Of Penitence, and the parts thereof.
PEnitence, is the griefe and sorrowing of the heart for the sins and offences committed, together with an earnest purpose and desire to forsake them, and to be clensed of them, that grace may be restored, by such meanes as GOD hath lefte whereby to obtaine it. To [Page 2] say thou art sorie for thy sins cōmitted against the diuine maiesty, and yet hast a liking thereof, or some remnant of a will or purpose in thy hart to renew them againe, it is but wicked dissumulation & deriding of the holy action of Penitence, without which no sinner can wel hope to attaine to saluation. Let such take this for admonitiō, both dreadful and often verified, they are most likely to be preuented [Page 3] and ouertaken with y e wrath of God, whose merciful fauor in giuing thē sufficient space and means to repent, they haue neglected and ouerpassed, and so shal be disappointed both of time, and the necessary means to their forgiuenesse.
Therefore it will be most safety, readily to embrace Gods mercy when it is offered▪ with some deuotion, fear and dread of his iustice. Like [Page 4] as it is a thing most dreadful to despaire of forgiuenes, or vpon presuming of his mercy and forgiuenes, and perseuere in a delight & liking of the former sins and offences
Penitence is thought to consist of three thinges: viz. Contrition, which is the inward griefe and hearty sorrowing for our sinnes committed, to the impairing of that dignity, and polluting of that purity, whereunto wee [Page 5] attained by our calling in Baptisme, but especially to the prouocation of GODS wrath thereby. Which contrition and inward motion of grace, mooueth and counsaileth to procéede to the acknowledging of our manifold sins, and accusing of our selues in the court of conscience, by confession, there to iudge our selues least we bée iudged of the Lorde.
And sith the account of our [Page 6] life and offences committed, is the waightiest cause that any mortall man can passe through and deale with in his life, it is to be attempted and taken in hand, rather with all care, feare and diligence possible, then sleightly & superficially, without due regard which we vtterly disalow of, in the meanest of our worldly causes.
Then resteth the thirde parte, which is restitution, [Page 7] and amends making, which some do cal satisfactiō, which is not to be taken as though we are able by any workes or merits to deserue the forgiuenesse of our sinnes, or to yéelde any méete recompence to God, for offending and displeasing his diuine Maiesty, for in that respect, Christ in his most precious bloudshedding, hath wrought a satisfaction for vs, if wee withall perfourme our dueties, [Page 8] thereby to bee partakers in that benefite, as by his holy word and the counsaile of the holy Ghost, in his Church, hee hath willed vs. But the satisfaction belonging of our parts, is the humbling of our hearts, the brideling of our fleshly appetites, the bringing forth of penitēt fruits in expres actions to the world: as in almes, prayer, fasting, abating of our pride & pompe in our apparell, y e charitable [Page 9] bestowing of our superfluity to the comfort and reliefe of the needy, or otherwise to the honour of God or good example in the Commonwealth. Also by forgiuing others offences against vs, and by restoring vnto all mē whatsoeuer we with-hold or tooke away wrongfully: and that is that little which wée are able to do towards satisfaction, wherewith GOD may be pleased, & his wrath [Page 10] the better appeased.
Reasons perswading to Penitence, and the speedy performance thereof.
The néedfulnes thereof.
The profite thereby.
The sundry examples of men in time past.
Ezechiel 18. If the wicked shall bee conuerted from his wickednesse, and become righteous, all his iniquities [Page 11] which he hath done shall bee forgotten.
Chris. de Penit. O penitentia quid de te nunc referam &c. O Penitence what shall I now say of thée, thou settest free the soule that is bound, and preseruest that which is vnbound. By thée the théef obtained Paradice, the prodigall sonne a chaine of worship, the cittie of Niniuie pardon, and Peter forgiuenesse when as hee had [Page 12] denied Christ.
Philosophy saieth, that euery thing is vndone by the same causes it grew.
The rule of law saith, the thing is not forgiuen excepte the thing wrongfully taken be restored.
God graunt that the Penitence which is to bee performed for our sinnes and offences, be not required to the last farthing.
If thou aske when Penitence [Page 13] is to be done, forsooth presently, it is but presumption to defer it.
Eccles. That which thou maiest doe, doe it forthwith.
Gal. 6. Whiles we haue time, let vs doe thinges that be good.
Aristot. Of all our time, non habemus nisi nunc, we haue but this time which we call Now.
Godly cogitations inducing to Penitence and amendment of life.
THinke on the goodnesse of God, on his diuine might and vertue.
Thinke how good he hath béene to thee, to create thée of so noble a shape as in his owne likenesse.
Thinke what grace hee hath done to thee in the Sacrament [Page 15] of Baptisme cleansing thy soule from sinne.
Thinke how often and manifoldly thou hast offended him, since the vow and profession in Baptisme.
Thinke howe weekely, monethly, or yearely he hath tarried for, and expected thy returning from sinne.
Thinke from howe many daungers he hath preserued thee in body and soule.
Thinke how ill thou hast [Page 16] bestowed the time that hath béene giuen thee to performe true Penitence, and yet perhaps thou hast not done it.
Thinke how many times he hath forgiuē thée in christ, and howe many times thou hast fallen to sinne againe.
Thinke what paine and torment thou haddest beene in now, and euermore, if god had taken thee out of this worlde when thou wast in deadly sinne.
