¶ The Garland of Godly Flowers, Bewtifully adorned as most freshly they flourish in the Gardens of right faithful Christian writers. Yielding forth a very comfortable savour to the afflicted Soul, whereby he is salfly transported unto the merciful throne of the most glorious God.  
Carefully collected, and diligently digested into order, by Tho. Twine, Gentleman. 1574.  
I will take it on my shoulder, and as a Garland bind it about my head.  job. 11. 
¶ Imprinted at London, by William How.   

 blazon or coat of arms MEDIOCRIA FIRMA.   

To the Right honourable sir Nicholas Bacon Knight, one of the Queen's Majesties most honourable privy Counsel, and Lord keeper of the great seal of England. And to the Right honourable and most virtuous Lady, Anne, his wife, my very good Lord and Master: Lady and Mistress.  
WALKING in this vale of Misery, checked with the choking cares of this mortal life, mated with the manifold calamities whereunto the whole posterity of our first Father Adam is subject: I find nothing (right honourable my good Lord, and Lady) wherein the heart of man can take more quiet and cast forth a surer anchor of stability to ride self from the uncertain surges of this wicked world, or enter into a calmer Haven: then into the undoubted harbour, and comfortable port of Prayer. Herein, although we be never so much tossed with troubles, wearied with vexations, affrighted with afflictions, pinched with pains, oppressed with miseries, girded with griefs, and slain with persecutions: yet we may find assured relief, certain succour, constant comfort, and speedy deliverance. And no marvel. For although it sometimes so unhappily fall out, that even the most expert and wisest Mariners, when they have attained the Road after boisterous storms on th' open sea, thinking themselves then past all danger, are notwithstanding cast a way in the Haven: yet in the midst of our miseries, and very depth of our dangers, if we turn about the helm of our contemplations, and arrive once with in this Road: we need to fear no foul weather, we weigh no shipwreck, we dread no drowning. The flitting of our bark, may aptly represent our distracted conscience: the Cable thereof, our Faith, the Anchor, fruit of good works fast linked to the same: the Ankeradge, is Christ our saviour: on whom if our cable do strike, and our Anchor take hold: the ground never faileth us, for it is a firm rock, it yieldeth not at the rage of wind nor weather, for it is not settled upon the sand. In such like sort, it pleased sometime our sweet Saviour, the divine wisdom of God the father, by gross and base term to figure himself, the better to be conceived by our blinded understanding, that knowing the nature and disposition of the thing: we might likewise in all our troubles and afflictions stay, and repose and our prayer to be effectual. Then shall we feel immediately a wonderful operation of the holy ghost within our hearts, assuring us of the great, and tender mercy of God towards us, wherein we are eftsoons emboldened to cry unto him, Abba father, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. This is the means whereby the ancient heroical personages of the old testament became, as it were, familiar with God. For by this he was felt in a combat of wrestling all night seen in the burning bush, heard in a calm after a windy tempest, and daily communed withal in the mount. By faithful prayer, God preserveth the righteous in the true way, bringeth back such as go astray, stayeth up those that stand, helpeth up such as fall, comforteth the weak conscience, lighteneth the sorrowful heart, cheereth the heavy, refresheth the laden, erecteth the afflicted from the deep dungeon of black desperation, and crowneth him with immortality.  
I need not in this place to call now to record the privy experiments, & trial herein of many other men, since that I my poor self, for the short time that God hath led forth my days in this life, have most sharply tasted the sour of th' one, and most comfortably tried the sweet of the other. Not that I have been a great eye sore unto Fortune, as we daily see there be diverse, as by her grievously envied at, assaulted, beaten, cast down, trodden, spurned, driven to dust, consumed to no thing, for I never possessed the occasion of any such storming casualties. Yet in my slender Boat hath she shipped her bitter Oar, she hath blown a contrary gale in my hoist sail, she hath soused my Sugar with Salt, and seasoned my sweet Syrup with unpleasant Aloes, she hath frowned upon my felicity, and done her best to bring me to naught, and now she triumpheth for the victory, where to I must of force have yielded, had I not sustained myself only with this most worthy benefit, whereby I have been sufficiently instructed how to esteem the frownings, or fawnings of this wicked world. As for the use of Prayer it is expedient in our youth: and necessary in our old age. By this the poor wretches do tolerate their need, and the rich obtain power to enjoy their wealth. Both the prince and the subject, whatsoever be the puissance of the one, or the condition of the other: have continual need of recourse unto prayer, whereby they become humble sueters to th'omnipotent God in respect of their imperfections and unrighteousness, wherein he hath included the suns of men as witnesseth S. john, saying: If we say that we have no sin: we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us.  
And job likewise speaketh of all men in his own person: If I will justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: If I will be a perfect man, God shall prove me a wicked doer: and also in another place, he fitly layeth forth the miseries of our nature, where he saith: Man that is borne of a woman hath but a short date of life, and is replenished with many miseries. The secret assaults whereof, when they shall, as daily they do, with remorse of conscience, withdraw your honourable personages a while from th' accustomable conversation in ordinary affairs, privately to profess your guilt, and heartily to humble your selves before the majesty of God, with fervent affection in lowly prayer: if you shall take into your hands this little book, which I have termed a Garland, eftsoons selecting some one or two Flowers therein contained, as occasion shall serve from your profounder meditations: I do not distrust, but that haply your honours may conceive sum such sootenesse of savour therein, as shall not offend your sense, mutchlesse the majesty of God, as to the good liking of the one, and the glory of the other: I have been so bold to employ the small travail of gathering these few Flowers into order of your honourable names, and to offer them unto you, knitting them up in one Garland, expressing thereby, as was mine endeavour, the absolute circle of commendable Graces and Virtues, apparent to the world, jointly couched in your Right honourable persons.  
A most certain precedent whereof may be, the one of you by our most prudent Prince, doubtless at the secret motion of GOD, raised unto such highness in Honour as match with the best, inferior to none: I need seek for no farther occasions of commendation, or ancient titles of worship or honour, the silvered hears giving evident token of the golden wit, and the honourable age▪ of the virtuous forepast life, and the many years of the blessing of the most highest God. On th' other side beautified with a loving Lady, the offspring of an excellent race, Nice to rightwoorship full Grandsires, daughter to a worthy Knight, Scholar to a learned schoolmaster, Sister to a right honourable Lady, Mother of much hoped imps, Aunt to a peerless countess, Wife to a noble Counsellor, Lady of a Godly Family, Subject to a loving Prince, a true worshipper of Almighty God. Unto whose good pleasure, for the prolonging and continuance of both your lives in increase of godly Honour, and all other delights appertaining, whereby the race of this transitory life may be made less irksome to the body, or prejudicial to the soul: I am bounden daily to pray, the effect whereof he grant, who tendereth our just requests, and is the only giver of all goodness.  
At London this first day of januarie. 1574. Your honours ever at commandment. T. Twine.   

 blazon or coat of arms FATIS VOLENTIBUS. VIRTUTE DUCE.   



Not worldly pelf, see thee from God do call.  
Incline thine heart to do the thing is just.  
Confirm thy Faith that thou do never fall.  
Hold fast on GOD, in him repose thy trust.  
Observe thy ways, amend what is a miss.  
Lay up thy wealth where rust may do no harm.  
amend thy crimes while vacant time there is.  
Submit thy cause unto God's mighty arm.   

Avenge thee not when thou canst well repay,  
Never let vices harbour in thine heart.  
Needs urgent law consider thou always.  
Eke to the poor do of thy goods impart.   

Beware of Pride, by Glory set no price.  
Away from guiltless blood turn back thy face.  
Consider suits, weigh causes once or twice,  
Open thy mouth on widows woeful case.  
Nothing from Prayer let thee once dissever.  
Ensue this lore: and thou shalt live for ever.     

there consisteth life and welfare unto my soul, and by breach and violation, nothing else but severe sentence of final damnation:  
Therefore I cannot tell, most miserable wretch as I am, how I should presume to approach thee for mercy, I dare not show myself before thee, but if it were possible, I would gladly hide myself from thy sight, where thou might'st not find me out, that by such means I might escape thy dreadful judgement.  
Howbeit, O Lord, thou art the mighty God, to whom all things in heaven and earth are known, whose eyes behold what is done in the top of the highest, and in the bottom of the deapest places in the world.  
In thy sight Lord, the most secret thoughts of the heart are open, and from thee there are no cogitations, pretences, practices, devices, nor the smallest motions of the mind, hidden.  
Unto thee therefore, with trembling and tears I return, appealing from thy high, dread, and terrible throne of just judgement, removing my cause to thy most sweet, amiable, pleasant, and comfortable court of thy manifold mercies.  
Even there, Lord, thou hast laid up such store and abundance of graces, pardons, & forgiveness of sins: that they do surmount the numbered, and overspread the greatness of all thy wonderful works.  
Here than it is, O my God, that I dare to appear before thy divine Majesty, a filthy sinner before a merciful God, a very lump of wickedness before the eternal creator of all things, of inestimable wisdom, that takest mercy upon our weakness, and infirmity: because thou wottest well the stuff, and substance whereof thou hast made us.  
behold, Lord, I call unto me, thy dearelybéeloved son, my most loving redeemer and saviour Jesus' christ to be mine advocate, according unto his own free will and voluntary offering, in whom, and through whom, by his most precious blouddeshed unto thee, upon the acceptable altar of the Cross, in lieu of the double death that we should all have died for ourmost horrible offences:  
Pardon I beseech thee, O god, my grievous iniquities, forgive me all my wickedness, release my negligences, remit mine ignorances, abandon the loathsomeness of my sins, which from my mother's womb unto this present day, I have committed or shall do hereafter unto my lives end.  
That being so cleansed, and purified from all contagion of sinful impurity: let me obtain a lively and fervent faith at thy hands, steadfastly to call upon thee in most hearty prayer.  
Lord, in all my necessities, adversities, troubles, and afflictions: confirm my heart that I may put my whole trust and affiance in thy majesty, and seek none other means, nor take none other comfort: but in reading thy worthy word, or in recourse to thee in most faithful, and effectual supplications.  
If at any time, Lord, as is the frailty of our corruptible nature, and the incessant suggestions of Satan our ancient enemy, I feel in myself any faintness or failing of fervency, in calling continually upon thee: kindle thou then my heart with the heavenly heat of thy holy spirit.  
Grant me grace, to cry with thy holly Apostle for increase of faith, that being awaked and stirred up through thee: I may enjoy the effect of my godly desires, which thou hast promised to yield unto me, through thy son jesus Christ, my saviour.  
Perform, my God, that which thou hast indented with thy silly servant, who with anguish of mind seeketh after the comfort of thy face, continued in me the custom to call upon thee in prayer, and all the powers of my body shall not cease to sing thy sacred praise. Amen.   

