A Path way to Penitence.  
With sundry devout prayers, fruitful advertisements, and wholesome counsels of godly Fathers towards the amendment of life, and some withdrawing of the bridle of overmuch liberty taken.  Luke 1●. 
〈…〉 by the narrow gate 〈…〉 shall seek to enter 〈…〉.  
LONDON▪ Printed by john Wolf. 1591.   

The end and purpose of this Book.  
LAy down thy lofty looks,  
Thy rich and ruffling rags,  
Sith God nor godly brooks,  
That beggars make such brags.  
This wretched state you know,  
Shall soon be laid full low.  
Death pulls thee by the sleeve,  
And calls thee to account:  
Thou wo●st a month to live,  
To what it doth amount.  
But lest it be a week.  
Prepare: be not to seek.  
Examine by this squire,  
And see if all be square,  
To scape that lasting fire,  
Fly pains, nor cost, nor care.  
To help thy life to look,  
'tis purpose of this Book.   

Of Penitence, and the parts thereof.  
PEnitence, is the grief and sorrowing of the heart for the sins and offences committed, together with an earnest purpose and desire to forsake them, and to be cleansed of them, that grace may be restored, by such means as GOD hath left whereby to obtain it. To say thou art sorry for thy sins committed against the divine majesty, and yet hast a liking thereof, or some remnant of a will or purpose in thy heart to renew them again, it is but wicked dissumulation & deriding of the holy action of Penitence, without which no sinner can well hope to attain to salvation. Let such take this for admonition, both dreadful and often verified, they are most likely to be prevented and overtaken with the wrath of God, whose merciful favour in giving them sufficient space and means to repent, they have neglected and overpassed, and so shall be disappointed both of time, and the necessary means to their forgiveness.  
Therefore it will be most safety, readily to embrace God's mercy when it is offered▪ with some devotion, fear and dread of his justice. Like as it is a thing most dreadful to despair of forgiveness, or upon presuming of his mercy and forgiveness, and persevere in a delight & liking of the former sins and offences  
Penitence is thought to consist of three things: viz. Contrition, which is the inward grief and hearty sorrowing for our sins committed, to the impairing of that dignity, and polluting of that purity, whereunto we attained by our calling in Baptism, but especially to the provocation of GOD'S wrath thereby. Which contrition and inward motion of grace, moveth and counseleth to proceed to the acknowledging of our manifold sins, and accusing of ourselves in the court of conscience, by confession, there to judge ourselves lest we be judged of the Lord.  
And sith the account of our life and offences committed, is the weightiest cause that any mortal man can pass through and deal with in his life, it is to be attempted and taken in hand, rather with all care, fear and diligence possible, then slightly & superficially, without due regard which we utterly disallow of, in the meanest of our worldly causes.  
Then resteth the third part, which is restitution, and amends making, which some do call satisfaction, which is not to be taken as though we are able by any works or merits to deserve the forgiveness of our sins, or to yield any meet recompense to God, for offending and displeasing his divine Majesty, for in that respect, Christ in his most precious bloodshedding, hath wrought a satisfaction for us, if we withal perform our duties, thereby to be partakers in that benefit, as by his holy word and the counsel of the holy Ghost, in his Church, he hath willed us. But the satisfaction belonging of our parts, is the humbling of our hearts, the bridling of our fleshly appetites, the bringing forth of penitent fruits in express actions to the world: as in alms, prayer, fasting, abating of our pride & pomp in our apparel, the charitable bestowing of our superfluity to the comfort and relief of the needy, or otherwise to the honour of God or good example in the Commonwealth. Also by forgiving others offences against us, and by restoring unto all men whatsoever we withhold or took away wrongfully: and that is that little which we are able to do towards satisfaction, wherewith GOD may be pleased, & his wrath the better appeased.  

Reason's persuading to Penitence, and the speedy performance thereof.  
The néedfulnes thereof.  
The profit thereby.  
The sundry examples of men in time past.  
Ezechiel 18. If the wicked shall be converted from his wickedness, and become righteous, all his iniquities which he hath done shall be forgotten.  
Chris. de Penit. O penitentia quid de te nunc referam etc. O Penitence what shall I now say of thee, thou settest free the soul that is bound, and preservest that which is unbound. By thee the thief obtained Paradise, the prodigal son a chain of worship, the city of Niniveh pardon, and Peter forgiveness when as he had denied Christ.  
Philosophy saith, that every thing is undone by the same causes it grew.  
The rule of law saith, the thing is not forgiven except the thing wrongfully taken be restored.  
God grant that the Penitence which is to be performed for our sins and offences, be not required to the last farthing.  
If thou ask when Penitence is to be done, forsooth presently, it is but presumption to defer it.  
Eccles. That which thou mayest do, do it forthwith.  
Gal. 6. Whiles we have time, let us do things that be good.  
Aristot. Of all our time, non habemus nisi nunc, we have but this time which we call Now.   

Godly cogitations inducing to Penitence and amendment of life.  
Think on the goodness of God, on his divine might and virtue.  
Think how good he hath been to thee, to create thee of so noble a shape as in his own likeness.  
Think what grace he hath done to thee in the Sacrament of Baptism cleansing thy soul from sin.  
Think how often and manifoldly thou hast offended him, since the vow and profession in Baptism.  
Think how weekly, monthly, or yearly he hath tarried for, and expected thy returning from sin.  
Think from how many dangers he hath preserved thee in body and soul.  
Think how ill thou hast bestowed the time that hath been given thee to perform true Penitence, and yet perhaps thou hast not done it.  
Think how many times he hath forgiven thee in christ, and how many times thou hast fallen to sin again.  
Think what pain and torment thou hadst been in now, and evermore, if god had taken thee out of this world when thou wast in deadly sin.  
Think how dearly he bought thee from the danger of the devil, suffering continual pains in this world about the space of 32. years, going barefoot in cold and in heat, suffering hunger and thirst: and many reproachful injuries: at length shedding his precious blood and yielding his body to the Crosse.  
Cassiodorus. Think all that time to be lost, in which thou hast not thought on god.  
Let us begin to love good cogitations, and forthwith God will vouchsafe to deliver us from those that be evil.   

Questions and advertisements about sin and repentance or Penitence.  

What is sin?  
There are two latin words for it, peccatum, and delictum: peccatum is the sin when we do offend by disobeying the commandments of god, delictum is the sin when we leave a good work undone, which we ought to do: but these words are almost grown out of difference.   

another definition of sin.  
Fol. 19 Aug. count Faust. lib. 2. cap. 22. Sin is a free will to retain and obtain that which Law and justice hath forbidden. From the will therefore floweth the beginning of sin, and from thence the beginning of evil: namely, the transgression of the just commandments of God, or the punishment according to the just judgements thereof.   

How many sorts of sins are there?  
Three. Sins of infirmity, of ignorance, and of malice: sins of infirmity are contrary to power, and by attribution to the father. Sins of ignorance, to wisdom, and contrary to the Son. Sins of malice, to love, and by attribution are contrary to the holy Ghost.  De ver. & fals. penit. There is no sin so small that groweth not over strong by negligence. De conf. lib. 1. cap. 7. Who shall put me in remembrance of the sins of my childhood, for none are clean from sin in thy sight, no not so much as the child of one day old? And a little after: The weakness of infant's members is innocent before GOD, but not their souls. Fear therefore to commit sin, for he that loveth sin shall fall into a death, where he could not fall into it if he did not delight in sin.  

Which be the sins crying before God for vengeance and punishment.  
Manslaughter, sin against nature, Oppression of the poor, fatherless, and widows, with holding of labourers wages, and debts due to poor men.   

Which be the sins that bring forth other sins?  
Provocation, counseling, commending, permission, assisting, participation, consenting.   

Which be the circumstances augmenting sin?  
Time, knowledge, order, age, state, number, persevering, dignity, place, manner, small resisting.   

How is sin avoided?  
By eschewing the occasion thereof, which oftentimes is found to be through company, meats, drinks, apparel, beholding, etc.   

What remedy to put away sin committed?  
Repentance, which is an inward contrition of heart for sin committed, with amendment of life intended.   

What effects be there of repentance?  
It maketh Angels glad, it justifieth wicked persons: it doth call again the goodness lost, and draweth mankind to everlasting life.   

Which be the parts pertaining to repentance?  
Hope of forgiveness, inward sorrowing, or contrition of heart, acknowledging of the fault, and a purpose to forsake sin.   

How should a man begin Repentance?  
First in thy chamber or other secret place, be busily thinking with thyself, how manifoldly & how wickedly thou hast sinned: whether in deed, speech, consent, or will, and then what good deeds thou hast left undone, which to thee pertained to do. Thy sins particularly called to remembrance, with the greatness, enormity, and filthiness of them, it behoveth to ask God forgiveness with all humility, and hope to be forgiven, wholly trusting in the merits of our only Saviour and Redeemer: the great benefit and virtue of whose merits are applied unto the sickness and wounds of our souls by his ghostly physic of Penitence, and the godly actions and performance thereof, which is like to prove the more fruitful and effectual, if it be joined with these things following:  
First faith, which is a firm believing that God will undoubtedly perform that that he promiseth or threateneth.  
Secondly, hope of obtaining forgiveness.  
Thirdly, confidence and trust had in Christ's merits, of his bloudsheadding and passion, whereof our penitence for sin maketh us partakers.  
Fourthly, submission and accusing of ourselves.  
Fiftly, the love of God, for which, all sin is to be abhorred, and all obedient service of our part to be performed Means to kindle and stir up that love, are these.  
First the knowing of ourselves, by considering our basins, vileness & infirmity.  
The consideration of the mightiness and greatness of God, against whom we dared to offend.  
The regard and dread of displeasure, and terror of the last judgement, when all shall be rewarded according unto their works or deserts.  
The revolving, reckoning and remembering of our sins, and wicked or filthy desires.  
The calling to mind of God's undeserved benefits bestowed on us his unprofitable & unworthy servants.   

To help us the better to call our sins to mind, these few circumstances may serve.  
The calling to mind how long time hath passed since we performed the works & parts of penitence, last before this, in such sort as we ought to do.  
The estate of our degree and calling, by reason whereof our sin may be the more grievous, or we the more touched or punished for the transgressions of others.  
The vocations which we have bestowed our time in.  
The places where we have lived, accompanied, or been conversant.  
The persons whose fellowship or dealings we have meddled with.   

Why is confession of sins so needful as prayer?  
Because confession prepareth and maketh us more meet to pray, and more likely to be heard. The holy man David had ever recourse to confession and penitence. Psa. Dixi confitebor, etc. I have said I will confess mine iniquities to the accusing of myself.  
Prou. 28. He that hideth his offences shall not prosper but he that shall confess them, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.   

Who is like never to be forgiven?  
He that forgiveth not others. And he that will not to his power restore again such goods or things as he hath taken or gotten into his hand wrongfully from others, by stealth, robbery, fraud, subtlety, or otherwise injuriously.   

How prove you that?  
The testimony of the Pater noster, or lords prayer, may be brought for the first, viz.. Good Lord forgive us, even as we forgive others.  
And for the other S. Augustine's words may stand for witness to confirm it, where he saith: Non dimittitur peccatum, nisi restituatur ablatum. The sin is not forgiven, unless the thing taken away be restored.   