[Page 17]Thinke how dearely hee bought thée from the danger of the diuell, suffering continuall pains in this world about the space of 32. yeares, going barefoote in cold and in heate, suffering hunger and thirst: and many reprochfull iniuries: at length sheading his precious bloud and yéelding his body to the Crosse.
Cassiodorus. Thinke all that time to be lost, in which thou hast not thought on god.
[Page 18]Let vs begin to loue good cogitations, and forthwith God will vouchsafe to deliuer vs frō those that be euil.
Questions and aduertisements about sin and repentance or Penitence.
What is sinne?
There are two latin words for it, peccatum, and delictum: peccatum is the sinne when wée doe offend by disobeying [Page 19] the commandements of god, delictum is the sin when wee leaue a good worke vndone, which we ought to doe: but these words are almost growen out of difference.
An other definition of sinne.
Fol. 19. Aug. cont. Faust. lib. 2. cap. 22. Sinne is a frée will to retaine and obtaine that which Law and Iustice hath forbiddē. From the will [Page 20] therefore floweth the beginning of sin, and from thence the beginning of euil: namely, the transgressiō of the iust commandements of God, or the punishment according to the iust iudgements thereof.
How many sortes of sins are there?
Thrée. Sins of infirmity, of ignorance, and of malice: sinnes of infirmity are cōtrary to power, and by attribution [Page 21] to the father. Sins of ignoraunce, to wisedome, and contrary to the Sonne. Sins of malice, to loue, and by attribution are contrarye to the holy Ghost.
Which be the sinnes crying before God for vengeance and punishment.
Manslaughter, sin against nature, Oppression of the poore, fatherles, and widdowes, with holding of laborers wages, and debtes due to poore men.
Which be the sinnes that bring forth other sinnes?
Prouocation, counsailing, [Page 24] commending, permission, assisting, participation, consenting.
Which be the circumstances augmenting sin?
Time, knowledge, order, age, state, number, perseuering, dignity, place, manner, small resisting.
How is sin auoided?
By eschewing the occasion thereof, which oftentimes is found to bee through company, meats, drinkes, apparell, [Page 25] beholding, &c.
What remedy to put away sin committed?
Repentance, which is an inward contrition of heart for sinne committed, with amendement of life intended.
What effects be there of repentance?
It maketh Angels glad, it iustifieth wicked persons: it doth call againe the goodnes lost, and draweth mankinde to euerlasting life.
Which be the parts pertayning to repentance?
Hope of forgiuenesse, inward sorrowing, or contrition of hart, acknowledging of the fault, and a purpose to forsake sinne.
How should a man beginne Repentance?
First in thy chamber or other secrete place, be busily thinking with thy selfe, how manifoldly & how wickedly thou hast sinned: whether [Page 27] in déed, spéech, cōsent, or will, and then what good déedes thou hast left vndone, which to thée pertained to doe. Thy sinnes particularly called to remembrance, with y e greatnes, enormity, and filthinesse of them, it behooueth to aske God forgiuenes with all humility, and hope to bee forgiuen, wholy trusting in the merits of our only Sauiour and Redéemer: the great benefite and vertue of whose [Page 28] merites are applied vnto the sickenes and wounds of our souls by his ghostly phisicke of Penitence, and the godly actions and perfourmance therof, which is like to proue the more fruitefull and effectuall, if it bee ioyned with these thinges following:
First faith, which is a firme beleeuing that God will vndoubtedly perform that that he promiseth or threatneth.
Secondly, hope of obtayning [Page 29] forgiuenesse.
Thirdly, confidence and trust had in Christs merits, of his bloudsheadding and passion, whereof our penitēce for sin maketh vs partakers.
Fourthly, submission and accusing of our selues.
Fiftly, the loue of God, for which, all sin is to be abhorred, and all obedient seruice of our part to bee performed Meanes to kindle and stirre vp that loue, are these.
[Page 30]First the knowing of our selues, by considering our basens, vilenes & infirmity.
The consideration of the mightinesse and greatnes of God, against whom we dared to offend.
The regard and dread of displeasure, and terror of the last iudgement, when al shal be rewarded according vnto their workes or desertes.
The reuoluing, reckoning and remembring of our sins, [Page 31] and wicked or filthy desires.
The calling to minde of Gods vndeserued benefites bestowed on vs his vnprofitable & vnworthy seruantes.
To helpe vs the better to call our sins to mind, these fewe circumstances may serue.
The calling to mind how long time hath passed since we performed the workes & parts of penitence, last before [Page 32] this, in such sort as we ought to do.
The estate of our degrée and calling, by reason wherof our sinne may be the more grieuous, or wee the more touched or punished for the transgressions of others.
The vocations which we haue bestowed our time in.
The places wher we haue liued, accompanied, or béene conuersant.
The persons whose felowshippe [Page 39] or dealinges we haue medled with.
Why is confession of sins so needefull as prayer?
Because confession prepareth and maketh vs more méete to pray, and more likely to be heard. The holy man Dauid had euer recourse to confession and penitence. Psa. Dixi confitebor, &c. I haue said I wil confesse mine iniquities to the accusing of my selfe.
[Page 34] Prou. 28. He that hideth his offences shal not prosper but hee that shall confesse them, and forsake them, shal obtaine mercy.
Who is like neuer to be forgiuen?
Hee that forgiueth not others. And he that wil not to his power restore again such goodes or thinges as he hath taken or gotten into his hand wrongfully from others, [Page 35] by stealth, robbery, fraude, subtilty, or otherwise iniuriously.
How proue you that?
