COR CHARTE APPENSAM ROSAM VICE CERNE SIGILLI SPRETA MORE TVI SALUS ID EGIT AMOR 
IHS    

THE PATTERN OF ALL PIOUS PRAYER, AND The epitome of all Christian Catholic Belief.  
Being a Pathetical and Paraphrastical meeter upon the Pater Noster, Ave Maria, and Credo in Deum, etc.  
Together with a divine Ditty made upon St. Patrick's Day last passed in honour of the Christian Cross.  
WITH Wholesome preparatives for Death and Judgement  
ALSO, A short Panigyre on MARY- Land in America.  
AT DOUAI, Superiorum Permissu, MDCXXXVI.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND TRULY RELIGIOUS LADY, THE LADY Vizcountesse BALTEMORI, etc.  

1  
VOuchsafe Religious Lady to make choice  
('Mongst All your Virtues) of humility,  
That your poor Suppliant justly may Rejoice  
In the forefront of his Apology:  
To frustrate All objections by this shift,  
An humble heart A'cepts the meanest gift.   

2  
May you Accuse me of Presumption; no  
Spare that pain (Madam) 'tis Already done,  
I have accused myself: And you I know  
To pardon faults Confessed are easily won:  
Let Zoylus snarl, let Momus look asquint,  
Your worth will guard the Book, And, MARK PRAYER IN'Y.    

WITH THE COURTEOUS Christian Reader thus I expostulate.  
COurteous Reader, should I suffer known faults to pass without craving pardon, I might be justly accused and condemned both of Ignorance and Presumption; which I hope thy Charity will acquit me of when thou hast read this my reasonable Apology; The way to gain Remission is Confession, And in this I cannot rightly excuse but rather accuse myself, in that assuming a task fit for a more sublime intellect: I have (peradventure) marred that which a better Workman might have made Admirable; yet if good will may supply want of skill, I hope we shall agree well enough.  
I found the Latin something difficult to Rhyme too, especially the CREED; And therefore having preocupated curious Censures, in confessing my fault I hope thou wilt excuse and connive if thou find it any thing Defective either in meeter or the length of the lines, there being some Articles in the CREED overlong for my intended line, And upon necessity must pass without fraction where Rhyme may not exactly be made, without destruction of reason. Any indifferent Reader (I trust) will favourably pass over such faults as cannot be helped: To conclude gentle Christian, permit me a little (after confession of immaterial Defects) to say something in praise of the Work though not of the Workman; The subject is old, therefore it is fit to be reverenced. The Paraphrase is new (without Ostentation be it spoken) none having ever written in this way before, And therefore to be loved for its rarity.  
VALE.  He who composed what is here in print, 
 His name in Anagram here's: Mark Prayer in't.  

Ad Authorem.  
TO make the English answer Latin phrase  
In Meeter meet shows wit that's worthy Praise,  
But where the Subjects Godly; Lines exceed,  
All best Wits Apprehension there indeed,  
More be thy Piety, for such essays,  
Praised then thy Wit to frame such Heavenly lays.  
I. P.   

A PARAPHRASTICAL MEETER UPON PATER NOSTER.  
CHarity's the gift of gifts, if we have lost her  
Who can restore her to's but— Pater noster:  
For he in all distress our only weal is  
And none but thou alone— Qui es in Coelis:  
Our souls bedrencht in sin with grace renew'em  
For which— Sanctificetur nomen tuum:  
Those who do err reduce, and true light shew'em  
Make haste O Lord,— Ad veniat regnum tuum:  
To whom the Heavenly Quire sings Alleluia  
'Tis fit we say;— Fiat voluntas tua:  
We wish the same either in joy or Sorrow  
'Tis due— Sicut in Coelo & in terra:  
As thou mad'st all of nought thy power mainteyn'm  
With bounty— Panem nostrum Quotidianum:  
And every day to show what due we Own thee  
We earnestly do beg— Da nobis hodic:  
'Tis fit we should when we do merit most; pray  
Dear Lord— Et dimitte nobis debita nostra:  
On this Condition else our prayer all lost is,—  
Sicut & nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris:  
Though we offend in wrath do not rebuke us,  
O be propitious— Et ne nos in ducas:  
When by myself in private I alone am  
Permit me not Ihesu:— In tentaetionem:  
In Sensuality let us not wallow,  
Nor fall from thee— Sed libera nos a malo:  
This in thy name Ihesu we ask, And when  
All's done, we pray that thou mayst say— Amen.   

