrine, mak'st men promise much,  
But nought perform (thou call'st it policy)  
To laugh and bite, to give and yet to grudge,  
To right pretend when 'tis but fallicie:  
To help, to hurt, to lend, to gain, to pray,  
And to blaspheme, to pardon, not forgive:  
To seem and not to be, nor do as say.  
One way profess, an other way to live:  
To cull and kill, to kiss and to betray,  
Thou hangest our haps of joy upon thy Willows,  
First mak'st us sin, and first dost us bewray:  
Thou calm'st our sea, than drownest us with the billows.  
So diametrical is th'opposition,  
Hast in thyself, in each state and condition.  
Peace makers hating strife they most are hated,  
Rich men wax rich by making poor their prey:  
Unjust gainest just, by th'unjust animated.  
The blessed soul's debast by cursed clay,  
The courteous mind by all men is surcharged,  
The Innocents', poor wretches are condemned:  
Monsters of mischief are by thee enlarged,  
Fools are received, wisemen are contemned,  
So that preposterous all thine order is,  
And all things are done, not as don should be,  
'tis thou that leadest all mortals to their miss:  
Thou ruld'st the roast, all must be ruled by thee,  
And as thy ways are all preposterous,  
So all their Issues shallbe proved disastrous.  
Nay further in thy delectations,  
No man doth hold his fit and rightful name:  
But by strange change of Appellations.  
Thou wouldst them change, they should not be the same,  
(Vain world) rash Roisters thou call'st valiant,  
The fearful fool thou namest him patient:  
Thou sayst he's secret that is ignorant.  
The busy body thou call'st diligent,  
The subtle, wise, the unthrift liberal,  
The meek a moan, the babbler eloquent.  
Vain glorious gallants & blood suckers, tall.  
And so turnst right to wrong, and wrong to right.  
Turnst sweet to sour, and day thou turnst to night,  
In thee therefore is no security,  
Thou subject art to maledictionn:  
What though that worldlings praise thy purity,  
Yet I must give thee valediction,  
Farewell vain world thou art the common Cheater,  
Of all that trust thee, topsie turuy turning,  
All states and people every living Creature.  
Thou shalt at length consumed be by burning:  
I purpose so to live as I shall die,  
I'll die to live yea while I yet draw breath:  
Though I live in thee, of thee live not I,  
To live from thee 'tis life, in thee 'tis death:  
I'll carry nothing with me that is thine:  
Nor leave behind me, aught that I call mine.   
Finis.   

TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY Prince CHARLES, Son to our Sovereign Lord the King  
WHen I had written these Lamentations (most worthy Prince) for my exercise and contentment, for which I had likewise made sundry notes & airs, I was desired by some of my best friends to publish my whole endeavours therein, and being very willing to give such men as delight in Music perfect contentment: some of the most excellent Musicians this Age can afford, have in their love to me composed (for the better grace of my poor labours) most full and Melodious Music; which I Purpose by God's assistance, to Dedicate with all convenient expedition unto your Highness: and if these my Lamentations, shall any way merit your Princely regard, I shall all ways vow my future services unto your Highness, and will not cease to pray that your high understanding, admired by all men in these your tender years, may increase and beautify your days, with all piety, and Godliness.  
Your Highness. Most humble servant. William Leighton.   

TO ALL THAT ARE IN Any distress, Affliction, in Crosses, imprisonments, troubles of mind or body. Peace, and Salvation, in Christ jesus. To the Reader.  
I Vide, lege, Tace.  
GEntle Reader, the unfeigned zeal, and duty I owe unto the most free, and honourable service, and glory of almighty God, hath bred a restless desire, & doubtful dilemma in my troubled thought, so that every sense stands a mazed with doubt, whether I were better to make known the least part of my unfeigned and true, repentance, and mine experience, of afflictions in rude, and unpolished lines: or else lay open the plain demostrations of my weakness in this my rash presumption. But the deep affection I have, wishing the good of all the Faithful: And chiefly the praising, & magnifying of the mercy of Almighty God, hath overcome all difficillities. I confess my tootoo much insufficiency to attempt to show mine own infirmities in matters of so great consequence, and of so high a nature. yet I hope the graciousness of your minds will answer the goodness of my meaning, and that you will rather blame the want of Art, then want of heart. A further motive that sets forward mine attempts in this business, was the due consideration of afflictions, and whence they came, I weighed that God may find sufficient cause in all men (because all men are sinners) yet doth he work in his punishments, by a geometrical & not an Arithmetical proportion: laying upon the strong, the heavier burden, and on the weak the lighter, and on no man more than he can well bear, I considered the end wherefore the Lord did the same. And I found that they were for instructions, not destructions, and that he doth often try us by the cross to make us true to his crown. And from this, by reflection, looking back to myself, who have had a woeful, large, and long experience of imprisonment, troubles, crosses, sickness, and afflictions, and have passed even the Alphabet of Calamities, to make good use of them, and to lenify my grief, I composed these swan-like songs. And because Bonum quod Communius eo melius, & every good gift is of itself difusine I thought it the duty of brotherly love to make common to all that was comfortable to me, being assured that my rudeness, and rashness in these my willing labours, can not spot or stain the richness of beauty and Gods most pretioas and blessed works: on which I have endeavoured to employ my mean capacity in this mine exercise, where the foundation of building is good, the fault is in the Artificer, if the work want uniformity, or Corespondencie. For his erring in proportions can no way impeach, or derogate from the true substance, and sound ground work, of a sure foundation. A little or small spring from the first head cannot stop the curraunts of great floods, or the main waves of the Ocean Sea. These Cantons are but drops taken out of the fountains of Israel, though the book be but as a wooden dish, it will serve the poor man's turn to drink in, & quench his thirst. The rest I leave to the flowing streams of the grave Divines, as fragrant flowers out of a pleasant garden, being grossly gathered, and unorderly placed, yet retain their beauty, and savour, and the fault in unorderly placing is to be found not in the flowers, but in the gatherer: lay the fault of any error herein to the man, the manner and meeter, no to the matter, In love is no labour, therefore my labour is nothing, and yet wy labour exceeds my learning, & my will my skill Painting is fit for ragged wales, not for fine Marble. And often times smooth filled tongues are joined to defiled hearts: God knows, towards him my soul's sincerity, and towards you mine heart's integrity. If thou art curious, be courteous, and do not discourage: if learned though thou seest the fault be many, let thy lovo be more: In all give God glory, to whom be all glory for ever, and ever, Amen.  
Tibi et mihi, quod bonum tibi, quod malum mihi, laus Deo.  
Thine in perfect love, and unperfect labour William Leighton.   

¶ To the true devoted Reader.  

ALL curious acquaint, habiliments exiled,  
In humblest habit, now my verse compiled  
Like a poor Pilgrim all alone I stand,  
Taking my journey to the holy land:  
And fain would have, since thus thransported hither,  
All sorts and sects associate me thither,  
But all (alas, woe worth) do me disdain,  
& one my Palmer's weed, with scorn complain  
upbraiding me, that I sometime of yore,  
Triumphant virtues vestures vively wore:  
which though those lines a prisoners pace do walk,  
Which whilom did in Courtly measure stalk.  
To open view, now they expose their faults,  
Though like a weakling that on crowches haults.  
The fading flower of those youthful times,  
Now rest of power, bewails her ruthful crimes.  
And ruminating on a sea of sin,  
Bewrays without, what her betrays within:  
Then with my Poems, plain wrecked dispense,  
Devoured in zeal, is oft distraced in sense.  
Let not the rashness of demolished Time,  
Explode my harshness, and unpolished rhyme:  
Nor shun me now, though I like lowly Ioh,  
This leprous Corpse of sin with rags enrobe.  
But sit by me, read me and turn me o'er,  
And with thine ungments, gently salve my sore.  
within this Port, we'll Anchor safe from rocks  
Fron swelling billows, raging gusts & shocks.  
Till Thetis, halcyon, Neptune's, stork doth hail  
Then shall our Gallion spread a loftier sail,  
And from outrageous storms & tempests stand,  
For safe arrival in the holy land.    

¶ Idillion in eximii Millitis, Leightonis laudem.  

THese dulcet lays which here thy Muse doth sing,  
sound most melodious to the heavenly King  
Thy zealous Emulation here aspires,  
To Parallel thyself in Angels quires:  
If such ambition from thy Muse can glide,  
Be more ambitious, 'tis a heavenly pride:  
Still with this Emulation thee invest,  
For 'tis a habit that becomes thee best.  
And as thyself, thyself dost most control,  
Seeming afflicted with a wounded soul:  
Know for thy comfort, thus jehovah cries,  
Offer to me a living sacrifice.  
Then these Oblations are more pleasing notes,  
Then flesh of Bulls & many thousand goats.  
To him that saith in his Divine behest,  
Give me thy heart, then shalt thou please me best.  
Better than he who all at once exhausts,  
Chiliads of Hecatombs and Holocausts.  
Nor weighs he Psalms composures pricked by art,  
Till first the Psalmists soul be pricked in heart.  
Then yield thy symphonies, which best accord,  
With David's harmonies that pleased the Lord:  
As when the women sung this sweet Idillion,  
(Saul slew his 1000 David slew his million.)  
Hold on thy course, and be assured at last,  
Heavens will raise thee some Encomiast,  
That like Apollo's Pean shall disperse,  
The sacred diapason of thy verse:  
In spite of Zeallesse Zoilus all abroad,  
And make proud Momus chant his palinode.   
Ed. Cook.   

¶ In laudem authoris & presents operis sui, Antonii dyat Arm.  

All evil deeds in darkness do delight,  
the perfect good surmounts the Sun shine bright:  
The cardinal virtues, yield to them their right,  
Do virtues lead, that are Divine in sight.  
The former frame to honesty of life,  
The latter are to soul's salvation rife.  
The former hath our author lately shown,  
In Golden verse and matter choycly apt:  
The Latter leading unto heavenly thrown,  
Will be applauded as the only, that  
Doth joys angelical and eternal bliss,  
By sweet repenting bring from dark abyss.  
Names do the Nature of the man declare,  
Leighton our author's name from true light floweth:  
To bliss the way to show he doth not spare,  
His name eternal therefore each man knoweth.  
God grant the soil where these good seeds do fall,  
may bring forth fruit to rid the soul from thrall.    

¶ Unto the troubles and sorrows of the worthy Knight Sir William Leighton.  

CHrists yoke is sweet, see how it works the Heart,  
with steams of sighs, with throws of suppcation,  
Say Well-i am, when griefs Leight-on my part.  
soul's are sublimed, in fire of tribulation.  
No marvel Marble weeps on gloomy day:  
Since grief yields Honey dews, grief to allay.   
Io. Layfeilde.   

To the Right Worshipful Sir William Leighton Knight. his endeared friend and kinsman, concerning his divine Lamentations.  

EVen as some curious Image wrought in gold  
is a rich object, stately to behold:  
And we not only do the wealth desire,  
But do as much the workmanship admire.  
Yet if it turned be, to a use profane,  
What men did love, as soon they loathe the same:  
For all the cost and curious Art bestowed,  
Is counted base, if worship to't be showed.  
So stately posy oft is put in use,  
To sing laciveously her own abuse:  
And being rich and curious: often times,  
Is wronged with base & foul unchristian rhymes.  
Then Poets all, this heavenly verse come view,  
Which brings sweet Art and ripe conceits to  
And doth thereby your Poetry refine:  
And teach it how for to become divine, you:  
A second David here soul's health doth sing,  
And thereby honour doth to Poets bring.  
Here is no forged tale of love or lust,  
To sot the simple, and deceive the most:  
No ticeing bawd, or foul abusing scowl,  
No Art of love, but Physic for thy soul.  
He that the Cardinal virtues late did bring,  
For to use conference with our mighty King:  
Now likewise brings a lively verse to win,  
Faith unto all, that all may hate their sin,  
The flinty eye this worthy Knight doth move  
To shed salt tears fore-wronging him above.  
And as himself, so is his verse likewise,  
Most Divine, Noble, Civil, good and wise:  
Then let no blasting tongue abuse the tree,  
That beareth fruit to save thy soul & thee.  
Ar. Hopton.    


MVsicke is then Divine, and not but then,  
when words & notes in aptness do concord,  
Composed so by zealous cunning men:  
as words & notes both praise the heavenly Lord  
Such Music is Divine, & none but such,  
be conceit & cunning ne'reso much.   

And such is worthy leighton's true intention,  
whose heavembred Muse, & Musiqu; do conspire  
Both to Demonstrate his Divine invention:  
and to Illustrate his most just desire:  
Oh, let not then his pattern be neglected,  
who hath God's praise, by Notes to him directed.   
Luke jones.   

I Inlaudem Authoris.  

THis is the second time thou hast appeared,  
in public print, well willing worthy knight  
First thy Triumphant virtue, highly reared:  
thy fame above our Modern Poet's flight.  
For why? those lines (in serious wise I write)  
do with such general learning richly shine,  
As if some blessed, or celestial sprite,  
possessed had, that heart, and soul of thine,  
But in this second work, much more Divine:  
thy Lamentations woefully composed,  
thou dost thy thoughts, in such low verse combine  
as wondrous skill thou hast in them disclosed.  
That men may see, thou canst write high or low,  
in both so well; as none thy worth can show.   
john Lepton.   

THE TEARS OR LAMENTAtions of a Sorrowful Soul.  
A prayer unto Almighty God, to prevent, prepare, and dispose our hearts rightly, unto prayer.  
Lord teach me how to pray.  Luke 11. 1. Verse. 

O Loving God and Father dear,  
I humbly thee beseech & pray,  
For jesus sake my prayers hear,  
and hearken what my soul shall say.  
My heart & thoughts, Lord sanctify,  
thine holy spirit inspire within me:  
Me from corruptions mundify,  
and let thy loving mercies win me. 
Psa. 51. 2.    

Oh let me ask and have of thee,  
let me by faith my suit obtain: 
Luke. 51. 9   
Thy loving favour show to me, 
Mat. 7. 7. 21. 22. 11. 24. john. 14. 13 I am. 1. 5. 4 Mat. 6. 13 Luke. 11. 4 22. 4. 1. Peet. 5. 5. 8.   
all other favour is but vain.  
Restrain my vain imaginations,  
prevent by grace Satan's intrusions,  
Let not him taint my cogitations,  
nor blind mine eyes with false illusions.   

Which are th'enticements & the baits,  
of that great ghostly enemy,  
That still for worldlings seeks & waits:  
within which rank, poor wretch am I.  
But as my mouth and lips have said,  
words of a faithful servant true, 
john. 3. 5. 6. 7.   
So let my soul of Christ crave aid,  
with inward spirit to live a new.   

For now my poor soul is afraid, 
Eph. 5. 16. Collo. 4. 5.   
and time misspent alas I rue,  
To thee I run imploreing aid:  
within me do thy spirit renew.  
O Lord I see the bloody wounds,  
of thy sweet son my Saviour, 
john. 20. 27. 28.   
I see thy mercies there abounds:  
and promised by thy favour.   

And therefore I by sinful deeds,  
that erst lived careless in despair, 
jam. 5. 16. 17.   
Do fly unto those wounds that bleeds:  
& pluck down grace by force of prayer  
Oh in that grace grant me to live,  
and in that grace grant me to die, 
Eph. 2. 8. 9 john. 1. 17   
And when I die, Lord grace me give,  
to reign with thee perpetualy.    

A general confession of sins.  

OMnipotent and gracious Father, 
Mat. 15. 24. Luke. 15. 14. 1. Peet. 2. 27. 1. john. 1. 9 5. jam. 5. 16.   
from thy ways have I strayed & erred  
Like a lost sheep & followed rather,  
Mine heart's devices and preferred.  
My foolish fancies fond desires,  
& broke the laws set down by thee  
I have not done what thou requires,  
but done those things that should not be.   

No health's in me, but thou O God,  
have mercy on me sinful wretch,  
Spare me, oh spare me, hold thy rod:  
that to offenders thou dost stretch.  
I do confess my faults restore me,  
that do repent (for jesus sake)  
That promised ever is before thee,  
which thou in Christ to man didst make.   

And grant for his sake live I may,  
a godly right and sober life,  
To thy names glory still for ay,  
possessing heaven that shuts out strife.  
All laud and praise be to thy name,  
for ever and ever now and then,  
To whom all nations sing with fame,  
sweet psalms of joy,   
Amen, Amen.   

A Morning meditation.  

I Laid me down to rest, and slept, 
Psal. 3. 5.   
and in the morning rose again,  
God me sustained and safely kept,  
and by his grace did me maintain.  
His Angels pitched, me round about, 
Psal. 90. 20   
sleeping and waking keeping me,  
Both coming in and going out,  
they guard me with security.   

Lord here my voice in morning bright 
Psal. 5. 3, Psa. 59 16. Psal. 92. 2.   
when I my prayers do direct,  
And wait till thou the God of light,  
do here and help me with effect.  
O Father full of power and might, 
Luke. 18. 10. 11.   
mercy and love, how dare I cast:  
Mine eyes into thy heavenly sight,  
If thou remember my sins past.   

How can I think or hope for good, 
Luke. 18. 12. 13.   
here in the earth to come from high,  
Having so much thy laws withstood,  
And sinned against thy majesty.  
Thou in thy power & knowledge deep  
lord seest the wicked ways of mine, 
Prou. 15. 4. Psa. 138. 7.   
Whether in sin I wake or sleep,  
they are all open to thine eyen.   

My vain corrupt and evil deeds,  
my imperfections more and more,  
With my pollutions which still breeds,  
thine anger worse, than was before.  
Thy judgement, I might justly fear,  
if thou shouldst note what's done amiss 
Psal. 93. 16 Psal. 126, 2   
Thou mightst in torture be severe,  
but thou giv'st rest, sleep, peace & bliss.   

And hast me raised up by thy hand,  
for only thou preservest me, 
1. Kings. 17. 6. Dan. 24. 33   
And me defend'st by sea and land,  
a wake or sleep (I serving thee)  
whether I walk, work, eat or drink  
or what ere else, do what I will, 
1 Corr. 10. Collo, 3. 17   
Thou blessest all that I can think,  
without thy blessings all were ill.   

For I a creature weak and faint, 
Psal. 6. 3. 11. Psal. 50. 10.   
subject to dangers that are rife,  
And closely works my soul to taint,  
in this corrupt and evil life.  
I lie alas in night and blindness,  
and have no watch me to defend, 
Psa. 33. 20.   
Yet am preseru'de by thy kindness,  
from them that ill to me intend.   

Whose owlish eyes do shun the light,  
who lay their traps & snares in dark  
But thou defend me with thy might,  
& with bright eye their work dost mark 
Psa. 120. 4.   
Thou dear kind Father full of love,  
regardest thy weak and little ones,  
Thy many mercies do thee move,  
tinuiron them soul, blood & bones.   

O gracious God I give thee thanks, 
Psal. 2. 9 reve. 12. 9 reve. 20. 2.   
for all these mercies maniefold,  
Save me from all the perilous pranks,  
of sin, and of that Serpent old.  
Forgive me mine offences Lord, 
Mat. 3. 8.   
with true repentance Lord me right,  
Let thanks with life reformed accord,  
with true obedience in thy sight.   

I am inclined to vanity; 
Psal. 51.   
to slide into one sin or other,  
No day nor hour true peace find I,  
since first I came from womb of mother.  
With many foes I am beset, 
Ro. 7. 24. Gala. 5. 6. 17.   
corruptions in me daily fight,  
Which working of thy graces let,  
and gainest my faith use all their might.   

Wresting my will and settled mind,  
rom true sincerity to sin,  
From good desires to be inclined,  
to deep despair and die therein.  
To make one trust in blandishment,  
of wi●ked world my soul deceiving,  
And in my souls sad languishment,  
of comforts all my soul bereaving.   

I fly unto the sanctuary,  
of thy dear care and providence,  
Assured I shall not miscarry, 
Psal. 16. 8. jam. 1. 3.   
when I depend on thy defence.  
Keep me therefore O King of Kings  
as precious Apple of thine eye,  
This day me shroud under thy wings,  
for by thy saving health live I   

Teach me the truth, me knowledge give  
and wisdom with all humbleness,  
Obedience, zeal, and faith relieve,  
my soul with hope in all distress.  
Change me from sin to sanctity, 
Psa. 13.   
from the night's darkness unto light,  
Let my cold zeal, most ardent be,  
to serve the Lord both day & night.   

Teach me justly to execute,  
my outward calling, give success:  
And happy issue to my suit,  
and all my lawful labours bless.  
To brethren love and equity, 
Psal. 89. 17.   
to me and mine in godly care:  
With heart and mind true piety:  
to God alone let me repair.   

And let thy holy spirit so nourish, 
Psal. 1. 3. 4. 5.   
and govern me, that more & more,  
I may increase, bear fruit and flourish,  
in godliness and goodness store.  
Until thou shalt cut off this life,  
that is corrupt with deadly sin,  
And by Christ's merrites end the strife,  
of mortal wars my soul lives in.   

And draw me then with cords of love, 
Osa. 11. 4. Canti. 1.   
to thee and thy Tuition,  
To new jerusalem above,  
and give me there fruition.  
Off thee, & those that reign with thee,  
with Christ and all that in thy word,  
Thou promised me; grant this to me,  
for the same Christ his sake, O Lord.    

An Evening Meditation.  

I'll lie me down to sleep in peace, 
Psal. 3. 5.   
for thou Lord only mak'st me dwell  
In safety with great quietness,  
and dost ill dreams from me expel. 
Ephe. 5. 14.   
My body to enormity,  
is subject, without rest and sleep:  
Because of mine infirmity,  
my life and health it cannot keep. 
Psal. 89. 5.    

Good father all sufficient,  
my loving God, I yield thee praise:  
For this days blessings to me sent,  
and guiding me in all my ways.  
In that thou hast this day now past,  
me strongly guarded with thy hands  
With love refreshed me. first and last, 
Psal▪ 108. 16. 106. 12.   
with mercies more than sea shore sands   

That hast me brought to this days end  
(black night & darkness drawing near)  
Wherein all creatures rest attend,  
and lay them down t'il day appear.  
I finding my debility,  
poor creature, run to thee Divine:  
Oh strengt'h mine imbecility,  
and aid this soul and body mine.   

Thou hast me made of matter gross,  
and brittle substance out of clay: 
Psal. 51.   
Which still is subject to the cross,  
a tennis ball for worldlings play.  
He wanting comfort cannot live, 
Psal. 9 12.   
(after great sorrow and much grief)  
Therefore I do my body give,  
and soul to thee, Lord grant relief.   

