Meditations and Prayers, gathered out of the Sacred Letters, and Virtue 〈◊〉 Writ●●● Disposed i● 〈…〉 ●●bet of to 〈…〉  
〈…〉 Co●● out of the L●●●● 〈◊〉 ●●cred Minds.  Multae tribulatione● justorum, & de omnibus liberabit eos Dominus. Psal. 34. 
¶ Imprinted at London by William How. An. 1571.   

E Elect by will of mighty love,  
in Royal roomth to sit:  
L Living in Chaste Diana's Law,  
with Sacred Sabas wit.  
I juno displayed with stately Rule,  
hath 〈◊〉 Heavenly Ma●●  
Z Zenobia serves ●ise Pallas s●●●  
fair Venus seeks her gra●●  
A also wi●● 〈◊〉 Heavenly do●●  
〈◊〉 ●●●dome to define:  
B Bound 〈◊〉 she be to Nature's Law,  
or if she be Divine.  
E Empiring us unworthy wights,  
whose gratitude may gain:  
T That our renowned Elizabeth,  
H Here Nestor's years may rain.   

To the High, puissant, renowned Princess of all Virtue, our most redoubted Sovereign Lady Elizabeth, of England, France, and Ireland Queen: defender of the Christian Faith: your majesties true and Loyal servant john Conwaye, Prayeth all things beseeming the Height of your Royal Descent, Imperial Crown, and dreadful Dignity.  
treading the weary March of this loathsome Laborynthe, besieged with the horrible Host of Satan our ancient foe: we find (most regarded Prince) to the blessed Soul, no way so sure a shield, and Fortress, as the unspeakable virtue of daily Prayer: the same deckings man's brickle Body with the perfectness of true Glory, assisting his decayed parts with sound health, nourishing his vital Spirits with sweet confirmed hope, giving the furious Fend of Hell, pining punishment, and most bitter conflict: And being faithful, hummble, and fervent, is not only to our Celestial Father, the most sweet Oblation, and Sacrifice, but to every true Christian, a most blessed comfortable exercise: wherein, as we lay abroad our irksome transgressions by natural defects to the Almighty, requiring the Fortress of his Holy promiss to defend us from this politic, and wicked Warrior. So by often conference as it were, even with the Deity itself, we are trained Soldiers to the Battle of each affliction.  
By Prayer, Despair is avoided, and the horrible sin of Presumption overthrown, all impureness laid apart, all Rancour forgotten, and rigorous Envy dissolved to mild Love: else shall we want the things we pray for.  
Then if Prayer doth only enforce us to a reformation of our misdeeds, purchasing us a stately Mansion in the House of God, free from the heavy yoke of Sin, and Death. The Holy Augustine rightly spoke these words: Oratio est Animae Sanctae praesidium, Angelo bono Solatium, Diabolo Supplicium, gratum Deo Obsequium, & Poenitentiae Religionis Laus tota, perfecta Gloria, Spes certa, Sanitas incorrupta. And also Cassidorus: Oratio posita est, per quam Ira Dei suspenditur, Veny procuratur, Poena refugitur, & Praemiorum Largitas impetratur: Et nullus indè respuitur, nisi qui in ea tepidus invenitur. Let us therefore present the Highest with this Incense of true Prayer, discovering our minds, and confessing our unworthiness, with assured hope to receive the benefit of his sweet Promises, due to each penitent Soul that asketh in the simpleness of heart with tears, and steadfastness, rejecting all trembling hope, which then gaineth our true perfection therein, and also confirmeth these further words of Augustine: Si pura, & casta sit Oratio, Coelos penetrans, vacua non redibit. O sweet Sentence: nay, o more blessed travail, so employed, where nothing is found so necessary to the lost Child, nothing more pleasant to the afflicted man, nothing more profitable to the weak despairinge mind, neither any thing so well beseeming every estate, arming them with able force to encounter the wicked Serpent. Against whose malignities, as the Heavenly gifts of prudent skill, and Learning are shrined in Royal Seat of your unspotted Life: associate with most lowly nature ●he true Victors of regal renown, exercising each virtue in proper kind, that justly may procure you everlasting reward of undefiled Battle: so under Bulwark of those Angelical beauties piercing highest point of starry firmament, and mount, I say, of Heavenly Humilities, universally resounding all Europe, and making England specially blessed: in emboldened to say before your Highness, these words of Solomon King, touching this effect, who called his household to Prayer, and commended the force thereof. Because (saith he) I communicate with God of good things, I will have Honour of the Elders, I willbe found a ready young man in judgement. In conspectu potentium admirabilis ero, & facies principum mirabuntur me. Created is the force of Prayer to a Prince that loveth it, greater to him that useth it, greatest to him that needeth it: The comfort whereof (most puissant Prince) holdeth back my over feebled spirit, from her last step to that ugly Hell of desperation, deeming there was never erst infelicity in any degree, equal to mine, whose foes by sinister suggestions, have not only usurped the reward of my single intent, and true service: but Zoilus hath stirred the ministers of your heavy wrath against me, to the abandoning of my desired liberty, suppression, with utter ruin of my poor sequel, and buried my half living Carcase in the grave of deep forgetfulness, where my voice is hoarsed with cryings, and my tongue fainted with uttering the grief of my sorrowful mind: No doubt, a just scourge to the hidden faults of my passed life, but to the very case of my committing, wherein I am wounded, maym●d, wronged and lost, it needeth a true Confession, and not a false Defense in any thing by me thought or done, to the prejudice of your Royal person, Crown, State, or Dignity: I profess before the Almighty, as innocent as the Child unseparate his Mother's entrails: Teste se●pso, whose wrath I crave in judgement to my thoughts, of any harm to your Highness, wherein amidst my sorrows, yet I joy, sithence my miserable matter concerns your excellency, and my punishment, at your Noble pleasure, continued or released, which in weary state, I attend powringe my pitiful plaints before the Majesty of the Highest, to dissolve your worthy heart to accustomed levity, and to fortify abrade of these sweet words in your Royal breast, rendered to a silly suitor, that your Highness would ioy● with any inferior of my Friends, in the trial of my truth. Wherein O gracious God, what else doth your Highness, but scourge the scorching, Phaethon that goeth too fast, and wants a slower reign, for whilst you wish my truth, which hath no want, I wail my unworthiness, and fall into deep Hell of Desperation, (Nihil enim est, quod tantum me terreat, nec est aliquidquod tantum me delectet, Quantum huius tuae in me bonitatis commemoratio, terret, inquam me, indignitas propria, sed me delectat haec tua virtus & excellentia) being assured, my whole study, force, travel, nor adventure, shall ever be able to Cancel the Records of your Princely thoughts, touching my true Loyalty, which no Antecedent of passed life can accuse, nor any poisoned tongue in true touch, by present annoy.  
What more worthily beutifieth the Majesty of kingly rule, advanceth wisdom to her Highest step of glory, or can so sweetly make the chief Harmony of all good government, as against the woeful afflicted, to deliver Clemency: to each offender, Mercy: to the virtuous Reward: and in causes doubtful, to suspend judgement. Truly, these are they, which not only satisfy the Heavens and Earth with a right aspect of Divine justice, but are chief movers, that the long abandoned Virgin Astrea, hath resigned sacred seat, to become your handmaid to high Glory, through all Provinces, and strengtheneth my feeble parts amid these conflicting days, increasing chief delight, to nourish health against infection of place, ubi.  
unda locusque nocent & causa valentior istis:  
Anxietas animi, quae mihi semper adest.  
Thus do I strive (most seemly Sovereign) tossed in the Sea of many troubles, bruised with the Ankore of grisly grief, and meished in the tumblinge toil of froward Fortune, thirsting victory to the only end, that protected by your Virtue to wage true trial of my owing homage, and faithful heart, before the Imperial Seat of your clear, and able judgement: where I doubt not, but a single truth, whose end hath no being, and so Privileged, that she triumpheth of Time, and not Time of her, and will in fine advance herself, and by her justice free me of suspicion, and so wholly decipher my honest intent, true, faithful, fervent, and dutiful care of your Royal Person, Common weal, and happy Government, as my dealing therein equally heard, shall keep weight with the truest, and most faithful Subject, belonging to your Stately Rule, with the remainder of my life, found by ready show of owing Homage, and dutiful good will and forwardness, worthy your Princely Clemencies added to my choking calamities, by your Heavenly disposition, without the which, I had eftsoons perished, where yet behold I rest, like subject to the daily peril of such ensuing Battle, as obedient to your further will and pleasure, whereunto I only cast the Ankore of my well doing, and hope of my health. Having gathered without Fen, or Paper, this handful of pietifull Prayers, that give my pining ghost, her best solace: Which effect, I lay before your feet, to which boldness (most triumphant Prince) if you add desired Pardon, allowing the ripè grain of my good will in the rudeness of this rough act, I shall deem myself thrice happy, and emboldened to present your excellency, with the larger parts of my employed travel which I trust, shall better agreed your Highness farther liking, and would have made it my rather oblation, in steed of this small piece, but that I want apt instruments to pullishe the same, and contagion of place, that oft annoyeth, and depriveth my senses their dutiful office, but shall never enforce me from the bounden duty of true allegiance, as knoweth God: to whom of daily custom your Majesty repaireth to be eased of the irksome burden of ordinary sin. At which time, if your Highness vouchsafe the perusing these few things, by me selected, there shall appear the unfeigned griefs I suffer. Which known to your Majesty, I have my desire, attending● a better exchange at your Princely pleasure, when I shall most willingly Sacrifice my Body in each dutiful service. Deeminge my life most happy, when death shall challenge the same in your quarrel, for tribute of your worthy Merits: in whose effects you shall never repent, neither your Highness conceived good in thoughts, nor committed compassion, in giving relief to my drenched state: which if I further find not, Gods will be done, your Majesty preserved, your Enemies confused, with all Peace, tranquillity, and Happiness, whilst you live in this soil of sorrow, as exile from our Heavenly Father, whose joys (through his dear Son) God grant you participate after this Life, to the height of your desires, and depth of my daily Prayers.  
Your Majesties in triple bonds of Homage, I Conway.   

To the Reader.  
I Deem it will be cause of great wonder to thee (gentle Reader) that I, whom neither daily experience of Learning hath instructed, long use of exercise hath perfected ne yet the frequented Study of sacred Muse hath authorized, would enterprise the Publication of any work, and hazard the danger of detracting tongues: chief of so pure, & Divine a cause, as effect of Prayer, which I do not commit to open Eyes, as a thing worthy of Learned view: or deeming the store of like matter rare to thy Age, having choice, and abundance, neither yet thorough Pride of Vain glory moved, or otherwise, that I would be reputed more Religious, then Virtuous. Chief have I wrought the same, Privileaged through the Zealous Love my gracious Governess, hath in all Virtue, to approach her stately presence, as the Image of my dewtiful memory, boast of my true Loyalty, and view of my deep misery. Consequently being tormented with infinite troubles: Broken with the Anchor of many cares: restrained of Liberty: spurned of Fortune: forsaken of health: forgotten of Friends: couched in Cave of deep Foregetfulnesse: My faithful Service misconstrued: sinister practices allowed: my true Loyalty thereby suspected and with my renowned Sovereign sinisterly defaced. Among these rigorous rages of rankours reign: among these fretting furies of fickle, blind, and froward Fortune: among these cruel chances of Worldly choking calamities: Among these sturdy striving streams of stubborn stormy state: Sigh I found nothing that giveth my consuming carcase comfort, but only Prayer being the most ready calm to appease these troublesome tempests: and further finding it the faithful Imbassidour, & perfect path to each man's eternal bliss, have thought it not altogether in Vain, & repugnant, to divide with thee (gentle Reader) the excellency, and benefit of the same, to be holden with thee, as a daily exercise of thy delights, and most sure staff to all thy purposes: so shalt thou shun the shipwreck of all adversity, and continue with increase, the beauty of thy prosperity. Make me thy Presidente, I beseech thee, search the records of my passed Life. Credit not Fame, who wanteth truth, and measure in all things: and when thou wilt enter judgement, have reason for thy guide, and dew proved Acts for thy ground: so shalt thou not err.  
Which recorded in mind, rifle the race I have run, I pray thee unfold the Table of my Acts good, or ill. I boast a life, free from deed, or pretence of any disloyalty against my renowned Sovereign. I compare a Heart so true, and faithful in the Weal of my Native Country, as may equal (I protest before the majesty of the highest) the best, and not inferior to the truest. Yet I acknowledge I worthily bear this my exiled liberty (whose Fruits in part I offer thee) for that I have rebelled against the Omnipotent GOD, and my chief LORD: for that I have been negligent of his Precepts, and slothful in this use of Holy Prayer: Whereunto, I hope easy persuasion shall suffice, so to incorporate thee in Love, Fellowship, and daily exercise, as sharply to take revenge of thy sluggish body, in whatsoever Day thy ungrateful Spirit shall become negligent of thy dewetie therein.  
Consider, I pray thee, the pain, Passion, merits, and immense goodness, of a mild, loving, and merciful Saviour jesus Christ, toward thee: forgeat not, that being dead through Sin in thy first Father ADAM, and worthily condemned to eternal damnation. He, without other motion, than his own mercy, brought thee to live again. If this so great mercy, cannot bring in the bonds of thy owing duty, and move thee by daily use of thanks giving through hearty Prayer, to cancel the records of such gratitude, be yet reduced, by considering the scorching pains prepared in guerdon of the ungrate, and reprobate. Accept the troubles, wretchedness, & martyrdoms of this loathsome life, as true Figure of his favour, and signs of his blessing: be not unthankful by omission of Prayer toward so natural and more than loving a Father, that he hath stauled thee on earth, not only replenished with many wholesome Herbs, Flowers, Fruits, Waters, Trees, Plants, & many worthy Creatures to thy behoof and Subjection, but hath farther given thee a most comfortable and infallible promise, and grant of his holy Spirit, & divine grace, to arm, guide and defend thee, so well, against the trains of thy Ancient foe Satan, as also how to use these his wondered works, loving kindness, and great mercy so that with hearty and faithful Prayer, thou call to him for the same, yea and hath left thee a form of Petition, by Prayer to him for all thy necessities, and lastly hath given thee, a special commandment, to Pray, promising to hear and grant thy request.  
Wherefore it is requisite to thee & such as pray: first well to consider of this promiss, whereby may be kindled in them a more Ardent desire Faithfully to pray, for without this special commandment enjoining us to pray, except also God had promised he would hear us, neither thou nor any creature, could obtain the lest thing by his prayers. And here thou mayst see when we obtain any thing the grant is not to be attributed to our prayers, or worthiness, but to the unspeakable goodness of GOD, which preventeth our prayers with his promise and commandment, whereby he doth move us to pray, that we may learn he is careful for us, and much more ready to grant than we to ask or receive. And because he offereth to us more goodness then either we dare, or can in any wise desire, let that blessed bounty of GOD so kindle and confirm thee, that thou always pray without doubting.  
For specially in acceptable prayer, is required: that we mistrust nothing the providence of the almighty, by that he chiefly promiseth that he will hear us, and gave a precept of praying, only to settle and confirm our sure belief that he would hear us: as in the .21. of Matthew and .11. of Mark is said: Whatsoever you ask Praying, believe you shall receive it, and it shall be given you. Luke likewise. 11.  
Every one that asketh, receiveth, he that seeketh, findeth, and to him that knocketh, it shallbe opened. With these and like, so well promises as commandments, thy mind is to be confirmed faithfully to pray, assuring thyself thou shalt receive all that thou dost ask. But if thou doubt of the will of God, in thy Prayer, & pray rashly, thou committest two offences. First, because thorough thine own fault, thy prayer is of less value, and labour in vain. For (saith S. james) If any man require aught of God, let him ask with Faith, not doubting: For he that doubteth, is like a Surge of the Sea, which is tossed of the wind, and carried with violence: Neither let that man think he shall receive any thing of his Heavenly Father, because his heart is not sure & quiet: for Faith keepeth the heart quiet, that it may receive the gift of God. The other is that thou believest in God as in a light and frivolous Person: deeming him either not able to perform his promises, or that he will not. These pluck away the Glory and Name from the high God, (which believe he is not faithful and true.) And this Sin is so great, that of a Christian it maketh a Heathen: for God is not only denied in this Sin, but he is utterly thereby lost, neither is there any hope of recovery, so long as thou abidest in this infidelity.  
And if it happen to any that prayeth without sure trust, that he obtain any thing, that gift is given of God (being angry) to the destruction both of Body and Soul: that at the lest some Honour may be done to the holy Scriptures, which may be uttered from men full of sin, distrust and contempt of God.  
Furthermore they do not judge right, which think to obtain in prayer by their own worthiness.  
This is not to be regarded, whether thou be worthy, or unworthy, that prayest: for prayer consisteth not in the worthiness which we bring, but in the infallible truth of God's promise. And truly, if prayer be grounded, either upon itself or any other, it is vain & frustrate: yea though it seem to proceed from the Godly affects of the Heart, and eyes pouring out abundant tears of Water, or Blood. But let us pray to be judged worthy and be heard, because we perceive, our own unworthiness, and are bold through the only goodness of God and Faith. Although thou perceivest thyself unworthy in desert, either to ask, or receive any thing of thy Celestial Father, let this only be regarded, that thou shalt obtain it through the honour of his name, which is true: and let not thy unbelieving Faith hold his promise, for an untruth: Neither shall unworthiness hinder thee, as also thy worthiness shall nothing further thee. But Unbelief only shall dam thee, and Faith shall make thee worthy, and save thee. diligently therefore beware that thou never deem thyself worthy to pray or receive, but even when thou feeleste thyself able boldly to lean to the sure, and true promises of thy chief creature: of whose mercy, thou oughtest to be so much the more sure, because even as he promised thee unworthy, and without desert, that he will deny thee nothing. So likewise, though thou be unworthy, yet he will hear thee, that he may perform the promises he gave thee. So that nothing is left to thy deserts, or worthiness but the truth, & mercy of the most Highest do challenge all things to themselves. From whence all promises flow as out of a Fountain, that this s●ying might be fulfilled: Psalm. 25. All the ways of th● Lord are mercy and truth: for his mercy we do see in his promises and his Truth when they are fulfilled, and kept. And likewise in the Psal. 32. Mercy and Truth are in his way: that is they are met and seen, joined together in any one work or gift, which we obtain in our prayers. Finally we aught so to moderate our Faith in God's promises, that we assign no end, time, or place, to the Majesty of the Highest, but leave all to his William. Wisdom, and Omnipotency, being sure it shall be done: Ye● although there appear neither place, time, nor reason, how it shall be brought to pass. It is sure his divine wisdom far better knoweth and foreseeth than we. Therefore believe GOD, and refer all to his will and disposition: so shall he bring to pass thy demand by Miracle, if no other way it may be.  
As in the people Israel which believed God would deliver them from their Enemies, yet appeared there no mean how: Suddenly he opened the Red Sea, and gave them safe passage, and the Enemies all he overwhelmed and drowned.  
Likewise the holy judith, when she heard the City of Bethulya had taken Counsel, and determined that unless God within five Days would sand them help, they would yield the City to the Enemy, she greatly rebuked them, saying: Who are you which thus tempt the Lord: This communication is not to provoke mercy, but rather to stir anger, and kindle wrath. Have you set a time for the Mercy of the Almighty, and will you appoint a Day in your own judgement? This Faith in the holy Woman was so well accepted of the God of all Victory, that with a marvelous mean he delivered her, that she cut of the Head of Holofernes, and preserved the City with bitter repulse to his whole Army. Likewise Paul saith Ephes. 3. This is the manner of God, that he will do all things by a far other, and more better way, than we can pray him or understand. So we perceive ourselves to be far inferior, then that we may appoint, or prescribe in our prayer, time, or, place, manner, or other circumstance. Wherefore cease thou not (gentle Reader) to pray, and refer all to his Divine will, steadfastly believing that he will not fail to hear and help thee. So shalt thou make his brightness shine upon thee, procure his tender kindness, toward thee: draw his Rod, the Lot of thy unbelieving, from thee and be as Mount Zion, that can not be removed, but stand fast for ever and ever. To the stately top of which blessed Mansion, the rather shall thy willing foot be able to ascend, if with mind, and memory thou observe and imitate the Holy Ambrose who teacheth thus: Sit oratio pura, simplex, dilucida, atque manifesta, plena gravitatis & ponderis, non affectata, eligantia, sed intermissa gratia.  
For the true, and acceptable prayer consisteth not in the rabblement of words, ●e yet in the vehemency of voice, but in the steadfastness of thy belief in the beauty of thy desires, and in the pure intentive thoughts of thy heart fixed on his Divine mercies at such time as thou dost pray.  
It availeth not otherwise, thou seek him with long labour of lips, thy mind distract with vanities & thy Heart in pilgrimage with Worldly carefulness: whereof if thou make scruple through insufficiency of this unlatened Writer, let the saying of the Sage satisfy thee, who telleth man's Prayer to be of perfect value when he acknowledgeth himself to be brickle Clay, and Dust: humbling himself: challenging no woorthynesse of Virtue to himself: but confessing wholly the good he doth to proceed of the only motion, and mercy of his Heavenly Maker, attributing to him only the due glory, and praise. This, john worthily confirmeth: Deus adoratur Spiritu, & Veritate: I say then Non in magnificis, & amplosis verbis adoratur. Which let suffice thee (gentle Reader) from me, and be eased in farther trouble of my unlearned style: yet know from me, how hardly I have been distressed in gathering the same to thy behoof, both annoyed with anxiety of mind by condition of place, and of taking my diet without use of any Trencher (being estranged all other means) thereon with leathie Pencil of Lead, to bring to thy grateful Hand, this small Quantity of Spiritual Food, which I hope will move thy humble Nature to allow thee rather of this my good will, and travel. In any learned skill that I offer thee, I confess, I may not well boast: Neither do I assure thee, myself not to have erred. I can not challenge singularity: Yet grant me (gentle Reader) thy patient peruse, and friendly correction when my Faults present their number before thy learned view: so shalt thou free thyself from foul Ingratitude, and give me equal pay of my pains: Wherein I have not fed thee with Sugared sape distilling from PERNASSO. I hold it an unpleasant discord in Heavenly H●rmonie: not because MERCURY bathed him in ARGOS blood, do I refuse his aid, but because I am taught by the Apostle that Faith is not grounded in the beauty of Orators Eloquence, ne yet in Pride of   

wards me unworthy, which do hear with contrite heart, and bowed knees appeal to the height of thy mercy and loving kindness, to accept my unequal thanks for the same: humbly beseeching thy Fatherly goodness, that thy holy hand may still renew in me thy former gifts, plenteously powered upon me from the Prime of my birth unto this present: not remembering (good Lord) my unworthiness of the same, nor frailty of my passed years that speaketh against me, but altering the ministers of thy wrath into mild mercy. Grant I beseech thee, that through the assistance of thy holy Spirit, I may be led to correct that is amiss, and that I may now persever in setting, ordering, and performing, all my traveles, counsels, and studies, as best may accord with thy blessed will, and cancel the bands of my heavy charge, wherein assist me most puissant Prince of all power, with thy prudent skill, and heavenly grace, the I may be truly able to advance justice, and to hate wrong, and so be found a faithful Minister over thy people. In whom plant I beseech thee, thy Heavenly grace, and fear, with obedience towards thy Minister, and kindle in me, the love of thy holy Spirit, that I may persever in the truth of thy word, without doubt or wavering to the end. Grant this, o mighty God of Hosts, for the Merits, and Passion of thy dear Son, my Lord & Saviour, jesus Christ. Amen.  
Eccl. 4. Deliver him that suffereth wrong, from the hands of the oppressor, and be not faint hearted when thou sittest in judgement, decide Law with Equity, and justice with Mercy, be favourable to the Fatherless, and be in stead of a Husband unto their Mother, so shalt thou be blessed in fight of the Highest, and he shall love thee, more than doth thy Father and Mother.  
Eccl. 12. Day and night let the broad Gates of thy bounty be open to the Discrete and Virtuous. Set honour always upon the head of the Lowly. But to the proud and ambitious, keep thyself secret and strange, give not thy bread unto him, lest he become mightier than thyself, nor trust not thine Enemy, at any time: for like as Iron cankreth, so doth his wickedness, though he humble himself greatly, yet lock up thy mind and beware of him, set him not by thee, nor on thy right hand, least he turn, get into thy place, take thy room, and possess thy Seat.  
Prou. 16. The cheerful countenance of the King is life: his loving favour is as the Evening dew.  

