A PRECIOUS BOOK OF HEAVENLY MEDITATIONS, called A private talk of the soul with GOD: Which who so zealously will use and peruse, shall feel in his mind an unspeakable sweetness of the everlasting happiness: Written (as some think) by that reverend, and religious Father S. AUGUSTINE; and not translated only, but purified also, and with most ample, and necessary sentences of holy Scripture adorned, by THOMAS ROGERS.  Psal. 119, verse. 113. I hate vain inventions: but thy Law do I love. 
Printed at London by H. Denham, dwelling in Pater noster Row, at the sign of the Star. 1581.  
Cum privilegio Regiae Maiestatis.   

  

To the honourable Master THOMAS WILSON, Doctor of the Civil laws; one of her majesties principal Secretaries, and of the most honourable privy Counsel: Grace and peace in our Saviour Christ.  
AMong Christians it is & hath been for long continuance an ancient custom, Honourable, at this time, and at this day commonly of the year, either to purchase favour, if they have none; or to confirm friendship, which they have, with gifts and presents. Hence both high estates, to them of low calling; and mean persons, to their betters; and every friend to his well-willer lightly will send some token, if his ability do serve of a friendly heart and affection.  
In the day two special things are to be observed. One is, that our Saviour Christ was circumcised hereupon; another that the new year beginneth now. If we show arguments of love one toward another, for that we have perceived the love of our Saviour to us ward, by his nativity, circumcision, and suffering in the flesh for our sakes 
a 1. Pet. 2, verse. 21. ; doubtless our custom is a Christian custom: if otherwise, because the new year beginneth, we seek new love, or a renewing of old good will, it is a Civil custom; commendable in either respect, yet used in both, it better pleaseth God.  
I therefore hearing of the good opinion, which it hath pleased your Honour to conceive of me, have thought no time could be better than now, by some present both to thank your Honour for the same, and to crave the continuance thereof, till by evil demeanour I shall deserve the contrary.  
My gift which I do offer is for price of no great value; such as a poor Student may present. For as the Persians. 
b Aeliamus variae hist. lib. 1.  from the richest to the poorest, would gratify their Kings with gifts and rewards, some with gold, as Noble men; some with silk, and spices, as Merchant men; and some too with simple apples, and plums, and such like fruit, as Husbandmen, who had no better to give: So, though persons of Honour may give you gold and jewels; merchants velvet, silk, and spices; rich men costly rewards: yet can a poor laborer in the garden of Christian knowledge, give no better than such as he hath, apples and plums, even the fruit of his study, and travel.  
Notwithstanding, small for price though it be, I have good hope your Honour will accept it well in worth, both for the matter it containeth, which is so holy; and for the manner of handling the same by the auctor, which is so heavenly, that, in my judgement, neither Historia Animalium, which Aristotle gave unto Alexander the Great; nor that of Cicero De Republica, which Cardinal Poole sought after with the expense of 2000 crowns 
c R. Ascham joan. Sturmio, Epist, l. 1. p. 37. b.  Nor finally those sibyllian works, that Tarquin. Priscus bought full dearly of Amalthea 
d Lactant. de falsa sap. cap. 6. , are so profound for knowledge; nor many big volumes of Philosophy, for method so exquisite; nor all the books of humanity, so necessary for use, as it is.  
Which I do write, neither to dissuade any from the reading of those, nor to persuade your Honour, to conceive well of this book. For I verily do think, that both they are commendable, yea, and necessary too, applied to their due ends; and that your Honour conceiveth better of this, than I by writing can express, being, as you are, for your wisdom, an honourable counselor; for your learning, a reverend Doctor; by your sundry good, & necessary books, a famous Writer; and for your zeal, a valiant oppugner of sin and wickedness.  
But as I think thereof myself: so do I write. In which respect I have not shunned pains to adorn the same with places of holy Scripture. For, seeing the book, by perusing it to mine unspeakable both profit and pleasure, to savour most fragrantly of the flowers and sentences not of human, that is vane wisdom, but of God's holy word; and to be as holy for phrase, as for matter holy; being wholly taken out of the holy Scripture: me thought were the places of Scripture annexed in the margin, it would be ● quick spur, not only unto the true Christians zealously to read this ancient and godly Father, when they should see all his sentences in a manner to be nothing but very Scripture; but also unto Papists, who, neglecting Scripture cleave overmuch unto this, and other Fathers of the Church, to read the Scriptures, when they should perceive all his delight to be in using the very words of the holy Ghost.  
Wherefore both for the bringing the Scripture into more credit with all Papists; and this holy Father with some Protestants; and his method, and manner of handling the Scriptures, to be a perpetual monument of imitation unto both, I have added the places (the more willingly through the earnest instigation of some godly persons, especially of the Printer hereof, whose good nature, and zeal, as it is not unknown to your Honour, so is it well known to the Church of Christ, by his careful, and orderly imprinting good books) and now have published my doings under the protection of your honour.  
Which my pains, if I shall perceive to be well taken of the godly, chiefly of your wisdom, I purpose, God assisting me, to proceed in setting forth after this same order, not only the authors Manuel and Meditations, but also divers and sundry of S. Augustine his works beside: that the very Papists may see, though they know it well enough already, that Augustino plurimùm tribuamus, as it is well given out of us 
e R. Ascham. joan. Sturmio. li. 1. Epist. pag 16. b. .  
But, me thinks, I hear some adversaries among themselves on this wise speaking, His quoting we condemn not, and his translating we allow, but by his presumptuous parting of Sentences, and correcting such a Doctor, he plainly showeth, that he is by the one over-curious, and by the other a rank Heretic.  
May it therefore please your Honour to hear my reasons of doing what I have done, the which if your wisdom do like, I shall not weigh, what any either Zoilus of envy, or adversary of malice will think.  
Touching my parting of the sentences, I did it upon these occasions: First, to imitate those good Books out of which they were borrowed, that is, the sacred Scripture. For surely, in mine opinion, ●t were not well, the Book being most notably derived out of the pure fountains of Gods holy word, if it were set forth in any other form, than is the spring from which it flowed.  
secondly, that the Reader might the more sensibly perceive the mind and method of the auctor. For, I dare say it, by this parting or severing of the sentences, a more clear light of the authors mind will appear to him, who gladly would understand the same, than when they are confounded, or not parted.  
thirdly, to offer cause of deep contemplation to the zealous Christian. For there is no sentence almost throughout the Book, which is vane, but most heavenly, and able to make even him who is farthest from Christianity, to occupy his mind with holy and deep meditations. Therefore, albeit they can be placed in no form amiss, yet then best do they profit, and move the mind, when they are parted.  
Last of all, for the better disposing the places of Scripture by the Printer, I have divided the sentences. For had the Book been printed in that letter which other Books of Meditations, set forth by me, are done withal, as I thought it would, then should the places, they are so plentiful, never have stood in good form, nor sight, as in some part of this Book may appear, notwithstanding the letter be very great, in mine eye, for so small a volume.  
Now concerning the second point, it stood me upon, both for my own credit, and also for the behoof of others, to leave somewhat out. For had I not so done, I should have said, that the hands of GOD, Manus inquam illae quae affixae clavis sunt pro me 
f Soliloq. cap. 2. , did make me: I should have said, that the light which was made, when God said, Let there be light, was Angelica scilicet natura 
g Soliloq. cap. 8. : I should have said, that the Angels, as for divers other ends, so for this are appointed, Vt orationes filiorum Dei offerant in conspectu maiestatis suae 
h Soliloq. cap. 27. . I should have said, that the same Angels do bring Gemitus nostros atque suspiria ad Deum, ut impetrent nobis facilem Dei benignitatis propitiationem, & referant ad nos desideratam save gratiae benedictionem 
i Soliloq. cap. 27. : I should have said, that our Saviour descended into Hell, Vti sedebant in tenebris patres nostri 
k Soliloq. cap. 32. : I should have said, that Christ ascended, Assumpta secum ex inferis captivitate, quam captivauerat antiquus ille hostis, humani generis inimicus 
1 Soliloq. cap. 32. : finally, I should have said, that we ought to doubt, An ad portum salutis pervenire valeamus 
m Soliloq. cap. 35. , quia omnia infuturum reseruantur incerta: and so where my purpose was to edify, I should have destroyed the souls of the weak with erroneous opinions. Beside, I should have cooled the zeal even of the strongest, when thinking to proceed in holy meditation, they should find such stumbling blocks of error cast in their way. And therefore did I judge it better to leave them quite out, though it grieve the Papists, than to leave them in, either to the destruction of some, or to the offence of any good Christian: marveling much why in other English translations this matter hath not been looked unto ere this, and these faults not wholly, as in part they be, amended.  
And here I beseech your Honour, even for God's glory; the furtherance of the Gospel; and commodity of this land; that among all abuses which you study to reform, as a godly Magistrate, and aught to inform her Majesty of, as a prudent counselor, you would remember the hurt that cometh by corrupt books in our English tongue. First, they infect the minds of the simple; secondarily, they offend the godly; and thirdly, they confirm the obstinate, and the more a great deal, because they are allowed by public authority, and not either diligently corrected, or orderly forbidden.  
Again, call into mind those books which do more hurt than they, namely, the enchantments of Circe's brought out of Italy, and such ungracious works, either translated out of Italian into English, or imitating wholly the Italian invention. Ten Sermons at Paul's Cross 
n Master Ascham in his Schoolmaster. book. 1. pag. 26. , do not so much good for moving men to true doctrine, as one of those books do harm, with enticing men to ill living. Yea, I say further, those books tend not so much to corrupt honest living, as they do to subvert true religion. more Papists be made by your merry books of Italy, than by your earnest books of Louvain. This foresee subtle Papists. 
Pag. 27.  Therefore when the busy & open Papists abroad could not by their contentious books, turn men in England fast enough from truth and right judgement in doctrine, than the subtle and secret Papists at home, procured bawdy books to be translated out of the Italian tongue, whereby overmany young wills and wits alured to wantonness, do now boldly contemn all severe books that sound to honesty, and godliness. 
Pag. 27. b.  Which books open, not fond & common ways to vice, but such subtle, cunning, new, and divers shifts to carry young wills unto vanity, and young wits unto mischief, to teach old bawds new school points, as the simple head of an English man is not able to invent, nor never was heard of in England before, yea when papistry overflowed al. Suffer these books to be read, and they will soon displace all books of godly learning: for they caring the wit unto vanity, and marring good manners, shall easily corrupt the mind with ill opinions, and false judgement in doctrine: first to think ill of all true religion, and at last to think nothing of God himself. And that which is most to be lamented, and therefore more needful to be looked unto, there be more of these ungracious books set out in print within these few months, than have been seen in England many score years. And because our English men made Italians cannot hurt, but certain persons, and in certain places, therefore these Italian books are made English, to bring mischief enough openly and boldly to alestates, great and mean, young and old, everywhere. So that now they be sold in every shop in London, 
Pag. 26, b.  commended by honest titles, the sooner to corrupt honest manners, dedicated over-boldlie to virivous and honourable personages, the easilier to beguile simple and innocent wits.  
These are the words, as your wisdom smelleth I am sure, not of a young wit, but of a grave head; nor of a mean Scholar, but of the best Schoolmaster that ever England bred, and therefore not lightly to be over passed, nor quickly to be forgotten, but with earnest endeavour oftentimes carefully to be recorded, as good counsel expressed from an hearty goodwill with rare eloquence, tending to the glory of God, and benefit of this our Country, that neither such as are well given may be alienated from virtue, nor those which are il bend, provoked unto wickedness, through bawdy, beastly, and blasphemous Books.  
Last of all, remember, I humbly once again in the bowels of jesus Christ beseech you, remember another abuse that hurteth more than both those which I have already mentioned; namely, profane Plays, publicly used, set forth as banners of open defiance to the Gospel, and godliness, & that upon Holidays, yea, and in those places to (I mean the Universities for learning, and London for resort) which ought to be the Lanterns of godliness unto all the land beside. Preachers even the gravest for wisdom and years; and the greatest for zeal and knowledge; & not the smallest for authority, everywhere cry out upon them so zealously with such grief of heart, that they are even tired again with crying. Doctors condemn them 
o Cyril. Catech. 1. Mystag. Tertul. lib de Spect. : By shops writ against them 
p Saluianus inventor of the 2. blast of retreat from plays. : yea & the best authors in these days of those wanton, yea wicked toys are quite out of love with them, & ashamed of their doings 
q Auctor of the 3. blast of retreat from plays: and also the auctor of the School of abuse. . Oh that the Magistrate, our sovereign Magistrate I mean, would utterly forbid them publicly to be used, that the common people might not haunt them, and all should be well!  
But to return to my purpose from which I have digressed, these errors, I fear me, have caused many to doubt, whether S. Augustine were the auctor of this book; but being left out, as now they are, I cannot see, why S. Augustine might not make the same, the matter is so heavenly, prayers; the words so holy, Scripture; every thing so wisely, orderly, excellently done by the auctor, that he must needs be a most excellent man, whosoever made the same, and a more excellent than S. Augustine among the Doctors, I think was never none.  
Which being so, I trust I shall ●●t need to request your Honour 〈◊〉 accept this book in good part: 〈◊〉 to request your Honour to par●●n my boldness in dedicating my ●●ple doings, obscure, as I am, & 〈◊〉 person unknown to your Ho●●r, and to bear with my rude ●diousnes, and tedious rudeness, ●aue great need; and so I hum●●ie do.  
The Lord almighty, and King 〈◊〉 glory, who hath cast the eyes 〈◊〉 his gracious countenance upon ●●u, abide with you for evermore, and with this new year power upon your Honour a new increase of his heavenly blessings, Amen.  
The first of januarie, An. 1581. At your honours commandment, Tho. Rogers.   

A precious Book of holy Meditations, written by that reverend Father, S. Augustine, which he calleth his private talk with God.  

Chap. 1.  
Of the unspeakable sweetness of God.  
O Lord, which knowest me 
a 1. Sam. 16 verse. 7. Psalm. 7, 9 Acts. 15, 8. , give me grace to know thee 
b Wis. 15, 3 john. 17, 3. ; to know thee, even ●he strength of my soul 
c 2. Sam. 22, verse. 3. Psal. 18, 2. .  
O my comforter 
d 2. Co. 1, 3 Rom. 15, 5. , show me ●hy self; let me see thee, o ●●ght of mine eyes 
e john. 1, 4. 9 james. 1, 17 .  
Come, o thou mirth of my spirit; let me see thee, the joy ●f mine heart 
f Psal. 119, verse 111. ; & love thee, the ●erie life of my soul 
g Ecc. 23, 4. john. 14, 6. .  
Come in my presence, o my sovereign delight 
h Sal. song. 1, ve. 6, etc. , my swee● solace 
i Wisd. 16, verse. 21. Rom. 15, 5. , o my Lord God 
k Ex. 15, 2. Psalm. 7, 1. 3. Matth. 4, 7. 10. , my life 
l Ecc. 23, 4. Colos. 3, 4. , and the whole glory o● my soul 
m Psa. 62, 7. judit. 15, 9 .  
Let me find thee, o min● hearts desire 
n Psa. 42, 1. 2. ; let me hold thee whom my soul doth love 
o Sal. songs 3, verse. 3.  〈◊〉 O celestial bridegroom 
p Eph. 5, 22. 23. reve. 21, 2. , le● me embrace thee, o my sou●● reign comfort, both inward and outward, let me possess● thee, o everlasting bliss 
q 1. john. 5, verse. 12. , ye● in the mids of mine heart 
r Gal. 2, 20.  〈◊〉 me possess thee, o blessed li●● 
s john. 11, verse. 15. john. 14, 6. , o surpassing sweetness 
t Psal. 34, 8.  〈◊〉 my soul.  
Let me love thee, o Lord 〈◊〉 strength 
u 2. Sam. 22 verse. 2. 3. , my fortress, my refuge, and my Saviour. Let me love thee, o my GOD, 〈◊〉 helper 
x Psal. 18, ve. 1, 2, & 3. , mine high tower, a●● mine hope 
y Psa. 61, 3.  in all my trouble.  
Let me embrace thee, eu●● goodness itself 
z Matt. 19, verse. 17. Luk. 18, 19 ; without whom nothing is good; let me enjoy thee the very best 
a jam. 1, 17 ; without whom nothing is best.  
O word 
b john. 1, 1. 2. , more sharper than ●nie two edged sword 
c Heb. 4, 12 , open ●hou the secret parts of mine ears, that I may hear thy voice 
d Prou. 2, 1. 2. john. 10, 3. .  
Thunder, o Lord, from hea●en 
e Psa. 18, 3.  with a loud and mighty voice. Let the sea roar, and all ●hat therein is 
f 1. Chr. 16, verse. 32. ; let the earth be moved, and all that is in it.  
Lighten mine eyes 
g Psa. 13, 3. , o incomprehensible light 
h john. 1, 5. ; cast ●orth thy lightning, and scatter ●hem 
i Ps. 144, 6. Psal. 18, 14. , that they regard no vanity 
k Psal. 119, verse. 37. .  
Increase thy lightning 
l Ps. 18, 14. 15. , and ●●atter them, that the fountains ●f water may appear, and the ●●undations of the world be discovered.  
(O light invisible), give me sight 
m Psa. 119, verse. 18.  to see thee. Create a new smelling, o favour of life 
n 2. Cor. 2, verse. 15. 16. , that I may run after thee through the savour of thy ointments 
o Sal. songs 1, verse. 2. 3. . heal my tasting, that I may taste, know, and discern how great thy goodness is 
p Ps. 31, 19 , o Lord, which thou hast laid up for them, who are filled with thy love 
q Deu. 6, 5. Matt. 22, 37 .  
Give me an heart, that may think on thee 
r Prou. 2, 1. 2, etc. ; a mind, that may love thee 
s Mark. 12, verse. 29. 30. ; a soul, that may remember thee 
t Deut. 6, 6. 7. ; an understanding, to know thee 
u Deut. 30, verse. 11. 12, etc. ; and reason, always to stick fast unto thee 
x Matt. 10. verse. 37. 38, etc. , the most sovereign delight 
y Rom. 8, verse. 35. 36, etc. Philip. 3, 7. 8. . Let wise love favour thee wisely 
z Deu. 13, 3 .  
O life 
a john. 11, verse. 25. , for whom all things live 
b 1. Cor. 3, verse. 22. 23. ; o life, which givest me life 
c joh. 6, 57 ; o life, which art my life 
d joh. 14, 6. ▪ by which I live 
e Act. 17, 28. , without which I die. O life, which raisest me to life 
f john. 21, verse. 25. , without which I perish; o life, whereby I rejoice, without which I am pensive; o lively, sweet, and lovely life, always to be thought upon, where art thou 
g Sal. song. 1, verse. 6. Sal. songs. 5 verse. 6. , I beseech thee? where may I find thee, that I may faint in myself, and depend on thee?  
O my love, be thou nigh in my mind, nigh in mine heart, nigh in my mouth, nigh in mine ears, nigh to aid me 
h Ps. 44, 23. 24. Psa. 69, 17. 18. . For I languish through love 
i Sal. songs. 5, verse. 8. ; for without thee, alas, I die; but when I think on thee, I revive again.  
Thy savour refresheth me 
k Sa. songs. 1, verse. 2. , thy remembrance healeth me; yet shall I not be satisfied 
l Psa. 17, 15 , till thy glory appeareth 
m Col. 3, 4. , o thou life of my soul 
n Ecc. 23, 4. .  
My soul longeth, yea and fainteth 
o Psa. 84, 2.  through the remembrance of thee; when shall I come, and appear before thy presence 
p Psa. 42, 2. , o my joy 
q judi. 15, 9 !  
Wherefore hidest thou thy face 
r job. 13, verse. 24. , o my delight by whom I rejoice 
s Luke. 10, verse. 20. ?  
O thou fair on whom I so desire 
t Psal. 42, 1. 2. , where hast thou hid thyself 
u Sal. songs 5, verse. 6. 7, etc. ? Thy scent I feel, therefore do I live, and am somewhat comforted; but thee I see not. I hear thy voice, and I take heart again.  
But wherefore hidest thou thy face 
x job. 13. verse. 24. ? Happily thou wilt say, No man shall see me and live 
y Ex. 33, 20 . Oh than Lord, o that I were dead, so I might see thee; o let me see thee, that I may die even here. I will not live, die I would, yea I desire to be loased & to be with Christ 
z Phi. ●, 23. ; I desire to die that I may see Christ; I refuse to live, that I may live with Christ 
a 2. Tim. 2, verse. 11. .  
O Lord jesus, receive my spirit 
b Act. 7, 59 ; o my life 
c joh. 14, 6. , take my soul; my joy, draw my heart unto thee; my sweet food 
d joh. 6, 54. 55, etc. , let me eat thee 
e Mark. 14, verse. 22. ; mine head 
f 1. Cor. 11, verse. 3. Ephe. 5, 23.  direct me; light of mine eyes 
g john. 1, 9  enlighten me; o my comfort, rejoice me; my saviour 
h 2. Cor. 2, verse. 16.  quicken me; o Word of God 
i john. 1, 1.  refresh me; my praise 
k Ex. 15, 2. Deu. 10, 20. 21.  comfort the soul of thy servant 
l Psal. 86, 4. . Enter thereinto, o my joy, that it also may joy in thee 
m Psal. 4, 4. ; Enter thereinto, o sovereign sweetness, that it may savour those things which are sweet; o light eternal 
n john. 1, 5.  shine thou over it; that it may understand thee, know thee 
o joh. 17, 3. , and love thee 
p Ps. 40, 16. john. 8, 42. joh. 14, 15. 21, etc. .  
For the cause, o Lord, why it loveth thee not, is, because it knows thee not, and it knoweth thee not, because it perceives thee not; it perceiveth thee not, because it comprehendeth not thy light, which doth shine in darkness 
q john. 1, 5. , and the darkness comprehendeth it not.  
O light of the mind 
r john. 1, 4. john. 12, 35 36. ; o lightsome truth; o true light, which inlightnest every man that cometh into this world 
s john. 1, 9 : indeed that cometh into the world, but not which loveth the world 
t 1. john. 2, verse. 15. . For whosoever is a friend of the world 
u jam. 4, 4.  is an enemy to God.  
O drive away the darkness 
x Gen. 1, 2.  from the deep of my mind, that it may see thee, by understanding thee; and know thee, by comprehending thee; and love thee, by knowing thee. For whosoever knoweth thee, doth love thee 
y john. 14, verse. 15. 16. 17. ; he forgets himself 
z Luk. 9, 23 24. ; and loves thee more than himself 
a Matt. 10, verse. 37. 38. 39 ; yea, he forsaketh himself, and cometh unto thee, that in thee alone he may rejoice 
b 1. Cor. 1, verse. 31. .  
Hence then is it, o Lord, that I love thee not as I ought to do, even because I know thee not so perfectly, as I should 
c 1. Cor. 13 verse. 9 10. ; and because I have but little knowledge of thee, I love thee but little; and for that I love thee but little, I do little rejoice in thee 
d 1. Cor. 1, verse. 31. . But departing from thee the true and inward joy unto outward, while I lack thee, I seek feigned comforts in these outward things 
e 1. john. 2, verse. 15. 16. . And so wretch that I am, that which with my whole heart, and with all my mind 
f Deut. 6, 5. Matt. 22, 37 Mark. 12, verse. 29. 30.  I should have surrendered unto thee alone, that have I given to vanities; and so through loving vanity 
g Psal. 4, 2. , I am become vane.  
Hence also it is, that I rejoice not in thee 
h Phili. 4, 4. , nor cleave to thee 
i Deut. 10, verse. 20. , o Lord, even because I delight in outward, thou in inward 
k Ioh 4, 23. 24. ; I in temporal, thou in spiritual joys: I am in mind distracted, in thought occupied, in talk snarled about transitory things; and thou inhabitest the eternity 
l Esa. 57, 15 , and art everlastingness itself 
m Bar. 4, 10. 14. 2. Mach. 1, verse. 24. 25. : Thou art in heaven 
n 1. King. 8, verse. 30. 32. Matth. 6, 9 , I on earth; thou lovest things on high 
o Col. 3, 1. 2. , I base things below; thou heavenly, I terrestrial. And how then may these contraries agree together 
p 2. Cor. 6, verse. 15. 16, etc. !   