J.  ¶ If ye being evil, know to give your children good gifts: how much more will your Father which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask them? 
¶ The second Flower.  
IN most hearty hope of thy manifold mercies, and with lowly reverence, O everlasting God, lo, thus I draw nigh unto thee, being sore laden with th'infinite number of my sins, trusting in thy fatherly goodness, and entire love, which thou bearest unto mankind: thou wilt discharge me of mine unrighteousness, and wash away all mine infirmities.  
Thy loving kindness hath been inestimable, which thou hast borne unto me since my simple conception in the tender entrails of my mother, within whose body thou diddest say forth the platform of my body, and gavest unto me the representation of a man, thy best-beloved and comeliest creature.  
After this, in due maturity of time according to the established and ordinary season, assigned by thy heavenly wisdom: thou broughtest me forth into this world, my first tune giving proof of the unhappy condition, that I should enjoy therein.  
Lord, thou knowest how that so soon as I was delivered from my mother's womb: even than I began my life in feebleness and sorrow, and the my thought, keep mine eyes from seeing it, mine ears from hearing it, and my sense of feeling from conceiving delight in it.  
But 'cause me to take a singular delectation in all things that may please thee, put away from me all erring from thy ways, all wéerines of thy will, all loathsomeness of thy love.  
Take from me all pride and self liking, that I may conceive no good opinion of myself for that which is none of mine own, let me not think I am rich in thee when I am poor, that I see when I am blind, that I am hid when I am naked, that I am just when I am unrighteous, that I am something when I am nothing.  
As for the infinity of my offences, which in numbered surpas the sands of the sea: give unto me a clear sparkle of thy heavenly light, O my god, that I may behold them, a penitent heart that I may confess them, plentiful tears that I may be wail them, a wonderful misliking that I may abhor them.  
O Lord, is there any thing that flesh an Blood may glory of in thy sight? no truly, for thou hast asked us what we have which we have not received? from the fountain of thy fullness we have drawn all that we have enjoyed, and of ourselves there is not one that doth good, no Lord, not one.  
Created in me therefore, O gracious Lord, a new heart, and a new soul, confirm me in thy faith that I may not fall, erect me in all good works that be acceptable in thy sight, then cannot my mouth cease but always be showing thy peerless praises, and mild mercies.  
Amen.   

C.  ¶ Come not in the path of the ungodly, and walk not in the way of the wicked. Cast all your care upon God, for he careth for you. 
¶ The third Flower.  
COme unto me all ye that travel and be heavy laden, criest thou, O my most sweet saviour, and I will refresh you. Here now I come unto thee, offering myself before thy heavenly majesty, lowly falling down upon the knees of my heart, holding up the hands of my Faith, whereby I may take most assured hope of thee, and come unto thee.  
Draw me unto thee for else I am not able to come, I can do nothing thereto of myself, not so much as think one good thought, mutchlesse merit or deserve to presume unto thee, upon respect of any mine own worthiness.  
As for my worthiness, it is unworthiness before thee, my thoughts be sinful, my deeds be damnable, and if thou have regard unto my merits: then am I sure to have damnation for my desert, and Hell for mine hire.  
O thou almighty, before whom the Angels tremble at their impurity, the Son is fowl, the Moon is filthy, the Stars unclean, and the heavens are corrupt: what can I have to boast of, but of mine own natural uncleanliness, and that I am the child of perdition?  
Supply thou my defects, O God, and what is wanting in me: make it perfect through thee, which art the sum of all goodness, and perfection unto the righteous, let me not departed destitute from thee, for in thee is the fullness of felicity.  
Hear where I am Lord, I am laden sore and grievously overpressed with the burden of my sins, they weigh me grievously down to the ground, I cannot look up, and my crushed bones do ache with extreme weariness.  
Come, O Lord, O come speedily, and set to thy helping hand, take from me this wright of wickedness, clear me from this clog of corruption, and severe me from this sink of sin.  
Humble my Heart, that I may have no vain liking of myself, and that my friends, neighbours, and acquaintnance, finally the world fall into no displeasure against me therefore, but especially thy majesty, for it is a grievous offence.  
Fortify my mind with the strongest armour of patience, that I may take in good part all mocks, scoffs, reproaches, and persecutions for thy truths sake, and when I am proved: let me be found faithful.  
Confirm me fully, O my creator, in thy Truth and all godliness, let no shining of promotions, nor thunder of threatenings, nor windy puffs of wordly vanity, pluck me from that which is right, but let thy will be my way, and thy law my delight.  
drive away all dimness from mine eyes, and sluggishness from my feet, that I may speedily behold, and diligently fulfil to my ability, the lest point and jot of thy precepts, whereto when I have applied myself: yet am I to to much an unprofitable servant, notwithstanding let thy tender mercy always prevent me, O my most sweetest God.  
Thou hast lified me up aloft in the sight of thy people, and haste endued me with great honour above my peers and equals, grant unto me likewise so much to excel them in virtue and godliness, make me a worthy minister and steward of thy gifts, considering that all power and authority cometh from thee, and that thou raisest the ungodly on high to cast him down low, and the loftier his seat is: the more great, and grievous is his fall.  
Engendre in me, good Lord, a greedy desire to do justice, that having thee always before mine eyes, and printing thy judgements within my heart: I may be free from all affection, and pure from all partiality, having no respect to the persons, but uprightly weighing the causes, that thereby the truth may be advanced, and unjustice condemned.  
Remove from me all corruption in judgement, and unrighteousness in dealing, keep my mouth from lesinges, and my hands from blood, remembering that thou art the searcher of the heart and rains, that shalt come to judge the quick and the dead, repaying unto every man according unto the works of his own hands.  
Forgive me, O my Lord, and my God, the wickedness of my fore passed life, remember not mine offences, neither the offences of my predecessors to lay them unto my charge, lay forth the direct line of thy law before my feet, that I may walk therein with out erring, regenerate a new will within me to persevere in thy way, hold me up therein that I do not fall, prick me forth that I do not faint, and my tongue shall talk continually of thy most glorious goodness.  
Amen.   

H.  ¶ Happy are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find waking. Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth, and minister unto them. 
¶ The fourth Flower.  
hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, O my feely soul, and hear what cheerful promises he hath reposed in store for thee, namely that when soever thou repentest thee of thy sins from the bottom of thy heart: he will blot out the remembrance of them for evermore so that they shall never be imputed unto thee.  
O come then with speed, and with all submission cast forth the intolerable burden of thy most loathsome lusts before the Lord, call unto him that he would set open the gates of his manifold mercies unto thee, give thee a perfect penitent heart, and the spirit of constancy to persevere in the same.  
Bend down thine heavily eyes, O Lord, from the celestial throne of thy glory, and behold the state and condition of me that lie here in the earth below, waltering in this vale of wickedness, drenched in this dungeon of darkness, martyred in millians of miseries, couched in this cloak of calamities, lost in this labyrinth of lusts, smoultred in this smoke of sensuality, greatly growing from grace, and void of virtue.  
Wherefore, as thou haste at this present time: so continue with daily increasing in me, a loathing of myself in respect of sin, a desire unto thee by mean of faithful prayer, hearty contrition, possible satisfaction, innovation of life, continuation of Grace, tending unto the preservation both of my body, and soul.  
Sand down unto me, Lord, the clear looking glass of thy wisdoome, that I may behold therein th' ouglesomenesse and deformity of mine unrighteousness, give me a Viale full of the water of unfeigned repentance, that sprinkling myself therewith, although I were with sins more read then scarlet: I may be made more white than snow.  
Wash away the filthiness of my sins with a branch of bitter I sop, wherein is figured the unpleasant fast of afflictions, troubles, and persecutions sent unto us by thy hand, most righteous God, in lieu of our offences, and I shall become passing pure.  
Nevertheless overcharge me not, O sweet Lord, I beseech thee, nor lay not more upon my back then I am able to carry, for thou knowest best th'infirmity of my frail flesh, and the weakness of our kind, since we all be thine, and the work of thy holy hands.  
O my God, what is there in this world that men should be so greedy to continued therein, and so loath to forego the fruition of this transitory life? while we remain here we are all touched with troubles, those that have wealth at will are checked with calamities, yea Princes themselves are not always at ease, besides that we heap up daily the desert of thy judgement.  
Whilst my days be prolonged within this dark den of mortality: lighten the Lantern of thy divine word before my feet, that I stumble not against the heap of my heinous offences, and fall down head long into the deep Dungeon of desperation.  
Likewise, pluck from me the fond Feathers of saucy presumption, lest taking an haughty conceit in myself to be that which (alas) I am not: thou reveal my filthiness, and cast me down thither where there is no redemption.  
Graciously grant unto me, O my Lord, and King, that I may never take myself to be other then in deed I am, make me to be such one as I aught, and let me be he that I would, them shall I never devil in error, thy favour should never fail me, and hereafter (which notwithstanding I hope) be an inheritor of thy heavenly kingdom.  
Lord, I beseech thee keep me that I never fall into reprobate sense and let me not be seduced by any false doctrine, let the lines of thy law be printed in the bowels of my belly, lighten, inflame, and confirm the hearts of thy chosen people, that they may have one mind, one will, all a like seek thee, find thee, see thee, and magnify thy glorious name.  
Prevent all my doings with thy most favourable kindness, O father of mercies, and so direct my ways in thy Faith, and fear of thy majesty: that I may commit no wickedness, nor consent thereto, let there be found no guilt in my hands, nor guile in my heart, preserve my lips from lies, from incontinency mine eyes, my flesh from filth, my soul from sin, and the whole course of my life from offence, & transgression.  
O Lord, hear my prayers, let mine earnest cry come into thy presence and enter into thine Ears, which I yield here unto thee from the very depth of my heart, with a wounded conscience, and a bleeding soul, with broken sighs, and weeping eyes, bended knees, and stretched hands, but which most is: with ardent affection, and fervent Faith.  
Bend down thyself, O bend down unto my piteous plaints, thou God of our Fathers, and according as thou hast spoken: let it so be done unto thy servant. Great is thy grace: O grant me thy grace, manifold are thy mercies: O show me thy mercy, puissant is thy power: O send me thy power, that I may turn from sin and turn to thee, leave my old life and lead a new, that I may always be thy servant, and thou likewise eternally be mine eternal God.  
Amen.   