Deuce Deo.  
HONI SOIT QV MAL Y PENSE:   

E increase Knowledge.  
L Letoy Virtue guide.  
I In Prayer persever.  
Z Zealously ask.  
A Acknowledge sin..  
B Beware of Presumption.  
E Envy no man.  
T Tender the helpless.  
H Hope for Heaven.   

R Remember thy Rule.  
E Incline to justice.  
G Grant gifts by Defert.  
I In Mercy delight,  
N Not Flatterers prefer.  
A Accept the Wise.   

¶ Holy, brief, and comfortable Meditations or Prayers, discifering in Alphabet form the Royal Name of our most Virtuous Sovereign.  
EXercise mercy, & set thy Bread and Drink, upon the table of the poor and hungry: cover the Naked with thy Clotheses and these shall deliver thee from Sin, and Death, & not suffer thy Soul to come in Darkness.  
Zechiel the prophet saith, When the wicked turneth from his ungodliness he hath done, he shall save his Soul.  
With thy Servant Esaie therefore I say (o Lord) thou art a great, and fearful God. Thou keepest covenant, & mercy with them which love thee, and keep thy Commandments.  
And with thy Apostle Barnaby, I acknowledge I have sinned, I have offended. I have been disobedient, and gone back, yea I have departed from all thy paths, and judgements.  
Lord to thee belongeth righteousness and Mercy, to me, shame and destruction for mine Iniquity.  
Yet Lord enter not into judgement with thy Servant, for no flesh is righteous in thy sight: neither correct me in thy wrath, for than I shall not abide it.  
Have mercy upon me (o Father) from the depth of thy mercy take pity upon me: forgive (Lord hear my Prayer) and blot out mine offences.  
Let thy loving face shine over the work of thy hands, that lieth waste: Lord for thine own sake do it.  
Incline thine ear and hear me, behold how desolate I am stretch out thy hand, and help me, Lord, I desire to come to thee, and my weakness is such as without thy help, I am not able to raise myself unto thee.  
Therefore Lord remember thy sw●●●e promises, tarry not over long, strengthen me with thy holy Spirit, hear my Prayers, & wash me in thy righteousness.  
I cast not these petitions before thee, hoping in mine own Merits, which are none, but trusting in thy great mercy, and sweet promises. Wherefore Lord hear me, and forgive me, and I shall live for ever.  LEt Enmity pass, which seeketh Death and Destruction and before thou prayest, forgive, else thou heapest vengeance of thyself. 
Lord make thy ways known unto me, that I may walk so perfectly, that no kind of Sin overcome me.  
Thou leadest strait in judgement, and givest sight to the blind.  
Thou art near unto them that call upon thee with faithful heart: have mercy upon me, hear me, and give me a heart to pray unto thee.  
Lay not against me my sins past: but for thine own sake forget them.  
I understand not all mine errors, my sins have taken hold on me, and of myself I am not able to return.  
Send me therefore thy holy help, to strengthen mine infirmity.  
Keep my mouth and lips, and let the thought of my heart be acceptable in thy sight.  
Permit not the word of Truth to depart my breast: suffer not Malice to dwell in my heart.  
Deliver me from false surmises, and accusations of men: rule me after thine own will and pleasure.  
Remove from me vanities, and let not the foot of Pride take hold on me, so shall I be free from the greatest sin.  
Stay and keep me from every evil way, for in thee I trust, it is thou only that canst help.  
Look unto me with thy mercies, and grant me grace in thy sight. Amen.  IN Equity, Love, and Truth, gather all thy riches: in the hands of the Poor lay up thy Alms, and these shall defend thy evil: fight for the against thine Enemies, better than the strength of mighty men, preserve thy favour as the apple of an Eye, and rise with thee in the day of judgement, to pay thy reward on thy head. 
IN hope of thy Mercy, and forgiveness (most mighty and dreadful God) whose truth is unspotted, I am bold to come before thee.  
My trust is good, I shallbe heard, for that thou hast ever been the true head of all justice, and delightest in Truth.  
Deny thyself thou canst not: for thou hast promised, In what ●●●e soever a Sinner doth with a broken heart, repent his wickedness: at that instant thou wilt cansell the records of thy remembrance: and the foulness of his fault shall remain no blemish to his Soul.  
Hear me now therefore (o Maker of Heaven and Earth) I acknowledge I have sinned, and done unpleasant things in thy sight.  
I confess the misdeeds, which rebel against my Soul, with Saul, saying: I have sinned, I have played the Fool, and have erred exceedingly.  
And with like humble, lowley, and faithful heart, as did King David: who unfeignedly cried out his Sin, and become thy servant.  
So (most Holy) in hope of the same hire, with contrite heart I sigh and say: I have broken thy Laws, and not walked in thy Commandments.  
If I should now recite, and number the mountains of my misdeeds, which overwhelm my body, and that are eager, enemies to my pining Soul, the day were to short.  
Lord I need not, thy blissful Seat is above the starry Firmament, and thou sittest on high beholding what is done amiss in the Earth below.  
My wickedness that I most secretly have committed, to thy Celestial eyes, hath been manifest.  
forgive me good Lord, that my tongue may justify thy everlasting Truth, that others beholding in me thy manifold mercies, may likewise with me be ashamed of their evil, and seek after thy mercy.  
Woe am I, that my heart hath been so long unacquainted with the wellsprings of thy Truth, that my hands have wrought unrighteousness, and heaped sin upon sin.  
Turn away from the sight thereof, the fullness of thy fury. Exchange the roughness of thy rage into meek mildness, before thou correct me, most loving Saviour.  
I am not able to abide thy heavy displeasure: if thou chastise me with thy rod of justice, I perish.  
I have not one good deed to prefer, mine offences bear number with the flowers and blossoms of the Spring: my truth is no whit, and with unrighteousness all is defiled.  
forgive me, o Heavenly King: Forget, thou that art the sweet spring of my Soul.  
give me thy holy Spirit, that it may be with me, and labour with me to attain thy blessed favour: for mine ignorance cannot desire that I aught, neither can my feeble force, without thine aid, raise me to thy presence.  
Thy Spirit will help my debility, and make right intercession for all my necessities.  
Thy spirit will make me pray with such humbleness of heart, and sorrowful sighings, as no tongue can tell.  
That gift most precious, will hold me up, where flesh would fall, and guide my feeble feet in the light of thy Law.  
Thy Spirit (I say) will purge me from all earthly effects, and lift me up to heavenly things.  
Therefore conjoin me (o God of all mercy) to thy holy Spirit, to teach me to tread the steady steps of thy worthy william.  
So shall I lead my Life in the true Law of thy loving kindness, and with a strong and stable mind, persever in Prayer unto the end.  
Grant me therefore for thy Truth and sons sake, that I may enjoy this sweet possession of thy holy Spirit, which may always lead my labours after thy liking, and keep my heart in thy fear.  
Sweet jesus make a covenant with me, that I never become enemy with thee any more, neither be found unworthy of thy rich mercy and bountiful benefits: but that the remainder of my life employed in thy Service, may justly move thee to forgeat the iniquity of my tender years.  
Continued thou God of all comfort with increase, by the assistance of thy grace, what I have hear begun.  
So shall I live to glorify thy might and mercy for ever and ever. Amen.  zeal, anger, carefulness, and sorrow, cause celetitie of old Age, justice, mercy, equity, and truth, make glad the Holy Ghost: and to a merry heart is given long life, and sweet taste. 
ZAcharie spoke from thee (O Lord) saying: Like as I devised to punish you, what time your Fathers provoked me unto wrath, and spared not.  
Even so am I now minded to do well unto the house of juda, and Jerusalem, therefore fear it not.  
Now the things you shall do (saith the Lord) are these: speak every man the truth to his neighbour, execute judgement truly and peaceably within your Ports, none of you imagine evil in his heart, and love no false oaths.  
O Lord, of myself I am so sinful and ignorant, that I cannot speak or think a good thought, much less to do well in deed.  
Assist me therefore with thy grace, that I may do as thou hast commanded.  
And let me comfort myself with thy sweet words by thy Prophet, which are, That as the house of juda and Israel were accursed amongst the Heathen, so thou doest promise' to make them a blessing.  
Am not I an Offspring of that seed (O Lord) to whom thou didst promise' this blessing?  
Or were not these things written to put me in mind of thee, and 'cause me turn from my wickedness, and trust by thy mercy to obtain favour again?  
Remember then (O Lord) in thy Mercy, Turn me, and I shallbe turned: say to my Soul, I am come unto thee, thy health and thy salvation.  A Double tongued man is to be abhorred: and he that beareth hatred, can neither pray rightly nor speak truly, of whom beware, for the malicious and double tongued, hath overthrown High palaces, & laid waste strong Cities, who so hearkeneth to them shall never find rest, nor devil in safety, near the Prince they are more perilous than a Fistula in the breast to the health of Man. 
AVenge not thy cause on me thou God of all justice: forgive me my contempts of thy Commandments, and omission of Prayer.  
If thou give me equal pay of my Merits, I perish.  
Forget my unkindness I beseech thee, and cloth me with comfort of thy compassion.  
Purify my Soul and Body, wash away my wickedness with the blood breaking from the wounds of my saviour Christ, and I shall no more be unkind.  
give me wisdom to know all thy precepts and pleasure: grant thy mercy ever to keep me, and thy grace to guide me.  
It irketh me, that ever I did forsake so sweet a Lord & saviour: my sorrow wasteth me, and my sighs overwhelm my heart.  
Have me in remembrance therefore, for I tremble & quake: were not thy mercy known, I should utterly despair.  
Turn away the stroke of thy vengeance from me: bring my mind out of trouble into rest.  
Fetch now again (thou most precious Prince of all power) that which thy puissant might hath shapen.  
Restore (Son of the Father thee Almighty (that which thou hast so well guided, and bought with thy terrible torments.  
Take again into the Sacred seat of thy blessed custody (Lord God Holy Ghost) my Body and Soul, that have wandered.  
Thou haste pitifully preserved them long from the violence and utter destruction of the wicked Serpent, and throws of worldly chance.  
Most mighty God, sith thou haste advanced thy Glory by such compassion, continued in me hearty Prayer: put about me the girdle of thy grace, and link my love in the lore of thy laws, and my heart shallbe thankful.  
Day and night will I say, blessed is the Lord. And will praise thy Name, and magnify thy mercy for ever and ever.  BE ashamed of sins and unrighteousness: be ashamed to turn thy face away from thy friend in his need: be ashamed to obbrede thy friend with thy gifts: be ashamed to take, and not to give: but be not ashamed of the truth of God, and his covenant: but do thy best to fulfil it, and thou shalt live 
BE my comforter in all counsels and dangers (o God) make clear my understanding, and heap my sort with new effects, and Spiritual motions.  
Renew my Body and Spirit, that all sin fly from me, and grant that I live to righteousness.  
Power upon me the Spirit of thy grace: load me with the True knowledge of thy word.  
Hold my heart always in thy fear, build a true faith and hope of thy promises and mercy in the Bowels of my breast.  
The heavenly Father of our Lord jesus Christ, hath promised it unto me, for his Son's sake I seek it: & for that thou mayst overcome when thou art judged, deny me not.  
Though there belong nothing to me but confusion and shame, yet (Lord) correct me not in thy dreadful displeasure, but with the loving favour of thy face, look upon my festered wounds. heal them (good Lord) from the bottom let them be healed.  
Mingle thy mercy and precepts, and sow the seed of them so deep in my Heart, that no burning blasts of persecution make ashes thereof: neither any thorny cares of this life do choke it: but that it may bring forth, as thou hast appointed like good ground, thirty six, and an hundred fold.  
The fruits of my harvest Lord, shallbe the flowers of thy glory: My tongue shall always speak of thy marvelous works, and my heart shall keep thy Laws.  
I will not deny thee (my God) for the power of any wicked, but will seek thy grace, hope of thy mercy, and say: The mighty God of Israel is to be loved, feared, and obeyed, world without end. Amen.  Evil seeds see thou sow not in the Furrows of unrighteousness, so shalt thou not reap thee sevenfold labour: sue not unto Man for any Lordship, neither unto the King for the Seat of Honour. 
EStablish my heart (o Heavenly Father) in league and love with thy laws: print thy Precepts in the bowels of my breast, & sequester my mind from all thoughts, studies, and labours, that may draw me from thee.  
My Soul consumeth in care to be with thee, and my bodily eyes tremble to behold thee: only because thou hatest sin, and abhorrest iniquity.  
Alas there is nothing in me but unrighteousness, & the examples be dreadful, which declare how grievously thou hast punished sin.  
Thou didst drown the world for sin: Thou didst send fire upon Sodom and Gomorrha: Thou didst cast forth Adam and his Offspring out of Paradise for sin: Thou didst grievously punish thy servant David notwithstanding his hearty repentance: yea thou persecutedst Solomon in himself and his Posterity, with many other to our example, and all for shameful sin.  
Lord sith these examples are true, and mine iniquity equal with theirs: what should become of my Soul, if I had not a mediator, Christ, whose bloody Passion then appeased thy wrath, when nothing else could.  
By his Death I am once redeemed, (o God) therefore let me now not be consumed, bearing thy Image: but grant the pains of his pitiful Passion may put out all mine offences.  
With my voice I will spread thy mercy over all Nations: my Life shall glorify thy name, and all that thou givest me, I will acknowledge to be thine, with everlasting praise. Amen.  THe greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things, and thou shalt find favour in the sight of God: for great power belongeth only unto God, and he is honoured of the lowly. 
Turn away thy face from mine unrighteousness: Lord no Creature is clear in thy sight.  
If thou shouldest call thine Angels to the Bar, they might not abide the Sentence of thy just judgement.  
I come unto thee for succour, Lord under the wings of thy mercy receive me.  
Thou delightest not in any Sacrifice or burnt offerings: but thy accustomed condition hath been ever to accept a sorrowful spirit, & a broken heart.  
Lord, if thy loving kindness be such: I hear present thee with a heavy heart, a broken body, a martyred mind, and a sighing soul.  
These all appeal to the● (O Lord) for thy mercy, and cry out with the Prodigal Son, saying: I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee: wash me therefore with thy rich mercy, not that any good in me doth deserve it, but because thou art God of all mercy, and it declareth thy mightiness to forgive.  
Thou didst show compassion upon the woman of Canaan, for her great Faith, and from the beginning thou hast not rejected the effectual prayers of a single heart.  
Lord I give glory to thy name with the highest: thy mercy stretcheth above the Firmamentes: the sure hope and trust I have in thy unspeakable truth and compassion, is equal with the strong Faith of the Cananite woman.  
I confess my sins manifold: But Lord I know thy mercy, and saving health are infinite:  
Lord sith thou art of power to forgive above that I can offend: for thy name's sake, release my sorrow: cut the sack of my sins, & make me strong in thee.  
So shall I live, and all my thoughts acknowledge thy praise. Amen.  HAppy is the man that hath not fallen with the word of his mouth, and is not pricked with the conscience of sin, that hath no heaviness in his mind, and is not fallen from his Hope. 
HOw mighty thou art (o God of Hosts) in thy precelling power: by Creating this World of nothing, we are taught to know.  
Thou dost govern the same, and puttest down with thy hand the proud and traitorous tyrant thereof.  
Thou destroyest their devices, and keepest the raging Sea within her bounds.  
These and such like declare thy power over all.  
The plenty of thy bountiful hand, giveth not only of things, but also of every kind of things show forth thy loving kindness.  
Thou dost multiply yearly & daily these kinds: How many seeds (good Lord) dost thou increase of one seed, Lord what manifold Springs cometh thereof.  
These cannot, but keep us mindful of thy exceeding riches and Mercy.  
Lord, if to thy enemies (as to the greatest number of the world which love thee not) thy condition be to deal thus bountifully, what shall I deem resteth with thee for thy friends.  
Truly such blissful joys and rest, as maketh me only desire of thee to be desolved from this earthly and unclean body when thy pleasure is.  
I am the fresh Image of thyself, & the work of thine own hands, take me therefore unto thee, burnish me a new, free my Soul from the poisoned prison of sin, that it may give equal thanks unto so sweet a Lord and guide.  
Whilst I abide in this wretched body of Sin, I cannot see thee (o Lord) yea it is a heavy habitation, and depresseth down sore my Spirit from the familiarity which it else should have with thee my loving Father.  
Lord this world and life, is a dungeon of Darkness, a Mountain of miserable martyrdoms, a lewd laborenth of of loathsome Lusts, a cankered course of choking Calamities: being void of all virtues to gain eternal Life.  
Make me therefore strong to walk upright in this wretched wilderness, and Arm me with the gift of thy grace, against the power of Satan my Ghostly enemy.  
Here is nothing where I am Lord, but daily assaults of Temptations, troubles, torments, careful calamities, contention for thy word, horrible hatred, and worldly ambition: against which Lord perfect me in knowledge and strong faith, and with thy right hand beaten down mine enemies, that thou mayst be known to be my God & Shield.   
REfuse not the Prayer of one that is in trouble: turn not away thy face from the needy: despise not the silly sewter: nor grieve the heart of the helpless: for if he complain in the bitterness of his soul, his prayer shallbe heard, even he that made him shall hear him. 
Regard in me (o God) the Image of thyself, though I looked back from thy Laws, chastise me to amendment: but suffer not the work of thy hands to perish.  
Thou hast created my heart, and given me a will to order the same: so Lord I most meekly yield the same again into thy hands.  
I pray thee by thy holy Spirit, so direct my ways, counsels and works, that they may be of chief regard with thee, good God the giver of all mercy, suffer not my Soul to perish through infirmity of my Flesh.  
For thy sons sake, and thine own glory, set both now and ever his death and Passion between thy just judgement and the peril of my Soul.  
I thirst after thee, my God, and sith thou feast my hearty desire is to serve thee, and live in thy rule, and to die in thy Faith and favour, allow of me, and with thy mighty hand assist me.  
Grant that the Celestial kingdom of thy grace and mercy ever occupy my heart, and worthily purchase me the sweet participation of thy glorious Throne and Majesty.  
Deliver me Lord through thy grace: for in all my proper works & devices can be found no sin● shield of defence for me.  
Cast not away my sorrowful soul: Remember the pitiful Passion of thy dear Son, and suffer it not to perish.  
Guide my feet in the shining light of thy Verity: carry me aloft from the snares of the ungodly: and from the traitorous traps of the malicious save me.  
Suffer not thou (o Prince of all power, who rulest the heavens and earth) that any cankered, or malicious stomach rebel, or increase against me.  
Pardon my cursed crimes: release my direful debts: give me again thy grace: wrap up my woeful wounds that fester in my feeble flesh: graff me a new with the garnishing of thy grace: so shall thy glory grow, and my gained gladness heal my groving griefs.  
If I deserve the fullness of thy fury to fall upon me, yet as a loving Saviour, rule over the roughness of thy rage, and let thy most meek mercy measure my pain, as thou haste done unto numbers.  
Grant most gracious God of all victory, that I may ever have thy power, & right hand to be my resident Rock of refuge.  
give gracious ear to my requests: be thou my stay in every storm and peril, for all man's stays are unsteady.  
Beat down therefore mine enemies with thine own hand and Sword, which art mine only aid and Protector: give me thy grace, and I shall never cease to give thee glory: both with my tongue and heart shall I joyfully sing: Dominus illuminatio mea, & salus mea, quem timebo? Dominus Protector Vitae meae, à quo trepidabo. Amen.  Incline thy heart to mercy: delight thy thoughts in equity and justice: then shall thy light break forth as the morning springe, and thy health flourish: thy righteousness shall preserve thee, and the glory of the Lord shall embrace thee. 
enrich me (o God) with thy grace: illuminate my mind with thy understanding: be unto me a sure salvation, & whom should I fear?  
Truly neither will I fear any enemy bodily or ghostly, thou being the strength of my life.  
Though innumerable hosts do rise against me, my Spirit shall trust in thee, and in my heart will I never be afraid.  
Arm me with thy strength of war (o God) and teach my hands to wage battle.  
And I shall lay flat the enemies of thy Truth, and joyfully resist all those that rise against me.  
My life shall ever declare thy saving health, & my soul shall not cease to sing thy praise.  
Thou hast delivered me from the chains of Hell: and when I have been wrapped in the dangers of Death, thou hast cleared my paths of all stumbling blocks, and made thy rich mercy my candle.  
Lord, if I have been unthankful, a broken mind shallbe thy Sacrifice: my heart shall ever devil in the place of thanks giving, & Spirit still mourn for her unkindness.  
Save me, Lord I beseech thee, in the day of my distress, for thou art the horn of my health, the shield of my glory, and bearest up mine infirmity.  
Let them be consumed in their devices, that shall work against me, and fail of their force in the hour of their pretence.  
Pour upon them the Vial of thy wrath, let them sink by themselves, and save thy Servants that trust in thy mercy.  
I will honour thee for my saviour, and praise thee for a God above all Gods. Amen.  GOd is gracious and merciful, he forgiveth sins in time of trouble, and is a defender of them that seek him with hearty prayer, and wholly put their trust in his mercy and truth. 
GVyde my feet (o Lord) in the ways of peace, and keep my hands clean from innocent blood.  
Lord give me grace to perform the tavailes of this Pilgrimage before thee with pure mind & clear conscience, that when thou shalt show thyself towards every creature to their deeds, I may be rich in thy mercy, and not dreadde thy presence.  
Whilst I tread this weary laborinthe, leave me not Lord to myself, but grant me thy continual grace for my staff,  
I am not of might (Lord) in myself to do any thing that is good: my righteousness and glory stand in thy hand.  
Therefore (o Lord) I appeal to thy mercy, and pray thy grace, that I may in mind be made strong with thy holy Armour, which I desire may be thy righteousness for my Breast plate: firm faith for my Target: hope of mercy for my Helmet, and true knowledge of thy word for my Banner: so that I may stand here strong & perfit against thine enemies, and in a new life participate thy joys.  
I will blow thy wondrous name through thy people, and will praise thee amongst all the faithful.  
My praises shall have being unto the farthest part of thy congregation, and my vows will I perform in the sight of all that fear thee.  
I will endeavour that the ends of the world shall remember themselves, and will do my best to turn them unto thee.  
give me therefore joyfulness of heart, rest of conscience, continual comfort in thy word and truth, and that I may with a thankful mind, advance thy name for ever.  IN the fear of God who so liveth, shall gather his Fruits in a pleasant Garden of blessing. It giveth the true Honour, Glory, Triumph, and joyful Crown. 
IN the multitude of all my sorrows that ever I have had in my heart: Thy comforts (o Lord) have ever refreshed me.  
Such is thy loving kindness and above all thy mercy: that if I should stray farther in my unthankfulness, mine own thoughts would accuse me.  
Therefore I do come unto thee to be taught thy Testimonies, that I may make thy laws my delight.  
Truly hoping of thy grace for my assistance, I do mean to make thy commandments an Alley of my pleasures to walk in, and the Truth of thy words will I wear on, as an Armour against mine enemies.  
Guide my fleshly eyes (o Lord) lest they behold vanities, and my heart in thy righteousness.  
Pluck my feet into the paths of thy precepts when they would wander: print the remembrance of thy goodness always in the table of my heart, and let my power fail to offend thee.  
Heap my hands with sure hope of my Salvation, satisfy my faith in the forgiveness of my sins, that my frail flesh waver not in thy mercy.  
Temper my tongue (o Lord) that it always teach thy testimonies, lock up my lips, that out of my mouth do not proceed neither blasphemy of thy name, Hazerde to my soul, nor hindrance to any Creature.  
Bow down thine ears (o Lord) and strengthen me in these requests. For behold, I bow the knees of a contrite heart, and with assured mind do hope them for thy truths sake, which I will everlastingly praise.  NO glory exceedeth the beauty of a chaste life, the memorial is immortal, it is Crowned in all triumph with God, and Honoured of all righteous: for it winneth the reward of undefiled battle. 
NO flesh is righteous in thy sight (o Lord) whosoever think they are clean, and have not sinned, they deceive themselves.  
Therefore I confess (o Lord) I have not committed one sin, but rather infinite sins: and acknowledge if thou shouldest observe mine iniquities, I were not able to abide it.  
Enter not therefore into judgement with thy Servant (o Heavenly Father) for no flesh is righteous in thy sight: let the penssue heart, from whence my prayers comes, pierce thy Celestial Throne.  
Bow down thy mercy Lord, and wash me with the blood of my saviour Christ: clothe me with his humility, and revive me with his Resurrection.  
Remember Lord thou haste spoken by the mouth of thy servant Esaye, That if my sins be as red as Scarlette, they shallbe made as white as snow.  
And furthermore thou delightest not in the death of any sinner, but that he rather live, and be converted.  
Lord, thy words never failed, and thy compassions have no end: by virtue of the one, and substance of the other, purifyings me from all mine iniquity.  
I need not to tell thee (Lord) if time would not fail me, the large examples of thy manifold mercies, besides thy compassions showed on thy Servant Mary Magdeleyn, Peter, and Paul, with whom, Lord, let me be so cleansed, purified, and received, as O may with them be coheir of thy everlasting joys. Amen.  AS the barren and unthankful soil, which after good use & diligence of the tiler giveth forth Darnell for good seed so ever doth the faint hearted, and ungrateful friend in the harvest of thy necessity. But if thou wouldst choose him by virtue of the Grape, and suffer him to be old, as thou dost, thy wine, then shouldest thou drink him with pleasure 
AT midnight my tongue and lips shall sing praise of thy holy name, and my Spirit shall glorify thee, sitting above the highest Cherubins.  
Awake (Lord) awake, deny me not for thy name's sake, ●●●gh otherwise unworthy of ●●y portion in thy rich gifts to the world.  
Lord, thou hast so loved the world, that thou madest thy dear beloved son to climb the steps of death, who bore the Image of thy substance, and brightness of thy glory to purge our mortality and sin.  
I beseech thee therefore, as thou haste so vouchsafed, & also said by the mouth of thy Servants, that thou haste given him to that most dreadful death of the Cross to put away all sin, and to satisfy thy justice.  
Lord and merciful Father, let me now for all be so deliue●●● and clearly purged by this pitiful passion of thy dear son my Saviour, that I may say, and sing with the blessed Cherubins, and Seraphins, Apostles, Saints, and Virgins: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God on high, all Honour, Power, Dominion, and Glory be dew to thee for ever and ever. Amen.  