The testimony of the Pater noster, or Lordes praier, may be brought for the first, viz.. Good Lord forgiue vs, euen as wee forgiue others.
And for the other S. Augustines wordes may stande for witnesse to confirme it, [Page 36] where he saith: Non dimittitur peccatum, nisi restituatur ablatum. The sinne is not forgiuen, vnles the thing taken away be restored.
How a man ought to examine his owne conscience, and to confesse his sins priuatly to God.
First, looke into your selfe, your behauior and vsage, and sée by how many waies and meanes you haue offended [Page 37] God in the sin of pride: whether it be of a hie, presumptuous, vaine-glorious, or arrogant minde, or else in your apparell, beauty, eloquence, riches, great liuelyhood, faire building, office, or other temporall or naturall gifts. And according to that which you shall find your selfe an offender in, to be heartily contrite, and inwardly sorrowful, cō fessing, acknowledging, and accusing your selfe thereof. [Page 38] Most humbly crauing pardon and forgiuenes with an vnfained purpose to amend, and become humble as a denier of your selfe.
Also how much and how diuersely you haue sinned in enuy against others, because they bee better estéemed or commended then you, or liue in more wealth, credit, and prosperity. And according vnto your guiltinesse herein, to cry God mercy, in purpose [Page 39] to amend and become more charitable towardes your neighbour.
Also how much and howe oftē ye haue sinned in wrath against your neighbour, kept couertly, or breaking foorth into rigorous or malicious words, with appetite to reuenge.
Acknowledge and accuse your selfe, imploring mercy and forgiuenesse, with grace to become patient.
[Page 40]Also call vnto minde how slouthfull you haue béen to al goodnesse: especially for the health of your owne soule, in omitting to serue God deuoutly by praier, comming to the Church, or in due pondering on your repentance, delighting rather in idle thoughts and imaginations of the world and the flesh.
Acknowledge your manifolde faultes here: aske God heartely mercy, esteeme lesse [Page 41] of your ease, by dreading or thinking on the tormentes due to all sin.
Moreouer, peruse your self and sée how diuersly and often you haue fallen into the sin of Couetousnesse, by vnlawfull desires of worldely goods, in mispending of them or in vnméet kéeping of them when they might bee well spēt. And specialy in desiring of other mens goods wrongfully, or in ambitius desire of [Page 42] worshippe, or riches, aboue that is meet and sufficient against your necessity.
Acknowledge your desires and dealings herein: euen to to him that knoweth whether you say true, or do cloak and make light of them.
Item, how often you haue sinned in gluttony of meate or drink, in taking more then sufficient: or in eating at such times, or in such manner, as you ought to forbear, preferring [Page 43] the regard of your belly, before the cōscience of order, obedience and example, aggrauating the sundry offences herein, by making your selfe woorse disposed to serue God, and the more prepared and stirred vp to sin, wrath, and wretchednes. Aske God mercy with teares, and due sorrowing, remembring the penury of the poore distressed and the voluntary abstinēce of Christ and his seruants.
[Page 44]Lastly, how often and diuersely you haue offended in the sin of lecherie and fleshly liking, either by vnclean desires or voluntary pollutions, & by actual performance. Acknowledge your manifolde offences herein, be thorowly penitent, & euer think that to be a sorrowfull pleasure, which so much displeaseth GOD, for the which he saieth: Thou shalt not in that state of minde and purpose, [Page 45] inherite the kingdome of heauen.
Furthermore, you are to examin your self by the rule of the commandements.
Whether you haue loued God aboue all things, or thy wife, childe, gold, faire house, or concubine more then him.
How much you haue vsed to take his name in vaine, by needelesse swearing.
How negligent you haue beene in obseruing the Sabboth, [Page 46] and other festiual days, appoynted for prayer and Gods seruice.
How obedient or disobedient you haue béene vnto your own parents, carnal or spirituall, in not following their well aduised counsails, and commaundements, or in not doing vnto them due reuerence.
How slaunderously you haue vsed your tongue to the defaming of any person.
[Page 47]How iniurious you haue béene towardes your neighbours, in taking away their goods or things without their good wils and consent.
How much you haue sinned with your neighboures wife, or other women, by vnlawful act, or fleshly desire
How wicked and malicious you haue bin in bearing false witnes against any person, especially the innocent, and he that standeth in that [Page 48] which is right and true.
How viciously enclined you haue béen, in not forbearing to séek, and practise how to get and obtain the vnlawfull loue and liking of other mens wiues, daughters or seruants.
Or by what meanes you may get into your handes, or possession, the goodes, house, land, office, or liuing of your neighbour, al which offences are committed against the expresse [Page 49] commandement of almightie God, and therefore you can not be too scrupulous or diligent in looking well to these points, nor thinke this superfluous or superstitious.
Likewise, how much you haue sinned in misusing or in mispending of your fiue senses, called the fiue wits, that is, in vnchast séeing, in gluttonous tasting, in vaine or vngodly hearing, in pomppous or ruffianly smelling in [Page 50] wāton touching with hands, féete or other places.
Lastly, how much and how wilfully you haue sinned in not fulfilling the Temporall workes of christian pitty: in not clothing the naked: in not giuing drinke to the thirsty: in not féeding the hungry: in not visiting prisoners, and the sicke: in not giuing vnto the poore: in not harbouring the harbourlesse: in not burying the dead.
Spirituall workes of pitty.