O.  ¶ O thou Earth, Earth, Earth, hear the word of the Lord. Of a truth GOD hath no reguarde of persons, but in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness: is accepted with him. 
¶ The fift Flower.  
O Everlasting GOD, and most loving Father, maker of all the world, king of Bliss, Lord of Life, giver of peace, and continuer of concord, look down into the bottom and depth of my conscience, and consider the perpetual afflictions which daily I sustain therein, to the dangerous distress, & wondered wounding of the same.  
Strengthen me, O Lord, against the furious invasions of three my most mortal foes, the Flesh, the World, and the Devil, which to th'intent they might suppress me: cease not continually withal their force, to assail the seely spirit which thou hast lent unto me, the work of thy wisdom, and the image of thy substance.  
My most sweet God, keep me with the wings of thy virtue, assist me with thy holy ghost, that I may heedfully withhold my feet from all snares, and traps, which may any way entangle me, & withdraw me from due obedience towards thee and thy will, staying me from walking forward in thy heavenly hests that lead to life.  
For Satan mine ancient enemy, seeketh out a thousand means to beguile me, he excelleth in subtlety, he aboundeth in crafts, he passeth in wiliness, in so much that he transformeth his loathsome shape into the likeness of an Angel of light, thereby to supplant thine elect, but defend thou me from him, O my most mighty God.  
Pondre the nature and disposition of my frail flesh, how it is nothing else but the grave of my ghost, a farthel of infirmities, a lump of loathsomeness, a prison of perdition, a sink of sin, and a frame of froward mould, contrary to that which is good, and always promptly priest to the worse.  
As for this world: it is the vale of wilfulness, the way of wicked conversation, a journey fraught with ioperdie, a pilgrimage fully pight with piteous pininges, a deep dungeon of destruction, an infectious soil with sinfulness, a lake of unlawful lusts and a tree of traitorous fruits, repugnant, O God, to thy most sacred william.  
The Devil is the déerling of damnation, the Prince of dreadful darkness, the King of calamities, the wicked worker of woes, the Fende of final destruction, the greedy gaper for man's procured perdition, the poisoned puddle of lies, the sneaking Snake of sin, the serpent of troublesome temptations, the minger of all mischiefs, and the overthrower of virtues.  
But, O thou most glorious God, as thou hast lightened my understanding and perseverance in these, to discern what is hurtful to me, and displeasant to thee: dispose even so the heart of thy servant with the daily influence of thy grace, that I may be acquit from all such sharp assaults as may win me from thee, but confirm me in all Godliness, truth, and faithfulness.  
Make my heart the undefiled instrument of pure, & perfect thoughts, and my tongue the Trump of thine eternal praise, my body the habitation of the holy Ghost, mine eyes the windows to behold the worthy way that leadeth unto thee, my legs the supporters of my body and soul, towards th'attainment of thy heavenly kingdom.  
Incline mine ears, that I may give diligent attendance unto thy most blessed will, and commandments, expressed in thy most sacred word, mollify the hardness of my heart that it may easily entre in, and firmly take root, to th'increase of semblant seeds of virtue and godliness in me, grant this, O Lord for my delight is in thy service.  
Knock hard, O Lord God, O knock hard at the door of my conscience, with the ringle of thy most holy will, awake me out of the snorking sleep of security in sinning, whereout many do never rise again but utterly perish, put me in mind of my duty towards thy divine majesty, let me have the wisdom to know myself, and that thou only art my good Lord and God.  
I confess with grievous groaning of heart, that I have manifoldly transgressed thy commandments, in seeking thee I have embraced that which I should have refused, I have straggled long whilst I should have walked in thy ways, and trod in thy paths, I have gone back when I should have pursued thy pleasure, and have trained myself in the traverse of thy teachings.  
Lead me, O Lord, with thy heavenly hand and I shallbe truly lead, dirext me with the spirit of understanding and I shallbe saulfly directed, let the bright burning lamp of thy wonderful word still shine before mine eyes, and pierce into my heart, so shall I be sure not to tread one step amiss, be thou always my most merciful God, and make me continually thy most obedient child.  
Blot the beadroule of my misdeeds out of thy remembrance, O thou king of mercy, and endorse the records of my transgressions with a discharge of thy great compassion, set thy holly hand upon my heart in token that I am thy child, and writ the words of thy pleasure in my breast, make me assured that I am one whom thou hast predestinated unto life.  
Glorify thyself in me, Lord, for I am thy work, and let me be glorified in thee, for thou art my GOD, my strength, my salvation, and glory, purify my soul that thou mayst devil in me, and grant I may be made worthy to devil in thee, for thou art in allthings, and allthings are in thee, to thee therefore be praise and honour for ever and ever.  
Amen.   

L.  ¶ Learn to do well, apply your selves to equatie, deliver the oppressed, help the Fatherless to his right, let the widows complaint come before you. 
¶ The sixth Flower.  
LORD, in thy most loving mercies, have I always put my whole trust and confidence, wherefore thou hast assured me that I shall come to no reproach nor shame, there shall no ignominy nor confusion take hold upon me, and although there should rise whole thousands of wicked conspirators against me: yet should they not prevail, for thou art the portion of my hope.  
According unto which most sweetest covenants of thine: so let thy kindness more than fatherly compass me always, like the garment wherewith I am covered, let thy mercies be unto me a shield of defence, and a buckler of assured protection, that I may never dread the fury of any foe, strive he to overthrow my body or soul.  
O turn the hearts of those that hate me without a cause, or be offended with me for thy blessings sake wherewith thou hast blessed me, either because thou hast increased me with wealth, or advanced me to honour, or lifted me into the favour of my gracious Sovereign, wherein I yield thy majesty most hearty thanks.  
Make me, O Lord, a meet member for the vocation whereunto thou hast called me, grant me the gift of godliness: as thou haste planted me in pre-eminence of place, let virtue flourish and vice be suppressed, the righteous cause of the Orphan, widow, and such as are destitute prevail, and the oppressor receive his deserved foil.  
Bring it thou to effect, O almighty God, from whom proceedeth the motion of all good thoughts, that as thou hast made thine only Son, our Saviour Christ, the sole shepherd of thy faithful flock: so we may all know his voice, and follow him in sincerity of life, and purity of doctrine, all the days of our life.  
I heartily beseech thee, Lord, that in consideration of mine unrighteousness: thou give me not over into the hands of mine enemies, and such as fain would see my fall, and rejoice at my final destruction, and especially deliver me from false prophets, and preachers, which seek only their own commodity, and not the edefication of thy hungry people's souls.  
'Cause me to take a most singular delight in the reading, and hearing of thy holy Gospel, to frame my life according unto the sacred institutions of thy worthy word, without which: all other doctrine concerning the worshipping of thee, is devilish and ungodly, and that by all means I may seek the setting forth of the same.  
Let the enemies of thy truth be enemies unto me, that embracing their persons with laudable charity: I may persecute their offences unto th'amendment of their lives and conversation, and that they may understand at length, that thou art a jealous God, and wilt not give thine honour to another.  
O most mighty king, and giver of all gracious goodness, convert the hearts of all such as persecute thy Christ in his members thine elect, open their eyes I beseech thee that they may behold their errors, and repent them of their misdeeds, and confirm the hearts of the afflicted, that they may persist in confessing thy name.  
Mercifully call me back, for I acknowledge that for my part I have walked wrong, thou hast given me understanding to perceive mine own imperfections, the multitude of them lieth heaped before mine eyes, and my heart is sore grieved therewith, O comfort me, good Lord, and quicken me oftsoonesin thee.  
I have been continually more ready to offend thy majesty, then to execute thy heavenly will, there is no manner of means wherein a man may displease thee that I am guiltless, take mercy upon me and forgive me therefore, for I am determined never again to commit the like, strengthen me with thy spirit that I never sin hereafter.  
Most loving Father, and merciful God, I heartily require thee, for my Lord jesus Christ's sake, grant me that I may covet with a prudent mind those things that be pleasant and acceptable unto thee, that I may find them easily, search them wisely, know them truly, and exercise them effectually, to the worthy praise of thy glorious name.  
Dispose the whole course of my life in such order, that it may accomplish that which thy godly pleasure requireth at my hands, that I may perfectly know it, have a willing mind to do it, and power from thee to fulfil it, whereby I may obtain those things, that be most convenient for my necessities, and appertaining to my salvation.  
Cheer up my heart, O my most dear God, with the hope of thy plenteous promises, and make me always as merry as it becometh a Christian, and one that feareth God, give me grace ever to rejoice in thee and thy godly will, and that I may be sorry for nothing: but only in doing those things that draw me away from thee, to evil.  
O Lord God of infinite wisdom, inspire my heart, and direct my voice that I may not think, nor utter any thing before thee: then that which thou knowest to be expedient for me to ask, and glorious for thee to give, turn not my prayer into perdition, nor my suit into sin, for thou art my God, on whom I wholly depend, save me for thy mercy's sake, O save me, according as I have always repoased my confidence in thee.  
Amen.   