¶ The Versicle.  
FOr thy dear sons sake (O Lord) hear and receive my Prayers.   

The Answer.  
ANd in thy truth and mercy pardon mine offences, and grant me thy grace.   

¶ The collect.  
O Lord jesus Christ, son of the pure Virgin Marie, thou, thou art not only the sweet spouse of my soul health, but with God the Father a most meek Mediator, full of Mercy & Truth, wash away my sins with the most precious blood of thy holy passion: make me rich in thy mercy, and my Faith so strong in thee, that assisted with thy grace, and holy Spirit to all duty, and works in this life towards thee, I may enjoy afterwards the glory of thy blessed Kingdom, with thy holy saints, and Virgins in everlasting honour and triumph. Amen.   

¶ The Prayer.  
O Lord jesus Christ, which hast redeemed all mankind from sin, Death, & Hell: thou which hast said: I am the way, truth, and life. A way in Doctrine, Commandments, and examples: Truth in promises: Life in reward. I pray thee, by thine ineffamable love, wherewith thou hast vouchsafed wholly to bestow thyself for our security, that thou wilt not suffer me ever to stray from thee, because thou art the way, nor at any time to distrust thy promises, which art Truth, and perfourmest what so ever thou promisest: neither let me rest in any other thing, because thou art eternal life: without the which, there is nothing that aught to be desired, neither in heaven, nor in Earth. By thee we learn the sure and expedient passage unto true health, that we wander no longer in the Labour in the of this world. Thou haste exactly taught what to believe, and what to do, what to hope for, and in whom we aught to rest.  
By thee we learn, how we were of that first Adam unfortunately borne: By thee we are assured there is no hope of health, but through Faith in thee: that thou art the only brightness which givest light to all men travailing the dark Deserts of this world, where is nothing but a profound dimness, whereby we can neither see our calamity, nor from whence we ought to seek remedy of our evil. Thou didst vouchsafe to descend into the Earth, & disdainedst not to take our nature upon thee, that by thy doctrine thou mightest shake of the dimness of our ignorance: by thy commandments mightest direct our feet in the way of Truth & Peace.  
By the examples of thy life thou hast showed us the way to immortality: and by thy steps haste restored to us a plain, easy, and profitable way, out of an uneven and rough way. So thou art made unto us a way which knoweth no error: in the which, least we should be weary, thou haste vouchsafed to uphold us in thy benignity with great and sure promises: for who can be weary, accounting himself ready through thy steps, to enter thy Heavenly Heritage. Therefore whilst we be in this journey thou wouldst be a sure hope unto us, to be in steed of a staff unto us wherewith we are sustained. Neither was thy goodness content with this, but knowing the weakness of our flesh, in the mean while with the comfort of thy Spirit dost so refreashe our strength, whereby we run cheerfully.  
And as thou being made unto us a way, dost drive away all error. So being made Truth, dost take away all distrust.  
Finally being made life unto us, dost revive the dead in sin, to live by thy Spirit, relieving all things, until in the resurrection, all mortality utterly abolished, we may always live with thee, and in thee, when Christ shall be to us, all in all. For eternal life is, to know the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost to be one true God, whom now through Faith we behold only in a Glass and Ridell: and then seeing more feloly the glory of the Lord, we shallbe transformed into the same Image.  
Therefore I beseech thee, most merciful saviour, that thou wouldst nourish Faith in thy Servant, that I may never waver in thy heavenly doctrine.  
Increase obedience, that I never turn from thy Precepts.  
Fortify constancy, that entering into thy steps, it be not pulled back, nor through the terror, or enticements of Satan overthrown, but may persever in thee, which art the true way unto death. Build my sure trust that accustomed with thy promises, I never wax old in the exercise of Virtue: but forgetting those things which are paste, I may continually strive to come to perfiter. Accept my contrite heart, the wonted sacrifice of thy delight, and the oblation of these my petitions, granting the sum of my requests. Blot out all mine offences for thine own sake, & increase thy grace in me, that I may in all things carry upright sway, and equal judgement: governing thy people in the light of thy word, and fear of thy Laws. And daily more and more die to myself, and live and be lead by thy Spirit, fearing nothing but thee, than the which nothing is greater or mightier: loving nothing beside thee, them whom, nothing is more to be beloved: glorying in nothing but in thee, which art the glory of all saints requiring nothing beside thee, which art the best: desiring nothing but thee, which art the full, and perfit felicity with the Father and the holy Ghost above the starry firmament: to whom be praise both now & ever. Amen.   

¶ A discrete, and wise woman is an high portion: she honoureth GOD, and beautifieth the world: upon her right hand standeth loye and Peace, and upon her left hand, riches and Honour: her Body is the sweet tree of long life to him that layeth hold on her, & blessed is he that keepeth her fast.  

every one, that saith, Lord, Lord, shall not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Therefore confirm my Faith strong in thee, O Heavenly Father, and in my Saviour Christ: quiet my mind with sure hope of his promises, and thy Salvation. Destroy in me, the Kingdom of Sin, the power of Satan, the desires of the world, and the delights of the Flesh. Guide my feet in the paths of thy precepts: bring the conflicting days of mine enemies to end.  
Make me, that am weak in myself, strong in thee, to conquer the force of their Arms.  
So shall my lips pour out continual praise unto thee, O god of my Salvation, and magnify thy Majesty, world without end. Amen.  

L  
Look not extremely what is done amiss in me, for no flesh is righteous in thy sight. I offer up myself wholly with all my unsavoury, and corrupt abuses, both in will and works unto the flowing fountain of thy mercy, to be chastised, poullished, and washed, and made clean even at thine own will and pleasure. Wherefore impute not the frailty of my tender years unto my charge, but that thou mayst overcome when thou art judged. forgive me, receive me, and so arm me with thy holy Spirit, that I may tread the rest of my days with an upright sway, a clear conscience, and a single heart, to thy Glory, and profit of my Soul. Amen.   

I  
I Live (O God) in a most wretched Vale of misery, where continually thy creatures are strained with sin, assailed with affliction, tossed with troubles, choked with cares, infected with ambition, vexed with temptations, blinded with errors, overcome with vanities of the world, and miseraly wrapped in all untruth, and wretchedness, wherefore (O Lord) arise, stretch out thy hand, help, and comfort me. Assuage my sorrow, assist me with thy Holy Spirit, that mine own substance overcome me not: this glittering vain world of infinite sorrows, and few felicities deceive me not: that Satan supplant me not: but give me invincible power, to encounter them: patience in suffering them: and in thy word, constancy in persevering to the end. Amen.   

Z  
Zeal, anger, hatred, and from respect of any persons in judgement, Lord make me free. Arm me with the patience of my saviour Christ: give me the Breastplate of his righteousness, and the helmet of his equity. Make me to exercise his Mercy, Truth, Meekness, Faithfulness, Temperance, and Humility. Cast out of my heart, all that may offend thee, and disprofit my Soul.  
Let all worldly things be vile unto me: for thy sake let me rejoice in nothing without thee, nor love nothing, but to thy glory. So shall my heart keep thy laws, and my mouth for ever and ever speak thy praise. Amen.   

A  
Accept me (Lord in the number of thy elect: behold in me the Image of thyself, & the work of thine own hands: remember thou haste given thy dear Son to the bitter Passion of the Cross for my redemption. Let me not be rewarded therefore according to the deep sea of my sins, for than I perish. But for thy Truth, Mercy, and dear sons sake, correct me, strengthen me, and embrace me: yea, link me so surely to the love of thy Laws, that I never leave thee: and in the day of my trouble, & hour of death, Lord deliver me: so shall I live, and glorify thee, through all worlds. Amen.   

B  
Behold my infirmities (O Lord) and consider my frailness, best known unto thee.  
So often as I shall fall, make me lift up my heart again unto thee, seek thee, fear thee, and love thee, and ever to be soary with so steadfast a purpose of amendment, that my earnest desire may rightly stir up thy mercy, and procure me the assistance of thy grace to conjoin me to all Heavenly things, & to destroy all earthly affections and temptations, that daily pluck me back, and rebel, not suffering my soul to live in rest. Against which, build thy fear in my breast: true knowledge of thy word in my heart: fortify my faith with sure hope of thy Heavenly bliss: & enter the shining light of thy word so deep in my mind, that all my studies & thoughts, only occupied therein, my other parts may ever want power to offend thee, & my tongue and lips ever be singing thy laud and glory, Amen.   

E  
ENritche my Soul with the continual fellowship of thy thy Holy Spirit, whose divine humanity may so temper my gross substance with true condition, that always I may seem low in mine own sight, and neither pride nor self-love overtake, or at any time allure me to exercise the unseemly pleasantness of nature, but ever preferring a pure and chaste life, may win the victory of all uncleanness, and glorify thee, which art the head and Patron of all mercy, truth, and singleness, whose triumph my tongue shall never cease to advance. Therefore most loving Saviour, leave me not to myself, but stand always by me, and with thy strong hand make my ways sound and perfect and confounded mine enemies in their devices, Amen.   

T  
THou hast said (most sweet redeemer Christ) that the Mountains shall remove, and the Hills shall fall down, but thy loving kindness, word, mercy, and truth shall not move: & also, that the band of thy peace shall not fail us. Dear Father I beseech thee for thine own Truth, and mercy's sake, remember this thy Promise and covenant, grave it so deep in the inward parts of my heart, that I may never forgeate, neither fall from thee, but ever acknowledge thee mine only God and Saviour: Love thee with all my heart, and thy people for thy sake: exercising justice, mercy, and Truth to all thy Creatures, and never suffering me to do, that may move thy wrath, but more and more assisted with thy grace, may increase thy love and liking, and finally obtain thy joys everlasting. Amen.   

H  
Hear these my Prayers, (sweet Lord jesus) and for thy exceeding Love, which brought thee from the Sacred seat of thy Father's breast into the womb of the blessed virgin, to banish Death and Sin, to redeem man's nature, whereby in thy astere Passion, as thou haste restored me, and with so blessed a Shield defended mine eternal death: by the self same Love call me, that have wandered, home again to thy Fold: renew me with thy Spirit: confirm me with strong faith: nourish in me such thy abundant love: garnish me with thy plentiful grace: lad me with infallible hope of thy mercy: finally restore all parts in me which are decayed, and quicken in me, what so is dead, & should live, that my spirit set at liberty from Terrestrial things, thou mayst ever devil in me.  
And my Soul and body assisted with thy rich gift of all these, may fully, purely, safely, and strongly settle them in thee.  
To whom be praise both now and ever. Amen.   

R  
Tender me thy grace (O Lord) that from this day, I never become enemies with thee again, but that I only rest in thee. Guide me with the clear light of thy word thorough the dark deserts of this wretched world, where no misery, nor trouble lacketh: where every place is full of snares of mortal enemies: yea, whereon trouble, and temptations overpassed, and other ensueth, and the first enduring, a new battle suddenly assaileth, whereby I never have peace and want wherewith to war.  
wherefore with contrite heart I cry, Lord, Lord, assist me with the power of thy holy Spirit: and as thou hast commanded I come unto thee, praying the gift of all these my requests, and specially Lord, I require the sword of my Sau●●ur Christ, true and firm faith, that established in thy Truth, holding that for my defence, may be safely armed against all mine enemies, & strong to cut down the thorns which shall spring in my way of passage unto thee, in whom sweet saviour, above all honour, glory, triumph, sway, rule, power, & dignity, make me settle all my joys: yea, above all health, riches, beauty, fame, and felicity, to desire thee, love thee, and magnify thee, which givest all: and therefore of all to be beloved & sought art most worthy. Amen.   

E  
EAse (O Lord) the pains I suffer, & the troubles of my soul: let the fountains of thy grace overflow my barren body, and the floods of thy mercy batten my feeble spirit: let thy loving kindness cover mine infirmities, and thy suffered drops of dew upon the Cross drowned mine iniquity. Thy word is Truth, and thou hast said, Thy delight is not in the death of a Sinner, but wouldst he should convert and live.  
Teach me therefore to number my days in the love of thy Laws, that I always thirst after thy Kingdom, and never forgeat thee: but in this, that I have here begun, may persever & increase, setting at nought all worldly pomp, respect of persons, and man's help, and only cleave to thy omnipotent power, mercy, strength, and goodness: wherein lord make me so rich, as I never have power to swerver from thee, nor want thy grace to resist all temptations, neither yet thy strength to tread down mine enemies, and so my heart shall joyfully live, and give thanks to thee my God of all truth, mercy and victory. Amen.   

G  
GOD, merciful Father of my redeemer Christ, which hast promised to hear the petitions, of them that ask in thy sons name, give down thy fear into my heart: conjoin thy holy spirit to the fellowship of my soul: pour upon me the blessed dews of thy grace: enritche me with thy high understanding, and sand wisdom in her glory from thy Sacred seat to dwell in me, that she may guide me, uphold me, and labour with me, to the end: that in all my traveles, enterprises, proceedings, and studies, I may prevail to thy glory. Do this dear Father, for the triumph of thy name Bow down thine ears, & mercifully hear, and receive the sum of all my requests, and grant that all things which I ask according to my necessity, I may effectually obtain, to thy glory, and profit of my soul, through jesus Christ my Lord. Amen   

I  
I give and commit into thy hands dear Lord my Spirit, yea rather I may say thy Spirit, seeing thou hast given it me, lincte it to my body for a season, and seeing it is thy image and Figure, made after thine own likeness, seeing thy dear Son did climb the direful steps of death for redemption thereof. O most favourable Father and meek God of all mercy and compassion, I eftsoons commend this my Spirit into thy hand, I am thine what so ever I am, receive thine. I beseech thee preserve me and comfort me, for no man can help me besides thee. Only thou art the surest resister of all mischief, thou art (O God) the readiest help in all trouble, thou art my hope and strength. In thee do I put my trust, let me not be confounded, let me never be rebuked: thou art my strong rock and my Castle, thou art my saviour, my portion is in thy hands. Lighten thy face upon thy Servant, and save me (O Lord) in thy Mercy. Amen.   

N  
NOT brickle nor corrupt gold or Silver hath redeemed my soul (O Heavenly Father) but the precious blood issuing from Christ as of a Lamb undefiled and without spot, make me therefore (O Lord) for his sake to put on his humility, patience, virtue, and unspotted life, rendering such account of this my Pilgrimage as best may agreed to his merit and thy mercy. Let me not be found unthankful in so sweet a Lord and saviour, what is most righteous, acceptable, and pleasant in thy sight, let me always (O God) prefer in faith & works: and what so ever is to approve me unworthy of his tender and surmounting love, that may altar his loving kindness, or exchange his wonted compassion towards me, Lord let me ever fail in strength to do it, but assisted by thee, I may everlastingly be found to live in him. Amen.   

A  
ALmighty God, which fliest with the wings of the Air, ridest upon the Cherubins & hast Empire above the starry Firmaments. Thou, thou, that sittest in Sacred seat most high, beholdeing the wretchedness of man in this low Earth, attending through thine own love his deserts, when with any occasion thou may offer thy mercy.  
Bow down thy pitiful eyes, and favour in me the Image of thyself, as thou didst vouchsafe in Zache when thou called'st him out of the Fig thee: enritche my ears with the same voice of Remission and Gladness, as thou didst his: incline thine ears & hear these cries, (o loving redeemer) for though I am but Dust, Earth, and Ashes, yet I am bold (strengthened with thy truth) and merits of Christ's death and passion, to lay my Prayers before thee, requiring mercy, and forgiveness of all my sins, and also the assistance of thy Grace, to do thy will all the days of my life, and to obtain all these my petitions, through jesus Christ thy dear Son and my only saviour: to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all Honour, power, Dominion, and Glory for ever and ever. Amen.     

A Meditation upon the lords Prayer.  

¶ Our Father which art in Heaven.  
Truly thou O almighty father haste just cause to execute thy severe judgement upon us sinners, which so often and grievously move thy wrath and indignation against us, but sithence by thy mercy thou dost not only pardon, but also commaundeste and teachest by thy Son jesus Christ, that we should hold thee for a Father, we pray thee through him that thou wilt give us, a full and sure trust in thy Fatherly clemency, and that we may likewise feel some taste of that security which thy Children have, and with joy call thee Father, acknowledge thee, love thee, and in all our troubles call upon thee: defend and guide us that we may perpetually abide thy children, & let us not go out of thy protection. Though we be the children of wickedness, yet let us not hold thee in steed of a severe judge, when thou wilt that we shall not only call thee Father, but our Father: and that we pray not in our own name alone, but in the name of all thy Children. give us therefore an uniform and brotherly love, that in deed we may perceive ourselves to be Brothers and Sisters, and thee our general Father. Let us pray for all the rest no otherwise then Fathers were wont to pray for their children: neither suffer any of us to seek his own, and forget his brother: but taking away what envy, hatred, or discord, so ever reigneth among us, that as becometh God's children, we may mutually love one another, and truly call thee, not Father, but our Father. Of our carnal and earthily Father we receive this brickle body, and he is such a one as is subject to death, neither are we sure how long he shall remain a father. Furthermore if adversity happen he can not change, that, but thou art a Heavenly Father, truly far better and more Nobler. So much more right is it then, that we contemn for thee, our Father, Country, Kindred, riches, Flesh, Blood, yea and what so ever is in this world under the scope of Heaven.  
This also grant to us, that we may be thy heavenly Children, whom thou dost teach that we shall regard nothing but the soul health, and that heavenly Heritage, least in this carnal and earthly Country, deceived, stirred up, or letted by riches, we become heirs of sensuality but truly let us say our heavenly Father, and that truly we may be thy heavenly Children.   

hallowed be thy name.  
ALmighty God heavenly father thy holy name is miserably profaned many ways in this world, scorned, taunted, and blasphemed, when it is applied to those things, in which is no glory of thy Deity: yea many abuse it, imployinge it to sin, and truly that unworthy life in a Christian man, deserveth to be called a profanation of thy holy name: grant therefore to us good Lord, through thy mercy, that we may beware of all those things, by which the honour and glory of thy name is diminished, and purify us that the Arts of Magic may be abolished, let people cease to enchant Devils or other Creatures, by thy name, see that all distrust and superstition perish, Heresy and wicked Doctrine also, (which notwithstanding they prefer thy name, yet they deceive many) let them perish and be brought to nothing: grant that thy people be not deceived through any outward show of truth, righteousness, or holiness. Suffer not any man to forswear himself, lie, or deceive others, by thy name.  
Take from us (O Lord) all false aids, which take upon them a show of thy name: remove from us that spirit of Pride and vain glory, and the study of praise and glory. Grant that in all our troubles and evils we may call upon thy holy name, yea in the fear of our conscience, and even when death assaileth, let us not be forgetful of thy holy name. See that in all our success both in words and deeds we may praise and worship thee only, and not seek out of these, ours, but the glory of thy name, which alone possessest all things: take from us (O Lord) that most foul vice of ingratitude: Plant in us such good works and life, that others may be alured to us, not to our, but to thy praise and glory. Lord let not others be offended, through the vices or evil works which yet remain in us, lest thy name for our sins should be ill spoken of, or not henceforth praised. Suffer us not to ask any thing of thee, either momentary or eternal, which agreeth not to the glory of thy holy name & praise: if we do ask any such thing of thee, in that hear us not: grant us so to live as becometh God's Children, that we seem not unworthy of thy holy name.   