In not giuing counsaile to them that néeded: in not teaching the ignorant: in not correcting or rebuking offenders: in not comforttng the sorrowfull: in not forgiuing them that haue missaide or misdéemd of you: in not patiently suffering thē that haue reproued you: in not praying for your ill neighbors amendement.
Sins of the heart.
Error, heresie, sinfull study, not beléeuing all the articles of the faith, euill delight, imagining mischiefe, or vengeance: hatred, wrath, enuy, ioy of other mens euill: sorrow at other mens welfare: no pittying of them that bee in paine or pouerty: disdaine at poore or sinfull men: hipocrisy or dissimulation: flattery: dreading more to displease man then God: sinfull [Page 53] coueting of dignity, benefice, office, or riches: vaine-glory of goods, lands, gay houses, or kindred: loathing of poore kindred: pride of kindred rich or noble: sorrow for not dooing more euill, or that he did not the sinne hee might haue done: inconstant in good purpose: loath to forsake sin: not liking or not desiring to hear the word of God: not attentiue to the calling of the holy Ghost. Loath to serue God, [Page 54] or to doe a good déede: disobedient to the commandemēts of GOD, or of the holy Church: disdaining of good counsaile: singularity: obstination in euill purpose: despaire. Of these speaketh the Lord in the Gospell. De corde exeunt cogitationes malae, homicidia, adulteria, fornicationes, furta, &c. Out of the heart proceede euill thoughts, manslaughter, adulteries, fornications, [Page 55] thefts, &c.
Sinnes of the mouth.
Excesse in tasting, eating or drinking: idle words or wā ton talke: taking Gods holy name in vaine: lying: false bearing in hand: swearing, or forswearing: slaundring, scorning, cursing, blaspheming, scolding, railing, obraiding, disclosing of counsaile, false-witnesse bearing: euill counsaile giuing: flattering wordes: praysing of euill [Page 56] deedes: peruerting of good deedes: peruerting of Gods worde to a wrong meaning: despising, vaine arguing, foolishe laughing, proud or presumptuous speaking. Of these our Lord speaketh by the Prophet: Prohibe linguam tuam a malo, & labia tua ne loquantur dolum: sic elige quid loquare, quia mors & vita in manibus linguae. Kéep thy tongue frō euill, & thy lips that they [Page 57] speake not deceipte: weighe what thou speakest, for both life, & death, is in the kéeping of the tongue. And this of Salomon: Qui custodit os suum & linguam suam, custodit ab angustiis animam suam. Hee that kéepeth his mouth and his tongue, kéeps his soule from sorrow.
Sinnes of deede.
Idolatry, Necromancye, treachery, sorcery, tiranny, [Page 58] treason, manslaughter, sacriledge, simony, apostacy, gluttony, lechery, drunkennesse, false inditing of any man, wrōg imprisoning, striking, hurting or hindering any in his body, good fame, or in his cattle: theft, robbery, extortion, vsurie, deceite, vsing of false weights or measures: letting of Gods seruice, or of any good doing: mispēding of holy daies: wasting of time: haunting of vaine plaies or [Page 59] iests: example of euill liuing: bringing vp of new fashions maintaining of sinne, or any false quarrell: receiuing in the state of mortall sin: employing viciously any bodely or ghostly gift of God: not refraining the custom of sin, nor the circumstances, as time, place or persons.
Sinnes of omission. that is. The leauing of good deeds which we ought to doe.
[Page 60]Not louing, praying, and thāking God oft for his gifts and benefites: not giuing attention to our praiers: not conforming our workes and our wil to Gods wil: not dooing al our good déeds to a good intente, which is, to please God, and so come to blis: not disposing vs to receiue grace, and if we receue it, not vsing it as we should do: not forgiuing others for charity and Gods sake: not resisting [Page 61] strongly against temptation: not appeasing them that are at debate: not teaching and instructing the ignorant: not correcting thē that doe amis: not being faithful vnto God, and our Christian brother to our power: not yeelding a good déede for an other if wee may: not comforting them that be in sorrow, sickenesse, or pouertie: not amending our sinnes spéedily, but lying or dwelling in them presūptuously [Page 62] in trust of mercy. Against which presuming, wée reade in Eccl. 5. Non adijcias peccatum super peccatum, & dicas, misericordia Dei magna est. Adde not one sin on heape vppon an other, and say, the mercy of God is greate. S. Greg. hath this saying: Cum miser homo &c. When the wretched mā falleth into any gréeuous sin the Diuell perswadeth with him, that hée should not repent, [Page 63] nor confesse his sinnes, affirming it was but a light and smal sin, or but purposed in his heart, hee preacheth vnto him of mercy, and promiseth him long life, and biddeth him goe forwardes a while longer in his sin, and all is to the end that we may bring him to care but litle for God: and so at length to perish, through impenitence or desperation.
Ready and approued remedies against capitall sinnes.
AGainst the swelling and enflaming of pride apply vnto your selfe the practise of humility, which chiefly consisteth in knowing of our selfe, in obaying our superiours spiritual and temporal, in not making our selfe better than our equals. Neither ought we to dispise or disdain [Page 65] our inferiours. And therefore to beat downe stoutnesse and hawtinesse of mind and wil, let vs looke vpon examples of Iesus Christ, his humbling to the death of the crosse, and the lowly patience of his saints and martired seruāts. Thus comparing our imperfections with their perfections, let vs cast downe our selues, and acknowledge our selfe vile, & voyd of any thing to be honored or praised for.
[Page 66]Against the heate and distemperaunce of wrath, and desire of reuengement: the very same remedy serueth, that cureth pride.