Chap. 2.  
Of the misery and frailty of man.  
O Wretched man that I am 
a Ro. 7, 24. , when shal● my crookedness be made even to thy straightness 
b Hos 14, verse. 10. ?  
Lord, thou lovest solitariness 
c Matt. 6, 5. 6. , and I company; thou silence 
d Esaie. 32, verse. 17. , & I noise; thou truth 
e Ps. 25, 10. , and I vanity 
f Gen. 6, 5. Mat. 15, 19 ; thou purity 
g job. 15, verse. 15. job. 25, 4. 5. 6. , and I follow filthiness 
h Esa. 64, 6. .  
And what more, Lord? Thou art perfectly good 
i Ps. 118, 1. 29. jere. 33, 11. Mat. 19, 16. 17. , I am evil 
k Goe 8, 21. Rom. 3, 10. 11, etc. ; thou art godly 
l Reu. 15, 4. , I am wicked 
m 1. King. 3 verse. 46. ; thou art holy 
n Leu. 19, 2 1. Sam. 2, 2. Esaie. 6, 3. Reu. 6, 10. , I am wretched 
o 1. joh. 1, 8, 10. ; thou art righteous 
p Psal. 119, verse. 137. Dan. 9, 14. Reu. 16, 5. , I am sinful 
q Ec. 7, 22. ; thou art the light 
r Mica. 7, 8. john. 1, 4, 9 john. 8, 12. 1. joh. 1, 5, 7. , I am blind; thou art the life 
s john. 11, 25. joh. 14, 25. , I am dead; thou the physician 
t Matt. 9, 12, 13. , I am sick; thou the joy 
u judith. 15, 9 , I am sorrow; thou the sovereign truth 
x john. 14, 6. , I nothing but vanity, as all men living be 
y Psa. 39, 5. Psal. 62, 9 Wisd. 13, 1. .  
Alas therefore, o my Creator 
z Deut. 32, 18. Eccle. 12, 〈◊〉. , what shall I say? Listen, o my Creator; I am thy creature 
a 2. Esdr. 8, 7, 8, 9 , and am now cast away; I am thy creature, and now do I die; I am thy creature 
b Ps. 13, 95. 13. 14. , and am now destroyed.  
Thy workmanship I am. Thy hands have made me 
c Psal. 119, verse. 73. , and fashioned me.  
O Lord, despise not the work of thine hands 
d Ps. 138, 8 ; respect the wounds of thine own hands, I beseech thee.  
Lo, thou hast written me upon the palm of thine hands 
e Esa. 49, 16 : o Lord God, read that writing, and save me.  
Behold, I thy creature sigh after thee 
f Psa. 42, 1. 2. ; thou art my Creator 
g Gen. 1, 26 27. Wisd. 2, 23. , oh make me new again 
h Ps. 51, 10. . Behold, I thy workmanship, cry unto thee 
i judg. 10, verse. 10. Psal. 28, 1. joël. 1, 14. 19 ; thou art the life 
k joh. 14, 6. , oh quicken me again 
l Psal. 119, verse. 25. 37. 40. 88 . Behold, I thy handy work look upon thee 
m Esa. 17, 7. ; thou art my maker, oh repair me again. Spare me, o Lord, for my days are but vanity 
n job. 7, 16. .  
What is man that he should talk unto GOD his maker! Spare me, o God, speaking unto thee. Be not angry with thy servant 
o Gen. 18, verse. 30. 32.  for presuming to talk with so mighty a Lord. Necessity hath no law. Grief compels me to speak; and the misery which I endure, enforceth me to cry out.  
Sick I am, I cry unto the physician; blind I am, I hasten to the light; I am dead, and I sigh for life. Thou art the physician 
p Mat. 9,12. 13. ; thou art the light 
q joh. 8, 12. 1. john. 1, 5. 7. ; the life thou art 
r joh. 14, 6. , o jesus of Nazareth 
s Matt. 26, verse, 71. Mark. 1. 24. .  
Have mercy upon me, o son of David 
t Mat. 9, 27. Mark. 10, verse. 47. ; o fountain of mercy 
u Psa. 36, 9 , have mercy upon me; and hearken to the diseased which crieth for thine help.  
O light passing by, look upon the blind; stretch forth thine hand unto him, that he may come unto thee, and see the light in thy light 
x Psa. 36, 9 . O life living everlastingly 
y Luk. 1, 33 , call again the dead unto life.  
But what am I that speaketh unto thee? Woe is me, Lord; spare me, o Lord 
z job. 7, 16. ; I, alas, I am even an rotten carcase 
a Esa. 14, 19 ; the meat of worms 
b Esa. 51, 8. ; a loathsome vessel; even matter for fire 
c Matt. 25. verse. 41. Luk. 13, 27. .  
What am I that speaketh unto thee? Woe is me, Lord; o Lord, spare me, a wretched man 
d Rom. 7, verse. 24. : A man indeed, borne of a woman 
e job. 14, 1. , of short continuance, and full of trouble; a man indeed, made like to vanity 
f Ps. 144, 4. ; compared to the foolish beasts 
g Ps. 49, 12. 20. ; and now in very deed like to them.  
And what am I more? a dark dungeon; miserable earth 
h Ecc. 10, 9 12. Ecc. 17, 33. ; the child of wrath 
i Ephe. 2, 3. ; a vessel of dishonour 
k Rom. 9, verse. 21. 22. ; begotten in uncleanness 
l Psa. 51, 5. ; living in wretchedness 
m job. 14, 1 ; dying in distress.  
Out upon me wretch, what am I? Alas what shall become of me, that am a vessel of filthiness; a coffin of rottenness; replenished with stinch, & loathsomeness; blind, poor, naked, subject to very many troubles; ignorant both when I came, into the world, and when I shall departed 
n Gen. 27, 2 Eccle. 9, 12. Mat. 24, 44. Revel. 3, 3. ; miserable 
o job. 14, 1. , and mortal 
p Ro. 6, 12. 2. Cor. 4, 11 ; whose days pass away like a shade 
q 1. Chr. 29, verse. 15. Psa. 102, 11 ; whose life vanisheth like the moon light; now growing like a flower 
r job. 14, 2. Psa. 103, 15 Esaie. 40, 6. 7. 8.  on the tree, and by and by withering; flourishing now, fading by and by?  
My life, I say, is a frail life, a fleeting life 
s job. 7, 6. 7. ; a life, that the more it lengtheneth, the shorter it waxeth; the more it increaseth, the nigher it draweth towards death; a life transitory, and deceitful, replenished with the snares of death 
t Psal. 18, 5. .  
Now am I jocund, anon sad; now strong, anon sick; now alive, anon dead; now I seem happy, but am always miserable; now merry, anon mourning. And so are all things subject unto mutability, that nothing continueth at a stay one whole hour together.  
Hence fear, thence trembling; hence hunger, thence thirst; thence cold, hence heat; hence faintness, thence sorrow springeth, and after all these followeth untimely death, which suddenly doth carry miserable men away after a thousand ways.  
This man it killeth with sickness, that man it oppresseth with sorrow; this man it famisheth with hunger, that man with thirst it dispatcheth; this man it chokes with waters, that man it strangleth with an halter. One man it consumeth by fire, another it devoureth by wild beasts; with sword it slayeth another; another it corrupteth with poison; and with some terrible fear it dispatcheth some other miserable man.  
And yet there is a great misery beside all this: and that is: although nothing be more certain than death, yet woteth not man when he shall departed 
u Gen. 27, 2 Psal. 39, 4. ●. Eccle. 9,1. : and then takes he a fall, and loseth his hope 
x job. 8, 13. Pro. 10, 28.  when in his own judgement he stood full sure. For man cannot tell either when, or where, or how he shall die: yet is it appointed that he shall die 
y Heb. 9, 27 .  
Now see, Lord, how great is man's wretchedness, wherein I am, & yet fear not; how much the misery that I endure, and yet neither am troubled thereat, nor do cry unto thee? But, Lord, I will cry unto thee before I pass away, if happily I may abide in thee, & not pass away.  
I will tell then, I will tell my misery; yea I will confess my vileness before thee, and not be ashamed.  
O my fortitude 
z Exo. 15, 2. Psal. 43. 2. Esaie. 49, 5. , by whom I am upholden, help me, assist me, o my strength 
a Psa. 18, 1. 2.  by whom I am sustained; Come light 
b john. 1, 4. 9  through which I see, appear glory 
c Psal. 3. 3. Psal 62, 7.  through which I rejoice; and life 
d joh. 14, 6.  wherein I shall live, manifest thyself, o Lord my God 
e Ps. 104, 35 Esaie. 25, 1. .   

Chap. 3.  
Of God's wonderful light.  
O Light which Tobit saw, when though blind 
a Tob. 2, 9, 10. , he taught his son the way of life 
b Tob. 4, 3. 4, etc. ! O light which Izhak saw inwardly, when though outwardly blind 
c Gen. 27, 1 , he told his son what was to come 
d Goe 27, 28 29. . O light, I say, invisible, to which all the depth of man's heart is visible 
e 1. King. 8, verse. 39 1. Chr. 28, 9 Eccl. 42, 18. 1. Cor. 4, 5. Reu. 2, 23. . O light which jacob saw, when according to thine inward instruction, he foretold 
f Gen. 49, 1. 2. 3, etc.  what outwardly should happen to his sons.  
Behold darkness is upon the face of the deep 
g Gen. 1, 2.  of my mind, y● art light 
h Luk. 2, 32. james. 1, 17 ; Lo, a misty dimness is upon the waters of mine heart, but thou art the truth 
i joh. 14, 6. .  
O word by whom all things were made 
k john. 1, 3. , & without which nothing was made. O word, which art before all things 
l Pro. 8, 22. 23. 24, etc. Wisd. 9, 9 Eccle. 24, 5. 6, etc. 12. , & before which was nothing. O word creating all things 
m john. 1, 3 Hebr. 11, 3. , without which all things are nothing. O word governing all things 
n Hebr. 1, 2. 3. , without which all things are nought worth. O word which in the beginning didst say, Let there be light, and there was light 
o Gen. 1, 3. : say likewise to me, Let there be light, and light shallbe made, and I shall see light 
p Psal. 36, 9  and discern all that is not light. For without thee I put darkness for light 
q Esa. 5, 20. , and light for darkness.  
And so without thee there is present for truth, error; for wisdom, foolishness; confusion & ignorance for knowledge; for sight, blindness; by-paths for the right way; for life, death.   

Chap. 4.  
The frailty of man's nature.  
Behold, my Lord, because there is no life, there is death; nay rather there is no death, because death is nothing. For thereby we come unto nought, while we dread not to make ourselves nought 
a jer. 10, 24  through sin.  
And that deservedly, o Lord. For when we come to nought like the running water 
b Psal. 58, 7 , we are recompensed according to our works: because without thee nothing was done 
c john. 1, 3. , and we by doing nothing, are made nothing. For without thee, by whom all things are made 
d Pro. 8, 23. 23, etc. Heb. 11, 3. , and without whom nothing was made 
e john. 1, 3. , (o Lord the word 
f 1 joh. 5, 7. Reu. 19, 11. 12. 13. , o God the word 
g john. 1, 1. 3.  by whom all things were made, without which was made nothing that was made) we are nothing.  
Woe is me wretch so often blinded; because thou art the light 
h Mica. 7, 8. john. 1, 4. 9 john. 8, 12. , and I am not with thee. Woe is me wretch so often wounded; because thou art salvation 
i Mat. 1, 21. Luke. 1, 31. Phili. 3, 20. 1. Tim. 4, 10 , & I am not with thee. Woe is me wretch so often infatuated; because thou art the truth 
k joh. 14, 6. , and I am not with thee. Woe is me wretch so often wandering, because thou art the way 
l joh. 14, 6. , and I am not with thee. Woe is me wretch so often dead; because thou art life 
m john. 11, verse. 25. john. 14, 6. , & I am not with thee. woe is me wretch so often brought to nothing; because thou art the word by which all things were made 
n john. 1, 9 10. , & yet I am not with thee, without whom nothing was made.  
O Lord the word 
o 1. ●oh. 5, 7 , o God the word 
p joh. 1, 1, 3 , who art the light 
q joh. 8, 12. 1. joh. 1, 5, 7 , by whom light was made 
r Gen. 1, 3. ; who art the way, the truth, and the life 
s joh. 14, 6. , in whom there is neither darkness 
t 1. joh. 1, 5. 6, 7. , error 
u Psal. 119, verse. 176. Esaie. 53, 6. , vanity 
x joh. 8, 44. 1. joh. 2, 21. 27. , nor death 
y 2. Ti. 1, 10 Hebr. 2, 14. 15. . The light without which all is darkness 
z Eph. 5, 7, 8 Colos 1, 12. 13. ; the way without which all is but by-paths 
a 1. Pe. 2, 25 ; the truth, without which all is but falsehood 
b Psal. 116, verse. 11. ; the life, without which every thing is death 
c Ro. 5, 12. .  
Speak the word Lord, let there be light 
d Gen. 1, 3. , that I may see the light 
e Psal. 36, 9 , and shun darkness; see the way, & shun bypaths; see the truth, and shun falsehood; see life, and shun death.  
enlighten me 
f Psal. 13, 3. , o Lord, my light 
g Psa. 27, 1. , my glory 
h Esa. 60, 19 20. Psal. 38, 22. , & my salvation; whom I will fear 
i Ecc. 34, 14 15, etc. ; my Lord, whom I will praise 
k Psa. 35, 18 Psal. 69, 30. ; my God, whom I will worship 
l Deut. 6, 13 Matt. 4, 10. ; my Father 
m Esaie. 63, verse. 16. Galat. 4, 5. 6, etc. , whom I will honour 
n Mal. 1, 6. Deut. 5, 16. ; & my spouse 
o Eph. 5, 23.  for whom I will keep myself.  
enlighten, o light, enlighten me poor soul sitting in darkness & in the shadow of death 
p Psal. 107, verse. 10. 14. Luke. 1, 79. , & direct my feet into the way of peace, that I may enter thereby into the place of thy glorious tabernacle, even to the house of God, with the voice of joy 
q Psal. 42, 4.  & thanksgiving. For true confession is the very way 
r Ro 10, 10.  whereby I may come unto thee the way, by which I may come out of by-paths, and go again unto thee the way. For thou art the true way unto life 
s joh. 14, 6. .   

Chap. 5.  
What is meant by becoming nothing.  
I Will confess therefore, o Father, LORD of Heaven and Earth 
a Matt. 11, verse. 27. , unto thee will I confess my wickedness 
b Psal. 32, 5. , that so I may attain unto thy mercy.  
I became wretched, and was brought unto nothing, yet knew I not so much; for thou art the truth 
c joh. 14, 6. , and I was not with thee. Mine iniquities did wound me 
d Ezra. 9, 7. Psal. 38, 4. 5. , yet was I not troubled; for thou art the life 
e joh. 14, 6. , and I was not with thee. They brought me unto nothing; for thou art the word 
f john. 1, 1. Hebr. 1, 2. 3. , & I was not with thee, by whom all things were made, without whom nothing was made 
g john. 1, 3. . And therefore being without thee I became nothing. For it is nothing which bringeth unto nothing.  
By the word all things were made 
h john. 1, 1. 2.  whatsoever was made, & after what form soever they were made.  
And God saw all that he had made 
i Gen. 1, 31. Eccl. 39, 16. 33. Mark. 7, 37. , & lo, it was exceeding good. All things that were made, were made by the word: than whatsoever things were made by the word, are exceeding good.  
Wherefore be they good? Because all things were made by the word; and without it was made nothing, that was made 
k john. 1, 3. . For nothing is good without the sovereign good.  
But whereas good is not, there is evil, which indeed is nothing, because evil is nought else, but the want of good: even as blindness is nought else, but the want of sight.  
Evil then is nothing, because it was made without the word, without which nothing was made 
1 john. 1, 1. 3. .  
And that is evil, which is deprived of that good, whereby all things that are, were made. But those things which be not, are not made by him. And therefore they are nothing.  
Then whatsoever was not made, are evil. Because all things that were made, were made by the word 
m john. 1, 1. 3. . And all which were made by the word, were exceeding good 
n Gen. 1, 31 Eccl. 39, 16. 33. : wherefore forsomuch as all things were made by the word, evil things were not made by it.  
So it remaineth, that whatsoever things were not made, are not good: for all things are good, which were made 
o Ec. 39, 16. 33. . Therefore the things not made, are evil: and so consequently nothing. Because without the word nothing was made 
p john. 1, 3. . Evil then is nothing, because it was not made.  
But how is evil, if it was not made? Because evil is a privation of that which good is, through which good was made 
q Gen. 1, 31 . Then to be without the word, is evil; which is to be as nothing. For besides it, is nothing.  
But what is it to be separated from the word? If thou wouldst know that, listen what is meant by the word.  
The word of God saith 
r john. 14, 6 , I am the way, the truth, and the life. Therefore to be separated from the word, is to be without the way, without the truth, without life, and so nothing without him: and so evil, because it is without the word, by whom all things were made 
s john. 1, 1. 3. , and they were excellently good 
t Gen. 1, 31. Eccl. 39, 16. 33. .  
Again, to be separated from the word, by which all things were made 
u john. 1, 3. , is nothing else but to undo; and of something to become nothing. For without him it is nothing.  
As often therefore as thou declinest from that which good is, thou separatest thyself from the word. For that is good. And so thou art made nothing, because thou art without the word, without the which was made nothing that was made 
x john. 1, 3. .  
Now then, o Lord my light 
y Mica. 7, 8. , thou hast enlightened me, that I may see thee. I have seen, and known, that as often as I am separated from thee, so oft I become nothing. Because I forgot goodness 
z Deut. 32, verse. 18.  which thou art 
a Matth. 19, verse. 16. 17. ; and therefore am made evil.  
woe worth me wretch that I never marked, how I became nothing when I forsook thee. But what needs this complaint? If I was nothing, I needed not to know.  
We know that evil is nothing; and that is not, which is nothing: and that which is not good, is not, because it is nothing.  
If therefore I was nothing, when I was without thee; I was but as nothing even like an Idol, which is nothing 
b 1. Co. 8, 4. , having ears, and heareth not 
c Ps. 135, 17 16. ; a nose, and smelleth not 
d Psal. 15, 5 6. 7. ; eyes, and seethe not; a mouth, and speaketh not; hands, and feeleth not; feet, and walketh not; & all the proportion of members, and yet liveth not.   

Chap. 6.  
How the soul offendeth through sin.  
SO then as long as I was without thee, I was nought but very nothing: and therefore blind I was, deaf I was, and without sense. For I neither knew what good was; nor shunned that evil was; nor perceived my wounds when I was hurt; nor saw the darkness which I was in. Because I was without thee, the very light 
a john. 1, 4. 9 , which lighteneth every man that cometh into the world.  
Alack therefore, they wounded me, yet I sorrowed not; they haled me, yet I perceived not, for that I was not; because I was without life 
b john. 14, 6. , which is the word 
c john. 1, 1. 3. , by whom all things were made.  
And therefore, o Lord my light 
d Esa. 60, 19 20. , mine enemies did with me even what they would; they struck me; they striped me; they polluted me; they corrupted me; they wounded me; yea they killed me: because I forsook thee 
e Hos. 7, 13. , and so became nothing without thee.  
Alack, o Lord, my life 
f joh. 11, 25. john. 14, 6.  by whom I was made 
g Gen. 1, 26. 27. job. 33, 4. Colos. 3, 10. ; my light 
h john. 8, 12. 1. john. 1, 5. 7. , whereby I am directed 
i Luke. 1, 79. , have mercy upon me 
k Psal. 41, 10. , o defender of my life 
l Psal. 22, 19 20. , and raise me up again, o Lord my God 
m Psal. 18, 1. 2, etc. , my hope 
n Psal. 91, 2. , my strength 
o Exo. 15, 2. , my rock, and my comfort in the day of my trouble 
p Psa. 59, 16. 17. . Consider mine adversaries 
q Psa. 25, 19 20. , and deliver me 
r Psal. 18, 17. Psalm. 59, 1. 2. ; let them which hate me 
s Psal. 68, 1.  fly away from my presence, and through thee let me live in thee.  
For they have watched me 
t Psa. 37, 32. , & seeing me without thee, have despised me. They parted among themselves the garments 
u Psa. 22, 18.  of virtue, wherewithal thou hadst clothed me; they made a way through me; they trod me under their feet; they defiled thine holy temple 
x Psal. 79, 1.  with the dregs of wickedness; they left me desolate, pining away through sorrow. I followed after blind, and naked, and shackled with the cords 
y Pro. 5, 22.  of wickedness. They dragged me after them in their circuit from vice to vice; and from mire to mire; and so went I full weakly, God knows, before the face of him that pursued me.  
Bond I was, yet liked I slavery; blind, and desired blindness; bound, and did not abhor the shackles. I thought sour sweet, and sweet to be sour 
z isaiah. 5, 20. .  
Miserable I was, yet knew I not so much: because I was without the word, without which nothing was made 
a john. 1, 3. , through which all things are maintained, without which all things are brought to nothing.  
For as all things by it were made 
b john. 1, 3 , & without it was made nothing: so by it are all things maintained, whatsoever is either in heaven, or in the earth; in the sea, or in any deep place. Neither can any part stick to other either in a stone, or in any other thing created, did not the word, by which all things were made, maintain it.  
Wherefore, o word, I will cleave to thee 
c Psa. 73, 28  that thou mayst save me. For when I forsook thee, I had perished; hadst not thou, which didst make me 
d Gen. 1, 26. 27. Wisd. 2, 23. Eccles. 17, 1. 2. Colos. 3, 10. , renewed me again.  
I sinned, thou didst visit me 
e Psal. 8, 4. Acts. 15, 14. ; I fell, thou didst erect me 
f Psa. 37, 24. ; I was ignorant, thou didst teach me 
g Psal. 71, 17. Psal. 94, 10. 12. ; I was blind, thou didst lighten me 
h john, 1, 9 .   

Chap. 7.  
Of God's manifold benefits conferred upon man.  
O My God 
a Psalm. 7, 1. 3. , show me how much I wretch am bound to love thee; how much I am bound to praise thee; how much I am bound to please thee.  
Thunder 
b Psal. 18, 13. , o Lord, with a great and mighty voice from above into the inward care of mine heart.  
Teach me 
c Ps. 119, 135. Psal. 143, 10. , and save me, 
d Psal. 71, 2. isaiah. 37, 20.  so will I praise thee, for creating me 
e Gen. 1, 26. 27. Eccles. 17, 1. 2. 3, etc.  when I was nothing; for lightning me, when I was in darkness 
f Luk. 1, 78. 79. ; when I was dead 
g Rom. 8, 11. , for reviving me; for cherishing me even from my youth 
h Psal. 71, 5.  with all good things.  
Thou dost nourish me unprofitable worm 
i job. 25, 6.  stinking in wickedness 
k Psal. 51, 1. 2. 3. , even with all thy most excellent benefits 
l Matt. 5, 45. .  
Open to me, o key of David, which dost open 
m Esaie. 22, verse. 22. Revel. 3, 7. , and no man shutteth against him, to whom thou openest; and dost shut and no man openeth to him against whom thou shuttest: Open to me the door of thy countenance, that I may enter, and behold, and know, and praise thee with all mine heart. For great is thy mercy toward me 
n Psal. 86, 13 , and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest grave.  
O Lord our God, how excellent is thy name in all the world 
o Psalm. 8, 1. 9 ! What is man, that thou art mindful of him 
p Psal. 8, 4. ! and the son of man, that thou visitest him!  
O Lord, the hope of the godly, and the tower of their strength 
q Psal. 61, 3. ; o God, the life of my soul 
r john. 4, 14. , by which I live 
s Act. 17, 28. , without which I die; o light of mine eyes 
t Psal. 27, 11. , by which I see, without which I am blind; o the joy of mine heart, and of my soul, let me love thee with all mine heart 
u Deut. 6, 5. Deut. 11, 18. Matt. 22, 37 , with all my soul, with all my strength, and with all my bowels. Because thou didst love me first 
x 1. joh. 4, 19 .  
And whence is it, o Creator of heaven 
y Este. 13, 10. Esaie. 51, 13. , and of earth, and of the sea, which needest no good thing of mine 
z Psal. 50, 7. 8. 9, etc. ; whence is it that thou hast loved me?  
O wisdom, which openest the mouth of the dumb 
a Wis. 10, 21. ; o word, by whom all things were made 
b john. 1, 1. 3. , open my lips 
c Psal. 51, 15. , give me a voice of thanksgiving 
d Psal. 26, 7. , that I may utter out all the benefits, which thou Lord, hast bestowed upon me, even from the beginning.  
For lo I am, because thou hast created me 
e Gen. 1, 27. job. 33, 4. Psal. 100, 3. Eccles. 17, 1. 2. Colos. 3, 10. . And the cause why thou didst create, & number me among thy creatures, was thy predestination from everlasting 
f Rom. 8, 29. 30. , before thou madest any thing from the beginning 
g Pro. 8, 23. 24. 25. 26, etc. , before thou didst spread abroad the heavens, when there were no depths; neither hadst thou made the earth, nor settled the mountains; before the fountains abounded with water. Before all these things which by thy word thou didst create 
h john. 1, 1. 3. ; thou in thy most certain providence of truth, didst foresee that I should be, yea thy mind was to make me thy creature.  
And whence then is it, o my Lord 
i Baru. 2. 11. 12. , o gracious and most high God 
k Psal. 113, 5. 2. Esdr. 7, 62. , whence is it, o most merciful Father 
l Psa. 27, 10. Esaie. 63, 16. Luke 6, 36. , most mighty Creator 
m Ecc. 16, 18. 19 Eccles. 17, 1. 2. 3, etc. , & always loving 
n Psa. 27, 10. ? What deserved I at thy hands, what goodness sawest thou in me, that moved thy most glorious majesty to create me?  
When I was not, thou diddest create me 
o Gen. ●, 27. Colos. 3, 10. . I was nothing, and of nothing thou didst make me somewhat 
p Psa. 100, 3. Wisd. 2, 23. .  
And what kind of somewhat? Not a drop of water; not fire; not a bird, nor a fish; nor a serpent; nor a brutish beast; nor a stone, nor a stock; nor of that kind of things which have only but being; nor of that whose nature is only to be, and to grow; nor of that which have only being, growing, and sense. But above all these things, it is thy will that I should consist both of those things which have but only being, for I am; and of those things which aswell grow as be; for I am, and grow: and of those things also which have being, growing, and sense; for I am, grow, and perceive.  
And yet more than this, thou hast made me a little inferior to the Angels 
q Hebr. 2, 7. : For I have received reason at thine hands to know thee, aswell as they.  
A little inferior I confess. For they have an happy knowledge of thee, even as thou art, but I know through hope: they face to face 
r 1. Co. 13, 10 12. , but I darkly through a glass: they fully, but I in part.   