A.  ¶ A man's alms is as a purse with him, and shall keep a man's favour as the apple of an eye: and afterward shall it arise, and pay every man his reward upon his head. 
¶ The seventh Flower.  
According unto the incomprehensible numbered of thy manifold mercies, O Lord, take pity and compassion upon me, discharge me of the importable fraught of mine in firmities, for thou art he that losest and none can bind, and that bindest and none can loose, loose me therefore I beseech thee, from the loathsome burden of my sin, and bind me that I may not departed from thy statutes.  
O thou God of my power, make my heart to resemble the driest tow, and let the most fervent love of thy laws, kindle, as it were, a flaming fire within my breast, that I may so be consumed with a greedy zeal in fulfilling thy hests, let no coal of conscience in anywise extinguish this burning: nor yet likewarmenesse assuage this heat.  
Let others see this in me, that they may take example thereat and be confirmed in Godliness, for I am privily grieved that I have been unacquayne death in dread of thy driry judgement looking for deliverance, and running for refuge to the redoubted rampire of thy mild mercies.  
Pardon me, Lord, if at any time I have sought the aid of any creature, neglecting thee that art the creator of all things, without whom there is no health nor salvation, if I have drunken of the loathsome lakes, and refused thee that art the Fountain of Life, if I have fully feed on wicked weeds, and passed by the wholesome herbs of divine doctrine.  
I have erred, Lord, and gone astray like a wilful sheep, and hearkened unto the voice of feigned shepherds that had no part with thee, I have been lost in the wilderness of wicked superstition and Idolatry, and torn in the briers of such as sought my fleece and cared not for my soul but to destroy it, I have tasted of the deadly dew, and the rot is entered into my veins.  
I am extreme sick that I cannot stand upon my legs, I am not able to lift up my voice for my lungs are infected, my threat is hoarse with crying, I am vexed with a cough, and the terrible stitch assaulteth me so sore within my ribs: that I am nothing but a carcase fraught with care, and a wretch wrapped in sinful sicknesses.  
O come, thou God of my salvation come visit thy poor servant, bring me home which am lost, and direct me that have gone astray, teach me to know the lively sound of thy most holy word, that I may wholly hearken thereto, and to the voice of none other that shall happen to call unto me, saying: lo here is Christ, or there is Christ.  
Save me, Lord, from the unsavoury smell of pharasaical superstition, that my heart never be defiled therewith, and for thy mercy sake: assist me most graciously that I fall not into any dotage of devilish Idolatry, for thou art a jealous God, and wilt not suffer thine honour to be given to other, and besides thee there is none that can help.  
I have fed, O Lord, to much at full upon the sugared delights of this wicked world, which indeed are sauced with most bitter wormwood, the taste of them is pleasant: but the tail is abominable tart, I have chawed them with pleasure: but they have choked me with cares, they seemed unto me as toothesome Treacles: but I have found them pestilent poisons.  
Deliver me, gracious GOD, through thy great goodness, say unto me I willbe thy comfort, and unto my soul I will be thy physician, then shall there no danger daunt my heart, nor ghostly grief procure mine annoy, but that I may always cheerfully sing forth thy noble praise for ever.  
Amen.   

S.  ¶ Say not unto thy neighbour, go thy way and come again, tomorrow I will give thee, whereas thou hast now to give him. 
¶ The eight Flower.  
Salvation, immortality, and unspeakable pleasures, O God, are prepared bountifully to embrace those that put their trust in thee, and without all doubleness of heart, or contagion of sin: lead forth the lingering steps of their loathsome life, in the ways of truth and obedience towards thy commandments.  
Thy ways, most sweet Lord, are the ways of wealth, and thy commandments conduct unto heavenly honour, thou haste laid forth a straight path unto those that have grace to walk therein, and thou hast promised most singular rewards, unto such as obey thy most worthy william.  
As for thy will: it is the wellspring of welfare, the path of peace, the sea of security, the port of perfection, and the fountain of all felicity.  
Wherefore, I would fain be cleansed, that I might tread forth the time of this dangerous pilgrimage, in accomplishing thy heavenly hests, and fulfilling thy statutes full of consolation.  
O thou, that art the God of all truth, which in purity dost pass the Angels, and exceedest the saints in perfection, in respect of whose holiness: all things are vile and sinful, my poor panting ghost sore longeth after thee, for that thou art the consummation of all goodness, & in the sight of thy glory: I am ashamed of mine own unrighteousness.  
Lord, feign would I entreat thy majesty, and I do most heartily request the same, that thou wouldst behold the woeful afflictions, griefs miseries, stripes, sores, and wounds, which my soul sustaineth through the continual surprise of my cankered sins, and in the large abundance of thy mild mercies: heal them with thy holy hand.  
Woe am I, my God, that I appear before thee thus covered quite in a sack of sin, my filthiness maketh me stand in fear of thee, and horror of myself, I tremble to think what one thou seest of me, if possible thou mayest see me for the numbered of my sins that exceed the flowers of the springe, or leaves thy fatherly pity, and forgiveness.  
Turn not away from me, poor wretch, thy wonted benignity, forasmutch as I confess my daily iniquity, and although my sins be more in number then is for me meet and sitting: yet let thy mercy be no less than it is decent for so gentle and pitiful a god, O god the god of all favourableness.  
How much the more abominable my sins are in thy sight, yéeldinge forth a loathsome smell of displeasure in thy presence O god: so much the more do they stand in need of wholesome cure, which of necessity proceedeth from thee and none other, to requited the same with such integrity and newness of life: as may be acceptable unto thee.  
heal therefore, O most singular good Lord, my grievous infirmity, and so shalt thou rid me of that which offendeth thee my woeful deformity, acquit me from my contagious sickness: and thou shalt smell no more my most horrible loathsomeness, pardon within me this bitter calamity: and nothing shall longer offend thy sincerity.  
Created in me, O Lord God, a most godly zeal, and fervent desire to persevere always within the compass of thy heavenly will, and never to commit any thing that is repugnant unto the same, asisting me also with thy holy spirit, that I fail not in this most godly purpose, but steadfastly pursue it unto the last day of my life, so shall I be assuredly self from sin and my tongue shall always be telling thy peerless praises.  
Amen.   

A.  ¶ A gracious woman getteth honour, an huswifely woman is a crown unto her husband: but she that beehaveth herself unhonestly, is a corruption in his bones. 
¶ The ninth Flower.  
AS a child that hath transgressed the commandment of his master, standeth in awe of the rod: even so, O lord, am I in great dread of thy judgement, for that is the hire of such as observe not thy hests, because I have not walked after thy will, nor harckned unto the voice of thy word, but run forth on the reign of mine own sensuality.  
But thou hast made a covenant with me, that when so ever I convert myself unto thee: thou wilt favourably turn thyself unto me, and if I repent: thou wilt forgive, if I be sorry: thou wilt remember mine offences no longer, see then, Lord, for I bring with me now the branch of sorrow, and here I hold it up unto thee for a monument of thy remembrance.  
Save me, good Lord, as hitherto thou hast done, deliver me in the day of distress, for thou art the horn of my health, and the shield of my salvation, and the gain of my glory, I have no power at all but it proceedeth from thee, and thou bearest up the feebleness of mine infirmity, and thy mercy is my staff to lean upon.  
From the dangers of death, and from the snares of Satan, and from the chains of Hell, and when I was swallowed up: thou didst deliver my soul from destruction, I was wrapped in woe but I am set at liberty, as a bird that was fallen into the fowler's lime, and at length is loosed by some good body.  
For these thy bountiful benefits, O god, take from me the vice of unthankfulness that I may think and thank thee therefore, and graciously dispose the ways of thy servant, that I may continue in thy pleasure, but if thou wouldst so direct me that I might offend thee no more: there should no joy be comparable unto mine.  
They are hated of thee that do turn thy plentiful blessings into scarcity, and they are partakers of their wickedness that are in authority seeing it, and do not redress it, open their eyes, sweet god, that they may see it, & endeavour their hearts to amend it, that thy people perish not through the iniquity of a few, that have heaped up a great sin.  
I have prayed unto thee with an earnest heart for all my imperfections, to be delivered of them, and now I humbly sue, good Lord, that thou wouldst vouchsalfe to preserve me from the deed that may provoke the bitterness of any man's soul against me, for I am assured that thou wilt repay it with vengeance.  
There be some that have laid wait to entrap me, and they would be exceeding glad of my fall, but my trust is in thee, that thou wilt not give me over as a pray to mine enemies, make their desires voided, let them be confounded in their own drifts, and fail of their purpose that they wickedly have invented.  
Pardon me, O god, in all my presumptions, forgive them that persecute me, make me love them that hate me, and heartily to pray for them that wish my final destruction, how beeit, I beseech thee, Lord, to save me from their hands, jest if thou shouldst forsake me: I fall into their power, and there be none to defend me from their malice.  
Truly, Lord, I am fully determined to make thy precepts a garden of pleasure, and thy laws an alley of delight to take my recreation therein during the days of my flesh, only I request thee of thy goodness to grant me thy grace, with the continuance of this good work which thou hast begun in me.  
Since thou loathest, Lord, an ungodly life: give me power, I pray thee, to fly the works of the flesh which thou dost hate, and to embrace the deeds of righteousness which thou dost love, and in them to seek thy glory, incline my mind always to meditate on thy law, and to cast all the cares of my heart upon thee.  
The death and burial, the resurrection & ascension of thee, my sweet saviour Christ, I humbly adore, and give hearty thanks for them, for in them there riseth unto me a savour of life, through the quickening smell of all these: raise up my soul, I pray thee, good Lord, from the dreadful death of sin.  
O dust and ashes, why dost thou walk with a proud heart, and stretched out neck, and why art thou moved with impatience against every trifling adversity? behold the meekness and humility of thy redeemer, and learn to be humble of heart, and low of courage, be ashamed of pride, and blush for want of patience.  
Lord, if I could give unto thee Heaven and Earth, and all the glory thereof for hire, from the top of my reward: I could not sufficiently recompense the depth of thy desert, yet give me that grace, that so far as mine ability extendeth: I may requited thy bounty with thanks, and show how much I am bettered by thy heavenly liberality.  
Give me thy peace which the world cannot give, grant me the joy which thine elect do possess, sustain me with the comfort that never shallbe void, erect me with hope that shall always persist, instruct me with thy word that ever shall endure, advance me to thy kingdom that never shall end, and thy glory shall still live in me, for I shall never die.  
Amen.   