Against the wicked repining of enuy had against the prosperity of others, or other wise reioising at their harm, haue recourse vnto charitie, which enuieth not at all, & to stablish that vertue in you, be feruent in praier, and vnderstande well the meaning of [Page 67] that ordinarie petition, Adueniat regnum tuum, which kingdome in vs is the vse & possessing of charitie, whereby all our wils and mindes are subiected and referred to Gods will, which ought to rule & raigne in vs: wherby our faith and suffering of aduersities, troubles, and annoyances are made effectual and fruitfull to vs, and without no good worke is any thing auaileable.
[Page 68]Against the heate of lechery, and gréedines of gluttony wherby they are both counted vile and beastly, allay the one and moderate the other, with the temperate playster of Christian fasting, which subdues the flesh to the spirit and with reléeuing and assisting of the poore oppressed soule, it worketh also health to the body and benefite to the common wealth.
Against the hated iniuriousnesse [Page 69] of Auarice, whereby a man offendeth God as wel in keeping as in coueting, set iustice against wrong doing, the vertue of liberality against sparing in good purposes, and mercy against a cruell and vnpittifull mind.
Against slouth or slownes in well dooing, which is the vice of them that bee coldly affected towards God, lukewarm in religion, negligent in their souls health, and such [Page 70] as be in despair, or delay and defer that which they ought to doe for the loue of God or their soule, encounter & resist this sin, armed with the vertue of hope, which maketh a man to attempt thinges that be hard, & aboue his meanes, so they pertaine to God, and the fulfilling of his holy will. Hope is our ankar the which holdeth vs fast to a good purpose, as the shippe is staied by the materiall ankar.
A prayer deuout and thankfull for daily help and preseruation.
O My soueraigne Lord Iesu, the very Sonne of Almightie God, and the moste cleane and glorious virgine Mary, that sufferedst bitter death for my sake and al mā kinde, on the Good-Friday, and rose again the third day. I beseech thée lord haue mercy vpon me, that am a wretched [Page 72] sinner, but yet thy creature. And for thy precious passion saue me, and keep me from all perilles bodely and ghostly, and specially from al things that might turne vnto thy displeasure.
And with all the powers of heart, I thanke thée most mercifull Lord for the great mercies which thou hast shewed me in the great dangers that I haue beene in, as wel in my soule as in body. And [Page 73] also for that thy grace and endles mercy hath euer kept me, spared me, and saued me from the houre of my birth, vntill this time. I beséech thee Lord, that thy mercy may kéep me for thée alway. And I cry thee mercy with all my whole heart, for my great offences, for my great vnkindnes, and for my wretched and sinfull life: and in that I haue shewed my selfe so vnable to leade my life as [Page 74] thy seruant, I cry thee mercy, and beséech thée to forgiue me. I thanke thée also moste entirely, my most gracious Lord, for the benefites and grace which thou hast giuen me so largely in this worlde, before many other who haue better deserued then I. But most gracious Lord, I confesse and acknowledge vtterly that all the same commeth of thée: for the which all worship, praising and thankes be [Page 75] to thée now and euer.
Non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam.
A prayer to bee saide when thou preparest to make confession of thy sins to God.
CReator of heauen and of earth, King of kinges, and Lorde of Lordes, who hast made me of nothing to thy Image and likenesse, and hast [Page 76] redéemed me with thy owne blood, whō I a sinner am not worthy to name or cal vpon: most humbly I pray and beséech thée, that thou wouldest mercifully looke vpon me thy naughty seruant, and haue mercy vpon me that haddest mercy on the woman of Canaan, and on Mary Magdalene, that sparedst the Publicane, and forgauest the theefe hanging vpon the crosse. To thee (O most holy father) I [Page 77] confesse my sinnes, which if I woulde hide from thee (O Lorde) I can not. Spare me (O Christ) whome I haue much offended, in thinking, speaking, and dooing, and in euery manner wherein (I fraile man and sinfull) might sin by my fault, by my owne faulte through my great default. Therefore (O Lord) I beseech thy mercy that cammest downe from heauen for my saluation, that liftedst vp [Page 78] Dauid from his fall of sinne, spare me (O Lord (spare mee (O Christ) that sparedst Peter whē he denied thée. Thou art my Creator and my Redéemer, my Lord and my sauiour, my king and my God. Thou art my hope and my trust, my guide and my help, my comfort & my strength, my defence and deliuerer, my life, my health and my resurrection, my light and my desire, my assistance and my refuge. [Page 79] I pray and beséech thée, helpe me, and I shal be safe, gouerne me and defend me, strengthen mee and comforte me, confirme and make mee glad, lighten mee and vifite me, raise me being dead, because I am of thy making and workemanship. O Lord despise me not, being one of thy housholde seruants, although lewd, vnworthy, and a sinner: but whatsoeuer I am good or bad, I am alwais [Page 80] thine. To whome shal I flie except I goe to thée? If thou doest cast me off, who shall receiue mee? If thou doest despise me, who shal look vpon me? Uouchsafe therefore to know mee one vnworthy flying vnto thee: though I be vile and vncleane, seeing if I be vncleane, thou canst purge me: if I be blind, thou canst make me to sée: if I bee sicke, thou canst make mee whole: if I be dead and buried, [Page 81] thou canst raise me again. For thy mercy is greater then my iniquitie, thy godlines is greater then my vngodlines, thou canst forgiue more then I can commit, and release more then I can offend. Dispise me not therefore (O lord) neither looke on the multitude of my iniquities, but according to the multitude of thy mercies haue mercy on me, & be fauourable vnto mee a great [Page 82] sinner. Say vnto my soule, I am thy saluation: who didst say, I will not the death of a sinner, but rather that hee may bee conuerted and liue. Turne me (O Lord) and bee not angry against me, I pray and beséech thée, O most merciful father, that for thy mercies sake thou wilt bring me to a good end, and to the happinesse of true repentance by due contrition and pure confession of all my sins. Amen.