Chap. 8.  
The happy state of man in the life to come.  
But when the which is perfect is come 
a 1. Co. 13, 10 12.  that in part shall be abolished; when with open face 
b 2. Co. 3, 18 , we shall see thy face.  
Then what shall let us to be as good even as Angels 
c Heb. 2, 7. Psalm. 8, 4. 5. , seeing thou, Lord, hast bedecked us with the crown of hope, which is adorned with glory and honour; and seeing thou hast exceedingly advanced us as thy very friends.  
Yea every way as good then, and equal to Angels. For so saith thy truth; They are equal unto the Angels 
d Luke. 20, verse. 36. , and are the sons of God.  
What are they else but the sons of God, if they be equal unto Angels? Indeed they shall be the sons of God; because the son of man is made the son of God.  
So that considering this thing, I dare boldly say, Man is not a little inferior unto Angels 
e Hebr. 2, 7. , Man is not only equal unto Angels 
f Luke. 20, verse. 36. , but man is above Angels. Because a man is God 
g Mat. 1, 23. 16. Luke. 2, 11. , and God is a man 
h john. 1, 14. , but not an Angel.  
And because the word which was in the beginning 
i john. 1, 1.  God with God; the word whereby God said, Let there be light 
k Gen. 1, 3. , and light was made; the word by which all things in the beginning were made 
l john. 1,3. , became flesh 
m john. 1, 14. , and dwelled among us, and we have seen the glory thereof, I say man is the most excellent creature of all other.  
Behold my glory, in which I glory 
n jer. 9, 23.  at what time soever I do glory; Lo my joy, wherein I rejoice 
o Phili. 4, 4. , when I do rejoice, o Lord, my God, my life 
p Psal. 42, 8. , and the whole glory of my soul.  
Therefore, o Lord my God, I confess that creating me a reasonable creature, thou didst create me after a sort as good as Angels. For by thy word I may be made perfect, so that I may attain unto the very state of Angels, and have the adoption of sons 
q Rom. 8, 15 Galat. 4, 5. Ephes. 1, 5. , by thine only begotten son, o Lord, thy well-beloved son 
r Matt. 3, 17. Matth. 17, 5. 2. Pet. 1, 17.  in whom thou art well pleased; by thine only and right heir 
s Rom. 8, 16. 17. Hebru. 1, 2. , of one substance with thee 
t Hebru. 1, 3.  and coeternal 
u Heb. 13, 8.  even jesus Christ our only Lord 
x Rom. 5, 1. Rom. 6, 23. 1. Cor. 1, 7. 8. 9 10. , our redeemer 
y Matt. 20. verse. 28. 1 Cor. 1, 30. Ephes. 1, 7. 1. Tim. 2, 6. Heb. 9, 25. 26. 27. 28. , our inlightener 
z john. 1, 4. 9 , our comforter 
a 2. Cor. 1, 5 2. Thes. 2, 16. 17. , our Advocate with thee 
b 1. john. 2, 1. , and the light of our eyes 
c john. 8, 12. 1. john. 1, 5, 7. ; who is our life 
d john. 5, 21. 24. , and our Saviour 
e Matth. 1, 21. Luke. 2, 11. Act. 4,12. , and our only hope 
f Col. 1, 27. 1. Tim. 1, 1. ; who hath loved us more than himself 
g john. 15, 13, Ephes. 5, 2. 1. john. 3, 16. , by whom we have an assured trust laid up in store with thee 
h Eph. 3, 12. , and free access unto thee 
i Heb. 4, 16. . Because he gave them power to be the sons of God 
k john. 1, 12 , to them I say that believe in his Name.  
I will praise thy name, o Lord, who by creating me after thine own image and similitude 
l Gen. 1, 26. 27. 1. Cor. 11, 7. , hast made me capable of so great glory, as in time to become the son of God 
m john. 1, 12. Rom. 8, 15. 16. 17. .  
This condition neither trees, nor stones, nor generally those things which either move, or increase in the air, or in the sea, or in the earth attain unto; because he gave them no power by thy word, to become the sons of God 
n john. 1, 12. ; for they have no reason. For in reason consisteth the power, whereby we know God. And this power he hath given to men, whom he hath made reasonable after his own image, and likeness 
o Gen. 9, 6. Colos. 3, 10. .  
I also, o Lord, am a man through thy grace, and by thy grace may be thy son, which they cannot be.  
Whence have I it, o Lord, the sovereign truth 
p joh. 14, 6. , and true sovereignty, even the first borne of every creature 
q Col. 1, 15. 16. 17. ; whence have I it, that I may be the son of God, which they cannot be?  
Thou art the same God for ever 
r Lame. 5, 19 Dan. 6, 26. Baruc. 4, 10. 14, etc. , thou madest all things 
s Gen. 1, 1. 2, etc. john. 1, 3. ; thou didst create both man 
t Gen. 1, 26. 27. Psal. 100, 3. Wisd. 2, 23. Eccle. 17, 1. 2. 3, etc. , and beasts 
u Gen. 1, 24 25. jerem. 27, 5. , and stones, and all green things upon the face of the earth 
x Gen. 1, 11 12. job. 38, 25. 26. 27, etc. . For no merits went before, nor deserts. Because only of thy goodness thou createdst all things. All creatures were like in merits. For none at all deserved aught.  
How is it then that thy mercy doth more appear in this thy reasonable creature, than in all the rest which have no reason? Why am not I, as all they be; or else all they as I; or I alone as they? What merits had I? what had I deserved? that thou shouldest create me of power to become the son of God 
y john. 1, 2. Rom. 8, 15. 16. 17. , and deny the same to all thy other creatures?  
Be it fro me, o Lord, that I should think I had any merits. It was only thy grace; it was of thy mere goodness, that I should be partaker of that sweetness.  
Wherefore through that grace which moved thee to create me of nothing 
z job. 10, 8. job. 33, 4. Psal. 100, 3. Ps 119, 73. , o Lord, give me this grace, I beseech thee, that I may thank thee 
a Psal. 116, verse. 12. 17.  for this thy goodness.   

Chap. 9  
Of God's Omnipotency.  
THine Almighty hand, o GOD, which is one, and the same always 
a Mala. 3, 5. , hath created both the Angels, in heaven, and the little worms in earth 
b Gen. 1, 24 25. , no whit more glorious in them, nor inferior in these.  
For as none other hand could create an Angel; so none other could make the vilest worm: as none other could lay abroad the heavens 
c job. 9, 8. Psal. 104. 1, 2. 3, etc. ; so none other fashion the smallest leaf of a tree: as none other could make a body; so none other make one hear white or black 
d Matth. 5, verse. 36. : But only thine almighty hand, to which all things are alike possible 
e Matth. 19, verse. 26. Mark. 10, 27 Mar. 14, 36. Luk. 18, 27. .  
For it is no more possible for thee to create a worm, than an Angel; nor more impossible to spread out the Heaven 
f isaiah. 42, 5. , than a leaf: It is no easier for thee to fashion a small hear, than a big body; nor harder to build the earth upon the water 
g Psa. 104, 5 6. , than to lay the waters upon the earth. For thou God diddest what thou wouldst 
h job. 23, 13 Psal. 115, 3.  in Heaven and in earth, in the sea, and in all the depths 
i Psa. 135, 6. , and me among other things thou didst make even as thou wouldst, couldst, and knewest best.  
Thine hand, o Lord, could have made me 
k Matth. 19, verse. 26. Luk. 18, 27.  a stone, or a bird, or a Serpent, or some brute beast: it knew as much, but it would not for thy mercy sake.  
Wherefore then am I not a stone, or a tree, or a beast? Because thy goodness hath so ordained. Yet did not any merits of mine prevent thee, that thou shouldest appoint it so.   

Chap. 10.  
The incomprehensible praise of God.  
WHere shall I get, o my Lord, where shall I get sufficient praises to extol thee 
a Ps. 106, 2. ?  
For as thou madest me 
b Ps. 100, 3.  as it pleased thee, without mine help: so canst thou magnify thyself, as it pleaseth thee, without me.  
Before thee, o Lord, thy praise is thyself. Let all thy works praise thee 
c Song of the three children. ver. 57 , according to thine excellent greatness 
d Ps. 150, 2. . Thy praise o LORD, is incomprehensible 
e Ps. 106, 2. . It is neither in heart conceived; nor uttered by mouth; nor perceived by care. For these things do pass away 
f isaiah. 40, 6. 7. 8. : but thy praise, o Lord, endureth for ever.  
The thought hath a beginning, & it hath an end; the voice hath a sound, and the voice doth vanish; the ear doth hear, and hearing ceaseth: but thy praise, o Lord, endureth for ever.  
Who then can praise thee! what man can show forth thy praise 
g Ps. 106, 2. Ec●. 43, 30. 31. ! Thy praise is not transitory, it endureth for ever.  
He doth praise thee, who beleceveth thee to be thine own praise. He doth praise thee, who knoweth himself unable to attain unto thy praise. O perpetual praise, never vanishing; in thee is our praise, in thee shall my soul rejoice 
h jer. 9, 23. 24. 1. Cor. 1, 31 .  
We praise thee not, but thou praisest thyself, by thyself, and in thyself: and our praise also is in thee.  
Then have we true praise, when we have praise of thee 
i 1. Cor, 4, 5. ; when the light doth allow the light. For thou the true praise 
k Deu. 10, 21 Psa. 118, 14. Esaie. 22, 2.  givest due commendation.  
And as often as we seek praise of any other besides thee 
l Roma. 2, verse. 29. , so often do we lief thy praise. Because that is transitory, but thine is eternal. If we go after transitory, we forego eternal: and if we love eternal, we must loathe the praise that is transitory.  
O Lord my God 
m Psalm. 7, 1 3. , praise eternal 
n De. 10, 21. , of whom all praise, without whom there is no praise, without thee I am unable to praise thee: let me have thee, and I will praise thee.  
For what am I, Lord, of myself that I should praise thee! dust and ashes am I 
o Goe 18, 27. ; a dead, and stinking dog 
P 1 Sam. 24, verse. 15. 2. Sam. 9, 8.  am I; a worm 
q job. 25, 6. , and very rottenness am I.  
What am I to praise thee, o Lord God most mighty 
r Est. 14, 19 jere. 32, 18. , in whose hand is the breath of all mankind 
s job. 12, 10 , which inhabitest the eternity 
t Esa. 57, 15. !.  
Shall darkness praise the light; or death, life? Thou art light 
u joh. 8, 12. 1. joh. 1, 5. 7. , I am darkness; thou life 
x john. 14, 6. , and I am death. Shall vanity commend the truth? Thou art the truth 
y john. 14, 6 , but I a man become like to vanity 
z Psa. 144, 4 .  
Why then, Lord, shall I praise thee? Shall my misery praise thee? shall stink commend sweetness? shall man's mortality 
a Wisd. 7, 1. , who is here to day, and gone to morrow 
b Ecc. 10, 11. , praise thee?  
Shall man who is very rottenness, or the son of man a very worm 
c job. 25, 6. , praise thee?  
O Lord, shall he that is conceived 
d Psa. 51, 5. , borne 
e job. 14, 4. , and brought up in wickedness praise thee? no my God. Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner 
f Ecc. 15, 9   
O Lord my God, let thine own incomprehensible power 
g isaiah. 44, 6. 7. Psal. 145, 3. ; thine own unlimitable wisdom 
h job. 11, 7, 8, etc. isaiah. 40, 28. ; thine own unspeakable goodness 
i Psa. 145, 9 , commend thee. Let thy more than excellent clemency 
k Neh. 9, 35 , thy more than abundant mercy 
l Psa. 69, 13. , thine everlasting virtue also, and divinity 
m Isa. 40, 28 jerem. 10, 10 1. Tim. 1, 17.  praise thee.  
Let thine almighty power 
n Esaie. 40, verse. 28. , with thy sovereign gentleness and love, whereby thou hast created us 
o Gen. 1, 26 27. Psal. 100, 3. , o Lord God, the very life of my soul 
p Psa. 42, 8.  praise thee.   

Chap. II.  
The hope of a Christian must be cast upon God.  
ANd I thy creature 
a Gen. 1, 26. 27. Psal. 139, 14. 15. Colos. 3, 10. , will trust in the shadow of thy wings, 
b Psa. 57, 1. , even in thy mercy whereby thou didst create me.  
Help thy creature, whom of thy mercy thou hast created; let me not perish through my sin, whom of thy goodness thou hast fashioned; neither be confounded in my misery, whom of thy clemency thou hast made.  
For what profit is in creating me, if I go down into mine own corruption? what? hast thou, o God, created the sons of men in vain 
c Psa. 89, 47 ?  
Thou hast created me 
d Ps. 100, 3. Wisd. 28 23. , o Lord, govern that which thou hast created. Despise not, o God, the works of thine hands 
e Psa. 138, 8. .  
Of nothing thou didst create me 
f Gen. 1, 26. , and doubtless do not thou Lord direct me, I shall come again to nothing.  
For as I was not sometime, and thou diddest make me of nothing 
g Esa. 40, 28 : so Lord, if thou do not govern me, I shall return to nothing in myself.  
Help me, o Lord 
h Chro. 14 verse. 11. Psal. 70, 5. Psa. 109, 26.  my life 
i Psal. 42, 8. john. 5, 26. 40. john. 11, 25. Coloss. 3, 4. , lest I perish in my wickedness 
k Psa. 94, 23 .  
O Lord, hadst not thou created me, I had not been at all: but because thou hast created me, I am. And yet am I nothing, if thou guide me not. For no grace neither goodness of mine compelled thee to create me, but even thine own most favourable goodness, and mercy.  
O Lord my God 
1 Psal. 99, 8. 9 Esaie. 41, 13. Matth. 4, 7. 10. , let that love which compelled thee to make me, compel thee also to govern me. For to what end did thy love compel thee to make me, if I perish in my wickedness 
m Ps. 94, 23. , and am not guided by thy right hand 
n Psa. 89, 13. ?  
Let that mercy of thine, o Lord my God 
o Psa. 140, 6 8. Luke. 4, 12. , compel thee to save that which is created, that compelled thee to create that which was not. Let that love win thee to save, which wan thee to create. For it is no less now than it was; for so much as thou art love 
p 1. joh. 4, 8. , who art always the same 
q Ps. 102, 27. Hebr. 1, 12. .  
For thine hand is not shortened 
r Nomb. 11, verse. 23.  that it cannot save 
s isaiah. 50, 2. isaiah 59, 1. 2. ; neither is thine ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But my sins have separated between me and thee; between darkness; and light 
t john. 8, 12. 1. john. 1. 5. 7. ; between the image of death, and life 
u Psal. 42, 8. Coloss. 3, 4. ; between falsehood and truth 
x joh. 14, 6. ; between this vanishing state of mine 
y Psal. 39, 5. Psal. 62, 9 , and thine eternity 
z 1. Tim. 1, 17 Hebr. 1, 12. .   

Chap. 12.  
Of the manifold snares of concupiscence.  
THese be the shadows of darkness wherewith I am covered in the dungeon of this dark prison wherein I lie groveling, until the day dawn, shadows do departed, and light be made in the firmament 
a Gen. 1, 3.  of thy strength.  
The voice of the Lord is mighty 
b Psal. 29, 4. , the voice of the Lord is glorious: let it speak, that light may be made 
c Gen. 1, 3. , darkness may departed, the dry land appear 
d Gen. 1, 9 , and earth may bud forth the hud of the herb 
e Gen. 1, ●●. , that feedeth seed, & bringeth out the fruit of righteousness of the kingdom of God.  
O Lord, father 
f Esa. 63, 16. Esaie. 64, 8.  and God of my life 
g Ecc. 23, 4. , by whom all things do live 
h Act. 17, 28. , without whom all things are as dead, leave me not in a wicked imagination, neither give me a proud look 
i Ecc. 23, 4. 5. 6. . Take fro me vain concupiscence; and give not me thy servant over into an impudent mind, but possess thou mine heart, that always it may think on thee.  
enlighten mine eyes that they may behold thee, and never be lifted up before thee, o eternal glory, but think humbly, not of thy wonders above their reach: that they may see those things which are at thy right hand, not the things at thy left.  
And always let thine eye lids direct my steps 
k Pro. 4, 25. . For thine eyelids do try the sons of men 
l Psal. 11, 4. .  
Assuage the heat of my concupiscence with thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for those that fear thee 
m Psa. 31, 19 , that with everlasting desire I may covet after thee 
n Psal. 42, 1. 2. Psal. 84, 2. , that mine inner taste may not be enticed, & deceived with vain things, and so put sour for sweet 
o isaiah. 5, 20. , and sweet for sour; darkness for light, and light for darkness; that I may be delivered in the mids of so many snares as are laid by the enemy 
P Reu. 12, 4, 9, 12, 17.  to take the souls of sinners 
q 1. Pet. 5, 8. , wherewith the whole world is replenished. Which thing S. john did see, and passed not over the same in silence, when he said 
r 1. joh. 2, 16. , For all that is in the world is either the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life.  
Behold, o Lord my God 
f Psal. 99, 8. 9 Esaie. 41, 13. Luke. 4, 8. 12. , the whole world is full of the snares of concupiscence, which they have prepared for my feet 
t Psal. 57, 6. Psal. 142, 3. , & who can escape them!  
Even he doubtless, from whom thou takest the lofty looks 
u Ecc. 23, 4. 5. 6. , that he be not taken by the lust of the eyes; from whom thou takest carnal concupiscence, that he be not taken by the lust of the flesh; and from whom thou takest a bold & impudent mind, that the pride of life do not slily deceive him. O most happy man for whom thou dost these things, for doubtless he shall go unpunished!  
Now then, o my redeemer 
x Job. 19, 25 isaiah. 44, 24.  by thyself I beseech thee, assist me, that I fall not in the sight of mine adversaries, being taken by the traps which they have set for my feet 
y Psal. 57, 6.  to bring down my soul. But deliver me, o strength of my salvation 
Z Psa. 140, 7. , lest thine enemies, which hate thee, have me in derision 
a Psal. 25, 2. Psal. 38, 16. .  
Arise, o Lord my God 
b Luke. 4, 8. 12. , my mighty one 
c isaiah. 1, 24. , and let thine enemies be scattered 
d Psal. 68, 1. ; they also that hate thee, let them fly from thy face.  
As wax melteth before the fire: so let the wicked perish at thy presence. But let me be hid privily in thy presence 
e Psa. 31, 20 , and rejoice with thy children abounding with all good things 
f 1. Cor. 2, 9 .  
And thou, o Lord God, father of Orphans 
g Psal. 68, 5. , and thou mother of thy poor children, listen unto the cry of thy sons; spread out thy wings, that we may fly thereunder from the face of the enemy 
h Psal. 61, 3. .  
For thou art the tower of Israëls' strength, who will neither slumber nor sleep 
i Psal. 21. 4.  keeping Israel: because he that fighteth against Israel, doth neither sleep nor slumber 
k 1. Pet. 5, 8. reve. 12, 12. 17. .   

Chap. 13.  
Of man's misery; and of God's benefits.  
O Light 
a 1. joh. 1, 5. 7. ! o clearness, whom none other light or clearness doth behold! o light which darckeneth all light! o clearness which dimmeth all strange light! o light, from which all light! o clearness, from which all clearness doth proceed! o clearness in respect whereof all other brightness, is but darkness; and all other light but dimness!  
Where thou shinest, the very darkness is bright as day; and dimness, is light.  
O most sovereign light, whom no blindness can darken; nor mistines dim; nor darkness obscure; nor any let close up; nor shadow keep away!  
O light, which inlightenest all things at one time, together, and always, swallow me up into the depth of thy brightness, that I may on all sides behold thee, both in thyself; and me in thee; & all things under thee.  
Forsake me not 
b Psal. 27, 9 Psal. 71, 18. , o Lord, lest the shadows of mine ignorance do increase; and mine offences multiply.  
For without thee every thing is darkness to me, and all things are evil: because nothing is good without thee the true, only 
c Mat. 19, 16 17. Mark. 10, 17. 18. Luke. 18, 18. 19 , and sovereign good 
d jame. 1, 17. .  
This I acknowledge, and this I know, o Lord my God 
e Psal. 99, 8. 9 Esaie. 41, 13. . For be I in any place without thee, evil is it with me having not thee, not only outwardly to my body, but also inwardly to my soul: because all abundance being not with thee my God, is but beggary; but when thy glory appeareth 
f Psal. 17, 15. , I shall be satisfied.  
And, o Lord, my blessed life 
g Psa. 42, 8. Eccle. 23, 4. john. 14. 6. , grant that I may confess my wretchedness unto thee 
h Psal. 32, 5. : for from thee the sovereign 
i jame. 1, 17. , and very good 
k Luk. 18, 18 19  itself, and from the unity of thy goodness, hath the divers kinds of temporal things separated me being fallen into sin through carnal senses, and from one it hath parted me into many things: so that abundance to me was cumbersome, and poverty was plenty, while I haunted after this and that, and yet could never be satisfied; for in myself I found not thee th' unchangeable 
l Rom. 1, 23. 1. Tim. 1, 17. , & singular 
m Matt. 19, verse. 16. 17. Mark. 10, 17. 18. , & unseparable, and only good, which had I once attained, I should want 
n Reu. 7, 16. 17.  no more; which had I once found out, I should weep no more 
o Reu. 21, 4. ; which did I once enjoy, mine heart would be at rest.  
Oh misery upon misery, sith my miserable soul doth fly from thee, with whom she hath abundance 
P 1. Cor. 2, 9 , and joy 
q Reu. 7, 16. ; and followeth the world, with whom she hath poverty 
r Luk. 16, 25. , and sorrow 
s Luk. 6, 25. !  
The world crieth, I vanish 
t isaiah, 51, 6. 2. Peter. 3, 5. 6. 7. 1. john. 2, 15. 16. 17. ; o Lord, thou criest, I refresh 
u Mat. 11, 28 29. 30. ; yet doth my wicked wretchedness more follow that which vanisheth, than him who refresheth. This verily is my weakness.  
O Physician of the soul, cure it, that I may praise thee, even the salvation; of my soul 
x Psal. 35. 3. Acts. 4, 12. , and that with mine whole heart for all thy benefits where with thou hast refreshed me even fro my youth 
y Psal. 71, 5. .  
Cast me not off 
z Psa. 71, 9  in the time of my age; forsake me not when my strength faileth, o Lord, for thine own sake, I beseech thee.  
Thou diddest make me 
a Gen. 1, 26 27. 1. Cor. 11, 7 , when I was not; thou diddest redeem me 
b Psa. 31, 5. Titus. 2, 14. 1. Pet. 1, 18. 19 Revel. 5, 9 , when I was forlorn. I had been destroyed, I had died; but thou camest down unto the dead, thou tookedst mortality upon thee 
c joh. 1,14. Luke. 2, 7. .  
Thou a King 
d Phili. 2, 6. 7, etc.  camest down 
e joh. 3, 13. john. 6, 33. 38, etc. Ephes. 4, 8. 9 10.  unto thy servant; and to redeem thy servant thou diddest give thyself 
f Rom. 4, 25 Rom. 8, 32. Galat. 2, 20. Eph. 5, 2. 25. ; and that I might live, thou diddest die 
g Roma. 5, verse. 6, etc. 1. Cor. 8, 11 1. Cor. 15, 3 , and overcome death 
h 1. Cor. 15, verse. 25. 26, etc. 2. Tim. 1, 10. .  
When thou diddest humble thyself 
i Phili. 2, 6. 7, etc. Hebr. 2, 9 , thou diddest exalt me. I was lost; I followed after wickedness; I was a bondslave to Satan: but thou wart sold for me 
k Mat. 27, 3. 4. 5. Acts. 1, 16. 17, etc.  to redeem me; and so thou lovedst me 
l joh. 15, 13 Ephes. 5, 1. 2. 1. joh. 3, 16.  that thou gavest thy blood a ransom for me 
m 1. Pet. 2, vers. 24, etc. Ephes. 1, 7. .  
O Lord, thou hast loved me more than thyself 
n Rom. 5, 7. 8. ; because for my sake thou wouldst needs die 
o 2. Co. 5, 14 15. 1. Thes. 5, 10 .  
On such wise, and with so dear a price thou hast brought me home from banishment 
P Heb. 11, 13 16. ; redeemed me from bondage 
q Gal. 2, 4. Galath. 5, 1. 13. ; withdrawn me from punishment 
r isaiah. 53, 3. 4, etc. ; called me by thy name 
s Reu. 14, 1. 11. reve. 22, 4. ; and sealed me with thy blood 
t Reu. 7, 3. , that I should evermore have thee in remembrance, and never forget him, who for my sake shunned not the cross 
u Gal. 3, 13. .  
Thou hast anointed me with that oil 
x 2. Co. 1, 21  wherewith thou wast ointed, that of thee Christ I might be called a Christian 
y Act. 11, 26 Acts. 26, 28. 1. Pet. 4, 16. .  
Lo, thou hast written me upon thine hands 
z Esa. 49, 16 , so to have me in remembrance, if so be continually I have thee in mind. And thus alway thy favour, and thy mercy have prevented me 
a Psa. 59, 10 . For out of much and great perils thou hast delivered me oftentimes 
b Ps. 124, 6. 7. Eccl. 51, 1. 2, etc. , o my saviour 
c Psal. 18, 1. 2. Dan. 6, 27. .  
When I have wandered, thou hast reclaimed me; when I have been ignorant, thou hast instructed me; thou hast corrected me, when I have sinned; when I despaired, thou hast comforted me; when I fell, thou hast raised me; thou hast upheld me, when I have stood; when I have traveled, thou hast guided me; when I have come home, thou hast received me; thou hast watched me, when I have slept; and when I have cried, thou hast heard me.   