Thy kingdom come.  
IN this miserable and wretched life all kinds of sensual apetide and wickedness bear rule in us, and the evil spirit, head, and fountain of all sin, hath government. But in thy kingdom (O Lord) grace and virtue guide the sway, and jesus Christ thy dear son true patron of all grace and virtue holdeth Empire. Thou therefore dear Father, favour us with thy grace: give unto us a true & constant faith in Christ, fortify us with a firm hope in thy mercy, wherewith our weak and feeble conscience may be raised up from the feeling of sins: lad us with an earnest love, both towards thee and all other thy good Creatures. Take from us distrust, desperation, and hatred, remove from us the delights of the flesh, and plant in their steed an earnest study of chastity, with perfect faith in thee, which may worthily win the reward of undefiled battle. Make us free (O Lord) from discords, ambition, war, and dissension, and let thy kingdom come, and let us lead a peaceable, mutual, and quiet life.  
Grant, that neither zeal, anger, or other vices (with the which dissembling hatred are nourished) reign in us: but a mild simplicity, brotherly love, all kind of duties, contentment, and humility, suffer us not to be affected with immoderate sorrow and heaviness, but let us feel the pleasantness of thy grace and mercy: and that in fine, all my sins may be taken away, & we abounding through grace and virtue, in good works, may be thy kingdom. I say, our mind, our soul, with all our strength which thou hast powered on us, may obey thy commandments, and bear thy government, and neither follow themselves, the world, the flesh, nor the Devil. See Lord that this thy kingdom happily begun in us, may so grow and be increased, that we be not unadvisedly oppressed of sin: neither causeless do cease from good works, for so it may come to pass that we shall labour in vain. give therefore unto us a firm faith, wanting no strength, which not only may instruct us to a better kind of life, but also in that same may happily go forward & ever among increase, as the Prophet saith, Psal. 13. Illuminate mine eyes that I sleep not, lest whilst the Christian life but begun, we negligently go forward, and finally come again into Satan's power. Grant that we may constantly endure, and thy kingdom to come may perform and consummate the rule begun in us. Take us from this life which is full of sin and dangers: make us to desire that other life, and let us begin and continue to hate this: grant that we do not fear death, but rather wish and desire it: let us cast out of our mind the love of this life, that thou only mayst reign in us.   

Thy will be done  
IF we should confer our will with thine, it is always nought, but thy will is ever best, which deserveth that we should love and desire that. Therefore have mercy upon us dear Father, and let not any thing be done after our william. Grant if any thing happen contrary to that we would, we may patiently bear it: temper so our brickle metal, being the work of thy hands, that if any either speak or hold his peace, do or omit any thing contrary to our will, that thereby we be not provoked to anger and impatience. Let us not blaspheme, complain, cry out, judge, condemn, or maliciously accuse others therefore, but grant that we may quietly give place to those which work contrary to our will, and praise them giving thanks as to those which stir up thy will which is good, against ours which is ill. And further assist us that we may patiently bear all trouble, need, poverty, sickness, slander, imprisonment, and all other discommodities, and acknowledge all these to happen unto us by thy will, that our will may be mortified: let us patiently bear injuries, and take from us the desire of revengement: suffer us not to encounter one evil with another, nor resist force with strong arms, but grant thy will which hath thrown us into those evils may satisfy us, & that with thanks giving we may bear adversiries. If any ill come contrary to that we would, grant we beseech thee, that we judge not that calamity to proceed either of Satan our wicked enemy, or of ill men, but of thy divine will, which doth Minister all things, so that it may let our will, whereby thou mightest the better reign and bear rule in us. Grant that we may patiently and with joyful mind die, least being overcome with impatience or desperation, we seem less obedient to thy william. Grant that all members of our body, eyes, tongue, heart, hands, and feet, follow not their own delights, but overcome and constrained, may do all things after thy william. Take from us O Lord a hardened and untractable heart, free us from frowardness, obstinate and stubborn mind, grant that we may obey thy will, that we commit ourself wholly to thy judgement in all things, whether they pertain to the body or the soul, whether they be momentary or eternal, take from us these horrible vices, that we impeach not the fame of any, flaunder any, rashly judge, accuse, or condemn them, that vice of the tongue (I beseech thee) amend in us. And teach, that if others commit any evil, we may retain and hide it, to thee only let us show it, and leave it to thy judgement, that we may remit what is committed against us, and let us take pity upon them: teach us to know that none can hurt us, but he shall more disprofit himself before thee, that we may be the rather stirred to mercy, then to anger: in any thing let us not rejoice, if they be thrown into calamity which either have not obeyed our will, or whose life hath been little allowable to us, neither let us hate their good success.   

give us this day our daily bread.  
THE bread is our Lord jesus Christ, which feedeth, and refresheth the soul. Thou therefore heavenly father, grant us this through thy mercy, that the life, words, and deeds of Christ, with his Passion, may be every where truly preached, acknowledged, followed & kept.  
Grant that both his doings and sayings may be ensample to us, to the which we may compare our life, & live more rightly. Confirm us, that in calamities and trouble his Cross and passion may strengthen and comfort us. Assist us, that by his death our death may be overcome in true Faith, that we may constantly follow him, being our Captain, to eternal life. Bring to pass, that they which have taken upon them the ministry of thy word, may happily teach, & with the great profit of the hearers, work, that those which hear thy word, acknowledge Christ, and diligently go forward. Let it come to pass, that the strange and wicked sects, who teach not Christ, be thrown out of his Church. Let the true understanding of thy word so shine in Bishops, and Pastors, and likewise upon all Magistrates, whether they have care of the body, or Soul: that being illuminate with thy grace, they may rightly teach us, and be example unto us, as well in Doctrine, as in pure life. Let not the weak in f●●th be offended through the Sins of the Magistrates.  
purge us (O Lord) from all heresies and wicked Faith, that we may be singly and daily fed with one bread, & may abide agreeable in Christ's words, teach us by thy grace t●at we may well study upon Christ's Passion, and rightly hold that, and let his imprinted steps stick and be found in us.  
Grant that the Ministers of thy Church may treat, and use the Holy Sacrament worthily, and to the great profit of thy Church. And furthermore that we, and all Christians may in his kind worthily, and to his soul health receive the Sacrament.  
give us peace and concord: take from us, wars contention, ambition privy hatred, bloody hearts, usurping hands, and all other kind of strifes, that those things which we have to the sustentation of our body, we may enjoy with thanks giving. give unto thy servant Elizabeth our most gracious Queen and governor, thy equal gifts to her estate and dignity with upright judgemement in all things, and to all magistrates true faith and single judgement with loyal minds to keep the public peace, that her joys and Rule may long stand and multiply. Take from all Subjects, Sedition and disobedience: teach us by thy Holy spirit to order household affairs, that we may instruct our Children, and Families to worship, praise, and glorify thee. Grant O good Father, that our children and family fall not into any sin and wickedness, neither be overthrown in any danger or calamity, whether it be either of body or Soul. Comfort, and deliver thou most loving Father, the captive, the hungry, thirsty, naked, oppressed, miserable, the comfortless, widow, the orphan, sick, and the sorrowful, and defend the fields and cattle from tempest, venomous worms, and wild beasts.   

forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them, that trespass against us.  
GOD will that we patiently bear all things, and requited not evil with evil, nor revenge injury done against us, but that we should return a benefit for an injury, after the ensample of our Father, which suffereth his Sun to shine as well on the evil as on the good: and poureth down his reign both upon the thankful and unthankful. O good Father stir up our conscience, both now and in the end of our life, which is grievously feared with the sight of our sins, and dread of thy ●udgemente: make our hearts quiet and sure, that with joy we may expect thy judgement when thou shalt judge, for in thy sight shall not any man be found righteous, teach us to lean, not to our own good works and merits, but to thy unmeasured mercy, & thereunto let us wholly commit us. Likewise suffer us not to fall into desperation for our sins committed, but grant that we may perceive and feel thy mercy to be far more ample, greater, and stronger, than our wicked led life. Be present with all those, which are either in danger of death, or afflicted with desperation. forgive us, and even our sins, comfort us, and bring us again into thy favour. As thou hast commanded, so tender thou also good for ill unto us: beat down sathan that horrible false detractor and accuser of our life, both now and at the hour of death, and in all other anguishs of our conscience, Satan doth accuse us, our conscience likewise doth accuse us. But thou (Lord) doest not judge after their sentence, hear not the voice of our enemies which complain of us before thee, night and day. Take from us (thou God of all mercy) the grievous burden of our sin and conscience, that it being made joyful and confirmed with the hope of thy mercy, we may both live and die, do, and suffer all things.   

And lead us not into temptation.  
WE are vexed with three kinds of temptation: the flesh, the world, and the devil. We pray thee therefore O Father, to assist us with thy heavenly grace, that we truly may be able to quench the flames of the flesh: that we may avoid excess of meats and drink, over much sleep, sloth, and idleness, wherewith the prove flesh is the rather kindled: that likewise with fasting, moderate diet, and clothing, our bed not to soft: with watching and labour we may be made the more apt to good works. Help thou us also that we may fasten to the Cross of Christ, and mortify that inordinate concupiscence, and all other stirrings unto vain pleasure, that we may with strong power resist them.  
Plant our hearts in the pleasant garden of thy continual fear: sow the sweet seeds of heavenly grace so deeply in the furrows of our inward mind, that when our outward eyes shall behold the rare beauty, and work of thy hands in any fair, well proportioned, or seemly creature we may not be therewith alured to exchange our thoughts of pure deity, through desire to exercise any delicate delight of our wanton flesh, but ever giving unspotted Chastity sway in us, may the rather be moved to praise thee, in all thy creatures.  
Grant that when our ears are delighted with any sweet Harmony, or melodious sound, that we may not apply it to our own pleasure, but to thy triumph and glory. Take from us covetousness and inordinate study to heap up riches. Remove from us the study of Glory, Power, and Ambition: suffer not the malice of the world to provoke us to impatience, revengement, hatred, dissimulation, or other vices. Work in us that we hold in hate, and despise, the deceipts, subtlety, lies, craft, guile, false promises, unthankfulness, and ingratitude of the world, with all other, whether they be good, or bad (that Original Sin also which in Baptism we know) and that in this mind we may endure, and evermore increase. Put from us the temptations of Satan that we fall not into pride and admiration of ourselves, being puffed up with wealth, Nobility, Power, Rule, Learning, Dignity, Beauty, Shape, or other gifts, & so despise others. Purify, & cleanse us from privy hatred, secret slander, egreenuie, and inward dissimulation. Make us to deal justly, carefully, truly, faithfully, freendely, and constantly with those that put us in any trust, and well and equally with all others. Confirm, and strengthen us against all temptations, and dreadful assaults of Death, that neither in the General day of account we tremble in our hope of thy mercy, nor in the summons of death we fall into desperation, but upholden with firm hope of thy mercy, & armed with strong Faith, and invincible belief of thy Salvation, we may live in our resurrection, participate thy joys, and rejoice in thy coming. Moreover we entirely beseech thee (O Heavenly Father) that thou vouchsafe with the careful eyes of thy mercy to behold and strengthen all them, which are assailed with any grievous temptations, or weakness of Faith. If any yet stand, confirm them (O God) and those which are fallen, lift thou up.  
Let thy grace defend us all in this miserable life, which is replenished with so many dangers, and bitter enemies, that as it becometh Christian Soldiers, we may be strongly gyrte with true Faith, to thee: in loyal obedience to our Prince: brotherly love towards all men, and so become coheir of thy Celestial Throne and blessedness.   

But deliver us from evil.  
THy grateful benignity (o Heavenly father) hath once delivered us from that most unclean Spirit and subtle Serpent Satan, the wretched workman of all endless woe, death, & destruction, washed from sin by thy son jesus Christ, and hath chosen us into the honour of his blessed Name and Heritage. Wherefore cease thine indignation (O Lord) which justly we incur through our daily contempts of thy holy will: free us from the pains due to our sins: deliver us from the floods of perdition that compass us round about, and the flames of thy fury that our wickedness hath kindled, stay the stroke of thy vengeance, that the blasphemy of our tongues, hath justly moved thy long sufferance to lay now upon us: deliver our Soul from the deadly wounds of our dissembling lips: take from us the full corruption of all envy, and hatred: keep our minds from pride and presumption: breath into us through all parts thy love, humility, faith hope, charity, & patience, which may beautify us with the beams of thy brightness, & quicken our souls and all the powers thereof that they may cleave fast, and be joined to thee in ghostly ravishinges. Destroy the force of this our ancient foe Satan, which always maketh battle against us: power upon us the greatness of thy goodness, that thy right hand may be glorified in us: deliver us from all unclean desires of the flesh: inspire us with the fervent flames of thy love, to consume the festering phantisses of our mind: conjoin and knit the senses & pours of our inward parts in thee, make us hold in hate all earthly substance and transitory things, & by thy grace strongly to tread down, and conquer all motions & occasions of sin: deliver us, most benign father from all rancore, malice, hatred, bloodshedding, lying, backbiting, swearing, and all such horrible evils, what so ever they be, yea, from lightening and tempest, from murder and battle, grievous plagues, and other diseases, good Lord deliver us.  
Finally deliver us from all anguish, troubles and mishaps, eminent either bodily or ghostly, and with thy mighty hand defend our riches from abuse, our brickle body from corruption our Soul from damnation, even as best shall accord with thy holy will and true glory of thy Majesty. Deliver us Lord from the chains of sin, the ropes of Hell, and all peril of destruction, so that being certified in conscience, our Prayers worthily of thee accepted, and we delivered from all assaults of the devil, his wicked crafts and enticements to damnation, and by thy holy spirit assisted, may persever in this goodness (whereof thy mercy and kindness is true Author) to the end of our days in holiness and righteousness, to the honour of thy Kingdom, power, and glory both now and ever. Amen.  

E  
Engrave thy Laws in the depth of my heart (O Lord) that being instructed in thy commandments, I may serve thee in fear, and rejoice in thee with trembling, and take hold upon thy discipline in all things.  
Lest at any time thou become angry, and I perish from the right way. Amen.   

L  
Lord, give me me help from my trouble, for vain is the help of Man: in thee I have strength, and thou bringest unto nothing those which trouble me, let my soul be subject unto thee, for from thee proceedeth my patience, for thou art my God and Saviour, my helper & I will not departed from thee. In thee is my health, and my Glory, thou art the God of my help, and my hope is in thee. Amen.   

I  
I Have broken thy Fold and wandered long as a lost sheep, let me return again (O Lord) because I have not forgotten thy commandments, the misdeeds, & ignorances of my tender years, remember not Lord, according to thy mercy have mind on me. For thy goodness (O Lord) keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed because I have trusted in thee.  
Turn my heaviness into joy, cut of my sack of sorrows, and gird me with gladness, that my Glory may sing unto thee, and I shall not be grieved.   

Z  
zorobabel King of juda, in the depth of thy displeasure tasted of thy mercy, and received by the mouth of Ageus thy Prophet, sweet comfort & knowledge of thy favour and grace: yea after thy determination to destroy the whole Kingdom of the Heathen, thy right hand did preserve him, and thy incomparable mercy did choose him for a seal to thyself. Lord this happy King in thy goodness was but an earthly Creature, and then could he have no righteousness in himself to move such thy compassion: if it proceeded from the multitude of thy mercies, that surmount the iniquity of the whole world, and that thou didst only vouchsafe to behold in him the Image of thyself. Bow down thine eyes Lord, and behold the self same in me: Certify my conscience with remission of my sins, that my sorrowful Soul be at rest within me: sand down thy holy spirit to remain with me, that I may become with that good King thy chosen seal and servant. And so govern thy people, that I may with them and they with me never deserve further then to taste of thy Rod of favourable correction, but that all my labours and studies may ever bend to the performance of thy holy will, and discharge of my duty. Amen.   

A  
ARise & illuminate my mind (most benign saviour) that I sleep not at any time in death, least mine enemies say they have preevailed against me. They which trouble me will be glad if I be cast down: but I have fixed my hope in thy mercy. Enter not into judgement with thy Servant, for no living Creature shallbe justified in thy sight, I will ever look upon the Lord, for he shallbe on my right hand that I be not moved: for this my heart is glad and my tongue rejoiceth, yea moreover my flesh shall rest in hope. Amen.   

B  
BE thou unto me (O Lord) in the day time a defender, and in the night season a place of refuge, that thou mayst save me: for thou art my strength, and unto thee I fly. Lord God deliver me from the hand of sinners, and from the Lawebreaker, and the wicked doer: for thou Lord art my patience, thou art my hope even from my youth: in thee I am confirmed even from my Mother's womb: thou art my protector: in thee shall be my song for ever and ever. Amen.   

E  
EVer my tongue shall be telling of thy rich mercy and wondrous works (O Lord) for thou hast caused me to pass through fire and water, and hast leadde me into a fresh place: thou haste given my soul life, and hast not suffered my feet to fall. According to the multitude of my sorrows, thy comforts have made my Soul merry.  
My Soul is like a Sparrow taken out of the fowlers snare: Thou hast delivered my life from death, and my hands from blood that I may please thee (O Lord) in the light of the living. Amen.   

T  
THou art just (O Lord) and all thy Commandments be true, and all thy ways mercy, truth and judgement. And now (Lord) be mindful of me: take not revengement of my sins: remember not mine offences, neither the offences of my Fathers, because we have not obeyed thy precepts. give me an heart of understanding, and set thy fear always before mine eyes, that I may be obedient in word, deed, and thought to all that is thy william.  
Lord give unto me the power of thy Holy Spirit, to rule and govern thy people committed to my charge, in all godly fear and knowledge of thy word, and that I may be unto them an ensample in all godliness an● virtue: to the praise of thy Holy name. Amen.   

H  
heal me (Lord) and I shall be healed: save me, and I shallbe saved. My life cleaveth unto the Earth. Quicken me according to thy word: according to thy mercy relieve me, and I will keep the testimonies of thy lips: help me (Lord) so shall I be safe: and I will from henceforth study thy righteousness: thy mercies are many (O Lord): according to thy word restore my health. Amen.   

R  
Regard my Prayers (O thou God of my life) leave me not in the thoughts of evil: Deliver me from the wicked man: let not the foot of pride come upon me, and to vain glory give me not: take from me all sinful lusts: let no desire of uncleanness take hold upon me: give me not over to an unshamefast & obstinate mind, but correct me in thy mercy, for into thy hands I commit me. Amen.   

E  
ENter thy judgements in the tables of my heart: destroy my affections with thy love: sand thy wisdom from the holy Heavens, and from the seat of thy majesty: that she may be with me, and labour with me: that I may know what thing is acceptable before thee, and may judge thy people righteously and deserve between good and evil.   

G  
Gracious (Lord) thou that art the most high God above all the earth, long suffering and of much mercy, sorrowing the sins of man and of thy great goodness haste promised to the penitent remission of sins.  
Lord I have sinned, my iniquity is multiplied above the sands of the Sea, and there is no hope of life in me, because I have stirred the to anger in multiplying offences before thee. And now (Lord) trusting in thy mercy, I bow the knees of my heart beseeching of thee goodness: destroy me not together with mine iniquity: for the dead, whose Souls are out of their bodies, can neither praise nor thank thee: but the sorrowful heart and the thirsty Soul ascribe praise unto thee. O Lord, I power my Prayers before thee, and require mercy in thy sight, save me which am unworthy, and reserve not eternal punishment for me: for thine own sake I ask it and will praise thee all the days of my life. Amen   

I  
ILluminate my heart (O Lord) with the light of thy word: lead me Lord in thy way, and I shall enter into thy Truth: print thy fear in my heart, that I may rejoice in thee: let thy word be a Lantern unto my feet, and a light unto my paths.  
So shall I not err from the right way, but walk with an upright heart, a clean conscience, and single eye before thee this day, and evermore. Amen.   

N  
Never will I cease to call upon thee, most m●ghtye God of Hosts, which fittest upon the Cherubins, and haste dominion over all the kingdoms on the earth. Thou which madest the Heavens, and all things comprehended in them, bow down thine ear, and hear: open thine eyes, and behold: save me from the hand of mine adversaries, suffer no evil to happen unto me, that all the people may know that thou alone art my God. Amen.   

A  
ASsist me (O Lord my God) with thy Heavenly grace, and renew in me a right Spirit, that I may receive strength and ableness to do thy righteous will, and to stand against all the assaults of wily Satan, that they may have no place in me, but that the Old man which I bear about in my body may be crucified, and daily die in me: that the desire of sin, & error of worldly vanities may utterly be destroyed: that I may evermore be renewed in the Spirit of my mind: that the life of my Saviour Christ may always appear in me. To whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be all honour, triumph, and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.  

JOAN. I.  
SI confiteamur Peccata nostra, Deus fidelis est & justus, ut remittat nobis Peccata nostra, & emundet nos ab omni Iniquitate. Si dixerimus, quoniam non peccavimus, Mendacem facimus cum, & Verbum eius non est in nobis.   

JOSVE.  
Fili mi, da Glorian Deo Israel, & confitere, atque indica mihi quid feceris ne abscondas.   

AGUSTINUS.  
Confessio, est salus animarum, dissipatrix Vitorum, restauratrix Virtutum expugnatrix Daemonum.  
Quid plura? Obstavit Os Inferni, & Paradisi Portas aperit.   

Cassidorus super Psalm. 77.  
O beata Confessio, quae aeternum tollit opprobrium. Nam quicquid Reatum invenerit Poenitentia, perpetuis Seculis reddit Absolutum.       