How a man ought to examine his own conscience, and to confess his sins privately to God.  
First, look into yourself, your behaviour and usage, and see by how many ways and means you have offended God in the sin of pride: whether it be of a high, presumptuous, vainglorious, or arrogant mind, or else in your apparel, beauty, eloquence, riches, great livelihood, fair building, office, or other temporal or natural gifts. And according to that which you shall find yourself an offender in, to be hearty contrite, and inwardly sorrowful, confessing, acknowledging, and accusing yourself thereof. Most humbly craving pardon and forgiveness with an unfeigned purpose to amend, and become humble as a denier of yourself.  
Also how much and how diversely you have sinned in envy against others, because they be better esteemed or commended than you, or live in more wealth, credit, and prosperity. And according unto your guiltiness herein, to cry God mercy, in purpose to amend and become more charitable towards your neighbour.  
Also how much and how often ye have sinned in wrath against your neighbour, kept covertly, or breaking forth into rigorous or malicious words, with appetite to revenge.  
Acknowledge and accuse yourself, imploring mercy and forgiveness, with grace to become patiented.  
Also call unto mind how slothful you have been to all goodness: especially for the health of your own soul, in omitting to serve God devoutly by prayer, coming to the Church, or in due pondering on your repentance, delighting rather in idle thoughts and imaginations of the world and the flesh.  
Acknowledge your manifold faults here: ask God heartily mercy, esteem less of your ease, by dreading or thinking on the torments due to all sin.  
Moreover, peruse yourself and see how diversly and often you have fallen into the sin of Covetousness, by unlawful desires of worldly goods, in misspending of them or in unmeet keeping of them when they might be well spent. And specially in desiring of other men's goods wrongfully, or in ambitius desire of worship, or riches, above that is meet and sufficient against your necessity.  
Acknowledge your desires and dealings herein: even to to him that knoweth whether you say true, or do cloak and make light of them.  
Item, how often you have sinned in gluttony of meat or drink, in taking more than sufficient: or in eating at such times, or in such manner, as you ought to forbear, preferring the regard of your belly, before the conscience of order, obedience and example, aggravating the sundry offences herein, by making yourself worse disposed to serve God, and the more prepared and stirred up to sin, wrath, and wretchedness. Ask God mercy with tears, and due sorrowing, remembering the penury of the poor distressed and the voluntary abstinence of Christ and his servants.  
Lastly, how often and diversely you have offended in the sin of lechery and fleshly liking, either by unclean desires or voluntary pollutions, & by actual performance. Acknowledge your manifold offences herein, be thoroughly penitent, & ever think that to be a sorrowful pleasure, which so much displeaseth GOD, for the which he saith: Thou shalt not in that state of mind and purpose, inherit the kingdom of heaven.  
Furthermore, you are to examine yourself by the rule of the commandments.  
Whether you have loved God above all things, or thy wife, child, gold, fair house, or concubine more than him.  
How much you have used to take his name in vain, by needless swearing.  
How negligent you have been in observing the Sabbath, and other festival days, appointed for prayer and God's service.  
How obedient or disobedient you have been unto your own parents, carnal or spiritual, in not following their well advised counsels, and commandments, or in not doing unto them due reverence.  
How slanderously you have used your tongue to the defaming of any person.  
How injurious you have been towards your neighbours, in taking away their goods or things without their good wills and consent.  
How much you have sinned with your neighbours wife, or other women, by unlawful act, or fleshly desire  
How wicked and malicious you have been in bearing false witness against any person, especially the innocent, and he that standeth in that which is right and true.  
How viciously inclined you have been, in not forbearing to seek, and practise how to get and obtain the unlawful love and liking of other men's wives, daughters or servants.  
Or by what means you may get into your hands, or possession, the goods, house, land, office, or living of your neighbour, all which offences are committed against the express commandment of almighty God, and therefore you can not be too scrupulous or diligent in looking well to these points, nor think this superfluous or superstitious.  
Likewise, how much you have sinned in misusing or in misspending of your five senses, called the five wits, that is, in unchaste seeing, in gluttonous tasting, in vain or ungodly hearing, in pomppous or ruffianly smelling in wanton touching with hands, feet or other places.  
Lastly, how much and how wilfully you have sinned in not fulfilling the Temporal works of christian pity: in not clothing the naked: in not giving drink to the thirsty: in not feeding the hungry: in not visiting prisoners, and the sick: in not giving unto the poor: in not harbouring the harbourless: in not burying the dead.   

Spiritual works of pity.  
In not giving counsel to them that needed: in not teaching the ignorant: in not correcting or rebuking offenders: in not comforttng the sorrowful: in not forgiving them that have missaide or misdéemd of you: in not patiently suffering them that have reproved you: in not praying for your ill neighbours amendment.   

Sins of the heart.  
Error, heresy, sinful study, not believing all the articles of the faith, evil delight, imagining mischief, or vengeance: hatred, wrath, envy, joy of other men's evil: sorrow at other men's welfare: no pitying of them that be in pain or poverty: disdain at poor or sinful men: hypocrisy or dissimulation: flattery: dreading more to displease man then God: sinful coveting of dignity, benefice, office, or riches: vainglory of goods, lands, gay houses, or kindred: loathing of poor kindred: pride of kindred rich or noble: sorrow for not doing more evil, or that he did not the sin he might have done: inconstant in good purpose: loath to forsake sin: not liking or not desiring to hear the word of God: not attentive to the calling of the holy Ghost. Loath to serve God, or to do a good deed: disobedient to the commandments of GOD, or of the holy Church: disdaining of good counsel: singularity: obstination in evil purpose: despair. Of these speaketh the Lord in the Gospel. De cord exeunt cogitationes malae, homicidia, adulteria, fornicationes, furta, etc. Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, manslaughter, adulteries, fornications, thefts, etc.   

Sins of the mouth.  
Excess in tasting, eating or drinking: idle words or wanton talk: taking God's holy name in vain: lying: false bearing in hand: swearing, or forswearing: slandering, scorning, cursing, blaspheming, scolding, railing, upbraiding, disclosing of counsel, false-witness bearing: evil counsel giving: flattering words: praising of evil deeds: perverting of good deeds: perverting of God's word to a wrong meaning: despising, vain arguing, foolish laughing, proud or presumptuous speaking. Of these our Lord speaketh by the Prophet: Prohibe linguam tuam a malo, & labia tua ne loquantur dolum: sic elige quid loquare, quia mors & vita in manibus linguae. Keep thy tongue from evil, & thy lips that they speak not deceit: weigh what thou speakest, for both life, & death, is in the keeping of the tongue. And this of Solomon: Qui custodit os suum & linguam suam, custodit ab angustiis animam suam. He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from sorrow.   

Sins of deed.  
Idolatry, necromancy, treachery, sorcery, tyranny, treason, manslaughter, sacrilege, simony, apostasy, gluttony, lechery, drunkenness, false inditing of any man, wrong imprisoning, striking, hurting or hindering any in his body, good fame, or in his cattle: theft, robbery, extortion, usury, deceit, using of false weights or measures: letting of God's service, or of any good doing: misspending of holy days: wasting of time: haunting of vain plays or jests: example of evil living: bringing up of new fashions maintaining of sin, or any false quarrel: receiving in the state of mortal sin: employing viciously any bodily or ghostly gift of God: not refraining the custom of sin, nor the circumstances, as time, place or persons.   

Sins of omission. that is. The leaving of good deeds which we ought to do.  
Not loving, praying, and thanking God oft for his gifts and benefits: not giving attention to our prayers: not conforming our works and our will to Gods will: not doing all our good deeds to a good intent, which is, to please God, and so come to bliss: not disposing us to receive grace, and if we receive it, not using it as we should do: not forgiving others for charity and God's sake: not resisting strongly against temptation: not appeasing them that are at debate: not teaching and instructing the ignorant: not correcting them that do amiss: not being faithful unto God, and our Christian brother to our power: not yielding a good deed for an other if we may: not comforting them that be in sorrow, sickness, or poverty: not amending our sins speedily, but lying or dwelling in them presumptuously in trust of mercy. Against which presuming, we read in Eccl. 5. Non adijcias peccatum super peccatum, & dicas, misericordia Dei magna est. Add not one sin on heap upon an other, and say, the mercy of God is great. S. Greg. hath this saying: Come miser homo etc. When the wretched man falleth into any grievous sin the Devil persuadeth with him, that he should not repent, nor confess his sins, affirming it was but a light and small sin, or but purposed in his heart, he preacheth unto him of mercy, and promiseth him long life, and biddeth him go forwards a while longer in his sin, and all is to the end that we may bring him to care but little for God: and so at length to perish, through impenitence or desperation.   

Ready and approved remedies against capital sins.  
AGainst the swelling and inflaming of pride apply unto yourself the practice of humility, which chief consisteth in knowing of ourself, in obeying our superiors spiritual and temporal, in not making ourself better than our equals. Neither ought we to despise or disdain our inferiors. And therefore to beat down stoutness and haughtiness of mind and will, let us look upon examples of jesus Christ, his humbling to the death of the cross, and the lowly patience of his saints and martyred servants. Thus comparing our imperfections with their perfections, let us cast down ourselves, and acknowledge ourself vile, & void of any thing to be honoured or praised for.  
Against the heat and distemperance of wrath, and desire of revengement: the very same remedy serveth, that cureth pride.  
Against the wicked repining of envy had against the prosperity of others, or other wise rejoicing at their harm, have recourse unto charity, which envieth not at all, & to 'stablish that virtue in you, be fervent in prayer, and understand well the meaning of that ordinary petition, Adueniat regnum tuum, which kingdom in us is the use & possessing of charity, whereby all our wills and minds are subjecteth and referred to Gods will, which ought to rule & reign in us: whereby our faith and suffering of adversities, troubles, and annoyances are made effectual and fruitful to us, and without no good work is any thing available.  
Against the heat of lechery, and greediness of gluttony whereby they are both counted vile and beastly, alloy the one and moderate the other, with the temperate plaster of Christian fasting, which subdues the flesh to the spirit and with relieving and assisting of the poor oppressed soul, it worketh also health to the body and benefit to the common wealth.  
Against the hated iniuriousnesse of Avarice, whereby a man offendeth God as well in keeping as in coveting, set justice against wrong doing, the virtue of liberality against sparing in good purposes, and mercy against a cruel and unpittifull mind.  
Against sloth or slowness in well doing, which is the vice of them that be coldly affected towards God, lukewarm in religion, negligent in their souls health, and such as be in despair, or delay and defer that which they ought to do for the love of God or their soul, encounter & resist this sin, armed with the virtue of hope, which maketh a man to attempt things that be hard, & above his means, so they pertain to God, and the fulfilling of his holy will. Hope is our ankar the which holdeth us fast to a good purpose, as the ship is stayed by the material ankar.    


A prayer devout and thankful for daily help and preservation.  
O My sovereign Lord jesus, the very Son of Almighty God, and the most clean and glorious virgin Mary, that suffered'st bitter death for my sake and all mankind, on the Good-Friday, and rose again the third day. I beseech thee lord have mercy upon me, that am a wretched sinner, but yet thy creature. And for thy precious passion save me, and keep me from all perils bodily and ghostly, and specially from all things that might turn unto thy displeasure.  
And with all the powers of heart, I thank thee most merciful Lord for the great mercies which thou hast showed me in the great dangers that I have been in, as well in my soul as in body. And also for that thy grace and endless mercy hath ever kept me, spared me, and saved me from the hour of my birth, until this time. I beseech thee Lord, that thy mercy may keep me for thee always. And I cry thee mercy with all my whole heart, for my great offences, for my great unkindness, and for my wretched and sinful life: and in that I have showed myself so unable to lead my life as thy servant, I cry thee mercy, and beseech thee to forgive me. I thank thee also most entirely, my most gracious Lord, for the benefits and grace which thou hast given me so largely in this world, before many other who have better deserved then I. But most gracious Lord, I confess and acknowledge utterly that all the same cometh of thee: for the which all worship, praising and thanks be to thee now and ever.  
Non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam.   