A prayer before confession to God.
MOst holy and mercifull Lord Iesu Christ, the only hope of my souls health, receiue this the confession of my sins, which I will make vnto thee: and giue me I beseech thee due sorrowing of heart, and grace to bewaile them with the tears of mine eies, and that hereafter both day and night I may mourn [Page 84] for my negligences & offences with an humble and pure hart. Let my praier approch in thy sight (O Lord) if thou shalt be displeased with mee, whom shall I séeke to helpe me? who shal pitty mine iniquities? Be mindfull of mee O lord, who calledst the Cananean and the Publican to repentance, and receiuedst Peter when he wept. O lord my God receiue my praiers the Sauior of the world, good [Page 85] Iesu that gauest thy selfe to the death of the crosse, to saue sinners, respect me miserable sinner, that am calling vpon thy name, neither respecte thou so much my euilnes, y t thou forget thy own goodnes▪ And if I haue committed that wherby thou maiest cō demne me, thou hast not lost that whereby thou mayest saue me. Spare me therfore thou that art my Sauiour, and haue mercy on my sinfull [Page 86] soule, vnloose her bonds and beale her wounds, Lord Iesu I desire and beséech thée shew me thy countenance, & I shall be safe: send forth thy light and thy trueth into my soule, that I may sée in this grosse body the number, quality, & greatnes of my offences which I ought nowe to confesse to thee with answerable sorrowing & bitternes of hart. Grāt thou that liuest & rainest god for euer & euer.
A prayer to be sayd after the confession of our sins to God.
O Lord I beséeche thee, let this my confession be accepted with thee, which I haue nowe made before thée, by calling to minde, and rehearsing of my sinnes, and whatsouer there is wanting in me, either of due contritiō and sorowing, or of pure and dutifull confession, let thy [Page 88] godlines and mercy supply it: and according thereunto vouchsafe that I may bee receiued, ful and perfectly absolued in heauen, who liuest and raignest world without end. Amen.
A prayer before the holy Communion.
TO come to the Table of thy most sweete banket (O holy Lord Iesus Christ) [Page 89] I doe feare and tremble, that am a sinner, nothing presuming of my own merits, but trusting in thy mercy and goodnesse, for I haue a hart and body spotted with many crimes, togither with a mind and tongue not warily kept. Therfore O holy Deity and dreaded Maiesty, I poore wretch attached with many causes of sorrow and griefe of mind, haue recourse to thée the fountaine of mercy: vnto [Page 90] thee I hasten to be cured: I flie vnder thy protection. And whom I am not able to bear as a iudge, I hope to finde a Sauiour: to thee, O Lord, I shew my wounds: before thée I wipe away my shamefastnes: I wote my sinnes bee many and great, for which I am afraide, but I hope of thy mercies which are infinite. Looke vnto me with the eies of thy mercy, Lord Iesus Christ, King eternall, God [Page 91] and man, crucified for man, heare mee hoping in thee, haue mercy on mee that am ful of sins and wretchednes, thou which neuer wilt cease to let runne the fountaine of thy compassion. Remember O Lord, thy creature which thou redéemest with thy owne blood. It repenteth me that I haue sinned, and I am in desire to amend the works of my life.
Therefore most mercifull [Page 92] father take from me all my iniquities and sinnes, that I being purified in minde and body, I may worthely taste of that which is most holy, and grant that the same that I vnworthy intende to receiue, may be the remisson of my sins, the perfecte purging of my offences, the expelling of filthie cogitations, the renuing of good & godly intentions, and a most firme defence of my soule and body [Page 93] against the snares & deceits of my enemies. Amen.
A praier to be saide after the holy Communion.
I Giue thee thankes holie Lord, almighty Father, god eternal, that hast vouchsafed to feed me a sinner, thy vnworthy seruaunt, for no merites of mine, but of the vouchsafing of thy mercy. And I beséeche thée that this [Page 94] holy Communion be not vnto me a guiltinesse vnto punishment, but rather a wholsome intercession to forgiuenesse. Let it be to me the armour of faith, and shielde of good wil. Let it be a cleansing of my vices, and destruction of concupiscence and lust: the increase of charity, patience, humility, and obedience, a sure defence against the assaults of al enemies, both visible and inuisible, a perfecte [Page 95] quieting of my motions, both carnall and spirituall, a sure staying on thée one true god, and a happy consummating of my life and end.
And further I beséech thée that thou wilt vouchsafe to bring me a sinner to that vnspeable banket, where thou with thy sonne, and the holy Ghost art to all thy Saintes, the true light, and the ful sac [...]ety▪ the euerlasting ioy and most perfect mirth and felicicity [Page 96] through our Lord Iesus Christ. Amen.
A deuout praier of the seuen last wordes of our Sauiour.