An inward speech, wherewith Christ doth comfort the Soul of the sinner, desiring to live better. Gathered out of the works of sundry holy Writers.  
I Love them (saith Christ) that seek me, and my delight is among the children of men. Sic dilexi Mundum, ut in mortem datem animam meam, ut non periat, sed habeat vitam aeternum quicunque in me crediderit: I have so loved the world that I gave myself unto death, that who so ever believed in me, should not perish, but have everlasing life.  
O thou Soul, O Daughter, I have laboured, hungered, thirsted, I have been despised, and suffered persecution for thy sake: I am wounded for thine iniquity: I am wearied through thy wickedness: I am dead for thine offences, and risen again for thy justification: the love which I bear to thee, hath forced me to do and suffer all these things, and to make choice of thee for my child. Wherefore amend thou, and return to me, wash thee in the blood of my wounds, and deck thee with virtues and merits of my life: All these things I willingly give thee, nay rather as a most loving father offering these things, I run to embrace thee, and receive thee with embracing and kissing, alluring thee to love me: again return Daughter and be clean. Praebe cor tuum mihi, quia praeter hoc aliud abs te non desidero. Be sorry that thou hast sinned because thou hast offended me, or at the least, sorrow because thou canst not perceive thyself pensive, for often it cometh to pass that it better pleaseth me, and is more profitable to man, to have a will to be contrite and devout, then to perceive contrition or devotion: Because this contrary desire of willing and unwilling engendereth affliction of mind. Therefore be sorry and angry with thyself, ye judge thyself worthy to be damned, because thou hast sinned and art not sorry as thou oughtest.  
This contrition although it be not sensible, yet it is such, though thou suffer persecution, as will bring thee to health eternal: for I know your misery, your weakness and necessity, so that in no wise a willing mind aught to despair, what soever oldness or coldness of conscience he feel. But you will say, I have committed innumerable offences: how shall I particularly sorrow every one of them. O my daughter needest thou comfort? let only truth comfort thee, if thou hast many sins, have also one general contrition, in the which thou wilt include all and every offence, so that there be no sin, which (although it came unto thy mind) wouldst exempt from thy penitency, and which thou wouldst not eschew & forsake.  
For this general contrition extendeth itself to all and every offence, yea unto those which thou haste forgotten and canst not remember, neither do I require that you should necessarily have for every offence several contritions, according to the number & manner of your sins: for thus I have spoken of Mary Magdalaine. I have forgiven her many offences for that she loved much. I said not because she loved oftentimes, neither could this Magdalaine in so sudden a compunction be otherwise sorry then for all together. Thou likewise so be sorry for all, that there be no sin which may delight thee, whether generally or particularly it come into thy mind. Sorrow not out of measure, nor suffer such imaginations and fantasies take place, as though I were so angry that I would not be pleased, pardon, nor receive thee again into favour, for these are the suggestions of the wicked Serpent, wherewith he endeavoureth to train thee to desperation, whose custom is in the beginning of his illusions to pluck the remembrance of me from their hearts, to promiss my mercy to them that sin, and confirm the security, boldness, obstinacy, of an ungodly will, but afterwards finding them declining, and that they will forsake him (if by other means he cannot procure them to evil) he setteth upon the weak and fearful minds with the assault of desperation, he persuadeth to unbelief, he telleth them that evil custom cannot be overcome, he feareth them with the greatness of their sins committed, and like a liar telleth, that I will not forgive sin. But thou, my Daughter, believe him not whatsoever thou feelest, fall not into desperation. This contrition sufficeth that it pitieth thee of mine anger, wishing thou hadst not transgressed: and determinest not to sin any more. But if thou do err, yet rise again, yea again with hearty repentance, purpose to sin no more: if thou fall the third time, yet rise again, if the fourth or fift time, yea lastly if thou fall seventy times seven times, so often return to me and I will receive thee. Is it not better that I should receive thee, then loose thee, together with all my labours and pains which for thy redemption I have suffered? let nothing O Daughter call thee away, O Daughter let nothing keep thee from me, which art redeemed with my blood: though thou have given thyself to the Devil, denied me an hundredth times, taken my name in vain, spit at me, slandered my holy word, only be sorry from thy heart that thou hast done this, and I will forgive thee. Let no offence be so great in thine eyes, that it pluck away the hope of pardon, no sin so ponderous, that it may be able to overcome my mercy, I make no difference, whether from few or many sins I deliver thee: all have need of my mercy, which floweth abundantly to every man faithfully asking it. Thy wickedness cannot exceed my mercy, the more thou hast sinned the more willingly I forgive thee being per●tent: for the greater the sinner is, on whom I bestow my compassion, so much the greater is my glory, I am not hard nor sparing, but liberal and bountiful to thee (my Daughter) if thou only hadst committed all the offences that be, and I forgive them, my mercy is no whit the less. There is peradventure some other thing that feareth thee, yet when thou wert overpressed with sin, that which thou didst then willingly commit●e now against thy will art compeiled to bear, whatsoever unwillingly thou sufferest, shall not damn thee, nor spoil thee, of my grace for sin must be so voluntary, that if it be not voluntary it is no sin: bridle therefore thy will from consenting, and then suffer the Flesh and the Devil to rage, and though by thy former life and conversation, thou hast deserved ill, yet because thou truly repentest thereof, and dooste study to live better, thou shalt not be guilty of that thou sufferest, so thy will consent not. And if at any time the devil suggest thee with blasphemous or cursed thoughts against me and my Holy ones, be not therefore troubled or faint hearted. For so long as thou hast not voluntarily erred, or performed consent, thou doest rather suffer than do offence, when these things bring thee rather heaviness and affliction, than delights, they are no way to be feared, but I suffer thee to feel them, and they to molest thee, that tho● mightest be rather thereby de●●led. Therefore truly the Devil stirreth up those things that whilst thou go about to resist them, thou mightest be hindered and letted from the taste of my love: and being so much astonished, fearest to come to me.  
For he rejoiceth when thou wallowest in doubts, and troubles: but thou Daughter, fear no such thing: look not toward them: answer them not: strive not against them, nor take any heed to them. But rather as one untroubled, go forward in thy exercise, passing by, and contemning such chances, as the barking of dogs, and hissing of geese. For if thou wouldst renew, dispute, fear, and descusse them, thou dost always more print them in thy mind, and tangle thyself in greater trouble. The penitent Soul, after it hath taken some knowledge and taste of my goodness, considering that I am so good, and so merciful: and finally that I am so slow to impute sin, that I do not only pardon it, but also receive him into my favour and friendship, as though he had never sinned: I comfort him and bestow on him gifts.  
Thus whilst the afflicted conscience doth meditate, yea even of his fall, I say, he getteth to himself a great occasion of ferventness, and thankfulness towards me: a far greater occasion of hatred and displeasure towards himself, whilst he rigorously accuseth his own folly, for despising me a God so merciful unto him, as whom justly I might both condemn and destroy, I spare, comfort, and deal bountifully with: so that how much the more he perceiveth mi mercy to him, so much the more is he moved with greater zeal of justice against himself, and in a manner desireth to be revenged on him self, for the contempt of me: whereby it cometh to pass that he doth not only desire pardon and reconciliation for his sins, but suffereth the dignity of my justice: humbleth himself, and punisheth himself, because he hath wickedly lift up himself against me. Whereof proceedeth, that how much the more he perceiveth himself comforted of me, so much the more he abhorreth and detesteth his own unworthiness, and with sorrow disdeigneth the enormity of his sins, marveling how he could be so ungrateful to me. As a drop of water on the burning fire, so are the sins consumed of that Soul which is come to this zeal, that it no less loveth my justice, than mercy. Therefore amongst all kinds of repentance, there is not a better for man, then continually to consider my great love and fidelity towards him, and contrarily his own infidelity, ungratitude and frowardness towards me.  
The Devil is so envious to my Servants, that he omitteth no time in tempting them: and even when they are about to repent, & bewail their sins he chief casteth in doubts, causing them again and again to confess their faults, that thereby might never attain to any quietness, but distrust all their confessions, when they find any circumstance or offence neglected, whereof they have not made mention. But beware, O my Daughter, thou fall not? I am thy Confessor. It is only I that can ease thy burden: cure thy wounded conscience: and refreash thy hungry Spirit.  
O how it grieveth me to see thee always conversant in corruption, & be troubled in recoumpting thy sins to him, that cannot forgive thee. Wherefore cast thyself on me only, and I will deliver thee: for if a thousand years thou wouldst search thyself, and be confessed of ten thousand, thou shalt not be cleansed. Quando enim exhaures Abissum? Therefore commit thyself to me only: I will make thee safe, when so ever with all diligence thou shalt go about to confess thy fault: let me alone with mercy: to thee acknowledge that thou canst not cleanse thyself: say that thou hadst need of my mercy: confess that thou canst not answer one word to a thousand things wherewith I might charge thee: but art in every work unsufficient, and hast need of my mercy. Wherefore trust not to thy confessions, but in my mercy, for by it thou shalt be justified. And whilst thou art to much conversant in the care of thy sins, thou mightest turn unto me, and enjoy my gracious presence. Dost thou not note the subtlety of the enemy? To this end he suggesteth thee with the number of thy sins, and thoughts of thy wickedness, that thou mightest neglect things to thee more wholesome. Know thou this therefore chief, that my delight is that thou shouldest think of my goodness, and seek me in simplsnesse. Thou shalt find me, gentle, godly, full of compassion, and chief in mercy: trust in me hope in me, seek my favour, seek my friendship, and familiarity: and for the better obtaining of these, direct thy exercise in Holiness.  
Thou shalt undoubtedly feel a far more beautiful fruit, if thou diligently care how to love please, and follow me, then by brofinge thyself with scruples of thy confessions, for deeming to search out, and abolish doubts thou dooste rather engender to thee doubtfuller things: thou canst not think me too pitiful, or merciful, so that thou do not presume upon my mercies, neither canst thou give me over much credit. Wherefore accustom thyself to think well of me, and believe that I will not condemn thee: For truly whoso ever is willing to correct his life, and despaireth not, him will I save. I am well pleased, O Daughter, that thou art soarie thou hast offended and that thou wilt not sin hereafter. Now thou art in state of Salvation, why fearest thou? I am rich in infinite mercies. Thus think of me, for thereby thou dost me more honour, than if thou didst imagine me cruel, and hard, or shouldest so much fear, as though I watched only to entrap men, if this, or that doubt, or circumstance they had omitted: But yet when any great offence cometh to thy mind, confess thy fault with all humility, and sorrow of heart, and desire grace to amend, and after rest in peace, and cast all the devilish doubts upon me, I desire thee. I am willing to enjoy thy friendship, I require to be loved of thee: see therefore that thou answer my good william. Understand, know, and judge thyself to be a sinner. Say in many things thou haste offended, that thou art most ungrateful, a Rebel, spiteful and blasphemous against my Commandments and will: And hereof so much humble thyself, that thou dare not once lift up thine eyes before me, since thou art full of loathsomeness, and abominations. There be certain so esteeming their committed evils, that they are moved with them, either to pleasure, and delight, or contrariwise to desperation, or some such like inconvenience. But thou, when thou wilt think thyself a sinner, and humble thyself, shake of the dreams of thy sins, and turn unto me: confer with me touching thy sins, and infirmities: pour out thy complaints before me: reason with me: accuse thyself to me of thy crimes committed, so shall thy accusation of sins be converted into Prayer.  
Wherefore when thou hast turned to me, plead thy cause in Prayer: for by this means thy conscience shall be made clear, and quiet, thy affection also to me directed, shall be by me inflamed. But now of Satisfaction for Sins: Embrace this counsel: That what so ever thy hand is able to do, that instantly work: yet not with that mind, or to that end, as though therewith thou couldst make Satisfaction for thy sins: for to the accomplishing of this, thou oughtest to think all thy works too unworthy, and far unable. But do that thou canst every way to please me, whom thou hast offended: desire me, that with the merits of my passion, and most holy life I will pullish thine offences, and satisfy my Father for them.  
This humility, this sure trust in me, with which thou debasest thyself, and thy works, and extollest me, and my merits, excelling the works of thy satisfaction, since that one drop of my blood is of more value to Satisfaction, than all man's deserts, which hath already made satisfaction for the sins of the whole world. Such humility allureth me to thee, and causeth me to communicate with thee, the treasure of my merits. Wherefore let this chief be thy study, which thou neglect not my good pleasure, continually to think on me, desire me, love me, and what so ever I command, and will, that diligently perform: then if thou hadst infinite heaps of sins, I will forgive them all, as freely as if thou hadst but one, neither is it less easy for me to forgive many than few, It is a marvelous thing that I will say but yet most true and certainly to be believed: if the whole world wear a fiery Globe, and in the midst of it were thrown a bundle of flax, this of his natural effect should not so soon receive the flame of fire, as I will receive the repentant and sorrowful sinner to mercy, for in that natural act is required some tarriance through very little and peradventure not to be perceived, but hear is no tarriance at all, between the penitent and him that forgiveth, between the sorrowful and him that heareth the sighs. Thou therefore Daughter reject all inordinate fear, desirous to please me with thy holy heart, study to be Holy, for I am holy willingly offend not, though in never so little or light a thing, but shun the occasion so much as in thee lieth, wisely withdraw thyself from the society of man's superstitious communications, and from unprofitable and evil occupations: be not Solitary: be not Idle: spend the time thriftily to my Honour: occupy thyself in reading the Holy Scriptures, where thou shalt find my life and Passion: plant in thy heart my trouble, Cross, and persecution, walk before me in Holiness: with fear and reverence persuading thyself that I am never absent from the Godly, but do instantly hold them: diligently bridle and keep thy senses and tongue, if thou love much babbling thou canst not profit, embrace soberness and reasonable continences, shun vanity and the pomp of pride: sensuality and unlawful pleasures see thou follow not, but diligently endeavour to keep thee undeflied: sight courageously against vices: and faithfully pray to me that thou mayst break and overcome the wicked passions and inclinations: do asmuch as thou art able, yet trust not to thy endeavour, but to the help of my grace, for if thou trust to thyself & to thine own industry thou shalt easily fall, thy well doing never ascribe to thyself, nor usurp any thing upon my gifts, for of thyself thou canst not but offend, of thyself thou hast nothing but sin, which proper is to thyself, desire not vainly to please any mortal man, wish rather to be known of few then many, & to be despised rather then praised, never esteem thyself any thing worth, nor think thy worthiness of any value, but with out feigning, account thyself ungraceful unworthy, and vilest creature alive: Humble, and embase thy self beneath all men for my sake, love all men with a pure love, yea those also which persecute thee, wish the prosperity of thy Brother: despise none, despair not at the well doing of any, slander none, judge no man, what thou seest and hearest of others, interpret it to the best, with all study mortify thine own appetite, and singularly embrace my will gladly, and willingly obey me in all things: and men, in those which be lawful: leave thine own will and deny thyself, commit and yield thee, wholly to my providence, with firm trust in me, in all temptation, peril and necessity, for I have care of thee, and diligently attend thee, as if thou only livedst. Daughter, learn to receive every adversity and affliction, no otherwise then as from my hand sent only, and patiently bear it to the end for my sake, for trouble is the cup of blessing, whereon I have made all my chosen drink: There hath not been any of mine, which outwardly or inwardly hath nor suffered some trouble. Wherefore rejecting all weakness, what so ever cometh to thee, take it in good part, and believe it to be sent to thee for thy health for the great love I bear thee. Suffer adversity, it is the kingly way which leadeth to heavenly Heritage,, walk therefore in it, rejoicing, & give me thanks that I have so regarded thee, that I would give thee somewhat that thou shouldest suffer, when any do molest thee, and work thee injury or spirit, think him sent by me to prove thee: Be not aggrieved with him, give him not sharp and bitter words, neither think of revengement, mark not the man (which is my instrument and scourge) but attend on me, which suffer such things to be done by man. O Daughter, in every trouble and sorrow be patiented, resigning thyself to me, for I purge thee by afflictions, and make thee apt and worthy to be married to me. But if of thy humane infirmity, or other defect thou fall to impatience, be not discouraged, neither waver dispairinge in thy good endeavours: but forthwith arise, turn to me, and call upon me with a sure hope of pardon, I know the general weakness of man, I know also thy peculiar frailty, trust to me, thy hope and full trust cannot be too assured in me, if thy life be good and repentant. Wherefore hastily fly unto me, I will take thee up, heal, and defend thee, what dost thou fear yet, O Daughter, why dost thou not even now desire death, for what evil can death bring thee: Truly after thou haste bequeathed thy Carcase to the ground, thou shalt no more offend me. Thou shalt no more be defiled with sin, if thou love nothing in this world death can take nothing from thee, if thou love any worldly thing, wilt thou stand to the danger, nay rather thou lovest thine own perils. Therefore before thou die cease to love worldly and transitory things, if thou fear not to much to die, yea if thou love me alone in this life, be glad thou shalt die, for but by death thou canst not get what thou lovest. But I know what thou fearest, truly nothing in this world thou lovest, nothing thou dost possess that either thou carest to enjoy or wouldst sorrow the loss, but trembling and fear vexeth thee, because thou knowest not whether thou be worthy love, or hatred: Thou knowest not how thou shalt be received of me, either to rest, or pain: None of these shalt thou know O daughter, neither is it expedient truly. Though thou fear, yet abide in hope and sure trust in me, whether thou live or die: of thyself thou canst neither live nor die well, both thou haste of me, if I give thee to live well, shall not I also grant thee well & happily to die? seeing thereof thou hast all of me, seeing thou lookest for all things at my hand, how is it then that thou hopest one thing and dispairest another: Trust then and cast all thy thoughts and care upon me, as living thou art able to resist no temptation, nor avoid any sin, so neither dying art thou able, if faithfully I prevent temptations, and moderate them in thy life, the same will I do in thy death. Never enter battle with thine own force and arms but leave it unto me, & leaning to me, I will fight for thee, and I fighting for thee, and defending thee, what cause hast thou of fear, neither doubt thou of the condition or kind of death. Nullum est genus mortis, quod nocere potest justo. No kind of death is able to annoy a just man, for the just with what death so ever he be beset, is in safeguard: Therefore be nothing careful whether at home, or abroad, in bed, or in field thou shalt die, neither fear whether thy death be natural or violent: But as the Apostle counseleth, study to live soberly, justly and godly, that thou may well and happily die. An evil death doth not follow a good and just life, but the death of the just is precious in my sight, how so ever they end this life, whether in the water, in the fire, or in bed they die.   