A prayer to be said when thou preparest to make confession of thy sins to God.  
CReator of heaven and of earth, King of kings, and Lord of Lords, who hast made me of nothing to thy Image and likeness, and hast redeemed me with thy own blood, whom I a sinner am not worthy to name or call upon: most humbly I pray and beseech thee, that thou wouldst mercifully look upon me thy naughty servant, and have mercy upon me that hadst mercy on the woman of Canaan, and on Mary Magdalene, that sparedst the Publican, and forgavest the thief hanging upon the cross. To thee (O most holy father) I confess my sins, which if I would hide from thee (O Lord) I can not. Spare me (O Christ) whom I have much offended, in thinking, speaking, and doing, and in every manner wherein (I frail man and sinful) might sin by my fault, by my own fault through my great default. Therefore (O Lord) I beseech thy mercy that camest down from heaven for my salvation, that liftedst up David from his fall of sin, spare me (O Lord (spare me (O Christ) that sparedst Peter when he denied thee. Thou art my Creator and my Redeemer, my Lord and my saviour, my king and my God. Thou art my hope and my trust, my guide and my help, my comfort & my strength, my defence and deliverer, my life, my health and my resurrection, my light and my desire, my assistance and my refuge. I pray and beseech thee, help me, and I shall be safe, govern me and defend me, strengthen me and comfort me, confirm and make me glad, lighten me and vifite me, raise me being dead, because I am of thy making and workmanship. O Lord despise me not, being one of thy household servants, although lewd, unworthy, and a sinner: but whatsoever I am good or bad, I am always thine. To whom shall I fly except I go to thee? If thou dost cast me off, who shall receive me? If thou dost despise me, who shall look upon me? Vouchsafe therefore to know me one unworthy flying unto thee: though I be vile and unclean, seeing if I be unclean, thou canst purge me: if I be blind, thou canst make me to see: if I be sick, thou canst make me whole: if I be dead and buried, thou canst raise me again. For thy mercy is greater than my iniquity, thy godliness is greater than my ungodliness, thou canst forgive more than I can commit, and release more than I can offend. Despise me not therefore (O lord) neither look on the multitude of my iniquities, but according to the multitude of thy mercies have mercy on me, & be favourable unto me a great sinner. Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation: who didst say, I will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may be converted and live. Turn me (O Lord) and be not angry against me, I pray and beseech thee, O most merciful father, that for thy mercy's sake thou wilt bring me to a good end, and to the happiness of true repentance by due contrition and pure confession of all my sins. Amen.   

A prayer before confession to God.  
MOst holy and merciful Lord jesus Christ, the only hope of my souls health, receive this the confession of my sins, which I will make unto thee: and give me I beseech thee due sorrowing of heart, and grace to bewail them with the tears of mine eyes, and that hereafter both day and night I may mourn for my negligences & offences with an humble and pure heart. Let my prayer approach in thy sight (O Lord) if thou shalt be displeased with me, whom shall I seek to help me? who shall pity mine iniquities? Be mindful of me O lord, who called'st the Cananean and the Publican to repentance, and receivedst Peter when he wept. O lord my God receive my prayers the Saviour of the world, good jesus that gavest thyself to the death of the cross, to save sinners, respect me miserable sinner, that am calling upon thy name, neither respect thou so much my evilness, that thou forget thy own goodness▪ And if I have committed that whereby thou mayest condemn me, thou hast not lost that whereby thou mayest save me. Spare me therefore thou that art my Saviour, and have mercy on my sinful soul, unloose her bonds and beale her wounds, Lord jesus I desire and beseech thee show me thy countenance, & I shall be safe: send forth thy light and thy truth into my soul, that I may see in this gross body the number, quality, & greatness of my offences which I ought now to confess to thee with answerable sorrowing & bitterness of heart. Grant thou that livest & rainest god for ever & ever.   

A prayer to be said after the confession of our sins to God.  
O Lord I beseech thee, let this my confession be accepted with thee, which I have now made before thee, by calling to mind, and rehearsing of my sins, and whatsoever there is wanting in me, either of due contrition and sorrowing, or of pure and dutiful confession, let thy godliness and mercy supply it: and according thereunto vouchsafe that I may be received, full and perfectly absolved in heaven, who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.   

A prayer before the holy Communion.  
TO come to the Table of thy most sweet banquet (O holy Lord jesus Christ) I do fear and tremble, that am a sinner, nothing presuming of my own merits, but trusting in thy mercy and goodness, for I have a heart and body spotted with many crimes, together with a mind and tongue not warily kept. Therefore O holy Deity and dreaded Majesty, I poor wretch attached with many causes of sorrow and grief of mind, have recourse to thee the fountain of mercy: unto thee I hasten to be cured: I fly under thy protection. And whom I am not able to bear as a judge, I hope to find a Saviour: to thee, O Lord, I show my wounds: before thee I wipe away my shamefastness: I wot my sins be many and great, for which I am afraid, but I hope of thy mercies which are infinite. Look unto me with the eyes of thy mercy, Lord jesus Christ, King eternal, God and man, crucified for man, hear me hoping in thee, have mercy on me that am full of sins and wretchedness, thou which never will't cease to let run the fountain of thy compassion. Remember O Lord, thy creature which thou redéemest with thy own blood. It repenteth me that I have sinned, and I am in desire to amend the works of my life.  
Therefore most merciful father take from me all my iniquities and sins, that I being purified in mind and body, I may worthily taste of that which is most holy, and grant that the same that I unworthy intend to receive, may be the remisson of my sins, the perfect purging of my offences, the expelling of filthy cogitations, the renewing of good & godly intentions, and a most firm defence of my soul and body against the snares & deceits of my enemies. Amen.   

A prayer to be said after the holy Communion.  
I Give thee thanks holy Lord, almighty Father, god eternal, that hast vouchsafed to feed me a sinner, thy unworthy servant, for no merits of mine, but of the vouchsafing of thy mercy. And I beseech thee that this holy Communion be not unto me a guiltiness unto punishment, but rather a wholesome intercession to forgiveness. Let it be to me the armour of faith, and shield of good wil Let it be a cleansing of my vices, and destruction of concupiscence and lust: the increase of charity, patience, humility, and obedience, a sure defence against the assaults of all enemies, both visible and invisible, a perfect quieting of my motions, both carnal and spiritual, a sure staying on thee one true god, and a happy consummating of my life and end.  
And further I beseech thee that thou wilt vouchsafe to bring me a sinner to that unspeakable banquet, where thou with thy son, and the holy Ghost art to all thy Saints, the true light, and the full satiety▪ the everlasting joy and most perfect mirth and felicicity through our Lord jesus Christ. Amen.   

A devout prayer of the seven last words of our Saviour.  
O Lord jesus Christ, who art noted to utter specially seven words or sentences whiles thou didst hung on the cross, whereby we understand it was thy will we should always be mindful of the same most holy speeches. I beseech thee by the virtue of the same, that thou have mercy on me, in whatsoever I have sinned and offended against thee in the like number of mortal sins, or their branches. Lord even as thou saidst, Father forgive my crucifiers, so give me grace that I may forgive all them that work me any evil Lord as thou saidst to the Thief, To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise, by thy grace let me so live, that at the hour of my death thou mayest say, To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Lord, as thou didst say to thy mother, Woman behold thy son, and then unto the Disciple, Behold thy mother, even so let thy love and charity bring me to be conversant with thy blessed mother, Lord, as thou didst say, O my God my God, why hast thou left me? Give me grace to say, whensoever I am in trouble or vexation. Father, have mercy on me a sinner: help me my King and my God, who hast redeemed me with thy own blood. Lord, even as thou saidst, I do thirst after the death of souls, so let me ever thirst after thee, love thee the wellspring of living water▪ the fountain of eternal light. Let me run to love thee with all the desire of my heart. Lord, as thou saidst, father into thy hands I commend my spirit, give me grace to live so perfectly, that at my death I may say to thee: Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit, receive me that am coming unto thee, for now is the time thou didst appoint. Lord, as thou saidst, It is finished, meaning that the sorrows and labours suffered for us miserable sinners, were now at an end: let me by thy help deserve to hear the sweet speech of thine: Come my beloved, for I have now determined to accomplish thy petitions, Come with me that thou mayest sit with my Angels and Saints, feasting in my Kingdom, and rejoicing world without end. Amen.   

A prayer for the daily bread.  
ALmighty God, we thy wretched children do cry unto thee from earth, as to our father in heaven: vouchsafe through thy infinite mercy to give us that which pertaineth to the needful sustentation of the body▪ and grant thy grace and blessing unto all our labours & honest exercises. For unless thou buildest the house, they that build it labour in vain. Help us that we may cast out the net of our vocation in thy name to good luck in taking, and therewithal give us thy grace that every one in buying and selling may deal with a good conscience, without fraud & deceit. Keep us from ill servants, & from an unfaithful family to deal with. Give us that live in poverty, patience, that we murmur not against thy divine will, nor of malice transgress thy commandments: grant to them that be rich that they be not proud thereof, but rather that they may enrich themselves with good works, and so lay up a good foundation for the world to come. O Lord God two things I do ask of thee, keep me from Idolatry, in preferring any thing before the love of thee, be it wife, children, friends, house, riches, or any private opinion, and give me neither beggary, nor riches, but rather the which is needful for my sustentation, least being over full, I be moved to deny thee, and say who is the lord▪ or otherwise be compelled by need to rage and to forswear the name of my God. From these things preserve me I beseech thee, through jesus Christ thy beloved son. Amen.   

Against the devils temptation.  
O Mighty and good God, the heavenly Father, we find by thy holy word, that the devil the old serpent our adversary lieth in wait by a thousand or infinite endeavours to keep our souls from salvation, and to bring us into the filthiness of sin, confusion and desperation. He enticeth us with riches: he would catch us with poverty: voluptuousness: the coveting of worldly honour, and desire of power and authority: or else by other worldly carefulness. He layeth snares for us by words, by deeds, by night, by day which way soever we turn us, he assaulteth us with his temptations, whether we watch or sleep, he is at our backs, and openeth his jaws to devour us. O lord, who shall escape him? Behold he wacheth without ceasing, and never is at rest, but we of the sluggishness of our flesh, watch not carefully to resist him by thy help. Open therefore our eyes, that we may know how puissant and subtle an enemy we have: for our wrestling is not only against flesh and blood, but against Satan the Prince of this world. Have mercy on us O GOD, and make us strong & comfortable in the virtue of thy power: put on us that armour that we may resist his assaults, gird our loins with the truth put on us the breastplate of righteousness: and shoes of evangelical peace. But above all things strengthen our hearts with the target of faith, where with we may break off the fiery darts of the wicked fiend: put on us the helmet of salvation, and give us the sword of the spirit, which is thy holy word in true sense and understanding: so shall we manfully resist and overcome our said adversary. If thou be our helper, we shall not fear him, though the whole earth be in broil, and the mountains cast into the Sea, thou art our force and refuge, which livest and reignest world without end.   

For Benefactors.  
O Most merciful God, sith it is so, that all ingratitude displeaseth thee, give me grace (I beseech thee) to be mindful and thankful for all thy benefits, and that I be not found unthankful toward them that have done me any good, lest I fall into thy judgment for it. O most sweet god, give to them that good both of body and soul, which they stand in need of. And give me grace to be beneficial unto others, as I have found others to me, after my power. Let me not for the ingratitude of others, fail or wax faint herein, specially towards the faithful, for as much as thou our heavenly father art good, and sufferest thy Sun to rise both on the good and evil, and rainest on the just and unjust: I beseech thee let us follow this thy liberal example that we may show ourselves to be thy true sons, that thy name be not dishonoured, or thy honour vioalated, who livest and reignest true and almighty God now and for ever. Amen.   