Chap. 14.  
That the eyes of the Lord, are continually upon the doings, and cogitations of men.  
FOr these, and many more good turns hast thou done me, o Lord my God 
a Psal. 7, 1. 3. , the very life of my soul 
b Psal. 42, 8. Eccle. 23, 4. john. 14, 6. .  
And doubtless it should be a pleasure to me not only to talk, & think always of them, but also evermore to thank thee 
c Ps. 116, 12 13. 17. 18. , to praise thee, to love thee for all thy good things, and that with all mine heart 
d Deut. 6, 5. Deu. 11, 18. Mat. 22, 37. Luk. 10, 27. , and with all my soul, and with all my mind, & with all my strength, yea from the very pith and entrails of mine heart, and of all my joints, o Lord my God 
e Psal. 7, 1. 3. , the blessed sweetness of all which delight in thee.  
But thine eyes have seen mine imperfection 
f Ps. 139, 16 ; thine eyes I say are much brighter than the Sun 
g Ec. 23, 19 , beholding all the ways of men, and the ground of the deep, and in every place at all times look both upon the evil and the good 
h Pro. 15, 3. .  
For sithence thou rulest all things 
i Psal. 47, 1. 2. 6. 7. 8. Matt. 11, 25 , fillest all things 
k jer. 23, 23 24. , art always wholly every where 
l Ps. 139, 7. 8, etc. ; yea sithence thou hast a care of all things that thou hast created (for thou hatest nothing which thou hast made 
m Wisd. 11, verse. 21. :) thou dost so behold my ways & my steps 
n job. 31, 4. , and so watch and ward night and day for my safety, looking so narrowly unto all my paths 
o job. 13, 27 , like a continual watchman 
p Psa. 121, 4 Psal. 127, 1. , as though thou haddest forgot thine other creatures of heaven and earth, and haddest cast all thy care upon me alone, having no care at all of the rest. For the light of thine unchangeable sight neither increaseth, do thou see but one; nor diminisheth, if thou behold infinite & divers things. For even as at one time thou considerest the whole perfectly together: so doth thy whole countenance behold at one time all particulars, although divers, and that perfectly, together, & wholly. Yet seest thou all things as one thing, & one thing as all things: for thyself art whole, & canst neither be divided, changed 
q jam. 1, 17. , nor diminished.  
And therefore thou being whole in all time, and without time, dost behold me wholly, together, and always, even as though thou hadst nought else to consider of. Yea, so thou standest upon my guard, as though thou wouldst forget all other things, and bend wholly to me alone. For always thou showest thyself present, and offerest thyself ready at all times unto me, if thou find me ready to receive thee.  
O my Lord, go I where I will, thou wilt never forsake me 
r Ioshu. 1, 9 Hebr. 13, 5. , unless I forsake thee first.  
Wheresoever I become, thou leavest me not. For thou art every where 
s job. 23, 8. 9 10. 13. Psal. 139, 7. 8. 9 10. 11. jere. 23, 23. 24. . So that to what place soever I go, I may find thee, by whom I may be; that I perish not without thee, because without thee, I cannot be.  
And therefore I confess indeed, that whatsoever I do, & wheresoever I do it, I do it in thy presence 
t Ecc. 23, 19 20, Psal. 139, 10. 11. 12. ; and that whatsoever it be which I do, thou seest it better than I which do it.  
For when I do aught at any time, thou art present at all times, as a continual beholder of all my thoughts 
u 1. Kings. 8, verse. 39 2. Chr. 6, 30. Psal. 44, 20. 21. Prou. 24, 12. Luke. 16, 15. , intentions, delectations, and doings.  
O Lord, my sighing is not hid from thee 
x Psal. 38, 9 ; and my very thought is open to thy sight 
y job. 42, 2. Psal. 94, 11. Psal. 139, 2. .  
Thou knowest, Lord, whence the spirit cometh, where it is, and whether it goeth. For thou art the trier of all spirits 
z Pro. 16, 2. .  
Also, thou best knowest inwardly, whether the root of that tree which hath fair leaves be sweet or sour; yea, thou narrowly dost search the very pith of the roots; and by the most evident truth of thy light, thou gatherest, numbrest, considerest, and sealest not the intent only, but the very pith also of the root thereof, that so thou may estrender unto every man not only according to his works 
a Psa. 62, 12. Prou. 24, 12. jere. 32, 18. 19 Hosea. 4, 9 Mat. 16, 27. Reu. 22, 12. , but also according to the inner and secret pith of the root, from which proceedeth the intent of the worker 
b Matth. 15, verse. 18. 19 Mark. 7, 21. . What I purpose when I work; what I think, and wherein I delight, thou beholdest; thine ears do hear it 
c Psa. 94, 8. 9 10. 11. , thine eyes see it 
d 2. Chr. 16. verse. 9 Amos. 9, 8. , and consider it; thou sealest, markest, notest, and wrightest the same into thy book 
e reve. 5, 1. 2, etc. , be it good or evil, that afterward, when the books shallbe opened 
f Reu. 20, 12 , and the dead judged according to the things written in those books, thou mayst render for well doing rewards 
g Matt. 25, verse. 34. 35, etc. 46. john. 5, 29. Rom. 2, 6. 7. 10. Reu. 22, 14. , and punishment for wickedness 
h Matt. 25, verse. 41. 42, etc. 46. Reu. 22, 15. .  
Happily this is it, which thou diddest say by these words, I will see what their end shall be 
i Deut. 32, verse. 20. ; and which is spoken of thee on this wise, He trieth the perfection of all things 
k job. 28, 3. . For thou doubtless in all that we do, regardest the end of the intent, more than that which is done.  
And when I diligently consider these things, o Lord my God terrible and mighty 
l Neh. 9, 32 Psal. 47, 3. Psal. 96, 4. Daniel. 9, 4. , I am utterly aghast both through fear and shame, forsomuch as we have great need to live well and uprightly 
m Boëtius in his 5. book de Consolat. Prose. 6. , because we do all things in the presence of that judge, who seethe all things 
n Ecc. 23, 19 20. Psal 139, 10. 11. 12. Acts. 15, 8. .   

Chap. 15.  
That man of himself can do nothing without the assistance of God.  
O Lord most mighty 
a Ne. 9, 32. Psal. 96, 4. jere. 32, 17. 18. 19  and puissant, God of the spirits of all flesh 
b Nom. 27, verse. 16. , whose eyes are upon the ways of the sons of men 
e jer. 32, 29.  from the time of their birth, even till the day of their burial, that thou mayst render unto everic man according to his works 
d Psa. 62, 12 Rom. 2, 6. Rove. 2, 23.  either good or evil 
e 2. Co. 5, 10 .  
Show to me, that I may confess my wretchedness to thee. For I said, that I was rich 
f Reu. 3, 17. , and had need of nothing; & knew not how that I was wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.  
I supposed myself should be somewhat, when in deed I was nothing. I professed myself wise 
g Rom. 1, 22 , and I became a fool. I thought I was prudent, and I was deceived. For now I see, it is thy gift 
h jam. 1, 17. , without whom we can do nothing 
i john. 15, 5. Philip. 2, 13 . Because if thou Lord keep not the City 
k Psa. 127, 1. , in vain doth he watch, that keeps the same.  
Thus hast thou taught me, that I might know myself. For thou hast forsaken me, and tried me 
l Psal. 17, 3. Psal. 139, 1. , not for thy own sake, that thou mightest know me; but for my sake, that I might know thee.  
For as I said, I thought, Lord, I should have been somewhat of myself; I thought I had had sufficiency of myself 
m 2, Co. 3, 5. ; and perceived not how it is thou, Lord, which rulest me 
n Psa. 48, 14. Matth. 2, 6. , until thou goest 〈◊〉 fro me for a space 
o Psa. 71, 12. , & I took a fall. Then did I see, and perceive, how it was thou which ruled me; and how I fell of myself, and rose again through thy grace 
p Psa. 37, 23 24. Prou. 24, 16. .  
O light 
q 1. joh. 1, 5. 7. , thou hast opened mine eyes, and raised me up, & lightened me 
r john. 1, 4. 5. 7. 8. 9 . Now therefore I see, that man's life upon earth is but a tentation 
s job. 7, 1. 2, etc. ; and that no flesh can glory in thy sight 
t 1. Cor. 1, 29 , nor be justified 
u Ro. 3, 20. Galat. 2, 16. . For all goodness, be it little or much, is thy gift 
x jam. 1, 17. ; and we have nothing of ourselves but evil 
y isaiah. 64, 6. Genes. 6, 5. Genes. 8, 21   
Whereof then may all flesh glory? of wickedness? but that is no glory, but misery 
z Psal. 52, 1. jerem. 9, 23 . May it glory of any good then? and of another's goodness? O Lord, goodness is thine 
a jam. 1, 17. , and thine is the glory 
b 1. Chr. 16, verse. 28. 29. Psal. 29, 1. 2. isaiah. 42, 8. Luke. 2, 14. . For he who seeks of thy goodness his own 
c joh. 5, 44. john. 7, 18. , and not thy glory, 〈◊〉 a very thief and robber, like the devil himself, who would have rob thee of thy glory 
d Esa. 14, 13.   
For whosoever would have praise 
e jere. 9, 23.  of that good thing which is thine, and seeketh not therein thy glory, but his own; yea although he get praise of men 
f Eccl. 11, 2.  for thy gift; yet is he dispraised of thee. Because of thy gift he sought his glory, & not thine. And he who is praised of men, and dispraised of thee, neither can be defended by men, when thou shalt judge; nor be delivered, when thou shalt condemn.  
But, o Lord, who hast form me 
g Esa. 44, 24  from the womb of my mother, suffer me not to fall into that reproach; and never let it be cast in my teeth that I would have stolen away thy glory.  
All glory be ascribed unto thee 
h Luk. 2, 14. , from whom all goodness doth proceed 
i jam. 1, 17. , but unto us open shame 
k Dan. 9, 7. , and misery, to whom all evil doth belong, unless thou take mercy 
l Wis. 11, 20. 21, etc. .  
For thou showest mercy, o Lord, thou showest mercy over all 
m isaiah. 54, 7 8. , and hatest nothing which thou hast made 
n Wis. 11, 21. ; thou givest us of thy good things 
o job. 1, 21. job. 5, 8. 9 10, etc. Psal. 146, 5. 6. 7, etc. Matth. 6, 11. Matth. 7, 7. 8. 9 etc. ; and makest us rich, o Lod God, with thy most excellent benefits. 
p Psa. 113, 5. 6. 7, etc. . For thou lovest the poor 
q Psal. 12, 5. , & makest them rich even with thine own riches 
r Luk. 6, 20. .  
O Lord, behold now we are thy poor children, and thy little flock 
s Luk. 12, 32 , open to us thy gates 
t Psa. 78, 23 , that the poor may eat, and be satisfied 
u Psa. 22, 26 ; so they which seek thee, will praise thee.  
For I know, Lord, and confess through thine instruction, that they alone shall be enriched 
x Matt. 5, 3. Luke. 6, 20. 21, etc.  who know themselves to be poor, and acknowledge their poverty before thee. For such as think themself rich when they are poor 
y Reu. 3, 17. 18. , shall be barred from the participation of thy riches.  
Wherefore, o Lord my God 
z Psal. 7, 1. 3.  unto thee do I confess my poverty, that all the glory may be thine 
a 1. Chr. 29. verse. 10. 11. 12. : inasmuch as the good which I have done is thine.  
I confess, o Lord, as thou hast taught me, I am nothing else but altogether vanity 
b Psal. 39, 5. Psal. 144, 4. , a shadow of death 
c Psa. 44, 19 , a dark dungeon, and a barren and empty ground 
d Gen. 1, 2. , bringing forth nothing without thou bless me, and bearing no fruit but confusion, sin, and damnation.  
If I had any goodness, I received it of thee 
e 1. Cor. 4, 7. james. 1, 17●. ; if I have any at this time, it is thine, or I have it from thee. When I stood, I stood through thee; but when I fell, I fell through myself; and always I had stuck in the mire 
f Psa. 69, 14. , if thou hadst not plucked me out; I had always been blind, if thou hadst not lightened me 
g john. 1, 4, 9 . When I fell, I had not risen again, unless thou hadst reached forth thine hand 
h Psa. 37, 23, 24.  Yea, and when thou hadst erected me, I had fallen by and by, if thou haddest not held me up 
i Phil. 2, 13. . And oftentimes I had perished, hadst thou not governed me 
k Esa. 48, 17. .  
Thus evermore Lord, evermore thy grace & mercy hath prevented me 
1 Psa. 59, 10. , delivering me from all evil, saving me from those past, raising me from these present, and arming me against miseries to come: in like sort cutting away the snares of sin before me, and removing all occasions and causes of offence. For unless thou hadst done so, I had committed all the sins of the world.  
For I am persuaded, o Lord, there hath no sin been committed afore time by man, but another may do the same, if his Creator leave him, by whom he was made a man 
m job. 10, 8. 9 10, etc. Psa. 139, 14. 15. 16. Esaie. 45, 7. 8. 9, etc. . But that I did not so, thou hast brought it to pass 
n 1. Cor. 4, 7 ; that I abstained, thou didst command; and that I believed, it was of thy grace poured upon me 
o Wis. 3, 14. Rom. 12, 3. 6. .  
For thou Lord, didst guide me both for me and thyself; and thou hast given me grace 
p jam. 1, 17.  and understanding to abstain both from adultery, and other wickedness.   

Chap. 16.  
Of the Devil, and of his manifold temptations.  
THERE wanted a temptor; but thou wert the cause that he was absent; there wanted place, and time, and that they should be lacking thou diddest work. There wanted neither temptor, nor place, nor time: but thou heldest me back, that I should not consent. The temptor came, foul and ugly as he is; but thou didst comfort me, that I might despise him. The temptor came armed and strong 
a Luk. 11, 21 , but thou diddest both encourage me, and bridle him, that he could not overcome. The temptor came like an Angel of light 
b 2. Cor. 11, verse. 14. 15, ; but that he might not deceive me, thou diddest take him up; & that I might know him, thou diddest open mine eyes.  
For he is that great, and red Dracon 
c Reu. 12, 3. 9 , the old Serpent, called the Devil and Satan, having seven heads, and ten horns, whom thou hast created to play in this great, and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable 
d Ps. 104, 25 , both small beasts, and great; that is, divers kinds of Devils, which do nothing neither day nor night, but range up & down, seeking whom they may devour 
e 1. Pet. 5, 8. , if thou preserve not.  
For he is that old Dracon 
f Reu. 12, 9 , which sprang up in the paradise of pleasure 
g Genesis. 3 verse. 1, etc. 13. 14. , drawing with his tail 
h Reu. 12, 4.  the third part of the Stars of Heaven, and casting them to the earth; which infecteth the waters of the earth with his poison, that men drinking thereof may die; he spreadeth sharp things upon the mire 
i job. 41, 21. ; and trusteth, that he can draw up Iorden into his mouth 
k job. 40, 18 ; he is made without fear 
l job. 41, 24. .  
And who can save us from being devoured of him! who can pluck us from out his jaws, but thou only, o Lord, who hast broken the heads of that great Dracon 
m Gen. 3, 15. Reu. 12, 9 10. ?  
O Lord help us 
n Psa. 44, 26 Psal. 79, 9 ; o Lord spread forth thy wings upon us 
o Psal. 17, 8. , that under them we may fly from the face of this Dracon, which pursueth us 
p Reu. 12, 13 ; and with thy shield save us from his horns 
q Reu. 12, 3. . For his continual care, and only desire is, to devour the souls 
r 1. Pet. 5, 8. , whom thou hast created 
s Gen. 1, 26. Psal. 100, 3. Colos. 3, 10. .  
And therefore unto thee we do cry 
t jere. 33, 3. , o Lord our God, deliver us from our daily adversary 
u Mat. 6, 13. Matt. 13, 18. 19 Luke. 11, 4. , which whether we sleep or wake, or eat, or drink 
x 1. Co. 10, 31 , or whatsoever we do, lieth at us night and day 
y 1. Pet. 5, 8.  by all means, by all subtlety and craft 
z Ephe. 6, 10. 11. etc. 2. Tim. 2, 26. , now openly, now covertly aiming at us with his poisoned arrows to destroy our souls 
a Eccl. 21, 2. .  
And yet, such is our extreme madness, o Lord, that albeit we do continually behold the Dracon before our eyes with open mouth prepared to devour us 
b Reu. 12, 17. : yet naietheles we snort 
c 1. Thes. 5, 6 , and sport in our security, as though we were safe before him, who desireth nothing but our destruction 
d Reu. 12, 12 .  
The enemy to murder us, watcheth always, and sleepeth not 
e Mat. 26, 41 Mark. 14, 38 : and we sleep, but watch not 
f 1. Thes. 5, 6 1. Pet. 5, 8.  for our salvation.  
Behold, he hath laid infinite traps before our feet 
g 1. Tim. 3, 7.  to take us; and all our ways he hath filled with snares to catch our souls 
h Psal. 59, 3. . And who can escape!  
He hath laid snares in riches, snares in poverty, snares in meat, snares in drink, in pleasure snares, in sleep snares, and snares in watching; he hath laid snares in our words, snares in our works, and snares in all our ways.  
But, o Lord, do thou deliver us from the snares of the hunter 
i Psa. 91, 3. , and from the evil word, that we may praise thee, saying:  
Blessed be the Lord 
k Ps. 124, 6. 7.  which hath not given us a pray unto their teeth. Our soul is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are delivered.   

Chap. 17.  
That God is the light of the righteous.  
ANd thou o Lord my light 
a john. 1, 4. 9 john. 12, 46 1. john. 1, 5. 7. , enlighten mine eyes 
b john. 1, 9 Psalm. 13, 3. , that I may see light, walk in thy light 
c john. 8, 12. john. 11, 9 10. john. 12, 35. 36. , and never stumble upon the snares of Satan.  
For who can escape his manifold snares, unless he see them! And who can see them, except he be enlightened with thy light!  
For that father of darkness hath hid his snares in his own darkness 
d Eph. 6, 11. 12. , that therein as many as are in darkness may be entangled.  
Who are the children of this darkness 
e 1. Thes. 5, verse. 5. ? Such as see not thy light: in which who so walketh, shall not fear 
f Psal. 91, 5. . For he that walketh in the day, stumbleth not 
g john. 11, 9 10. . But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.  
O Lord, thou art the light 
h john, 1, 4. 9 1. john. 1, 5. 7. ; thou art the light of the sons of light 
i 1. Thes. 5, 5 ; thou art the day which lasteth ever, in which thy sons do walk, and stumble not 
k joh. 11, 9 : without which who so walk, are in darkness, because they have not the light of the world 
l john. 8, 12. john. 12, 46 .  
Lo, we daily see, that the farther one is estranged from thee the true light 
m john. 1, 9 , the more he wrappeth himself in the darkness of sin; and the more he lieth in darkness, the less he seethe the snares laid in his way; and so the less he knoweth them; and therefore is the oftener carried away, and caught in them; and yet, which is more horrible than all this, he woteth not that he hath taken a fall. Now he that knoweth not his ownefal, hath so much the less care to rise again, as he hath a greater opinion that he doth stand 
n 1 Cor. 10, verse. 12. .  
But, o Lord my God 
o Psal. 7, 1.  the very light of the mind 
p john. 1, 4. 5. 6. 7, etc. 1. john. 1, 5. 7. , open thou mine eyes at this time, that I may see 
q 1. joh. 3, 6. , and know, lest I fall in the presence of mine adversaries.  
For our adversary 
r 1. Pet. 5, 8.  laboureth to destroy us: but Lord, we beseech thee, as wax melteth before the fire 
s Psal. 68, 2. ; so let him perish at our presence.  
For, Lord, he is the chief and principal thief, which took counsel, how to steal away thy glory: but swollen up with pride, and puffed up, he broke in sunder at the last, and fell upon his own face 
t isaiah. 14, 12. 13. , whom thou flangedst headlong from thine holy mountain, and from the multitude of thy fiery stones 
u Eze. 28, 14 15, etc. , in the mids whereof he walked.  
Now, o Lord, and God of my life 
x Ecc. 23, 4. Psal. 42, 8. john. 14, 6. , since which time that he fell, he hath never ceased, to pursue thy children 
y Reu. 12, 12 17. .  
And for spite of thee, o King most mighty 
z job. 41, 25 Psal. 24, 7. 8, etc. Psal. 74, 12. 13, etc. , he would destroy this thy creature 
a Reu. 12, 12. , whom thine almighty goodness hath made after thine own image 
b Gen. 1, 26. 27. Gene. 9, 6. Colo. 3, 10. , that he may inherit thy glory 
c Matt. 25, verse. 34. , which he hath lost through his own pride 
d Ecc. 10, 14 . But, o our mighty God 
e isaiah 9, 6. Matt. 12, 28 29. Mark. 3, 22. 23, etc. , bruise him into pieces 
f Reu. 12,10 , before he devour us thy silly lambs 
g 1. Pet. 5, 8. : and lighten our eyes, that we may behold such traps as he hath prepared 
h Eph. 6, 10. 11. 1. Tim. 3, 6. 7. , and escape from him unto thee, o comfort of Israel 
i judit. 15, 9 .  
And all these things, o Lord, thou knowest much better than I: thou knowest his quarreling, and his stiff neck.  
Neither do I speak this, to inform thee, who seest all things 
k job. 42, 2. Eccl. 23, 19 20. , and beholdest the most privy thought 
l 1. King. 8, verse. 39 Psal. 44, 20. 21. Prou. 24, 12 : but to utter out my complaint against mine enemy 
m 1. Pet. 5, 8. Reu. 12, 12.  before the feet of thy majesty, who art the eternal judge 
n Psal. 50, 6. Heb. 12, 23. james. 5, 9 , that thou mayst both condemn him 
o Matt. 25, verse. 41. , and save us thy children. For thou art our strength 
p Exo. 15, 2. Psalm. 18, 2. Revel. 5, 12. .  
For why, Lord, he is a crafty & subtle enemy, the creeks of his way cannot easily be descried; neither can the fashion of his countenance 
q 2. Cor. 11, verse. 14. 15.  be known of man, unless thou enlighten.  
For he is now here, now there, now a Lamb, now a Wolf, now darkness, by and by light, and according to the sundry change of things, he offereth divers temptations to every quality, place, and time.  
For to deceive the sad, he makes himself sad; to beguile such as are merry, he sets on a merry countenance; to entrap those which are spiritual, he turns himself into an Angel of light 
r 2. Cor. 11, verse. 14. 15. ; to vanquish the strong, he appeareth as a lamb; to devour the meek, he shows himself a Wolf.  
And all these things are to be wrought after the similitude of divers temptations, that he may terrify some by the fear of the night 
s Psal. 91, 5. 6. ; some by the a-row fleeing in the day; some by the pestilence walking in the dark, by rushing on, some; and some by the plague at noon day.  
Now who is meet, that he may know these things! who can perceive his wiles; or discover the face of his garment 
t job. 41, 4. 5. ; or know the compass of his teeth!  
Behold, he hath hid his darts in his quiver; and shrouded his snares under the show of light 
u 2, Cor. 11, verse. 14. 15. ! And this is the more hardly perceived, unless we receive light from thee, o Lord our hope 
x Psal. 91. 9 jere. 17, 17. Rom. 15, 13 , that we may behold all things.  
For he hideth subtle traps not in the works of the flesh 
y Gal. 5, 19  only, which with no great ado may be descried; nor in manifest vices only, but in spiritual exercises beside, under the colour of virtues, he cloaketh vices, and transformeth himself into an Angel of light 
z 2. Cor. 11, verse. 14. .  
These, and many more things doth that son of Belial 
a 2. Co. 6, 15 , even Satan himself 
b 1. Chr. 21, 1 job. 1, 6. Mark. 3, 23. Revel. 12, 9 , enterprise against us, o Lord our GOD 
c Psal. 99, 8. 9 isaiah. 37, 20. . And sometime like a Lion 
d 1. Pet. 5, 8. , like a Dracon 
e Reu. 12, 3. 4, etc. Reu. 20, 2. 3, etc.  sometime, openly and secretly, inwardly and outwardly, day and night he lieth in wait to catch our souls.  
But thou, who dost save those which trust in thee 
f Psa. 18, 30. Psal. 22, 4. 5. , deliver us, o Lord 
g Psal. 6, 4. Psal. 17, 13. , that both he may have sorrow of us, and thou be glorified in us, o Lord our God 
h Psa. 105, 7 .   