¶ A sweet and comfortable Consolation for all weak minds: to confirm & strengthen them against Desperation.  
Whosoever refusing the hope of pardon, runneth headlong into the gulf of desperation: doth not only distrust the omnipotency of God: (persuading himself that there is some crime, which he is not able to extinguish) but also maketh him a liar. By the mouth of his Prophet he hath promised free remision of sin so soon as the offender bewaileth: but frowardly doth the posterity of Cain say: Such is mine iniquity, as I shall never obtain remission.  
What sayest thou caitif? If God be not able to pardon because of the greatness of thy sin thou robbest him of his Omnipotency: If he will not do that which he can do, he is a Liar, and too light, not to perform the thing, which so often he hath promised by the mouth of his holy Prophets. It is said of the psalmist, God is gracious, and merciful, long suffering, and of great goodness: The Lord is loving to all men, and his mercy is over all his works. Is there any thing then more admirable, than the creation of the heavens, with so many shining bodies: then the making of the Earth with such singular variety of living Creatures, Trees, plants Fruits, and all other things: then the fabrication of so many pure Celestial Souls? So that who durst be bold to affirm (had not the Prophet manifestly spoken it) that the mercies of God do excel the glory of his handiwoorkes. Holy Scripture sometime termeth the mercy of God, great, sometime to great and sometime it amplifieth the force thereof by the name of multitude, or number. The Kingly Prophet David in one self place comprehendeth both the greatness and multitude of heavenly mercy, saying: Have mercy on me O God, after thy great goodness, & according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences.  
Where great iniquity is, there needeth much compassion. If thou but weigh how heinous the offence of David was, thou wilt acknowledge the greatness of God's goodness: If thou consider how oft he offended in that sin, thou shalt see the multitude of his mercies. That God which is our King, our Father, our Master, our spouse prescribeth no determinate number of offences, but as often as through true repentance we return to him, he forgetteth, and forgiveth the punishment wh●ch he threateneth to us: he entertaineth us amongst his Family, leadeth us into the chamber of his love, and receiveth not us only, but forgetteth our offences: He bringeth the lost sheep upon his shoulders to the staules and biddeth the Congregation of the chosen to his rejoicing: He goeth to meet the Prodigal Son, returning from his long and loathsome journey, and putteth a rob, and a Ring upon him, and commandeth the fattest Calf to be killed for him.  
What other thing doth this signify, but the immense or, as I may say, the overmuch mercy of God? It is no marvel, though his mercy exceed, which loveth us so exceedingly. Paul feareth not to writ thus to the Ephesians, We are (saith he) by nature become the Children of wrath: But God, which is rich in mercy, for his tender love, wherewith he loved us, when we were dead to sin, hath raised and reconciled us again to Christ. S. john, in his Gospel more plainly expresseth the marvelous love of God our Father towards us, saying: So God loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that who so believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.  
Whereunto Paul aptly agreeth, He that spared not his only Son, but gave him for us all: hath he not given us all things together with him? This so great love: this so great kindness, doth it not worthily appear unmeasurable, because we have nothing, which we have not freely received of God. What so ever we do, what so ever we possess, it cometh by the mercy of God: Yea it is the mercy of god that made the Angels, and created the world. If he had wrought it to himself, his power and policy might have been praised: but sith to our use he hath framed all these things, shall we not acknowledge his mercy to be marvelous. For whom have the Celestial Airs their course: to whom dareth the sun his beams by day: the Moon with the Stars, their brightness by night, but for Man? For whose use made he these things of nothing? For whose sake, but for man's only, do the hanging Clouds give their shade, and bedew the pleasant fields?  
Why blow the winds: why flow the Rivers: why spread the Springs: why increase the Seas, but for the use of man? Who reapeth the commodities of the fertile earth, which engendereth so many living things, such wealth store, but man? There is nothing that God hath not made subject to man: only he would that man should be obedient unto him. Many times our merciful God sendeth adversity, either to clear us of our transgressions, or to deter us from sin, or to minister occasion of weldooing. Thus was Abraham tried: so was job proved with many miseries: thus is every one which liveth in jesus Christ tried in this world with sundry afflictions, as the Gold with the fire: where are those that murmur against God, when either infirmity of health, or death, and loss of wife and children, or decay of worldly wealth happeneth to them: nothing knowing that these are the manifest signs of a merciful God. Let us give ear to the counsel of Solomon: My son (saith he) despise not the word of God, nor forsake his correction: For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth and delighteth in him, as a Father in his son. The Apostle Paul hath the like saying to the Hebrews, Whom the Lord loveth, he correcteth: and rebuketh every Child that he receiveth.  
Then (by Paul's counsel) when any storm of adversity ariseth, let us stand fast in the Truth: knowing, that he offereth himself to us, as to his children, like a merciful God. If the love of God lend us prosperity, let us give him thanks, and be careful that we abuse not his bounty. It misery oppress us let us nevertheless give thanks to him, and commit ourselves to his judgement To obtain health, thou givest thyself up to the Physician: thou yieldest thyself to the cord, saw, and searing of the Chirurgeon: And to enjoy everlasting health fearest thou to trust thy creature, thy Master, thy Father, and only Saviour? Thou darest not say to the physician, thus and thus cure me? And wilt thou prescribe to God the means of thy saving health? Let every one of us descend into the deapth● of his conscience: let us consider how often, and how grievously we have offended God, how his benefits are defiled with our iniquities, and so we shall see, how much we are indebted to his infinite mercy: which hath borne with our frailty so gently: which by so many means calleth us to repentance: which so w●●lingly pardoneth the penitent, and convert. Truly he is greatly to be lamented, which refuseth the fountain of everlasting life, and never by repentance returneth whence he departed. The Prodigal child strayed far, left, and forsook his Father's house, and yet returned. Peter was far gone, when he denied his Master thrice: but yet remembering the words which jesus spoke to him, he recanted, and wept bitterly. How gently doth the Lord in Hieremie under the person of the wife (which having forsaken her Husband, gave herself to every man) call his people to repentance: Return my children, & be converted (saith he) because I am your husband.  
But o wretched is the man, that stoppeth his ears at this voice of the Lords. To day (saith the Psalm) if you hear my voice harden not your hearts: This is our day, as long as we live (in which the Lord ceaseth not to call upon us to repentance, offering us prepared pardon.  
God himself in Ezechiell doth not only promise' remission to him that forsaketh his evil, but voweth oblivion of all his former offences. For after he had reckoned all the errors which man fell into, he added: If the wicked man will be soary for his sins, keep my commandments, and do the thing that is right, he shall live, and not die: and I will not remember aught that he hath done. Have I pleasure in the death of a sinner (saith the Lord God) or rather would I not his conversion from his evil ways, that he might live? And again he saith, Return and repent you of your faults, and your iniquity shall not prevail against you. Cast away evil cogitations, and take you a new Spirit. And why wilt thou die. O House of Israel: I will not the death of a sinner, return and thou shalt live. O wretch, why despairest thou, sith to this end God sent his Son into the Earth, that thou mightest have comfort. This is the love of God whereof David speaketh saying: We have seen thy loving kindness, even in the midst of thy Congregation. Be early at the Church occupied in prayer: abide in the Apostolic faith: beware of Idolatry embrace the loving kindness of God who crieth unceassantly: I will not the death of a Sinner, but rather he convert and live. Hark to this sweet Oracle, shake of the drowsiness of error: and rise with Christ, that thou mayst live in him.  
Mark how liberally he promiseth, At what hour so ever a sinner shall repent, I will put all his wickedness out of my remembrance. He hath no respect to the nature of thy faults: he forceth not the greatness, or number of thine offences: repent, but as thou oughtest, & he will blot thy wickedness out of memory. That our prayer may be more acceptable to God: the Prophet Osee telleth us how we should pray: Return unto the Lord, and say to him: Lord, take away mine iniquity: & receive (if I have any) my goodness, and I will give thee the batlinges and Sacrifice of my lips. Let us revert that have shamefully erred, to him which taketh away the sins of the world: and let us say, Take away from us the evil which we have done: and accept this good? what good? Even the Sacrifice of our lips: we give thee thanks mighty God, to whom we own all that we have: Take from us which is ours, & accept of us the which is thine own. Return (saith joel) to your God, because he is loving, and gracious, long suffering, and of much mercy, & ready to pardon mischief. Though the weight of sin astonne thee: yet let the mightiness of God's mercy uphold thee: which the Prophet doth many ways exaggerate.  
God (saith he) is gentle: which he addeth, that we should not despair of pardon: God (saith he) is gracious, that we should understand how he not only helpeth us, but that he pitieth our miseries: And thinking not this sufficient, he adjoineth, Long suffering: And yet art thou doubtful, sinner? hearken then what followeth: And of great mercy: If thy faults be many, care not: great is the goodness of God.  
What remaineth now, but that thou turn and go to him that inviteth thee. Thou wilt say, the horrible threatenings of punishment fear me: give ear and mark: And he is ready to pardon mischief: that God which is so often stirred to anger, of his own accord moveth thee to repentance: calleth thee to forgiveness: forgetteth his threats denieth thee the torment of hell, in steed of punishment: giveth thee his blessing: not only turneth to thee that repentest, but willingly goeth to meet thee, and embraceth thee. This is it which was promised by Zacharie Turn unto me (saith the Lord of Hosts) and I will be converted unto you: What meaneth he by Return unto me? that is acknowledge thy weakness, and ask mercy. And what is meant by this: And I will be converted unto you: That is, of a revenger I will become a helper: I will assist your endeavours: and look what through your own strength you can not bring to pass, thou shalt attain to by my favour. No man can freely hate his own sin: unless God mollify his stony heart, & give him a fleshly heart: unless for a defiled conscience, he make a clean heart: unless for a corrupt soul, he renew a right spirit in him. Peruse, Read, unreade the conversation & life of Christ there thou shalt find nothing, but of his everlasting mercy towards all men. He freely healed the sick: fed the hungry: delivered them that were in danger: cleansed the Lepers: gave sight to the Blind: restored the Lame: cast out Devils: raised the dead to life, and pardoned the wicked. Search again the universal discipline of God, what other thing containeth it, than the marvelous compassion of the Almighty? Doth he not inculcate into our minds by Parables, to the intent we should not fall by any means? To that end serveth the parable of the lost sheep, which was brought again on the Shepherds shoulders: the Parable of the lost, and found groat: of the hole men that wanted not a Physician: of the servant to whom his debts were forgiven: of the Publican, and the Pharisey: of the broken man whom the Samaritane cured: of the good steward towards his debtors, and of the crafty Steward towards his Master: of the Prodigal Child taken again into favour. As touching the bore name of the Gospel, doth it not promise' mercy? Yes it giveth light to the Blind, liberty to the Captive, Health to the broken, and last of all a grateful gain to the Lord, who thirsteth nothing, but the Salvation of sinners. Likewise the name of jesus, that is (of a saviour) what else doth it promise' to the sinner, but mercy, and blissfulness? If he had come representing the Majesty of a judge, there had been some cause why every one might have feared: but knowing him to come as a saviour, dost thou despair Salvation? for the surer hope of Salvation, the Son of God suffered death, and offered up himself a valiant Sacrifice for the sins of man.  
And hanging on the Cross, prayeth for his persecutors, and thinkest thou that he will deny thee the forgiveness of thy sins, that dooste acknowledge thy wretchedness, and crave remission? Trust him that is merciful, and thou shalt find compassion: A sure hope obtaineth any thing at Christ's hand: who so mistrusteth the Physician, hindereth his own health. The woman of Canaan, cried, and her Daughter was cured: The Centurion believed, and his Servant was made whole again: The Father prayed, and his Son was cleansed of the fool spirit: The Apostles cried out, Help Lord for we perish: and they were delivered. And we see, that in diverse he hath not respected the Prayers of the mouth, but only the Faith. He did but perceive the faith of the people, and said to the sick of the Palsy, Be of good cheer my son, thy sins are forgiven thee. The Mother and her companions do but weep, and her son is raised from death to life: Martha, and Mary did but mourn, and Lazarus was revived: Marry the sinner bewaileth: he anointeth her, kisseth her, and saith: Thy sins are forgiven thee. He sufficiently asketh, that confesseth his infirmity: he asketh effectually, that lamenteth, and believeth. The woman troubled with superfluity of blood, secretly touched the vesture of jesus: and immediately she felt the force of his mercy. We Read also of many others that wear healed by touching his garment: so never unprovided is his goodness: and at all times he giveth comfort to the weak. If thou be afraid to call upon jesus: if thou canst not come unto him, yet at the lest touch the edge of his garment: Read the Scriptures: follow the doctrine of the Apostles: for by them he often showeth his virtue, and telleth of thy saving health. O blind, and unthankful, which despise the grace of God, so ready to be obtained. But o thrice wretched, which despair in that which is willingly and freely offered, he is easily pacified, that is revenged against his william.  
What other meaning hath this Phrase, but that the Lord leaveth no way unsought for, to bring us to Salvation: and we wittingly forsake the hope of Salvation? And why wilt thou die O house of Israel? with tears he lamented Jerusalem, which heaped vengeance unto itself by their malicious errors. O Jerusalem (saith he) how often would I have gathered thee together, as the Hen gathereth her Chickens, and thou wouldst not? Our humble Saviour weary, because he may not save us, miserable sinners, and we despare in him, as though he would not save us. All the House rejoiced where the Son which died, was revived, and received again that perished. That good Father calleth the company of the Heavens to rejoice over the penitent sinner: and thou wretch despairest, envying both thine own safeguard, and the gladness of God. Shall we believe that he will not pardon malefactors who lamenteth the death of a sinner, and rejoiceth at the conversion of the penitent? He calleth all men to the marige Feast: he would have his house filled with strangers: maketh the Blind, and the lame to come in: And why stayest thou Caitiff? Why forsakest thou not thy swinish Soil? why strivest thou against the mercy of God? there can be no greater folly, then for vain and variable things to forsake Eternity. There is no greater wisdom, then for a little sufferance, to gain Immortality. Great is their ignorance therefore, which persever in their naughtiness: But greater is the wisdom of those, that live in newness of life. O what cost we bestow, what pains we take in finding corruptible metals, and how little we care for the treasure of God's mercy, which is laid open, and freely offered to us.  
The Lord is rich in mercy.  
The treasure of worldly wealth may be wasted by profuse expense: But the bounty of God's goodness hath no bottom. God hath assured his Faith to man, and (as Paul writeth) he can not deny himself. He offereth to be challenged, and reproved, if he hath not performed his promises. For thus he speaketh in Esau to a wicked generation: Lift up yourselves, and be clean: take away the thought of evil: cease from mischief: learn to do good: seek judgement: help the oppressed: judge the Innocent: defend the Widow, and come and reprove me (saith the Lord.) Hearest thou now wretched man? what else requireth our gracious God of thee, but amendment of life? And that the enormity of thy heinous crimes may not exanimate thee, attend to the ready remission. If thy sins (saith he) were as read as Scarlet, I will make them as white as Snow: and if you will hearken to me, you shall eat the Fruits of the Earth. O cursed Progeny of Eve, why dost thou yield to the disceiptful promises of the Devil, that allureth thee to destruction? And art deaf at the Son of God, which would assoceate thee with everlasting joy. Repent (saith he) for the Kingdom of God is at hand. The Son of God promiseth: the Father commandeth thee: the Holy Ghost inviteth thee: and yet thou art Scrupulous to receive that which is offered. The voice of the Apostles, is the voice of God: and they cry Repent, & be baptized in the name of jesus Christ for the remission of your sins: and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Forsake your foul, filthy, and abominable traditions, and seek the Kingdom of Heaven. There run unto Christ, Soldiers, Publicans, harlots, Idolaters, Mansleares, sorcerers, bawds, Incestuous persons, none are exempted, all have free course to the mercy of God: their former life is not imputed to them, if they repent and amend their lives. Like as the ground often moistened with Heavenly dew, and yet yieldeth to his tiler, nothing but thorns, and brambles, is worthy to be had in contempt, and to be given to the fire. So God many times, for the contempt of his goodness, giveth sinners up to their reprobate sense. Wherefore it is best to leave of procrastination of amendment of life: and when the Lord calleth us to cast of the Old man, with his deeds, and concupiscences: lest God, which hath been denied to be hard, at the lest refuse to hear our complaints. Horrible is the voice wherewith he threateneth those which will not hear him that so graciously calleth. Because (saith he) I have called, and you have refused: I have stretched out my hand and there was no man, that would look: because you have despised my counsel, and set at naught my admonitions, I will laugh at your destruction, when that shall come to pass, which you feared: when abortive misery shall come upon you, and the storms of destruction shall prevent you: when sorrow, and anger shall possess, and oppress you: then will you call upon me, and I will not hear: They will rise betime in the morning, but they shall not found me: because they have hated my Discipline, and have been void of the fear of God: have not hearkened unto my counsel: and have defied my correction. In this life there is hope of mercy.  
Wherefore while thou livest, call for the grace of God, and amend thy life. The careful God of our Salvation, hath suffered mighty, and marvelous men to err, that we by their example might have comfort, and no● despair in hope of pardon. In Holy Scripture who is more commended, than King David: who was both a King and a Prophet: a chosen man after the hearts delight of God: out of whose stock came the Saviour Christ: But into how many, & grievous crimes fell so mighty a man: Yet hearing Nathan pronounce the grievous threatenings of God, cried out: Lord, I have sinned. And Nathan said, But the Lord hath taken away thy sins: thou shalt not die. God suffered Peter to offend grievously and yet when he had lamented, he obtained mercy. When he gave him charge over the sheep (for which he shed his precious blood) was it likely that he meant to remember the denying of him thrice? Not not, he had so freely forgotten it, that there remained no jot imprinted in the memory of our loving God. We have many examples of sinners: and not a few of the penitent: the example of none ought to move us to sin: let us not to much try God: if any man be encumbered with iniquity, he hath examples of repentance: let him not despair. They do evil which will not repent with them whom they have transgressed withal. After David had willingly confessed his fault, and acknowledged the just judgement of God: behold what great hope he conceived of the mercy of God: Sprinkle me (O Lord saith he) with Isope, and I shall be clean: wash me and I shall be whiter than Snow. By the sprinkling of the blood of the immaculate Lamb he promiseth to himself clearness too, though he acknowledge his conception to be sinful, yet by this washing he hopeth after the whiteness of innocency, which passeth the white of the Snow. And he trusteth not only in the innocency, but looketh to see his doubtful penitency turned into Heavenly joy. Thou shalt make me hear joy and gladness (saith David) that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. give me the comfort of thy help, and establish me with thy free Spirit.  
O singular Faith of a sinner: what man hath at any time cried jesus have mercy on me: but forthwith he hath obtained grace. Take pity Lord (saith the woman of Canaan) and her Daughter was healed. The blind poor man cried out, O Son of David have mercy on me, and he received sight. Let us heartily, zealously, constantly call on him, & in the midst of our miseries, say: jesus thou Son of David have compassion upon us: And of poor impotent beggars, he will make us fellow heirs with him of the kingdom of heaven. He hath opened the Sanctuary of his holiness, and thou runnest into the Dungeon of despair: he hath stretched out his hand to thee, and thou turneste away thy face: he openeth the gates of Heaven, and thou hastest to destruction: behold the bosom of his goodness, and thou creepest into the Lake of unhappiness. The Thief that hung on the cross heard him, saying: This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise: and thou offerest thyself to the Devil. The mercy of God came unto us, when he sent his son into the Earth: let us therefore go to it: Let us incline to him, as he did to us: The way is first to leave our life. For first the physicians use to purge the body, that they may minister wholesomer medicines. Forsake O thou sinner, thy wicked imaginations, which fight against God: leave to lust, be not covetous, refrain riot, fly arrogancy, that God may power his blessings upon thee. He that persisteth in his wickedness and calleth for grace, is like to an enemy which being ready armed asketh peace of his Master, he that asketh, receiveth: he that seeketh, findeth: and he that knocketh, hath it opened to him, if thou wilt desire mercy, crave it truly: if thou seek it, seek it in deed, if thou knock at the gate of forgiveness, knock earnestly If thou require an example of one that faithfully craved the favour of God: Mark the prodigal Child, who leaving his swine, returned to his Father, and said: Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and against thee: make me as one of thy hired Servants. Mark the Publican which for the guiltiness of his conscience dare not lift up his eyes to heaven: dare not come to his redeemer, but standing a far of knocketh his breast and saith: Lord be merciful unto me a sinner. S. Hierome affirmeth the offence of judas to be greater in despayringe the mercy of God, then in betraying Christ, as Cain stirred God to anger, more through desperation of pardon, then by the slaughter of his brother Abel. Many which have persecuted Christ, being converted, and believing in him have obtained pardon: and are made examples to man, that he aught not to distrust the remission of his wickedness, seeing the death of our Saviour is forgiven to the penitent: Wilt thou hear saith Augustine, the mercy of God, leave thy abomination and he will forgive thee? Will't thou see the truth of God: do good and thou shalt be crowned with justice. God is not so merciful to use unjustice, nor so just to be unmerciful. But some man will say, men increase their offences by to much hope: but how much do they enlarge their guiltiness by distrust of Remission? If there were no forgiveness, than thou wouldst rage's, and say: I am wretched: I am condemned: why is not my lust law: why shall I not fill myself with facietie: if after this there be naught but torment: this would be thy saying, O worse than despair itself: He doth better therefore that correcteth thee with promise of forgetfulness, and saith: I will not the death of a Sinner, but that he convert and live. God by his promise would not have sinners to presume: but his will is they should not in any wise distrust: and therefore he hath made them ignorant of the day of their death: if thou repent, present pardon is provided: no day is prefixed Wherefore to conclude, if thou have lived well till this day and still abidest in this life, live well: amend thy life: and behold forgiveness: and be sure that what he hath pardoned, shall not be imputed to thee again, which for his mercy he grant: that taketh away the sins of the world. Amen.  

Consolatio.  
NVlla meroris magnitudo, nulla angustiarum acerbitas, nulla defectuum multitudo, nulla scelerum enormitas, te ad desperationem, nimiámne pusillanimitatem adducat: Quantumcunque peccaveris, semper Dei misericordia in infinitum excedit tuas iniquitates; Quantumcunque infirmus sis, semper illius benignitas adiuuare parata est tuam fragilitatem. Vult, & potest Deus sanare, ac liberare te, si ad eum verè converteris, atque humilis factus, ipsum Piè inuocas, & speras in eo. O quam homini salutaris, & Deo grata est spes, atque confidentia illa, quam Dei amor, sanctaque humilitas parit, & quae hominem non ad negligentiam vel in curiam sese emendandi, neque ad facilitatem peccandi pertrahit, sed magis ad conatum proficiendi extimulat.    

¶ The Authors Prayer.  
IN the depth of thy mercy (O Lord) bow down thine eyes, & behold, incline thine ears and hear, stretch out thine Arm, and help, for I am thine unworthy Creature, and hapless man, that through thy rod of wrath have experience of most wretched misery. Mine enemies pursue me with gaping jaws, and whetted teeth, saying within themselves let us now devour him, for the time that we looked for, is come, we do find, and see it. They have fortified round about me, and have enclosed me with torment and travel. My flesh and skin are made old, my bones are bruised, they have hedged me that I cannot get out: and have laid heavy Links upon me.  
Help Lord thy servant, whom thou never failedst, I cry and call piteously, yet am I not heerde: my innocency is trodden down, & my life subdued with false surmises. My mourning they daily hear, but comfort I find far of. They have stopped up my ways with quartered stones, and made my paths crooked. They lay wait for me as wild Bears and devouring Dragons with open mouth: deliver me from their greedy gripes, and free my feet from the paths of such venomous serpents.  
O Lord, thou seest they have stopped up my well springs of truth: how they have broken me in pieces: preferred their guiles, and altogether laid me waste: I am made their mark to shoot at: their strongest bows have they bent against me: out of their malicious quiver they have shot their sharp shafts of eager envy, yea, even into my rains. They laugh me to scorn in their dissembling hearts, and yet bear me fair countenance.  
No regard is had of my truth, and utter confusion is come upon me: thy gifts Lord, proper to myself are holden from me, and I perish in want, having of mine own. The leaven of my Bread is made with cruel cares, and my drink m●ngled with salt tears: they have overwhelmed me with heaped stones, and have buried my innocency in shameful grave. I am sequestered from all freedom: and thou Lord knowest I am not guilty.  
Correct me not in my misdeeds towards thee Lord, but in the mildness of thy mercy: for I acknowledge I have done things unlawful against thy Throne, and am no more worthy to be called thy Child. Yet Lord from the bottom of a broken heart I ask thy Pardon, and my Spirit trusteth in thy mercy, and requireth that mine enemies may no longer triumph over me. Sweet Lord look down and remedy my misery and thraldom: Remember how long I have been fed with sorrow and care: how my Body wasteth, and my Soul melteth away. I fear Lord thou hast forsaken me, and set up the horn of mine enemies: that thou givest them this long Glory over me.  
O merciful Father, do not so I beseech thee. If my scourge be determined (with thee) for any my contempts of thy will: yet deliver me from the hands of the malicious. I acknowledge my faults towards thy Celestial Seat, and say: my righteousness all is stained. I appeal to thy mercy, for thy truth, and sons sake. But Lord if my breast ever harboured any unjust pretence, or act against thy Servant elizabeth, my gracious Queen and governor, as a joyful pray bestow me amongst mine eager enemies. To this day, from my birth, thou knowest Lord, I have honoured her with Loyal love, and served her with true heart, and innocent hands.  
Now Lord, if such discharge of duty hath ever won victory over any her worthy thoughts, I beseech thee, not in my deserts to thee, but for my truth to her, multiply in secret breast such thoughts to sure increase of firm belief, as through thee inspired with my large truth, which might never boast herself: I may be saved from the snares of the malicious, and my innocency known to her.  
Wake Lord, I beseech thee, and renew on me thy mercies, and help, as ever thou hast done of old. My Soul saith within me, thou Lord art her only portion: and therefore she will hope in thee. And my body hast thou always delivered in greatest peril, when so ever I have put my trust in thee. Arise, most mighty helper, and aid thy servant, who only seeketh succour of thee. Sure I am, in mine enemies pits, thou wilt not mine innocency perish: neither destroy me utterly in mine unrighteousness towards thee, for that my contrite heart appealeth to thy mercy: and thy condition is not to seek the death of a sinner, neither to be found untrue in thy promises, wherein my Spirit only trusteth.  
Amidst my sorrowful plaints and scorchinge sighs, Lord pour out the comfortable dews of thy compassion. For in no other help will I trust, but in thine, though the whole earth would assure me. Mine enemies swarm as Bees to the Hieve, and spread as flowers of the Spring: my friends walk in single number: and hundreds that erst professed faith, deny their sentence: such as would my good, want the mean thereto: and those that best may, with Fortune's threats are beaten down, and made lame. Wherefore, Lord wash the understanding of my gracious Governess, with the flowing springs of my truth. 'Cause her with speedy hand to restore my decayed parts: Guide her mind still in thy love, and fear: who with such perfit wisdom, true justice, and pitiful compassion, shewing whose member she is, hath thus worthily preserved me.  
Yea further Lord guide so her course on earth, that thou mayst afterwards of right, equal her joys with thy blessed Cherubins above the high heavens: continue in her thy grace, which givest every good gift: that as she is thy chosen vessel, no usurping heart, nor bloody hand may ever have power against her: But replenished with thy holy Spirit, may execute thy will and walk in thy paths, never wanting the strength of thy right hand to beaten down her enemies. But found worthy of thy rich goodness, we may long enjoy so matchless a Head, and Governor. Grant this Lord, I beseech thee, with exchange of my hard state into better, even at thine own will: and my Spirte shall never cease to give praise and thanks to thy holy name, Amen.  

To the Reader.  
MY willing mind sundry ways annoyed in the purpose of my Pen, is forced with other labours, not only to estrange her Royal Majesty the final parts of this small piece, but here to offer thee (courtuous Reader) in supply of void paper, these few selected Sentences in both tongues, out of Holy Scripture, and other Divine, and Ancient Writers: which for their worthiness, thy behoof, and less labour, if thou accept better placed then barren paper, and grant their once reading, I have my desire. For after deem I, if knowledge of Virtue may allure thee, or view of vice abash thee, often wilt thou read, and unreade them, to embrace the good and eschew the ill. Which the heavenvly Father grant us all his grace to fulfil.     