For the unity of the Church.  
Merciful God, who hast called us by one and the same hope of our calling, even as there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, or more rather, as thou the Father art one God with Christ thy beloved Son in the holy Ghost, so ought we to be one in thee. I therefore do beseech thee, that all that bear the name of Christian men, may be of one mind in the true & catholic faith: and that we may be careful to maintain the unity of the Church in the bond of peace, & to unite our hearts in charity. Take from us all carnal affection, enmity, hatred, and swelling of mind, and curiosity of foolish and unprofitable questions, that beget nothing but strife. Break the power of the devil with the malice and deceit of men, who endeavour to dissever that band of unity Assist us, O merciful God, that as many as have departed from the sound understanding of the scriptures (according to the interpretation of the holy Ghost, whom our Saviour left to be the comforter & director of his church) and of a reprobat mind have brought in errors, heresies, & strifes, they may through thy grace return to the acknowledging of thy truth. Likewise defend us from the tumultuous spirits of errors and schism, that the church be not troubled, and the hearts of the ignorant seduced by sugared words. So shall we of one agreement, and with one mouth, honour thee the God and Father of our Lord jesus Christ. Amen.   

For the preservation of the Church.  
O Father of all mercy, conserve, I beseech, thee, thy universal Church, the congregation of all true faithful people, against the gates of hell, against all the deceitful snares of the Devil, and against all malice and rebellious madness of the world, save thy Ark and all christians therein, that it perish not in the raging sea, and tossing waves, I beseech thee. Suffer thy Church that it may remain unshaken upon that foundation and firm corner stone, whereon it was by thee erected. O lord God of might and virtues, turn towards us, look down from heaven and visit this thy vineyard. Make that perfect which thy right hand hath planted, and which thou hast chosen unto thyself, that the boughs & branches thereof may spread & increase: fence it with thy shield▪ receive us thy sheep in to thy protection, that we be not by any adversary of the same, taken out of thy hand. Mercifully protect us from all such as seek the overthrow of sound doctrine, and the stablishing of Idolatrous heresy. Remember not Lord our offences, who in time past didst remit thy people's iniquity. Convert us Lord our Saviour, and turn away thy wrath from us. Perform this for the love of thy name, lest the holiness thereof be violated and dishonoured. Grant this I beseech thee, for the love of thy most beloved Son our only hope and Saviour. Amen.   

Another prayer for conservation of the church.  
Almighty God, who gavest victory to Gideon, with a handful of men to overcome his enemies. And thou O Christ our Saviour, as thou savedst Peter from drowning when he walked on the Sea, and Paul the Apostle from the bottom of the Sea, having escaped danger of shipwreck three times so preserve us in this storm and tempest of our enemies, here ready to swallow us up, and strengthen us with thy right hand, that in our victory thy name may be to all men most holy and glorious.   

A prayer at the travail of childbirth.  
OUr most merciful and gracious father in Christ jesus our Lord, who hast promised to our forefathers the children of Israel, that if they would hearken to thy voice (in obeying thy will and commandments) there should none miscarry with their fruit, or otherwise be barren: we thy unworthy servants, and their sinful offspring, acknowledging the wickedness of life, and the calamity of our age to be such that we may justly say with Ezechias, This is a troublesome time, children are at the point to be borne, and the mother's want strength to deliver them: good Lord we most humbly and devoutly beseech thee with thy clemency and merciful help to respect this thy handmaids wretched estate, which for disobeying thy holy will, thou hast inflicted upon the daughter's gf our first parent Eve, that this our sister may obtain at thy merciful hand, the favour of safe and speedy deliverance: and her fruit to come unto the new birth of baptism and regeneration, that she overcoming by thy merciful goodness, the pains and travel which thy pleasure is she should suffer, she may live, and laud thy holy name, and say with thy beloved servants helped in this case: Thus hath the Lord dealt with me at such time as he looked upon me: thou (O Lord) vouchsafing to wipe her tears, and to make her a glad mother. Grant this mercy unto her, we beseech thee, who hast promised to be their assured help and comforter that put their trust in thee.   

A prayer for making a good end.  
O GOD most holy, thou hast appointed to man a term of his life, which he can not pass, for he hath his prefixed time: the number of his months is in thy hand, thou hast remembered every day of our life, which passeth away so swift, as if our selves did fly away: all our years are but as smoke & shadow: all flesh is grass, which soon withereth: it is as the flower of the field that soon perisheth. Teach me therefore that I may now at length know and think upon my end, which is so near at hand. My days be but as a hand breadth. Teach me, O Lord, to be mindful of death, and to learn to die, sith in this pilgrimage we have no long dwelling place. O Lord let my end be foreknown unto me, that in this world I may live & end my life unto thee, and accept the day of my return, and of our revealing of our lord jesus Christ thy beloved son, by my readiness in holy conversation and godliness. Suffer me to make my end with perfect use, reason, and in true confession of my sins with contrition. Let me not speak like one that is mad, nor utter any blasphemous words against thee my good Lord, or contrary to my salvation. Vouchsafe to protect me also from sudden death, and from eternal damnation, that I be not overtaken by death, before I am fully prepared in performing of true repentance. And when the same hour shall come, make me strong and without fear to bear the Temporal death, which is nothing else but the door to eternal life. Let me thy servant then departed in peace, because mine eyes have seen my salvation▪ which thou hast prepared before the face of all people as a revealing light to the Gentiles, to the renown of Israel thy people. Give me grace that at the last instant I may speak, at the least this word which thy beloved Son uttered upon the Cross, saying: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.. And when I▪ shall not be able to speak, yet vouchsafe, I beseech thee, to hear my last groans through jesus christ. Amen.   

Against desperation.  
O Most just and merciful GOD, seeing through my own fault and will, I have often transgressed thy commandments, and contemned thee my Lord God, to my grievous burden of offences, whereby my conscience is sore vexed and wounded, that thereby trembling and weakness of mind groweth upon me, I beseech thee most holy father, suffer me not to distrust thy grace and mercy at any time, least I fall into desperation, which is the most grievous of all sins. Comfort me that even in the midst of death I may fix all my hope in thee, which art my life, without distrust of thy mercy and help. Behold me with the eyes of thy mercy, as thou didst Peter, after he had denied thee, lest despairing like judas the traitor, I might sin against the holy Ghost. O God the holy Ghost, help me in my extreme necessity▪ when Satan shall grievously accuse me before thee, laying open the Book of my conscience, and the sight of Hell terrify me, when I shall be compassed about with the sorrows and fearful temptations of death, when all the world shall forsake me, and take part against me: then I beseech thee to comfort me, that my hope fall not from me. Comfort my heart with thy testimony and seal, that I may firmly believe the remission of sins, and that I may be mindful of thy most holy covenant in Baptism, and of the annexed promise: He that beeleeveth and is baptised, shall be saved.   

The prayer of a Magistrate or one in authority.  
O Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth, who hast brought and set me in the place of a ruler, and given me power over others, I beseech thee to give me a wife & prudent heart, that I may govern thy people according to my office, and understand good from evil, to the performing of justice without any fear or respect of persons. Give me counsel & strength that I may do that which is acceptable unto thee, profitable for them that be under me, & available to public peace and quietness. Let me not forget that I have not my authority of myself, but from the high God, and that I am to execute the judgement or rule not of man, but of God in heaven▪ and thou assisting me in the same, beholdest all my doings, who at length wilt inquire and take account of my words, works, and ordinances that am sure to live but a short time in mine office. And because the punishment shall be sore & grievous on them that rule not well, when the mighty shall be mightily tormented: (For God is the ruler of all, who will not spare the person of any, nor fear his greatness, who hath made both great and small, having an equal care for all.) Assist me therefore O merciful and eternal god, that I may by thy grace and help, bear myself well in my office: offering violence nor injury to any, nor suffer it to be done of others: or to bear with any injustice, sith I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid, a weak man and of short life, unable for to understand thy judgement and laws. Send therefore wisdom to be assistant unto me in the place which I do occupy, that it may be with me, and labour with me, that I may know what is acceptable to thee? which also may guide me in all my affairs, and keep me in her power, that my doings may be to thy liking in christ jesus our redeemer & saviour.   

The prayer of a son or daughter.  
MOst merciful God, the celestial father, who hast commanded that I should honour my parents, of whom I took this life, who also acceptedst in good part, that duty and obedience for Christ thy beloved Son, and promisest to reward the same with long life, together with sundry temporal benefits and the heavenly blessing, I beseech thee even from the bottom of my heart, that thou vouchsafe to give unto my most kind and loving parents, long life and prosperous years, and also to defend them from all mischances, hurt and damage. Give me also a heart apt to love and obey them, and that I may honour them in deeds, speech, and all patience: that the same blessing of god may come upon me, and that I may succeed my father, as well in old age, as in worldly benefits. And likewise that I offend not or grieve my sweet mother that bore me in her womb with much grief, and brought me up with much car● and business, whom I ought not to forsake or discomfort, lest her curse come upon me. And if before this I have showed myself disobedient to my parents or unquiet, vouchsafe mercifully to forgive me the sins of my youth, and my secret offences, O Lord remember not: but let me acknowledge my own foolishness, and perform due repentance therefore, carefully setting before me the wholesome example of jesus Christ, who in his childhood was an admonition to his parents, and an example to all children by his obedience. So let me by thy help be endued always with Christian obedience. Keep me from the company of naughty persons: and if they entice me, let me not go with them, but withhold my feet from their paths. Let me increase and profit in wisdom age, and favour with GOD and men, through the same thy beloved son our Lord jesus Christ. Amen.   

The prayer of a servant.  
O Merciful God, who by the precious passion and death of thy Son jesus Christ, hast made me an overcomer of hell and death, being delivered from perpetual servitude, from the power of sin from the kingdom of darkness, and from the horrible tyranny of the devil: I beseech thee vouchsafe unto me by thy grace, that I fall not into any weariness or disliking of that state and seruantly condition whereunto thou hast called me, according to thy good will and pleasure, nor through impatience neither murmur against this thy ordinance, or envy the dignity and better calling of others. But that I may perform this thy will with all ready willingness, as if I served the Lord of all, and not men. Help me most pitiful Lord, that I may with all fear and patience obey my carnal masters, be they good or evil, in those things that be not contrary to thy will: not serving to the eye, as there with to please men, but from my heart for thy commandments sake. Give me grace that I may be sound faithful in all things committed to thy charge: that I lose nothing, or suffer it to perish by my sloth and negligence. O Lord keep me in health, and comfort my strength give me understanding wit to go forward with the work of my Master or Mistress, and by thy gracious help for to increase their substance, that by my diligence they may be replenished with thy blessing. And further that whatsoever I shall do at any time, the same may turn to the glory of thy most holy name, and to the wholesome exercise of my faith, through jesus Christ thy beloved son, which liveth with thee, and reigneth in the unity of the holy Ghost world without end. Amen.   

The prayer of one in a troubled conscience.  
Lord reprove me not in thy fury, thy arrows are fixed in me, and thou hast laid thy hand upon me. There is no health in my flesh because of thy wrath: there is no quiet in my bones, because of my sins. My heart is sore troubled, my strength and valour hath failed me, the light of mine eyes is not with me, sorrows have compassed me without number, my iniquities are gone over my own head, & they are multiplied as the hairs of my head, grieving & oppressing me as a sore burden. The sorrows of death have compassed me, and the troubles of hell are come upon me. My conscience and my heart are both against me. O Lord deliver me, hasten to help me, and bring my soul from the terrors of hell: forgive me my sins, which my enemy the devil heapeth upon me like a mountain, so as the same standing before my eyes, I may not behold the brightness of thy grace. Let thy mercy therefore appear unto me I beseech thee, and let me not be destitute of thy favour. Comfort me O God that I may have the enjoying of a quiet conscience: for all this is inferior to thy greatness and mercy if thou wilt. Why art thou sorrowful my soul? trust in God the health of my countenance, and he shall take thee out of temptation, and bring thee at liberty, through the innocent death of our Lord jesus Christ, which is the holy and unspotted sacrifice for our sins. Amen.   