Ave Maria.  
Who ever hopes for help from our Messia,  
Must to his mother say— Ave Maria:  
To thy Son's Court being sent for by Subpaena,  
We use thy Prayer, for thou art Gratia plena:  
Those Prayers none can miss that daily seek 'em;  
How can we fail, knowing that Dominus tecum  
The holy Angel Gabriels' words were very thus,  
To thee Benedicta tu in Mulieribus:  
We are persuaded that thou canst protect us,  
For thou art high in power Et benedictus:  
Wherefore by thee sweet Mediatrix sue I  
Unto that blessed, Fructus ventris tui:  
Sick souls, Alas, whom can w'expect to case us,  
But that Maid, Mother's Son, Emanuell-ihesus':  
To get admittance at this Gate, the nigh way  
Is by thy powerful aid Sancta Maria:  
Virgin of Virgins, in this case to thee I  
Address myself as unto Mater Dei:  
All sinful Souls, that for misdeeds are sorry thus  
Do say, Ora pro nobis Peccatoribus:  
And let us lest our part in Heaven be lost, pray  
O help Nunc et in hora, Mortis nostra:  
Sweet Lady we entreat thee now and then,  
To pray thy Son (our Lord) to say, Amen,   

Credo in Deum, etc.  
Ivdged at the high Tribunal what shall we do,  
If each in Tongue and Heart, cannot say Credo:  
When storms arise, he with his breath can scatter 'em  
Therefore I do confide In deum Patrem:  
What ere men plot 'gainst him he can prevent 'em  
Whose only Epithet's, Ommiptent 'em:  
We nothing have but what from him we borrow,  
For he is, Creatorem Coeli, et Terrae:  
He made all things, and to man's use he blessed 'em  
I believe in him: Et in Ihesum Christum:  
Sweeter to me then Honey, or th'honey Combe  
Is he whom God calls, Filium ejus unicum:  
He to Redeem us, when our Souls were lost came,  
Therefore we rightly call him, Dominum-nostrum:  
We cannot Retribute sufficient thankes to  
Him, Qui conceptus est de spiritu Sancto:  
The Prophets and the Sibyls wrote at large when he  
Should come to be, Natus ex Maria Virgin:  
Our loving Lord, tendered our wretched State so  
That he, Passus sub Pontio Pilato:  
And meekly he for Man that doth insult thus  
Was Crucifixus Mortuus et Sepultus:  
And that he Victory over Hell might win for us,  
Our blessed Redeemer, Decendit ad inferos:  
To give possession of the Heavenly Court to us,  
He tertia die resurrexit a Mortuis:  
All to confirm being of our welfare Zealous,  
He crowned with triumph, Ascendit ad Caelos:  
In splendent Glory that most Excellent is,  
Sedet ad dextram Dei patris Omnipotentis:  
At th'end o'th' World, (as verity doth report to us  
Ind ventarus judicare vivos et mortuous:  
God as his Elect Children all hath ranked 'em,  
Who in their Hearts say, Credo in Spirit 'em sanctum:  
Yet woe is me (alas) I in mere Folly am,  
Unless I believe— Sanctam Ecclesiam Catholicam:  
Who takes the name of Catholic upon him,  
Also believes Sanctorum Communionem:  
In this true Church, I that a Sinner fore am;  
May find— Remissionem peccatorum:  
And all the faithful shall have this grace shown 'em  
As they believe carnis Resurrectionem.  
Let Christians look to't this doth most concern 'em  
Which is the Crown of all Vitam eternam:  
Believe one God, believe his Church, and then,  
Thou mayst enjoy Christ promises, Amen.   