O Lord I do thee humbly pray,  
(as thou art fountain of all rest:)  
Be thou my succour, help, and Stay, 
1. Thes. 5. 7   
let me by thee this night be blest.  
Consider me in my weakness,  
and let thy careful eyes behold:  
My miseries, and my distress,  
to cry for mercy make me bold.   

And since 'tis time that night now brings  
of body's rest, & quiet sleep:  
Oh shadow me under thy wings, 
Psal. 16. 8. Psal. 56. 2.   
let thy protection safe me keep.  
Look over me with watchful eyes,  
when this corrupted flesh of mine:  
In flumbering sleep, and dullness lies, 
Mat. 5. 13. john. 11. 11   
deprived of sense with closed eyen.   

Vnnable, my poor self to save,  
from dangers of the darksome night:  
Keep me my bed, else is my grave,  
and I shall never see the light.  
Lord thou that only mak'st me dwell 
Psal. 120. 4   
and in sure safety to abide:  
(Thou watchest over Israel)  
watch over me, be by my side.   

Thou art my Castle, and my fort, 
Psal. 18. 2.   
my Sword, my Buckler, & defence:  
My Rock, my Refuge, & Comfort,  
save me from force and violence.  
Alas, without thee what am I?  
a beast that rightly nothing knows:  
A senseless block a silly fly,  
that no good do, nor no good shows.   

Thy loving favour Lord extend, 
Psal. 3. 5.   
over the house, wherein I rest,  
My bed with Angel's Lord defend,  
my spr'it by thy spr'it, be possessed.  
Oh, lie me down in rest and peace,  
in rest and peace, O let me rise:  
In rest and peace, O give some ease,  
from torments, troubles, tears & cries.   

Let not the sleights of sin deceive,  
nor wicked practise overtake me:  
Let nothing me, of hope bereave,  
Oh, do not thou (though all) forsake me.  
Lord I am poor, Oh make me rich,  
with those great riches of thy blessing:  
My soul, my soul, is black as pitch,  
let pardon follow my confessing.   

In hope of this, I lie me down,  
depending on thy providence:  
I care not if the world do frown,  
for I am safe by thy defence.  
Lord let it be, for I am thine,  
my rest make sweet & comfortable:  
To thee I do myself resign,  
lord grant all this, for thou art able.   
FINIS.   

¶ A Nosegay gathered in the holy Paradise.  

ALmighty God which hast me brought,  
in safety to this present day:  
Keep me from sin, in heart & thought,  
and teach me what, to do and say. 
Psal. 1019. 112.   
Prosper me Lord, in all my works,  
help me with thy continual grace:  
Keep me from Satan wild that lurks,  
to trap my soul in every place. 
1. Peter. 5 8.    

Almighty Lord, and God oflove,  
direct mine heart, and guide my ways:  
Amend my miss, my mind remove:  
from all that from thy glory strays.  
Thou that of wisdom, art true sprung  
and fountain of felicity: 
reve. 7. 17   
Let mercy mere, my prayers bring,  
by faith in me, to sight of thee.   

Thou which art Author of all peace,  
and the true lover of concord: 
Ph. 4. 9   
Keep me from foes, that never cease,  
to take my life, from me O Lord.  
Thy service is most perfect free,  
to know thee, 'tis eternal life, 
john. 17. 3.   
Reach out thy helping hand to me,  
against my foes, that gainest me strive,   

O God from whom all good desires,  
from whom, all just works do proceed:  
Whose counsels wise, all men admires,  
assist me in the time of need.  
O Lord whose power and quality,  
is sinner's trespass to forget:  
Being tied and bound with chains lose me,  
of sin for pity, I entreat.   

Assist me in this mortal age,  
what change or chance so ere befall  
From Satan, sin, and enemies rage,  
Lord still defend me from them all.  
Almighty God which givest us grace  
now in thy name to pray to thee:  
And promiseft in any place,  
when joins together two or three.   

Tho'wilt give & grant what they request  
now lord do the desires fulfil:  
Of us thy servants, as seems best,  
and most expedient to thy will,  
In this world knowledge us granting,  
of thy pure truth and sanctity:  
And after death, let our new being,  
belife with thee eternally.   

O God that no time dost despise,  
the sighing of a contrite heart:  
Nor the desires of sinners cries,  
in troubles anguish, grief and smart.  
Assist our prayers in distress,  
and graciously vouchsafe to hear:  
When sudden evils us oppress,  
and subtle craft of foes us fear.   

Let them, oh Lord be brought to nought  
and by thy goodness scattered be:  
That so to us no heart be brought,  
we may give thanks, & praise to thee.  
Oh God of mercy we thee pray,  
to look on our infirmities:  
And all those evils turn away,  
which we deserve continually.   

Grant that in troubles and sickness,  
we put our trust & hope in thee:  
And serve thee in true holiness,  
of life and praise thy deity.  
Through Christ the only Advocate,  
and mighty Lord of all mankind:  
To work God's love, from wrath & hate,  
towards his elect to be most kind.   

Oh God to whom all hearts are seen  
and hid desires are plainly known:  
My life reform, & mind make clean,  
my spr'it, inspire, to be thine own.  
That I may love thee perfectly,  
and magnify thy holy name:  
Through Christ my Saviour worthily,  
and all the world confess the same.   

Lighten my darkness Lord I pray thee  
from this night's dangers me defend:  
Let not flesh, world, nor devil dismay me  
keep me both to, and in the end.  
Thy mighty hand, & arm protect me  
thy mercy in Christ, be my salvation  
Lord ever let thy word direct me,  
and thy spr'it give me consolation.   

The peace of God which far exceeds  
all understanding of man's wit:  
Preserve my soul from wicked deeds,  
and guide mine heart, to do what's fit.   
Finis.   

¶ A particular confession of a sorrowful sinner.  

MOst mighty and all-knowing Lord 
jer. 11. 20. jer. 17. 10.   
true spring of consolation:  
I do confess with heart and word,  
thou art my preservation.  
I have offended grievously,  
by my transgression done gainest thee,  
And have drawn down a weight on me,  
of thy great judgements wilfully.   

Under which burden cannot I, 
Luke. 18. 13   
but faint and fall in woeful sort:  
Unless thy hand and thy mercy,  
through jesus Christ do me support.  
Thou knowst good father I am weak, 
Psal. 6. 3.   
and cannot bear thine heavy ire:  
Not knowing what to do or speak,  
or how to save me from this fire.   

Unless thou point me out the way,  
with thy wise spr'it me directing: 
Psal. 24. 5. 9 10. 26. 11. Verse   
Unto the devil I am made a prey,  
were not thy power me protecting.  
Not every one that hears thy word,  
can understand thy wisdom great: 
Mat. 11. 50.   
Nor every one that cri'th Lord Lord,  
shall enter into heavens gate.   

Who is not led by better line, 
john. 1. 13. Mat. 16. 14   
then doth proceed from flesh & blood  
Er's from the truth, and doth decline,  
from right to wrong, to ill from good.  
Whose end is death, though for a time,  
seems sweet to please the outward man  
That's nothing else but dirt and slime,  
or like a puff, in length a span.   

As honour, riches, friends and health,  
preferment life and world's delight:  
Esteeming these true happy wealth,  
but the true bliss is out of sight. 
Heb. 11. 1.   
They think that sickness poverty,  
imprisonment and enemies fell:  
And worldly crosses verily, 
james. 1. 2. 3.   
are gates and entrance into hell.   

So foolish and so ignorant,  
are those thou guyd'st not in thy way,  
'Mongst whom even I, through wisdoms  
have been misled until this day.  
But having found the truth by trial, want,  
that earthly joys are transitory:  
When they me tempt I make denial,  
and only seek th'eternal glory.   

Now I disclaim all confidence,  
in Honour, health, in wealth or feature:  
In wit or worldly sapience, 
Mat. 16. 14   
or yet in any earthly creature.  
And Lord I here do dedicated,  
all thou hast given me to thine honour:  
Myself I wholly consecrate, 
Mark. 3. 14.   
to march and fight under thy banner.   

And now I bid these joys adieu,  
that only please my flesh and senses:  
Because they all are most untrue,  
and still do cause so great offences. 
1. john. 2. 15.   
Because their glorious bounty fades,  
and leave nought but deformities:  
Because they are nought else but shades, 
1. john. 2. 16.   
and bring forth gross innormities.   

Because they are most false and fickle,  
because they are indeed hell's fuel:  
Because their rose hath many a prickle, 
james. 4. 4.   
because their slavery is most cruel.  
Because they are not firm and stable,  
because they are profane not holy:  
Because they are but as a fable,  
because they are but sottish folly.   

Because my soul they call and kill, 
Mat. 26. 27. Mark. 14. 44. 45.   
because they give me judas kiss:  
Because my good they spot and spill,  
& draw me from mine heavenly wish.  
because like swords, they wound my soul  
because like serpents, they do sting me:  
Because my conscience doth control, 
1. Cor. 15. 56.   
& saith to hell gates, they will bring me.   

Because they do beset my senses, 
1. Sam. 21. 25. 26.   
because they dull my spirits quickness.  
Because they cause so great expenses,  
because they cause my sad soul's sickness  
Because all virtue hindered is,  
by this vild worlds accused pleasure:  
Because 'twill me bereave of bliss,  
and of that blessed heavenly treasure.   

And therefore earth & world farewell 
1. john. 21 16.   
adieu fond fancies flattering favours,  
Your joys are toys, your heaven is hell,  
I hate your poisoned taste and savours.  
And thou that art, life of my life,  
soul of my soul, O jesus Christ: 
john. 14. 6.   
Point down the period of world's strife. 
Psal. 109. 4   
thou art that prophet, Prince, & Priest.   

That wentest up to prepare that place,  
above Son, Moon, & planets seven  
Oh save me by thy saving grace:  
and bring me to that highest heaven.  
Where are such joys celestial, 
1. Cor. 2. 9 10.   
as cannot be expressed by pen:  
Bring me from things terrestrial,  
to reign with thee for aye   
Amen.   

A heavenly hymn touching the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ.  

COme let us sing to God with praise,  
our Prophet, Prince, & Priest, always  
And to the sacred holy spirit. and etc.  
Oh let us laud the Trinity, 
1. john. 5. 7. 8.   
With heart and voice them magnify.  
For Christ who made us life inherit. etc. 
Luke. 2. 13. 14. 15.   
Give thanks to God with joy & mirth  
For his sweet son, our saviours birth,  
Of all mankind the comfort true.   

He is the guiltless lamb alas, 
john. 1. 29.   
Whose death & passion brought to pass  
Faith hope, and bliss, with spirit anew.  
Lift up your heart, with joy abound,  
With solace sing sweet musics sound: 
Psal. 33. 3.   
In honour of Gods holy name.  
Who Christ his Son the lamb did make,  
By death man's sins away to take:  
All nations sing his worthy fame.   

He is the seed was promised,  
To bruise and crush the serpent's head:  
Which caused all men for sin to die.  
He is the mediate to appease,  
God's wrath by death to give us ease:  
Praise him praise him continually.   
Finis.   

¶ A prayer in extreme sickness  

THou God of might hast chastened me,  
and me corrected with thy rod:  
Wounded my soul with misery,  
and humbled me to know my God.  
And so made soft my stony breast.  
Thy Arrows stick most fast in me:  
My heart doth pant, my joints oppressed,  
my flesh me paineth woefully. 
Psal. 38. 23    

My body's members me deceive,  
I languish still my strength's decayed, 
Psal. 3. 8.   
I am so weak of power bereaved,  
I cannot stand but must be stayed.  
Thy hand O God doth press me sore,  
my sickness so extremely grows:  
That I am even at deaths door,  
thou dost it Lord. my heart it knows.   

That I am vexed thus with pain,  
it is for sin and mine offence.  
For my misdeeds and trespass plain,  
the cause of wrathful recompense.  
Ease me O God, and sucker me,  
send comfort lay no more on me:  
Then I can bear, O suffer me,  
to draw my breath, and look on me.   

O Lord consider my weakness,  
bear with my great infirmity-  
Help me oh Lord cure my sickness, 
2. Chro. 32 2022.   
that I may give all praise to thee.  
Incline thine ears unto my moans,  
hark to the voice of my complaint:  
Let both my crying and my groans,  
come to thy throne oh I am faint.   

I make my plaint to thee alone,  
for thee alone I have displeased:  
To thee alone I make my moan,  
may't please thee that I may be eased  
I know not how for to appease,  
thy high displeasure that's gainest me:  
I am afraid to ask for ease,  
or look on thee that pain'st me.   

I am near drowned with deep despair  
when I in mind do well perpend:  
How I did sin (sans) fear or care,  
without regard of my last end.  
Lord I have sinned, and thou hast said,  
that at what time I do repent, 
Eze. 18. 21. 22.   
My debts for sins shall all be paid,  
thy gracious pardon shall be sent.   

On this thy promise Lord I build,  
upon thy goodness I rely:  
Mine heart doth to repentance yield,  
grant pardon Lord, or else I die.  
Though I have often heinously,  
offended, and thy patience proved:  
By sinning often grievously,  
yet thou with pity hast been moved   

Art slow to strike, yet strong to suffer, 
Psal. 103. 10.   
thine hands are iron, thy feet of lead:  
Thou art more ready grace to offer,  
than we to ask our daily bread.  
O now for pity ease my pain,  
for jesus sake, my Lord thy Son:  
Restore to me my health again,  
if not, Lord let thy will be done.   

But grant me strength to bear thy yoke,  
and patience Lord unto me lend: 
Mat. 11. 23 30.   
That I may bide thine heavy stroke,  
& then send Lord whatthou wilt send.  
Thy punishments are pursuivants,  
that thou of faithful love dost send:  
To all thy true and just servants,  
to warn them of their latter end.   

Thy rod and staff doth comfort me, 
Psal. 23. 24.   
and me uphold betwixt hope and fear:  
Thou gainest presumption chastnest me,  
and th'other keep me from despair.  
To thee O Lord I do commit,  
myself I never will repine:  
For thou knowst best what is most fit,  
in life and death let me be thine.   
FINIS.   

¶ Precepts of duties.  

HIgh mighty God of righteousness,  
in wrath, a dread consuming fire: 
Exo. 20. Gen. 1 2. 27. 28.   
Thou didst in perfect happiness,  
make man, that dared gainest thee conspire  
And break thy laws with all despite  
when thou hadst made him pure & holy  
Placed him in garden of delight, 
Gen. 3.   
(so great and wicked was his folly.   

That having leave, to take or leave,  
to choose, refuse or use, at pleasure:  
He did himself by sin deceive,  
of that Divine surpassing treasure.  
And by his mutability,  
(regardless of thy sacred saws) 
Gen. 18. 14 25.   
He brought in instabillitie,  
lost his free will, made breach of laws.   

Thou God of justice must do right,  
man wanting grace, with want of grace:  
By grace substraction didst requite,  
& banish him, that blessed place.  
By means of which we are inclined,  
from thy behests to run astray:  
Our tongue, our heart, our soul, our mind  
by sin is carried clean away.   

Thine honour first is stead fast faith, 
Mic. 6. 6. 7. 8.   
in Christ, and in thine holy book:  
And in thy truth that thy spirit saith,  
which in mine heart for faith doth look  
The next obedience to thy will,  
as thou commanded'st by thy sweet word 
Exo. 19 20. Exo. 20.   
From Syna and from Zion's hill,  
to teach us do thine hests O Lord.   

Us for thy children hast elected, 
Rom. 9   
and us adopted to inherit:  
Thy bliss (if thy bliss be respected)  
and sealed us with thine holy spirit.  
Thou mad'st us free, by thy son's blood  
to th'end thou mayest be glorified 
1. john. 1.   
In souls and bodies for our good,  
his passion hath us purified.   

thou freed'st us to that end we mought  
serve thee in holy righteousness: 
Luke. 1. 74   
Thou gav'st thy son, and he us bought  
from thraldom of our sinfulness.  
Thou wouldst he should for all men die 
1. john. 4. 14.   
to make him live in thine elect:  
And they in him, to fructify,  
and with his graces hast them decked.   

By grace and holy inspiration, 
Exo. 18. Exo. 19   
rebellious nature seekest to tame:  
With precepts for instruction,  
& leav'st us laws in thine own name.  
The ready way of serving thee,  
and profit to our neighbours bring:  
And loving thee most zealously,  
who art our father, Lord and King.   

Though by thy Gospel we be free,  
from laws of sin, and Punishment: 
Rom. 8.   
Yet rules of life and piety.  
thou hast prescribed, and to us lent.  
Thereby to manage all our deeds,  
and guide us, lest we step awry:  
And rightly use our nature's seeds,  
both well to live, and well to die.   

These laws didst write in tables two  
with the pure finger of thine hand:  
Delivered them Moses unto,  
that we thy will might understand.  
The first cóntaineth precepts four,  
of duties due unto thy fear●:  
The second six commandments more,  
of love we should to neighbours bear   

The sum and substance of them all  
and that fulfilleth every part, 
Rom. 13. 10.   
Is thee to love, on thee to call,  
with all our soul, might, mind, & heart  
To other men (especially,  
thine household that are firm in faith)  
As to ourselves to give supply,  
with all our help as scripture saith.   

But we are weak, our case thus stands  
in this frail mortal life of ours, 
Rom. 8. 3. 4   
No man can keep these thy commands  
but breaks them at all times & hours.  
Yet thou thy children oft dost will,  
themselves to comfort hopeingly:  
there's left for them some measure still, 
1. john. 2. 1   
t'approach to thee acceptably.   

Namely when they bend their whole strength,  
(daily prevented by thy spirit)  
And stand in hope t'attain at length,  
what now they want, by Christ his merit  
Walking and daily going on,  
by steps thereof to Paradise:  
Praising and lauding thee alone,  
sighs yet for their infirmities. 
Psal. 51. 17.    

The faithful know all and believe,  
with thee our father mercy is: 
Esa. 56. 1.   
For with thy son dost all things give,  
how can we then of mercy miss.  
Therefore my God now give to me,  
all that thou giv'st to thine elect: 
Psal. 51. 11.   
Of thine eternal clemency,  
let not thy spirit my soul reject.   

Illuminate my knowledge dark,  
Possess my heart the Lord to love: 
Psal. 18. 18.   
What's done amiss, Lord do not mark,  
but let thy spirit, my spirit still move.  
That I most constantly may walk,  
the steps & paths of thy just laws: 
Psal. 119.   
And of thy goodness daily talk,  
with fear and love and all applause.   

To whom I wholly owe myself,  
(for thou hast Lord created me: 
Gen. 1. 1. Pet. 1. 18. 19   
And bought me not with worldly pelf,  
but by thy son hast made me free)  
Whence I do also learn to love, 
2. Eor. 15. 1 4.   
all men in thee and for thy sake:  
Who bear thy image from above,  
and my vocation surer make.   

O let me thus thy favour find,  
and peace of conscience understand: 
Rom. 5. 2. john. 16. 33.   
Thy blessings and thy mercy's kind,  
to God the work's of mine ill hand.  
That filled with days, I leave my life, 
Gen. 35. 29   
rest to enjoy with all contents:  
And live eternally from strife,  
and keep thy ten Commandments.   
Finis.   

¶ An invocation to God, humbly praying for remission of sin.  

WEll spring of bounty, God of fear, 
Reu. 1. 8.   
beginning that, mak'st all begin:  
With what oblation to appear,  
appease thy wrath that's due for sin.  
I know not blood of Bulls and beast,  
or sweetest incense that doth rise:  
From earth of old, they were the least,  
and are not now of any prize.   

O how should I be reconciled,  
again, unto thy loving favour: 
Psal. 51.   
How long Lord shall I be exiled,  
from my sweet Lord & only Saviour.  
How long, O have I called to thee,  
to thee, in name of thy dear Son: 
Psal. 4. 1.   
Yet what I asked thou gav'st not me.  
and what I would is left undone.   

I long have knocked at thy door,  
of mercy but none entrance find: 
Psal. 167. Psal. 18. 5. 6   
Sorrows and troubles more and more,  
increase and vex my soul and mind.  
I daily wait most woeful mortal,  
before thy seat of clement grace:  
But may not peep within thy portal,  
nor see thy glorious beauteous face.   

I sigh and mourn my tears are seas,  
I sink under the burdenous load: 
Psal. 7. 7. Psal. 39, 13. Psal. 42. 4.   
Of sin and shame, and find none ease,  
provoke me forward with thy word.  
Of castigation I desire,  
to quench thy wrath with floods of tears:  
Yet still increase thy fearful fire,  
and so increase my frosty fears.   

By prayers thee to press who dares,  
except by thy sons mediation:  
To seek thy glory's, all our cares,  
and th'end of earthly men's creation.  
what course should I poor wretch them take,  
to do or ask that's good & just: 
Psal. 57 2. 118. 8.   
But unto thee, my prayers make,  
and only in thy son put trust.   

If that my sins shall thee offend,  
than all thy creatures rage & storm: 
1 King. 13. john 1.   
And all conspire by thy command,  
to beat on me poor silly worm.  
Where shall I be, or whether fly,  
from sight of thine all seeing ey ne: 
Psal. 139. 7. Gen. 8.   
As Noah's dove, on earth am I,  
and cannot look against thy shine.   

But if thou show thy loving face,  
all creatures on my service tend: 
1. King. 17. 4. 5. 6. john. 10. 12 13.   
Men beasts and Angels, do me grace,  
to help me all their powers do bend.  
What should I then, say, give or do,  
what pain can gain my favour lost:  
Rivers of Oil or aught thereto, 
Mic. 6. 6,   
they are thine own, and of thy cost.   

Accept yet Lord the sacrifice,  
of Heart & Calves, of lips unfeigned: 
Mic. 7.   
This is that Offering didst devise,  
to have thy grace to be obtained.  
The free will offering of my Zeal,  
in sense of sighing still ascending: 
Psal. 51.   
They to thy mercy's seat appeal,  
& would make peace for mine offending falter,   

Although mine heart & tongue do 
Psal. 40.   
yet in Christ jesus meditation:  
Receive this offering on thine Altar,  
with all my best imagination.  
Hear me in him, in him relieve me, 
Mat. 11. 29 30.   
for without him, no help can be:  
None can my souls, or heart's ease give me  
nor can I inward comforts see.   

Till I know that thy wraths appeased 
Gen. 15. 1.   
and have thy charter of thy pardon:  
Then shall I find mine heart so eased,  
that I desire no further guerdon.  
And now I most unhappy man, 
Psal. 18. 2.   
that did offend my God so kind:  
By grace of him in all I can,  
i'll seek with heart, with soul, & mind   

To honour, serve, obey and please,  
him that is mine all-seeing maker: 
Psal. 119.   
Whom I beseech to grant me peace,  
and make me of his joys partaker.   
Finis.   