O Lord Iesus Christ, who art noted to vtter specially seuen words or sentences whiles thou didst hāg on the crosse, wherby we vnderstande it was thy will wee should alwaies be mindful of [Page 97] the same most holy spéeches. I beséech thée by the vertue of the same, y t thou haue mercie on me, in whatsoeuer I haue sinned and offended against thée in the like nūber of mortall sins, or their branches. Lorde euen as thou saidst, Father forgiue my crucifiers, so giue me grace that I may forgiue all them that work me any euil Lord as thou saidst to the Théefe, To day shalt thou bee with [Page 96] [...] [Page 97] [...] [Page 98] mee in Paradice, by thy grace let me so liue, that at the houre of my death thou maiest say, To day shalt thou bee with mee in Paradice. Lord, as thou didst say to thy mother, Woman beholde thy sonne, and then vnto the Disciple, Beholde thy mother, euen so let thy loue and charity bring me to be conuersant with thy blessed mother, Lorde, as thou diddest say, O my God my [Page 99] God, why hast thou lefte mee? Giue me grace to say, whensoeuer I am in trouble or vexation. Father, haue mercy on me a sinner: helpe me my King and my God, who hast redéemed me with thy owne bloud. Lord, euen as thou saiedst, I doe thirste after the death of soules, so let me euer thirst after thee, loue thée the welspring of liuing water▪ the fountaine of eternall light. Let me runne [Page 100] to loue thée with all the desire of my hart. Lord, as thou saidst, father into thy hands I commend my spirite, giue me grace to liue so perfectly, that at my death I may say to thée: Lord, into thy handes I commend my spirite, receiue mee that am comming vnto thée, for now is the time thou diddest appoint. Lorde, as thou saidst, It is finished, meaning that the sorrowes and labors suffred for vs miserable [Page 101] sinners, were now at an end: let me by thy help deserue to heare y e swéet spéech of thine: Come my beloued, for I haue now determined to accomplish thy petitions, Come with mee that thou maiest sit with my Angelles and Saintes, feasting in my Kingdome, and reioysing world without end. Amen.
A prayer for the daily bread.
[Page 102]ALmighty God, wee thy wretched children do cry vnto thée from earth, as to our father in heauen: vouchsafe through thy infinit mercy to giue vs that which pertaineth to the néedfull sustentation of the bodie▪ and grant thy grace and blessing vnto all our labours & honest exercises. For vnles thou buildest the house, they that build it labour in vaine. Helpe vs that we may cast out the net [Page 103] of our vocation in thy name to good lucke in taking, and therwithal giue vs thy grace that euery one in buying and selling may deal with a good conscience, without fraude & deceit. Kéepe vs from ill seruantes, & from an vnfaithful family to deale with. Giue vs that liue in pouerty, patience, that we murmure not agaynst thy diuine will, nor of malice transgres thy commandements: grant to them [Page 104] that be rich that they be not proud therof, but rather that they may inrich themselues with good workes, and so lay vp a good foundation for the world to come. O Lord God two things I do aske of thée, kéepe me from Idolatry, in preferring any thing before the loue of thée, bee it wife, children, friends, house, riches, or any priuat opinion, and giue me neither beggary, nor riches, but rather y e which is [Page 105] néedefull for my sustentation, least being ouer full, I be moued to deny thee, and say who is the lord▪ or otherwise bée compelled by néed to rage and to forsweare the name of my God. From these things preserue me I beséech thee, through Iesus Christ thy beloued sonne. Amen.
Against the diuels temptation.
O Mighty and good God, the heauenly Father, wée [Page 106] find by thy holy worde, that the diuel the old serpent our aduersary lieth in waite by a thousand or infinite indeuors to kéepe our soules from saluation, and to bring vs into the filthines of sin, confusion and desperation. He inticeth vs with riches: hee woulde catch vs with pouerty: voluptuousnesse: the coueting of worldly honour, and desire of power and authority: or els by other worldly carefulnesse. [Page 107] He laieth snares for vs by wordes, by déedes, by night, by day which way soeuer we turne vs, he assaulteth vs with his temptations, whether we watch or sleepe, he is at our backes, and openeth his iawes to deuour vs. O lord, who shal escape him? Behold he wacheth without ceasing, and neuer is at rest, but we of the sluggishnesse of our flesh, watch not carefully to resist him by thy helpe. Opē [Page 108] therfore our eies, that we may know how puissant and subtil an enemy we haue: for our wrestling is not onely against flesh and bloud, but against Sathan the Prince of this world. Haue mercy on vs O GOD, and make vs strong & comfortable in the vertue of thy power: put on vs that armour that we may resist his assaultes, girde our loines with the truth· put on vs the breast-plate of righteousnes: [Page 109] and shooes of Euangelicall peace. But aboue all things strengthen our harts with the target of faith, wher with we may breake off the fierie dartes of the wicked féende: put on vs the helmet of saluation, and giue vs the sword of the spirite, which is thy holy worde in true sence and vnderstanding: so shall we manfully resist and ouercome our said aduersary. If thou be our helper, wee shall [Page 110] not feare him, though the whole earth be in broile, and the mountaines cast into the Sea, thou art our force and refuge, which liuest and raignest world without end.
For Benefactors.