A DIVINE DITTY, Made in Honour of the Crimson Cross.  
To be Sung by them who please. To the tune of, From the fair Lavinian Shore, etc.  

YOu who take delight to know  
Things that were done long ago,  
By our Ancient Predecessors,  
And their Catholic Successors.  
Lend your attention  
Let no Fancies toss,  
Your minds a stray  
But regard what I say  
For I mean to display,  
The Honour of the Crimson Cross.   

He or she, who hath not been  
(In the Font that cleanseth sin)  
Marked with this sacred sign  
Give me leave though no Divine,  
To make a question.  
(Though some a strange gloss  
Do set on the text)  
Whether they be well fixed  
In this world, for the next;  
Sith Christians are known by th' Cross.   

Our blessed Lord to give us breath  
And Redeem our Souls from Death,  
On a Cross was Crucified  
At that time he Sanctified,  
This Badge of Honour,  
When with his lives loss,  
After much p●ine  
While his blood like to Rain,  
From his wounds slowed amain,  
He made it a Crimson Cross.   

All the Christians Primative  
To advance the Cross did strive,  
Glorious Martyrs Valiantly  
Death and Torments did defy.  
Under this Ensign  
Deeming but dross,  
All things beside  
When for CHRIST Crucified  
They courageously Died,  
To Honour the Crimson Cross.   

Bishops and Confessors Grave,  
This Celestial Banner have,  
Fixed in Countries, Savage and Rude,  
To CHRIST'S Cross they have subdued,  
Barbarous Nations  
From their errors gross,  
To CHRISTIAN Faith  
As Antiquity saveth  
Both in Life, and Death,  
They Honoured the Crimson Cross.   

Once 'twas England's primest Honour  
Chiefly called Saint George's Banner,  
Still the tree we all retain  
Though the fruit on't most disdain.  
But Ancient Customs,  
Preserved from loss  
Though just in sight  
Of Heraldryes' Right  
We on Land, and Sea sight,  
To Honour the Crimson Cross.   

It the Devil doth affright,  
He dares not abide in sight  
Where this holy sign is made  
Wherefore it may well be said,  
That he and the Puritan  
With his false gloss,  
Are near of kin  
Neither dares enter in  
If I once do begin  
To arm myself with the Cross.   

Blessed St. Patrick who ' at th' first  
(As Apostle) Ireland nursed  
In the Faith Apostolic  
Scoffed by every Heretic,  
He so Devoutly  
Did Virtue engross,  
That in short time  
He converted that Clime  
To CHRIST'S Faith then in Prime  
And Honoured the Crimson Cross.   

Ireland then was sore oppressed  
With foul things that did infest  
And the People sore annoy  
Which St. Patrick did destroy,  
Snakes, Toads, and Adders,  
O gainful loss,  
All by his Prayer  
Quite Banished were  
Never more to come there  
This Honours the Crimson Cross.   

To his Honour and the Chutch,  
Every seaventeenth day of March  
Irish men do fare, and near,  
Crimson Crosses that day wear  
Then let true CHRITIANS  
Esteem Wealth as dross,  
And in all wants  
Let us move our Complaints  
Unto CHRIST by his Saints  
And Honour the Crimson Cross.   
AMEN,  
Finis. COR CHARTE APPENSAM ROSAM VICE CERNE SIGILLI SPRETA MORE TVI SALUS ID EGIT AMOR 
IHS    

WHOLESOME PREPARATIVES FOR DEATH AND JUDGEMENT: VERY FIT TO BEE APPLIED TO the necessity of every true Catholic CHRISTIAN at all times; But more especially in this present time of Mortality by the Plague of Pestilence occasioned.  
Statutum est hominibus semel mori: Post hoc autem Judicium.  Hebr. 9.27. 
Superiorum Permissu, MDCXXXVI.   