Chap. 18.  
Again of God's manifold benefits.  
ANd I the son of thy handmaid 
a Psa. 86, 16 Psal. 116, 16 Wisd. 9 5.  who have commended myself into thine hand 
b Psal. 31, 5. 1. Pet. 4. 19  in these my poor confessions, will praise thee my redeemer 
c Psal. 18, 2.  with mine whole heart; and call into mind all the good things which thou hast done for me all my life long, even fro my youth 
d Psal. 71, 5. .  
For I know right well that ingratitude doth much displease thee 
e Wisd. 16, verse. 29. , as being the root of all spiritual wickedness, and a certain wind drying, & burning up all goodness; and stopping the spring of thine heavenly mercy toward man: whereby dead works now die not; and living die out of hand, & are no more.  
I then will thank thee 
f Rom. 1, 8. 1. Cor. 1, 4. Revel. 11, 17  o Lord, that I may not prove ungrateful to thee my deliverer 
g Psal. 18, 2. ; for thou hast delivered me 
h Eccl. 51, 3. .  
How often would that Dracon have devoured me 
i Reu. 12, 3. 4, etc. ! but thou Lord diddest pluck me out of his mouth. How often have I sinned! and how often hath he been ready to swallow me up 
k 1. Pet. 5, 8. ! But thou, o Lord my God, hast defended me 
l Reu. 12, 7. 8. .  
When I did wickedly against thee 
m Dan. 9, 5. , and when I broke thy commandements, than stood he ready to pluck me down even to hell; but thou diddest hold him back.  
I offended thee, but thou diddest defend me: I feared not thee, and yet thou diddest keep me: I went from thee, and yielded to mine adversary 
n 1. Pet. 5, 8. ; but thou diddest beat him back, that he durst not take me.  
O Lord my God, these benefits hast thou conferred upon me, and I wretch never marked so much. For thus thou hast saved me oftentimes from the jaws of Satan 
o Reu. 12, 7. 8. , and taken me by force out of the Lion's mouth 
p 1. Pet. 5, 8. , and many ways reduced me from hell, although I witted not how. For I descended even to the gates of hell; but that I might not go in, thou diddest hold me back. I drew very nigh to death's door 
q Ps. 107, 18. ; but so thou diddest work, that they could not take me.  
In like sort, o my Saviour 
r Psal. 18, 2. Exod. 15, 2. 2. Sam. 22, 2 , thou hast delivered me from bodily death; when grievous sickness oppressed me; when I have been in many perils both on sea and land, thou hast stood by me, alway preserving me from fire, and sword, and from all danger saving me of thy great mercy 
s 2. Tim. 4, verse. 17. 18. .  
Indeed, Lord, thou diddest know, that if death than had taken me, my soul had straightway gone into hell, and so had been damned world without end 
t Mat. 25, 41 . But thy grace, and thy mercy did prevent me 
u Psa. 59, 10 , o Lord my God, and saved both my body from death, and my soul from damnation.  
These and many more benefits thou hast bestowed upon me: but I was blind, and knew not so much, until thou inlightenedst me.  
Now therefore, o light of my soul 
x john. 1, 4. 9 john. 8, 12. 1. john. 1, 5. 7. , o Lord my God 
y Matt. 4, 7. 10. Luke. 4, 8. 12. Psalm. 7, 1. 3. , my life 
z joh. 11, 25. john. 14, 6.  through whom I live 
a Act. 17, 28 ; the light of mine eyes 
b john. 1, 9  through which I see: lo, thou hast enlightened me, so that I know thee; for I live through thee; & therefore I praise thee, and give thee thanks; albeit, I confess my thanks are vile, and bare, and far unanswerable to thy benefits, yet such as my frailty can afford. For thou alone art my God 
c 2. King. 19 verse. 19 Nehem. 9, 6 Psal. 38, 15. 21. isaiah. 37, 16. 17. 20. , and my merciful creator 
d Gen. 1, 26 27. Psal. 100, 3. Psal. 119, 73 Hose. 8, 14. , loving our souls 
e Wis. 11, 23. , and hating nothing which thou hast made 
f Wis. 11, 21. .  
Lo, I am of sinners, which thou hast saved, the chief 
g 1. Tim. 1, 15 16. , that I might show an example unto others of thy most loving kindness. I will acknowledge unto thee thy great benefits, for thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest grave 
h Psal. 86, 13 , both once, and twice, and thrice, and a hundred, yea, a thousand times. I always inclined down to helwarde, but thou always diddest bring me back again; and justly thou mightest have condemned me a thousand times, if thou wouldst.  
But thou wouldst not; for thou lovest our souls 
i Wis. 11, 23  and dissemblest the sins of men 
k Wis. 11, 20  because they should amend, o Lord our God of much mercy in all thy ways.  
Now therefore, o Lord my God 
l Psalm. 7, 1. 3. Matth. 4, 7. 10. , I see and perceive these things through thy light, and my soul is astonished in consideration of thy great mercy poured upon me; especially for delivering my soul from the lowest grave 
m Ps. 86, 13. , and for bringing me again to life 
n Psal. 30, 3. . I was wholly dead, and thou hast wholly revived me again.  
Therefore, let it be wholly thine that I live: and wholly I do offer myself unto thee all whole. Let my whole spirit; my whole heart; my whole body; my whole life live to thee o my sweet life 
o joh. 14, 6. john. 11, 25. . For thou hast redeemed me wholly 
p 1. Co. 1, 30. Heb. 9, 11. 12. 13, etc. , that thou mightest possess me whole; thou hast renewed me wholly, that thou mightest have me wholly again.  
Wherefore let me love thee, o Lord my strength 
q 2. Sam. 22 verse 3. Psalm. 18, 2 ; let me love thee mine unspeakable joy. Let my whole life henceforth live not to myself, but to thee 
r 2. Cor. 5, verse. 15. : my life, I say, which had perished in my misery, had it not been raised again in thy mercy, who art a pitiful God 
s Psa 86, 15. Psal. 103, 8. Psal. 111, 4. jonas. 4, 2. , and a merciful, of much kindness toward thousands of them 
t Exo. 20. 6. Deut. 5, 10.  which love thy name.  
Hence is it, o Lord my God 
u Psal. 7, 1. 3. Psalm. 18, 2, 6, etc. , my sanctifier 
x Eze. 37, verse. 28. , that in thy law thou hast commanded me to love thee with all mine heart 
y Deut. 6, 5. Mat. 22, 37. , with all my soul, with all my mind, with all my strength, and with all the powers which I have, yea, from the very marrow and pith of mine heart; and that every hour, and moment wherein I enjoy the goods of thy mercy. For I should continually perish, if thou diddest not guide me continually; I should continually die, diddest thou not quicken me continually; and every moment thou dost bind me unto thee, whilst every moment thou bestowest thy great benefits upon me.  
As therefore, there is no hour nor minute in all my life, wherein I enjoy not thy blessing: so ought there be no moment wherein I should not have thee before mine eyes, and love thee with all the powers both of my body and mind 
z Deut. 6, 5. .  
Yet this am I not able to do, without thou give me grace, whose every good giving, and every perfect gift is 
a jam. 1, 17. , & cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadowing by turning.  
For it is not in him that willeth 
b Rom. 9, 16. , nor in him that runneth, but of thee which she west mercy, that we do love thee. This, Lord, is thy gift, whose every good gift is. Thou commandest that we should love thee 
c Deut. 6, 5. ; grant which thou commandest, and command what thou wilt.   

Chap. 19  
Of the fervency of love, or charity.  
O Lord my God 
a Psal. 7, 1. 3. , I do love thee, and always more and more I desire too love thee. For thou art in deed sweeter than any honey 
b Ps. 119, 103 ; more nutritive than any milk 
c Salo. so. 4, verse. 10. 11. ; and brighter than the clearest light 
d Ecc. 23, 19 . And therefore thou art dearer to me than either gold 
e Ps. 119, 72 127.  or silver, or precious stone 
f Prou. 3, 15. .  
For I despise whatsoever I did in the world in respect of thy sweetness, and the glory of thine house, which I have loved 
g Psal. 26, 8. .  
O fire, which always burnest, and never goest out; o love, which always art inflamed, and never coolest; set me on fire. Let me wholly be inflamed of thee, that I may love thee wholly.  
For he loveth thee too little, who loves any thing beside thee 
h Matth. 30, verse. 37. john. 12, 25. , except he love it for thy sake.  
O Lord, let me love thee: because thou first diddest love me 
i 1. joh. 4, 19 .  
Where shall I get words to express the signs of thy singular great love toward me, through thine infinite benefits 
k Ps. 116, 12 , wherewith from the beginning thou hast nourished me! Namely, besides the benefit of creation, when at the beginning thou madest me of nothing after thine own image 
l Gen. 1, 26. 27. Genes. 5, 1. Genes. 9, 6. 1. Cor. 11, 7. Colos. 3, 10. , in magnifying and exalting me above all those creatures which thou haddest made 
m Gen. 1, 26 28. 29. ; and making me glorious with the light of thy countenance, wherewithal thou hast sealed the uppermost seat of mine heart, thereby dissevering me both from insensible things, and also from brute beasts which have sense, and abasing me but little beneath Angels 
n Psal. 8, 3. 4. 5. Hebr. 2. 7. .  
Yet was all this too little before the sight of thy Godhead. For without ceasing thou hast fed me with daily, and singular, and most ample benefits; yea, as if I were thy deer, and weak, and tender child, thou hast nourished, & refreshed me with the teats of thy comfort.  
And that I might wholly serve thee 
o Deutr. 10, verse. 20. 21. 22. Psa. 116, 12. 13. 17. 18. 19 , thou hast put all things which thou hast made, under my subjection 
p Gen. 1, 26 28, etc. Psalm. 8, 6. 7. 8. Eccles. 17, 1. 2. 3. 4, etc. .   

Chap. 20.  
That God hath made all things to serve for man's use.  
THou hast made all things to serve man 
a Psal. 8, 6. , that man alone might serve thee altogether. And that man might be wholly thine; thou hast given him dominion 
b Gen. 1, 26, 28, etc.  over all thy works.  
For all outward things thou hast created for the body; and the body for the soul; and the soul for thyself 
c 1. Cor. 3, 21 22. 23. : that man might only serve thee 
d Deut. 10, verse. 20. Matth. 4, 10. , and love thee only 
e Deut. 6, 5. Matt. 22, 37. Mark. 12, 29 30. Luke. 10, 27 , enjoying both thee to his solace, and inferior things for his service 
f Eccl. 17, 1. 2, etc. .  
For nothing under the cope of heaven is for worthiness comparable to the soul of man, which was created for the chiefest good on high, by enjoying whereof it might become blessed, to which, if it cleave overpassing all earthly things which are transitory 
g 1. Co. 7, 31 2. Pet. 3, 10. 12. 1. john. 2, 15, 16. 17. , it clearly shall behold the face 
h 1. Co. 13, 12 Revel. 22, 4.  of that eternal immortality 
i 1. Tim. 1, 17 , and the glorious majesty of him whose image it doth represent 
k 1. Cor. 11, 7 Colos. 3, 10. .  
Then shall it in the house of the Lord 
l 1 Reu. 21, 23. 24.  enjoy those excellent good things, in comparison whereof, all outward things, which we now see, are as nothing. For they are those things which eye hath not seen 
m Esa. 64, 4. 1. Cor. 2, 9 , ear hath not heard, neither came into man's har●; which God hath prepared for such as love him. O Lord, such things wilt thou give unto the soul of man!  
And hereby, Lord, which lovest the souls 
n Wis. 11, 23 , thou day by day dost rejoice the souls of thy servants 
o Psal. 86, 4. .  
But why marvel I at these things, o Lord my God 
p Psal. 18, 2. 6, etc. Matth. 4, 7. 10. ! For thou bringest unto honour thine own image and similitude, according to which they were created 
q Gen. 9, 6. Wisd. 2, 23. Eccles. 17. 3. Colos. 3, 10. .  
For to our body, though corruptible 
r Wis. 9, 15. Rom. 1, 23. , & vile 
s 1. Cor. 15. verse. 42. 43. 44. , that it might see, thou hast given the clearness of the sky, by the hands of thine untired servants the Sun and Moon, which continually day and night by thine appointment do service 
t Eccl. 43, 1. 2. 6. 10.  to thy children; that it might breathe, thou hast given the pure aër; variety of sounds, that it might hear; sweet odours, that it might smell; qualities of savours, that is might taste; grossness of all bodily things, that it might feel; to serve his use, thou hast given him the beasts of the field 
u Psal. 8, 6. 7. 8. ; and souls of the aër, and fishes of the sea, and fruit of the earth to refresh him.  
Thou hast created medicines of the earth 
x Ecc. 38, 4.  for all diseases, and hast prepared for every several evil a several comfort.  
For thou Lord art a pitiful God 
y Psa. 86, 15. joël. 2, 13. Eccle. 2, 12.  and a merciful; thou our maker 
z Esa. 45, 9 Rom. 9, 21.  knowest whereof we are made 
a Ps. 103, 14 , and how we are but as clay in thine hand. 
b jere. 18, 6. Ecc. 33, 12. .   

Chap. 21.  
That by the consideration of God's temporal benefits, we may gather the greatness of his heavenly blessings.  
O Lord, reveal thy great mercy toward me; shine upon me yet more and more with thy light, I beseech thee, that more and more I may perceive the same.  
For thy great things by these smallest things 
a Prou. 30, verse. 24. 25, etc. Esaie. 6, 3. Esaie. 5, 16. ; and thine invisible things, by these visible creatures are seen 
b Rom. 1, 20. , o God, holy 
c Hab. 1, 12. , and good 
d jer. 33, 11. Lame. 3, 25. Luke. 18, 18. 19 , our Lord and maker 
e Deu. 32, 18 Psal. 100, 3. Eccles. 1, 8. .  
For if thou providest both from heaven, from the aër, from the earth, from the sea, from light, from darkness, from heat, from shade, from dew, from rain, winds, showers, birds, fiishes, beasts, trees, and from the diversity of herbs, and fruit of the earth, and from the service of all thy creatures which serve for man's use 
f Psal. 8, 6. 7.  in their due season, to comfort him withal: If, I say, thou providest so ample, and so infinite benefits for this vile 
g 1. Cor. 15, verse. 42. 43, etc. , and corruptible 
h Wisd. 9, 15 Rom. 1, 23.  body; o Lord, I beseech thee, how excellent, & how innumerable shall those good things be, which thou hast prepared for those which love thee 
i 1. Cor. 2, 9 10 2. Esdr. 4, 27. , in that heavenly country 
k Heb. 11, 13 Revel, 21, 1. 2. , where we shall see thee face to face 
l 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. Reu. 22, 4. ! If thou dost so for us in prison; what wilt thou do in thy palace!  
Great 
m Psa. 92, 5. Psal. 111, 2. , and without number doubtless be thy works 
n job. 41, 4. 5. 6, etc. Psa. 104, 24. Eccl. 16, 20. 21, etc. , o Lord King of Heaven 
o 1. Esd. 4, 46 58. Wisd. 18, 15 .  
For sith all these things are exceedingly good 
p Gen. 1, 31. Eccle. 39, 16 33. , & delightful, which thou impartest as well on the evil, as upon the good 
q Mat. 5, 45. Luke. 6, 35. : what shall those hereafter be, which are laid up only for the good?  
If thy gifts are so infinite and divers, which in this world thou givest to thine enemies, as well as to thy friends; how great and how infinite, how sweet and how comfortable shall those blessings be, which thou wilt impart only upon thy friends! If we have so much delectation in this time of tears; what joy wilt thou bring us on the day of our marriage 
r Mat. 2 2, 1. 2, etc. Luk. 14, 16. 17, etc. Revel. 19, 7 9 ! If our prison have such pleasure; how unspeakable shall the happiness of our country be 
s Heb. 11, 9 10. 11, etc. 1. Cor. 2, 9 !  
O God, none eye without thee hath seen the things which thou hast prepared for them that love thee 
t 1. Cor. 2, 9 ! for according to the great number of thy mighty works, thy goodness is great which thou hast laid up for them which fear thee 
u Psa. 31, 19 .  
For great art thou, o Lord my God, and incomprehensible 
x Psa. 145, 3 , neither is there end of thy greatness, nor number of thy wisdom 
y Psa. 147, 5 , nor measure of thy benignity: neither is there end, nor number, nor measure of thy blessings 
z Psa. 106, 2. . For as thou art great thyself, so is thy liberality great, because thou art the reward, and the blessing which they shall have that fight as they ought to do 
a 2. Tim. 2, 5 .   

Chap. 22.  
That godly joy taketh away all present bitterness of the world.  
O Lord God, sanctifier of all thy Saints 
a Ezec. 37, verse. 28. , these are thy great benefits wherewithal thou hast supplied the want of thine hungry children.  
For thou art the hope of the hopeless 
b Psal 61, 2. 3. 4. : the joy of the comfortless 
c 2. Cor. 1, 3. 4. ; the glorious crown of hope 
d 1. Pet. 5, 4. , prepared for such as overcome 
e Reu. 2, 10. .  
Thou art the everlasting fullness 
f Reu. 7, 16. 17. , which shall be given to the hungry 
g Matt. 5, 6. Luke. 6, 21. . Thou art the endless comfort, which rewardest them that contemn the comfort of this world for thy perpetual comfort 
h isaiah. 65, 13 14, etc. Matth. 5, 4. Luke. 6, 21. . For they who in this world receive comfort, find no comfort in the world to come 
i isaiah. 65, 13 14. Luke. 6, 25. . But such as are tormented here, be there comforted 
k isaiah. 25, 8. Matth. 5, 4. Revel. 7, 17. Revel. 21, 4 : And such as suffer with thee 
l 2. Tim. 2, 12 , do reign with thee.  
For no man can have pleasure in both worlds 
m Luke. 16, verse. 25. ; neither can a man rejoice here, and hereafter too; but of necessity he must forego the one, which would have the other 
n Esa. 65, 13. 14. Luke. 16, 25 .  
When I consider these things, o Lord my comforter 
o 2. Cor. 1, 3 , my soul refuseth comfort in this life 
p Psal. 77, 2. , that it may be meet for thine endless comfort. For reason it is, that he should forego thee, whosoever chooseth the comfort of any before thee 
q Luk. 14, 26 27. Mat. 16, 24. .  
Wherefore, o sovereign truth 
r john. 14, 6 , I beseech thee, suffer me not to delight in any vain pleasure. But my request is that all other things may wax bitter to me, and thou alone seem sweet to my soul; because thou art the unspeabable sweetness 
f Ps. 119, 103 , by whom all sour things are made sweet.  
For thy sweetness made the very stones of the river sweet to Stephen 
t Acts. 7, 55. 56, etc. .  
Thy sweetness made the burning greediron sweet unto Laurence 
u Acts and Monuments of the Church persecut. 8. page. 72. .  
Through thy sweetness the Apostles departed from the Counsel 
x Acts. 5, 41.  rejoicing, that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for thy Name.  
Andrew went quietly, and joyfully to the cross 
y Acts and Monuments of the Church , because he hastened unto thy sweetness.  
The princes 
* Therefore Peter is not alone the Prince of the Apostles.  of thine Apostles were so filled with this sweetness, that for desire thereof, one choase the gallows for his death 
z Euseb. li. 2, cap. 25. , and the other cheerfulie offered his head to be struck off with a sword 
a Euse. in the same book and chap. .  
For to buy the same, Bartholomow gave his own skin 
b Eccles. hist. Cent. 1. lib. 2. ca 20. in vita Barthol. . And to taste this in like sort, john without shrinking back, souped off a cup of poison.  
As soon as Peter had tasted hereof, by and by forgetting all earthly things, he broke out as if he had been drunk into these words 
c Mat. 17, 4. Mark. 9, 5. Luke. 9, 33. , Master, it is good for us to be here; if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, here let us abide still; and enjoy thy contemplation, for we lack nothing now. It sufficeth us, Lord, that we see thee. It sufficeth us to be satisfied with so unspeakable sweetness.  
He had tasted but one drop of sweetness; and loathed forthwith all other sweetness. What think ye, he would have said, had he tasted that great sweetness of thy Godhead, which thou hast laid up for such as fear thee 
d Psa. 31, 19 !  
That virgin also, whom we read, went as joyfully unto prison, as to a banquet, had tasted this thine unspeakable sweetness.  
This also, as I judge, he had tasted, who said 
e Psa. 31, 19 , How great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee! and who admonished, saying 
f Psa. 34, 8. , Taste ye, and see how gracious the Lord is.  
For this is the happiness, o Lord our God, which we trust thou wilt give us, for which continually we fight under thy banner 
g 2. Tim. 2, 3 2. Cor. 10, 3. 4. ; for which we are killed all the day long 
h Ps. 44, 22. Rom. 8, 36. , that to thee we may live in thy life.   

Chap. 23.  
That all our trust, and all the desire of our cark should be cast upon God.  
O Thou Lord, the hope of Israel 
a jer. 14, 8. jerem. 17, 13 , the very thing in heart I daily do desire 
b Psal. 42, 1. 2. , make haste, and tarry not 
c Psa. 40, 17. .  
Arise 
d Sal. son. 2, verse. 10. 13. , hasten, and come away, that thou mayest bring us out of this prison 
e Psa. 142, 7  to praise thy name, & to rejoice in thy light.  
Listen, o Lord, to the cry of the tears 
f job. 34, 28 Psal. 10, 11. 12. 13.  of thy poor orphans, that cry unto thee; o our father 
g Matt. 6, 9 11. Luke. 11, 2. 3. , give us this day our daily bread, in the strength whereof we may walk night and day, and minister the same until we shall approach unto thine holy mountain 
h Psal. 3, 4. Psalm. 15, 1. Psal. 43, 3. Esaie. 57, 13. . And I the smallest among the little ones of thy family, when shall I come, and appear before thy presence 
i Psal. 42, 2. , o God my father 
k Math. 6, 9 , and my strength 
l Psal. 46, 1. : that I, who praise thee now for a time, may hereafter praise thee eternally 
m Reu. 21, 3. 4. !  
O blessed should I be, were I once admitted to behold thy brightness 
n joh. 17, 24. 1. Cor. 13, 12 ! who can show me such favour, that thou mayst permit me to come thereunto!  
I know, Lord, I know, and acknowledge that I am unworthy to enter under thy roof: yet for the honour of thy name, destroy not 
o Psa. 31, 1. 17.  thy servant which putteth his trust in thee 
p Psa, 86, 2. .  
And who shall enter into thy sanctuary to consider thy power, unless thou open unto him? And who can open, if thou shut against him 
q reve. 3, 7. ? for if thou destroy no man can build again 
r job. 12, 14. . And if thou shut man up, none can lose him out. If thou withhold the waters 
f job. 12, 15. , all things will dry up; and if thou send them forth, they will destroy the earth. If thou bring to nothing all which thou hast made, who dare control thee for the same 
t job. 11, 10 ?  
Moreover the goodness of thy mercy, whereby thou diddest all whatsoever thou wouldst 
u Psa. 115, 3. job. 23, 13. , is everlasting 
x Lam. 3, 22. 23. Psal. 103, 17 18. .  
O maker of the world 
y 2. Mac. 7, verse. 23. john. 1, 3.  thou hast made us 
z job. 10, 8. job. 33, 4. Psal. 119, 73. , therefore govern us we beseech thee. Thou hast created us 
a Psa. 100, 3. , then despise us not, because we are the work of thine hands 
b Ps. 138, 8. .  
For doubtless, o Lord our God 
c Psal. 7, 1. 3. , we silly worms & clay 
d isaiah 64, 8.  are unable to enter into the house of thine eternity 
e Esa. 57, 15. , unless thou, who of nothing hast created all things 
f Psal. 33, 8. 9 Psal. 148, 1. 2. 5, etc. Revel. 4, 11. Revel. 10, 6. , do guide us in 
g joh. 6, 44. .   

Chap. 24.  
That our salvation cometh from God.  
ANd I the work of thine hands 
a Psa. 138, 8. isaiah. 64, 8.  protest unto thee in thy fear, that I will not trust in my bow 
b Psal. 44, 6. ; and that not my sword, but thy right hand 
c Psal. 44, 3. , and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, shall save me. Without which I should despair. But thou who hast made me 
d Psa. 100, 3▪ Psa. 119, 73.  art mine hope 
e Psa. 91. 9 , for thou forsakest not them 
f Psa. 34, 22.  which trust in thee.  
For thou, our Lord God, art gracious 
g Wis. 15, 1. , long suffering, and governest all things by mercy. For although we sin 
h Wis. 15, 2.  yet are we thine: if we sin not, we are thine, for we are in thy count.  
For we, all the sort of us, are but a leaf 
i isaiah. 64, 6. ; and all men living are but vanity 
k Psal. 39, 5. . And our life upon earth 
l job. 7, 7. , is but a blast.  
Be not angry with us thine Orphans though we fall, for thou knowest whereof we be made 
m Psal. 103, verse. 14. , o Lord our God 
n Psal. 8, 1. 9 .  
O God, whose power none can resist 
o job. 9, 4. 5, etc. Psalm. 76, 1. 2. 3, etc. Dani. 4, 32. , wilt thou show thy strength against a leaf which is carried away with the wind 
p job. 13, 25. , and wilt thou follow after dry stubble? wilt thou, o eternal king of Israel 
q joh. 1, 49. , wilt thou condemn a dead dog 
r 1 Sam. 24, verse. 15. ? wilt thou condemn a poor flea?  
Lord, we have heard of thy mercy, how thou hast not made death 
s Wisd. 1, 13. ; nor hast pleasure in the destruction of the living.  
For which cause we beseech thee, o Lord, suffer not that which thou hast not made, to have dominion over that creature which thou hast made 
t job. 10, 8. job. 33, 4. Psal. 119, 73. .  
For if thou art sorry for our damnation, what doth let thee, o Lord, which canst do all things 
u job. 23, 13. Psal. 115, 3. , that thou mayst not always rejoice for our salvation? If thou wilt 
x Math. 8, 2. Mark. 1, 40. , thou canst save me, but I, though I would, cannot.  
Great is the multitude of the miseries which I am in. For to will is present with me 
y Rom. 7, 18 : but I find no means to perform that which is good.  
Will that good is I cannot, unless thou wilt 
z Phil. 2, 13. ; neither can I do that I would, except thine arm do strengthen me.  
Again, sometime I would that I can, should not thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven 
a Mat. 6, 10. Luke. 11, 2. ? Yet know I not either what I can or would, unless thy wisdom lighten me. And though I should have will sometime & power with my knowledge, yet were my wisdom vain 
b Rom. 8, 7. 1. Cor. 1, 20. , and unperfect, unless I were assisted by thy true wisdom.  
But all things are at thy pleasure, neither can any resist thy will 
c Rom. 9, 19. , o Lord God of all flesh 
d jer. 32, 27. , which dost whatsoever thou wilt both in Heaven, and in Earth, in the Sea, & in all deep places 
e Psa. 135, 6. .  
Wherefore let thy will be done 
f Matt. 6, 10 Luke. 11, 2.  of us, who call upon thy name 
g jer. 15, 16. , lest this noble workmanship of thine do perish, which thou hast created for thine own glory 
h isaiah. 43, 7. Eccles. 17, 8. 9 .  
And what man liveth, and shall not see death 
i Psa. 89, 48. ? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave; without thou deliver him, which art the lively way of all life 
k joh. 14, 6. , by whom all things do live 
l Act. 17, 28 .   