Sentences out of the holy Scripture.  
THe fear of God is worship, and triumph, gladness, and a joyful Crown: yea, who so feareth the Lord, shallbe happy, and when he hath need of comfort he shall be blessed.  
The Seed of them which fear the Lord shall be brought to Honour: But the generation of the proud, disceiptefull, and malicious, shall perish with the shame of their wickedness.  
Labour to get thee a good name: for that shall continue by thee surer than a thousand greater treasures of Gold. A good life hath a number of days: but a good name endureth for ever.  
The untruth of a lying tongue murdereth the Soul: upon the head of the backbiter, and blasphemer, with terror shall the Lord send the thunder of his wrath, & consume them hastily.  
He that loveth riches, shall not be justified: And who so followeth corruption shall perish in the same.  
Gold, and Silver is the tree of falling to every one, that greedily seeketh the same: blessed is the Rich, which is found without blemish.  
Travail, and carefulness for riches, taketh away the sleep, and maketh the flesh to consume: they help not in the day of judgement: righteousness shall crown thee: Through thy evil gotten goods shalt thou perish.  
The joy, and cheerfulness of the heart is the pure life of man: And his clear conscience a sure fortress against death.  
The Tree of the field is known by his fruit: So are the rotten thoughts of the dissembling person by his open deeds of malice.  
forgive thy neighbour the hurt, that he hath done thee; so shall thy sins be forgiven thee when thou prayest.  
Remember the end, and let enmity pass which seeketh death and destruction: abide in the commandment of thy God: that thou mayst reap his blessing.  
They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous, shall be taken in the snare: anguish of heart shall consume them before they die.  
Wrist not thou the law: nor know whose eyes vieweth all virtue: seeks t● punish all wickedness, be not in the number of such.  
Hester. 16.  
My right hand shall not spare the sinners: and my sword shall not cease over them, that shed the innocent blood upon earth.  
Esdras. 15.  
Despise not a man that turneth himself away from Sin, and cast him not in the teeth withal: but remember we be all frail and offenders. Ecclesiast. 8  
Three things there be that my Spirit favoureth: the unity of Brethrens, and the love of Neighbours, a Man & wife that agreed well together.  
Three things thereof which my Soul hateth: a Rich man Covetous, a poor man proud: an Old man that is unchaste. Eccle. 25.  
Oppress not thou the Law, nor know any person, neither take any reward, for gifts blind the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous, that which is just shall then follow that thou mayst live. Levit. 19  
See that thou know no faces in judgement, nor do any unrighteousness in judgement, in meatte Yard: in Weight: or in Measure: true Balances: true weights: a true Eph●: and a true line shall you have to all men. Ibidem.  
Thou shalt not favour the poor, nor honour the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy Neighbour. Ibidem.  
Thou shalt not avenge thyself, nor be mindful of a wrong: but shalt love thy Neighbour even as thyself. james. 1.  
As the Sun riseth, is heat, and the grass withereth and his flower falleth away & the beauty of the fashion of it perisheth: even so shall the malicious, rich, unrightuous, and dissembling person, perish in the wickedness of his ways.  
judge nothing before the time, which will lighten things that are hidden in darkness, and open the Counsels of the hearts, so shall every man have praise of God. Corinth. 4.  
See thou rob not the poor, because he is weak: and oppress not the simple in judgement, for the Lord himself will defend their cause: and do violence to them that have used violence. Proverb. 22.  
God resisteth the proud: and giveth grace unto the lowly. james. 4.  
Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord: neither despair when he giveth thee adversity: for whom the Lord loveth, him he chasteneth: yea he scourgeth with affliction every son that he receiveth. Hebr. 12  
Let every man be swift to hear: slow to speak: slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not that which is righteous before God: wherefore lay apart all malice: and with all meekness of heart, exercise truth and quietness. james. 1.  
Lay aside all maliciousness, and all guile: feignedness, and envy: all backbiting: and as new borne Babes, desire ye that Milk, not of the Body, but of the Soul: which is without deceit, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation. 2. Epist. Petr.  
The eyes of the Lord do govern the righteous, and his ears open unto their Prayers. Ibidem. cap. 3.  
The desire of the Lowly is acceptable, and the Lord will increase it: but the hope of the Proud, is the indignation: and in the freshness of their labours, will he root them out  
He that casteth out his words rashly, worketh care to his life: but who so through silence seasoneth his thoughts with wisdom, is the author of long rest.  
Every labour giveth forth his fruit, only lip labour destroyeth time, & bringeth forth penury.  
The days of adversity are a blessing of God, & a clear conscience is a continual feast: A malicious man kindleth strife: a fool uttereth his wrath in haste: but a discrete person covereth wrong.  
The Lord abhorreth the prayer of the malicious: but who so humbleth his Prayer in faith and Charity, shall find his desire  
The desires of the Covetous man, bring upon him confusion: but who so gathereth his riches with love and favour, shall prospero.  
Through Mercy and truth, sins are pardoned: & through righteousness and Faith are thy prayers heard, and evil eschewed.  
righteous lips are pleasant unto Kings, and dissembling tongues overthrow high Palaces.  
Better it is to be of humble mind with the Lowly, then to divide the spoils with the proud.  
presumptuousness goeth before destruction: & after a proud stomach followeth a foul fall.  
Mercy and faithfulness preserveth the King, and with loving kindness his seat is holden up.  
Who so follow righteousness and Mercy, shall find both life, righteousness and honour.  
Like as the Golden pillars are upon the sockettes of Silver: so are the beautiful parts of the body upon a woman that hath a constant mind.  
The heart of the foolish is like a Cart wheel, and his thoughts run about like the axle-tree.  
The wise man tempereth his rage with patience, & seasoneth his words with wisdom.  
Who so is Merciful and giveth Alms, that is the right thanks offering: but he that stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, shallbe cast down: cry himself, and be not heard.  
All that is of the Earth, shall turn to the Earth again: all Bribes and Vnrightuousnesse shall perish: but Faithfulness and Truth, shall endure for ever.  
Rewards and gifts blind eyes of the wise, and make him run that he cannot tell men their faults.  
Let not thy mouth be accustomed with swearing, for in it there be many falls.  
The heaviness of the heart is all the punishment, and the wickedness of a woman goeth above all.  
Like as to climb up, a sandy way, is to the feet of the aged, even so is a wife full of words to a still quiet man.  
That woman that hath been unfaithful to the Law of the Highest, and hath broken covenant with her Husband, her children shall take no root: and as for her branches, they shall bear no fruit: A shameful report shall she leave behind her: and her dishonour shall not be put out.  
Like as the Sun when it ariseth, is an ornament in the high Heaven of the Lord: so is a virtuous wife the beauty of all her house.  
Perpetual are the foundations, that be laid upon a whole stony Rock: so are the Commandments of God upon the heart of a holy woman.  
What so ever happen unto thee, receive it: suffer i● heaviness showed unto thee, that be above the capacity of men.  
Be not ashamed of thy friend in his adversity, and keep not back thy counsel, when it may do good: neither hide thy wisdom in her beauty.  
For righteousness, and truth strive unto death: and God shall fight for thee against thine enemies.  
Make no tarrying to turn unto the Lord, and put not of from day to day: for suddenly shall his wrath come, and in the time of vengeance he shall destroy thee.  
Trust not in wicked riches, for they shall not help thee in the day of punishment, and wrath: Equity, Mercy, justice, and Truth shall deliver thee.  
In the beautiful days of thy prosperity forgeat not the foggy mists of adversity: and when it goeth not well with thee, have a good hope it shall be better.  
Happy is he, that hath no heaviness in his mind: and is not fallen from his hope.  
Let not to pray always: and stand in fear reformed unto death: for the reward of God endureth for ever: & unto them that will repent, he hath given the way of righteousness.  
Note all these hither, to be out of Ecclesiast.  
A dissembling person will unfold thy Secrets: But he that loveth thee in truth, will faithfully stand with thee in peril.  
Through the lying lips of the malicious, the innocent is destroyed: But in the beauty of his truth, time shall deliver him.  
The innocent dealing of the just shall lead them: But the wickedness of such as dissemble shallbe their own destruction.  
The Lord abhorreth them that be of feigned heart: But he hath pleasure to increase the seed of the humble and faithful.  
Every man shall enjoy good according to the sayings of his mouth, and after the works of his hands: Do they some righteousness, and speak the Truth.  
The innocent person shall be delivered out of trouble: and the double dealer shall come in steed.  
Mercy, and Faithfulness let never go from thee, bind them about thy neck, and writ them in the tables of thy heart. Prou. 3  
Be not wise in thine own conceit, but fear the Lord, and depart from evil: So shall thy virtue shine, and thy healths grow. Ibidem.  
These six things doth the Lord hate: A proud look: a lying tongue: hands to shed innocent blood: an heart that goeth about with wicked imaginations: feet that be swift in running to do mischief: a false witness that bringeth up lies: and such a one, as soweth discord amongst brothers. Prou. 6,  
Dissembling lips keep hatred secretly: evil will stirreth up strife: but love covereth the multitude of sins. Prou. 10  
The patiented abiding of the innocent shall be turned to gladness: and the days of his trouble are the sure signs of his Salvation. Ibidem.  
The peril that the ungodly are afraid of, shall come upon their heads: But the faithful, and the righteous shall inherit their desires.  
He that by violence sheaddeth any man's blood, shallbe a runagate to his grave: and his Posterity shall be confounded with shame.  
A man that dealeth faithfully, shallbe filled with blessings: and he that maketh too much haste to be rich, shall not be unguilti.  
Like as Hell, and destruction are never full: even so the eyes of the covetous men can never be satisfied.  
The Seat of the King, that with justice, and equity faithfully judgeth the poor, shall increase, and stand for ever.  
Many men like the Bread that is gotten with deceit: But at the last their mouths shallbe filled with gravel. These three Proverb. all.  
No force is least unprepared against the day of battle: But the Lord giveth the victory.  
He that soweth the seeds of malice, shall reap sorrow: and in the harvest of his cruelty shall he perish.  
The end of Equity, justice, patience, & Truth, is riches, Honour Prosperity, & Health.  
Who so giveth rewards, shall obtain the victory, and triumph: But he taketh away the Soul of such as receive them.  
Rejoice not thou at the fall of thine enemies, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the Lord, when he seeth it, be angry, and turn his wrath from him, to thee.  
He that turneth away his ear from the needy, or from his Neighbour in necessity, his Prayer shallbe abominable.  
Sow no evil seeds in the furrows of unrighteousness, for the Lucre of any other man's Lordship, labour not unto the King for the seat of Honour: so shalt thou go untouched of any misfortune. Ecclesiast. 7.  
Who so unjustly challengeth rule to himself, shallbe hated of the people. Ecclesiast. 20.  
Carry thy wrongs with patiented heart, and think of no revenge: the Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of anguish, and to reserve the malicious unto the day of judgement. Petr. 4.  
If our hearts condemn us not, then have we trust to Godward, and what so ever we ask we receive of him. job. 3  
For this purpose appeared the Son of God, to loose the pains of Hell, and the works of the Devil. Ibidem.  
Wars with great discretion aught to be taken in hand, for through strength of good Counsel, things prospero that men devise. Pro. 24.  
When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest Horses and charets, and people more than thou, be not afraid of them, for the Lore thy God is with thee. Deut. 20.  
If you go to war against your enemies that vex you, ye shall blow with the Trumpets: & you shall be remembered before the Lord your God to be saved from your enemies. Num. 10.  
The victory of the battle standeth not in the multitude of the host but the strength and Triumph cometh from Heaven. Macab. 3  
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart, and that hath not lifted up his mind to vanity, nor sworn to deceive his Neighbour: he shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and victory of his enemies, & righteousness from the God of his Salvation. etc. Psalm. 24.  
FINIS.   

Sententiae Divinae, e Sacris Scripturis, Patribusque collectae.  

Deus.  
DEus est Spiritus, qui adorant eum oportet ut spiritu ac veritate eum adorent.  

Alanus de conquestione Naturae.  
Deus est splendor nunquam deficiens, vita indefessa, non motiens, fons semper scaturiens, seminale vitae seminarium, sapientiae principale principium, initiale bonitatis initium.   

August. super illud Pater Nost.  
Deus est in scipso sicut ALPHA, & OMEGA: in Mundo, sicut Rector & Auctor: in Angelis sicut Sapor & Decor: In Ecclesia, sicut Paterfamilias in Domo: in Anima, sicut sponsus in Thalamo: in justis, sicut adiutor & protector: in reprobis, sicut pavor & horror.   

August. super Io. Ser. 29.  
Deus tibi totum est: Si esuris, panis tibi est: si sitis aqua tibi est: si in tenebris es, lumen tibi est: si nudus es, in mortalitate tibi vestis est.    

Christus.  

Io. 8  
Ego sum lux mundi, qui sequitur me, non ambulabit in tenebris, sed habebit lumen vitae.   

Ambro. in quodam ser.  
Omnia habemus in Christo, & omnia in nobis Christus. Si à vulnere curari desideras, medicus est: si febribus aestuas, fons est: si graveris iniquitate, lustitia est: si indiges auxilio, virtus est: Si tenebras fugis, lux est: si Coelum desideras, via est: Si cibum quaeris alimentum est.   

August. super Mat. 155.  
Ego sum via, veritas, & vita, tanquam diceret, qua vis ire, ego sum via, quo vis ire, ego sum veritas: ubi vis permanere, ego vita.   

August. super joa.  
Ambulare vis, ego sum via: falli non vis, ego sum veritas: mori non vis, ego sum vita.    

Homo.  

job. 14  
Homo natus de Muliere, brevi vivens tempore, repletur multis miferijs, qui quasi flos egreditur, & conteritur & fugit velut umbra: & nunquam in eodem statu permanet.   

Barnardus.  
Video hominem prius quartuor virtutibus amictum, quid huic deerat, quem Misericordia custodiebat veritas docebat, justitia regebat, Par fouebat.  
Aristoteles interogatus, quidnam esset homo? respondit, imbecillitatis Exemplum, temporis Spolium. Fortunae Lusus, inconstantiae Imago reliquum vero, pituita & bilis.   

Barnar. de consider. utilit. humanae.  
Septem sunt de essentia hominis, quae fi Homo confideraret, in aeternum non peccaret. Sci licet materia vilis, operatio turpis, exitus flebilis, status instabilis, mors tristabilis, dissolutio miserabilis, damnatio detestabilis, & consideratio gloriae ineffabilis.    

Peccatum.  

Io. 1. Cap. 1.  
Si dixerimus peccatum non habemus, ipsi nos seducimus, & veritas in nobis non est.   

Hieron. liber. 1. super Amos.  
Primum peccatum est cogitasse quae mala sunt. Secundum cogitationibus acquicuisse perversis.  
Tertium, quod ment decreveris, opere complevisse. Quartum, post peccatum non facere poenitentiam, & in suo complacere sibi delicto.   

Cass. super Psal. pro eo ut me diligerent detrahebant.  
Tribus modis omne peccatum contrahitur Primus gradus delictorum est: non reddere bona pro bonis. Secundus, reddere mala pro malis. Tertius est tribuere mala pro bonis: contra haec sunt tria laudabilia. Primum impendere bona pro bonis. Secundum, malum pro malo non reddere. Tertium perfectissimum virtutis genus est, bonum pro malo tribuere.    

Poenitentia.  

Luc. 5.  
Non veni vocare justos, sed Peccatores ad poenitentiam.   

Luc. 15.  
Dico vobis, quod ita gaudium erit in Coelo super uno peccatore poenitentiam agente, quàm super nonaginta novem justis qui non indigent poenitentia.   

August. lib. de Poenitentia.  
Poenitentia languores sanat, Leprosos curat, & mortuos suscitat, sanitatem auget, gratiam conseruat, claudis gressum, aridis copiam, coecis restituit visum, vitia fugat, virtutes exornat, mentem munit ac roborat.    

conversio.  

Ezech. 33.  
In quacunque hora ingemerit peccator saluus erit.   

Ambro.  
Si autum tibi offeram, non mihi dicis cras veniam, sed iam exigis, nemo differt, nemo excusat, redemptio animae promittitur, & nemo festinat.   

August.  
In Inferno erit poenitentia, sed sera, ergo infructuosa: Vis ut sit fructuosa, non sit sera: hody te corrige, qui vivus es: nam qui judex tuus futurus est, ipse hody tuus advocatus est.    

Oratio.  

Mat. 26.  
Vigilate & orate, ne intretis in tentationem.   

Io. 6.  
Si quid petieritis patrem in nomine meo dabit vobis   

Gregor. in moralibus.  
Ille Deo ●eram orationem exhibet qui semetipsum cognoscit, quia pulvis sit, humiliter videt, qui nihil sibi Virtutis tribuit, qui bona quae agit, esse de misericordia conditoris agnoscit.   

Isidor. de Sum. Bon. Lib. 3. ca 8  
Oratio Cordis est, non Labiorum, neque verba deprecantis Deus attendit, sed orantis cor aspicit: Melius est cum silentio orare Cord sine sono vocis, quam solis verbis, sine intuitu mentis.   

Cassiod.  
Oratio, est Consolatio flentium: Cura dolentium: sanitas aegrotorum. Haec Animae remedium: haec Miseriarum omnium, cognoscitur esse Suffragium: nam qui tali munere privatur, ab omni benificio Consolationis excluditur.    

jeiunium.  

Tobias. 12  
Bona est Oratio cum jeiunio, & Eleemosyna, magis quàm thesauros Aurite condere: quonean Eleemosyna à morte liberat: & ipsa est quae purga Peccata, & facit invenire vitam aeternum.   

Origen. super Levit. Hom. 10  
Vis tibi ut ostendam quale te oportet ieiunare jeiunium? jeiuna ab omni Peccato: nullum Cibum sumas Malitiae: nullus Epulas Voluptatis: nullo Vino Luxuriae concalescas: jeiuna à Pravitatibus: abstine à malis Actibus: contine à malis Sermonibus, imò à cogitationibus pessimis: noli contingere Panes furtivos perversae Doctrinae: non concupisces fallaces Philosophiae Cibos, qui te Authoritate seducant. Tale leiunium Deo placet.   

August. in Ser. de jeiunio.  
jeiunium purgat Mentem, sublevat sensum, Carnem spiritui subijcit: Cor facit contritum, & humiliatum: Concupiscentiae nebulas disperdit: Libidinum ardores extinguit: Castitatis verò Lumen accendit.    

Eleemosyna.  

proverb. 2.  
Qui obturant aurem suam ad clamorem Pauperis, & ipse clamabit, & non exaudietur.   

Petr. Rau. in quodam Ser.  
Manus Pauperis, est Gazophylatium Christi, & quicq●id Pauper accepit, Christus acceptat. Da ergo Pauperi Terram, ut accipias Regnum: da Micam, ut accipias totum: da Pauperi, ut detur tibi. Omnia quicquid pauperi dederis, tu habebis: quod Pauperi non dederis, habebit alter.   

joan. Chrysost. super Mat. Serm. 9  
Eleemosyna amica Dei consistit, & semper ei propinqua est pro quibuscunque volverit, facilè munus gratiae impetrat: vincula Peccatorum dissoluit: fugat Tenebras: extinguit Ignem Huic cum multa fiducia Portae Coeli aperiuntur.   

August.  
Eleemosyna mundat Peccata, & ipsa interpellat pro nobis ad Dominum, quia quicquid Pauperibus dederimus, ipsum intigrè possidebimus.    

Charitas.  

Paul ad Collos. ca 3  
Super omnia autem haec Charitatem habete, quod est vinclum Perfectionis.   

August de Doctrina Christiana.  
Sola Charitas est quae vincit omnia, & fine qua, nihil valent omnia: quae, ubicunque fuerit, trahit ad se omnia. Scientia si sola sit, inflat quia verò Charitas edificat, Scientia non permittit inflari.   

Gregor in Pastor  
Nihil perfectius Deo, virtute Dilectionis. Nihil desiderabilius Diabolo, extinctione Charitatis.   

August. ad Martianum  
Dilectio est Pacis unda, Ros gratiae, Charit●tis Imber. Semen Concordiae, affectus Gentium, amoris Fructus, & ad summum, Dilectio Deus est.  
Vbi Charitas non est, non potest esse justitia: Dilectio enim proximi malum non operatur.    

justitia.  

prover. 10  
Benedictio Domini super Caput justi: Os autem impiorum operit: Iniquitatem, Memoriam justi cum laudibus & nomen Impiorum subvertet.   

proverb. 21  
Facere justitiam, & judicium magis est apud Deum, quàm imolare Hostias.   

Gregorius  
justitia omnium virtutum Princeps, tuta, & fida comes humanae vitae, ea enim Imperia, Regna, Populi, Civitates reguntur: quae si à medio tollatur, nec conflare: posset hominum Societas.   

Cassiod. super illud Psal. & operatur Iust.  
justitia non novit Patrem, non novit Matrem, Veritatem novit, personam non accipit. Deum imitatur.   

Ambros. de Offic.  
Bonus circuitus est, si justitia quaerit? Prudentia invenit: Eortitudo vendicat: Temperantia possidet: ut justitia fit in affectu, prudentia in intellectu, fortitudo in effectu temperantia in usu.   

Menander  
Vir justus est, non qui non iniuria afficit, sed qui iniuria afficere potens non vult.   

Budaeus.  
In justitia administranda secundum merita causae non sanguinis Gradum, Assinitatem, Nobilitatemque.    

Lex.  

Esaias. 10  
Vae qui condunt Leges iniquas, & scribentes in justitiam: Scripserunt ut opprimerent Pauperes in judicio.   

Paul ad Colloss. 3  
Lex est vinculum Perfectionis.   

Marcus Tullius.  
Lex vinculum Civitatis est: Libertatis fundamentum: Fons aequitatis: Mens, Animus Consilium, ut corpora nostra sine ment. Sic Civitas sine Lege, suis partibus ac Neruis, Sanguine, & Membris uti non potest.   

Cicero. 2. de Legibus.  
Legis virtus, est imperare, vetare permittere, punire, persuadere aliquid, non omnia vi, ac minis cogere.   

Cassiod.  
jura publica certissima sunt humanae vitae solatia, Infirmiorum auxilia, & Potentium frena: undè & Securitas venit, & Conscientia proficit.    

Index.  

Exod. 23.  
Non declinabis in juditium Pauperis: Infantem, & justum non occides, nec acipies munera, quae excoecant etiam Prudentes, & subvertunt verba justorum.   

Leuitic. 19  
Non facies quod iniquum est, neque iniustè judicat: non consideres personam Pauperis nec honores vultum Potentis. justè indica Proximo tuo.   

Greger. in Moral.  
Iudicate dignè de subditis nequiunt, qui in subditorum causis non Merita, sed odium vel gratiam sequuntur.   

Isidor. de sum Bon. Ca 58. Lively 3  
Quatuor modis humanum peruertiur judicium, Timore, Cupiditate, Odio, Amore: Timore, dum metu Potestatis alicuius veritatem loqui buescimus: Cupiditate, cum premio Muneris alicuius corrumpimur: Odio, cum contra quemlibet adversarium molimur: Amore, dum Amico, vel propinquis placere contendimus.   

Innocentius de miseria Homi. 6.  
judices mali non attendunt merita causarum, sed Pecuniarum merita: non jura, sed Munera: non justitiam, sed Pecuniam: non quod ratio dictat, sed quod voluntas affectat: non quod Lex sentit, sed quod mens cupit: non inclinant ad justitiam animum, sed justitiam declinant ab animo: non ut quod licet hoc libeat, sed ut liceat quod libet.   

Isidor, de Sum. Bono. Lib. 2  
Gravius lacerantur pauperes à pravis judicibus, quàm à cruentissimis hostibus.   

Cassiodor.  
Si iudicas, cognosce: si regnas, iube. Qui justificat impium, & condemnat justum, uterque abominabilis apud Deum.    

Acceptio Personarum.  

Deuter. 11:  
Nulla erit distantia personarum, ita pervum audies ut magnum.   

Hier. super Amos.  
Quicunque consanguinitate, aut amicitia, vel è converso, hostili odio, vel inimicitijs in iudicando ducitur, pervertit judicium Dei Christi, qui est justitia.   

Hiero. in Epist.  
Alienum te à personis omnium redde judicio: ac propter Iniustitiam in judicio Pauperem ne desendas, nec propter gratiam Diviti indecenter assistas: aut si non potes facere, cognitionem respue causarum.  
judices iniqui errant à veritate sententiae, dum intendunt qualitatem personae, & exulcerant saepè justos, dum improbè defundunt iniquos.   

Isidor. Lib. 4 de Summo. Bon.  
Dives cito muneribus corrumpit judicium, pauper dum non habet, quid offerat, non solum audiri contemnitur, sed etiam contra veritatem opprimitur.   

Innocen. Lib. 4 de Huma. Conditionis.  
Pauperum causam cum mora negligitis, Divitum causam cum instantia promonetis. In illis rigorem ostenditis, in istis ex mansuetudine dispensatis: illos cum difficultate respicitis, istos cum facinore tractatis, illos negligenter auditis, istos ascultatis subtiliter.    

Adulatio.  

Ecclesiast. 28.  
Lingua duplex multos commovit, eosque ex ali in aliam gentem transtulit, Civitates muratas Principium destruxit, & Domos magnatum effodit. Lingua duplex strenuas profligavit Mulieres, suisque laboribus defraudavit. Qui attentè audit eam, tranquilitatem non inveniet, nec quietam vitam.   

Hieronym.  
Adulatores sunt Hostes & scintillae Diaboli.   

Ecclesi .. 18.  
Est qui nequiter se humiliat, interiora eius plena sunt dolo.   