The prayer of a sick person.  
ALmighty God and heavenly Father, forasmuch as thou hast commanded us saying: Call upon me in the day of trouble & I will hear thee, and thou shalt honour me, therefore I do call upon thee in this my great distress through jesus Christ thy beloved Son, forsake me not a wretched sinner. And if this my infirmity extend not unto death, help me that by thy mercy I may recover my health, and glorify thy power and virtue which thou hast showed upon me. But if it be thy good pleasure more expedient and meet for me to die, then to remain in this sorrowful vale and troublesome life: let thy godly will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven. And give me grace (I beseech thee) that I may commit myself to thy will which always is best. Keep me firm in the Catholic faith, to the end that I be not severed from thee and thy unity: but receive my soul into thy kingdom, through the same thy beloved son jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

Another prayer of the sick.  
O Mighty and omnipotent God, which art merciful and full of pity, and long suffering, forgive me my sins, and put away my iniquity. Vouchsafe (beseech thee) to comfort my soul against whatsoever temptation and afflictions: help me that my faith do not faint or waver in thee, nor my hope have any distrust, nor my charity wax cold, nor that my frailty be overcome with the fear of death. And when the extreme hour of my life shall come, then send me forth in peace, I beseech thee, because mine eyes have seen thy health, which thou hast made ready before the face of all people, as a light to lighten the Gentiles, and as a renown for all thy people of Israel. In this my Saviour I believe, & in him do I trust. I beseech thee O Lord let me not be confounded, sith thou art my help and my strength behold me with the eyes of thy pity, and turn thy fatherly favour towards me, through jesus Christ thy son, who by his most sacred passion and death, obtained for us eternal redemption. Amen.   

A prayer of such as be present at the extreme sickness or death-pangs of any.  
O Most holy and omnipotent God, that preservest our life even at the point of death, we do beseech thee vouchsafe to cast the eyes of thy mercy upon this sick person, to relieve him both in body and soul, and to forgive him all his sins: accept we beseech thee the oblation of the most innocent death of jesus Christ thy beloved Son, in place of satisfaction for all his iniquities. For in the confession of his name he was baptised, deliver him now therefore from the pains and griefs of his body: shorten his grief and affliction: conserve him against the accusation of his own conscience, and against whatsoever temptations of the enemy: that he may strive manfully by the faith of the holy Church, and overcome him. Send unto him thy holy Angels, that they may bring him to the fellowship of all Angels, and of the elect in Christ jesus our Lord. Amen.   

A prayer in time of plague or common mortality.  
ALmighty God, we do grant and acknowledge that we have often and gréeously offended thee by our diverse and manifold sins: forasmuch as we have all swerved from thee, and therewith are become unprofitable, neither we nor our father's keeping thy commandments. With a right sorrowful spirit, we beseech thy infinite mercy for jesus Christ thy beloved sons sake, that thou wilt not deal with us according to our sins, but have mercy upon us according to thy great goodness and favour. Be merciful to us of thy fatherly good will, take from us this fearful cogitation of pestilence & infective sickness: and suffer us not thus to perish by thy dreadful disease. Rebuke us not Lord in thy fury, nor consume us with the wicked & ungodly. Lord I beseech thee, let thy displeasure cease & leave us: show unto us thy mercy, and deliver us: be mindful of thy goodness and pity for thy name's sake. Thou O Lord art good, and thy judgements be right: but we have sinned and stirred up thy displeasure against us: forgive I beseech thee, the iniquity of my people, and take from us this pestilent infection for the bitter passion of thy sweet Son. Protect us from thy wrath, from evil and sudden death, and from eternal damnation. But if thy good pleasure be such, that thou wilt needs visit our iniquities with this temporal punishment, so favour us, I beseech thee, that bearing thy fatherly hand, laid upon us, we despair not in thy chastisement. For when we are judged, we are so corrected by our Lord, that we be not condemned with this world. And more profitable it is to suffer here temporal punishment, then eternal in the life to come: and better it is to fall into the hands of the Lord, then of men, for that thy mercy is infinite. O most holy father, grant us to end our lives in the true and Catholic faith of thy Son jesus Christ, who is the everlasting reconciliation and perfect oblation for our sins.    
Amen.   

A Daily exercise for a Christian.  
LONDON. Printed by john Wolf. 1591.   
EXercitium christiani quotidianum. In nomine patris, & filii, & spiritus sancti. Benedicta sit sancta & individua Trinitas nunc & semper & per infinita secula seculorum.  

A Daily exercise for every Christian.  
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost.  
When thou hast made thee ready, kneeling down, and holding up thy hands, say:  
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and ever, and world without end.  


PAter noster qui es in coelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum, adveniat regnum tuum, fiat voluntas tua, sicut in coelo & in terra, panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hody, & dimit nobis debita nostra, sicut & nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris, & ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.   

CRedo in Deum patrem omnipotentem, creatorem coeli & terrae, & in jesum Christum filium eius unicum Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de spiritu sancto, natus ex virgine Maria, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus & mortuus, descendit ad inferna, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, & ascendit ad coelos, sedetque ad dextram Dei patris omnipotentis, unde venturus est judicare vivos & mortuos. Credo in Spiritum sanctum, sanctam ecclesiam catholicam, communionem sanctorum, remissionem peccatorum & vitam aeternam. Amen.   

Misereatur nostri omnipotens Deus, & demissis omnibus peccatis nostris, perducat nos ad vitam aeternam. Amen.   

Indulgentiam, absolutionem, & remissionem omnium peccatorum nostrorum tribuat nobis omnipotens & misericors Dominus.   

Dignare Domine die isto sine peccato nos custodire.  
Miserere nostri Domine, miserere nostri.   

Fiat misericordia tua domine super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.  
Domine exaudi orationem meam, & clamor meus ad te veniat.   

Domine Deus omnipotens, qui ad principium huius diei nos pervenire fecisti, tua nos hody salva virtute, ut in hac die ad nullum declinemus peccatum, sed semper ad tuam justitiam faciendam, nostra procedant eloquia, dirigantur cogitationes & opera, per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.   

DIrigere & sanctificare regere & gubernare dignare Domine Deus, rex coeli & terrae hody cord● & corpora nostra, sensus, sermones & actus nostros lege tua, & in operibus mandatorum tuorum, ut hic in aeternum te auxiliante saluemur, & liberemur ab omni malo per te, salvator mundi qui vivis & regnas, in secula seculorum. Amen.   

Veni Domine jesu preliat●r fortissime, princeps exercitus Domini qui diabolum vicisti & seculum, apprehend arma & scutum & exurge in adiutorium mihi.   

Domine Deus, intend orationi meae, & misericordia tua exaudiat desiderium meum. Conforta me Domine, ut ●mnia possim quae iussisti, d●fende me ab omni malo, nunc dirigens oculos meos ad te: euelle precor de laqueo pedes meos, & protege me sub velamento alarum tuarum.   

Illumina oculos meos, ne unquam obdormiam in morte, ne quando dicat inimicus meus, prevalui adversus eum.  
Reminiscere miserationum tuarum Domine & misericordiarum tuarum quae a seculo sunt.  
Delicta iwentutis meae & ignorantias ne memineris.  
Secundum misericordiam memento mei propter bonitatem tuam Domine.  
In manus tuas commendo spiritum meum, redemisti me Domine Deus veritatis.  
Locutus sum in lingua mea, notum fac mihi Domine finem meum.  
Et numerum dierum qui est, ut sciam quid desit mihi.  
Fac mecum signum in bonum, ut videant qui oderunt me, & confundantur quoniam tu Domine adiwisti me & consolatus es me.  
O Domine quia ego servus tuus & filius ancillae tuae.  
Diripuisti Domine vincula mea, tibi sacrisicabo hostiam laudis, & nomen Domini invocabo.  
Perijt fuga a me, & non est qui requirat animam meam.  
Clamavi ad te Domine, dixi, tu es spes mea & portio mea in terra viventium.  
Gloria patri, & filio, etc.    


OUr Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven: give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. So be it.   

I Believe in God the Father almighty, maker of  
heaven and earth, and in jesus Christ his only son our Lord, which was conceived by the holy Ghost, borne of the virgin Mary, he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried, he descended into hell, the third day he arose again from the dead, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the father almighty from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins the resurrection of the body, & the life everlasting. Amen.   

The Almighty God have mercy upon us, and upon forgiveness of our sins, bring us to everlasting life. Amen.   

The Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of all our sins. Amen.   

Vouchsafe O Lord, this day to keep us without sin.  
Have mercy on us O Lord have mercy on us.   

Let thy mercy, O Lord, be showed upon us, even as we have put our trust in thee. Lord hear my prayer, and let my cry unto thee.   

Lord God almighty, who hast brought us to the beginning of this day, save us by thy power, that this day we fall not into any sin, but that always we may speak that which is true and right, and that our thoughts and works may be directed unto the same end, through Christ our Lord. Amen.   

LOrd God, king of heaven and earth, vouchsafe to direct and sanctify, rule and govern this day our hearts and bodies, our senses, speech and doings in thy law, and in the works of thy commandments, that here and for ever, by thy help, we may be preserved from all dangers both bodily and ghostly, etc.   

Come Lord jesus, strong in battle, and prince of God's army, thou that hast overcome the devil & the world, take thy armour and shield, and rise to help me.   

Give ear O Lord unto my prayer, and let thy mercy hearken to my desire, strengthen me to perform that which thy law commandeth and teacheth me to do. Keep and defend me from all evil, and lifting up my eyes, and addressing my prayers unto thee: Draw my feet out of the snare, and hide me under the covert of thy wings.   

A prayer out of the Psalm called Saint Barnard's verses.  
Lighten mine eyes, lest at any time I sleep in death, that mine enemy never say, I have prevailed against him.  
Be mindful of thy mercies O Lord, and of thy commiserations which have been since the world began.  
Remember not the follies and offences committed in my youth.  
Be mindful of me according to mercy, and for thy goodness, O Lord.  
Into thy hands I commend my spirit, thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.  
I have said, and spoken it openly, O Lord make my end known unto me.  
And what the number of my days is, that I may know what is wanting unto me.  
Give me a good sign that such as hate me, may see thy favour, and thereat may be confounded: forasmuch as thou, O Lord, hast helped and comforted me.  
O Lord let it be so, seeing I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid.  
Thou hast rid me of my thraldom, I will offer unto thee the sacrifice of praise, and shall call upon the name of the Lord.  
They perished who fled from me, and there is none to seek after my soul.  
I cried to the Lord saying, thou art my hope & my portion in the land of the living.  
Glory be to the Father. etc.    