Chap. 25.  
That man's will is unapt unto all good works, without the grace of God.  
FOr I confessed even now how thou art the stay of my life 
a Psa. 118, 14▪ Esaie. 12, 2. , o Lord my God 
b Matt. 4, 7. 8. , the strength of my salvation 
c Psal. 18, 1. 2. Psal. 140, 7. .  
The time was when I trusted in mine own strength, which notwithstanding was no strength. And so when I would have run, where I thought I stood most sure, there I took the greatest fall, and came backward, not forward. And what I thought to attain, went the farther fro me. Thus triest thou my strength by many such things.  
Now I know thou hast enlightened me, for what I thought I could best do, I found I was least able for to do it of myself. For I said, this I will do, and that I will bring to pass, but in the end, I could neither do the one, nor the other. Either I had will, and lacked power 
d Rom. 7, 18 , or had power, & lacked will; for I trusted to mine own strength.  
But now I confess to thee, o Lord my God 
e Psalm. 7, 1. 3. Psalm. 18, 1. 2. , father of heaven and of earth 
f Mat. 11, 25. Luke. 10, 21. , that in his own strength no man shall be strong 
g 1. Sam. 2, 9 , because the vain presumption of no flesh shall glory in thy sight 
h 1. Cor. 1, 29 .  
For it is not in man either to will, that he can do; or to do that he would; or to know, what he would, or can do: But thou Lord it is which directest the steps of man 
i Prou. 16, 9 ; of that man, I say which confesseth that he is directed of thee 
k Prou. 20, verse. 24. , not of himself.  
Wherefore, by the bowels of thy mercy 
l Luk. 1, 78. , we beseech thee save Lord what thou hast created: for if thou wilt 
m Mat. 8, 2. Mark. 1, 40.  thou canst save us: and in thy will resteth the strength of our salvation 
n Psa. 140, 7. .   

Chap. 26.  
The benefits which God hath done for us of old.  
O Lord, remember thy mercy of old 
a Psal. 25, 6. , wherewithal thou hast prevented us from the beginning by thy comfortable blessings.  
For before I the son of thine handmaid 
b Wisd. 9, 5.  was borne, o Lord mine hope even fro my mother's breasts 
c Psal. 22, 9 10. , thou diddest prevent me, preparing a way wherein I should walk 
d Deut. 4. 1. 2, etc. , and come unto the glory of thy house.  
Thou knewest me before thou diddest shape me in the bely 
e Ps. 139, 16. , and before I came out of the womb, thou diddest preordeine of me whatsoever pleased thee. What, and how much is written concerning me in thy book lying in the secret place of thy consistory, I am utterly ignorant, and therefore stand mightily in fear; but thou knowest. For whatsoever I do look for, by succession of days & times a thousand years hence in this transitory world 
f 1. Cor. 7, 31 1. john. 2, 17. , is already accomplished in the sight of thine eternity 
g 2. Pet. 3, 8. ; and that which shall be, is already done.  
Now then, forsomuch as I stand in this dark night, ignorant of these things, fear and trembling are come upon me 
h Psal. 55, 5. , while I see many dangers hang over mine head from all sides; many enemies to hunt after my soul 
i Psal. 91, 3. , & an innumerable multitude of miseries to beset me round about in this mortal life. So that, wert not thou present to assist me in these evils, I should utterly despair. But I have a great confidence in thee, o most gracious Prince 
k Revel. 1, 5. reve. 19, 16. , my God 
l Psalm. 7, 1. 3. : and the consideration of the multitude of thy compassions 
m Psal. 51, 1.  doth comfort mine heart. And the former signs of thy goodness, which before I was borne, prevented me 
n Ps. 139, 13. 14. 15, etc. , and at this time chiefly do shine upon me, do assure mine heart of better, and more perfect blessings to come, which thou reservest for such as love thee 
o 1. Cor. 2, 9 james. 1, 12. ; so that I may rejoice in thee 
p Psa. 32, 11. joë l. 2, 23. 1. Cor. 1, 31. , o Lord my GOD 
q Psal 7, 1. ●. , mine holy & lively joy, whereby my youth is comforted.   

Chap. 27.  
Of Angels appointed for the custody of men.  
FOr thou diddest love me entirely, o my love, before I loved thee 
a 1. joh. 4, 19 ; thou didst create me after thine own image 
b Gen. 1, 26. 27. Eccle. 17, 3. Colo. 3, 10. , and advance me above all thy creatures 
c Gen. 1, 28. 29. Psalm. 8, 4. 6, etc. Eccle. 17, 1. 2, etc. .  
Which dignity I shall then keep, when I know thee, for whom thou hast made me 
d 1. Cor. 3, verse. 23.   
Besides thou makest thy spirits messengers 
e Psa. 104, 4.  for my sake, to whom thou hast given charge over me 
f Psal. 91, 11. 12. Matth. 4, 6.  to keep me in all my ways, that I hurt not my foot against a stone.  
For these are the watchmen over the walls 
g isaiah. 62, 6.  of the city new jerusalem, & of the mountains about the same, which tend, and keep watch over thy flock, lest he as a Lion make a pray of our souls, while there is none to deliver; he, I mean that old serpent 
h Reu. 12, 9 , our adversary the devil, who as a roaring Lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour 
i 1. Pet. 5, 8. .  
They are the citizens of the blessed city jerusalem on high above 
k Gal. 4, 26. , which is the mother of us all, sent forth to minister for their sakes who shall be heirs of salvation 
l Heb. 1, 14. , that they may deliver such from their enemies, and keep them in all their ways 
m Psa. 91, 11 . For they love their fellow citizens by whom they look to have the breach of their destruction repaired.  
And therefore with great care and watchfulness they do stand about us at all hours, and places, succurring, and providing for our necessities; yea, full carefully do they run between us, and thee, o Lord.  
For they walk with us in all our ways, they go in and out with us, diligently considering, how godly, and how honestly we do walk in the mids of a naughty and crooked generation 
n Phil. 2, 15. ; how earnestly we seek the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof 
o Mat. 6, 33 ; with what fear and trembling we do serve thee 
p Psal. 2, 11. ; and how our hearts rejoice in thee, o Lord 
q Zech. 10, 7 .  
Those which labour they strengthen; those which rest they protect; such as fight they encourage; they crown such as overcome; they rejoice with such as rejoice 
r Ro. 12, 15. , such I mean as rejoice in thee 
s Phil. 4, 4. ; and they suffer with such as suffer, I say, with such as suffer for thy name sake 
t 1. Pet. 2, 19 20. 1. Pet. 4, 14. 15. . Great is the care which they have of us! Great is the affection of their love toward us!  
And all this for the honour of thine inestimable goodwill wherewith thou hast loved us. For they love those whom thou dost love; they keep those whom thou dost keep; they forsake those whom thou dost forsake; neither can they abide such as work iniquity; because thou also hatest all them that work iniquity 
u Psal. 5, 5▪ 6. , and wilt destroy them that speak lies.  
When we do well, the Angels rejoice, but the devils are sad: when we do ill, the devils rejoice; but the Angels are sad. For there is joy among the Angels for a sinner that converteth 
x Luk. 15, 7. 10. : and joy to the devil for a just man that forsaketh repentance.  
Grant therefore, o father 
y Math. 6, 9 Luke. 11, 2. Rom. 8, 15. Galath. 4, 6. , that they may always rejoice over us, that both thou always mayst be glorified in us, and we may be brought with them into thy fold 
z joh. 10, 16. , that together we may praise thy Name, o Creator both of men 
a job. 10, 8. job. 33, 4. Psal. 100, 3. Psal. 119, 73. , and Angels 
b Ps. 148, 1. 2, etc. 5. .  
These things I confess before thy Majesty, praising thee for them. For great are these thy benefits which thou hast honoured us withal, in giving us thy spirits 
c Psa. 104, 4. Heb. 1, 7.  to be messengers for our service.  
For thou hadst given whatsoever is contained under the cope of heaven 
d Gen. 1, 28. 29. Psalm. 8, 4. 6, etc. , yet thoughtest thou all that too little, unless withal thou addest those things which are above heaven.  
For this benefit, praise the Lord, all ye his Angels 
e Ps. 103. 20 Psal. 148, 2. ; praise him all ye his works 
f Ps. 103, 22. ; yea, let all thy Saints bless thee 
g Ps. 145, 10. ;  
O our glory 
h judith. 15, verse. 9  thou hast exceedingly honoured; enriched; and glorified us with manifold benefits 
i Ps. 139, 17▪ 18. .  
O Lord, how excellent is thy Name in all the world 
k Psal. 8, 1. ! For what is man, that thou art mindful of him 
l Psal. 8, 4. job. 7, 17. , and the son of man, that thou visitest him! For thou the ancient truth hast said 
m Pro. 8, 31. , My delight is with the children of men.  
Is not man rottenness, and the son of man a worm 
n job. 25, 6. ? Is not every man living mere vanity 
o Psa. 39, 5. Psal. 144, 4. ? yet thou thinkest it good to open thine eyes upon such 
p job. 14, 3. , and causest him to enter into judgement with thee.   

Chap. 28.  
Of God's bottomless predestination, and foreknowledge.  
TEach me, o bottomless deep 
a Ecc. 24, 33. , o wisdom which hast made all things 
b Pro. 8, 27. 28, etc. Eccle. 24, 6. , & weighed the mountains in a weight 
c isaiah. 40, 12 , and hanged the mass of the earth by three fingers in a balance.  
Lift up the mass of this body 
d Wis. 9, 15  which I carry about, by thy three invisible fingers unto thyself, that I may see and know how excellent thou art in all the world 
e Psal. 8, 1. job. 7, 17. .  
O most ancient light, which diddest shine before all light in the holy mountains of thine old eternity, to which all things before they were made, were naked & open 
f Heb. 4, 13. ! O light, which canst abide no spots, inasmuch as thou art without spot 
g Hab. 1, 13. , and most pure! what delight canst thou take with man 
h Prou. 8, 31 ! what communion hath light with darkness 
i 2. Cor. 6,14 ! where is thy delight in man? In what part of me hast thou prepared a meet sanctuary for thy sacred Majesty, wherinto when thou goest, thou mayst delight thee to thy contentment? For meet is it that thou shouldest have a pure parlour, who art the purifying virtue 
k Psa. 19, 12. Psal. 51, 2. 7. Titus. 2, 14. , who canst not be seen, much less possessed, but of the pure in heart 
l Matth. 5, 8▪ Psal. 24, 3. 4. .  
But where is there so pure a temple in man 
m 1. Co. 3, 16 1. Cor 6, 19 2. Cor. 6, 16. , that it may receive thee which rulest the world 
n 2. Mac. 7,9 ! who can bring a clean thing out of filthiness 
o job. 14, 4. ! But thou alone, who only art pure.  
For who can be cleansed by the unclean 
p Ecc. 34, 4. ? For according to the law which thou gavest to our fathers in the mount out of the mids of fire 
q Deu. 5, 22 23. 24. , and in the cloud covering the darksome water, Whatsoever toucheth an unclean thing shall be unclean 
r Leu. 22, 4. 5. 6. Nom. 19, 22 .  
But all of us are as the cloth of a menstruous woman 
s isaiah. 64, 6. , we proceed out of a corrupt and filthy mass; and bear in our foreheds the spot of our uncleanness, the which we cannot hide especially from thine eyes, who seest all things 
t Ecc. 23, 19 Psal. 94, 7. 8. 9 .  
So then we cannot be clean, unless thou make us clean 
u Psal. 51, 2. 7. Tit. 2, 14. , who only art clean 
x reve. 4, 8. Revel. 15, 4. .  
And of us the sons of men those only thou makest clean, in whom it hath pleased thee to make thine abode 
y Rom. 8, 9 2. Tim. 1, 14. , whom by the bottomless and secret depth of the incomprehensible judgements of thy wisdom, which are always just, though they be secret, thou hast without any merits of theirs predestinated before all world 
z Ephes. 1, 4. ; called 
a Ro. 8, 30.  out of the world 
b joh. 17, 6. ; justified 
c Ro. 8, 30.  in the world; and after the world thou wilt glorify them.  
Yet dost y● not this to all men, which makes the wise of this world 
d Luk. 10, 21  even to wonder, and to be astonished. And I also, Lord, when I think hereof, am utterly aghast and amazed at the deepness of the riches 
e Ro. 11, 33.  both of thy wisdom, and knowledge. How unsearchable are the judgements of thy righteousness! thy knowledge is above my reach. For of the same clay thou hast made some vessels unto honour 
f Rom. 9, 21. , & some to everlasting infamy.  
Therefore whom out of many thou hast taken 
g Ezec. 36, verse. 24.  into an holy temple for thyself, those thou dost cleanse, pouring upon them clean water 
h Ezec. 36, verse. 25. , whose names and number is known to thee 
i Psa 69, 28, Philip. 4, 3. , which alone countest the number of the stars 
k Ps. 147, 4. , and callest them all by their names; who also be written in the book of life 
l Luk. 10, 20 Revel. 3, 5. reve. 20, 12. Reu. 21, 27. ; who cannot perish 
m joh. 10, 27 28. ; to whom all things work together for the best 
n Ro. 8, 28. , yea very wickedness itself. For when they fall, they be not bruised into pieces: for thou puttest under thine hand 
o Psa. 37, 24 , thou wilt keep all their bones 
p Ps. 34, 20. , so that not one of them shall be broken.  
But a most vile death have the wicked, they I say, whom in the great deep of thy secret judgements 
q Psal. 36, 6. , which are always righteous, thou didst foreknow, even before thou didst make either the heaven, or the earth, should everlastingly be damned, the number of whose names & naughty merits thou knowest, who hast counted the number of the sand of the sea 
r Eccle. 1, 2. 9 ; and sounded the very bottom of the deep, whom thou hast given up to their uncleanness 
s Rom. 1, 24 , to whom all things work together for the worst, yea even their prayer is abomination 
t Prou. 28, 9 ; so that albe they should ascend up to the very heavens 
u Obad. 1, 4. , & lift their head above the clouds, and make their nest among the stars; yet shall they be cast away in the end like dung.   

Chap. 29.  
Of such as once were godly, and afterward proved wicked; and contrariwise.  
GReat are these thy judgements, o Lord God, o judge righteous 
a Psa. 67, 4. Tob. 3, 2.  and strong, which judgest right 
b Psal. 9, 4. , and dost things that are unsearchable 
c job. 5, 9 job. 37, 5. 6, etc.  and deep: the which when I consider all my bones do shake.  
For there is not a man upon earth sure, that we can serve thee godly & purely in fear 
d Psal. 2, 11. , and rejoice before thee in trembling all the days of our life: that there should be neither service without fear, nor joy without trembling; and that he which hath girded his harness may not boast himself 
e 1. Ki. 20, 11.  as he that hath laid it off; neither in deed that any flesh should rejoice in thy presence 
g 1. Cor. 1, verse. 29.  but shake and tremble before thee 
h Psa. 2, 11. ; inasmuch as no man knoweth whether he be worthy love or hatred 
i Eccle. 9, 1. , all things being kept uncertain till the time to come.  
For, Lord, we have not only heard our fathers tell, but have seen also with our eyes, which thing I cannot utter without trembling, nor confess without fear, how many heretofore have climbed in manner up unto heaven 
k Amos. 9, 2. , and made their nest among the stars 
l Obad. 1, 4. , which afterward fell down headlong even to hell 
m 2. Pet. 2, 4. jude. ver. 6. , and were hardened in wickedness.  
We have seen the stars fall from heaven through the violent stroke of the dracon's tail 
n Reu. 12, 4. . And we have seen some lying in the dust of the earth 
o Psa. 113, 5. 6. 7. 1. Sam. 2, 6. 7. 8. Luke. 1, 46. 47. 48, etc. , who suddenly by thine helping hand, o Lord, have wonderfully ascended.  
We have seen the living, dying; and the dead, rising from death: we also have seen them which walked among the sons of God, in the mids of stones of fire 
p Eze. 28, 14▪ 16. , even as clay to have vanished to nothing.  
We have seen light become darkness; and darkness come out of light: because publicans and harlots do go before the inhabiters into the kingdom of God 
q Mat. 21, 31 ; and the children of the kingdom 
r Mat. 8, 12.  are cast into utter darkness.  
And how cometh all this to pass, but even because they mounted up unto that hill, wherinto the first ascended an Angel 
s isaiah. 14, 12 , and came down a devil.  
But, Lord, whom thou hast predestinate, them thou hast called 
t Rom. 8, 30 , and sanctified, & cleansed, that they may be a meet dwelling place 
u 1. Co. 3, 16. 1. Cor. 6, 19  for thy majesty, with whom and in whom thy holy and pure delight is 
x Pro. 8, 31. , in whom thou takest pleasure, and rejoicest their youth, dwelling with them 
y 2. Co. 6, 16  in their remembrance, that they may be thine holy temple 
z 1. Co. 3, 16 : which doubtless is no small commendation of our humanity.   

Chap. 30.  
That the soul of a faithful man is the sanctuary of God.  
FOr the soul, which thou hast created 
a Gen. 1, 26. 27. Colo. 3, 10. , not of thyself, but by thy word 
b john. 1, 3. ; not of the matter of any element, but of nothing; the which is reasonable, of understanding, spiritual, living always, and ever moving, which thou hast sealed with the light of thy countenance, and hallowed by the virtue of thy baptism, is made so capable of thy glory, that thou alone, and nothing else can satisfy the same 
c Psal. 42, 1▪ 2.   
And when it hath thee, it hath her heart's desire; neither is there any outward thing beside, which it would wish. But while it desireth any outward thing, it is a manifest argument, that thou art not within. For if thou be had, it can wish for no more 
d Reu. 7, 17. Revel. 21, 4. .  
For inasmuch as thou art the sovereign 
e jam. 1, 17. , yea all that good is; it hath nothing which it may wish for more, but enjoyeth thee, who art all that good is.  
Now if it covet not after all that good is, it resteth that it must covet after some thing, which is not all that good is; and so consequently not the sovereign good; and so not God, but rather a creature.  
And as long as it desireth a creature, it is always hungry. For although it have what it can desire of creatures; yet remaineth it empty. For there is nothing which can fulfil it, but thou alone 
f Psal. 42, 1. 2. , after whose image it was created 
g Gen. 1, 26. 27. Wisd. 2, 23. Eccles. 17, 1. 2. 3. .  
And those thou fillest, which desire nothing beside thee; and makest them meet for thee, holy 
h Psa. 31, 23 Phil. 4, 22. , blessed 
i Rom. 4, 7. 8. , undefiled 
k Eph. 1, 4. , and the friends of God 
l isaiah. 41, 8. Wisd. 7, 27. john. 15, 14. 15. , which do judge all things but as dung 
m Phil. 3, 8.  that they may win thee alone.  
For this is the blessing which thou hast bestowed upon man; this is the honour wherewith thou hast exalted him among all, yea, and above all creatures 
n Psalm. 8, 1. 3, etc. , that thy name may be wonderful throughout all the world.  
Behold, o Lord my God 
o Psal. 18, 2 6. , who art most high 
p Dan. 7, 27 1. Esdr. 6, 31. Hebr. 7, 1. , most righteous 
q Mat. 19, 16 17. Mark. 10. 17 18. , almighty 
r Dan. 7, 27. 2. Cor. 6, 18. Revel. 4, 8. , now have I found the place where thou inhabitest, it is even the soul which thou hast created after thine own image and similitude 
s Gen. 5, 1. Colos. 3, 10. , which doth seek and long after thee alone: not the soul which neither seeketh nor desireth thee.   