A Godly meditation, wherein the distressed showeth, he is unfeignedly grieved, hat he hath offended God, who is so powerful and so dread a judge: who also (as the repentant thinketh) hath armed man and all creatures against him for his sins. But (aggravating the greatness of his miseries and afflictions) at the last, heresolueth to go unto God in Christ his name, with whom he is well pleased, and in whom he will accept the prayers of the offendant.  

ALas that I offended ever,  
this God of Gods, this Lord of powers  
That can in pieces all men shiver,  
and overturn the stateliest towers. 
Gal. 3. 10.   
Ah woe is me that I offended,  
and justly God stirred up to ire:  
Who by his law, hath sin condemned, 
The example of jonas swallowed with a whal for his disobedience, showeth this jonas 1.   
unto the pit of endless fire.   

I daily see God's creatures all,  
justly for sin displeased with me:  
Mens hearts are hardened and with gall,  
feed me that have offended thee.  
My God thy blessings all one earth,  
thou dost withhold, & from me keep:  
Alas my soul sustains a dearth,  
of grace, unto thy grace I creep.  
But what to do or what to say,  
I know not Lord, but I know this:  
My griefs increase more day by day,  
my mirth is moan, bane is my bliss.   

One evil doth another call,  
like waves on waves in raging seas: 
john, 2. 3 Psal. 6.   
My weary burden makes me fall,  
I find no comfort help nor ease.  
I hope of help, but that hope quails,  
in crosses are my comforts ended:  
I fly to faith, but then faith fails,  
when I need most to be defended.   

As if I were the only man, 
So David complaineth that he was a mark to shoot at. Psal. 11. 2.   
preposed by thine intendment:  
Whom heaven & earth must curse & ban  
as subject of all punishment.  
Thy justice dams me, I appeal,  
to mercy, then appealed I fear:  
To be rejected, thus cold zeal,  
and secret sins with grief I bear.   

Shall I think it a fruitless taste,  
unto my God for to repair 
Mat. 7. 7.   
That Sinners calls and bids them ask,  
and they shall have all things by prayer.  
Can it be bootless down to fall,  
be●o●e his throne of majesty:  
And with repentant tongue to call,  
for pardon for my iniquity.   

May not unfeigned cries at last, 
The importunate widow prevaileth with the unjust judge. Mat. 18. 7.   
prevail with him that's pitiful:  
To pardon my offences past,  
& move my spr'its which now are dull  
I'll frame my heart to meditate,  
my tongue to utter what may please:  
Him whom best knoweth mine estate,  
and seek his wrath for to appease.   

To him i'll go in Christ his name, 
The prodigal child returned to his Father. Luke 15. 11.   
in whom I know he is well pleased:  
And will confess my sin with shame,  
and so mine heart, shall sure be eased.   

¶ The second part of the meditation.  

FOr Christ's sake, look on me again, 
Gen, 17. 1.   
he is God all sufficient:  
He doth behold and see my pain,  
my inward faithful hearts intent.   

He knoweth what I go about, 
Psal. 39 16.   
all I think, speak, or do amiss:  
He writes or notes, without all doubt,  
in his remembrance book it is.  
I know he will in worth accept,  
what justly I intent to do:  
And cannot it perform, except  
He put his helping hand thereto.   

He knoweth that I am but flesh,  
and what is flesh but frail and ill: 
1. Pet. 1. 24. Psal. 40. 6. jam. 1. 10.   
And what is man a lump of trash,  
whom vain desires do fully fill.  
And will this God jehovah high,  
so strong and powerful set his might: 
Psal. 22. 7.   
Against a worm so weak as I,  
a silly man a shade of night.   

What conquest can there be in God,  
to work revenge on me poor soul  
Who still corrects me with his rod,  
whose justice doth my sins control.  
shall I dispute with thee, nay rather,  
poor wetch I should fall prostrate down, 
Rom. 9 10.   
And humbly kneel unto my father,  
& pray with tears when he doth frown   

If he afflict, more be it so,  
if further plague me let be so:  
If he will kill with pains and woe,  
do what he list, let it be so.  
For I am his, do what he will, 
Mat. 6. 10.   
with me and all that mine can be:  
It is his own and must be still,  
there's no disputing God with thee.   

There is no Art, or Eloquence, 
psal. 49. 16.   
can quench thy coals of burning ire:  
It is not words can make defence,  
nor friends can save me from they fire  
Nor take me from the powerful hands  
so full of might force strength & power:  
Or break a sunder thy strong bands,  
nor ease one minute of an hour.   

I'll yield me therefore to his will, 
Mat. 16. 10.   
Lord do what thy good pleasure is:  
Turn me as may, thy mind fulfil,  
i'll wait the time of happy bliss.  
I'll wait thy pleasure, time will come,  
wherein I may the issue see:  
Of my afflictions all and some,  
and what thy purpose is with me.   

The meantime I will with thy word 
1. Sam. 2. 1. 1. Sam. 5. 19   
consult and use my exercise:  
And comfort take though hope O Lord  
refresh dull spr'ites & clear dimmed eyes.  
With dew of thy sweet promises,  
laying aside all fleshly aid:  
I only rest on thy mercies,  
in holy word as thou hast said.   

And in true faith will I remain,  
and seek thee (being the true way:  
Wherein who walks, at length shall gain  
true bliss and happiness foraye. 
john. 14. 6.   
Who this embraceth shall not err,  
wherein who lives, shall never die.  
But wear a crown past reason far,  
to live with God etetnally.   
FINIS.    

¶ A prayer wherein the distressed, humbly confesseth his sins, and the vanities of his former times lewdly misspent, desiring others to take example by him, and to return to God by reptntance before it be to late. And at the last preparing to die, commendeth his soul to God: with whom after death, he hopeth to live forever.  

AN heart, that's broken & contrite, 
Psal. 51.   
to God, is a sweet sacrifice:  
Repentant sinners him delight,  
far more than just men in their eyes.  
what I have been my God hath known  
what I now am the Lord doth see:  
What I shallbe to him is shown,  
from him no secret kept can be.   

How I consume so many years,  
misspent so many months and days:  
Both hours and minutes all appears,  
to God who marks my life & ways.  
Time is the mean that all things tries,  
time worketh what men's wits devise: 
Eccl. 3. 1.   
Time with his swiftness, ever flies,  
and time in time, will make men wise.   

Fly from me, follies of my youth,  
pack hence my sins that burdened me:  
Welcome to me is age and truth,  
now I by faith in Christ will be.  
whose sins do make their hearts to bleed  
let them examples take by me: 
Psal. 25.   
Whose wickedness all men's exceed,  
come, come, and my repentance see.   

Lord now let me depart in peace,  
I feel thy rod, I find thy love: 
Mat. 5. 16.   
My pains do grow, my joys increase,  
this mercy comes from thee above.  
My sickness is a present mean,  
to heal and cure my wounds of sin: 
Luk. 2. 29.   
Lord purge all my corruptions clean,  
and let my death, my life begin.   
FINIS   

The repentant complaineth of his horrid and grievous sins, and in the end giveth thanks unto jehovah on high, who is distinguised into one God and three persons.  

HIdden O Lord are my most horrid sins,  
unto the world, though open plain to thee 
Psal. 17. 5.   
He never betters that no time begins,  
corruption killeth all good thoughts in me.  
What sin doth dwell in this vild flesh of ours,  
but doth increase like monsters huge in me:  
Committing them both minutes, days & hours,  
as swift as Time, so fast grow they in me.   

Rend thine own flesh, & tear thy wretched hairs,  
scrape clean corruptions marrow from thy bones 
Mark. 9 47   
Put out thine eyes, cut of thy tongue, stop ears  
lame all thy senses, to kill sin at once.  
I fain would walk that know not how to creep  
I am oppressed with such most heinous crimes:  
When I should wake, sin drowneth me with sleep  
for one good thought I sin a thousand times.   

Sigh O my soul, weep, sorrow & lament,  
and seek for help, if any hope be left:  
Pray unto Christ, for grace thou may'st repent,  
before his merits from thee be bereft.  
Though by his rod, afflictions humble thee,  
and for thy sins, thou suffer grievous pain 
Psal. 23. 4.   
Yet with his staff, he still upholdeth thee,  
from deep despair, in bliss with him to reign   

All glory be to God on high, 
Luke 2. 4.   
and to his son our saviour wise and just:  
To whom with joy still pray and sing will I,  
and to my comforter the holy Ghost.  
Whose being was from all eternity,  
one deity distinct in persons three:  
According to the blessed Trinity, 
1. john. 5. 7. 8.   
distinguish't three, yet one in unity.   
Finis.   

¶ The repentant wholly flieth unto the mercies of God in Christ, and describeth the loathsomeness & ugliness of his sins, aggravating the greatness thereof, above all other men's.  

O Lord behold my miseries,  
my pain and deadly grief: 
Psal. 51. 1.   
No help, no hope, but thy mercies,  
to yield my soul relief.  
I hate myself, and loath my sin,  
my heart is rend with fear:  
To think what state I have lived in,  
my wits with torments tear.   

If sins seem ugly unto me,  
who did the same commit:  
How loath some Lord, show they to thee,  
that dost in judgement sit.  
When others sins, my mind have vexed,  
and make me search mine own:  
My heart with horror is perplexed,  
for my sins seeds so sown.   

By measure just and true I find,  
no man that ever lived:  
Hath sinned so much in heart and mind,  
as I that am thus grieved.  
If all men's faults were put in one,  
(and known were my offences)  
'Twear no compare to mine alone,  
so vild in all pretences.   

O cease to sing, sigh and lament,  
turn tunes to weeping tears: 
Psal. 51.   
And learn of David to repent,  
by faith to cure thy cares.  
True faith in Christ, Lord grant to me,  
that now live in despair:  
From Satan's bondage set me free,  
let Christ's blood cleanse me clear. 
1. john. 1. 7    

Blot out of mind my cursed crimes,  
and my misdoings all:  
That daily sin so many times,  
and hourly sink and fall,  
Thou bid'st them come that laden are,  
with burden of their sin: 
Mat. 11. 28   
And let thy spirit, my spirit prepare,  
that I may now begin.   

At first to creep and then to go,  
and so come to thy gate:  
And then be cured of my woe,  
O Lord 'tis not to late.  
Whilst I live let me live to love thee, 
Col. 3. 1.   
for now mine heart above:  
There's nought on earth, to love can move me  
my life is with my love.   

Where thou dost sit on cherubins,  
and Angels sing thy praise:  
With holy, holy, Seraphines.  
Lord let me live always.   
FINIS   

The poor Suppliant being visited with a grievous sickness, showeth how he languisheth in all the corporal parts & members of his body, but especially with the torture of his conscience for sin, and at the last prayeth that God would take from him this heavy yoke of miseries.  

O Lord give ear to my complaint, 
Psal. 5. 2. Psal. 39 13.   
attend my tears & hear my cry  
My sinews shrink, my limbs do faint,  
I languish in my malady.  
My bones are broke, my flesh gone quit  
my strength in every part doth fail: 
Psal. 6.   
My thighs grow thin, dimmed is my sight  
my legs & feet, with weakness quail.   

My tongue doth falter in my head,  
my spr'its faint, my hands do shake: 
Psal. 22.   
With pain and ache, I toss in bed,  
my veins are stiff, mine heart doth ache.  
My body is with grief oppressed,  
no place, no part, is free from anguish 
Psal. 102.   
I grieve and groan and, take no rest,  
I faint, I swoon, I fall, I languish.   

I live, but dying every hour,  
my glass of time is almost run: 
jam. 1. 10. Isay. 40. 6.   
I fade away as doth a flower,  
that withers with the heat of sun.  
I live and die yet not with death,  
I lingering live, yet dead with sin:  
Condemned to die yet draw my breath,  
in such confusion live I in.   

As if all tortures due for sin,  
were every minute laid on me:  
Horrors without, and hell within,  
and all these things thine eye doth see  
I charge not Heaven, I blame not earth  
but of this one thing am assured:  
That flesh and world, the devil my birth  
and faults not fates, have this procured   

Lord for thy building thou dost square me,  
with many a strong and sturdy stroke  
When thy will is, O Lord do spare me, 
1. Pet. 2. 5.   
and take from me this heavy yoke.   
FINIS.   

A fervent prayer unto God, that the repentant may find favour in Christ, whose merits and satisfaction he offereth unto thee O Lord, as a pleasing ransom for his sins.  

ATtend unto my tears O Lord,  
regard my woeful moan: 
Psal. 39 13.   
And seek to save me by thy word,  
or I am overthrown.  
For sin doth so oppress my mind,  
that I am damned to hell: 
Isa. 53. 5.   
Unless by Christ I favour find,  
whose wounds must make me well:   

Cure thou my soul so sick with sin  
by merits of thy son:  
Mark not the state that I live in,  
but mark what he hath done.  
Most perfect he (though I be vild) 
Psal 110. ●●   
to please when I offend:  
He sits with thee (though I exiled)  
in glory to the end.   

My nature is inclined to evil,  
though his with good accord: 
Psal. 51. 7.   
My senses seek to serve the devil,  
his will to please the Lord.  
Wherefore O God which art most just,  
in him my debts to pay:  
In his desert my soul doth trust,  
thy wrath for to allay.   
Finis.   

¶ The first Lamentation in distress containeth a confession of sins, and a petition to be released of the punishments due for the same.  

The first part.  
¶ The first part showeth that a man must not only repair unto God in prayers, in silent sighs, and in inward desires and groans: But we must also worship God, with our tongue, words, and voice, and in royal speech praise his holy name.  

O Father full of knowledge deep, 
Rom. 8. 27. jer. 11. 20.   
thou searchest secrets of each heart,  
Beholdest desires, we private keep,  
with hidden silence in the dark.  
But yet thou dost thus much require,  
thy children should know & confess:  
Thee for to be their lightsome fire, 
Rom. 10. 9   
that iudg'st their works in righteousness.   

As thou hast framed in man a heart,  
wherewith his maker to believe:  
A tongue and lips, and every part,  
wherewith he glory may thee give.  
And thou dost challenge at his hands,  
free sacrifice of prayers praise: 
Psal. 51. Luke. 2. 51.   
And honours due throughout all lands,  
that all men canst de●ect and raise.   

Thy children must not in their mind,  
be dumb, nor in their tongues be mute 
Luke. 11. 9   
when they should seek thine help to find:  
and by petition show their suit.  
Thy son doth bid me ask and have,  
and find to seek, to knock and enter,  
What they do want, that they may crave  
by faith in him they may adventure.   

Thou still art ready to be found,  
& help thine own in their distress: 
Psal. 37. 39   
That in their faith are constant sound,  
and patient in their heaviness.  
Therefore dear father, I beset,  
with many miseries distressed: 
Luke. 15. 18   
Come unto thee thine aid to get,  
and after trouble to find rest.   

And have thy grace without within,  
but I that am of sinners chief:  
Because thou hat'st in me my sin,  
many doubt thou wilt not give relief.  
Alas poor wretch what shall I do?  
to ask I am so far unfit, 
Luke. 15. 19   
Unapt my God to seek unto,  
unworthy to have benefit.  
Of what I crave or do desire,  
and yet to cry I will not lin:  
Till thou dost send refining fire,  
and purify me, from my sin.    

The second part.  
¶ The distressed prayeth to be sanctified, and to enjoy the renewed graces of regenerations: and though his infirmity causeth him to think that the Lord doth not hear his prayers, but deferreth him too long, yet he concludeth that God's faithful promises still nourish and feed him with never dying hope of comfortable issue.  

O Let thy spr'it me sanctify,  
untie my tongue, open my lips: 
Psal. 51.   
I cannot silence keep, for why,  
my conscience every hour me whips.  
My miseries grow more and more, 
Psal. 41.   
within my bones, I find no rest:  
Thy grace anew to me restore,  
& let me speak, what likes thee best.   

That thine ears ever be inclined,  
to my extreme and doleful cries: 
Psal. 102. 1.   
Let me thy mercies ready find,  
to take my tears from weeping eyes.  
Thou evermore dost hear the cries, 
Psal. 86. 7.   
of all that fear thy holy name:  
And comforts them with thy mercies,  
that trust in thee and beg the same   

Their souls thou dost from death defend, 
Psal. 116. 8.   
& cheers their hearts in time of need:  
To me therefore thy comforts send,  
and give thy help with loving speed,  
Thy servants cannot hold their tongue,  
though oft they muse & cannot see: 
Psal. 39 1. 2 3. 4. 5.   
Why their afflictions last so long,  
and they for mercy cry to thee.   

Till at the length the fire of zeal,  
doth kindle, than it out must break: 
Psal. 16. 10.   
Tongue cannot hold but must reveal,  
their groans & grieves & neds must speak  
To show their hope which like to fire  
none can suppress when they believe:  
'Twill pierce the clouds to thee aspire,  
yet thou dost seem no help to give.   

At last thy goodness doth appear,  
and thou embracest him with joy: 
Psal. 37. 40   
Time of deliverance draweth near,  
& thou Lord feedest him from annoy.  
Good God, how cometh this to pass,  
that I so long have sought to thee:  
And thou still seem'st to hide thy face, 
Psal. 44. 24.   
and keep'st thy graces still from me.   

How long have I unto thee prayed,  
and thou seem'st not to give me ear:  
This makes mine heart & thoughts afraid  
ready to faint with deep despair.  
I ready was for to surcease,  
the suit which I so long had sought:  
Made unto thee for to appease, 
Psal. 80. 5.   
thy wrath by Christ that hath me bought.   

O Lord my God thy promises,  
and loving kindness only feedest: 
Psal. 23.   
And comfort'st me in heaviness,  
with never dying hope in need.  
I know expected time will come,  
when thou forgetting all my sin:  
Wil't see my sorrows all and some,  
and free the bondage I am in.    

The third part.  
¶ The repentant showeth his faith & confidence in Gods fatherly goodness and wisdom who knoweth best, what and when to give his children, and therefore he conditioneth not with God by appointing him a time: but only desireth that the Lord would not defer his graces too long: but mercifully hear him as he did always hear the righteous and holy fathers who also were subject to the same impurity of sin as well as the suppliant.  

THou art my god thy helps at hand  
thou art a father, thou knowst when 
Psal. 32. 3.   
To give the state, dost understand,  
of richest kings and poorest men.  
The things most fit thou dost bestow,  
and helpest, when all help is missing: 
Psal. 113. Act. 3. 2. 3.   
Those could not creep thou mak'st to go  
& pourest down on them thy blessing.   

Therefore God all sufficient,  
replete with mercy full of love:  
I do not press to know th'intent,  
but pray thee do what mercy move.   

To say come now or then do this,  
for the time, when, where, what, & how: 
Mat. 6. 10.   
What thou dost aim, my mark may miss,  
me to thy providence I bow.  
Yet be not over long away,  
for thou dost know my feebleness:  
Thou see'st my trouble's day by day,  
bowed down to extreme wretchedness.   

Without hope of recovery, 
Psal. 25. Psal. 57   
I fall (alas) what shall I do:  
There is no trust but trust in thee,  
for help and aid and succour too.  
I know by proof that thou art bend,  
to hear poor sinful wretched men:  
When they are truly penitent,  
and when they pray, deliuer'st then.   

From trouble's strife and all debate, 
Psal. 34. 18. 19 20.   
from sickness death and deadly pain:  
From envy malice sin and hate,  
the righteous thou wilt not disdain.  
But who is righteous in thy sight,  
or in thy judgements clean are seen,  
Angels before thee are bright,  
much less we wretches righteous been.   

But all are sinners, all transgress,  
our elder fathers were impure: 
Rom. 4. 18   
All have offended more or less,  
yet was thy promise firm and sure.  
And did obtain mercy and grace, 
Psal. 4. 7. Psal. 16. 11.   
relief, hope, strength, salvation:  
They saw the brightness of thy face,  
thou gav'st them consolation.    

The fourth part.  
¶ The repentant showeth that the Fathers were iuflified only by grace in jesus Christ: And therefore desireth that his sins may also be covered in Christ his righteousness: and then (complaining that his prayers are not heard) commendeth himself to God, whose good pleasure he still attendeth in steadfast faith & hope.  

Our father's Lord were comforted,  
steength'ned relieved & blest: 
Rom. 4. 5. Rom. 3. 24. Rom. 5. 1.   
Only by grace and justified,  
as righteous men in jesus Christ.  
Impute not sin unto my charge,  
not for my merit and desert: 
Psal. 32. 2.   
Thou Lord art love, in love inlardge, 
Merita unamiseratio Domini Ber. Psal. 1.   
all those that be of contrite heart.   

Thou Lord full of compassion,  
and in thy mercies infinite:  
Bear with my imperfection,  
and let me in thy laws delight.  
Cover my sins, as righteous take me  
and righteous shall I ever be: 
Psal. 32. 1.   
That righteous am not, righteous make me  
in Christ O Lord cosider me.   

O Lord what can it profit thee,  
me to forsake or leave in thrall:  
As though thou didst disvalue me,  
my daily cries and offerings all.  
My troubles yet continue still, 
Mat. 6. 10.   
I seek thee, and am yet denied:  
Of earthly blessings, do thy will,  
thy name be always glorified.   

Wretch that I am, what end shall be,  
I still complain, I sigh, and cry: 
job. 13. 15.   
I cry and call, yet heerest not me,  
I still will seek thee till I die.  
Thou may'st be found, be as thou wilt,  
Into thy hands I me commend: 
Luke. 23. 46.   
Thou full of mercy, I of guilt,  
in faith and hope do still attend.    
Finis.   

¶ The second Lamentation containeth Godly and devout prayers for constancy in afflictions, and to bear malicious slanders patiently.  

❧ The first part of the second lamentation  
¶ The repentant showeth that his miseries and troubles increase daily: and therefore his adversary that judge with a carnal cie, say that God hath for saken him, but he replieth to them that God always chastiseth them whom he loveth, and doth but correct his children as a loving father doth, for the amendment and bettering of their life.  

O Lord how do my woes increase, 
Psal. 64. 1. 2   
how many are my miseries:  
My troubles rise and never cease,  
men judge thou wilt not hear my cries:  
They say thou wilt me quite forsake, 
Psal. 4. 3.   
that there's no help for me in thee:  
But Lord they are but such that make,  
their censure with a carnal eye.   