N.  ¶ Not thought may escape God, neither may any word be hid from him, he hath garnished the high excellent works of his wisdom and he is from everlasting to everlasting. 
¶ The ten Flower.  
Newness of life, and singleness of heart, and an undefiled way, are the very offerings of soot incense unto thee, O thou most righteous God, and thou acceptest the sorrowful suit of a martyred mind, in what time soever he poureth forth his plaint unto thee, so hearken unto me I beseech thee, for heaviness hath builded his bower within my breast.  
I come unto thee betimes in the morning, and late in the night, and at high noon, and when I go to rest and when I rise again, when I am alone, and when I am in company, whether I be in thy holly church, or in my secret chamber, and all is for thy mercy, O Lord, for thou haste no respect of the person, time, or place.  
Multiply in me the gifts of thy grace, and convert thy foes through my force, make my body an instrument of all goodness, which shall come to pass: if thou cleanse the uncleanness of my soul, scour the unseemly spots of my stained conscience, examine my thoughts, and innovate a new degree of desires within my heart.  
Lord, grant I beseech thee, that whether I be in wealth or woe, in health or in sickness, whether I eat or drink, sleep or wake, travail or take my rest, or what ever I do: I may do it in thee, and for thee, and by thee, and nothing without thee, for my defier is always, if it be possible to be with thee, & never to be from thee.  
Plant fast thy pleasure in the bottom of my breast, for thy will, O God, is the worker of my wealth, and my will is the weaver of my wothy law is the leader unto light, and my law is the loser of my life, thy hests are the helpers unto health, and my hests are the heapers up of my heaviness, thy precepts are the port of peace, and my precepts are the passage to perdition.  
This world where I am, Lord, may well be termed the vale of wickedness, for here is nothing else but pride, malice, partiality, trouble, envy, vexation, strife, carefulness, ambition, covetousness, bribery, extortion, usury, idle oaths, and abominable perivirie, whoredom, hypocrisy, and all uncleanliness, bitter contention for the truth of thy word: and no man careth to follow it.  
O Lord, that it might please thee to quench the thirst of this worldly vanity that biteth so sharp within the breast of mortal men, that they might see what it is that they seek for, & learn to look after that which they loose, that by due conference of the twain: they may behold their folly, and heartily repent them while they have respite.  
The gain of thy grace, O thou great God, shall evermore be the brightness of my beauty, for I will request nothing but thy mercy, and put my confidence in no creature but in thee only, if I have that: then am I happy, and if I be with thee: I am blessed, and I will sing forth thy praises in the congregation of thy faithful people.  
Lord, thou knowest how little the righteousness is which I have, and yet that which I have is altogether to be reputed thine, for it is evident that I can alonely do no good deed, but not so much as name GOD, were it not through the holy ghost, and unless thou give the power, which sayest that without thee we can do nothing.  
Open my mouth, that withal my soul I may make humble supplications unto thee, and confess myself unto thy majesty, saying: thou hast wrought all our good works in us, and therefore in respect of them we may sing with thy princely prophet David, not unto us Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give the glory.  
So far as in me lieth, I will endeavour, that thy most worthy fame shall stretch unto the ends of the world, unto Turks, and infidels, that have no knowledge of thee, or such as live in misbeeleef of thy truth and I beseech thee to arm the preachers of thy word with boldness, and understanding, that they may fail for no fear, to tell the truth, nor be corrupt with ignorance, nor heresy.  
Thou art most worthy, O lord God, to be loved and honoured, f●r thy great goodness and unsearchable wisdom, and all other perfections without number or end, that art very perfection itself, and all that ever we can yield unto thee, in faith, or fear, or love: is too too little and very nothing in respect of that which thou hast deserved.  
If thou shouldest lay unto our charge, the grievous default of innocency, and righteousness, which is required to be in us, by thy commandments: O Lord, how could we endure the sharpness of thy judgement? for we were assured to perish eternally, but lend me the shield of thy mercy, to defend me against the stroke of thy just wrath.  
Reveal unto mine eyes the beauty and coomlinesse of virtues, and the foulness and deformity of vices, that I may fall in love with the one, and misliking with the other, taking a special reguarde which I should harbour in my heart, submitting myself unto thy heavenly disposition, as I may be made meetest to serve thee.  
I will laud thee, O Lord my strength, with my lips, and I will magnify thy might with my mouth, I will love thy laws as my life, and walk in thy will as my way, I will sing forth thy salvation in my song, and muse on thy mercies in my mind, I will hang up thy hope in my heart, and bury thy bounty in my bosom.  
Amen.   

N.  ¶ Now I see that they which fear God have the right spirit, for their hope standeth in him that can help them: and the eyes of the Lord are on them that love him. 
¶ The xj Flower.  
Never let me do the thing, O Lord, that is displeasant in thy sight, but make thou my steps right unto thee, and clear my paths in thy presence, that there be no iniquity found in my heart, nor guile in my mouth, nor unrighteousness in my hands, nor any thing about me that may provoke offence against thee, that thou shouldest turn from me, and forsake me.  
It is thy wisdom that is unto me more precious than gold, and I desire it above all thynges be they never so fair, I am inflamed with the love of it, lend it unto me, my dear God, for it is that which teacheth thy will, and showeth what is most acceptable unto thy sight, and it leadeth the way unto the true worshipping of thee.  
O my God, I have gone astray, I have done amiss, I have committed wickedness, I am sinful, call me home, and pardon my misdoings, pluck me away from my heinous offences, heal my soul that is oppressed with harms, for I acknowledge my manifold iniquities, and I am heartily sorry for my sins.  
I am woe that ever I went awry, thou seest, Lord, the contrition of my heart, and my sighing is not hid from thee, take no reguarde to my crimes that are past, but hearken how I purpose to amend, only guide me with thy grace, shun not the suit of a sinner, but hear the prayer of him that putteth his trust in thee, as thou most lovingly hast promised.  
Thou art almighty, O Lord my God, and canst grant whatsoever is asked, give unto my soul an hearty feeling of true devotion, fulfil me with the Charity, and loving kindness of thy dear sun, which he expressed when most humbly he offered himself upon the Cross, died the bitter death, and shed his precious blood for the sins of me, and many.  
Lord, if my tears were in quantity match to the deep sea, and my sighs were as the smoke of a Furnace, and my sobs could break the hard Diamond, and my wailings were equal unto the noise of thunder, and my sorrow were such as no tongue can express: yet could I not sufficiently lament for the guilt of my grievous offences.  
Thou hast given me an heart to understand thee, and eyes to behold thee in thy worthy works, give me also, I pray thee, a desire to walk in thy will, and then I am certain I shall want nothing that is needful for the good estate of my body or soul, above all, give me the quietness of a calm conscience, and separate me not from the hope of thy health.  
I have prayed unto thee, my sweet God, for perfection of mind, so I beseech thee also, send me the strength and firmitude of body, with all the powers thereof to thy pleasure, preserve the corporal life of my sovereign, thy faithful servant, our gracious governor: likewise of my parents, friends, and kinsfolk, vouchesaulfe to be favourable unto my fear whom thou hast sent me in thy fear, and stand good father unto my poor remainder, the beloved moiety of my life.  
If thou grant not my petitions, thou art true notwithstanding, for God heareth not sinners, and if thou give ear unto my prayers, thou art merciful, for thou commandest me to ask and I shall receive, and if I obtain: it is only thy mere liberality no desert of mine, show me thy mercy that I may be heard, and make me worthy, O Lord, to receive.  
Thou hast taught me to pray, O deliver me from the great éevill, save me from the mouth of the monstrous Dragon which continually prosecuteth me, and with the shield of thy might deliver me from his perilous horns, for his most greedy desire is to entrap my life, and to devour my soul which thou haste created.  
Wherefore, O Lord, incessantly I cry unto thee, acquit me from my daily adversary, which, whether I sleep or wake, whether I eat or drink, or whatsoever I do: by all means both day and night, lieth in wait privily or openly to shoot his venomous shafts against me, and to slay my soul, but be thou my gracious protector.  
If thou, Lord, be on my side: I esteem not the force of any foe, there is nothing to hurt where thou art to help, there can no fiend of darkness impugn, where the Lord of light doth defend, let me not perish, Lord, through lack of thy succour, for in my heart I have made thee the full refuge of my hope, and the rampire of my health.  
Confess I must needs, that the devices of my heart have driven me from my duty, and the imaginations of my mind have augmented my mischief, but I trust, Lord, that in the ritchnesse of thy mercies thou wilt think on my poverty, and in the plenty of thy goodness thou wilt remember my scarcity of perfections, and take favourable compassion upon me.  
O eternal Lord, I power not forth my prayers before thy presence, trusting in the strength of mine own righteousness: but in thy great and manifold mercies, save me, Lord, for thy dear sons sake, preserve me from slanderous tongues, and hateful hearts, defend me from mishap, pestilence, famine, murder, and sudden death I beseech thee.  
I will sing with my mouth, and give thanks with my heart, and set forth thy glory, most glorious God, and I will conform all the members of my body that they shall do thy will, I will be wholly the Lords and the Lord shallbe the portion of my patrimony, refuse me not, for my will shall always be with thee.  
Amen.   