Chap. 31.  
That God neither by the outward nor inward senses can be found out.  
I Have gone astray like a lost sheep 
a Ps. 119, 176 , seeking thee without, who art within. And much have I laboured to find thee without me, and thou dwellest within me 
b Rom. 8, 9  at leastwise if I had a lust to thee.  
I went about by the lanes, and by the streets 
c Sal. songs. 3, verse. 2.  of the city of this world, seeking thee, but I found thee not. Because I sought thee not rightly without, who art within.  
I sent abroad my messengers, namely all mine outward senses, to seek thee; yet did I not find thee; because I sought amiss.  
For now do I see, o my light 
d isaiah. 60, 19 Micah. 7, 8. , o God, which hast enlightened me 
e john. 1, 9 , I see now that I did not well in seeking thee by them. For thou art within, yet could they not tell me, where thou camest in 
f job. 9, 11. .  
For mine eyes do tell me; If he had no colour, he entered not by us: Mine ears do tell me; If he made no noise, he passed not by us: My nose telleth me, If he had no sent, he came not by me: My tasting saith, if he had no savour, he entered not by me; likewise my feeling doth say, If he had no body, ask not me the question.  
Therefore, o my God, these things are not in thee. For it is neither the fairness of body, nor the beauty of time, nor the brightness of light, nor the freshness of colour, nor the melody of music, nor any thing else which is pleasant to the ear; it is neither the fragancie of flowers, nor the smell of ointments or spices, nor the sweetness of honey or manna, delightful to the taste; neither is it those things which are lovelic to be touched, or embraced; nor finally any thing subject to these senses which I seek, when I seek my God. Be it far fro my thought, that I should think these things to be my God, which are comprehended of the senses even of brutish creatures.  
And yet when I seek my God, I seek for all that a certain light excelling all light, which the eye cannot comprehend 
g 1. Cor. 2, 9 ; a certain sound excelling all sound, which the ear can not conceive; a certain sent, surpassing all sent, which the nose cannot discern; a certain sweetness, excelling all sweetness, which no taste can judge of; and a certain embracement, above all embracement, which no feeling can reach unto.  
For this light shineth, where no place is to contain it; This voice soundeth, where no aër is to carry it; this scent gives a sent, where no wind is to waste it; this savour savoureth, where no taste is to eat it; and this embracing is felt, where it is not sundered. This is my God, and there shall none other be compared unto him 
h Baru. 3, 35 . This do I seek, when I seek my God; This do I love, when I love my God.  
Too late have I loved thee, o beauty so old and yet so fresh, too late have I loved thee! Thou wert within, and I was without, where I sought thee; and I deformed, as I am, rushed upon these goodly things 
i Gen. 1, 31. Eccle. 39, 16. 33. , which thou hast made 
k Gen. 1, 1. 2. 3, etc. Psal. 148, 1. 2, etc. Eccle. 18, 1. .  
Thou wert with me, but I was from thee. Those things kept me aloof from thee, which could not be but in thee 
l Act. 17, 25. 28. .  
I went all about seeking thee, and forsaking myself for all things.  
I asked the earth if it were my God; and it answered, No: and all things in the earth confessed the same.  
I asked the sea, & the deeps, and all things creeping in them; but they answered, We are not thy God, seek him above us.  
I asked the puffing aër, and the whole aër with all the dwellers in the same made me this answer; Anaximenes is deceived 
m Anaximenes' was of opinion that the aër was God; as Augustine here, and Theodor. in his book de Principijs▪ doth record. : for I am not thy God.  
I asked the heaven, the sun, the moon, and the stars: and they said, Neither be we thy God.  
Then said I unto all those which stand about the doors of my flesh; Tell me, I pray you, what think ye of my God? tel me somewhat of him? and they all answered with a loud voice, He hath made us 
n Psa. 100, 3 .  
Then said I to the mass of the whole world, Tell me, art thou my God, or no? And it answered with a mighty voice, I am not; but through him I am whom thou seekest in me; He hath made me 
o john. 1, 3. 10. Heb. 11, 3. ; seek him above me, by whom I am now ruled 
p 2. Ma. 7, 9 , and was once created.  
The ask of the creatures is the deep consideration of them: their answer, is the testimonic which they yield of God. For all things cry, God hath made us 
q Gen. 1, 1. 2. 3, etc. Psal. 136, 1. 5. 6, etc. Eccl. 18, 1. Acts. 14, 15. Act. 17, 24. .  
For, as the Apostle saith 
r Rom. 1, verse. 20. , the invisible things of God, are seen by the creation of the world, being considered in his works.  
Then I returned unto myself, and went into myself, and said thus to myself, what art thou? I answered myself, and said, A man reasonable 
s Gen. 1, 27. Gen. 5, 1. , and mortal 
t Wisd. 7, 1. 2. Esd. 7, 14. 15. Act. 14, 15. . Then began I to discuss what that should be, & said: Whence is this kind of creature, o Lord my God 
u Psal. 7, 1. 3. ? whence but of thee? Thou hast made me 
x Psa. 100, 3 , and not I myself.  
What art thou? Thou I mean by whom I live 
y Act. 17, 28 , nay thou by whom all things do live 
z Ps. 145, 15. Act. 17, 25. , what art thou? Verily, thou, Lord my God 
a Psal. 18, 2. 6. Matth. 4, 7. 10. , art the true 
b Exo. 34, 6. jere. 10, 10. john. 17, 3. , and only God 
c 2. Kin. 19, verse. 15. 19 Psal. 86, 10. , almighty 
d Psa. 115, 3. Psal. 135, 6. , everlasting 
e Psal. 9, 7. Psa. 102, 11. 12. , incomprehensible 
f Psa. 139, 6▪ 7, etc. , and infinite 
g Ecc. 18, 1. , living always 
h 1. Tim. 1, 17 , and dying in no part of thee; thou inhabitest the eternity 
i isaiah. 57, 15 , and art wonderful in the sight of Angels 
k Psa. 89, 7. , thou canst not be uttered 
l Psa. 139, 6. , nor found out 
m job. 9, 10. 11, etc. , nor named; thou art a living God 
n Esaie. 37, ver. 4.17. jer. 4, 2. Heb. 9, 14. Reu. 4, ver. 9.10. , a true God 
o Exod. 34, 6. john. 17, 3. , a terrible 
p Exod. 15, 11. Deut. 7, 21.  & strong God 
q Psal. 7, ver. 12. 13. Esaie. 1, 24. , knowing neither beginning 
r Pro. 8, 22.  nor end 
s Psal. 102, 11 12. ; the beginning and the end of all things 
t reve. 1, 8. ; who art before the world 
u Ecc. 24, 12 , and from everlasting to everlasting 
x Ecc. 42, 21 .  
Thou art my God 
y Deu. 6, 13. 16. , and the Lord of all which thou hast created 
z 2. Ma. 7, 9 , with thee are the causes of all stable things, with thee do the originals of all changeable things abide unchangeable; and with thee do the grounds of reasonable, unreasonable, and temporal things continue for ever.  
O my God, tell me thine humble servant, o merciful God tell thy servant, even by thy great mercies, I beseech thee, tell me, whence is this kind of creature if not of thee? Shall any man be his own maker 
a Psa. 100, 3. ? Have any either being, or life, but from thee 
b Act. 17, 25▪ 28. ? Art not thou the principal being, from whom all being doth proceed 
c jam. 1, 17. ? For whatsoever is, it is of thee, because without thee there is nothing.  
Art not thou the wellspring of life 
d Psal. 36, 9 john. 4, 14. , from which floweth all life? For whatsoever liveth, doth live through thee 
e Act. 17, 28 : because without thee nothing doth live. Therefore, o Lord, thou hast made all things.  
What? shall I ask who hath made me? Thou, Lord, hast made me 
f Psa. 100, 3. Psal. 119, 73 , without whom nothing was made 
g john. 1, 3. . Thou art my maker, & I thy workmanship 
h Psa. 139, 13▪ 14, etc. Wisd. 2, 23. .  
Thanks be to thee, o Lord my God, through whom I live, and through whom all things do live, because thou hast made al. Thanks be to thee, o my maker: for thine hands have made me, and fashioned me 
i job. 10, 8. Psa. 119, 73. . Thanks be to thee, o my light 
k john. 1, 4. 9 john. 8, 12. 1. john. 1, 5. 7. ; because thou hast enlightened me; whereby I have found both thee and myself. Where I found myself, there I knew myself; where I found thee, there I knew thee; and where I knew thee, there thou didst enlighten me. Thanks be to thee, o my light, for enlightening me. But what is it that I said, I knew thee? Art not thou a God incomprehensible 
l job. 23, 8. 9 , unmeasurable 
m Psa. 139, 7▪ 8. 9  the King of kings 
n 1. Tim. 6, verse. 15. Reu. 17, 14. Reu. 19, 16. , and Lord of lords, who alone hast immortality 
o 1. Tim. 1, 17 , and dwellest in the light that none can attain unto 
p 1. Tim. 6, 16 , whom never man saw, neither can see? Art not thou an hidden God, whose glory is passed finding out; art not thou best known, and a wonderful beholder of thyself?  
Who then knows that which he never saw? For thou hast said in thy truth, No man shall see me and live 
q Exod. 33, verse. 20. : Thy Prophet hath said through thy truth, No man hath seen God at any time 
r john. 1, 18. . Who then knows that, which he never saw? And thy truth itself 
s john. 14, 6  hath said, No man knoweth the Son but the Father 
t Mat. 11, 27. : neither knoweth any man the Father but the Son. Thy Trinity alone, which is above all knowledge, is perfectly known only to itself.  
Then what is it, that I, a man like to vanity 
u Psa. 144, 4 , have said, I know thee? For who knows thee, but thyself alone?  
For thou, God alone, in thy most holy, and heavenly word art said to be almighty 
x Gen. 35, 11 Eccles. 43, 1. 2. 3, etc. reve. 4, 8. , passing praise worthy 
y Psal. 96, 4. Psal. 145, 3. , passing glorious, passing honourable, passing high 
z Gen. 14, 18 Luke. 1, 32. 35. , beyond all being. For thou art found superessentially, and beyond all knowledge to be above the nature of any thing which may be imagined, be it intellectual or sensible, and above every name that is named 
a Eph. 1, 21. , not in this world only, but also in that which is to come: Inasmuch as through the superessential, and secret power of thy Godhead, (how no reason, understanding, nor being can conceive) thou dwellest so as no man can either search thee out, or have access unto thee, and that in thyself, where as light is, that none can attain unto 
b 2. Tim. 6, verse. 16. , and brightness which no creature can either find out, comprehend, or utter, whereunto no light can attain. Because it is no light to be looked upon, or seen, but is thought to be a light exceeding both the reach of reason, & of understanding, and is more than can be attained unto, more than unchangeable, more than may becommunicated with any: Such a light it is, as never Angel, nor man saw, neither can see 
c 1. Tim. 6. verse. 16. .  
This is thy heaven, Lord, thine hiding heaven, thy passing secret heaven, I mean thy light beyond all understanding 
d Phil. 4, 7. , beyond all reason, beyond being: of which it is said, The heaven of heaven is the Lords. The heaven of heaven, in comparison whereof all other heaven is but earth: forsomuch as it is passing marvelously heaved up above all heaven. Yea such an heaven, as that fiery heaven compared thereunto, is but as earth. For this is the Lords heaven of heaven: because none knows it, but the Lord alone.  
Unto this heaven no man ascendeth, but he which hath descended from heaven 
e john. 3, 13. . For no man knoweth the Father but the Son 
f Mat. 11, 27 , and the Spirit of them both 
g joh. 15, 26 : neither knoweth any man the Son, but the Father 
h Mat. 11, 27 , and the Spirit of them both 
i joh. 15, 26. .  
O sacred Trinity, o Trinity eternal, passing glorious, passing utterance, passing finding out, which no man can attain unto 
k 1. Tim. 6, verse. 16. , no man comprehend 
l job. 23, 8. 9 , no man conceive, as being beyond all being, and superessentially passing all sense, all reason, all understanding, all knowledge, all essence of supercelestial spirits; the which nothing, no not the very Angels can either utter, or conceive 
m 1. Cor. 2, 9 ; or venderstand, or know: thou perfectly art known 
n 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12.  to thyself, o Trinity.  
How then do I know thee, o Lord God most high 
o Psa. 50, 14▪ Luck. 1, 32. Luke. 8, 28. , above all earth, and above all heaven, whom neither Cherubins, nor Seraphins perfectly do know; but with the wings of their contemplations they cover his face 
p Esaie. 6, 1. 2.  which sitteth upon the high and stately throne, saying 
q isaiah. 6, 3. , Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, the whole world is full of thy glory!  
The Prophet was astonished, and said, Woe is me, I know not what to say, because I am a man of polluted lips 
r Esaie. 6, 5. ! And my heart was astonished, and said likewise, Woe is me for speaking because I am a man of polluted lips. Yet I said, I knew thee.  
Notwithstanding, woe to them, Lord, who are tongue-tied when they should speak of thee. For they which babble much 
s Matth. 6, 7  are made mute without thee.  
And I, o Lord my God 
t Psalm. 7, 1. 3. , will not be still: because thou hast made me 
u Gen. 1, 26. 27. Psal. 100, 3. Psa. 119, 73. , and lightened me 
x john. 1, 9 , and found me. So that I know thee 
y john. 17, 3 , because thou hast enlightened me 
z john. 1, 4. 9 .  
But how do I know thee? Doubtless I know thee in thyself. I know thee not as thou art to thyself 
a 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. , but as thou art to me; yet not without thee, but in thyself. For thou art the light which hast enlightened me 
b john. 1, 9 1. john. 1, 5. 7. .  
For as thou art to thyself, thou art known to thyself alone 
c 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. john. 1, 18. 1. Tim. 6, 16 1. john. 4, 12 : but as thou art to me, according to thy grace, thou art known to me.  
But what art thou to me? o merciful God 
d Exo. 34, 6▪ Psal. 86, 5. , tell me thy miserable servant, for thy mercy's sake, tell me what thou art to me ward. Say unto my soul 
e Psal. 35, 3 , I am thy salvation; hide not thy face away fro me, o Lord, lest I die.  
Suffer me to speak with thy mercy, me I say, earth and ashes 
f Gen. 18, verse. 27. job. 30, 19 Eccle. 17, 33 ; suffer me to speak with thy mercy. For great is thy mercy toward me 
g Psa. 117, 2 .  
I will speak unto my God, albeit I am but dust and ashes 
h Gen. 18, verse. 27. .  
Tell me thy humble servant, o merciful God 
i Exo. 34, 6.  tell me thy miserable servant, for thy mercy's sake tell me what art thou to me ward?  
Thou also didst thunder from heaven 
k Psa. 18, 13  with a mighty voice into the inner ear of mine heart; thou brakedst my deafness, so that I heard thy voice; thou diddest enlighten my blindness, and I saw thy light; and knew, how that thou art my God 
l Psal. 16, 2. . Therefore did I say, I knew thee, because I knew that thou art my God. I knew thee to be the only very God 
m joh. 17, 3. , and whom thou hast sent, jesus Christ.  
The time was, when I knew thee not. But woe worth that time, when I did not know thee; woe worth that blindness, when I did not see thee; woe worth that deafness, when I did not hear thee. Then blind, deaf, & ugly as I was, I rushed upon those fair things which thou hast made.  
Yet even then thou wert with me, but I was not with thee; and those kept me far off from thee, which should not have been without thee.  
Thou hast enlightened me, o light of the world 
n john. 1, 4. 9 john. 8, 12. , so that I have seen thee, and loved thee. For no man doth love thee but he sees thee: And no man doth see thee, but he which loves thee.  
It was late before I loved thee, o beauty so ancient, and yet so fresh; late was it before I loved thee. But woe worth that time when I loved thee not.   

Chap. 32.  
The faith or belief of a true Christian most notably described.  
O My light 
a john. 1, 4. 9 , I praise thee for enlightening me, whereby I know thee.  
But how do I know thee? I know thee to be God alone 
b 2. King. 19, verse. 15. 19 Psal. 86, 10. , a living God 
c john. 17, 3. , a true 
d jer. 10, 10. 2. Chr. 15, 3.  God, my Creator 
e Gen. 1, 26. 27. Psal. 100, 3. Psal. 139, 1●0 14, etc. .  
I know thee to be the maker both of heaven and earth 
f Psa. 124, 8. Psal. 134, 3. Psal. 135, 6. , of all things visible and invisible 
g Col. 1, 16. , a very God 
h jer. 10, 10. , almighty 
i Gen. 35, 11. Revel. 4, 8. Revel. 11, 17. , immortal 
k 1, Tim. 1, 17 , invisible 
l Colo. 1, 15. 1 Tim. 1, 17 , incompassable 
m job. 23, 8. , unlimitable 
n Bar. 3, 24. 25. , everlasting 
o Lam. 5, 19 Dan. 6, 26. Baruc. 4, 10. 14, etc. Rom. 16, 26. , to whom none can approach unto 
p 1. Tim. 6, verse. 16. , nor comprehend 
q jer. 32, 18. 19 Eccle. 23, 19 20. , nor find out 
r job. 11, 7. 8. 9, etc. ; who art unchangeable 
s Mala. 3, 6. , unmeasurable 
t Psa. 139, 6. 7. 8. Baruc. 3, 24, 25. , infinite 
u Prou. 8, 22. Heb. 1, 12. , the beginning of all creatures 
x Colo. 1, 15, 16. 17.  be they visible or invisible, by whom all things were created, through whom all the elements do consist. Whose majesty, as it never had beginning 
y Psal. 90, 2. Psa. 93, 2. : so it shall never have end 
z Psal. 45, 6. Psa. 146, 10. .  
I know thee to be one God 
a Deut. 6, 4. Mal. 2, 10. , alone 
b Psal. 86, 10. Esa. 37, 16. 20. , the true God 
c john. 17, 3. 1. Thes. 1, 9 ; namely, the eternal Father 
d Matth. 11, 25. Mark. 13, 32. , Son, 
e john. 1, 18. Rom. 8, 3. 17.  & holy Ghost 
f Mar. 12, 36. Acts. 1, 5. 8. 16. ; three persons 
g Math. 3, 16, 17. Mar. 1, 10. 11. Luke. 3, 21, 22.  indeed, but one simple substance, and unparted nature; The Father made of none; the Son of the Father alone; the holy Ghost of the Father and of the Son; always without either beginning 
h Pro. 8, 22. Eccle. 24, 12. , or end 
i Psa. 102, 11. 12. .  
A Trinity, yet but one only 
k Deut. 6, 4. , and very God 
l 2. Chr. 15, 3 john. 17, 3. , omnipotent 
m Eze. 10, 5. Eccl. 42, 17. 2. Cor. 6, 18. , the only beginning of all things 
n john. 1, 1. 2. 3. , maker of all creatures both visible and invisible 
o Col. 1, 15. 16. 17. , spiritual and temporal;  
Which by thine almighty power at the beginning diddest of nothing make together both creatures, spiritual and corporal, that is to say, angelical and worldly, and afterward the human, as a middle nature consisting of body and spirit.  
I know and confess thee, God the Father, to be unbegotten; thee, God the Son, to be begotten of the Father 
p Psal. 2, Heb. 1, 5. ; thee, God the holy Ghost the comforter 
q joh. 14, 26 , to be neither made, nor begotten.  
With my heart I believe unto righteousness 
r Rom. 10, 10 , and with my mouth I confess unto salvation, this holy, and single Trinity in three coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal persons, to be a Trinity in Unity, and an Unity in Trinity.  
I know thee jesus Christ our Lord 
s 1. Cor. 1, 3. 7, etc. , to be a true God 
t joh. 17, 3. , the only begotten Son of God 
u joh. 3, 16. 18. 1. john. 4, 9 , and the Creator 
x john. 1, 1. 2. 3. Heb. 1, 2. 3. Heb. 1, 2. , Saviour 
y Luke. 1, 31. 69. Luke. 2, 11. 30. Matth. 1, 21. , and redeemer not of me only, but also of all mankind 
z Rom. 3, 24 1. Cor. 1, 30. Ephes. 1, 5. 6. 7. : whom I acknowledge to be begotten of the Father 
a Psal. 2, 7. Acts. 13, 33.  before all worlds, God of God 
b joh. 8, 42. john. 13, 3. john. 16, 27. 30. , light 
c john. 1, 4. 5. 7, etc.  of light, very God 
d Math. 1, 23. Mat. 16. 16.  of very God, begotten 
e Psal. 2, 7. Heb. 1, 5. Heb. 5, 5.  not made, being of one substance 
f Heb. 1, 3.  and coeternal 
g Heb. 5, 5. , with the Father and the holy Ghost, by whom all things at the beginning were made 
h john. 1, 1. 2, etc. Heb. 1, 1. 2. .  
Steadfastly believing, & truly confessing, that thou jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God 
i john. 3, 16. 18. 1. john. 4, 9  for our salvation 
k Math. 1, 21. Luke. 1, 31. 69.  by the consent of the whole Trinity tookest flesh; and wert conceived by the holy Ghost of the virgin Marie 
l Mat. 1, 18. 20. Luke. 1, 26. 27, etc. ; and wert made very man 
m joh. 1, 14. 1. Tim. 3, 16. , of a reasonable soul, and human flesh subsisting:  
Thou forsomuch as in respect of thy Godhead, being the only begotten Son of God; thou couldst neither suffer, nor die 
n 1. Tim. 1, 17.  through thine exceeding love wherewith thou hast loved us 
o Ephe. 2, 4. , thou, the very same Son of GOD for all that, becamest subject to sufferings 
p 1. Pet. 2, 21. Luke. 24, 46. , & mortality 
q 1. Cor. 8, 11, , in respect of thy manhood: & o only Son of God, for the salvation of mankind 
r Mat. 1, 21.  didst suffer death 
s Rom. 5, 6. 7. 1. Cor. 15, 3. 2. Cor. 5. 15.  upon the wood of the cross 
t Gala. 3, 13, , to save us from everlasting death 
u Col. 1, 12. 13. 14. .  
Thou, the author of light descendedst into hell 
x Crede Apost. Athan. , and like a glorious conqueror rosest again the third day 
y 1. Cor. 15, verse. 4. , taking to thee again thy sacred body, which for our sins had lain in the sepulchre; and quickening it according to the Scripture 
z Mat. 28, 1. 2, etc. Luke. 24, 1. 2. 3, etc. john. 20, 1. 11. 12.  the third day, that thou mightest place the same at the right hand of the Father 
a Acts. 2, 34. Colos. 3, 1. .  
For thou, the very Son of God, taking again unto thyself the substance of our flesh, that is to say, the soul and human body which thou tookest of the glorious virgin 
b Lu. 24, 36. 37, etc. joh. 20, 19 20, etc. 24. 25, etc. , art ascended up above all the heavens 
c Mar. 16, 19 Luk. 24, 51. Acts. 1, 9 10. 11. , and mounted above the orders of Angels, where thou sittest at the right hand of God the Father 
d Act. 2, 34. Coloss. 3, 1. Heb. 1, 3. 13. , and whereas the fountain of life is 
e Psal. 36, 9 ; the light which none can attain unto 
f 1. Tim. 6, 16 ; & the peace of God which passeth all understanding 
g Phili 4, 7. .  
There we do worship thee, there we do believe thee to be very God, and very man; confessing God to be thy Father 
h 2. Cor. 1, 3. 2. Cor. 11, 31. Ephes. 3, 14. : and from thence we look that thou wilt come a judge in the end of the world 
i Act. 10, 42. 2. Tim. 4, 1. 8. , to judge both the quick and the dead, and to render to all men good and bad, according to their deeds 
k Rom. 14, 10▪ 2. Cor. 5, 10. , which they have done in this life, either reward or punishment, according as every one is worthy, rest or torment.  
For all men, even as many as have received souls in their human flesh which they had in this world, shall rise at that day through the sound 
l 1. Cor. 15, verse. 52. 1. Thes. 4, 16.  of thy power: that whole man may receive either the glory of heaven 
m Math. 25, verse. 34. john. 5, 29. Rom. 14, 10. , or the pain of hell 
n Mat. 25, 41 john. 5, 29. 2 Cor. 5, 10. , according to their deserts.  
Thou art our resurrection, and the life itself 
o job. 11, 25. , whom we look for, even the Lord jesus Christ, our Saviour 
p Phil. 3, 20. 21. , who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.  
I know thee the holy Spirit both of the Father and of the Son, to be one God 
q 1. joh. 5, 7. , and a very God 
r Mat. 28, 19▪ 2. Cor. 13, 13. Revel. 1, 4. , proceeding alike from them both 
s joh. 15, 26. Galat. 4, 6. , of one substance 
t 1. Cor. 2, 12 , and coeternal with the Father and the Son, our comforter 
u joh. 14, 26. , and advocate 
x Rom. 8, 26 :  
Which camest downe in the likeness of a dove 
y Mat. 3, 16.  upon the same God, & our Lord jesus Christ 
z 1. Cor. 1▪ 3. 7. 8, etc. ; and showedst thyself upon thine Apostles in fiery tongues 
a Acts. 2, 1. 2. 3, etc. :  
Which also even from the beginning hast instructed with the gift of thy grace all the saints and chosen of God: and opened the mouths of the Prophets 
b 1. Cor. 12. verse. 10. 2. Tim. 3, 16. 2. Pet. 1, 20. 21.  that they might declare abroad the wonderful mysteries of the kingdom of God; who also together with the Father & the Son, of all the Saints of God, art worshipped and glorified. Among whom I the son of thine handmaid 
c Psa. 116, 16. Wisd. 9, 5.  do glorify thy name, because thou hast enlightened me.  
For thou art the very light, the true light, the fire of God 
d Acts. 2● 3. , the master of the spirits 
e 1. Co. 12, 7. 8, etc. ; which by thine ointment teachest us all truth 
f 1. joh. 2, 27 ; the spirit of truth 
g joh. 14, 16. 17. john. 15, 26. , without which it is impossible to please God.  
For thou thyself art God of God, and light of light, unspeakably proceeding from the Father of lights 
h jam. 1. 17. , and from his Son 
i john. 3, 16. 18. 1. john. 4, 9  our Lord jesus Christ 
k 2. Cor. 1, 3. Ephes 3, 14. ; with whom thou reignest, and art glorified most singularly, being of one substance, coequal, and coeternal with them in the essence of one and the same Trinity.  
I know thee Father 
l Mat. 11, 25. Mark. 13, 32 , Son 
m joh. 8, 42. , and holy Ghost 
n 2. Cor. 13. verse. 13. , to be one 
o 1. joh. 5, 7. , a living 
p john. 17, 3. , and a very God 
q jer. 10, 10. : three I confess in persons 
r Matt. 3, 16. 17. , yet but one in essence: whom I acknowledge, worship, and glorify with mine whole heart 
s Deut. 6, 5. Mar. 12, 30. , being the true God 
t 1. Thes. 1, 9 , the only 
u Esa. 37, 16. 20.  God, holy 
x Leu. 11, 44 45. Revel. 16, 5. , immortal 
y 1. Tim. 1, 17 , invisible 
z john. 1, 18. 1. joh. 4, 12. , unchangeable 
a Mala. 3, 6. , whom no man can either attain unto 
b 1. Tim. 6, verse. 16. , or find out 
c job. 23, 8. 9, etc. :  
This God I acknowledge to be one light, one son, one bread, one life, one happiness, one beginning, one end, one creator both of heaven & earth 
d Gen. 1, verse. 1, etc. , by whom all things do live 
e Act. 17, 25. 28. , by whom all things subsist 
f Colos. 1, 16 17. , by whom all things are governed 
g 1. Esd. 4, 58 , ruled 
h Nehe. 9, 6. , and quickened both the things in heaven, and the things in earth, and things under the earth 
i 1. Tim. 6, 13 : beside whom there is no God, neither in heaven nor in earth 
k isaiah 45, 5. 18, etc. . Thus know I thee, o Lord God, who knowest me 
l 1. Sa. 16, 7. Psalm. 7, ●. , thus know I thee. Through thy faith which thou hast inspired to me, I know thee o my light 
m Mich. 7, 8 , the sight of mine eyes, o Lord my God 
n Psal. 7, 1. 3. , the hope of all the ends of the earth 
o Psal. 65, 5. ; the joy rejoicing mine youth, and the good sustaining mine age.  
For in thee, o Lord, all my bones rejoice, saying, O Lord, who is like to thee? Among the gods who is like to thee 
p Exo. 15, 11. ? Not that whom the hands of men have made; but thou who hast made the hands of men.  
The idols of the nations are silver & gold 
q Psa. 115, 4. , even the works of men's hands: so is not he which made man. All the gods of the people are idols 
r Psal. 96, 5. : but the Lord made the heavens.  
Let those gods which made not the heavens, & the earth perish from the earth, & from under these heavens 
s jere. 10, 11. : but let both heaven & earth praise him 
t Psa. 148, 1. 2, etc.  which created both earth & heaven 
u Psa. 124. 8. Psal. 134, 3. . Amen.   

Chap. 33.  
A confession of man's wretchedness.  
WHo is like unto thee o Lord, among the gods 
a Exo. 15, 11. ! who is like unto thee, so glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders!  
Long was it ere I knew thee, o true light 
b john. 1, 4. 9 john. 8, 12. , long was it ere I knew thee.  
There was a great and dark cloud before my vane eyes: so that I could not behold the sun of righteousness, nor the light of the truth.  
I, a child of darkness 
c 1. Thes. 5, 5. , was wrapped in darkness, I loved darkness, because I knew not the light. Blind I was, and I loved blindness: after darkness I followed through darkness.  
Who brought me thence, where I a blind wretch, sat in darkness, and in the shadow of death 
d Luk. 1, 79. ? Who took me by the hand, to lead me out? What was he which enlightened me? I sought him not, yet sought he me out: I called him not, but he called me. What was he? Even thou it was, o Lord my God 
e Psalm. 7, 1. 3. , pitiful and merciful 
f Psa. 86, 15. , even thou Father of mercies 
g 2. Cor. 1, 3. , and God of all comfort. Even thou it was, my Lord GOD most holy 
h Reu. 16, 5. Revel. 4, 8. , whom I confess with all mine heart, praising thy Name.  
I sought not thee, yet thou soughtest me; I called not upon thee, but thou called'st me. For thou hast called me by thine own Name. With a mighty voice thou hast thundered 
i Psa. 18, 13.  from above into the inward ear of mine heart, saying, Let there be light 
k Gene. 1, 3. , and light was made: insomuch as the great cloud vanished away, and the dark mist which had covered mine eyes melted, whereby I saw thy light, and knew thy voice, and said:  
Of a truth, Lord, thou art my God 
l Psalm. 7, 1. 3. Math. 4, 10. , which brought me out of darkness 
m Luk. 1, 79. , and from the shadow of death, and hast called me into thy wonderful light, so that now I see, thanks to thee mine inlightener therefore.  
And I looked back, and saw the darkness wherein I had been, and the dark dungeon, wherein I had lain, whereat I trembled, was afraid, and uttered these words:  
Woe, woe worth the darkness wherein I lay; woe, woe to that blindness in which I could not see the light of heaven; woe, I say, woe to mine old ignorance, when I knew not thee, o Lord.  
I thank thee, o mine inlightener 
n john. 1, 9 , o my Saviour 
o Luk. 1, 31. 69. Luke. 2, 11. 31.  I thank thee for enlightening me, whereby I know thee.  
Late it was ere I knew thee, o ancient truth 
p joh. 14, 6. , late it was ere I knew thee, o eternal truth. Thou wert in the light, and I was in darkness: I knew thee not, because I could not be enlightened, but by thee 
q john. 1, 9 ; and without thee there is no light.   