And do not spiritually discern,  
thy secret purpose and intents: 
Heb. 12. 6. 7. 8.   
Correcting them whom thou wouldst learn  
to know thy law & commandments.  
Chastizing them whom thou dost love  
and scourging them oft with thy rod:  
that thou their hearts & minds mayst move 
Pro. 3. 19   
to fear and serve thee mighty God.   

The wicked outward means prefer,  
& worldly helps at need they muster:  
And not to God themselves refer,  
nor comfort take from heavenly lustre.  
Who works by means his sacred will,  
and without means, brings to effect: 
john. 2.   
And against means, can save or kill,  
for those him serve his, true elect.   

Therefore let not their malice move,  
nor yet their taunts dismay my mind: 
Psal 119.   
I will hold fast by God above,  
whose promise just & true I find.  
I strive thy statutes Lord to keep,  
what thou commaund'st I will perform: 
Psal. 119.   
Direct me right to thee I creep,  
O Lord do thou my life reform.   

Defend me Lord from their despite,  
that watch to catch me in their snare: 
Psal. 69. 18 19   
And to entrap me day and night,  
with nets and gins ere I be ware,  
And scoff me basely with reproach,  
with shameful scandals and disgrace:  
With thy protection Lord approach,  
and let thy mercy me embrace.   

Let not me come within the reach,  
of their inventions and device: 
Pro. 17. 13.   
whose facts are foul, they fair in speech,  
and by base flattery me entice.  
Nor such as lie in wait for me,  
obtain, their wish who do desire: 
Psal. 9 29. Pro. 10. 3.   
Fit time and opportunity,  
to work the evil as they conspire.   
FINIS.   

❧ The second part of the second lamentation.  
¶ The repentant prayeth that God would direct him in the right path, that so he may grow from grace to grace, and from virtue to virtue, he also confesseth that his sins deserve very sharp punishments and yet desireth that the Lord would spare him in his mercy.  

O Let me tread in the right path,  
& walk from faith to faith in love: 
Psal. 5. 9 Psal. 27. 11   
Observe thy laws and shun thy wrath,  
and forward to all virtue move.  
And let my conscience witness bear,  
of my saith and integrity:  
Let all men see the crystal clear, 
Psal. 51.   
and pure heart of conformity.   

Though I good father cannot live, 
Mat. 18. 7. 8.   
free from all sin and all offence:  
And some take cause, though I none give  
yet keep thou clear my conscience.  
Shall I deserve still as I do,  
men's just reprouffes, though in discretion  
And that against my meaning too,  
and suffer carnal men's oppression.  
That break forth into bitterness,  
against me that am weak and lame:  
And vomit out their filthiness,  
that thou hast done, they count my shame   

And take it as an argument, 
Act. 28. 34. 5.   
that I am in dejection:  
And think it is thy full intent,  
to keep me from protection.  
Indeed O Lord I must confess,  
my sins deserve sharp punishment 
Luke. 13. 40. 41.   
Worthy of more and not of less,  
than all the plagues on me hast sent.   

I more should taste than I can bear,  
or able them for to endure: 
Psal. 51. 7.   
Thy mercies yet they do me spare,  
and make me clean that am impure.  
But in my weakness of mine haviour,  
I this have done which caused me fall: 
Rom. 5. 9 1. john. 7.   
And therefore trust in Christ my saviour,  
his precious blood hath paid for all.   

Depending on thy mighty power,  
to save, keep, and deliver me: 
Psal. 17. 4. 5   
Lest miseries do me devour,  
and enemies my sorrows see.  
And take occasion to pursue,  
pretending to my soul no good:  
Inuettred hatred they renew,  
to eat my flesh & drink my blood. 
Psal. 27. 2.     

¶ The third part of the second lamentation.  
¶ The poor suppliant complaineth that God doth refuse to assist and help him, and hideth his face from him to his seemming. Nevertheless he continueth importunate and will not be denied as pleading the merits and mediation of Christ, in whom God the father is well pleased.  

O Lord consider my great moans,  
prevent the dangers coming nigh me 
Rom. 8. 3.   
My heart is rend with grieves & groans,  
I fly to thee O Lord stand by me.  
Why standest thou a loof a lass,  
seem'st not my troubles to regard: 
Psal. 13.   
Why turnst thou Lord away thy face,  
mine heart doth hope for some reward.   

Why hidest thou thyself me fro.  
when troubles are so much abounding 
Psal. 30. 8.   
As though thou lord didst me not know  
thy darts are always mine heart wounding  
There is no help for me in thee,  
they say thou nothing dost respect me: 
john. 16. 23.   
I nevertheless will come to thee,  
in Christ his name wilt not reject me?   

The rather therefore me relieve,  
that righteous men may well perceive: 
2. john. 16. 24.   
Thou ready art thine aid to give,  
and their desires wilt not deceive.  
And not to faint when they are tried, 
2. Cor. 6. 4.   
with like affections any ways:  
But shall with patient mind abide,  
thy will, and give thy name the praise. 
Psal. 18. 6.    

The dullest hearts thou dost prepare,  
to call on thee and thou again:  
Dost hear their cries & them dost spare  
and easest them of grief and pain.    

The fourth part of the second lamentation.  
¶ The repentant in humility reasoneth with God that sith that the Lord threateneth sorrows to those that seek to other Gods, that he would be pleased to mitigate his afflictions, and to remove his heavy hand, because he poor man only flieth to the Lord as his chief rock and fortress whereon he may safely build.  

HOw long O Lord, how long wilt thou  
forget me & how long shall I: 
Psal. 13. 1. 2   
Seek to be hard and know not how,  
to make thee listen to my cry.  
How long shall I thy council seek,  
yet ignorant what course to take:  
I pray to thee, O Lord most meek, 
Psal. 13. 3.   
with sighs & groans which never slake   

My heart with grief and heaviness,  
powers forth complaints continually: 
Psal. 42. 9   
Before thee in my great distress,  
yet inward light obtain not I.  
That lighten should my pensive soul  
and comfort mine afflicted heart:  
Thy wrath with rigour doth control,  
my forward hopes and causeth smart   

Thou threatenest sorrows to increase  
to such as seek to other Gods: 
Heb. 12. 3.   
Why should not then my torments cease  
that childlike fear, thy awful rods.  
Sith I in thee my faith repone, 
james. 1. 5.   
why should I then true wisdom want  
It being sought from thee alone,  
why dost thou then refuse to grant.   

Thou didst create all men at first, 
Mat. 5. 45.   
and dost preserve, & all maintain:  
Thy sun doth shine on best & worst,  
the same to all thou dost remain.  
But sith to thee alone I kneel, 
Psal. 51. 1. 2.   
and only, unto thee do call:  
O let me Lord thy mercies feel,  
and let thy drops of mercy fall.   

With thee there is redemption, 
1. john. 1. 9   
and thou deliverest all that trust:  
In Christ for their salvation,  
by whom the sinful are made just.  
Thou keep'st them safe under thy wings  
of favour, from the merciless: 
Psal. 17. 8.   
Thy favour giveth all good things,  
to thine elect in their distress.   

O therefore be my rock whereon,  
I may both safely build and rest: 
Psal. 18. 12.   
Castle of refuge, Ark alone,  
in which I am in safety blest.  
For thou hast promised in thy love, 
Psal. 123. 1.   
that they that put their trust in thee:  
Like Zion's mount which doth not move  
shall safely stand eternally.   

Break thou the chains which have me tied,  
remove the sorrows from my heart:  
Wherewith Lord all my veins are dried  
and I am parched in every part.  
That I walking at liberty. 
Psal. 51.   
with a free spr'ite may salve my sore:  
My hope may live, and crosses die,  
and I sing praise to thee therefore.   

And let my foes no more prevail,  
that Lion-like do me destroy: 
Psal. 22. 12. john. 11. 14   
And like to Wolves they me assail.  
that spoil the sheep, the shepherds joy  
O carry me, Lord in thine arms,  
throughout these miseries clean away  
And safely keep me from all harms,  
that now stick fast in mire & clay.   

Let no untimely sudden fate,  
cut off my days ere fully spent:  
Or raging floods sink mine estate,  
nor swallow me incontinent.  
But rather Lord return them back,  
these swelling waves that roar & rage 
Psal. 69. 15.   
On every side to work me wrack,  
their gusts & tempests, Lord assuage   

Let me pass on my mortal course,  
and finish these my days of life:  
Of thy mere love and kind rem orse,  
in peace and love, from hate and strife.    
FINIS   

¶ A thanksgiving to God, with magnifing of his holy name upon all instruments.  

Yield unto God the Lord on high,  
praise in the clouds & firmament 
Psal. 140.   
With heavens & earth's sweet harmony,  
& tunes which are from motions sent.  
His laud be with the stately sound,  
of trumpets blast unto the sky:  
Let harp & Organs forth be found,  
with flute and timbrel magnify.   

Praise him with Simballs, loud Simballs  
with instruments were used by jews:  
With Syrons' crowds & Virginals,  
to sing his praise do not refuse.  
Praise him upon the claricoales,  
the Lute and Simfonie:  
With dulsemers and the regalls,  
sweet Sittrons melody.   

with Drums & Fife & Shrillest shawms  
with Gittron and bandore:  
With the Theorba sing you psalms,  
and Cornets evermore.  
With Vials and Recorders sing,  
the praises of the Lord:  
With Crouncorns' music laud the king  
of Kings with one accord.   

With Shackbuts' note that pierce the skies,  
with Pipe and Taberret:  
What tunes by reeds or Canes arise,  
do not his praise forget.  
Let every thing that yieldeth sound,  
by land or eke by sea:  
The birds in air, or beasts on ground,  
sing yea, his praise always.   

All instruments devised by art,  
all living things, by nature:  
Praise ye the Lord with joyful heart,  
of all the world creator.    

¶ The third Lamentation in distress.  
¶ Wherein is contained the hope, faith, and confidence of the distressed: whereby he relieth wholly upon God, not trusting in the help of man, nor fearing any evili that mortal man can do unto him.  

I Cannot Lord excuse my sin,  
most infinite, before mine eyes: 
Psal. 51.   
And many more are me within,  
I have forgot: which secret lies.  
which slightly I have over past,  
as if they were no sins at all: 
Psal. 6.   
Thy wrath for them makes me aghast,  
to mercy I appeal for all.   

There's no man living at this hour,  
can satisfaction give for me:  
It is so far beyond his power,  
of the least sin to set me free.  
Who can rehearse or call to mind,  
what he hath done amiss before:  
Who in his reckoning book can find,  
his sins, that thou puttest on thy score   

If by myself I nothing knew,  
yet thou that see'st and judgest all: 
1. Cor. 4. 4.   
Canst find enough, both old & new,  
yea there's enough in Adam's fall.  
I have no mean for to be freed,  
neither from wrath or miseries: 
1. john. 1. 9   
But by the wounds of Christ that bleed  
and wash me from iniquities.   

Condemn me not, oh father dear,  
but in him have compassion: 
Heb. 12. 3.   
Though with thy rod thou beatest me here,  
yet grant to me salvation.  
And then in death I shallbe safe,  
by thy grace preservation: 
Psal. 23. 4.   
Thou wilt uphold me by thy staff,  
from hell and condemnation.   

Thou seem'st as if thou hadst me left,  
why art thou Lord so far me fro:  
That am of comforts all bereft,  
deprived of hope and wrapped in woe.  
Why turnest thou away thy face?  
I offering sacrifice to thee: 
Psal. 14. 2.   
In prayers, praise unto thy grace,  
and thou no whit regardest me.   

I only put my trust in thee, 
Psal. 25. 6.   
oh come Lord, come, now at the last  
Perform thy promises to me,  
remember not my sins be past,  
Vain is the hope in mortal man,  
weak is his arm, his heart not right: 
Psal. 56. 12.   
No justice, judgement show he can,  
but thou artiust O Lord of might:   

Therefore I only trust in thee,  
to thee I only am inclined:  
Let me not disappointed be,  
but let me now thy mercies find.  
O Lord look on my miseries,  
behold my troubles pain & grief:  
Who living in extremities  
of life, am weakened in belief.   

Our fathers prayed with trust in thee, 
Psal. 22. 4.   
in dangers, out of troubles all:  
Being delivered, and set free,  
and were raised up when they did fall.  
thou heardst them, when they thee sought  
& didst them lend, thy aiding hands: 
Ex. 20.   
when they almost, to death were brought  
and them delivered out of bands.   

Great was thy favour Lord to all,  
them that took hold of thee by faith 
Psal. 22. 7.   
But what am I that am so small,  
a worm, no man as David saith.  
Yet I believe, help unbelief,  
Lord I am covered over with shame: 
Mar. 9 24.   
Be thou my glory, ease my grief,  
that I may magnify thy name.   

The wicked worldlings me contemn  
because thou hidest thy face from me: 
Psal. 14. 1.   
Deriding grace and me condemn,  
because of imbicility.  
My neighbours that should me assist,  
disdain me, my familiars all:  
That should me comfort, do desist,  
their help to raise me from my fall.   

They say of me my hopes are vain,  
my kinsfolks who should yield me aid  
In my necessities refrain,  
to come to me they are afraid.  
And tauntingly they scoff and say,  
deservedly, he thus doth suffer:  
Is just, he wrought his own decay,  
none other kindness they me offer.   

I know 'tis thou that sittest on high,  
dost send and suffer maladies:  
And therefore I on thee rely,  
to remedy my miseries.  
My woes O Lord by such increase,  
as should in friendly wise relieve me:  
They that should seek to make my peace,  
they are the men that most do grieve me   

But I that taste the cup will say,  
'tis thou hast done't, and I will bear it 
Mat. 6. 10.   
When 'tis thy will, who can say nay,  
'tis out of love, why should I fear it.  
Relieve my soul with timely dew, 
Psal. 30. 42.   
and comfort me restore:  
Restore my soul unto those joys.  
the which I felt too sore.   

Now after storms Lord send a calm,  
and grant me peace yet now at last:  
And I will praise thee with a psalm, 
Psal. 33. 3.   
with thanks for all thy favour past.  
I'll magnify thy name for ay,  
that bring'st such wondrous things to pass  
That worldlings neither think nor say,  
nor know why 'tis, or how it was.   

The just shall hear, & saints be glad,  
when wicked men shall faint & quail:  
To see what favour I have had,  
& all their hope doth quench & quail.  
whom they so long have scorned & deemed  
even through afflictions cast away:  
For thy name sake Lord me esteemed,  
their night is past, they have their day.   

Respect my meditation,  
help me in time convenient:  
Lord grant my supplication,  
thou knowst & triest my heart's intent.  
Let not the righteous be dismayed,  
nor wicked triumph in my fall:  
Nor yet let sinners be afraid,  
in time of need, to thee to call.   

And let me put my confidence,  
direct my faith, erect mine hope:  
Unto thy gracious providence,  
this of my prayers is the scope.   
FINIS.   

❧ The fourth Lamentation in distress.  
¶ Wherein the distressed prayeth for faith, for zeal, and strength in undergoing Gods corrections, and to be delivered from dangers prepared against him.  

O Lord I lift my heart to thee,  
my soul in thee doth ever trust: 
Psal. 25. 1. Psal. 31. 18   
O let me not confounded be,  
but make me righteous with the just.  
Let men not have their wills gainest me,  
but power on me thy comfort sweet  
Thy saving health Lord let me see,  
who prostrate beg it at thy feet.   

Let thy right hand and providence,  
be stretched out to hold me up:  
And give me grace and patience,  
in lowliness to taste thy cup.  
So shall I sit on surest rock,  
and strength and power to me get:  
And ablely bear mine enemies stroke,  
though round about they me beset.   

For why my comfort is in thee,  
and on thy providence I depend:  
O keep me safe in liberty,  
till all my troubles come to end.  
From perils six hast me delivered,  
I know therefore thou wilt from seven 
job. 5. 19   
From earthly thoughts let me be severed,  
and conversation have in heaven.   

I know that love, a multitude, 
Rom. 4. 7. jam. 5. 20. 1. Pet. 4. 8.   
of shameful sins doth closely cover:  
Within the gates, I me include,  
thou art my souls true spouse & lover.  
The faithful thereby may take hold,  
of hope to have a prosperous end:  
Of their desires, this makes me bold,  
for aid and comfort to attend.   

And with all patience to persever,  
I know thy word it is most sure:  
Poor penitent by faith, i'll ever,  
stand firm and to the end endure.  
Alas dear God ay nothing crave, 
1. john. 14. 13. john. 14. 7.   
to have of thee by mine own right:  
But in Christ's name I'll ask and have,  
for he's most gracious in thy sight.   

Yea for his merits thou dost love me.  
in him I know thou art well pleased:  
And hearest sinners when they move thee  
forgiu'st their sin, and they are eased.  
Amongst whom Lord I am the chief  
and of good things am Ignorant:  
Yet on the cross didst save the thief, 
1. Tim. 1. 15.   
for Christ his sake me mercy grant.   

In this world's vanities most wild,  
I live and have no taste of truth:  
I knew not I was in exile,  
but did in folly spend my youth.  
Of thee alone I knowledge have,  
(for of myself I am but weak)  
Thou art my God that strength me gave  
to work, to rest, to live, to speak.   

For of myself is misery,  
and of myself is all that's ill:  
But from thee Lord comes all mercy,  
and perfect power to work thy will.  
With in, to consolation,  
of my sad soul & wounded heart:  
With out to preservation,  
o● my weak body in each part.   

Therefore teach me the truth oh Lord,  
thy sacred truth show me thy ways: 
Psal. 25.   
That I should walk, led by thy word,  
& to thy glory spend my days.  
Lord keep from wicked thoughts mine heart  
mine hands that they commit no ill:  
Mine eyes, my tongue, and every part,  
Lord grant they may perform thy will   

My feet from falling still preserve,  
as of myself regard me not. 
Psal. 51.   
Deal not with me as I deserve,  
as are my sins reward me not.  
Behold not my deformities  
but look on me in Christ by love:  
My sins and all enormities,  
as mists and clouds from me remove   

Thou righteous art and gracious,  
reformest sinners, sins forgiu'st:  
O be to me propitious,  
to live in thee that ever liv'st.  
Keep thou my soul, let me not perish,  
nor utterly to be confounded:  
That trust in thee, but my soul cherish,  
& joy mine heart which thou hast wounded.   

Thou art my strength & sure defence,  
in time of dangers imminent:  
Though all help fail, experience,  
hath taught me thou art permanent.  
I go unto thine Oracle,  
and from thy word I council take:  
And find a wondrous miracle,  
thou never dost thine own forsake.   

Thy servants that in thee do trust,  
thy tabernacle shall them shield:  
In secret thou dost hide the just,  
that are not with foul sin defiled.  
hearken O Lord hearken and hear,  
unto my voice that call and cry:  
O let thy love to'wards me appear,  
with streams and floods of thy mercy   

Thou sayest O Lord, seek ye my face 
Psal. 103. 3. 4.   
what is it? but in my distress:  
To cry for help and crave thy grace,  
and aid in time of heaviness:  
My soul by the pure privilege,  
of thy free spirit which teacheth truth  
My heart prepared with knowledge,  
and faith and hope unto thee sueth.   

My tongue doth speak mine heart doth mutter,  
and every member in his place:  
Doth strive to speak & these words utter  
help me oppressed hide not thy face.  
Though, father that did me beget,  
my mother that from womb me bare: 
Psal. 27. 10   
And all my friends forsake me yet,  
thou Lord of me tak'st charge & care.   

O Lord thou wilt me not forsake,  
for so hast promised in thy word:  
In all distress no fear i'll take,  
but forthwith fly to thee O Lord.  
Thou giv'st not like our earthly Sires,  
nor wants suppli'st like carnal friends:  
That would, but cannot our desires,  
perform in deeds as heart pretends:   

Hopeless, I should down faint & fall,  
did I not in thee surely trust:  
That holdeth no respect at all,  
but unto those whom Christ makes just.  
And thou accept'st not vain glory,  
as worldings do, nor things eternal,  
Thou look'st not to things transitory,  
but to the things that are internal.   

A lowly and obedient heart,  
a troubled spirit thou dost elect:  
Of poor oppressed, thou tak'st the part,  
& proud men down thou dost deject  
frame thou therefore my inward zeal  
that outward business, me deceive not:  
Of comforts which thou dost reveal,  
to thine, and me of joys bereave not.   

When at thy mercy gate I knock,  
do not as rich men use the poor: 
Mat. 7. 7.   
That gainest them fast the gates do lock,  
but quickly Lord set open the door.  
Let not my miseries deprive,  
my spirits of joy or soul's comfort:  
Let no vain things ill men devise,  
draw me to be of their consort.   

make strong my faith, & hope lord give me,  
and i'll take hold of thy protection:  
Be my defence and panoply,  
and guide me safe to thy election.  
Thou hast O Lord my troubles seen  
Hast known my soul in bitterness:  
Thou hast mine help & succour been,  
O help me now in my distress.   

In mercies thou hast mightily,  
saved me from perils infinite:  
My life consumes, mine heart doth die,  
my years do waste, my day is night.  
the day tells day, the night the morrow  
the base reproach of my disaster:  
Yea friends & foes, add grief to sorrow  
& each base mate doth me or'e-maister.   

I am now at the point to pine,  
O let it be thy blessed pleasure:  
To ease my grief for I am thine,  
my pains assuage lord in some measure  
For thou my pains hast measured,  
and all that's good for those that fear:  
Lord thou in store hast treasured,  
to me Lord let the same appear.   

In sight of those that are my foes,  
that think there is no period:  
Of all my tortures pain and woes,  
grant this for Christ his sake, O God,    

❧ The fifth Lamentation in distress.  
¶ Wherein the distressed prayeth God to keep him from despair, howsoever men go about to make him afraid.  

IN thee O Lord I put my trust,  
and yet there are which daily say  
There is no help for me unjust,  
but Lord thy word cannot decay.  
Thou art my God how can they then,  
prove that thou wilt none help me send  
I am brought low in sight of men,  
there's none will help or comfort lend.   

My basket and my store is spent, 
Deut. 28. 16. job. 1.   
they say, it was by thee accursed:  
Thou didst it take, that hadst it sent,  
but they take all things at the worst.  
At me they gape, at me they wonder, 
Psal. 7. 7.   
as at a monster seldom seen:  
On all their works and words I ponder,  
What I now am, what have I been.   

I faint at nought thou knowst my smart  
thouart my Father & dost me foster:  
what words or works, can daunt my heart  
I am in thee become a boaster.  
these men thy might & power disable  
or else thy love to man diminish:  
Or else they think thou art unstable,  
or dost begin and wilt not finish.   