Another prayer by such as be present at the peril of childbirth.  
MOst mighty Creator, & merciful God, we thy seely wretched creatures descended of Eve her offspring, most suppliantly beseech thee of thy infinite goodness, mercifully to look on the wretched state & misery, which of thy dreadful justice, in mixing always sorrows with joys, thou hast inflicted upon womankind for our said first parent her disobedience, and namely the state & sorrowful being of this our sister thy servant here languishing and oppressed with the pains of woman's travail and wretchedness, O good Lord thy omnipotent wisdom foreseeing that some would sin much, did bridle them with infirmity of body, to the end that it may be found more profitable for them to be low brought with suffering grievous pains, then to remain in health to their more hazard of sin and damnation. But seeing in all sickness there be three things that be grievous and specially to us thy creatures, of more weakness and infirmity by nature, that is to say, the fear of death, the grief of the body, and the loss or leving of these worldly pleasures: therefore thy merciful goodness hath so disposed our state & condition in this life, that no woman or man can be in great pain and long continue therein, so as by thy just and merciful providence, either he shall be able to bear our pains, or else that the same shall be but short: therefore it may please thee of thy great mercies, that as the air is cleansed & made clear after vehement storms, so after this sharp and long shower of tears and woeful pangs, there may follow a calm of ease of affliction to this our sister, and fair wether both of thy gracious favour, and of our minds quietness, that are pensive and careful for her. For by the testimony of thy holy word, thou delightest not in destruction, & with thy own mouth by the holy Ghost thou hast said, that thou wilt convert the sorrowing of thy servants into rejoicing. Be then our good Lord and our comforter in the day of our tribulation. Suffer not (we beseech thee) this our sister to be tempted or oppressed with pains and calamity above her strength and patience to bear it, but mercifully and speedily help and deliver her both from pains and peril. So shall we evermore pronounce and say▪ Blessed is God the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all consolation, who comforteth us in all our trouble. Amen.   

The Lord's prayer briefly expounded.  

Our Father.  
By benefit of Creation through thy omnipotency.  
By privilege of condition, through thy providence.  
By piety of adoption through thy charity.  
By reparation of bliss through thy only begotten.   

Which art in heaven.  
By omnipotent power governing.  
By grace lightning.  
By mercy directing.  
By glory appearing.   

Hallowed be thy name.  
Of us by honest conversation.  
In us by a clean conscience.  
Forth out of us by a good name and fame.  
Above us by Angelical presentation.   

Thy kingdom come.  
That is,  
Heaven by revelation.  
Holy Church by assumption.  
The faithful soul by justification.  
The holy scripture by instruction.   

Thy will be done.  
In simplicity of heart by humility.  
In charity of body by abstinence.  
In holiness of prayer by frequentation.  
In verity of work by discretion.   

Give us this day our daily bread.  
Of human necessity.  
Of spiritual doctrine.  
Of the blessed sacrament.  
Of eternal felicity.   

And forgive us our trespasses, as we, etc.  
Not retaining malice in heart.  
Not upbraiding in word.  
Not doing evil for evil.  
Not refusing to do good.   

And let us not be lead into temptation.  
Sudden which dismayeth.  
Importune which wearieth▪  
Deceitful which beguileth.  
Violent which oppresseth.   

But deliver us from evil.  
Of worldly adversity which disquieteth.  
Of man's cruelty which vexeth.  
Of the devils subtlety, which prevaileth.  
Of everlasting calamity, which tormenteth.   

Amen (that is) all thus be done.  
By attention of heart.  
By sincerity of word.  
By diligent practice.  
By continual desire.  
Read and understand. Remember & practise.    

As things are proved to be living, by moving, by sense of sight or feeling, and by lively working: so is it known whether the soul of any man liveth in Christ by these three tokens  
IF the soul be moved with the spirit of Christ, that is, to the holy desire of heavenly things, and to the contemning of the delectable things of the world.  
〈◊〉 the soul have a feeling of those things which pertain unto Christ, and as it were a suffering with Christ that suffered.  
If the soul worketh virtuous works in following of Christ. They that be lead by the spirit of God, be the sons of God.  Fides sine operibus mortua est.  

These be six signs of a Christian.  
innocency and cleanness.  
Penitence, and the true performing thereof..  
Lowliness and humility of spirit.  
Obedience, and the fear of God.  
pity and brotherly love.  
Fervent charity.   

The 12. abuses of the world which are thought to be the sins which deserve with the justice of God, that Antichrist the most wicked of all men should prevail and trouble the whole world to the peril of innumerable souls.  
Old men, and grave persons, without the wisdom of true and mature patience.  
Young men of less knowledge and authority, without reverence and obedience.  
Rich men without alms, and merciful works.  
The poor given to proud apparel, and without humility.  
The Pastors or Teachers without good deeds: where Christ himself wrought first, and then taught, he saith, Qui fecerit & sic docuerit, ille saluabitur.  
The people hearing the word of God preached, and yet wax never the better: of an hundred hearers, scarce one is converted to true Penitence, when at one sermon of Peter's or of some other Apostle, five thousands were converted.  
Men bearing the name of Christ, yet void of Christian life and sanctimony.  
The vulgar sort given to fraud in their workmanship and deceitfulness in their dealings, specially servants.  
Governors without justice and virtue.  
Churchmen without holiness and devotion.  
Religious men without observing the rules of their profession, and statutes of their order.  
Married persons without honest and continent life.   

Scriptures and fruitful sayings of the Doctors, to edify in these points following.  

Prayer.  
I would have men to pray lifting up pure hands, without wrath and contention.  
I have said I will confess mine iniquities.  
When ye do pray, if ye have any thing against others, forgive it.  
The sound or voices of prayer come not unto God's ears except it be made with great affection of mind.  
Prayer if it be true, if it be chaste, it pierceth heaven, and returneth not empty.  
For the daily and light sins, without which this life is not led, the daily prayer of the faithful recompenseth.  
By fasting the passions of the body: by prayer, infections of the mind are to be cured.  
The more we have to do with carnal things, the more earnestly ought we to be given to prayer.  
The kingdom of heaven is not gotten by taking our rest, nor eternal blessedness promised unto the negligent.   

Charity.  
He that loveth, abideth in the light.  
In this all men shall know that ye be my disciples: if ye love one another.  
In Charity a poor man is rich, and without charity every rich man is but poor.  
Charity feedeth the hungry: pride also feedeth, but charity doth it to the praise and honour of God, and pride for the praise of herself: Charity clotheth the naked, pride clotheth also: charity fasteth, so doth pride.  
Charity is the strength of faith, and faith is the fortitude of charity, where they be not both together, there both be wanting.  
A man may have in him the help and benefits of the Sacraments, and yet be an evil man, but he cannot have charity▪ and be evil.   

Fasting.  
This kind of Devils may not be cast out but by prayer and fasting.  
My legs are weakened with fasting: and my flesh is altered for want of wont sustenance.  
Fasting purgeth the mind, relieveth the senses, subdueth the flesh to the spirit, maketh the heart contrite, and humble, disperseth the clouds of concupiscence, quencheth the burning of lusts, & kindleth the light of chastity.  
He that will well and truly fast, let him abstain from sin and vice, for what availeth it to empty the body of meat, and to overload the soul with sin? What can it profit any man to be pale with fasting, & to consume with hatred & envy? What good is it to abstain from wine, and to be drunk with the lees & poison of anger and malice? What gain is it to abstain from flesh, made for man's use to be eaten, and to tear asunder the members of our neighbour with backbiting, and slander? It is no profit or a thing praiseworthy, to abstain from that which sometimes is lawful, and to do that which never is permitted, but always forbidden  
Let thy fasting chasten thee, but glad an other, and so thy sorrows shall be fruitful, if they bring joy to others. Fast so, that thou mayest be as glad as if thou hast dined, in having seen the needy to eat. God loveth a cheerful giver, and when the poor are fed by thy relief, think then that Christ hath dined with thy goods, crying that he hungereth himself in his poor.  
God liketh that fast, when thou givest to an other that which thou dost withdraw from thyself, that thy needy neighbours body may be relieved by that means whereby thine is afflicted.  
Then thy fasting shall please the Lord God, when thy soul abhorreth sin, for it is to no effect to withdraw meat from the body, and to pamper and flatter it by sin. Fast therefore chief from sin, and then thy fast shall please God. For as fasting is to the humbling of the soul, it will avail thee nothing in humbling it by abstinence of meat, and to puff it up by sin.   

Alms.  
He that doth the work of mercy offereth a sacrifice.  
Acts. 14. It is a more blessed thing to give than to take.  
Aug. Alms cleanseth sins, entreateth for us to Christ▪ for whatsoever we give unto the poor, we shall be sure to possess it.  
Aug. If thou wilt be a good merchant and a great gainer give that which thou canst not keep, that thou mayst receive that which thou canst not lose: give of thy temporal substance, that thou mayst receive eternal inheritance.  
To deny that which sustaineth life, is to kill a man, take heed, lest amongst your chests or store, ye lock up the saving of poor folk's lives, and, as it were, in tombs burying them.  
It is a part of sacrilege, to bestow the goods of the poor, otherwise then upon the poor.  
give your alms of that which is rightfully gotten, give not of that which is ill gotten, to the faithful, unto whom Christ's body is given in the sacrament.  
The renown of the Bishop is to provide for the welfare of the poor, it is a shame to all Priests to make themselves rich.  
The alms of the proud rich man can do him no good, if he have rob the poor, for that will not suffer his alms to ascend & come before the eyes of God.   

Penitence.  
Luke. 13. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  
Eccl. My son, if thou hast sinned, add not other sins to the former, but pray rather that thy former may be forgotten.  
Prou. 5. Every man is bound with the cords of his sins.  
Aug. de Penit. Paenitere est paenam tenere, ut semper puniat in se quod commisit peccando.  
Aug. Better is a little bitterness in thy mouth, than eternal torment in thine entrails.  
Au. He that wipes away his sins by penitence, is become in fellowship with Angels.  
David sinned as Princes do, but he did penance with bewailing of his life, the which princes or great men are not wont to do.  
Not to be sorry for thy sins makes God more angry, than the sin which thou didst commit.   

Contrition.  
Be sorrowful for your sins in your chamber.  
Whom shall I regard (saith the Lord) but the poor and contrite in spirit?  
Contrition is a sorrowing of the mind with tears, rising of the remembrance of sin, & of the fear of judgement.  
Let him know himself to be hard hearted, and too blame that doth bewail the corporal death of his friend, and weary not for the death of his own soul.   

Confession.  
Esay. 14. I will reckon unto thee O Lord, in the bitterness of my soul, how I have spent all my years.  
Prou. 28. He that hideth his offences, shall not be directed: but he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.  
Barnard. The camel hath but one burden, the rich man hath two: the one is of his wealth or possessions, the other of his sins: the first he layeth down at his death, the other, will he, or nill he, he must bear when he is dead, unless he be unburdened before his death.  
Aug. Confession is the health of souls, the disperser of vices, the vanquisher of devils: what more? It shutteth the mouth of hell, and openeth the gates of paradise.  
He that accuseth himself, though he be a sinner, he beginneth to be righteous, because he doth not spare himself▪ but confesseth the justice of God.  
Close wounds are worse than the open wounds, where the corruption is cast forth, much ease and amendment followeth.  
Without confession the good man is judged unthankful, and the sinner reputed as dead: confession, therefore, is the life of the sinner, and the renown of the righteous.  
Confess thy sins the rather, the more thou dost despair in thyself, because of thy iniquities: for the greater is the praise of the forgiver, Quanto maior est exaggeratio peccata confitentis, saith S. Augustine, the more that he that confesseth his sins, doth exaggerate them.  
August. From the heart cometh true confession, for if thou hast one thing in thy heart, and another upon thy tongue, thou speakest, but dost not confess.  
Aug. Tell men what thou art, but to God who thou art for fear if thou do it not, he condemn in thee that he shall see and find in thee. Wilt thou escape gods judgement? judge & condemn thyself. Wilt thou that he do pardon thee? Confess and acknowledge thy misdeeds, that thou mayst truly say unto him: O Lord turn away thy face from my iniquities: prevent God always with an humble confession, and then thou shalt not fall into eternal damnation.  
Aug. As long as thou hidest and dost not confess thy sins, so long dost thou strive with God: confess boldly thy infirmity, that thou mayest come to eternity. Confess and acknowledge the benefits of thy Shepherd and pastor, and so thou shalt be sure not to follow the wolf of error and destruction.   