E.  ¶ Every man's work shalbeo made manifest, the day shall declare it, because it shallbe revealed by the fire, and the fire shall try every man's work what it is. 
¶ The twelve Flower.  
Everlasting God, and most merciful Father, thou haste stirred me up with the lively feeling of an unfeigned faith, this day to call upon thy most holy name, increase, I beseech thee, continually that godly desire within my breast, for I know thou hast gifts enough in store for us all, and thou wilt hear the humility of an hearty prayer.  
Hear me now therefore, O my Lord, for I stand a far of crying with the Publican, Lord have mercy upon me which am a sinner, and with the Leper, Lord if it be thy will: thou canst cleanse me, and with the faithful Centurion, Lord my servant is very sick and like to die, but say thou the word and he shall be made whole.  
What do thief words signify other, O Lord, but that I am in misery and fain would be relieved, I am in sorrow and fain would be comforted, I am in distress and fain would be succoured, I am in sin and fain would be pardoned, and I come unto thee, for thou art the only worker of wealth, and Lord of mercy, and I hope thou wilt help me.  
Have mercy upon me, O Lord, have mercy upon me, for I had never so much need, my offences are increased, and my force is diminished a●d if I would take in hand to writ the millians of my misdeeds, that daily do burden my body, and sink my soul: it were needful that thou shouldest created in me a thousand new toongues.  
I can hide nothing from thee, that which I have committed in secret: lieth manifest before thy celestial eyes, for at the doing of all things thou art present, and thou art the perpetual be holder of my heart, and all my delights, deeds, and devices of mind, are as clear in thy sight: as is the light of the noonday, and more clearer.  
But hearken now awhile, O my soul, forsake thy worldly business, and careful cogitations for a season, be at leisure unto God, and take thy rest in him, enter into the secret closet of thy heart, and shut forth all other occupations, and when thou art there alone: then seek for the lord, and he will seek for thee, and if thou list: thou shalt surely find him.  
And when thou hast found him: say then unto him, O lord, my heart hath sought thy face, teach me, I beseech thee, how I may seek thee aright, and where I may find thee readily, if thou be absent where I may have thee present, if I cannot see thee, for darkness of my understanding: bring me into the inaccessible light, where I may always behold thee.  
Lord, what shall thy servant do which languisheth for the love of thee, and pineth for pain that he is so long from thy presence? he would gladly find thee: and he woteth not the place of thy abode, he would willingly seek thee: and he knoweth not thy face, yet art thou my Lord, and my God, and I the work of thy worthy hands.  
O mighty God, thou haste made me, and preserved me, and thou didst created me that I should behold thee, and yet have I not fulfilled that for which I was ordained. O how miserable is the state, and condition of mankind, if he loose that through his own wilfulness, for which he was made? let me never Lord, see that day, but show me the light of thy glory.  
Make me recount, O Lord, through thee, the misery of mine own transgressions, and with wonderful affection to desire redress at thy deity, how all the children of Adam should have fed on the bread of Angels at pleasure, which now they do want, and now they break the bread of sorrow, whereon they feed at full with all bitterness.  
Forget not thy poor creature, O most merciful God, that is buried up in mountains of misery, and swallowed up in the sea of sorrow, turn thy face unto me which was turned away from me, and hear me whom thou wouldst not behold, lighten my dimmed eyes, and show me thy cheerful countenance.  
Restore thyself unto me, that it may go well with me in thee, with whom it goeth so ill without thee, repair my decayed parts, take pity upon my afflictions and travels, help mine endeavours, for I can do nothing without thee, sweeten my bitter potion with thy celestial sugar, suffer me not to die in despairing: but to have life in hoping.  
In heart and contemplation, Lord, I draw near unto thee, a careful castaway pining with poverty: unto thee the Lord of light waltering in wealth, a miserable wretch: to a merciful God, an hungry soul to the fountain of food, Lord, I have sought thee hungering, let me not leave thee fasting, nor depart from thee fainting.  
Teach me the way, sweet God, wherein I may walk to seek thee, and show thyself unto me, I beseech thee, that feign would find thee, for I cannot seek thee unless thou instruct me, nor I cannot find thee: unless thou descry thyself, let me seek thee in desiring, and desire thee in seeking, let me find thee in loving, and love thee in finding.  
As I am thine Image: so make me remember myself, to think on thee with love, love thee with desire, desire thee with fear, fear thee with faith, seek thee with wisdom, find thee with truth and singleness of heart, and abide with thee in thine eternal glory, which thou hast prepared for them that serve thee.  
Amen.   

B  ¶ Bless them which persecute you, bless, and curse not, rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep, being of like affection one unto another, not high minded, but matching yourselves to the lower sort. 
¶ The xiij Flower.  
BLessed are they, as thou hast taught us, O my sweet saviour jesus Christ, which diligently do hear thy most worthy word: and keep the same, yea thrice blessed are they that spend their time in the search of thy right sacred will, expressing it in their life and conversation, for thy holy spirit shall never be absent from them.  
I would to God it might please thee, so to address my ways, that I might in no wise wander awry, and that thou wouldst take away all stumbling blocks from my feet that I might not fall, and prevent all dangers that I might not miscarry, but that thy paths were made so plain: that I might never commit offence against thee.  
O Lord, so it irketh me that ever I went astray, it grieveth me to the heart, insomutch that I can receive no comfort when I think on thy heavy wrath, and due indignation wherewith thou dost prosecute the sins of the ungodly, even unto the third and fourth generation of such as have not fulfilled thy commandments.  
But be thou, good Lord, unto me a most special comforter, that although I be already laid very low: yet I may not be utterly brought to ruin, turn the bitter scourge of thy welwoorthie vengeance, lest I perish in the sharp execution of thy deserved punishment, and so that be lost which thou diddest make, and buy full dear.  
Thy property it is, most blessed God, to save and not to spill, thou didst created and not consume, thy works are wondrous, and they seemed all good unto thee, when thou didst make nothing of spite, nor spite at nothing that thou didst make, whereby increaseth my comfort, that I shall not be left quite destitute, and forsaken.  
It is affliction enough for me, that I have forsaken thy ways, and not looked after the Lord of my life, let confession of the fault be sufficient punishment for an offender that transgresseth not of set purpose, but only through the imperfection of frail nature, and want of thy most gracious goodness.  
I have broken thy statutes like a proud rebel, I have contemned thy precepts like a naughty servant, I have violated thy will like a disobedient child, I have wandered from thy fold like a lost sheep, I have disobeyed the good pleasure of my most sweet and loving God: like a most wicked, and wretched creature.  
Deal not with me, O Lord, according unto my deserts but thy kindness, not having respect unto severe justice, but tender mercies: that I may live longer to amend my misdeeds, and other by mine example may endeavour to do the like, and so thy most noble name may be magnified both in them and me, with right worthy commendation.  
Let not that be laid unto my charge, I heartily beseech thee, wherein unwitting, unwilling, or unadvisedly I have provoked thy anger, but forget the follies of my forepast years, when I was young and rash by course of kind, when sin is accounted but a play, and but very small reguarde is had unto thy ways.  
Purify me from my secret sins whereof there is none privy but thou alonely, that sittest on high, and searchest the privities of each man's heart below in the earth, to judge every one in his own devise, and repay them according unto their inventions, bewraying their filthiness unto the world, that erst lay secret in covert.  
O Lord, for thy name's sake, let no custom of sinning take hold upon me, nor let me never take pleasure in doing wickedness, for the one were hard to be eschewed with out special help, and the other is a manifest sign of want of grace, but be thou always my succour, O thou the God of my strength, and fortitude.  
Suffer us not to go a whoring with strange things, whilst we seek after thee, as for thee: thou art within us if we willbe within thee, we need not to search thee far of: for thou art with us in our faith, until such time as we deserve that thou mayst be with us in personal appearance, which grant that I may behold.  
For we know, as sayeth the holly Apostle, that Christ through faith doth devil within our hearts. For why? Christ is within our Faith, the faith within our mind, the mind within our heart, the heart within our breast, but cleanse thou them all, most gracious God, that my body may be made a meet temple for thee to devil in.  
Thou hast fashioned me after thine own image, conform me therefore my God, most likely unto thy similitude, in all virtue, and holiness, in desire of peace, in contemplation of verity, in love of charity, let me evermore retain thee in memory, carry thee in my conscience hold thee in my heart, and honour thee as present.  
Hear me, O God, in thy goodness, & turn not thy merciful ear from my sorrowful cry, O let the uncleanness of my soul be purified, the darkness of my mind lightened, the warmness of my heart heatened, the coldness of my conscience warmed, and the sleepiness of my body wakened, and I myself by all means prepared, that I may be thy servant to do thy heavenly pleasure, as I am already the work of thy cunning fingers.  
Amen.   