Or that the poor will't not support,  
nor help thee needy in distress:  
But as thou knowst what they report,  
so make them feel their wickedness.  
But I do know thou failest never,  
them that in thee their trust repose: 
Psal. 125. 1.   
If they be constant and persever,  
all things are for the best to those.   

Thou art in deed a jealous God, 
Exo. 20. Heb. 12. 6.   
and first thy children thou dost monish  
Thou bearest with love, & beatest with rod  
if they mend not, wilt further punish.  
Yet callest thy chosen children back,  
by gentle strokes, from running riot:  
And sufferest them to suffer lack,  
and dost prescribe to them their diet.   

We may condignly then deride,  
the judgements of such foolish men:  
That unto thee Lord wilt prescribe,  
the measure what, & the time when.  
Such fleshly men by wealth & woe,  
censure thy love or thy displeasure:  
As nature's friend or grace's foe,  
by humane reason all things measure   

They think thou lov'st whom thou feedest fat,  
with plenty pleasures worldly riches:  
And that all others thou dost hate,  
these world & flesh, & devils bewiches  
And great is this temptation,  
unless our natures thou assist:  
Enfeebled with affliction,  
whose help doth rest in jesus Christ,   

When thou therefore dost me correct  
with one hand, hold me with the other:  
Let faith in thee make thee accept,  
me for thy son by Christ my brother.  
Lay not upon me greater load,  
than I poor wretch can well endure:  
If I do sink, stay my abode,  
and if I fall then keep me sure.   

thou knowst lord whereof I am made  
I am a silly simple man: 
Psal. 22. 7.   
A worm, a flea, a puff a shade,  
that no good do, nor no good can.  
Try by the cross, true to the crown  
that we may prove by wants & losses  
But to despair pull me not down,  
but unto comforts turn my crosses.   

I am not able bear thy yoke,  
lest Christ thy son doth with me draw  
I am not able fend thy stroke,  
less he O Lord doth bear the blow.  
Lord with thy mercies compass me,  
protection draw out of despair:  
O let me thy salvation see,  
and all things fit obtain by prayer.   

Thou showest mercy to thee meek,  
that trust in thee in all men's sight: 
Mat. 5. 4.   
Thy children shall find that they seek,  
thou shalt to sunshine turn their night.  
a place whence worldlings are excluded  
and all that hellish rabble rout:  
though here on earth they have intruded  
to root Gods faithful children out.   

And such as have with hate pursued,  
and trusted in the arm of flesh:  
And would their hands in blood imbrued,  
shall say in judgement they were rash.  
god's on my sid, who can or'ethrow me,  
Christ pleads my cause, can god refuse me 
Rom. 8. 31.   
As just in Christ, the Lord doth know me,  
he doth acquit, who can accuse me.   

We thought that this man's life was madness,  
then shall the wicked worldlings say:  
But see his words are turned to gladness,  
whom we have deemed a cast away.  
his hand hath wrought that he would have  
yea I myself shall say I erred:  
That thought poor wretch wouldst not me save  
because my joys were then deferred.   

I thought my cries thou wouldst not hear,  
when I thee sought thyself didst hide  
When I complained thou cam'st not near  
I would no time, and place thee tide.  
But now I knowledge and confess,  
thy wisdom great in humbling me: 
Mat. 5. 10.   
Thy love sustained me in distress,  
thy providence relieving me.   

This past all judgement and conceit,  
of learned'st, gravest, wisest men:  
Therefore dear father I will wait,  
take thine own time, how, where & when  
I will not with thy will indent,  
nor thee direct the manner how:  
Thou shouldst me help 'tis mine intent  
unto thy will to bend and bow.   

Hereafter I will hold my peace,  
though men shall say yet still of me:  
(& though their tongues will never cease  
there is no help for me from thee.    

❧ The sixth Lamentation in distress.  
¶ Wherein the distressed detesteth the world and worldly things, and desireth heaven, and heavenly things.  

MY soul doth long & shall depend,  
for ever on God everliving:  
God shall begin and make an end,  
that hath given all, yet ever giving,  
I sigh and groan for to appear,  
before his gracious mercy seat:  
As thirst'h, the heart for water clear.  
so long I for thy mercy great.   

I am quite tired with my groans,  
I faint under mine heavy load: 
Psal. 6. 2.   
Of miseries breaking all my bones,  
laid on me justly by my God.  
O God the rock of my whole strength  
Lord of mercy behold mine anguish 
Psal. 18. 1. 2   
O grant me help and ease at length,  
I faint, I fall, I sigh, I languish.   

Why do I daily weep and mourn,  
and have no comfort help nor ease: 
Psal. 6. 6.   
Why dost not hear, but from me turn,  
why do my woes and foes increase.  
Sith I do seek thee unfeignedly,  
defend me, oh defend me in:  
This dangerous time of misery,  
laid justly on me for my sin.   

Preserve me from men merciless,  
hard hearted, bloody minded cruel:  
Bless me with thnie hid blessedness,  
give me thy favour my soul's jewel.  
The man of earth lays load on load,  
as on an Anvil stroke on stroke:  
Within without, at home abroad.  
mine head to heel, bows with the yoke   

They nip, they strip, they watch, they catch,  
they crave & rave, by hook & crook:  
Flesh blood & bones, they tear & cratch  
on that they neither think nor look.  
They wake they rake, they poll & pill,  
they face they brag, they boast dissemble  
Each stone they turn to have their will,  
& make mine heart to quake & tremble.   

I am reproach to neighbours all, 
Psal. 71. 7.   
I am ashamed men should me see:  
They scorn & laugh to see my fall,  
but this mine hope doth comfort me.  
That thou from them wilt set me free  
and thee triumphant shall behold: 
Reu. 7. 15. 16.   
In shining throne of Majesty,  
where's neither hunger thirst nor cold.   

No want nor sin, nor ignomy,  
nor sickness, death, nor deadly pain: 
Reu. 7. 17. 17   
But fullness, mirth, joy, victory,  
with thee in glory I shall reign.  
And if it be thy will O Lord,  
now after all this sturdy storm:  
To my most troubled soul afford,  
thy peace and pity me poor worm   

Free me from death (that's Mors Gehenis' '  
give peace, joy, rest that's transitory: 
Reu. 21. 8.   
I take it as an earnest penny,  
of perfect bliss and endless glory.  
And i'll here praise the men among,  
that they may see, mark and consider:  
'tis thou canst only right our wrong,  
and from all troubles us deliver.   

Thou can'stand wilt us save & keep,  
though much we suffer in this life:  
Thou art our Shepherd, we thy sheep,  
save me from hate, envy and strife.  
So shall I also give thee praise,  
my mouth continually thee laud:  
My soul and inward parts always,  
thy wondrous works shall still applaud   

I will be glad and joy in thee,  
rejoice yea, and again rejoice:  
Abject though I, yet comfort me,  
i'll praise thee with mind, heart, & voice.  
Awake therefore in time awake,  
preserve me that I perish not: 
Psal. 88 4. 5 6.   
I am if thou dost me forsake,  
but as a dead man clean forgot.   

And censured a cast away,  
among such as see me deprived:  
Of present help, for these men say,  
my soul can never be reviv'd.  
One sorrow doth increase another,  
all hope on earth turns to distrust.  
Of aid from neighbour, friend or brother  
hide not thy face my God most just.   

Forget not mine extremities,  
Lord free me from infernal hells:  
Of torments and of miseries,  
which comes from thee & from none else.  
my soul is beaten to pits brim,  
my heart doth faint, my hands grow weak 
Psal. 6.   
My knees do fail mine eyes grow dim,  
my tongue is dumb & cannot speak.   

And each part of my body vexed, 
Psal. 6.   
I daily moan my miseries:  
Look on me Lord, I am perplexed,  
O ease my grief & hear my cries.  
Though thou by justice made the wound  
and by correction grieved mine heart:  
If thou wilt cure, salve soon is found,  
with spiritual comfort ease my smart.   

Do not with hold such things are good  
which for thy children are ordained: 
1. john. 1. 7   
Turn thou thy face with Christ's blood,  
cleanse all the spots my sins hath stained.  
Rise up O Lord, rise up I say,  
with thee doth love & bounty reign  
I am thrown down I thee obey,  
therefore rise up, raise me again.   

Although my sins like swords do cut,  
me from thy favour and thy grace:  
Let righteousness of Christ be put,  
to hide my sins before thy face.  
Unite me unto thee again, 
john. 17. 11   
in such sort Lord, make me so fast:  
That I with thee may still remain,  
and joy in joys, that aine shall last.   
FINIS.   

¶ The seventh Lamentation in distress.  
¶ Wherein the distressed showeth his desire to hold more fast the promises of God.  

O Lord thou art my hope & strength 
Psal. 18. 1.   
thou helpest in trouble, do not hide  
Thyself for ever; but at length,  
for men distressed, do thou provide.  
For I by thee, will hold most fast,  
i'll trust in thee while I do live:  
And till those storms be over past,  
i'll neither fear, nor faint, nor grieve.   

Tremble thou earth, rage Sea & land,  
wind, tempest, storms and all about: 
Psal. 69. 3.   
I see thee Lord hold out thy hand,  
for my defence I'll never doubt.  
What though hills quake & staggering stumble  
and fall into the midst of seas:  
Though waters roar, rage & tumble,  
thou canst this change, & all appease.   

Should I then faint at troubles small,  
which like small darts thou throw'st at me 
james. 1. 1.   
In love, but not to kill at all,  
but make leave my vanity.  
Forsake my follies every deal,  
reclaiming errors to the truth:  
This thou didst hurt, & thou canst heal,  
thou hast preserved me from mine youth.   

I must confess I merited  
the death of death, with pains of hell, 
Rom. 6. 23.   
And to be disinherited,  
of heavens high, where just do dwell.  
But Lord do mitigate thine anger,  
and turn thy heavy wrath to love:  
Deliver me from all this danger,  
let thy compassion mercy move.   

And with true comforts Crystal fountain,  
my dry and thirsty soul refresh: 
john. 4. 14   
And pour on me from holy mountain,  
sweet dews to glad my soul & flesh.  
Thy darts in me stick fast O Lord,  
O pull them out, cast them away:  
and cure my wounds, to help make haste,  
bind up my sores, souls sorrows stay.   

Cleanse the corrupt affections,  
of my defiled wicked heart:  
Prosper and bless mine actions,  
lighten my knowledge gross & dark.  
O wash me from impiety, 
Psal. 51.   
exhilarate my sick soul's sadness:  
In darkness let me light espy,  
in midst of sorrow grant me gladness.   

On fruitful ground Lord do me plant,  
and build me up on surest rock:  
Annoys to joys, to wealth turn want,  
from future ills me keep and lock.  
As trees that grow by water's side,  
whose leaves & blossoms freshly flourish 
Psal. 1.   
For ever let my state abide,  
thy love revive, thy grace me nourish.   

Let thy spirit daily spring & bud,  
with faiths pure branches from my heart.  
Let dews & drops of Christ's dear blood  
feed veins of hope from sinner's dart.  
My store's decayed, thou canst renew it  
my basket's empty thou canst fill it:  
Refresh my heart again revive it,  
revive it Lord, for thou didst kill it.   

Thou helpest the simple poor & needy,  
thou see'st my state thou canst all mend,  
I know thou knowst when to be speedy,  
and knowst thy time when to defend.  
Help help O Lord else down I fall,  
hold me fast, by thy strong hand:  
And lift me up against them all,  
that by opposing me withstand.   

Thy promise Lord thou dost perform,  
thy words are deeds, thou sayst & dost:  
A happy end thou dost return,  
and grant, to those that on thee trust.  
My safety Lord thou hast ordained,  
by faith my hope doth mount & fly: 
2. Cor. 8. 12.   
And by that hope I am sustained,  
if that were lost my soul would die.   

My faith hath fixed an object right,  
my will doth far my power exceed:  
But Lord I know that in thy sight,  
the will is taken for the deeede.  
Then Lord for deed my will do take,  
and I secured shall be then:  
Oh grant me this, for Christ his sake,  
to whom be praise for aye   
Amen.  
FINIS.   

❧ The eight Lamentation in distress.  
¶ In which the distressed craveth pardon for his sins, the cause of his miseries.  

O Had I wings like to a Dove, 
Psal. 55. 6. 7   
then should I from these troubles fly,  
To wilderness I would remove,  
to spend my life, and there to die.  
'Mongst bushes thick, and branches tall  
of mighty Cedars huge and high:  
With savages and wild beasts all,  
for to avoid my misery.   

But why thus wish I, Lord alas,  
that am vain man of flesh & blood:  
Thou God that bring'st all things to pass,  
dost know, this sorts not for my good.  
For were I in vast wilderness,  
in furthest part of earth or air: 
Psal. 139. 7. 8. 9   
I could no whit my case redress,  
as being in thy power there.   

Were I in bowels of the earth,  
were I in Sea, in Clouds or Sky:  
With sorrow, grief, with joy or mirth,  
there Lord thou art with powerful eye.  
There canst thou also find me out, 
Psal. 139. 10.   
and visit there my foul offence:  
Thou art my paths and bed about,  
'tis vain to hide or seek defence.   

¶ The second part of the eight Lamentation.  
¶ The penitent by faith prevails against frailty in the fiery trial.  

THen let me at thy footstool fall,  
& there acknowledge mine amiss  
For pardon beg, and mercy call,  
and pray for grace and heavenly bliss.  
And that thou bridle my desires,  
cleanse mine affections with thy spirit:  
Inflame me with thine holy fire,  
in nought but thee let me delight.   

Lord tame the fierceness of mine heart,  
reform my words my mouth & speech  
Thou fountain of all wisdom art,  
therefore right wisdom do me teach.  
In understanding truth instruct me,  
vouchsafe me perfect patience:  
So to that freedom wilt conduct me,  
where is no loss nor pain of sense.   

And from these dangers best me free,  
which most I fear, & soonest possess:  
The comforts most desired by me,  
and so enjoy true happiness.  
O make not Lord thy absence long,  
but hasten my deliverance:  
Against my foe's Lord make me strong,  
which do themselves 'gainst me advance.   

That ready are with on set new,  
for to assault my silly soul:  
Wearied with storms that do accrue,  
& plunged with waves which o'er me roll.    

The third part of the eight Lamentation.  

WHerefore hast thou left unto us, 
1. Pet. 5. 7. Heb. 135.   
by thy word, a commandment:  
To cast our cares on thee which thus,  
with weighty burdens us torment.  
With promise to us help and ease,  
thou see'st & knowest Lord our desire:  
Our secret hearts and all our ways,  
all's plain to thee as light as fire.   

If therefore I should justify,  
myself I should condemned be:  
Thou findest me out and dost me try,  
my righteousness is nought to thee.  
disclaiming mine integrity,  
I cast me down Lord at thy feet:  
And pray for pure sincerity,  
that I do all, in all that's meet.   

Wherefore thou art most bountiful,  
when wants & weakness we confess:  
Yea than thy gifts are plentiful,  
us to relieve in our distress.  
On thee my burden Lord i'll lay,  
for well I know thou carest for all:  
That thee belicue, love, fear obey, 
1. Pet. 5. 7.   
and for thy grace and mercy call.   

My faith and hope is all in thee,  
I am of imperfections full:  
I Ask why thou dost visit me?  
should I that blockish am and dull.  
Defiled within and eke without,  
plead duties done or else be mute: 
jobes' example showeth the evidence of this.   
It is in vain to go about,  
with thee O Lord for to dispute.   

Who evil am in my best way,  
in purest thoughts yea most impure:  
Pardon my weakness Lord I pray,  
and give me zeal & strength t'endure.  
With humbleness and perfect love,  
which Lord thou dost of me require:  
Instruct me God with wisdom move,  
me guide and lead to thy desire.   

Show me the way that tends to bliss,  
after this my long straying here: 
Mark. 18. 12.   
And bring me home where all peace is,  
let thy free favour Lord appear.  
Wherein is life and liberty,  
comfort joy and society,  
With rest, peace, and tranquillity,  
for them that live in piety.    

The fourth part of the eight Lamentation.  

OH happy he whom thou protec'st,  
most happy he whom thou dost love  
he's strong and wise in all respectest,  
he's fed and clad from thee above.  
In all good things, he's rich in deed,  
when he doth call, thou dost him hear:  
What he doth ask, thou giv'st at need,  
he seeks, & finds them every where.   

When he is sick, thou dost him cure,  
when poor, thou dost his wants reply:  
When he is sad he shall be sure,  
thy saving health and help is nigh.  
When he is troubled dost defend him  
in danger dost secureness give him:  
when men him hate thy love wilt send him  
when dead to long, life doth revive him.   

And giv'st him then such joys for ever, 
1. Cor. 2. 9   
as no man's wit can comprehend:  
Me favour grant, Lord bring me thither  
to these thy blessings without end.  
This favour Lord unto me show,  
and bless my contemplation:  
Only in heaven and thee I know,  
is perfect contentation.   

My sorrows shallbe turned to joy,  
my wants unto sufficiency: 
Psal. 126. 5.   
My tears to gladness from annoy,  
mourning to mirth and melody.  
My soul keep safe from death & hell,  
my feet from sliding, & from falling:  
Let me uprightly walk and dwell:  
and on thee still O Lord be calling.   

Who dost perform thy promises,  
and lettest none empty part away:  
That with their hearts seek thy mercies,  
or do for help & comfort pray.    

The fifth part of the eight Lamentation.  

SEnd help therefore, O Lord and save me,  
from than that would me quite devour  
And daily grieve me and deprave me, 
Psal. 22. 22   
my soul's, with Lions every hour.  
I wade as through the raging sea,  
I dwell amongst men set on fire:  
whose teeth are spears, whose tongues bear sway  
like two edged sword with wrath & ire.  
Thy mercy therefore and thy truth,  
let be my buckler and strong shield. 
Psal. 18.   
Hast been mine hope even from my youth,  
let troubles cease, new joys me yield:   

Set me upon thy rock forever,  
of perfect love and true relief:  
Let rest and refuge fail me never,  
and thy protection save from grief.  
Bring thou to pass what's fit for me,  
what thou dost know expedient:  
That righteous men my end may see,  
and how mine hope obtained content.   

That they may of thy glory talk,  
and speak of thy eternal praise:  
All men shall say that see me walk,  
doubtless God will the righteous raise,  
There is a God that's gracious good,  
to them that be of perfect heart:  
When he hath all their foes withstood,  
heaven's joys to them he will impart.   
Finis    


The first part of the ninth Lamentation in distress.  
¶ The penitent acknowledgeth man's vildenes & God's mercies by faith and example of God's providence, relieth on his goodness.  

O Lord thy name's most excellent,  
in all the world, thy glory's spread: 
Psal. 8.   
Through heavens and the firmament,  
and by all creatures uttered.  
In universal harmony,  
extolled in heaven and in earth:  
Exprese'st in Song and melody,  
with all alacrity and mirth.   

What thou bestowest, what man can number,  
upon us slaves, and sons of men:  
Who by our sins are far put under,  
all Creatures we can name by pen.  
Forgetful and so capable,  
of sin, as powder is of fire:  
In all our words and works unstable,  
and know not what we should desire:   

Above all Creatures we fotget,  
thy grace, are prone to disobey:  
And if thy mercy did not let,  
all Adam's broude thou shouldst destroy  
And I for my part, me confess,  
guilty of all sins, and all evils: 
Psal. 51.   
And that I have deserved no less,  
then to be damned amongst the devils.   

The world for disobedience,  
didst punish, & thou mought'st subvert:  
But chiefly me for negligence,  
may'st plague with all plauges, 'tis desert  
I am not worthy breath in th'air,  
nor have the use of any creature:  
Much less to the e to make my prayer,  
cause 'gainst my God I am a traitor.   

Thou worthily, me dost afflict,  
at me thou takest just offence:  
All punishments thou dost inflict,  
because thy wrath I did incense.  
My trespasses do more offend,  
than I can please with my best zeal:  
The worthiness I best intend,  
I least perform my soul Lord heal:    

¶ The second part of the ninth Lamentation.  

I Shame at mine unworthiness,  
yet fain would be at one with thee:  
Thou art a joy in beavines,  
a succour in necessity.  
To them that do their lives reform,  
and rightly frame their penitence:  
Sincearely follow and perform,  
thy will without all negligence.   

All this to do I do desire,  
and what thou sayest I do believe:  
Thy pardon grant me I require,  
release and pardon Lord me give.  
O be with them that do thee seek,  
& yield them help that hold by thee  
Instructing, humble men and meek,  
that wisdom seek by thy mercy.   

Sith I so long have to thee cried,  
so long thee sought yet hope I will:  
Though my sad soul in silent bide,  
in constant patience i'll wait still.  
thou rightly hearest my inward groans  
my sorrows sighs wants & desire:  
And dost respect the outward moans,  
of men distressed that fear the fire.   

Though in their lips they mute do seem,  
& do speak nothing with their tongues:  
what they would have, thou dost deem  
and present art to right their wrongs.  
But lo the time is not expired,  
of mine ordained punishment:  
Nor of that freedom I desired,  
i'll wait by hope in languishment.   

My help my comfort and my life,  
salvation mine depends on thee:  
Within my conscience stint the strife,  
and give me grace and liberty.    

❧ The third part of the ninth Lamentation.  

MY life, my comfort, help and all, 
john. 11. 25.   
salvation, on Christ dependeth:  
'tis he doth raise me when I fall,  
he all begins and he all endeth.  
I will not murmur neither grudge,  
nor fear nor faint; but always wait:  
He is my Saviour, and my judge,  
his grace decreed who can retreat.   

Is there not an appointed time,  
for all things that by God be wrought? 
job. 42.   
job was brought low, at last did climb,  
to wealth and honour he was brought.  
And joseph was afflicted long,  
by brethren and by false accuse:  
He was shut up in prison strong,  
didst all his cause and wrongs peruse.   

At length brought'st him to honour great,  
and David was at first cast down:  
And then enthroned in princely seat,  
and long enjoyed the royal Crown.  
Poor widow of Sarepta she,  
and hers were ready for to pine: 
1. King. 17, 9   
Her barrel, and her cruse by thee,  
were blest, and by that Prophet thine.   

Her meal, and oil, did never fail.  
thou send'st that Saint, e'en to that end:  
That they in dearth should never quail,  
so didst from famine her defend.  
Wherefore a little while i'll wait,  
I know th'appointed time will come:  
I shallbe freed from sins deceit,  
will't mercy send in miseries room.    

The fourth part of the ninth Lamentation.  