Chap. 34.  
A consideration of God's Majesty.  
O God most holy 
a Leu. 11, 44. 45. Psalm. 99, 9 Revel. 4, 8. Revel. 16, 5. , of inestimable majesty, God of gods 
b Deu. 10, 17 , & Lord of lords, who art most wonderful 
c Ecc. 43, 29. 30. , and canst neither be conceived in thought, nor expressed by word 
d Ecc. 43, 30 31. ; of whom all the Angels in heaven do stand in fear; whom all the dominations and thrones do adore 
e reve. 5, 11. 12. 13. , & at whose presence all powers do shake; whose might and wisdom is infinite; which upon nothing hast laid the foundation of the earth 
f Zech. 12, 1. Hebr. 1, 2. 10. , & gathered the waters of the sea together 
g Psa. 33, 7. Psal. 78, 13.  in the aër as in a bottle.  
O Lord most mighty 
h 2. Co. 6, 18 Revel. 4, 8. Revel. 7, 17. Revel. 15, 3. , most holy 
i Leu. 11, 44 45. Revel. 4, 8. , most puissant 
k 1. Sam. 2, 2 8. Psal. 24, 8. Prou. 18, 10. , God of all flesh 
l jer. 32, 27. , at whose presence heaven and earth do fly 
m Ps. 104, 7. 8. , and at whose beck all the elements do obey; let all thy creatures worship and praise thee 
n Ps. 148, 1. 2, etc. .  
And I the son of thine handmaid 
o Ps. 116, 16. Wisd. 9, 5. , through thy faith do bow the neck of mine heart under the feet of thy majesty, yielding thee most humble thanks for vouchsafing of thy mercy to enlighten me, o true light 
p john. 1, 4. 1. john. 1, 5. 7. , o holy light, o wonderful light, which inlightenest not only every man that cometh into this world 
q john. 1, 9 , but also the eyes of the Angels in heaven.  
Lo, I see now, thanks to thee; Lo, I see the light of heaven; the lightsome beams of thy countenance do now shine upon the eyes of my mind, and comfort all my bones.  
Oh that it were fully made perfect within me! O Father of light 
r jam. 1, 17. , increase it; increase I pray thee, that light which shineth upon me: enlarge it, yea do thou enlarge the same, I beseech thee.  
What is this I feel? what fire is this which warmeth mine heart? what light is it which spreadeth out such glorious beams upon my mind?  
O fire which alway burnest, and art never quenched, set me on fire! O light which alway shinest, and art never dimmed, enlighten me. Would to God I were inflamed by thee!  
O sacred fire, how sweetly dost thou burn! how secretly dost thou shine! how desirous be they still to burn, whom thou inflamest!  
woe to them, whom thou dost not inflame! And woe to them, whom thou dost not enlighten (o true light, lightening the whole world 
s john. 1, 9  with thy light!)  
woe to the blind eyes that behold not thee, the Sun which givest light both to heaven and earth: woe to the dazzling eyes, which cannot see thee: woe to the eyes which turn aside and will not see the verity; and woe to those eyes which will not turn aside from regarding vanity 
t Ps. 119, 37. .  
For the eyes that are used to the darkness, cannot look directly upon the beams of the most glorious truth 
u joh. 3, 19 : neither can they judge of the light, whose dwelling is in darkness. For they see nothing but darkness, they love and allow of darkness, and going from darkness to darkness, they know not where they fall. Miserable are they which forego they wots not, what: but more miserable are they which know what they lose; which fall with open eyes, & go down quick 
x Nomb. 16, verse. 30.  into the pit of hell.  
O most happy light, whom none see but they which have pure eyes: blessed are the pure of heart 
y Math. 5, 8. Psal. 24, 4. ; for they shall see God.  
O purging virtue, purge me 
z Psal. 51, 7. ; heal the sight of mine eyes, that with a sound sight I may behold thee, whom none but such as have pure eyes can behold.  
I beseech thee, o light unapprochable 
a 1. Tim. 6, verse. 16.  take away by thy glorious beams the scales which a long time have dimmed the sight of mine eyes, that steadfastly I may behold thee, and see light in thy light 
b Psal. 36, 9 .  
Thanks to thee, o my light 
c Mich. 7, 8. , lo I see now. O Lord, I beseech thee, enlarge thou my sight: open mine eyes 
d Ps. 119, 18.  that I may see the wonders of thy law; who art terrible out of thy holy places 
e Ps. 68, 35. .  
Lo, thanks to thee my light, I see now, yet through a glass darkly 
f 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. . But when shall I see thee face to face 
g Reu. 22, 4. 1. Cor. 13, 13. ? When comes that day of gladness and joy 
h Sal. son. 3. verse. 11. , wherein I shall enter into the place of thy wonderful tabernacle 
i Psal. 42, 4. , even to the glory of God, that I may see thee face to face 
k Reu. 22, 4. , and be satisfied in desire 
l Psal. 42, 2. .   

Chap. 35.  
The longing, and thirst of the soul after God.  
AS the Hart braieth for the rivers of water 
a Psal. 42, 1. : so panteth my soul after thee, o God.  
My soul thirsteth after thee, 
2.  God, the well of life 
b Psal. 36, 9 ; when shall I come and appear before thy presence 
c Psal. 42, 2. !  
O fountain of life 
d Psa. 36, 9 john. 4, 10. 13. 14. , o vein of living waters; when shall I come unto that water of thy sweetness out of a desert, wild, and watery land; that I may see thy power and thy glory, and quench my thirst through the waters of thy mercy?  
I thirst Lord; thou art the well of life 
e Psal. 36, 9 , o fill me! I thirst Lord, I thirst even for thee the living God 
f Psal. 42, 2. . Oh when shall I come, & appear before thy presence!  
Thinkest thou that I shall see that day, I say that day of gladness and joy 
g Sal. son. 3, verse. 11. , that day which the Lord hath made 
h Ps. 118, 24. , for us to rejoice and be glad therein.  
O that is a glorious and goodly day lasting ever, never at an end 
i Reu. 21, 25 Revel. 22, 5. , wherein I shall hear the voice of joy 
k Reu. 19, 1. , and thanksgiving; when I shall hear it said, Enter into thy masters joy 
l Mat. 25, 21. 23. ; Enter into that everlasting joy 
m isaiah. 51, 11.  into the house of the Lord thy God, where as great things be 
n job. 5, 9 , and unsearchable, and marvelous things without number; Enter into the joy without sorrow 
o Reu. 7, 15. 16. 17. Revel. 21, 4.  containing everlasting joy, whereas every good thing is 
p 1. Cor, 2, 9 , and no evil at all; whereas every thing which thou wouldst have is, and nothing which thou wouldst not have.  
There shall be the living life 
q Reu. 21, 4. , the sweet life, the lovely life, the life alway to be thought upon. There shall be neither enemy to assault, nor enticement to carry away; but sovereign and sure security, and secure quietness, and quiet joyfulness, and joyful blessedness, and blessed everlastingness, and everlasting happiness, and the happy Trinity, and unity of Trinity, and deity of unity, and blessed sight of deity 
r 1. Co. 13, 12 Revel. 22, 4. , which is the masters joy 
s Mat. 25, 21. 21. .  
O joy above joy! o joy surpassing all joy, beside which there is no joy, when shall I enter into thee, that I may see my God 
t Reu. 22, 4.  who dwelleth in thee! I will go thither, and behold this marvelous vision.  
But what keeps me back? Alas, that my freedom must yet longer be kept fro me. O nipping sorrow, how long shall it be said to me, Where is thy God 
u Psal. 42, 3. 10. ? how long shall it be said to me, Wait, and wait again? And now, Lord, what wait I for 
x Psal. 39, 7. ? do not we, o Lord my God 
y Psal. 7, 1. 3. , wait for the Saviour 
z Phil. 3, 20. 21. , even our Lord jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body?  
We look when the Lord will return from the bridehouse, to bring us unto his marriage 
a Mat. 22, 2. 3. 4, etc. Revel. 19, 7. 9 .  
Come Lord jesus 
b Reu. 22, 17 20. , come quickly. Come Lord jesus Christ, come & visit us in peace; come and deliver us out of prison 
c isaiah. 42, 7. , that with perfect hearts we may rejoice in thy presence 
d Psal. 42, 2. ; o come jesus, our Saviour 
e Phil. 3, 20. 1. Tim. 4, 10. ; thou whom all nations do so long for, show thy face, and we shall be safe. O my light 
f john. 1, 4. 9 , and my redeemer 
g job. 19, 25. isaiah. 43, 14.  come bring my soul out of prison 
h isaiah. 42, 7. , that I may praise thine holy Name.  
How long shall I wretch be tossed in the floods of my mortalnes, crying unto thee, o Lord, and yet can not be heard!  
O Lord, hearken how I cry unto thee out of this great sea; and bring me unto the haven of everlasting happiness.  
Blessed are they, who having passed out of the peril of this sea, have found grace to arrive before thee the safest harbour. Yea, blessed are they indeed, who have escaped from sea to shore; from exile to their country 
i Heb. 11, 13. 14, etc. ; from prison to the palace, enjoying their wished rest 
k Reu. 7, 15. 16. 17. Revel. 21, 4. .  
Blessed are they, who being crowned with the garland of endless glory 
l Reu. 2, 10. Revel. 4, 4. , which in this world they sought for by many tribulations 
m Act. 14, 22. , do now joy and rejoice everlastingly 
n Reu. 21, 4. .  
O happy indeed, yea three & four times happy are they, which quite delivered from all miseries 
o Reu. 14, 13 , do possess the kingdom of honour 
p Math. 25, verse. 34. , and are sure of the uncorruptible crown of glory 
q 1. Pet. 5, 4. !  
O everlasting kingdom 
r 1. Pet. 1, 4. , o kingdom worlds without end, whereas light is, which alway lasteth 
s Reu. 21, 23 24. 25. , and the peace of God that passeth all understanding 
t Phili. 4, 7. , in which the souls of the Saints do rest 
u Reu. 14, 13 , and whereas everlasting joys shall be upon their heads, where they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and mourning shall fly away 
x Esa. 35, 10 . O what a glorious kingdom is it, where all thy Saints do reign with thee 
y 2. Tim. 2. verse. 12. , o Lord, clothed with light as with a garment 
z Ps. 104, 2. , having the crown of precious stones upon their heads!  
O kingdom of everlasting bliss, where thou God the hope of the godly 
a 1. Tim. 1, 1. , and the diadem of glory, art seen of thy Saint's face to face 
b 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. reve. 22, 4. , rejoicing them on all sides with thy peace, which passeth all understanding 
c Phili. 4, 7. !  
There comfort endless 
d Esa. 35, 10. Revel. 7, 15. 16. 17. Revel. 21, 4. , mirth without mourning; health without sickness; way without wearisomeness; light without darkness; life without death; and all goodness without any evil is.  
There youth never cometh to age; life dieth not; beauty palleth not; love cooleth not; health decayeth not; joy withereth not.  
There neither pain is felt 
e Reu. 7, 15. 16. 17. ; neither groaning heard; neither sadness seen: there alway they enjoy pleasure; and evil there is never feared. Because happiness is there enjoyed, which is to see the face 
f Reu. 22, 4.  of the Lord of hosts 
g Psal. 48, 8. Psal. 59, 5. Psal. 69, 6.  for evermore.  
Wherefore happy are they whom God hath fetched out of this writched life, unto so great joys. But unhappy are we which sail through the waves of this sea, and by these dangerous gulfs. Unhappy, I say are we whose life is in banishment 
h Heb. 11, 14. 15. , and whose way is perilous 
i job. 7, 1. 2, etc. ; we continue as yet in the streams of water sighing after thee the haven of the sea.  
O our country 
k Heb. 11, 14. 15. , o our quiet 
l reve. 21, 4.  country, we ken thee a far off, we salute thee out of this sea, we sigh after thee 
m Psal. 42, 1. 2.  out of this vale, and with tears we tug hard to come unto thee, o Christ, God of God 
n joh. 8, 42. john. 13, 3. john. 16, 27. 30. , the hope of mankind 
o 1. Tim. 1, 1. , our strength and refuge, whose brightness doth enlighten our eyes a far off, as the beam of the sea star doth in the dark clouds of the raging sea; that we may be directed unto thee the haven of rest!  
O Lord, with thy right hand govern thou our ship by the stern of thy cross, that we perish not in the ways, and that the tempest of water drown us not, nor the deep swallow us up: but with the hook of thy cross draw us back unto thee our only comfort, whom we behold a far off, as the morning star, almost with weeping eyes looking for us upon the shore of the celestial country.  
Behold, we whom thou hast redeemed 
p Esa. 35, 10 Gala. 3, 13. Tit. 2, 14. Revel. 5, 9 , we I say thy banished as yet 
q Heb. 11, 14. 1. Chro. 29, verse. 15. 2. Cor. 5. 6. 9 , whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood 
r 1. Pet. 1, 18. 19  cry unto thee; Hear us, o God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are far off in the sea 
s Psal. 65, 5. .  
We abide in the troublesome sea, and thou standing upon the shore beholdest all our dangers: o save us, we pray thee, for thy name sake 
t Ps. 44, 26. Psalm. 79, 9 .  
Give us grace, o Lord, among these dangers to hold & keep such a course, that each peril escaped, we may come safe unto the haven both with ship and merchandise, Amen.   

Chap. 36.  
Again touching the glory of our celestial country.  
WHerefore when we shall come unto thee the well of wisdom, unto thee the lasting light, unto thee the light which cannot be extinguished, so that we may see thee, not through a glass darkly 
a 1. Cor. 13. Verse. 12. , but face to face, then shall our desire be satisfied. For there shall be nothing without us to be wished for, but thou, o Lord, the sovereign goodness 
b jam. 1, 17. : who wilt be the reward of the blessed, the dia●●me of their glory, and the everlasting joy upon their heads 
c Esa. 35, 10. , bringing peace unto them both inwardly and outwardly in thy peace which passeth all understanding 
d Phil. 4, 7. . There we shall see thee 
e Rell. 22, 4. , love thee, and praise.  
In thy light we shall see light. For with thee is the well of life 
f Psal. 36, 9 , and in thy light we shall see light.  
And what manner of light? A light unmeasurable, a light without body, incorruptible, incomprehensible, a light which faileth not 
g Esa. 35, 10 reave▪ 7, 15. 16. 17. , a light unquenchable, unapprochable 
h 1. Tim. 6, verse. 16 , uncreate, a true light, an heavenly light; which lighteneth the eyes of Angels, which comforteth the strength of the righteous, which is the light of lights 
i jam 1, 17. , and the fountain of life 
k Psal. 36, 9 , which is none other things, but even thou, o Lord my God 
l Psal. 7, 1. 3. .  
For thou art the light in which light we shall see light 
m Psa. 36, 9 , that is thyself in thyself in the brightness of thy countenance, when we shall see thee face to face 
n 1. Cor. 13. verse. 12. reve. 22, 4. .  
What is it to see thee face to face, but even, as the Apostle saith 
o 1. Cor. 13, 12. , To know even as I am known: to know thy truth and thy glory?  
To know thy face is to know the power of the Father; the wisdom of the Son; the mercy of the holy Ghost; and the single and simple essence of the glorious Trinity.  
For to see the face of the living God 
p Mat. 16, 16. Acts. 14, 15. Rom. 9, 26. , is the chiefest happiness, the joy of Angels, and of all Saints 
q Math. 25, verse. 21. 23. , the reward of eternal life 
r jam. 1, 12. , the glory of the spirits 
s Rom. 8, 18. Colos 3, 4. , everlasting joy 
t Esa. 35, 10. , the crown of glory 
u Reu. 2, 10. , the garland of felicity 
x 1. Cor. 9, verse. 24. 25. , rich tranquillity 
y Heb. 3, 18. , the goodly peace 
z Reu. 14, 13 , inward & outward delectation 
a Reu. 7, 15. 16. 17. , the paradise of God 
b Luke 23, verse. 43. Revel. 2, 7. , celestial jerusalem 
c Gal. 4, 26. Revel. 3, 12. Revel. 21, 2. 10. , the blessed life 
d Gal. 6, 8. reve. 2, 7. , perfect happiness 
e Esa. 35, 10. Revel. 21, 4. 29. , the joy of perpetuity; the peace of God, which passeth all understanding 
f Phili. 4, 7. .  
This is full happiness indeed, and all the glory of man, even to see the face of his God 
g 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. reve. 22, 4. ; to see him that made heaven and earth 
h Gen. 1, 1. Acts. 4, 24. Heb. 1, 2. 10. ; to see him that hath made man 
i Gen. 1, 26. 27. Psal. 100, 3. , that hath saved man 
k Phil. 3, 20. 1. Tim. 4, 10. , that hath glorified man 
l Rom. 8, 30. .  
Man shall see God in knowing him; like him in loving him; and praise him in possessing him. For he shall be the heritage of his people 
m Psa. 28, 9 Psal. 33, 12. Esaie. 19, 25. ; of his holy people, of the people whom he hath redeemed 
n Gal. 3, 13. 1. Pet. 1, 18. Revel. 5, 9 . He shall be the possession of their felicity, he shall be the reward, and recompense of their hope. I will be, saith he 
o Gen. 15, 1. , thine exceeding great reward. For great things beseem a great person.  
In good sooth, o Lord my God 
p Psa. 7, 1, 3. , thou art much greater than all Gods 
q Exo. 18, 11 ; and thy reward is exceeding great 
r Gen. 15, 1. .  
Neither art thou great, and thy reward little: but as thou art great, so is thy reward great. For thou art not one thing, and thy reward another.  
But thou thyself art exceeding great; thou thyself art an exceeding greatreward 
s Gen. 15, 1. . Thou thyself art both the crown, and the crowner; the promise, and the promiser; the gift, and the giver; the rewarder 
t Revel. 2, 7. 17. , and the reward of everlasting bliss.  
Thou art then the crowner, & the crown, o my God, and the diadem of mine honour, adorned with glory, the brightness comforting, the light renewing, the glory adorning, my great hope, the desire, and thing desired 
u Psal. 42, 1. 2.  from the heart of all Saints.  
Thy sight therefore is all the recompense, all the reward, all the joy which we look for.  
For this is eternal life, this, I say, is thy wisdom: This is eternal life 
x joh. 17, 3. , that we know thee to be the only true God, and whom thou haste sent jesus Christ.  
So that when we shall see thee 
y 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. reve. 22, 4. , the only true God 
z Deut. 6, 4. Mala. 2, 10. , living 
a Mat. 16, 16 Acts. 14, 15. Rom. 9, 26. , almighty 
b Gen. 35, 11 Revel. 4, 8. , simple 
c Psa. 86, 10. Esaie. 37, 16. 20. , invisible 
d Col. 1, 15. 1. Tim. 1, 17. , who can neither be contained 
e joh. 23, 8. 9 , nor comprehended 
f jer. 32, 18. 19 ; and thine only begotten Son 
g job. 3, 16. 18. 1. john. 4, 8. 9 , of one substance with thee 
h Heb. 1, 2. 3. , and coeternal 
i Heb. 13, 8. , even jesus Christ our Lord 
k Rom. 1, 1. 3. 7. 1. Cor. 16, ver. 22. 23. 24. , whom thou diddest send into the world 
l joh. 6, 29, 38. , for our salvation in the power of the holy spirit; three in persons 
m Mat. 3, 16. 17. Mark. 1, 10. 11. Luke 3, 21. 22. , and but one in substance: an holy 
n Leuitic. 11, verse. 44. 45. Revel. 16, verse. 5. , and God alone 
o Esa. 37, 16 20. , beside whom there is no God 
p Deut. 33, verse. 26. , than we shall have what now we seek, namely eternal life 
q Gal. 6, 4. Revela. 2, 7. , everlasting glory 
r Reu. 21, 4. 23, etc. , which thou hast prepared for them which love thee 
s 1. Cor. 2, 9 ; and laid up for them that fear thee 
t Psa 31, 19 ; and wilt give to them which seek thee 
u Psal. 24, 6. , isaiah, which continually do seek thy face.  
And thou, o Lord my God, which diddest take me out of my mother's bowels 
x Psal. 71, 6. , which recommended me into thine hand, suffer me not any more, I beseech thee, to be distracted so on every side; but bring me from outward things unto myself; and fro myself unto thee, that mine heart may alway say unto thee, My face hath sought thee out, Lord I will seek thy face 
y Psal. 27, 8. , the face of the Lord of hosts 
z Psal. 59, 5. , wherein all the everlasting glory of the saints consisteth.  
The sight whereof is eternal life, and the everlasting glory of the saints.  
Wherefore let mine heart rejoice, that it may fear thy Name. Let the heart of such as seek the Lord 
a Psal. 24, 6. , rejoice: but much more the heart of such as find him.  
For if there be joy in seeking, how great shall be the joy in finding! Wherefore I will alway earnestly seek thy face, yea uncessantly will I seek the same, if happily the gate and door of righteousness may be opened unto me 
b Psa. 118, 19 , that I may enter into my masters joy 
c Mat. 25, verse. 21. 23. .  
This is the gate of the Lord 
d Ps. 118, 20. : the righteous shall enter through the same.   

Chap. 37.  
A prayer unto the holy Trinity.  
O BLESSED Trinity, three 
a Mat. 3, 16. 17. Mark. 1, 10. 11. Luke. 3, 21. 22. , coëqual and coëternal persons, one 
b Deut. 6, 4. 2. Ki. 19, 15. 19  very 
c jer. 10, 10. 2. Chr. 15, 3.  God, Father 
d Mat. 11, 25 Mar. 13, 32. , Son 
e joh. 3, 16. 18. 1. john. 4, 9 , and the holy Ghost 
f 2. Cor. 13, verse. 13. , which alone inhabitest the eternity 
g Esa. 57, 15 , and the light that no man can attain unto 
h 1. Tim. 6, verse. 16. : who hast made the earth by thy power 
i jer. 51, 15. , and rulest the world by thy wisdom:  
Holy, holy, holy 
k Esaie. 6, 3. Revel. 4, 8. , Lord God of hosts, dreadful 
l Deut. 7, 21. Dan. 9, 4.  and mighty 
m Exod. 20, 5. Psalm. 24, 8. , and righteous 
n Psalm. 116, 5. Esaie. 45, 21. , and merciful 
o Exod. 34, 6. Psalm. 86, 5. , and wonderful 
p Psalm. 8, 1. 9 , who art to be praised 
q Exod. 15, 11. 1. Chron. 16, 25. Psalm. 96, 4. Psalm. 145, 3. , and to beloved 
r Deut. 6, 5. :  
One God 
s Deu. 6, 4. 2. King. 19, 15. 19 , three persons 
t ●uk. 3, 21. 22. , one essence, power, wisdom, goodness, and one undivided Trinity: Open to me, which call unto thee, the gate of righteousness 
u Ps. 118, 19 , and when I am come in, I will praise the Lord.  
Lo most honourable householder, I a poor beggar knock at thy door; command the door to be opened to me which knock, who hast said 
x Mat. 7. 7. , Knock & it shall be opened.  
For doubtless the groans of my pained bowels, & the cry of the tears of mine eyes knock at thy gate, o most merciful Father.  
O Lord, my whole desire is before thee 
y Psal. 38, 9 , and my sighing is not hid from thee.  
O Lord, hide thy face no longer fro me 
z Psal. 27, 9 , neither cast thy servant away in displeasure.  
Most merciful Father, hear the complaint of thy son, and reach him thine helping hand that it may bring me out of the horrible pit 
a Psal. 40, 2. , out of the lake of misery, and from the miry clay, that I perish not in the sight of thy pitiful eyes, and in the presence of thy bowels of mercy: but may escape unto thee my Lord God 
b Psal. 7, 1, 3. Matth. 4, 7. 10. , that I may see the riches of thy kingdom, and evermore behold thy face 
c 1. Cor. 13, verse. 12. Reu. 22, 4. , and sing praises to thine holy name.  
O Lord, which dost wondrous things 
d Psa. 72, 18 , comfortest mine heart through the remembrance of thee, and inlightenest mine youth, cast me not off in the time of mine age 
e Psal. 71, 9 , but rejoice all my bones, and renew my strength like the Eagles 
f Psa. 103, 5. .  
FINIS.    

1581.  
Imprinted at London by Henry Denham, dwelling in Pater noster Row at the sign of the Star, being the assign of William Seres.