Of poverty.  
He only is poor in spirit that is humble, feareth God, confesseth his sins, boasteth not of his own works or justice, but when he doth▪ some good, praiseth God for it, and when he committeth some evil, accuseth, and blameth himself.   

Five kinds of poverty.  
poverty may be said to be in five manner of ways. First, by adversity. Secondly, by cupidity. thirdly, by abundance. Fourthly, by counterfeiting. Fiftly, by will. The first is a beggary: the second a covetousness: the third a prodigality: the fourth a painted Sepulchre: the fift Christianity. The first is a scourge: the second a poison: the third a windy fan: the fourth a shadow: the fift a castle. The first is a misery, because it grieveth: the second venomous, because it killeth: the third windy, because it puffeth up: the fourth deceitful, because it dissembleth: the fifth glorious, because it crowneth.   

justice.  
Apoc. 18. Quantum quis glorificavit se, & in delitijs vixit, tantum illi dabitur de tormento & luctu.  
Luk. 12. To whom much is given, much shall be required of him.  
Cyp. The justice of the King, is the peace of the people, the defence of the country, the salving of sores, the temperature of the air: it makes fair weather by sea, and plenty at land: it putteth away the murmuring of the poor, and unto himself is the hope of future blessedness.  
That which thou dost to one, look to find it of another. If thou be obedient and loving, thou shalt have peace with men, and war with vice.   

Truth.  
Great is the truth, and it prevaileth.  
O ye fond Galathians, who hath bewitched you to disobey the truth?  
The mouth that speaks lies, killeth his soul.  
He erreth that beareth in hand he knoweth the truth, and yet liveth naughtily.  
Chrys. Such is the condition of falsehood or error, although no man withstand it yet it will wax old and decay: & contrarily, such is the state of truth, though many withstand and seek to oppress it, yet it will rise and increase.  
Chry. He is not only a betrayer of the truth, who speaketh a lie for the truth, but he also that pronounceth not the truth freely, which he ought to pronounce, or defendeth not the truth freely, the which he ought to defend.  
Ibid. If it be ungodly, not to speak the truth for fear of death, how can it be less ungodly to hide the truth for living or vain glories sake.  
Sen. Rich or noble men, though they have all things, yet one thing they lack, and that is, some one to tell them the truth: for he that will accompany with such people, must either lay truth aside, or let friendship go.   

Restitution.  
Let not the wrong doing of the just please thee.  
A kingdom is translated from one nation to another for injustice, wrong doing, deceifulnes, and scorning or railing.  
If another man's goods be not restored when it may be restored: thou art not penitent, but dost feign it: for if penitence be not truly done, the sin shall not be forgiven, except things taken away be restored.  
If he be cast into fire that hath not given of his own goods, where shall he be cast that taketh away other men's? If he burneth with the devil that clothed not the naked, where shall he burn that spoilt them?  
Ful. If unfruitfulness be cast into the fire, what doth robbery deserve? Or what shall he receive, that taketh away other men's, if he shall burn that hath not given of his own? If judgement without mercy shallbe to him that did not the work of mercy, what judgement shall be to him that rob the poor?   

Death.  
job. 30. I wots thou wilt deliver me unto death, where there is a house appointed for every one that is alive.  
Luk. 12. Make yourselves ready, for ye know not what hour the Son of man will come.  
August. de ciu. Dei. The first death driveth the soul willingly out of the body: the second death doth hold the soul against her will in the body.  
Aug. de cura pro mor. The rich man had a care of his friends that were alive, although he witted not how they did: so we have a care of the dead, though we wots as little what they do.  
What is death, but the leaving of the body, and a laying down of an heavy burden? In case the man have no other burden wherewith he may be thrown headlong into hell.  
Well ought every man to dread his ending day, for look, in what state he shall be then at his departing out of the world, such shall he be judged at the day of judgement.  
Naked we are borne, and naked we die, no difference in dead bodies, save that the bodies of the rich do stink vilely with much pampering.  
Make death to be of thy familiar acquaintance, by continual thinking upon him, that when God appointeth it, thou mayest be ready to meet with him.  
Sen. He that dieth in his youth, hath no more cause to complain, than he that hath a quick dispatch of a voyage.  
Ibid. The eternal law ordained nothing better than in giving us one way to come into the world, and many ways to go out of it.   

Resurrection.  
2. Mac. 7. Unless we hoped that they who were slain should rise again, it should seem superfluous and vain to entreat for the deceased.  
Greg. in mortal. Our redeemer took upon him death that we might not fear to die, he showed us his resurrection, that we might assuredly trust to rise again.  
Let us consider the little seed of every tree that is cast into the earth, how a tree thereof may be brought forth, and let us comprehend, if we can, where so great a tree might be hidden in so small a bulk of that seed: where the wood, where the rind, where the green leaves, and where the plentifulness of that fruit, why should we then marvel how God can turn that little dust that cometh of our body into a man? when of a little seed there riseth so huge a thing as is a great tree.  
If there be no resurrection, neither is there any God nor any providence, than all things are wrought & conducted by Fortune. We see many righteous men to live in penury, and to suffer wrong, and contrarily, sinners and unrighteous persons to flow in all kind of wealth and voluptuousness: what man of right mind will think this to be the work of just judgement or wise providence: therefore there shall be a resurrection, for God is just, and rewardeth them that put their trust in him.   

judgement.  
job. 9 I feared my works knowing thou wouldst not spare an offender.  
Rom. God will reward every man according unto his works.  
Aug. de ciu. Dei. Then shall he come openly among the just, to judge justly, that came privily to be judged of the unjust unjustly.  
Aug. de Symb. That judge is not to be prevented by favour, nor to be bowed with pity, nor to be corrupted with money, nor to be appeased with satisfaction or penance. Let the soul deal as well as she can for herself, while there is place for mercy, for there shall be the place of justice.  
When our Lord shall judge the woeful world, the most puissant kings shall come forth naked: that foolish wise man Plato shall be brought forth with his scholars, the witty arguments of Aristotle shall not help him, when the son of the poor maid shall come for to judge the furthest parts of the earth.  
Greg. When I call to mind job on the dunghill, john famishing in the wilderness, Peter tormented on the cross, I think how God will punish the reprobate in time to come, sith he entreateth so sharply them whom he loveth.  
Hier. super Mat. So often as I consider that day, my whole body doth tremble for fear, for whether I eat or drink, or do any other thing always me thinketh that fearful blast of the trumpet soundeth in mine ears, rise ye dead and come to judgement.   

Heaven.  
Esdr. 8. The most highest hath made this world for many, but the world to come for a few.  
1. Cor. 2. The eye hath not seen, nor the ear heard, nor hath it ascended unto the heart of man, what God hath prepared for them that love him.  
Aug. de poenit. Hasten thither where thou mayest live ever, if thou so much lovest this wretched & flitting life, where thou livest with so much a do, running, wrestling, swearing and sighing, and canst scarce provide thy bodily necessaries how much rather oughtest thou to love the life eternal, where is no labour nor any care to be taken, but rather great felicity, happy liberty, happy blessedness, where shall be fulfilled that which our Lord saith in the Gospel: Men shall be like Angels, the righteous shall shine, etc.  
Aug. super. Psa. The poor Widow bought as much for two mites, as Peter did by forsaking his nets, or Zacheus by giving the halt of his living.  
Aug. in Epist. If riches be loved, let them be laid up where they cannot perish: if honour be desired, let it be sought where none hath it but the worthy: if life be liked, let it be gotten where no death shall end it.  
Barn. in ser. O Lord there be many that would reign with thee, but they will not suffer with thee, they would find thee, but they will not seek thee: they would come where thou art, but they will not follow thee.  
Chrys. super Math. Great is the violence, if a man born in earth catch heaven for his portion: if he obtain by virtue that which he cannot by nature. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, for that the glory of the Lord of Israel which was due to the fathers, foretold by the Prophets, & offered by Christ, is surprised and occupied by the faith of the Gentiles, whiles they by the penance which john preached, do revive to the heavenly Country, as it were returning to a strange place.  
Greg. in mor. Only to the righteous are the rewards of the heavenly country due, so as the humble, the chaste, the meek and the merciful, are they which attain to the joys eternal.   

Hell.  
Math. 8. The children of this world shall be cast into utter darkness, where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  
Apoc. Look how much a man hath glorified himself, and been in pleasures, so much give him of sorrow and torment.  
Greg. in Dialog. There is but one fire of hell, but the same tormenteth not all sinners after one manner: for every one shall find there so much pain as his sins require.  
Ibid. Like as when many men stand in the sun, all feel not a like heat, for that some be more hot than other: even so in that one fire, there is not one manner of burning, for as much as the diversity of sins causeth that there, which the diversity of bodies worketh here.  
Greg. super Math. They shall be cast into darkness, that they may there gnash their teeth, who delighted here in eating. For crying out is caused of heat, & gnashing of teeth is caused of cold. There hell is showed to be of two sorts, to wit of extreme cold, and of intolerable heat.  
Ibid. In hell shall be intolerable cold, unquenchable heat, a worm that never dieth, a stink intolerable, extreme darkness, the scourge of torments, the horrible sight of devils, the confused heap of sins, and despair of all good things: for unto those wretches there shall be a death without dying, because there death always gins, and cannot end.  
Hugo de S. Vict. Hell is a lake without measure, deep without bottom, full of incomparable burning, full of intolerable stinks, full of innumerable sorrow: there is misery, there is darkness and everlasting horror, where there is no hope of any good thing.  
Isodor. de summo bono. The fire of hell shall give light to those wretches, to the increase of their own woe by seeing it: and not to any comfort, lest they might see whereof to rejoice.    

A note touching the profession of great knowledge in the scriptures.  
CUnning is not to be blamed, if it be well ordered, for it is good and cometh of God: but a clean conscience and a virtuous life is much better, & more to be desired. O if ye could be as busy to avoid sin, and to plant virtue in our souls, as we be to move questions. At the day of judgement it shall not be asked of us, what we have read, but what we have done: not how well we have said, but how religiously we have lived. Tell me now where be all the great Clerks and famous Doctors, who flourished while they lived? Now other men occupy their promotions and dignities, who think full little of them. He is great that hath great charity, and he that is little in his own sight, and that setteth at nought great things. And he is well taught that forsaketh his own will, and followeth the will of God. Behold the perfection of the life, and religion of the ancient fathers, and you shall see how little it is that we do in comparison of them. They served our Lord in hunger & thirst, in heat & cold, in nakedness, in labour, in vigils & fasting, in prayers & holy meditations, in persecutions, & many reproaches: they refused honours and bodily pleasures, that they might have the everlasting life: how strait and abject a life lead they in wilderness? How grievous temptations suffered they? What rigorous abstinence used they? How great zeal & fervour had they to spiritual profit? How strong battles held they against sin? On the day they laboured, on the night they prayed. And for the great sweetness that they had in heavenly contemplation, they forgot oft times their bodily refection: all riches, honour & dignities they renounced for the love of God. Now a days he is counted virtuous that is no offender, and that may with patience keep some little spark of that virtue and favour which he had first.   