Alanus de Complaust. Naturae.  
Adulatores à voluntate vultum ab animo verbum, à ment linguam, ab intellectu loquelam amplo dissensionis interuallo diffibulant, plerumque enim exterius plausibiliter applaudendo collaudant quos interius contradictoria derisione defraudant, foris vultu applaudant virginaeo, intus Scorpionis pungunt aculeo, foris adulationis mellicos compluunt imbres, intus detractionis evomunt tempestates.    

Ambitio.  

Regum. 14.  
Contentus esto Gloria, & sede in Domo tua.   

Eccle. 7:  
Principatum à Domino ne petas, nec à Rege sedem Magnificam.   

Gallat. 6:  
Non assiciamur inanis gloriae cupidi invicem provocantes, invicem invidentes.   

August. super Psal.  
Quoties hominibus praeesse desidero: Toties deo meo praeire contendo.   

August:  
Diabolus ruit, quia elegit potius praeesse quam subesse.   

Innocen. de Vtilit. conditionis Humanae.  
Ambitiosus semper est pauidu●, semper attentus, ne dicat, quod disiderat, humilitatem simulat, honestatem, mentitur, affabilitatem exhibet, Benignitatem ostendit, subsequitur & obsequitur: cunctos honorat, universis inclinatur, frequentat curias, vifitat optimates, assurgit & amplexatur, applaudit & adulatur, unde novit illud Poëticum. Et si nullus erit puluer tamen execute nullum.   

Ibidem.  
Ambitiosus statem ut est ad honorem promotus, in superbiam extollitur, iactantia effraenatur, non curat prodesse, sed praeesse gloriatur, praesumit se meliorem, quia cernit se superiorem, priores dedignatur Amicos, notos ignorat, externos comitatur, contemnit antiquos, vultum avertit, Ceruicem erigit, fastum ostendit, grandia loquitur, sublimia meditatur, subesse non patitur, praeesse molitur, subditis onerosus, ommbus infectus, praeceps, molestus, arrogans, gravis, & importunus.    

Superbia.  

Ecclesi. 10.  
Initium Superbiae hominis apostatare à Deo.   

Cas. super Psal. 18.  
Superbia de Angelo Diabolum fecit, & homini mortem intulit, & concessa beatitudine vacuavit, omnium malorum mater, scaelerum fons, vena nequitiae.   

Hugo.  
Quatuor funt, quae elationis Currum trahunt, amor dominandi, amor propriae laudis, contemptus & inobedientia rota vero sunt, iactantia mentis & arrogantia, verbositasque levitas. Auriga in hoc Curru est, spiritus superbiae amatores Mundi sunt, qui feruntur in hoc Curru infraenes sunt equi, volubiles Rotae auriga perversus, & qui portatut, infirmus.   

Cast. in Epist. Humanae Con.  
Omnis ferè vitiosus diliget sibi similem solus superbus odit elatum unde inter Superbos semper sunt iurgia.   

Euripides.  
Quum videris in sublime quempiam elatum, splendidis gloriantem opibus, ac genere supersilioque supra sortem suam fastuosum, illius celerum divinitùs exspecta brevi vindictam.  
Nesis superbus Sapientia: neque fortitudine: neque divitijs, unus Deus est sapiens, potens & Beatus.    

avaritia.  

Luc. 12.  
Cavete & videte ab omni avaritia, quia non inabundantia cuiusquam vita eius est, exijs qui possidet.   

August. de verbo Domini.  
Rapit semper avarus & nunquam satiatur: non Deum timet: nec Hominem reveretur: nec patri parcit: nec Matrem cognoscit: nec Fratri obtemperat: nec amico Fidem servat: viduam opprimit: pupillum invadit: liberos in seruitium revocat: Testimonium falsum profert, res Mortui occupantur: quare & qui faciunt non moriuntur? Quae est illa animarum insania? amittere Vitam: appellare Mortem: acquirere Aurum: & perdere Coelum.   

Barnard. super Canti. Ser. 38.  
avaritia rotis vehitur quatuor vitiorum: quae sunt pusillanimitas, inhumanitas, contempt●s dei mortis oblivio. Porro iumenta trahentia, tenacitas, repacitas, & hic unus auriga ambobus praesidet: Ardor habendi, hic auriga ad urgendum trahentia flagellis utitur acerimis, libidinae acquirendi, & metu amittendi haec sola avaritia, quia conducere plures non patitur, uno contenta est seruitore.   

Hugo. Lib. 2. de Claustro animae.  
Duo sunt quae illicitè solent acquirere. Scilicet, Superbia & cupiditas: & duo quae malè fruuntur acquisitis, Gula, & Luxuria: duo sunt qui malè possidere volunt: Scilicet prodigus, & avarus, unus ut congreget, alter ut dissipet, & duo quae possessa defendunt: Scilicet, Intemperantia, & prudentia Mundi Superbia à Diabolo clausit Coelum. Gula primo parenti abstulit Paradisum, avaritia Diviti aperuit insemum, Intemperantia verò adhuc corrumpit Mundum.   

Hiero. in quodam Ser.  
Cum caetera vitia senescente homine, senescant: sola avaritia iunenescit.   

Ibidem.  
Nihil aliud est avarus, quàm bursa principum, cellarium latronum rixa parentum, fibilus hominum.    

Cupiditas.  

Paul ad Timon 1. ca 6.  
Fons Perditionis est Cupiditas, quam quidam appetentes erraverunt à Fide, & inseruerunt se doloribus multis.   

Petr. Rau. in Ser.  
Omnium malorum radix est Cupiditas, Transgressionis Mater, Magistra nocendi, primi Pilarij Iniquitatis, Auriga malitiae, Sicaria virtutum, Seditionis origo, Fovea Scandalorum.   

Innocen:  
Tria maximè solent homines affectare, Opes, voluptates, Honores: de Opibus, prava: de voluptatibus turpia: de Honoribus, vacua procedunt. Nam opes generant Cupiditatem, & avaritiam: Voluptates pariunt Gulam & Luxuriam: Honores nutriunt Superbiam, & lactantiam.   

Innocen. de Vtilitate Conditionis Humanae.  
Radix nequitiae est Cupiditas haec Sacrilegia committit & furta, Rapinas exercet & Praedas, Bella gerit & Homicidia, Simoniacè vendit, & emit, iniquè petit & recipit, iniustè negotiatur & foeneratur, instat dolisque, imminet fraudibus dissoluit Peccatum, & violat juramentum, corrumpit testimonium, & pervertit judicium.    

Ira.  

proverb. 15.  
Sicut fremitus Leonis, ita & regis Ira: & sicut Ros super herbam, ita & Hilaritas eius.   

Eccle. 25.  
Non est Caput nequius super caput Colubri, ita non est Ira, Ira inimici perniciotior.   

Gregor. Lib. 5. Moral.  
Per Iram justitia relinquitur, quia dum perturbatta mens, judicium sine ratione exasperat, omne quod furor suggerit, rectum putat: per Iram, gratia, vitae socialis amittitur, quia qui se ex humana ratione non temperat: necesse est, ut bestialiter vivat: Per Iram mansuetudo amittitur: per Iram concordia rumpitur: per Iram Lux veritatis amittitur, quia menti Iracundia confusionis tenebras incutit: Huic Deus radium suae cognitionis abscondit.   

Gregor. 26. Moral.  
Si is qui corrigere nititur, Ira superatur: opprimit antequam corrigat: nam dum plus quam debet, accenditur: sub iustae ultionis obtentu ad immanitatem crudelitatis effraenatur.   

Cass. Psal. Irascimini.  
Vbi est feruida vindicta, non est temperata justitia.   

Gregor.  
Quoties Ira animum invadit, mentem edoma, vince teipsum, differ tempus furoris, quum tranquilla mens fuerit, fac quod placet.   

Euripides. in Aeolo.  
Quisquis Irae preceps indulget, in malam finem eruit.    

invidia.  

ja. 3.  
Vbi zelus & invidia, ibi Inconstantia & omne opus prawm.   

Isidor. in Syno.  
invidia cuncta bona devorat ardore pestifero: invidia animae Tinea sensum comedit Pectus urit, mentem affligat, Cor huminis, quasi quaedam pestis depascit.   

Sen. in Epist.  
Venenum quod Serpentes in alienam perniciem effundunt, five sua continent, non ita vitium Inuidiae continetur: nam invidus torquet & macerat, bona odit & extenuat, Iniurias verò delatat & auget.   

August. super johan.  
Tolle invidiam, & tuum est quod habeo: tollam invidiam, & meum est, quod habes.   

Valerius Max. li. 4. de Amicitia.  
Nulla tem modesta foelicitas, quae malignitatis dentes vitare posfit.   

Phocylides.  
Ne invideas bona socijs, ne maculam contrahas: sine invidia coelestes etiam inter se sunt: non invidet Luna multò prestantioribus Solis Radijs: non Tellus Coelestibus altitudinibus, cùm subiter ipsa fit: non flumina, Pelagis, sed semper concordiam habent.    

Malitia.  

Reg. 1. ca 22.  
Si perseveraveritis in Malitia, & vos, & Rex vester pariter peribitis.   

Bernard super Cant.  
Habet Malitia Currum suum Rotis quatuor consistentem: Saevitia, Impatientia, Audacia, Impudentia: valdè enim velox est Currus iste ad effundendum Sanguinem, qui nec Innocentia sistitur, nec Patientia retardatur, nec Timore fraenatur, nec Pudore inhibetur: Trahitur autem duobus pernicibus Equis, & ad omnem perniciem paratissimis, terraena Potentia, & Seculi Pompa. Porrò praesident his duobus Equis, Aurigae duo, Timor, & Livor: Timor quidem Pompam: Livor, potentiam agit.   

Gregor. Lib. 12. Moral.  
Mens prava semper in laboribus est, quia aut molitur mala, quae inferat, vel metuit, ne sibi ab alijs inferantur, & quicquid contra proximos cogitat, hoc contra se cogitari à Proximis formidat.   

Sene. in Epist.  
Malitia ipsa maximam partem veneni sui bibit, at venenum quod serpentes in alienam perniciem perferunt, sive sua continent, non est huic simile hoc habentibus pessimum est.   

Idem in prover.  
Malefacere qui vult, nusquam non invenit causam: malevolus semper sua natura nititur.    

Calumnia.  

Malachi. 3.  
Accedam ad vos in judicio, & ero Testis velox Maledicis, & Periuris, & qui calumniantur mercedem Mercenarij.   

Herodot. Lib. 4.  
Calumnia res est granissima: in qua duo sunt qui Iniuriam faciunt, unus qui afficitur: Calumniator enim Iniuriam facit, non presentem accusans, & similiter, qui Accusanti fidem habet antequam verè rem cognoscit: Qui autem abest, Iniuriam patitur, tum ab illo Calumniatore, tum ab eo, qui ipsum aures Calumnianti praebens, pro malo reputat.   

Theocrit. in Epist.  
Ea est Calunniatoris natura, in crimen vocare omnia: probare verò nihil.    

Loquacitas.  

Prima. Petri. 3.  
Qui enim vult vitam diligere, & videre dies bonos coerceat Linguam suam à malis, & Labia sua, ne loquatur dolum.   

Eccle. 42.  
Non duplices sermonem auditus de revelatione sermonis absconditi, & eris verè sine confusione, & invenies gratiam apud omnes homines.   

Bernard. in quodam Serm.  
Lenis quidem Sermo, quia leniter volat: sed graviter vulnerat: leniter transit, sed graviter urit: leniter penitrat amicum, sed non leniter exit: leniter profert, sed non leniter revocatur: facilè volat, ideò Charitatem facile violat.   

Gregor. Lib. 8. Moral.  
Lingua sub magna moderaminis liberatione servanda est, non insolubiliter obliganda, ne aut laxata in vitium defluat, aut restricta etiam ab utilitate torpescat.   

Hugo Lib. 2. de Anima.  
Lingua labitur, ut Anguilla penetrat ut Sagitta: tollit Amicos: multiplicat Inimicos: movet Rixas: seminat Discordias: uno ictu multos percutit, & interficit: blanda est, & subdola, & parata ad exhaurienda bona, & miscenda mala. Qui custodit Linguam suam, custodit Animam, quoniam Mors, & Vita in potestate Linguae est.    

Taciturnitas.  

jacob. in Epist. cap. 1.  
Sit omnis bomo velox ad audiendum: tardus ad loquendum, & tardus ad iram.   

Ambros. Lib. 1. de Offic.  
Silendi patientia, oportunitas loquendi, & contemptus Divitiarum, sunt maxima fundamenta virtutum.   

proverb. ca 25.  
Sicut Vrbs patens, & absque murorum ambitu, ita vir, qui non potest in loquendo cohibere Spiritum suum.   

Hieron. in quodam Epist.  
Diu considera quid loquendum sit, & adhuc tacens provide, ne quid dixisse poeniteat, sapiens ut loquatur, multa prius considerat, quid, aut cui, loco vel tempore dicat.    

Humilitas.  

Luc. 1  
Deposuit Potentes de Sede, & exaltavit Humiles.  
Quanto maior es, eò te geras submissius, & gratiam apud Dominum reperies: multi quidem altitudine fortunae, gloriaeque excellunt, sed mansuetis revelantur Archana. Quoniam potentia Dòmini magna est, & ab Humilibus gloriam consequitur.   

Pet. 1. Cap. 5 Luc. 7. & 8.  
Dominus Superbis resistit Humilibus dat gratiam. Et omnes qui se exaltat, humiliabitur: & qui se humiliat, exaltabitur.   

Bernard, super Cantica Serm. 45.  
Scio neminem absque sui cognitione salvari, de qua nimirum, mater salutis, Humilitas oritur, & timor Domini, qui & ipse sicut initium Sapientiae, ita & salutis est.   

Bernard. super Miss. est.  
Non magnum est esse humilem in abiectione magna, prorsus & rara virtus, Humilitas honorata.   

Valerius in quodam Sermone.  
Humilitas in paupere grata est, in Divite, gloriosa: Humilitas inter inimicos, blanda: Superbia inter amicos, ingrata: blanda est & officiosae semper Humilitas, in amicitijs, grata, in contumelijs otiosa, non extollitur prosperis, non mutatur adversis, non extorquet seruitium non requirit voces Adulantium, nisi quam se laudatione novit indignum.   

Beanard. in Epist.  
Fode in te fundamentum Humilitatis, & pervenies ad fastigium Charitatis: vis capere celsitudinem Dei? cape prius humilitatem Christi: sola est virtus humanitatis, reparatio laesae Charitatis.    

Amor Proximi.  

johan. Apost. Epist. 1. Cap. 3  
Qui diligit fratrem suum, in lumine manet, & scandelum in eo non est, qui autem odit fratrem suum, in tenebris est, & in tenebris ambulat, & nescit quo eat, quia tenebrae obcoecaverunt oculis eius.   

Gregor. Lib. Moral. 4.  
Duo sunt praecepta Charitatis Dei: videlicet, & Amor Proximi: per amorem Dei, gignitur amor Proximi, & per amorem Proximi, Dei amor nutritur: Nam qui amare Deum negligit, perfectè diligere Proximum nescit. Et tunc plenius in Dei dilectione proficimus, si in dilectionis gremio Proximi charitatem colligamus.   

Basil. in Hepam.  
Thesaurus indeficiens, est amor Divinus: quem, qui habet, dives est: quo, quicumque caret, pauper est.   

August.  
Vbi Charitas non est, non potest esse justitia, dilectio enim proximi, malum non operatur.    

Amicitia.  

proverb 12. & 17.  
Qui negligit damnum propter Amicum, justus est. Omni tempore diligit qui Amicus est, & frater in Augustijs comprobatur.   

Ambr. Officior. Lib. 3.  
Pietatis custos, Amicitia est, & equalitatis magistra: ut superior inferiori, & equalem se exhibiat, & inferior superiori.   

Ambrose ibidem.  
Solatium huius vitae est, ut habeas cui pectus tuum, aperias, cui Arcana communices, cui secreta tui pectoris committas, ut colloces tibi fidelem virum, qui in prosperis gratuletur tibi, in tristibus compatiatur, in persecutionibus adhortetur: facilis vox & communis tuus sum totus, sed pautior est affectus.   

Ecclesiast. 27  
Qui denudat arcana Amici, fidem perdit, & non inveniet Amicum ad animum suum.   

Ecclesiast. 12  
Fidem posside cum Amico in paupertate illius, ut in bonis illius laetaris. In tempore tribulationis illius permane illi fidelis ut in Haeriditate illius cohaeres fis.   

job. 6.  
Qui tollit ab Amico misericordiam, timorem Domini derelinquit.   

Ecclesiast. 6.  
Amicus fidelis medicamentum Vitae, & Immortalitatis & qui metuunt Dominum, invenient illum.    

Fides sive Fidelitas.  

johan. 22.  
Qui crediderit in me, etiam si mortuus fuerit, vivet, & omnis qui vivit, & credit in me, non morietur in aeternum.   

Marc. 9  
Si potes credere, omnia possibilia credenti.   

Ambr. Lib. de Cain & Abel.  
Fides radix omnium virtutum, & quod super hoc fundamentum aedificaveris, hoc solum ad operis tui, fructus & virtutis proficit mercedem.   

August. de verbis Domini.  
Nullae maiores Divitiae, nulli Thesauri, nulli Honores, nulla huius mundi maior est substantia, quàm est Fides Catholica, quae peccatores, homines saluat, Coecos illuminat, Infirmos curat, Cathecuminos baptizat, Fideles justificat, penitentes reparat, justos augmentat, martyrs coronat, Virgines, & Viduas, & Coniugales casto pudore conseruat, Clericos ordinat, sacerdotes consecrat, in haereditate aeterna cum Sanctis Angelis collocat.   

Ambr. Lib. 1. Officiorum.  
Liquet in bello fidem, & justitiam observari oportere, fundamentum enim justitiae est Fides.   

August. de Fide ad Petrum.  
Hoc est humanae salutis initium sine hoc nemo ad filiorum Dei numerum potest pertingere vel pervenire, sine hoc omnis labor hominis vacuus est.    

Conscientia.  

2. Corinth. 1.  
Gloria nostra haec est, testimonium Conscientiae nostrae, quod in simplicitate cordis, & sinceritate Dei & non in s●pientia Carnali, sed in gratia Dei conversati sumus in hoc mundo.   

Hugo. Lib. de Anima Cap. 9  
Conscientia bona, titulus est Religionis, Templum Salamonis, Ager Benedictionis, Hortus Delitiarum, Aureum Declinatorium, Gaudium Angelorum, Arca Foederis, Thesaurus Regis, Aula Dei, Habitaculum Spiritus Sancti, Liber signatus, & clasus, & in die judicij aperiendus.   

Bernardus in Libro de Conscientia.  
Bona Conscientia quotidiè virescit, laboribus non affligitur, denique afficit gaudio viventem consolatur morientem, aeternumque durat.    

Misericordia.  

Luc. 6.  
Estote Misericordes: sicut & pater vester Misericors est.   

proverb. 2.  
Misericordia & veritas custodiunt Regem, & roboratur clementia Thronus eius.   

Chrysost. super Matheum.  
Misericordia est Salutis praesiduum, Fidei ornamentum, Propitiatio peccatorum: haec est quae justos probat, Sanctos roborat, Dei Cultores ostentat.  
Misericordiae virtus tanta est, ut sine illa, coeterae, et si sint, prodesse non possunt.  
Quamuis enim aliquis Fidelis sit & castus, & sobrius, & alijs maioribus ornatus insignibus, si Misericors tamen non est, Misericordiam non meretur.   

August. de servo. Domini.  
Beati illi qui subveniunt miseris quoniam eis rependitur, ut per Misericordiam Domini de miseria liberentur. Nam id ipsum videtur justum, ut qui à potentiore adiwari vult, adiwet inferiorem, in quo est ipse potentior.   

Cassi. in Epist.  
Benigni Principis est, ad clementiae commodum transilire terminos Acquitatum, quando sola est Misericordia: Cui omnes virtutes honorabiliter cedere non recusant.    

Veritas.  

Psal. 116.  
Veritas magna est, & fortior prae omnibus. Omnis terra Veritatem invocat: Veritas Domini manet in aeternum.   

Eccle.  
Non contradicas verbo Veritatis vllo modo, & de Mendatio Ineruditionis tuae confundere.   

Bernard. in Serm.  
Veritas sola liberat, sola saluat, sola lavat.   

Bernard. de Gra. Humana.  
Cum sint tres gradus, seu status Veritatis, ad Primum ascendimus per laborem Humilitatis: ad secundum per affectum Compassionis: In primo Veritas reperietur severa: In secundo, Pia: In Tertio, Pura. Ad Primum ratio ducit, qua nos discutimus. ad secundum affectus producit, quo alijs miseremur ad Tertium puritas rapit, qua ad invisibilia sublevamur.   

Christ, de Laudibus Pau, Hom. 3.  
Talis est condito Falsitatis, vel Erroris, ut etiam nullo sibi adsistente consenescat, ac defluat. Talis autem è diverso Veritatis status, ut etiam multis impugnantibus suscitetur & crescat.   

Seneca. in Epist.  
Magna est Veritas, quae contra omnium Ingenia, Caliditatem, Solertiam, & contra fictas hominum Insidias facilè se per seipsum defendit.    

Castitas.  

Timoth. 5. & Sapien. 4.  
Teipsum Castum custodi. O quàm pulchra est Casta Generatio cum Claritate. Immortalis est enim Gloria illius: quoniam & apud Deum nota est, & apud homines.   

Corinth. 7.  
Qui Matrimonio iungit, Virginem suam benè facit: & qui non iungit melius facit.   

Cypri. de xii Abusionibus.  
Castitas est ornamentum Nobilium Exaltatio Humilium, Nobilitas Ignobilium Pulchritudo Vilium, Solamen Merentium. Augmentum omnis Pulchritudinis, Decus Religionis, Minoratum Criminum quàm Angelorum. Angeli enim sine Carne viwnt: Virgines verò in Carne triumphant.   

August.  
Virginitas est Soror Angelorum Regina Virturum, Possessio omnium bonorum.    

Virtus.  

johan. Epist, 3 Cap. 1.  
Qui benefacit, ex Deo est: qui malefacit non videt Deum.   

August. in Epist, ad Macedonium.  
In hac vita Virtus non est, nisi diligere quod diligendum est: id diligere, prudentia est: nullis inde averti molestijs Fortitudo: nullis Illecibris temperantia est, nulla Superbia, justitia est.   

Sene. Epist.  
Virtus extollit hominem, & super Astra Mortales collocat.   

Sen. in Epist. 75  
Virtus, Regna, Vrbes, Provincias temperat, fert Leges, colit Amicitias. Non minor est si ex altiore fastigio, in privatum, ex Regio in humilem subducitur, ex Publico, ex spatioso Rure, in angustus Domos, 〈◊〉 Angulos coit.   

Cicero in Lib. Amicitiae in Princi.  
Virtute ipsa non tam multi pred●ti esse, quàm videri volunt. Hos delectat assentatio.   

Boetius.  
imperant, florenteque nequitia Virtus non solum Premijs caret, verumetiam Sceleratorum pedibus subiecta calcatur, & in loco Facinorum supplicia luit.  
Post Cineres Virtus vivere sola facit: virtus nullius Fortunae Incommodis obnoxia.    
¶ FINIS.   

IMPRINted at London, in Fleetstreet, by William How. 1571.