A  ¶ A man that beareth hatred against another, how dare he desire forgiveness of God? forgive then thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done thee, and so shall thy sins be forgiven thee also when thou prayest. 
¶ The xiiij Flower.  
Advance thyself, O Lord, in thine eternal power, and draw thee near to deliver me from the snares of the Devil, that have entrapped me, and thrown me almost unto the ground, I have been plunged a long time in the sea of sensuality, and I perceive my deliverance cometh only from thee, wherefore deliver me, O Lord, of my salvation.  
Thy power is above all powers, thou hast made all thynges subject unto thee, for through thee Death hath no sting, nor Hell hath victory, eternal thanks be unto God, who in our good Lord, and saviour jesus Christ: hath given unto us a noble conquest ever our enemies, for which while I live: I will give most worthy praise, as it best beseemeth.  
Henceforward look thou carefully unto the course of my life, and hold fast my heart always in thy fear, that I be not found unworthy of thy most bountiful benefits, increase in me a care to continued in thy commandments, erect a fervent faith and assured hope of thy promises, and mercy, within the tender entrails of my breast.  
Sprinkle my heart with a dreadge of thy compassion and precepts mingled together, that I may not wander aside, nor fall into the gulf of thy wrath, but thy favour may sustain me, and thy love may lift me up, bringing my feet into thy roomth of rest, where I may not choose but fulfil thy godly hests.  
O, how happy were I, if I might never hereafter in thought, word, nor deed, commit the thing that should displease thy majesty? that life is the longing of my soul, and th'effect of my desire, my heart much wisheth to see that blessed time, and my joys then should be such as no tongue can tell.  
Truly, to know thee, with the Sun, and the holy ghost: is the true perfection of eternal life, th'end of blissfulness, the sum of all delights, no eye hath seen, no ear hath heard, nor hath it pierced into the depth of any man's understanding, to value the inestéemable charity, delectation, and pleasures of the same felicity, when we shall behold the majesty of God face to face.  
Verily, most glorious king, I have reposed this hope in my bosom, and my heart danceth within my breast for joy thereof, and I do assure myself, through faith in thee, that these eyes wherewith I read these lines: shall see that glory, and this flesh wherewith I am cloaked in corruption, and meashed in mortality: shallbe a member of that immortal kingdom.  
This world is farst with wickedness, and there are many stays that stop a man from righteousnesses, blinding him that he may not see, and hampring him that he may not stir to do the thing that is acceptable unto God, sequestering his mind from all thoughts, studies, and labours that may incite him unto thee.  
But my trust is in thee, O God, that thou wilt not suffer me to fall into any outrageous offence, that may demerit thy hot indignation, O turn away mine eyes, lest I behold vanity, and guide my hands that I touch no unjust thing, lift up my mind unto contemplation of heavenly sights, and pull me from terrestrial cogitations that are but transitory.  
I have prayed for one thing, and I request the same most heartily, that thou wouldst preserve my youth from flatterers, and mine old age from slanderers, for the one sort of them would devour me before I am ripe, and the other would bury me before I am dead, and I have always hated them both utterly.  
power down upon me, O my loving God, the blessed dew of thy divine and incomparable wisdom, which is always resident about thy heavenly seat, that I may know myself thoroughly, and honour thee worthily, considering the frame of mine own infirmity, and that there is no goodness but it descendeth from thee that art above.  
When, through the perverse, and froward inclination of my nature, I fall into any wicked, and ungodly imaginations: leave me not, good Lord, unto them, acquit me from the disordinate lusts of the body, let no desire of uncleanness take hold upon me, and give me not over unto an unshamefast, impious, and obstinate mind.  
Set a sure bridle upon my mouth, that I speak no proud things against thee, suffer not my tongue to be acquaincted with swearing, and let not the naming of God be continually in my lips, for in it are many falls, but mercifully give thou me advisement what I shall speak, ere ever I open my mouth.  
Call not the words that I have vainly spoken unto account, impute them not unto me for sin, give me understanding to keep prudent silence, and when I speak let it either be for temporal necessity, either to edify others, or else to bear righteous testimony of the truth, let the verity of my assertion consist in yea yea, or nay nay.  
Lord, here stand I vile wretch before the throne of thy dread presence, hoping that I shallbe heard, not in the faintness of my faith: but in the power of thy promises. O weigh my weakness, and grant my desire, as thou knowest most meet for me, then can I want no wealth, and my conscience shallbe replenished with all spiritual consolation.  
Amen.   

C  ¶ Cast not thine eyes aside from the poor, that thou give him no occasion to speak evil of thee. For if he complain in the bitterness of his soul: his prayer shallbe heard, even he that made him, shall hear him. 
¶ The xu Flower.  
CHasten me, O God, howbeit, not in the consuming rage of thy jealous wrath, for than shall I utterly perish, but temper, I beseech thee, thy fury with compassion, to the redress of my life, not confusion of my soul, for if thou shouldest deal so severely with sinners: alas, what should become of them? for there is no flesh righteous in thy sight.  
O, think mercifully upon the ancient sore of our sins, how that unwittingly we are coneaved and borne in iniquity, and be thou ready to apply the salve of thy mercy, the only remedy of Adam's infected fruit, whereby our wekned bones are made strong, and we are eftsoons erected into thy favour.  
Thou hast laid thine heavy displeasure upon me, which I know well my wickedness hath deserved, namely a careless conscience, and negligent calling upon thee for grace and thou hast opened mine eyes that I might behold my misery, and how far I am carried from thee, that art the port of my salvation.  
Notwithstanding thy rods, and thy staves, O Lord, wherewith thou hast beaten me have brought me comfort, thy correction is full of compassion, and in the midst of the miseries which deservedly thou heapest upon our heads: thou groanest at our plagues, what due damnation deserveth such demeanour?  
Again, O most unspeakable mercy of thy divine goodness, that beholdest us daily turning away our unhappy ears, shutting our foolish eyes, hardening our stubborn hearts, and yet notwithstanding criest unto us, O ye sinners, incline unto wisdom, and behold, for I am the Lord your God.  
Merciful God, if at any time I have been such one: I heartily beseech thee not to impute it unto me, forgive me all my fond negligences, and gross ignorancies which I have left undone, let them come no more into thy sight to be objected against me.  
O, how well were I, if it might please thee to draw me a direct line in thy laws, that I might go right, and lead me in the light of thy truth that I might not trip, and hold me by the hand that I might not fall, but especially if thou wouldst take me unto thee, that whereas thou art, I might be ever there also?  
I have marvelously offended thee, and there are many occasions of offence, which if thou wouldst take from me: then should not my sins be so burdenous unto my soul, nor so grievous unto thy sight, which I confess are manifold, but, Lord, I know thy mercy, and saving health are infinite, and thou art prove unto forgiveness.  
The ripeness of my perfection: shallbe the gréenesse of thy glory, the Summer of my suits: shallbe the spring of thy praise, the harvest of my righteousness: shallbe the seed of thy commendation, the winter of my wickedness: shallbe the ear-ring of thy honour, the fruits of my faith: shallbe the flower of thy worthiness the top of my tranquillity: shallbe the root of thy renown.  
I will walk in thy ways, O Lord, and obey thy will, I will keep thy commandments and take care of thy covenants, I will hold thy hests as my life and reguarde thy precepts as mine own soul, there shall nothing thrust me from thy truth, nor fray me from thy fear, nor allure me from thy love, and then am I as certain that I shall live: as I am sure thy praises shall not die.  
Amen.   

O  ¶ O give ear unto good counsel, and be content to be reformed, that thou mayst be wise hereafter: for there are many devices in a man's heart, nevertheless the counsel of the Lord shall stand for ever. 
¶ The xuj Flower.  
O Lord, thou Father and GOD of my life, I beseech thee, for thy sun Christ's sake, bend down thine eyes of compassion upon me that am thine humble servant, but at this present woefully oppressed with careful encumbrances of sin, so that I want power to lift up my hands, and with my tongue I am not able to express the sorrows that I sustain.  
I am deeply wounded that my life languisheth away, I am broken that I cannot recover, I am sore that I cannot be cured, I am sick that I cannot be saved, I am so nigh death that I cannot live, I am so pined: that I am passed all help, unless that thou, O Lord, come with speedy reléeife, the worker of my wealth and curer of all infirmities.  
For, if thou put forth thy holly hand: I shallbe holpen, if thou do touch me: I shallbe saved, if thou do but say the word: my loathsomeness shallbe relieved. O Lord, I pray thee heartily come ease me of my gréeifes, come cure me of my care, come save me from my sickness, come assure me from my sores restore me to my health, and prolong the days of my life to thy pleasure.  
In weakness of body and infirmity of mind, in feebleness of flesh and craziness of conscience, in adversity of the world and all miseries of mankind: I have made mine earnest complaint unto thee, O Lord, and thou hast graciously heard me, thou didst never turn from me in prosperity, nor disdain me in trouble, and I trust thou wilt never forsake me.  
Lord, this world is subject unto marvelous mutability, the state of men is variable, for thou enritchest the poor, & empoverishest the rich, thou pullest down the lofty, and raisest up the base, yet grant unto me, that I may with all meekness of mind be well contented with the calling whereunto thou hast allotted me, and yield unto thee most dutiful thanks therefore.  
Give not unto me, O God, the great heaps of worldly wealth, nor cast not upon me the gnawing pains of pining poverty, for riches make a man not know himself, mutchelesse God, and poverty, many times, is an enemy unto virtuous manners and godliness, but mercifully grant unto me a reasonable competent living.  
There are many that have fallen by abundance, and diverse by lack, but, O thou heavenly Father, that art only the rich God: vouchsaulf, I beseech thee, to give me always a sufficient relieving both for my body and soul, and for the charge of household which thou hast given unto me, and in all thynges to avoid most vain superfluity.  
Sweet Lord, fix my mind firmly upon thee and nothing else, as for worldly things let them seem vile unto me in respect of thee, let me take comfort in thee and not in them, suffer no mirth to remain in my mind, nor joy to harbour in my heart, nor pleasure to rest in my thought, nor desire to abide in my breast: that is not in thee, and for thee only.  
If it be thy will, O eternal king, that I shall live in thy love, and continued in thy favour: take away from me the means of ordinary offending thee, make me angry without sinning, humble without feigning, merry without lightness, sad without out mistrust, sober without dullness, and trusty without doubleness.  
Strike into my heart a true fear of thee, yet that I do not despair, and a fervent love unto thee, but yet that I may not presume, give me understanding to amend mine own unrighteousness with discretion, and admonish my neighbours of their faults without dissimulation, and that by my words and example they may take a pattern of doctrine, and living.  
Establish me in a right trade of well pleasing thee, that my life may be conformable unto thy worthy will, reveal unto th'eyes of my soul by inspiration of the holy spirit, some sight or taste of thy heavenly joys, that I may be carried with delight to accomplish that which is pleasant unto thee: and profitable for mine own self.  
A drop of thy grace: shallbe the sea of my salvation, a sparkle of thy love: shallbe the flame of my faith, a mote of thy mercy: shallbe the heap of my health, a sand of thy sight: shallbe the bank of my beauty, a grain of thy goodness: shallbe the weight of my worthiness, one favour of thy celestial face: shallbe the fullness of mine eternal felicity.  
O Lord God, and holy Father, cast down thine eyes from thy sacred sanctuary, and from thy heavenly habitation, and behold the most acceptable sacrifice which our high bishop jesus Christ, thy dear sun our Lord, offereth up unto thy majesty for our manifold sins, and be merciful unto the multitude of our misdeeds.  
behold, the precious blood of our most sweet Saviour crieth yet unto thee from the altar of the Cross, he hangeth yet there, and still is he dying unto thee, who seest allthing in present that be past, & before whose eyes the effects of all times done do ever abide as now in doing, consider him, O merciful God, and for his sake take pity upon us.  
I must needs love thee, O my most dear redeemer jesus Christ, with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my power, that didst vouchsaulf to die for my sins, my soul cleaveth fast unto thee, for thou art her strength and fortitude, grant unto me, that I may ensue thy worthy steps, and be partaker of thy heavenly kingdom, according as I have shown my sighings unto thee and put my whole trust in thee, that art the portion of mine inheritance.  
Amen.   