THou art my portion & my strength  
my defence and salvation: 
Psal. 28. 1.   
Thou seest my troubles, and at length  
wilt give me consolation.  
Thou send'st them notas ignorant,  
of them, thou knowst thou didst me make  
Therefore what's needful God me grant  
good Lord do never me forsake.   

I am brought to the very pit,  
of all confusion men suppose: 
1. Sam. 2. 5.   
Thou hast decreed the time most fit,  
of my delivery from my foes.  
To me unknown that being seen,  
I may attribute to thee then:  
The praise who praised ere hast been,  
without the aid of mortal men.   

Which I have sought so long in vain,  
yea while I called thee upon:  
Let me acknowledge help again,  
to come from thee or else from none.  
And all that the world can afford,  
be but th'effects of thy dear love:  
Thy power thy providence and word,  
do send me comfort from above.   

O blessed man whom thou dost choose,  
and call'st by crosses unto thee,  
Whom thou by death seem'st to refuse,  
by secret sweetness lives by thee.  
With inward consolation,  
fed with the Manna of thy love:  
Who dwells in thy protection,  
with lively hope can never move.   

He fainteth not at mightiest frown, 
Psal. 119. 57   
so I O Lord assured rest:  
Thou art my portion and my crown,  
to dignify those love thee best.  
Thou tenderest me as a dear son,  
though thou me visit with thy rod: 
Psal. 99 33   
Yet sufferest not me for to run,  
with sinners and to fall from God.   

Although I seem of hope deprived,  
and that my wont comforts past:  
Yet I O Lord shallbe revived,  
by thee and by thy grace at last.  
For all my long and instant cries,  
I will not shrink though knowing this:  
Thy wondrous power & great mercies,  
most infinite thy mercy is.   

If mad'st the Rock a water spring,  
thy thirsty people to refresh:  
Fron mine hard hearted foes canst wring,  
some comfort for my withered flesh.  
If thou raind'st Manna from above,  
meat by a Raven thy saints to feed:  
Thousands of men did feed with love,  
when their was little show of bread.   

If to thy people thou sendest Quails,  
in desert where all food was scant:  
And since thy goodness never fails,  
should I suppose that I should want.    

¶ The fifth part of the ninth Lamentation.  

Confirm my faith for evermore,  
that I most constantly believe:  
Thou canst and wilt increase my store,  
and all good things thou wilt me give.  
All power belongeth unto thee,  
who can imagine or will say:  
Thou canst not in my need help me,  
or that thy love is ta'en away.   

Sith thou hast done such mighty things  
so freely for men in distress:  
Should not I fly with swiftest wings,  
to thee in time of heaviness.  
But lo O Lord all things are thine,  
the heavens are thine the earth also:  
The Cattle, Fowls, the shrubs & vine,  
all things in heaven and earth below.   

All things above, all things beneath,  
is thine, who truly then can say?  
Thou canst not give, or them bequeath  
to whom thou wilt, who can say nay?  
Thou makest the corn to spring & grow  
& waterst th'earth with thy sweet showers  
Thou causest beasts with thanks to low,  
with dews, thou water'st fragrant flowers.   

Since than thou art the Lord of all,  
sith thou commaund'st, & dost forbid:  
The rich & poor, mak'st proud men fall,  
that down canst throw & raise at need.  
Sith that thou triest & wilt reward,  
sith thou dost what shall please thy will  
And in what manner wilt regard,  
& whom thou wilt, canst save or spill.   

No living man commandeth thee,  
not all the world can thee control:  
O Lord I still will pray to thee,  
for health of body and of soul.  
Let it be thus, O father dear,  
for Christ his sake thy dearest son,  
That died and rose my soul to clear,  
in all things Lord, thy willbe done.   

All glory to the Trinity,  
to Father, Son, and holy Ghost:  
Combined in holy unity,  
of power in might and glory most.   
FINIS.    

❧ To God the Father▪  

Wellspring of deity God Godhead giver,  
who giv'st away, yet keepest what was given  
A fountain undiminisht by thy river,  
River and fountain both in fullness ever.  
Father by everlasting generation,  
Without precedence in paternity:  
Whether it be of substance or relation.  
For all things are together in eternity:  
Disclose the depth, take from my muse obscurity,  
Thine hidden depth, which makes my verse an oracle  
So shall I both attain unto thy purity.  
And all that read my lines conceive this miracle.  
How God in getting of another, yet,  
Another not an other God did get.   
FINIS.   

To God the Son.  

GReat son of God, but borne the son [of man,  
One subject of a double substance framed:  
wherein nor manhood lost, nor godhead won  
But of them both at once one Christ was named  
Before all times begot, in time created,  
The Lord of Lords, a servant from retaining,  
And yet no former form thereby abated:  
In servants form, the form of God remaining  
Great son of God, them whom there is no greater  
No not the father in his great divinity,  
As God creator and as aman a creature:  
[For more and less, agree not in infinity.]  
Teach me to know how man by God assumed  
Is both, and yet not man by God consumed.    

To God the holy Ghost▪  

O Spirit Divine, the common knot whereby,  
The father & the son do love together:  
For son and father universally.  
Are love, though love be proper unto neither,  
Thou that from both Proceedest & from none:  
Unequally but with the like authority,  
As from one principal, though from that one,  
Principally yet without priority:  
One all the first from two the last of three,  
Sweet breath that joyest every pensive heart,  
Breathed from God, O God breath into me,  
Skill above skill, and teach me how thou art  
The last of three, and yet of three so cast,  
As in them all is neither first nor last.   
FINIS.   

¶ divers consolations that the life and time of affliction is short.  

THe comfort that doth make us bold,  
is our afflictions transitory:  
'Cause we of Christ do take sure hold,  
the troubles short, endless the glory.  
Eye hath not seen, ear hath not hard,  
the joys that God for his elect  
In heaven already hath prepared,  
though many troubles to effect.   

Light are our troubles temporary,  
because Christ and his spirit divine,  
This weight and burden help to carry,  
and doth in yoke with us conjoin.  
We look not on, things, seen & vain,  
but on things unseen, cast our eye:  
The blessed saints for Christ were slain,  
Christ answered, when they did cry.   

How long, how long, Lord wilt thou stay?  
a little time though God doth lower: 
Reu. 6.   
Stay till, his wrath be passed away,  
'tis but a minute of an hour.  
Christ calls the time of troubles little,  
but Paul doth say the glori's great:  
And in respect, 'tis but a tittle,  
if't be compared to heavens seat.   

A while saith God, I thee forsook,  
that is short time in misery:  
But thee t'ernall mercy took,  
that is to heaven's felicity.  
I'll fear no danger, pain nor loss,  
'tis but the twinkling of an eye:  
I see the crown i'll bear the cross,  
for I shall live eternally.   

Good gracious God, me patience send,  
and then do send, what send thou wilt:  
Grant me those joys that ne'er shall end  
for to that end Christ's blood was spilled.  
FINIS.    

❧ Of Death.  

WHat's death? a separation  
of mortal body from our breath:  
What's that? but a Cessation,  
from cares, and from a living death.  
What's that Cessation: it 'tis a sleep,  
by which we wholly are refreshed:  
Yea but in sleep, who shall us keep?  
he that blessed all, and is most blessed.   

But who made death? t'was made by sin,  
& what is sin? the laws transgression:  
Of that how should I vantage win?  
all sin is weakened by confession.  
But by death's dint, 'tis overcome:  
and whence came sin? from hell beneath?  
When was't first bred? in mother's womb:  
when will it end? not till our death.   

This seemeth strange, but this is true,  
by nature sin is hatched in us,  
Old Adam's rules, till God renew.  
why then I see, the case stands thus:  
As sin goes in, so life goes out,  
as sin goes out, so life comes in:  
So by the Lord, 'tis brought about,  
sin conquers life, Life conquers sin.   

Though life by sin be still annoyed,  
& sin of death by strength & sting:  
Yet Viperous sin, by death's destroyed,  
life killeth death, when death kill'th sin.  
The death of body, or of nature,  
is that, where to all subject be:  
Cause sin hath tainted every creature,  
according unto God's decree.   

When bodies life doth fade away,  
and we give up our dying ghost:  
And this our Corpse is clad in clay,  
and unto God our souls doth post:  
It is ordained and decreed,  
that all men by necessity:  
Through that first Adam's sinful deed,  
are subject made, the death to die.   

To die for sin, 'tis due for sin,  
to die in sin, a heavy case:  
To die to sin is to begin,  
to leave to sin, and live to grace.  
The death in sin, without repenting,  
in affect, effect, and aspecting:  
In thinking, doing, and frequenting,  
and offered grace of God rejecting.   

I wretched woeful execrable,  
have plague of God, by sin for sin:  
Of miseries, most miserable,  
to them that live and die therein.  
But he that dies, before he dies,  
when he is dead, he is not dead:  
But old-age dies, and he shall rise,  
with glory from the grave his bed.   

And he that's touched with conscience prick,  
whose sense of sin is sharp & quick:  
That man is sick, ere he is sick,  
and when he's sick, he is not sick.  
I look poor wretch on mine estate,  
and others monish, by mine harms:  
That was near death but now of late,  
by sin enchanted by her charms.   

Had I not died, sure I had died,  
(oh happy Phoenix living death)  
Still let my flesh be mortified,  
let my spirit, breath, by thy spirits breathe  
Sweet jesus thou didst die for me,  
and in thy death, with thee I died,  
Oh live in me, and I in thee,  
shall live, and evermore abide.   

And worms meat thou, dirt clay & slime,  
thy body kill, thy soul to save:  
Quail vild affections, whilst hast time,  
that life by death, through grace may'st have  
Shake hands with sins & all offences  
and learn to die before thou die:  
When bid'st adieu unto thy senses,  
then shalt thou live eternally.    

The Cause of death.  

THe cause of death is wicked sin,  
for out of sin our death did flow:  
From thence our plagues did all begin,  
cut of this tree, our ills did grow.  
Hunger, fire, death, and all,  
created were for punishment:  
And laid on man for Adam's fall,  
and was the cause of our torment.   

God said to Adam, Scripture saith;  
what hour soever thou shalt eat:  
Thou shalt be sure to die the death,  
god made not death, but death did threat  
Through envy, malice of the devil,  
into the world came this estate:  
Sins entered with all actions evil,  
by Adam's fault: not by our fate.   

Two sorts of death, from death by sin,  
proceed, as effects from their cause:  
The death of Nature doth begin,  
& death of grace next by God's laws.    

¶ Death of two sorts.  

BY which we are made slaves for ever,  
in darkness, called death eternal:  
From worm of conscience freed never,  
deprived of all the joys supernal.  
As by example, evident,  
two sorts of death approved well:  
The▪ Glutton rich, being dead was sent,  
his body buried quick in hell.   

And Lazarus poor, beggar dead,  
to Abraham's bosom carried is:  
With angels wings, with glory spread,  
where is true joy and comforts bliss.  
The one hath heaven, the other hell,  
the one hath bliss, the other bale:  
The one in heaven still must d well,  
and th'other, Devils pull and hale.   

He died with his conscience evil,  
in death he saw his wickedness:  
And his dampnations with the devil,  
as holy Scriptures do express.    

To the elect and faithful.  

THis is the consolation great,  
of the that in their deathbeds lie:  
Their minds fly up to th' mercy seat,  
and there for mercy loudly cry.  
By Christ which death abolished,  
and sin that's cleansed by his blood:  
Whose merits, pardon purchased,  
for all our sins, and death withstood.   

To us his goodness is imputed,  
to him the sins that we committed:  
And we for righteous are reputed,  
and all our sins, they are remitted.  
For he alone by death hath bought us,  
from power and pain of devil & hell:  
& merely he through love hath brought us  
with him in heaven to reign & d well.   

That no afflictions give us grief,  
that Satan should us not destroy:  
And giu'th to us eternal life,  
and filth our hearts with heavenly joy.  
He made us freemen, heirs to God,  
which captive bondslaves were to hell:  
Beat Satan down with iron Rod,  
to place where dampened devils dwell.   

Eternal death could not prevail,  
gainest him, nor over him have power:  
christ strengthened those whom sin did quail  
his might, the mighty did devour.  
O'er death o'er sin & hideous hell,  
he gave us life and victory:  
T'all those that keep his precepts well,  
and them installes in endless glory.   

For as by Adam all men died,  
for sin and by iniquity:  
In Christ shall all men be reviv'd,  
to live with him eternally.   
FINI Si   

❧ Although the body die yet they shall live.  

THe Godly and just people have,  
most comfort though with pain & grief:  
They suffer death & lie in grave,  
and seem for saken sanz relief.  
They are as sheep which men ordain,  
to death and slaughter to be put:  
As silly guiltless Lambs are slain,  
when Butcher's knife their throats do cut.   

For we which live shall given be,  
to death for jesus Christ his sake:  
If they do not despair in thee,  
no fear of death can cause them quake.  
But rest assured they shall pass,  
through death to life eternally:  
Who ask for mercy and for grace,  
and unto God for faith do cry.   

They suffer both his hand and Rod,  
and when he strikes, are patient:  
They put their hope and trust in God,  
who comforts them with hearts content.  
Their death is good, & of great price,  
they also know through Christ his passion  
Death's over come, in wondrous wise,  
and so, receive they consolation.   

If any touched in latest pains,  
of direful death, this faith hold fast:  
In midst of death, his life attains,  
and shall have lasting life at last.  
The Christians surely do believe,  
that when they seem to be most dead:  
That then, they most of all do live,  
and so with joy lift up their head.   
FINIS.   

The death of the Godly is a sleep.  

CHrist calls the death of godly men,  
a sleep, his own a death, & why?  
The soldiers spear was made a Pen,  
his blood the Ink to write thereby.  
Quietus est, for Christians all,  
and then the same to us was sealed:  
A sleep, he justly may it call,  
cause by his stripes our wounds were healed.   

His was a death, cause death was due,  
in him died all, he died for all:  
God's justice us to death doth sue,  
he paid it and repaired the fall.  
that we moight sleep, he suffered pains,  
that we mought laugh, he oft did weep  
His was the loss, ours was the gains,  
thus did he change, Death to a sleep.   
FINIS.   

To whom they that die aught to commit their Spirit.  

TO Christ did Stephen yield up his spirit,  
for he's the way the truth & life:  
He purchased life by death and merit,  
the husbands he, the Church his wife.  
He is that Noah, his Church the dove,  
that holds his hand for to receive us:  
He bids us come to embrace his love,  
we fly to him when all deceive us.   

The heavens & earth the Lord commands,  
to him all Creatures run but we:  
None can us take out of his hands,  
in life and death to him we flee.   
FINIS.   

¶ The body is buried but shall be raised up again at the last day.  

Pillar of faith, Basis of bliss,  
of true religion sure supporter:  
The point of Resurrection is,  
in death it is the chief comforter.  
If this do fall, all faith may fail,  
what article doth us refresh:  
When life and health, and strength doth quail:  
the Resurrection of the flesh.   

Our bones shall blossom as the grass,  
we shall be raised out of dust: 
Dan. 12. job. 19 Rom. 8.   
The body that before time was,  
by power of Christ's spirit rise it must.  
The first fruits Christ, the head is raised,  
the members shall the same likewise:  
The Lord God for the same be praised,  
we know that we shall also rise.   

If head, above the water be,  
how can the body then be drowned:  
We shall arise, and jesus see,  
and with him shall be kingly crowned.   
FINIS.   

❧ In the pangs of death and in all tribulations, the remedies be to be learned in the sufferings of Christ.  

OF life and death the true director,  
who in his life and his dying:  
Of our misdoing is corrector,  
and into all our actions prying.  
Christ is afflicted for our sake,  
left us, example that we should:  
Follow his steps and his way take,  
thy Cross to bear with courage bold   

Our Saviour jesus teacheth thee,  
how can that be (sayst thou) behold:  
Example, if thou punished be,  
with sickness, hunger, thirst, & cold.  
With thyself reckon and account,  
how it cannot compared be:  
with his thorns, yea his nails surmount,  
the greatest pain that paineth thee.   

Art thou restrained of thy desire,  
& lusts that draw thou knowst not whether  
Think on Christ's cross, God's wrath & ire,  
& put his tortures all together.  
If pride puff up thy mind with motions,  
look on Christ, nailed on the Cross:  
And think as bound by due devotions,  
of our great gain, by his great loss.   

If thou in filthy lust dost burn,  
or any other ill desire:  
Think but how Christ his flesh was torn,  
to save thy soul from flames of fire.  
With stripes thrust through, and all to broken  
his drink was Ezell mixed with Gaul:  
With his last gasp, the earth was shoken,  
who suffered for the sins of all.   

If envy, hate, revenge, thee grieve,  
think with thyself how Christ did pray  
(O Father, do them all forgive)  
for them that took his life away.   
FINIS.   

An exhortation to forgive one an other, before we depart out of this, world.  

GOd us commanded to forgive,  
& saith than we shall be forgiven:  
Without offence no man can live,  
and God his balance hangeth even.  
He that doth not forgive his brother,  
will then the Lord his faults remit,  
No, as he dealeth with another,  
another shall repair 'tis fit.   

And when you kneel to God & prey,  
forgive if you have any thing:  
'Gainst any living man that day,  
that Christ may your remission bring.  
And when thy gift thou dost present,  
and on the Altar sacrifice:  
First with thy brother make consent,  
and him forgive in any wise.   

When thou to Christ wast enemy,  
and strengthened, in great extremes:  
Yet then did he give remedy,  
and o'er thee spread his mercy beams.  
He gave to thee his holy spirit,  
to guide and lead thy soul aright:  
And gave thee heaven there to inherit,  
all joys and bliss, lay in his sight.   

When thou from him was't gone astray,  
he sought thee out & did thee find:  
And finding thee, brought thee away,  
unto his fold, he thee resigned.  
Thank God therefore & render praise  
exalt and laud his holy name:  
Unto the heavens sing always,  
all men on earth do ye the same.   

Hence forth my soul, walk in his path  
and err not from him any more:  
Less thou provoke his heavy wrath,  
and then art worse than were't before.  
Let not God's spirit be given thee,  
to work thy condemnation:  
But let thy eye remembered be,  
for thy soul's preservation.   

eat thou all wicked company,  
with doers ill associate not:  
Lest thou from faith shouldst fall & fly,  
and soul & body soil and spot.  
But bless his name who called thee,  
unto the state of righteousness:  
And thy sins vengeance ta'en hath he,  
to give thee heavens happiness.   

Bless thou his blessed holiness,  
his praise let mind & heart record:  
And let thy tongue and voice confess,  
the graciousness of God the Lord.  
Prostrate thyself down at his feet,  
offer thy service with free heart:  
O yield God all, for 'tis most meet,  
since he made, saved, & blest each part.   

Who spared not his only Son,  
but let him die thy soul to save:  
To pay and ransom thy faults done,  
and to redeem thee from the grave.  
So in the prayer of our Lord,  
we do forgive that's done 'gainst us:  
As God forgiveness shall afford,  
our Saviour Christ doth teach us thus.   

That is, that we forgive them must,  
who did us harm in any thing:  
In thought, in word, in deed unjust,  
or aught to thine endamaging.   
FINIS.   

¶ divers consolations that the life and time of affliction is short.  

THe comfort that doth make us bold,  
is our afflictions transitory:  
'Cause we of Christ do take sure hold,  
the troubles short, endless the glory.  
Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard,  
the joys that God for his elect:  
In heaven already hath prepared,  
through many troubles to effect.   

Light are our troubles temporary,  
because Christ and his spirit divine:  
This weight and burden help to carry,  
and strongly us to them combine.  
We look not on things seen & vain,  
but on things unseen cast our eye:  
The souls of Saints for Christ was slain,  
Christ answered, when they did cry.   

How long a time that they must stay,  
a little while though he doth lower:  
His stay till wrath be over past,  
'tis but a minute of an hour.  
Christ calls the time of troubles little,  
but Paul doth say, the glories great:  
As in respect of th'earth a little,  
so griefs compared, to heavens seat.   

A while saith God, I thee forsook.  
that is short time in misery:  
But there th'eternal mercy took,  
that is to heaven felicity.   
FINIS.   

❧ A consolation for them which suffer for their offences.  

IF men you buffet for ill deeds,  
what praise 'mongst men, get you thereby:  
Corrections from your faults proceeds, 
1. Pet. 2. 20   
and therefore take it patiently.  
See none do suffer as an Actor.  
of ill, as busy bodies, thieves,  
Nor as a wicked male factor,  
for that bars pity from your grieves.   

But if please God we suffer must,  
for wicked deeds were done by us:  
Deserving punishment most just,  
may holy be by suffering thus. 
1. Pet. 3. 14   
And unto God 'tis no less pleasing,  
then suffering of the Innocents':  
God can and will, help our diseasing,  
we are but as his patients.   

If evil men their faults confess,  
and no good course of life omit:  
Believe in Christ, and faith express,  
then surely he'll their faults remit.  
And their deserved punishment,  
and crosses all he'll lenify:  
And give a crown magnificent,  
to pureness them he'll sanctify.   

The thief who died for heineous crime,  
hang on the Cross by jesus side:  
Confessing sins at his last time,  
was in his suffering sanctified.   

To comfort him our Lord did say,  
this day thy soul to heaven sealed up:  
On Jacob's ladder, heavens high way,  
because thou tastes with me my cup.   

Then sinners all that him believe,  
repent their sins & mend their life:  
As mercy them shall sure relieve,  
and so cut off their mortal strife.  
The suffering Martyrs testify,  
Christ and his Gospel he us sent:  
The law doth sinner's scourge and try,  
faith frees their pains if they repent.   

When thou sufferest for right or wrong  
let steadfast faith in Christ remain:  
Such sufferings shall ere it be long,  
the crown of endless glory gain.  
No man therefore ought to despair,  
Christ died for our redemption:  
Him advocate did God prepare,  
from sin to cause exemption.   

And then he wiled his word be preached  
to every creature instantly:  
And by his Gospel his grace reached,  
cause he would have no sinners die.  
The health of all he doth desire,  
calls all to him that burdened Bee:  
And to forgive doth us require,  
and all to pray that troubled be.   
FINIS.   

A disputation between the Devil and us.  man.. 

IF Satan heap up all thy sins,  
address thyself to God on high  
Fall thus to pray (when he begins)  
Lord turn thy face, & hear my cry:  
The Devil with strong invasion,  
suggesteth his temptation.   

Guard me from Satan, death, & hell,  
the Fiend on me his wrath doth wreak  
All ill temptation's Lord repel,  
defend my soul for it is weak:  
Look on the face of Christ thy Son,  
consider Lord what he hath done.   