TO THE CHARITABLE READER.  
GReat cause I had (Christian Reader) to invite thee by this Epistle (Charitable,) for this poor Babe of my brain begotten in charity, desires to have charitable nutrition, charitable Censure, and chiefly Charitable acceptation; For the tender weakling by reason of its Parent's weakness, (should it be rigidly dealt withal) would even perish in the very blast of an overcurious or fastidious verdict; Therefore let Charity cover what indiscretion hath left naked, and let a loving heart excuse Defects of Art; What I have here published was done at the (powerful) solicitation of a very good Friend of mine, or else this rude work had only been for the workman's own use: And as it was written to anticipate worse employment; so as a Whetstone to his devotion, It might have (and I trust will) set a sharper edge upon the same, And consequently produce more keen and piercing effects of Charity, Fear of GOD, Obedience to his immaculate Spouse the Holy Catholic and Apostolic CHURCH; Reverence to his Saints, Zeal of his Honour, Fervour in true Religion, and in all pious and laudable Exercises that a CHRISTIAN ought to practice. Among which, nothing can be more useful and necessary at all times, And especially in this heavy time of Mortality, Then the thought of DEATH and JUDGEMENT: Although it be a Subject that hath been written upon by diverse Angelical quills, (To whose judgements I humbly prostrate mine;) yet I know that a single Penny or a halfpenny is as good silver and as Currant coin as a Shilling: To conclude, if any Fruit spring from this simple Seed, to him be the honour who first inspired the motion,  
AMEN.   
He who composed what is here in print, His name in Anagram here's: Mark Prayer in't, 

WHOLESOME PREPARATIVES FOR DEATH AND JUDGEMENT.  

1.  
'tIs fit that every minute Night and Day,  
Whilst we draw breath in this terrestrial frame  
We should reflect on the uncertain stay,  
Lent's here, till we return from whence we came  
This being pondered as it is most fit,  
Much Ghostly comfort, we may reap by it.   

2.  
That He, or She, Young, Old, or Middleaged,  
Whose mind continually hereon is fixed,  
Shall find Robustious storms, so fare assuaged  
(While earthly joy's with heavenly sorrows mixed)  
That with a gentle gale the Soul doth glide,  
Over all Passions borne by Virtue's tide.   

3.  
No sooner Borne, but subject unto Death,  
(All Mortals are indeed borne to that end)  
No Permanent Estate here underneath,  
For all must pay this Tribute in the End,  
Or Young, or Old, we must (nothing so sure)  
All to the Grave, no means can us secure.   

4.  
Methusalu the Oldest: Solomon  
The Wisest: Samson strongest man, all these  
Though they had wisdom, strength, long life al'sone  
Death would not set them quit paying their fees,  
What ever Holy-writ hath Testified  
Of them in Life, be sure you'll read they Died.   

5.  
Croesus' his Wealth, nor Alexander's Pomp,  
Nor Caesar's (rarely Imitated) Honour  
Can win on Earth Eternity; nor Camp,  
Nor Court, nor City, can prescribe a manner,  
How to shun this inevitable Doom,  
All men must Die, and then to judgement come.   

6.  
As it is certain that we all must Die,  
(Sith divine Statutes are Irrevocable,)  
So that we  expect continually  
To know the time, we Mortals are unable;  
Therefore we should from'th hour we first draw breath  
Look for this certain, yet uncertain Death.   

7.  
That certain Doctrine of Gamaliels' Scholar,  
Statutum est hominibus semel mori,  
Which is the Godly's joy, the Wicked's dolour,  
The Prouds confusion, and the Humbles glory,  
Is the elected theme of my Discourse,  
In careless Christians to procure remorse.   

8.  
Yet lest the only certainty of Death,  
Should not be weighed, as justice doth require  
Post hoc autem Judicium: After Death,  
Some Judged to Bliss, some to Eternal Fire:  
Me thinks the memory of these two points  
Should (Palsie-like) shake proud Belshazers' joints.   