N  ¶ Naked as we came forth of our mother's womb: even so go we hence again, and carry nothing away with us of all our labour. Consider this wonderful work of God, and how that no man can make the thing straight which he maketh crooked. 
¶ The xvij Flower.  
NO creature under heaven may bring me comfort but thou, O Lord of eternal glory, that art the help of man's health, and surgeon of his soul, thou strikest and healest, thou bringest a man nigh unto death and anon restoreth him to life again, to th'intent he may know his own weakness and imbecility: & cleave the more firmly unto thy strength and virtue.  
As for man, he is nothing else but a show of simple seed, and a slip of slender strength, and a bubble of boiling broth, and a branch of fading flowers, and an handful of goodly grass that to day flourisheth in the field, and to morrow is flung into the fire, a frame of most frail flesh, in whom is no perpetuity nor endurance.  
Lord, let me evermore bear this portraiture in my mind of mine own infirmity, considering still what I am, remembering always what I would be, then shall I lose liking of myself: and long after the love of thee, for I am the image of thy substance, although the looking back from thy laws hath soiled me sore with sin.  
As I am full of imperfection of myself: so supply thou my wants in thee, for when I have endeavoured all I may, my righteousness is thine, and thou crownest me with endless honour for that which proceedeth only from thee, and is so little agreeable unto my corrupt nature: that it is rather quite, alas, repugnant.  
My sins, O Lord, lie forth in plenty before my face, I can turn no way but they overtake me, I would feign entreat thee to pardon them and I dare not draw near thee for dread of them, consider my necessity most mighty God, and deliver me, and grant most graciously unto thy sinful servant: the participation of thy most glorious majesty.  
What though my sins be as the sands of the sea, and my wickedness surmount the leaves of the wood, and my transgressions strive in numbered with the flowers of the spring? yet take thou no reguarde, O Lord, unto the frowardness of my heart, but like as thou hast many times showed mercy: so now be pitiful, and forgive me.  
I have hungered, my sovereign Lord and God, to feed upon thee that art the bread of life, not with the jaws of my flesh: but with the mouth of my faith, until it may please thee to feed me at full with the entire contemplation of thy substance, which I shall see face to face, and also be seen in thy celestial glory, when I am discharged of this farthel of frailty, this hope is the harbour of my delight, and the assured looking for it is the chiefest flower of my Garland.  
Most gracious governor, give me to drink of that water, whereof who so drinketh: shall thirst the more, as after the sweetness of heavenly things, whose taste is unspeakable pleasant, and give me also to drink of that water the drinkers whereof shall thirst no more for ever, for it floweth forth from thee, the fountain of immortality.  
Truly Lord, there is no cause, why I should long to abide in this life, if I were of such perfection as was thy Apostle Paul: I should perceive the wickedness of this world, and the glory of thy kingdom, and wish earnestly as he did, to be dissolved from this body, and to be with Christ, where as he reigneth in eternity.  
O Lord, thou knowest my hearty desire is always to serve thee, grant unto me of thy gracious goodness, that I may live in thy law, and run in thy rule, and walk in thy way, and die in thy faith, and that I may be clearly delivered of the bondage of sin, and be wholly out of dread of death and damnation.  
Execute these things upon me, O my most loving God, and as it shall seem best unto thy pleasure, & most sitting for my soul: abridge the days of this Pilgrimage, and commence the term of my true life, call me from this Clay, and cloth me in the weed of everlasting wealth, where thou art resident with thy saints in eternal glory.  
Lord, if it so be, that the destruction day of all flesh be at hand, as it is heartily hoped: then have we great cause to yield thee most humble thanks for shortening the time of our trouble and taking away the occasions of offending, that thine elect may possess the longer fruit of their joys, and yield up the sums of a shorter account.  
O God, what a joyful day shall that same be, when we shall behold with our eyes those things which we have often recorded in our hearts, and hear with our ears which we have read with our eyes, and feel with our sense that which we have manifoldly conceived in our minds, but all as it were in a cloud, or veil, but then to enjoy them in express, and perfect kind?  
Mortify the man of sin, I pray thee good Lord, which reigneth with in my mortal body, that always rebelleth against my spirit, depressing me down ever in ignorance, and envying me the fruition of thy noble beauty, let no fear of any corporal death deter me from the most heavenly feeling of such a ghostly contemplation.  
If once the fullness of this effect were brought unto wished end: we should not need with such desire to make suit for our sins, for in thy kingdom, O most pure god, there divelleth no wickedness nor infirmity, but each tongue is busy in singing thy praise, all laud and honour be unto thee, O most mighty God, for ever and ever, world without end.  
Amen.   

¶ A COMPLAINT TO ALMIGHTY GOD in bitterness of soul, of one wrapped in adverfitie.  
TOu art my creator for thou haste made me, thou art my god for I do honour thee, O Lord God of Hosts, show unto me thy saving health in the midst of the adversities that have overta ken me, for whilst I am oppresied with woes, and erie unto thee from the depth of my heart, and would fain aspire with my voice unto the top of thy mercy: I am waxed faint with feebleness, my throat is become sore, and I am nothing the near of help.  
Hast thou forgotten me, my lord? am not I thy wretched servant, and sun of thy handmaiden? sometime ways, in the tenderness of thy most mild mercies withdraw thy scourges, for I am already feebled, laid waist, and utterly forlorn.  
Show me, Lord, are my sins more heinous in thy sight, than any man's else, that thou hast singularly plagued me above the rest? And have I not bought dear enough my secret offences? Are they all pure that flow in gold, that walk in silks, that feed on dainties, that sleep on down, that abound in possessions, that keep company with princes, that live in all worldly wealth, and am I made poor, abject, contemptible, forsaken, and castaway because I am only sinful?  
Turn thee, O Lord, into my comfort, and remember that I am but flesh and blood, set not thy might against the infirmity of my mould, for I acknowledge that I have aggravated the fruits of thy wrath, and the daily deeds of my neclected duty lie forth before my face, I cannot excuse myself of the greatest sin, there is no punishment that may be made match unto my maliciousness, it is to light which thou hast laid upon me for mine offences.  
Weigh my sorrows, O God, I call unto thee from the bottom of a broken heart, and a sighing soul, and a tormented mind, cease of the sourness of thy pretence, and mollify thy mood into mercy, convert my poverty into sufficiency, my contempt into some reguarde, take from me thy describe plague that I cannot prospero, which some term evil fortune, and erect me into a place where the good gifts may be seen which thou hast bestowed upon me.  
It is, Lord, a grievous wound to my heart, when I behold the good hap that some men have: and how every thing goeth awry with me that I take in hand, not that I am sorry at their good success, but it irketh me that I find not the like. They live in good case in whom there is not that which resteth in me, they square in abundance, and I lurk in want, they take their ease and gain I labour and live by the loss, they sleep and wax rich, I toil and ever am poor, they stand still and it cometh unto them, I run after it and still it flieth from me, I have been fayerly promised, but I see no performance at all that ensueth, and they that should do me good: either they cannot, or they will not, either I come to rathe, or to late unto them or else they feed me with shales and another enjoyeth the fruit, either they put me of with delays, and, O Lord, I perish in the mean season.  
Note, my sweet God, how uncourteously I have been dealt withal, for my friendship I have found hatred, such as I have been principal to procure them relief: have been the chief causers to cast me out of my living, I have been accused without cause for that I never meant, I am supposed to be other than I am, I am hit in the teeth with other men's faults, and hard borne for things I can not mend, I am heavily friended of such as should favour me, they are ready to take from me that which I have: which of duty should give me that which I lack, and, O God, thou knowest mine innocency, and how undeservedly they do it. I have been obedient to my power, but my portion is allotted as I had been otherwise: I was borne as of thy servant Sara, but I am reputed as one of the suns of Agar, it were almost infinite to show how I have been afflicted, and I am now oppressed with a burden that I cannot sustain stain, unless thou be my singular good God, and I hope herein thou wilt have a special reguarde unto me.  
Ever hitherto, thou hast stirred up worthy vessels, to relieve the woes, and cure the cares of such as were wrapped in adversity, & hast thou raised none to help me, O Lord? Surely, I do constantly believe that thou wilt not leave me unlooked to, although at this present I see almost no sign of succour, and the wellsprings of my blood be waxed dry towards me, and thou hast multiplied the numbered of my kinsfolks above my fréeinds, and slender be the twine whereon the stay of my simple living dependeth. Suffer then not to want I beseech thee that have fréeindly looked upon my penury, stand thou good Father unto them that have dealt with me as their natural child, let not their barns be the emptier, nor their bags the lighter, nor their houses the desolater, nor their hearts the heavier, nor their heirs the poorer, and when it shall please thee: then have me also in remembrance, as I stand not in doubt of thy gracious goodness. Lord, let my hope take effect, as the looking for that day hitherto: hath been chief cause of the lengthening of this my lingering loathed life.   
FJNIS.  

¶ Imprinted at London, in Fléet-streete by William How, dwelling at Temple Bar.