For Christ is mine, and I am his,  
mine is his justice, mine the gains:  
Lord turn thy face from mine amiss,  
Christ bearest my sins, & bore the pains:  
Thou didst me ask, and I shall have,  
in faith therefore thy grace I crave.   Devil. 
God hears no sinners, why dost pray?  
thy sins the sands in number pass:  M. 
Christ blood hath washed my sins away  
and made me righteous as he was.  
Christ's merits shall me clothe about,  
God will not find my vildness out.  D. 

Shalt thou the sink of sinfulness,  
go on with Peter and with Paul:  
To everlasting blessedness,  
Noah, Noah, to Hell, down must thou fall:  
I but in thought did him offend,  
and he me dampened without end.   M. 

I with the thief reach out my hand,  
of faith, to Christ his hand of grace:  
He holdeth me that fearful stand,  
and draws me up to heavenly place:  
Thou never canst be saved, and why?  
for men, not Angels, Christ did die.   D. 
How hast thou this assured trust,  
Which hast done nothing that is good?  M. 
Because though god, be god most just,  
My debts are paid with Christ his blood:  
My sins are all to Christ imputed,  
And righteous, I in him reputed.  D. 
Thou shalt be haled down to hell.  M. 
my head's in heaven, there's no hell fire  D. 
with us in chains, & pains shalt dwell  M. 
Thou art a murderer and a liar:  
When head's above, who can be drowned,  
Christ is the head, mine head is crowned.  

Thou art a damned fiend no judge,  
'tis thou settest God & man at wars:  
Thou art that envious slave dost grudge,  
That man should shine as do the stars:  
& heaven enjoy whence thou wert thrown  
Thy malice old, false fiend is known.   D. 
Legions of devils watch sinners souls.  M. 
but Angels pitch their tents about me  
God me protects, & thee controls,  
Devils are in chains, I need not doubt thee  
If thy power stretch not to a Swine,  
How canst thou hurt this soul of mine.  D. 

God is not just, if for thy evils,  
He gives thee everlasting life:  
Thy baleful portion is with devils,  
Where thou shalt have torture & strife:  
Endless, mercles, remediless;  
Due for thy monstrous wickedness.   M. 

God's just and doth his promise keep,  
From justice to his mercy seat:  
In Christ's name I appeal and creep,  
And so obtain his mercy great:  
And by his grace in largest scope,  
By Christ I do erect mine hope.   D. 
Thou feedest thyself with hope in vain.  M. 
Christ is the truth, he cannot lie:  
He saith his saints with him shall reign,  
And such a one by Christ am I  
Presumptuous slave, my hope's not vain,  
Cause Christ is heaven & chiefest gain.  D. 
Thou see'st what thou shalt leave behind,  
What thou shalt have, thou seest not:  M. 
Satan avaunt thy faith is blind,  
From the heavens bliss is far remote:  
That may be seen with nature's eyes,  
My soul doth scorn and I despise.  D. 
y● partest hence loaden with misdeed,  
And of good works thouart naked bare:  M. 
Christ's works & merits stand in steed  
Of mine by faith are mine I dare.  
By faith in him and true repentance,  
Still hope for bliss and scape God's vengeance.  D. 
But thy repentance comes to late,  
Again thy God's the God of truth:  
I must needs say, he must thee hate,  
Cause 'gainst me all thy flower of youth:  
Think'st now that he will take the bran,  
No ti's to late thou wicked man.  M. 
To late it was not for the thief.  D. 
yea but the thief, his faith was true,  
Thine is a wavering weak belief,  
Hast no more faith than hath a jew:  
Now what remaineth, but deep despair  
For God of thee, will take no care,  M. 

I'll fly to God, i'll him beseech,  
To blow this little spark of fire:  
And he that is in mercy rich,  
I know will grant me my desire:  
Faith pleaseth God by quality,  
He cares not for the quantity.   D. 

Dost not thou see God hath in store  
In earth, in hell and every where:  
Ten thousand thousand, plagues & more,  
Which makes us Devils quake & fear:  
Yet art so senseless. foolish dull,  
To say thy God is merciful.   M. 

He like a good Chirurgeon,  
Doth hurt to heal, they are his lances:  
That let out our corruption,  
And so saves us from worse mischances:  
Our plagues on earth save us from hell,  
devils well may fear, for there they dwell.   D. 
It is a wretched thing to die.  M. 
To die in Chri'st, a blessed thing:  D. 
A sinners death's a misery,  M. 
By death is lost my sin death's sting:  D. 
& god hath made thy death most biter  M. 
the joys of heaven will be the sweeter.  D. 
Thou leav'st this world, go'st knowst not whither,  M. 
I leave this Hellish place on earth:  
Mine home is heaven, & i'll go thither,  
My soul doth claim it by her birth:  
Heaven is my country, there was bred,  
My soul, & there is Christ mine head.  D. 
Thou leav'st commodities behind,  
And many great and pleasing things:  
Thou many more ill things mayst find,  
that men to care & sorrow brings:  M. 
there's nought on earth that's worth the buying  
For that's in heaven, is worth my dying.  D. 
Thou leav'st thy riches & thy store,  M. 
Thay'r other men's, that I do leave:  
I bear mine with me and no more.  D. 
Therein thou dost thyself deceive:  
Thy wife and Children dost forsake.  M. 
They are the Lords he will them take.  D. 
It's hard to be quite plucked away,  
From those thou lov'st so dearly well:  M. 
Within short space they shall not stay  
But come to me where I shall dwell:  D. 
thou dost fion thy sweet friends depart  M. 
I go to sweet friends true of heart.  

Whom Satan cannot make despair,  
Them he'll tempt, in themselves to trust:  
Against that give thyself to prayer,  
And know, none in themselves are just:  
So from thyself to Christ do fly,  
And he'll relieve thee by and by.   

He's over strong with us to wrestle,  
Against this danger when help we need:  
Against his force Christ is our Castle,  
And his assaults defends with speed,  
Answer the subtle devils dispute,  
With these replies shalt make him mute.   

It is a sure and strong defence,  
Against all desperation:  
When Satan seeks with diligence,  
To work thy soul's damnation:  
The more the devil would thee depress  
The more do trust in God's goodness.   

Against presumption and pride,  
Thy feeble weakness well do weigh:  
And let humility thee guide,  
Remember th'u'rt but dust and clay:  
Unto thy Saviour Christ do fly,  
What thou dost want, he will supply.   

If thou thus answearst devils temptation,  
And all his vain suggestion:  
Shalt not fall into desperation,  
Nor blown up by presumption:  
And being strong in faith and humble,  
The devil shall not thee down tumble.   
FINIS.   

¶ The poor and distressed soul being loaden with the burden of his sins, fervently prayeth to God for his remission thereof.  

O Lord come pity my distress,  
see how I sigh and groan:  
With tears and floods of heaviness,  
my heart is overthrown.  
No hope I find, no help I feel,  
no cure nor salve I see:  
None can my sins corruptions heal,  
sweet jesus comfort me.   

My wounding sorrows never cease,  
my griefs grow more and more:  
What I should kill, doth still increase,  
Lord save my soul therefore.  
I living dye, yet dying live,  
in life, yet daily die:  
I fie and groan yet cannot grieve,  
sin makes this mystery.   

Lord let me live yet hourly die,  
in love yet daily hate:  
Let me embrace yet still defy,  
let peace breed all debate.  
O let me live, yet never live,  
a live yet ever dead:  
O let me grieve, yet never grieve,  
fed with thy living bread.   

Let passions pass, let groans be gone,  
let moans be turned to mirth:  
I live and die to Christ alone,  
let sorrows sink to earth.   
FINIS.   

❧ Seven Psalms of David's repentance commonly called Penitential Psalms.  

Psalms. 6.  

I Am thy child, O God most dear,  
then fatherly do chasten me: 
Rom. Heb. 12. 6. Exo. 20.   
In ireful wrath as judge severe,  
correct not mine impiety.  
For Lord to thee still turns my hope,  
(because thy mercies have no end)  
Even as the lowly heleetrope,  
unto the lofty sun doth bend.   

Forgive me Lord for I am weak,  
angry rebuke, I may not dure:  
My vexed bones through pains do break  
with mercy's mirth do them recure.  
Dire anguish sticks in troubled soul,  
with Oil of grace do it allay:  
My conscience sting doth me control,  
thy comforts do not long delay.   

In debth no man remembreth thee,  
nor offereth thanks unto thy name:  
In dark some grave how is he free?  
to celebrate thy glorious fame.  
I am a weary of my groans,  
all night I wash my couch with tears:  
Wearing myself away with moans,  
my heart is quite consumed with fears.   

My beauties gone with very grief,  
and worn with anguish of my foes:  
But thou at last will't send relief,  
to me my God in spite of those.  
Away from me you wicked train,  
and workers of iniquity:  
My weeping hath not been in vain,  
for thou at length hast heard my cry.   

My prayers Lord thou wilt embrace,  
and all mine enemies confound:  
With sudden shame thou wilt deface,  
and make them level with the ground.   
FINIS.   

Psalm. 32.  

Blessed is he, whose unrighteousness,  
the Lord hath pardoned and been:  
So careful of, in his distress,  
to hide and cover all his sin.  
O blessed is that man again,  
to whom the Lord imputes no fault:  
And in whose spr'it no guile doth reign,  
his soul with error to assault.   

Whilst I in silence yet forbore,  
my flesh with languor 'gan to faint:  
And all my bones to nothing wore,  
by reason of my daily plaint.  
Thy heavy hand doth make me quail,  
and tremble too, both night and day:  
My heart and soul with dryness fail,  
my moisture is consumed away.   

My fault's to thee, I will unfold,  
to God my sins I have exposed:  
As unto him the truth I told,  
so he with mercy me enclosed.  
Therefore to thee, the pure shall pray,  
in season due, with zealous ground:  
For in the floods there is no stay,  
in waters deep thou art not found.   

Thou art my stock and stay secure,  
with songs of joy I am consigned:  
Thou art my rock and countermure,  
from all annoy I am enshrined.  
I will instruct thee in thy way,  
my eye shall ever be thy guide:  
That thou mayst never err nor stray,  
nor yet thy footsteps once to slide.   

Be not like to the Mule disturbed,  
that reason doth not. understand:  
Nor to the horse which must be curbed,  
before thou canst his force command.  
Sorrow and woe remain for those,  
that wicked are and love discord:  
But mercy still shall him enclose,  
which puts his trust in God the Lord.   

Be joyful O ye righteous then,  
lift up your souls with cheerful voice:  
All ye that are pure hearted men,  
in great jehovah, still rejoice.   
FINIS.   

❧ Psalm. 38.  

Put me not to rebuke and shame,  
nor in thine anger chasten me:  
O righteous God, for thy great name,  
pardon my sins and set me free.  
In me thine arrows fast do stick,  
thy heavy hand doth press me down:  
My flesh, my bones, and heart are sick,  
when thou in wrath on me dost frown.   

I have no rest in any joint,  
by reason of my deadly sin:  
With balm of mercy me anoint,  
and bring me to thy heavenly Inn.  
My dismal deeds do plunge me soar,  
like raging billows of the main:  
O wast me to thy blissful shore,  
and be mine Anchor-hould again.   

My festered wounds breed mine annoy,  
by reason of my foolish guise:  
Chase my heart and soul from joy,  
all day I mourn with woeful cries.  
Full of diseases are my loins,  
and limbs decay in every part:  
Longuor unto my flesh adjoins,  
and anguishment consumes my heart.   

Thou knowest all my hearts desires,  
my groan are not hid from thee:  
Extinguish these outrageous fires,  
O Lord and cure mine agony.  
My heart doth pant, my strength doth fail,  
my neighbours did their love exchange:  
And darkness did my sight assail,  
my very kindred waxed strange.   

Mine enemies that sought my life,  
laid snares for me in every place:  
Plodding all day to work my strife,  
and bring my name into disgrace.  
But as one deaf that could not hear,  
their taunting scoffs I did neglect:  
And like the dumb did speech forbear,  
for thou their slanders wilt correct.   

For in thee ever do I trust,  
to right my wrongs and plead for me:  
A 'gainst my foes O God most just,  
for all revenge belongs to thee.  
Of the most humbly I did crave,  
that they in triumph should not rise:  
If I by chance a foil might have,  
they would exalt with joyful cries.   

With deadly plagues I am beset,  
and heavy thoughts in me do stay:  
My horrid sins I'll near forget,  
but mourn for them both night and day.  
My cruel foes are great in strength,  
and they in number do exceed:  
Therefore O Lord aid me at length,  
and succour me in time of need.    

❧ Psalm. 51.  

LOrd of thy mercy's multitude,  
and goodness great I do implore:  
My heinous sins from me exclude,  
and sanctify me evermore.  
Wash me clean from my wickedness,  
and purge me from my sinful crimes:  
That I may never more transgress,  
but glorify thy name all times.   

For I acknowledge all my faults,  
my sins are ever in mine eyen:  
Defend me still in all assaults,  
thou knowst O Lord my soul is thine.  
'Gainst thee alone was mine offence,  
my sins lay open to thy view:  
Therefore the Lord's Omnipotence,  
(if I were cast) is just and true.   

Behold I first was formed in sin,  
and from my mother so was borne:  
And so (poor soul) continue in,  
yet let me never be forlorn.  
But lo the truth thou dost require,  
from the interior parts of mine:  
And then my soul thou shalt inspire,  
with prudence, secret and Divine.   

Purge me with Hisop, than I know,  
although my sins are wondrous black:  
I shall be whiter than the Snow,  
no brightness then, my soul can lack.  
O Lord into my wounded heart,  
send down thy spirits joyful voice:  
That my bruised bones in every part,  
which thou hast broken may rejoice.   

From mine offences turn thy face,  
and Purge me from mine evil deeds:  
Increase in me thy spirit of grace,  
from whence new birth of heart proceeds,  
Let me not from thy presens' part,  
take not thy holy spirit from me:  
But be a comfort to my heart,  
still with me, let thy spirit be.   

And then the man that doth transgress,  
I shall reclaim from wicked ways:  
O free me from blood guiltienesse,  
that I may sing thy rightful praise.  
O Lord do thou my lips unfold,  
that opened mouth may offer praise:  
Which is the sacrifice of old,  
grateful to thee in all my days.   

A contrite heart thou dost require,  
for a sweet smelling sacrifice:  
A broken spirit is thy desire,  
which at no time thou wilt despise.  
Be gracious Lord to Zion's hill,  
and salem's wales build and repair:  
Then Ca●ues and Lambs we'll offer still,  
upon thine Altar fat and fair.   
FINIS.   

¶ Psalms. 102.  

O Hear my prayers Lord and let,  
my mournful moans to thee ascend  
Hide not thy face nor me forget,  
in time of trouble me defend.  
Incline thine ears unto my call,  
hear me O God and that right soon:  
Support me ever lest I fall,  
both Morning, Evening, Night, & Noon.   

My days like smoke consume away,  
my bones are burnt, my heart is dead:  
And withered like grass or hay,  
that I forget to eat my bread.  
My flesh will scarce cleave to my bones,  
I am become so weak a man:  
And worn away with grievous groans,  
like to some Owl or Pelican.   

In watching I have spent the night,  
and like a sparrow all alone:  
That on some houses top doth light,  
disconsolate I made my moan,  
All the day long I am reviled,  
by those which are against me sworn:  
And lead a life like one exiled,  
and of his country quite forlorn.   

For I [like bread] did ashes eat,  
and powered tears into my cup.  
Cause in thy wrath and anger great,  
thou threw'st me down & took'st me up.  
My days do like a shadow pass,  
but thou for ever Lord art sure:  
And I am withered up like grass,  
but thy remembrance still shall dure.   

O Lord arise and pity take,  
with Zion let thy mercy stand:  
Good God even for thy merries sake,  
for now the time is full at hand.  
For why thy servants Meditate,  
upon her stones with grievance just:  
To see her lie so ruinate,  
devoid of comfort in the dust.   

The heathens, than thy name shall fear,  
and earthly Kings thy majesty:  
When thou O Lord shalt Zion rear,  
unto her glorious dignity.  
And then all Nations of the earth,  
which vex the poor with furious hate:  
Shall quake and tremble at thy breath,  
when thou shalt help the desolate.   

This shallbe written on Record,  
for unborn babes which shall ensue:  
That they may lawd the living Lord,  
and magnify his judgements true.  
The Lord looked from his mighty throne,  
and glorious seat of majesty:  
That he might hear the plaining moan,  
of Captives then adjudged to die.   

That they in Salem might declare,  
the glorious name of God the Lord:  
How he of Zion took such care,  
as with his mercy did accord.  
My strength in progress down he brought  
and suddenly cut of my days:  
To spare me yet I him besought,  
till riper age, when life decays.   

Thy years O Lord endure for aye,  
there is no limit to thy times:  
For thou didst the foundations lay,  
of heavenly Spheres, and earthly Climes.  
Thy handy works shall wear away,  
but thou for ever wilt endure:  
They like a garment shall decay,  
thy years, eternal are most sure.   

Thy Servants, Children shall remain,  
and their posterities abide:  
And they in heaven with thee shall reign,  
in earth stand fast and never slide.    

❧ Psalm. 130.  

Out of the deep to thee I cried,  
therefore O Lord hear thou my voice,  
Oh let thine ears to me be tied,  
that I in thee may still rejoice.  
If thou O Lord wilt be severe,  
to note in me what is amiss:  
Thy judgements I might justly fear,  
despairing of thy heavenly bliss.   

But thou art merciful O God,  
and still thy grace doth most abound:  
To them that reverence thy rod,  
thy favour ever willbe found.  
On thee O Lord I did attend,  
and in thy word reposed my trust:  
Till thou thy light to me didst send,  
and raise me up even from the dust.   

Trust in the Lord, O Israel,  
his mercies rich as sands on shore:  
Redemption great with him doth dwell,  
in bounteous plenty: plenteous store.  
Then he from sin will thee redeem,  
and ransom home, from soul offence:  
Holding thee in as great esteem,  
as Adam in his innocence.    

❧ Psalm. 144.  

TO my Petitions bow thine ear,  
good Lord consider my desire:  
O comfort me in dreadful fear,  
for thy truth's sake I thee require.  
With us in judgement enter not,  
no man is righteous in thy sight:  
O let thine anger be forgot,  
and thine Anointed us acquit.   

The enemy hath vexed my soul,  
and cast my life down to the ground:  
My bones in darkness he doth roll,  
that like a dead man I am found.  
Therefore my spirit, is oppressed,  
my heart within me grieved sore:  
That I can find no quiet rest,  
but desolation evermore.   

Yet former times to mind I call,  
musing upon thy works begun:  
And exercise myself in all,  
the wondrous acts which thou hast done.  
To thee, do I stretch out my hand,  
and unto thee my soul doth groan:  
Even as the dry and thirsty land,  
that for her moisture maketh moan.   

Hear me O Lord, and that with speed.  
because my spirit waxeth spare:  
Hide not thy face in time of need,  
lest that I fall into the snare.  
O let thy comfortable love,  
betimes into my soul distill:  
And let thy spirit like a Dove,  
dwell in my heart and keep me still.   

Upon thee only I depend,  
direct me in the perfect way:  
And guide me to my journeys end,  
for thou art my support and stay.  
Good Lord defend me from my foes,  
for unto thee I fly for aid:  
Under thy wings hide me from those,  
that for my soul, their snares have laid.   

Teach me to do the thing aright,  
that may be pleasing to thy mind:  
And amiable in thy sight,  
that I, thy favour still may find,  
Thou art my God and only guide,  
which dost protect me with thy hand:  
O let thy spirit with me a-bide,  
and lead me to the holy land.   

For thy name's sake, Lord quicken me.  
and for thy righteousness I crave:  
O set my soul from troubles free,  
and let it never see the grave.  
And for thy goodness sake destroy,  
mine enemies that me pursue:  
And to my soul would work annoy,  
O Lord confound that damned crew.  
I am thy servant O my God,  
Dear Father guide me with thy rod.   
FINIS.    

¶ A Mystery to be noted and followed of those that are parting out of this life.  

IN the departure of the Lord,  
of mortal bodies vital breath: 
Luke. 22. 41. Mat. 26. 36 Mar. 14. 31   
Their lives a mystery worth record,  
which he did show, us here on earth.  
Who doth prepare to die each hour,  
must follow Christ, our Saviour.  
For he the night before he died,  
did single out himself alone:  
Disciples all he set aside,  
and to his Father makes his moan:  
His mother dear he leaves with john,  
to comfort her when he is gone.   

So Christians all when they go hence,  
must cast of care of worlds respect: 
2 Chro. 32. Isay. 38. 1.   
Settling their house with providence,  
and then all earthly care neglect:  
Leaving all thoughts of common wealth,  
which too much men's affections steal.  
Commending wife and children all,  
to God's protecting will Divine:  
Himself to God Celestial,  
betakes from world to God's design:  
Forsaking friends and kinsfolks here,  
exempts his heart, from care and fear.   

He must then secret be alone,  
who will with high jehovah walk:  
Distilling tears with prayers moan,  
and servant sighs with God to take:  
His soul and spirit let him commend,  
to heavenly joys devoid of end.  
At time of death Christ watched and prayed,  
with earnest zeal and fervency:  
In Olive Mount all Night he stayed,  
a place for heavenly secrecy:  
He there thrice his disciples warns,  
to watch and pray, 'gainst tempters harms,   

Even so all they must watch and pray.  
with sighs and groans for former sins:  
(That from this life depart away,  
against temptations, Satan's gins:  
Exhorting all, to live to die,  
to Faith, sure Hope, and Charity.  
Christ bowed his knees 'twas not enough,  
he fell down flat upon his face:  
His cries, the heavens pierced through,  
to God for aid and heavenly grace:  
He twice retired to fervent prayer,  
with ardent Zeal in open air.   

He bends his knees with humbleness,  
who himself, commits to God's dispose:  
He falleth flat with lowliness, 
2 Chro. 32. Isay. 38. 1.   
that takes the love for his repose:  
And wholly doth himself deny,  
fixing his faith in God on high.  
As Adam first in paradise,  
had seemly corpse without array:  
So Christ from Earth on Cross doth rise, 
Gen. 1.   
his naked self doth them display:  
As Brazen Serpent was erect.  
so he's lift up for his elect.   

Even so that soul that Heaven aspir's, 
john. 3. 14.   
from earth's affections must ascend:  
Mounting with heart and his desires,  
to heavenly life that hath no end:  
Himself to th'world, must crucify,  
nailed with faith, hope and charity.  
This Champion there must combat make,  
with Dragon fierce man's enemy:  
Till he turn back the victory,  
leaving the Lamb tue victory: 
Reu. 12.   
Then victor shall enjoy the nest,  
of highest heavens and be possessed.   
FINIS   

¶ Short Meditations or jaculatory prayers, to be had in memory upon several occasions.  