9  
Though it be true a Christian rather ought,  
For th'only love of God live Virtuously  
If in our Hearts we still retain this thought  
O Blessed Ihesu, thou for Sin didst die;  
And shall I wretch reiterate the same  
Which caused thy cruel scourging Death, and shame.   

10.  
But yet alas, vild Man is so propences  
T'ingratitude, and Epicurian sloth  
Doth so consopiate and dull his sense  
Him to awake, Mercy and judgement both  
(Being jointly used) do all too little seem,  
Of God and Goodness, to win his Esteem.   

11.  
Indeed a tender hearted Man, or Woman,  
That curiously in Pious Contemplation  
Shall with Devotion daily call and Summon,  
Within the Breast to scan our Saviour's Passion:  
May find most Charitable motives still,  
As spurs to Good, as Bridles to all iii.   

12.  
To such as these the memory of Death,  
And after judgement: Are both comfortable,  
They knowing that this momentary Breath,  
Doth but detain them in a Life instable  
Which having once forsaken, they are sure,  
T'enjoy a Life that ever shall endure.   

13.  
Yea to both Good, and Bad Memento mori,  
is a most profitable Document  
In all Discourse, and Concourse 'tis a story  
Fit to be told, and heard, for most are bend  
Unto forgetfulness; Nay, many strive,  
The memory of Death away to drive.   

14.  
Tell a young Roister, of his vicious ways,  
And bid him mend his life, (which is but short)  
With a fastidious pish, he smiles and says  
Forty years hence is time sufficient for't,  
And yet too many of these Youngsters come,  
By unexpected Death, to their long Home.   

15.  
Your Female Painters that will mend by Art  
Nature's defects, (to compass base desire)  
Ask any one of them when she'll departed  
From folly, and do what our Lord require;  
she'll say that when she's Old all shall be left,  
Some times next Day, she is of Life bereft.   

16.  
Your Goatish-Leacher, counsel him to leave  
Those sordid courses wherein he delights  
No other answer you'll from him receive,  
But, why should I rob Nature of her rights;  
He'll leave when he's unable more to sin,  
Nor Death, nor judgement, he regards a pin.   

17.  
The Gormandizing-Glutton that destroys,  
More at one meal, than 20. poor would serve  
If you demand why he all this enjoys  
While naked, and hungry Christ i'th' streets doth starve  
He puts off Charity, till Death arrests him,  
Till than he thinks not on't nor him that blessed him.   

18.  
The bold Blasphemer (who audaciously)  
Belcheth out Oaths, and Imprecations strange  
Devising new for Curiosity,  
As men their fashions, they their oaths do change:  
Think you? if they of Death or judgement thought  
Such damned words could from their mouths be brought.   

19  
The Grinding Usurers, the hard Oppressors,  
Did these each minute think upon that Day,  
That shall to judgement summon all transgressors,  
Sure conscience in their souls would bear more sway  
But Satan still to train them in his path  
Makes them to put fare off the day of Wrath.   

20.  
Those Lukewarm Christians, that do at this day  
(For worldly Honours and promotions sake)  
With Heretics participate; they'll say  
Before they die another course they'll take,  
But God in judgement oftentimes prevents,  
And by Death's warrant frustrates their intents.   

21.  
It is a dangerous thing with God to dally,  
(Whose eyes are open to discern all Hearts,)  
Art thou well minded: stand not shall I, shall I,  
Take hold of him, whilst he his Grace imparts,  
Experience lamentable proves too well,  
That millions for this fault now burn in Hell.   

22.  
To punish our remiss and careless Lives,  
Our Lord hath sent his Angel with commission  
To take from wives their men, from men their wives  
In many Families is this Division  
it'h Morn all sound, at Night all Dead and gone;  
O, is not this a case fit to bemoan.   

23.  
If it be requisite at any season,  
To think of Death, and judgement certainly  
T'th time of Plague and Pestilence most reason  
We have to look each day and hour to dye;  
Woeful effects invite us to this care,  
Many are seized by Death ere they'reyr ware.   