Another note concerning the pain ordained for sin.  
IT is better now to purge sin, and to put away vice, than reserve it to be purged hereafter: what shall the fire or torment devour but thy sin? Truly nothing. Therefore the more thou sparest thy self now, and the more thou followest thy fleshly liking, the more grievously shalt thou wail hereafter. In such things as a man most hath offended, shall he be most punished. The slothful persons shall be there pricked with burning pricks of iron, and gluttons shall be tormented with great hunger & thirst, the lecherous and lovers of voluptuous pleasures shall be filled with burning pitch, and the envious shall wail and howl as do mad dogs, there shall no sin be without his proper torment: the proud man shall be filled full with all shame & confusion: the covetous shall be pined with all penury & need, one hour there in pain shall be more grievous, than here an hundred years in the sharpest penance: then shall he stand as a judge, that here submitted himself meekly unto the judgement of man: then shall the meek poor man have great confidence and trust in God, and the obstinate proud man shall quake and dread: them every devout person shall be joyful & glad, and then irreligious persons shall wail and dread: then shall the vile habit shine clear in the sight of God, & the precious garments shall wax foul & loathsome to behold: then the despising of worldly goods shall be more of value than all worldly riches and treasure: then shalt thou have more comfort for thy devout praying, than for all thy delicate feeding: then shall it please more a straight life and hard penance here, than all worldly delectation & pleasure. Learn therefore now to suffer the small tribulations in this world, that thou mayst then be delivered from the greater ordained for sin. First prove here what thou mayst suffer hereafter, and if thou mayst not now suffer so little pain, how shalt thou then suffer the everlasting torments? thou mayst not have two heavens that is to say, to have joy & delectation here, & after with Christ. Moreover, if thou hadst lived always in honour or in temporal felicity, what should it profit thee dying now? He that loveth God dreadeth neither torment nor death: a perfect love maketh a sure passage to God. But if a man yet delight in sin, it is no marvel if he dread death and hell.   

A third fruitful note concerning curious searching in matters of faith, & specially about the holy Eucharist.  
THou must beware of a curious and an unprofifitable searching of this most profound sacrament: if thou wilt not be drowned in the great depth of doubtfulness: for he that is the searcher of God's majesty, shallbe thrust out of glory. God is of power to work much more than man may understand: nevertheless a meek & humble searching of the truth, ready always to be taught, & to walk after the teachings of holy fathers is sufrable. Blessed is the simplicity that doth leave the way of hard questions, & goeth in the plain and steadfast way of the commandments of God, many have lost their devotion, because they would search higher things than pertain to them. Faith and a good life is asked of thee, and not the highness of understanding, nor the déepnes of the mysteries of God. If thou may not understand nor take such things as be within thee how mayst thou then comprehend those things that be above thee. Submit thyself therefore meekly to God, and submit also thy reason unto faith, and the light of knowledge, & true understanding shallbe given thee, as shall be most profitable & necessary: for there be some that be grivously tempted of the Faith and of this Sacrament: but that is not to be imputed to them, but rather to the enemy. Therefore care not for him, nor dispute not with thoughts, nor answer to the doubts, which thine enemy shall lay to thee: but believe the words of God, and believe the Saints and Prophets, & the wicked enemy shall anon fly away from thee. And it is oft times much profitable that the servants of God should feel & sustain such doubts for their more proof, and commonly the enemy tempteth not unfaithful people and sinners, whom he hath sure possession of, but he tempteth & vexeth in divers manners the faithful & devout persons. Go therefore with a pure and undoubted faith, and with an humble reverence proceed to this sacrament: and whatsoever thou canst not understand, commit it faithfully to God, for God will not deceive thee, but he shall be deceived that trusteth overmuch to himself. God walketh with the simple persons, he openeth himself, and showeth him to meek persons: he giveth understanding unto them which are poor in spirit, he openeth his will unto pure and clean minds, and hideth his grace from them that be curious and proud. Man's reason is feeble and weak, and soon he may be deceived: but faith is stable and true, & cannot be deceived. Therefore all reason and all natural working must follow▪ Faith without further reasonings: For faith and love in his holy and most excellent sacrament, surmount & work high in secret manner above all reason. O the eternal God and Lord of infinite power doth great things in Heaven and in Earth that may not be searched. For if the works of God were such that they might be lightly understanded by man's reason, they were not so marvelous & so inestimable as they be.   

A tripled reason shortly and particularly yielded of some decay of Christian duty, observed in xii. sundry states or degrees of persons.  

First, why be there many children not truly obedient to their parents?  
One cause may be, for that the parents themselves be not only not given to obey the will of God, and the counsel of the holy Ghost in his Church, who is the spiritual Parent and Nurse of the faithful, but are rather inclined to follow their own fancy & fleshly delight, which are the nurs and wellspring of the greatest diobedience.  
Secondly, because they be negligent in giving sound & godly instruction with needful example of kindly love.  
Thirdly, because it is the just judgement of God, that men many times be annoyed or punished in the same manner that themselves offended.   

Why be there so few parents that tender the soul's health of their children before worldly wealth?  
First, neglecting the bond of nature, which ought to be of more force than the law of friendship, they fall too short of the duty of common christian charity, so as that which they should seek and vouchsafe to any christian brother▪ be he never so much a stranger, they omit even to their own children at home.  
another cause is, for that they who have so much delighted in fleshly and earthly things, have so little taste and savouring of ghostly & spiritual things, that they are more ready for to seek any worldly commodity, then to procure them purged and stripped of vice, much less to be clad & enriched with virtue and goods of grace.  
Thirdly, for that they consider not the dignity of the soul, and but superficially, or negligently regard the justice of God, in rewarding of virtue and punishing of vice. And this through want of faith.   

Then how happeneth it that there are so few Christians found faithful in the truth, sith the faith of jesus Christ is most holy and true.  
This may come of presumption and blindness of mind, wrought by the spirit of error, as when some presume over much that because god hath created us to salvation, therefore we can not be damned: and because he hath redeemed us with his precious blood, therefore we can not but be saved. Likewise some do presume of their good works, and others of only faith.  
another cause is, for that they do not duly regard the wholesome precepts & counsels of our Saviour in his word. Also want of devotion in the sacraments which our Saviour left unto his people for their Spiritual health, comfort, and remedy, when they delight in base and vile things, refusing that which is excellent and eternal.   

Why be there so few converted to godly life by true penance or repentance?  
The greatness and overmuch heaping of their sins is the cause that they do not feel the weight and grievousness of them, no more than he that is oppressed with sickness, wotteth where he hath most need to be cured.  
Moreover, an evil custom will hardly be left: vile and filthy delectations which have been so long sweet, will not yet become sour without cross and affliction.  
Obstinacy of mind, and a purpose to persevere in the former delighted sins, will not be expressed or removed by threatenings, preaching, nor good counsel.   

Why doth there follow so little fruit of preaching?  
Because of some imperfections in Preachers, some preaching for vainglory, to show their eloquence & get praise of men, some to spread their singular conceit and opinion: and few that preach simply, for the honour of God, and true health of souls, sealing their words with example of their own good works.  
Secondarily, through default of the hearers, who either are indurate by light regard and lack of grace, or else distracted by diversity or contrariety of doctrine.  
Thirdly, for the elects sake, that hereby they may know themselves advanced unto the height of grace and glory, when they see others cast off by their fault or neggligence.   

Why be there so few counted good and virtuous men among them that be learned?  
First, because of a corrupt and false intent, which they have in their study, which is, not to the end of virtue, but for living and worldly worship's sake.  
Also because of pride and swelling of mind, or otherwise because of a naughty affection which many have in earthly & fleshly things: whereby they are not given to devout prayer and service of God, bt rather become unmindful of the end of learning and true wisdom.   

Wherhfore in time past were not the greatest part of Cleargye-men counted good and virtuous seeing they were hired unto virtue as others be to their labour?  
For that perhaps they took not their order of a pure intention, and with due preparation to receive the gifts of the holy Ghost.  
Secondly because some attended more to the cares and affairs of the world, and following the appetites of the flesh, then to the charge and dignity of their sacred vocation.  
Thirdly, for that percase there did want in them the true love of GOD and their neighbour, and over that an earnest purpose to fast and pray, & to save souls of their own charge, which Christ hath redeemed to be saved.   

How cometh it that there were so few wealthy and great men found to be virtuous or of worthy valour?  
One cause was, for that they thought themselves ennobled and made worthy of honour or great worship by the virtue and valour of their old anccestors.  
Also for that it was not duly considered, that Nobility was ordained chief for the honour of God, and common utility of his people, whom they ought not to grieve or oppress with hard rents and fines, or other cruel and ungentle dealing.  
Also because of taking overmuch pleasure in voluptuousness, and other vices & wanton vanities, wherein their great riches was most bestowed, which many times they might have better employed for the health of their souls, the benefit of their common wealth, and relieving of their needy neighbour.   

Why be there so few true labourers, craftsmen, and servants?  
One cause is, for that they seek not the kingdom of heaven, but rather which way they may make to themselves best wages at the week or years end.  
Also, for that they consider not the dignity of the soul, nor dread the justice of God. Thirdly, because they see and perceive in a manner all other degrees faulty in their calling, so as they being of the most inferior degree, can derive little good example from their better and superiors to draw and encourage them unto the just performing of their duty.  
Or else because of a certain liberty taken of conscience, when all accounts be so long deferred, which maketh almost, that all Masters, Mistresses & Magistrates, do at this hour find their own feathers in their own wounds.   

Why be there so few good men of Merchants?  
Because in their trade and traffic they fear not to offend God by lying, deceitfulness, and breaking the holiness of the Sabaoth.  
Also, if good conscience be once wrecked or laid aside, sin is made but a light and ordinary matter.  
Lastly, for that their mind and love is not upon God, nor care they for these spiritual things, but rather to be satisfied in carnality, sensuality and covetousness of gain.   

Why be there so few widows that be chaste and virtuous women?  
For that whiles they were married they lived carnally, without any devout mind or ghostly care.  
Secondarily, because they loved, served, and obeyed the will and liking of their husbands better than God.  
Thirdly, for that they give not themselves to the observing and performing of widows duty, in fasting, prayer, alms, & sole or sober conversation, little remembering or considering their sorrows passed in the wretchedness and misery of Eue.   

Why be there so few maids that seek and desire to continue in their virginity?  
One cause is, for that they little know, nor are of capacity to consider the dignity of that state.  
Then for that they do not give themselves to resist carnal desires, nor do help or fortify their weakness with fasting, prayer, & invocation.  
Also, for that they do not mark by what causes they may be comforted and encouraged therein, sith they are honoured by nature, and by the worthiest amongst men, they are honoured in scripture and preferred in grace and glory. Wherefore in sundry parts of Christendom, the maid of known, honest and virtuous life when she dieth she hath for her a hearse of black, placed in the Choir with a guilt coronet set thereupon, as an honour unto the state, encouragement to the followers, and a sign of the hundredfolde fruit worthy of a Crown.    

The Conclusion.  
TO conclude, that thou hast perhaps these many years neglected the due account and sorrowing for thy sins, here hast found proof of thy great fault and testimony of thy folly. The obstinate sinner persevering in his custom, may read here the description and calendar of his conscience, he that by his office or vocation hath pleadged the price of his own blood for the safety and conduct of others, may perceive hereby (if he be not too much blinded with worldly respect) how busy a toil pertaineth to the discharge & clearing of himself. O subtlety unsound that deceiveth in thyself thine own soul. O folly most filthy, that fighteth against thy proper health and happiness. No dallying with holy or ghostly things. God will not be mocked. If heaven might be had with continual following the desires of the flesh, than the wisdom and careful regard of the holy fathers was mere folly, their straightness of life, vain and like lost labour. Sero sapiunt Phryges', but let us remember ourselves in time, proclaiming and practising with the converted Ninivites.  
Sackcloth, dust and ashes.   
FINIS.  I. N.  

LONDON. Printed by john Wolf. 1591.