When any sudden fear assaileth thee, pray.  

BE unto me O Lord a Tower,  
of strength against my mortal foe: 
Psal. 60.   
O guard and ward me with thy power,  
which way soever I shall go:  
Then shall my heart and soul rejoice,  
in God my Lord with cheerful voice.    

¶ If an ill Suspicion overtake thee.  

Created O Lord my heart anew,  
regenerate my spirit within: 
Psal. 50.   
Suspicious thoughts, which me pursue,  
expel, and purge me from my sin:  
Still let thine Angels me conduct,  
and with thy spirit my soul instruct.    

¶ If undesent sadness perplex thee.  

LEt thy salvation be my joy,  
confirm me with thy spirit of grace: 
Psal. 50.   
Let sadness not my soul annoy,  
for pensive thoughts too much take place:  
Oh let my comforts still reside  
in Christ, who for my sins hath died.    

¶ If vainglory seduce thee.  

NOt unto us, but to thy name  
all honour (Lord) we attribute: 
Psal. 115.   
For thou alone deservest the same,  
what can we to ourselves impute?  
Oh Lord, thou knowest we are but dust,  
yet we presume in thee to trust.    

¶ If despair molest thee.  

THou art my hope even from my youth, 
Psal. 70.   
& from my Mother's womb my guide:  
Why should I then despair in truth,  
but in thy mercies ever bide:  
For thou O Lord wilt still protect,  
with consolation thine elect.    

¶ If thou be afflicted in mind.  

Help me and I shall then be safe, 
Psal. 118.   
and I will meditate always:  
Uphold me with thy strongest Staff,  
that I may ever sing thee praise:  
Thy wont love Lord let me find,  
to comfort mine afflicted mind.    

¶ If Sloth assail thee.  

LOrd, with thy power my soul excite, 
Psal. 79.   
come and confirm me in thy way:  
That in thy laws I may delight,  
and from thy statutes never stray:  
Rouse and revive my drowsy spirit,  
that joys with thee I may inherit.    

¶ If wrath disturb thee.  

OH give me patience Lord, and peace, 
Luke. 12.   
lest that my soul should lose her crown:  
O let thy love to me increase,  
and power thy grace and mercy down:  
For thou hast said in thy behest,  
in patience be your souls possessed.    

¶ If desire of honour or promotion tempt thee.  

LOrd unto thee my heart incline, 
Psal. 118.   
from greedy gain my thoughts withdraw:  
From vanity direct mine eyen,  
and rectify me in thy law:  
For in thee doth all honour rest,  
it comes not from the East nor West.    

¶ If Gluttony solicit thee.  

THy Kingdom is not drink nor meat,  
but joy and peace in heaven above:  
'tis not the flesh which we do eat,  
can profit us without thy love:  
Then with thy grace my spirit cherish,  
for that's the food which cannot perish.    

¶ If any blessing of God happen to thee.  

WHat shall I render to my Lord,  
for all his blessings poured on me:  
My heart and soul with one accord,  
shall laud and praise thy majesty:  
All Blessings do from thee descend,  
blessed be thy name world without end.    

¶ In any grievous persecutions.  

judge them oh Lord which me pursue,  
and overthrow my foes in fight:  
And with thy sword confound that crew,  
which prosecut me with despite:  
Oh be thou still my guard and guide,  
defending me on every side.    

¶ When thou seest thou art forsaken of God.  

LOrd, why dost thou depart away?  
and turn'st thy face out of my sight:  
Oh let thy comfort with me stay,  
for now O Lord it waxeth night:  
O let my soul not be dismayed,  
to the O Lord I cry for aid.    

¶ Against detractors.  

Save me, O Lord, for righteous men,  
and truth begin to fail:  
There is no truth in tongue nor pen,  
detractions now so much prevail:  
Confound the tongue and lips of those,  
who to deceit themselves dispose.    

¶ For our enemies.  

LAy not their sin unto their charge,  
alas they know not what they do:  
But of thy mercies them enlarge,  
free them from sin, and Satan too:  
Open their eyes that they may see,  
and so repent their injury.    

¶ If Corrupt flesh provoke thee.  

LOrd pierce my flesh with thy true fear,  
subdue my wicked wild desire: 
Psal. 118.   
I know thy judgements are severe,  
in me Lord quench lusts burning fire:  
Which sin, God grant all may abhor,  
which is the cause of many more.    

¶ If labour tire thee.  

BEhold Lord my humility,  
and eke my labour do respect:  
Forgive my faults continually,  
wherein my duty I neglect:  
Let neither time nor labour tire,  
my thoughts to serve thee with desire.   
FINIS    

¶ The penitent prayeth for the Testimony of a good Conscience.  

Look down (O Lord) on me poor man,  
In thee I live, I move, and am,  
O clear my soul and conscience,  
That I in thee my peace, may find  
Rest to my heart, joy to my mind,  
freed my sin and mine offence.  
Let me not stretch my conscience,  
But trust unto thy providence,  
nor by deceit or guile get gain:  
Ill gotten goods let me restore,  
And of mine own give to the poor,  
as thou my portion shalt maintain.   

From conscience that shall err amiss,  
Out of the way of heaveuly bliss,  
and hath not warrant from thy word:  
From all the paths Heretical,  
From all the ways schismatical,  
Restrain, refrain my feet O Lord.  
From conscience strict, and full of niceness,  
And over curious much precizenesse,  
repress mine heart, my soul and mind:  
And with traditions new invented,  
That are not with thy word indented,  
let not my actions be inclined.   

A wounded conscience who can bear,  
'tis full of horror dread and fear:  
it is an endless perturbation.  
A witness torture judge and gail,  
It makes our faith and hope to fail:  
and lead'th to desperation.  
A conscience wicked and perverse,  
That none but great sins can it pierce:  
and mighty mountains molehills makes,  
It hindereth our Salvation,  
It furthereth Obduration:  
and sense of sin it from us takes.   

Of each good gift Lord thou art giver,  
From all ill conscience me deliver,  
and ever, and evermore preserve me:  
Then I in quietness and rest,  
As one of thine whom thou hast blest,  
for ever, evermore will serve thee.   
FINIS   

¶ A heavenly Himme of the joys Celestial.  

O Lord that art my propugnacle,  
I look unto thy Tabernacle,  
where doth thy wondrous glory dwell:  
By th'eye of faith I do behold,  
Such joys as no tongue can unfold:  
scarce holy Angels can it tell.  
I see the downfall of my foes,  
The glory of thy Saints and those,  
sweet quires of Angels shning bright:  
methinks I see thy Majesty,  
Thine honour and high dignity,  
allclad in Radiant beams of light.   

O how I long for to embrace,  
The benign kindness of thy grace.  
that real rich possession.  
Which thou by Charter of thy word,  
Dost give to them that fear the Lord,  
and thereof make procession.  
I mean that high jerusalem,  
The City dwelling for all them,  
that shall in endless glory reign:  
The City of that holy one,  
Hath Walls upreared of precious stone,  
of Pearl the gates, there's nothing vain.   

The Temple thou, the Lamb the light,  
No Sun by day, nor Moon by night,  
need there to shine, there is no jar:  
But all is peace, all well there do,  
Yet subject vassals there unto,  
all monarchs, Kings, and Princes are.  
Possessions none impeachment have,  
Lordships no care, no worldly slave,  
can take away my right from me:  
Love without jealousy is there,  
there's no distraction, there's no fear,  
there's no corrupted state can be.   

Good shall we be, not persecuted,  
Noble, and not as proud reputed,  
rich and not robbed nor flattered:  
For to enjoy we shallbe sured,  
For to retaives we are secured,  
heavens walls cannot be battered.  
Take thou the troubles Lord from mine heart  
To me these joys of joys impart,  
and me unto this City bring:  
That I with all hearts enargies,  
In heavens most blessed hierarchies,  
may Alleluia to thee sing.   
FINIS.   

¶ A prayer for a good Conscience.  

TO him I'll sing my songs and hymns,  
That rideth on the Cherubimes,  
and heavens doth like a Courtaine spread:  
My Madrigals and roundelays,  
Shall be my maker's name to praise,  
whose mercy doth uphold my head.  
I lust not drink of Helicon,  
To Poets that I leave alone:  
they climb that high Parnasous mountain:  
I will ascend to Zion's hill,  
I long have longed to drink my fill,  
of blessed Israel's sacred fountain.   

Faith, hope, and love, shallbe my props,  
In steed of Aganipes drops,  
on me God power down showers of graces  
His holy word and spirit Divine,  
In stead of all the Muses nine,  
my heart my soul and mind embraces.  
I seek not grace from graces three,  
But beg grace of the Trinity,  
early at Morn, at Noon and Night:  
I scorn a Sycophants applaudings,  
I hate a flatterers base collaudings,  
I way not black mouthed Momus spite.   

Great God that knowst each secret part,  
To thee I offer hand and heart,  
and wait to do thy gracious will:  
And thee beseech for Christ his sake,  
My meaning well for deed to take,  
my heart for Art & cunning skill.  
How wise and good is God by this,  
Each man may see, that every miss,  
in us, and every thought and word:  
Both good and bad by conscience,  
And power of his spirit influence,  
is Registered and of Record,   

jut all our actions, hit doth pry,  
Accust'h or excust'h, by and by,  
and as a thousand witnesses:  
Will speak before the judge the truth,  
Of all things done in age and youth,  
of justice and all wickedness.  
If conscience to Hell doth run,  
The same to us shall sure be done,  
we shall go to, for company:  
What thousands say, we need not care,  
Do what they will, do what they dare,  
if conscience do not test fie.   

A conscience good doth make us blest,  
'tis cheerful, a continual feast,  
a Paradise of passing pleasure:  
The Temple of the holy Ghost,  
This makes the blessed Martyrs boast,  
and is the Christian treasure.  
A conscience good, let's strive to keep,  
For though sometimes it seems to sleep,  
at judgement 'twill awake:  
And in a book all shall lie open,  
Before the judge what's done or spoken,  
when we account must make.   
FINIS.   

¶ The penitent proveth that sin is not of God, but of the devil and ourselves.  

CVrious discourse, religious rod,  
Sins not in God, than not from God,  
what's not from him, is not his deed:  
Gods works have none enormity,  
We are the works deformity,  
all's good that doth from God proceed.  
He tempt'h to try, not overthrow us,  
Yet needs not try, for he doth know us.  
but 'tis, that we ourselves should know:  
From him all's good, from us all's ill,  
He makes all good, we all do spill,  
ourselves, ourselves, do overthrow.   

In punishments that t'us are ill,  
What he doth do, he doth it still,  
(he's one, the same▪ and that same one:)  
Not doing ought, but by not doing,  
In him 'tis good, to good ensuring,  
he'll see if we can stand alone.  
God's grace is not difficient,  
Sin hath not cause ifficient,  
and thee to sin God doth not make:  
Suggestions by the devil are sent,  
And there unto man gives consent,  
why should not God that man forsake?   

Our conscience is sent as a espial,  
Our punishments sent as a trial,  
and oft times plagues sent as a curse:  
God never was to us a debtor,  
If all be saved he's never better,  
if all be damned, he's near the worse.  
God made all good, that all good can,  
Then look into thy bosom man,  
an Ambuscado there there doth lie:  
Of hideous sins by good omitting,  
And monstrous sins, by ill committing,  
'tis there placed by, man's enemy.    

¶ A comfort able Hymn for the Children of God.  

Salvation doth to God belong,  
He blesseth all both old and young,  
that are his chosen and elect:  
He doth defend his Children all,  
That are in danger, grief and thrall,  
by his good means and kind respect.  
He hath means all sufficient,  
And power all perils to prevent,  
to those with thanks do ever pray.  
What comfort help or good soever,  
We find from him let us persever,  
and magnify him night and day.   

Let us with humble hearts confess,  
His mercies, love and great kindness,  
with heavenly hymns to God above:  
With mirth and joy sing every one,  
God heard our soul's petition,  
and sent his son to show his love:  
The Lord receives and hears our prayer,  
He hears and helps us in despair,  
be glad my soul, in him rejoice:  
Oh spread abroad his holy fame,  
With songs Melodious lawd his name,  
with heart, with mind, with tongue & voice.   

O thou most high God, art not praised  
Unless from heart, that praise be raised,  
who only know'st our thoughts and mind:  
The glory all must be thine own,  
By prayers thy powers are ever shown,  
to those by faith thou just dost find.  
O hallowed be God's holy name,  
Who Heavens made and world did frame,  
and man like to his Image pure:  
He all his other Creatures blest,  
Fish, Cattle, Foule, and all the rest,  
to comfort man while times endure.   
FINIS   

A prayer against temptations especially fit for a man that findeth in himself a continual Inclination to any particular sin.  

OH gracious and most loving God,  
who in beginning didst Create:  
Man to thy shape and image good,  
and likeness in most pure estate.  
And didst him place in holy place,  
the garden sweet with all delight:  
With mercies and abonnding grace,  
decked heavenly with earthly sights.   

And didst thy Creatures all ordain,  
in heaven and earth man for to serve:  
Oh what was man that he should gain,  
God's great respect, him to preserve.  
Yet Lord how soon he fell away,  
from thee and from original grace:  
How gresly did he disobey,  
thy secret will before thy face.   

Which thou to him didst then reveal,  
by whose fall, all corruption grew▪  
And sin shut out true godly zeal,  
and earths corruptions did ensue.  
And all things in the earth began,  
to disobey him instantly:  
By God made good, to comfort man,  
who hated him, forsaking thee   

By his transgression these proceeds,  
of his pollutions Lineal:  
Have all defiled their ways and deeds,  
and all men tainted by his fall.  
Which first offence bred infinite,  
sins in corruptions of man's nature:  
As I myself both day and night,  
do feel & know▪ most wretched Creature.   

Which I confess, oh Father dear,  
to whom this chief offence was done:  
How Satan's works, in me appear,  
who hourly into evils run.  
Which are most wild, most mean & base,  
do judge myself of all the worst:  
When I behold my wicked case,  
considering how I am accursed.   

I that confess, I cannot hide,  
how most to sin I am inclined:  
Known unto thee my God and guide,  
who see'st the secrets of my mind.  
Much more the deeds which I commit,  
of darkness seen to thee above:  
To whose bright eyes both dark and light,  
at seasons all, do seem as one.   

And therefore findest out all my sin,  
in thought, in action, or intent:  
Though by each sin death did begin,  
yet thou dost promise those repent.  
That they shall be forgiven all,  
within which number, Lord make me:  
Who seest my sins for mercy call,  
that reigns in me continually.   

And as hit were, command me go,  
drawn there unto by violence:  
By Satan wild our deadly foe,  
that never ceaseth ill pretence.  
Who works in me corruptions,  
corruptions more pollutions breeds:  
Which draweth mine affections,  
which mind inclines to wicked deeds.   

And chiefly to that odious sin,  
which makes me weak for to fulfil:  
Thy laws and precepts just wherein,  
thou us commaund'st to do thy will.  
Yet strong and apt for to effect,  
those things forbidden by thy laws:  
Therefore to kill, Lord sins conflict,  
remove from me the wicked cause.   

Especially this hedious crime,  
that hangs and sticks so fast on me:  
That hit do reign no longer time,  
which feel it loathsome unto me.  
A heavy burden to my soul,  
which I cannot shake off at all:  
By mine own power or strength control,  
but by Gods works perpetual.   

Who worketh all repentance true,  
therefore Lord make me penitent:  
With contrite heart my spirit renew,  
let loathsome sins thy grace prevent.  
For thou Lord seest I do commit,  
sins as hit were against my will:  
Give me therefore power, strength, and wit.  
corrupt affections all to kill.   

The thoughts whereof we vex and grieve,  
and heaps of fear my soul possess:  
Despair Attempts hopes to deprive,  
me to devour in all distress.   
FINIS.   

¶ An exhortation to praise God, and to acknowledge our thanksgiving to him without ceasing.  

WE praise thee God, we knowledge thee,  
Our only Lord and Christ to be,  
the earth and world do worship thee  
Eternal father, Heavenly King,  
To whom aloud bright Angels sing,  
the thrones and powers thee magnify.  
The Cherubins and Seraphin,  
To cry to thee do never linne  
holy holy, most holy Lord  
Of Saboth, God of Majesty,  
heavens full and earth of thy glory,  
all Nations laud thy name and word.   

The glorious postles company,  
The goodly prophet's Unity,  
the holy martyrs noble army:  
The holy Church, the world through out,  
Doth spread the Gospel all about,  
the Father of true piety.  
Thy sacred true and only son,  
The Holy Ghost us comfort won,  
thou art of glory King oh Christ:  
Thou art the everlasting son,  
Of God whose blessed will was done,  
in the all people to deliver.   

Thou didst not then the Virgin's womb,  
Abhor nor loathe that sacred Tomb,  
till thou wast borne whom God sent hither:  
When thou the serpent's head hadst broken,  
The heavens, kingdoms gate settest open,  
for true believers to come thither.  
Thou sittest on Gods right holy hand,  
Thy father's will dost understand,  
whence thou shalt come our judge to be:  
We therefore thy poor servants pray,  
Thy sucker▪ aid, and help that day,  
whose precious Blood redeemed us free.   

Let them with saints be numbered,  
In endless glory comforted,  
thy people Lord keep, save and stay:  
Bless save thine own inheritage,  
Lift up their hearts from age to age,  
we magnify thee day by day.  
We worship thee, world without end,  
This day from sin Lord us defend,  
have mercy, mercy on us Lord:  
Lord let thy mercy on us light,  
Our trust is on thee day and night,  
we trust in thee with one accord.   

O Lord I put my trust in thee,  
Let never me confounded be,  
all glory to the Trinity:  
To God the Father and the son,  
And Holy Ghost all praise be done,  
for ever and ever eternally.   
FINIS.   

❧ Adam's fall.  

Injurious Adam in thyself accursed,  
cease to complain of God & nature's thrall:  
Since he that made man good, left him at first,  
a power to stand, and yet a will to fall.  
fetch not thy fault, from heavens determination  
but blame thy mind to weak & insufficient:  
Sin is no being but a mere privation,  
and hath no cause efficient, but deficient.   

For such is his respect that all things moveth,  
that all things hold there motion & condition:  
Error he neither liketh nor approveth,  
but suffereth only by a just permission:  
So hast thou Adam in thy wish rebelling,  
Thy faults not fates, nor ought there else compelling.   
FINIS.   

The Table.  

1 A Prayer unto Almighty God to prevent, prepare, and dispose our hearts rightly unto prayer. fol. 1. 2.  
2 A general confession of sins. fol. 3.  
3 A Morning Meditation. fol. 4. 5. 6 7. 8.  
4 An Evening Meditation. fol. 9 10. 11. 12.  
5 A Nosegay gathered in the holy Paradise. fol. 13. 14. 15. 16.  
6 A particular confession of a sorrowful sinner. fol 17. 18. 19 20.  
7 An heavenly Hymn, touching the nativity of our Lord & Saviour jesus Christ. fol. 21. 22  
8 A prayer in sickness. fol. 22. 23. 24. 25.  
9 Precepts of duties. fol. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31.  
10 An invocation to God, humbly praying for remission of sin. fol. 31. 32. 33. 34.  
11 A Godly Meditation, wherein the distressed showeth that he is unfeignedly grieved that he hath offended God. fol. 35. 36, 37.  
12 The second part of the same Meditation. fol. 38. 39 40.  
13 A prayer wherein the distressed, humbly confesseth his sins, etc.— fol. 41. 42.  
14 The repentant complaineth of his horrid and grievous sins, etc. fol. 43 44.  
15 The repentant flieth unto the mercies of God in Christ, etc. fol. 44. 45. 46.  
16 The poor Suppliant visited with great sickness etc. fol. 47. 48.  
17 A fervent prayer unto God, that the repentant may find favour in Christ, etc. fol. 49 50  
18 The 1. 2. 3. and 4. parts of the first Lamentation in distress. fol. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57 58.  
19 The 1. 2. 3. and 4. parts of the second Lamentation in distress. fol. 59 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68 69.  
20 A thanksgiving to God with magnifiing of his holy name, etc. fol. 70  
21 The 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. and 7. Lamentation in distress. fol. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88 89 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99  
22 The 1. 2. 3. 4. and 5. parts of the 8. Lamentation in distress. fol. 100 101. 102. 103. 104. 105. 106. 107.  
23 The 1. 2. 3, 4. and 5. parts of the 9 Lamentation in distress. fol. 108. 109. 110. 111. 112. 113. 114. 115. 116. 117.  
24 A Petition to God the Father. fol. 118.  
25 Another to God the Son. fol. 119.  
26 Another to God the holy Ghost. fol. 119. 120  
27 divers consolations, showing that the life and time of affliction is short. fol. 120. 121.  
28. Of death. fol. 122. 123. 124. 125.  
29 The cause of death. fol. 125. 126.  
30 Death of 2. sorts. fol. 126. 127.. 128.  
31 Although the body die, yet they shall live. fol. 129. 130.  
32 The death of the Godly is but a sleep. fol. 131.  
33 To whom those that die aught to commit their spirit. fol. 132.  
34 How the body is buried, but shallbe raised up again at the last day. fol. 133.  
35 Remedies to be learned in the sufferings of Christ, etc. fol. 134. 135.  
36 An exhortation to forgive one another, etc. fol. 136. 137. 138.  
37 divers consolations, showing that the life and time of affliction is short. fol. 139. 140  
38 A consolation for them that suffer for their offences. fol. 141. 142.  
39 A disputation between the Devil and us fol. 143. 144. 145. 146. 147. 148. 149. 150.  
40 How the poor and distressed soul being loaden with the burden of sin fervently prayeth, etc. fol. 151. 152.  
41 Seven Psalms of repentance, commonly called Penitenciall Psalms. fol. 153. 154. 155. 156. 157. 158. 159. 160. 161. 162. 163. 164. 165.  
42 A Mystery to be noted of all those that are parting out of this life. fol. 166. 167 168  
43 Certain short Meditations, or jaculatory prayers, etc. fol. 169. 170. 171. 172. 173. 174. 175. 176. 177. 178. 179. 180.  
44 A prayer for a good conscience, & a prayer against temptations. fol. 181 182. 183. 184. 185. 186.  
45 An exhortation to praise God. fol. 187. 188  
46 Adam's fall. fol. 189.   
FINIS.