24.  
Let every CHRSTIAN thus Expostulate,  
With his own conscience every hour, and minute,  
Is my state better than my Neighbour's state,  
(My friends, and Kindred, who have suffered in't)  
What privilege can I vile wretch pretend,  
That heaven (more than they) should me defend.   

25.  
And if thou be protected from the same  
Vaunt not thyself as though thy Merits were  
(Without God's grace) the cause: No rather claim  
Continuance of his love with trembling fear,  
Glorify him, and still in this confide  
That thousands better than thyself have died   

26.  
This meek acknowledgement of Heavenly aid  
And thy unworthiness assure thyself  
Is the best Antidote that can be made  
Against the Plague, these will not waste thy pelf;  
Not that I speak 'gainst Corporal provision,  
For th'holy Ghost says, honour the Physician.   

27.  
Art thou infected, be not heavy hearted,  
But with alacrity thyself prepare  
To take from him who hath much Good imparted,  
This little Ill, nowed falls unto thy share;  
In holy job a perfect mirror see  
God plagued him, yet he loved him, why not thee?   

28.  
And thou that with no Sickness art perplexed,  
Be Charitable unto all that need,  
Think every hour thy turn may be the next,  
Prepare for that while yet thyself art freed:  
Do good to all (as holy Scripture saith)  
And chief to the Family of Faith.   

29.  
Be conversant in Prayer and use the means  
As God by means of Holy Church affords,  
That when this sad Contagion thee restrains,  
Thou being in heart resolved to be our Lords:  
While all thy thoughts are in this order kept  
Our Lord the will, will for the deed accept,   

30.  
Above all things have care to keep thy Soul  
From the contagious malady of Sin,  
While that best part's preserved from being foul  
Then what estate so  thy corpses be in,  
Sickness and health, what 'tis the sender please  
Thou shalt at all assays find Ghostly ease.   

31.  
Lastly in general, all you who be  
(Because of this pestiferous Infection)  
Sequestered and shut up from Company,  
Be pleased herein to follow my direction:  
Let this seclusion make you think what 'tis  
The glorious Company above to misle.   

32.  
And from this meditation may proceed  
An ardent fervour of their intercession,  
Desire their prayers and merits in your need,  
That CHRIST of bliss may give you full possession;  
And let your memory evermore retain  
The thought of Death and judgement, joy and pain.   

33.  
Thus for their sakes who may want better means  
I spend this Humble talon with goodwill,  
Desiring nothing of them for my pains,  
But that in their Devotions they may still  
Remember me as I for them are zealous,  
Sweet IHESUS both in Soul and Body heal us.    
AMEN.   

A BRIEF YET DEVOUT PRAYER TO THE GLORIOUS Citizens of the Celestial JERUSALEM, very fit to be used in time of Mortality.  
O! all you Celestial Inhabitants of the new JERUSALEM, Unto whose names and memories our parish Churches were (by our pious progenitors) Erected, Dedicated and Consecrated; We devoutly beg of you by that unbounded love wherewith our common Lord hath loved you, that you will make Intercession unto him in the behalf of those parishes whose Churches yet retain your names; That our merciful Lord will be pleased to revoke the destroying Angel lately sent out with Commission to punish our sins with the Plague of Pestilence; And although (such is the profaneness of these times) most of the Inhabitants being miserably consopated & inebriated with heresy, do contemn your suffrages, and seek (as fare as they are able) utterly to annihilate that Authority wherewith the King of all Kings hath ennobled you. Yet O ye holy company be pleased for their sakes who devoutly crave your patronage protections, merits and Intercessions, to desire our Lord to be merciful to all in general, and that he will not for the iniquity of the Disobedient punish the Obedient; But rather in mercy spare the chaff for love of the wheat, least plucking up the one he destroy the other, before the harvest of separation is come. Pray for us O ye beloved of God, hear us O merciful JESUS, and divert thine anger from us miserable wretches, who meekly come unto thee, relying upon thy wont favours; O be pitiful, spare us O benign IHESV: To whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost, Be all glory for ever and ever,  
AMEN.