O Most mercifull God, sith it is so, that all ingratitude displeaseth thée, giue me grace (I beseech thée) to be mindful and thankeful for al thy benefites, and that I be [Page 111] not found vnthākful toward them that haue done me any good, least I fal into thy iugemēt for it. O most swéet god, giue to them that good both of body and soule, which they stand in néed of. And giue me grace to be beneficial vnto others, as I haue foūd others to me, after my power. Let me not for the ingratitude of others, faile or waxe fainte herein, specially towards the faithfull, for as much as thou [Page 112] our heauenly father art good, and sufferest thy Sun to rise both on the good and euil, and rainest on the iust and vniust: I beséech thee let vs follow this thy liberal example y t wee may shew our selues to be thy true sons, that thy name be not dishonored, or thy honor vioalated, who liuest and raignest true and almighty God now and for euer. Amen.
For the vnity of the Church.
MErcifull God, who hast called vs by one and the same hope of our calling, euē as there is one Lorde, one faith, one baptisme, one God and Father of vs al, or more rather, as thou the Father art one God with Christ thy beloued Sonne in the holy Ghost, so ought we to be one in thée. I therefore do beséech [Page 114] thée, that all that beare the name of Christian men, may bee of one mind in the true & catholike faith: and that we may be careful to maintaine the vnitie of the Church in the bonde of peace, & to vnite our hearts in charitie. Take from vs all carnall affection, enmity, hatred, and swelling of mind, and curiositie of foolish and vnprofitable questions, that beget nothing but strife. Breake the power of [Page 115] the diuel with the malice and deceit of men, who indeuour to disseuer that band of vnity Assist vs, O mercifull God, that as many as haue departed frō the sound vnderstanding of the scriptures (according to the interpretation of the holy Ghost, whome our Sauior left to be the comforter & directer of his church) and of a reprobat mind haue brought in errors, heresies, & strifes, they may throughe [Page 116] thy grace returne to the acknowleding of thy trueth. Likewise defend vs from the tumultuous spirits of errors and schisme, that the church be not troubled, and the harts of the ignoraunt seduced by sugered wordes. So shal we of one agréement, and with one mouth, honour thee the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ. Amen.
For the preseruation of the Church.
[Page 117] O Father of all mercy, conserue, I beséeche, thée, thy vniuersall Church, the congregation of all true faithful people, against the gates of hell, against all the deceiptful snares of the Diuell, and against all malice and rebellious madnesse of the worlde, saue thy Arke and al christians therin, that it perish not in the raging sea, and tossing waues, I beseech thee. Suffer thy Church that it may [Page 118] remain vnshaken vpon that foundation and firme corner stone, wheron it was by thee erected. O lord God of might and vertues, turne towards vs, looke downe from heauen and visite this thy vineyard. Make that perfect which thy right hand hath planted, and which thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe, that the boughes & branches thereof may spread & increase: fence it with thy shield▪ receiue vs thy shéep in [Page 119] to thy protection, that we bee not by any aduersary of the same, taken out of thy hand. Mercifully protect vs from al such as séek the ouerthrow of sound doctrine, and the stablishing of Idolatrous heresie. Remember not Lord our offences, who in time past diddest remit thy peoples iniquity. Conuert vs Lord our Sauiour, and turn away thy wrath from vs. Perfourme this for the loue of thy name, [Page 120] least the holinesse thereof bée violated and dishonoured. Graunt this I beséech thee, for the loue of thy most beloued Son our onely hope and Sauiour. Amen.
Another prayer for conseruation of the church.
ALmightie God, who gauest victorie to Gideon, with a handfull of men to ouercome his enemies. And [Page 121] thou O Christ our Sauiour, as thou sauedst Peter from drowning when hee walked on the Sea, and Paul the Apostle from the bottome of the Sea, hauing escaped danger of shipwrack thrée times so preserue vs in this storme and tempest of our enemies, here ready to swalow vs vp, and strengthen vs with thy right hand, that in our victory thy name may be to all men most holy and glorious.
A prayer at the trauaile of childe-birth.
OUr most mercifull and gracious father in Christ Iesu our Lorde, who hast promised to our forefathers the children of Israell, that if they would hearken to thy voice (in obeying thy will and commaundements) ther shoulde none mis-carry with their fruite, or otherwise bée barren: wee thy vnworthy [Page 123] seruants, and their sinful ofspring, acknowledging the wickednes of life, and the calamity of our age to be such that we may iustly say with Ezechias, This is a troublesome time, children are at the point to be borne, and the mothers wante strength to deliuer them: good Lord we most humbly and deuoutly beséech thée with thy clemencie and mercifull helpe to respecte this thy handmaides [Page 124] wretched estate, which for disobeying thy holy wil, thou hast inflicted vpon the daughters gf our first parent Eue, that this our sister may obtaine at thy mercifull hande, the fauour of safe and spéedie deliuerance: and her fruit to come vnto the new birth of baptisme and regeneration, that she ouercomming by thy mercifull goodnes, the paines and trauell which thy pleasure is she shoulde suffer, she [Page 125] may liue, and laud thy holy name, and say with thy beloued seruants holpen in this case: Thus hath the Lorde dealt with me at such time as he looked vppon me: thou (O Lorde) vouchsafing to wipe her teares, and to make her a glad mother. Graunt this mercy vnto her, we beséeche thée, who hast promised to be their assured helpe and comforter that put their trust in thee.
A prayer for making a good end.
O GOD most holy, thou hast appointed to man a tearme of his life, which hee can not passe, for he hath his prefixed time: the number of his moneths is in thy hande, thou hast remembred euery day of our life, which passeth away so swift, as if our selus did flye away: all our years are but as smoke & shadow: [Page 127] all flesh is grasse, which soone withereth: it is as the flower of the fielde that soone perisheth. Teach me therefore that I may now at length knowe and thinke vppon my ende, which is so néere at hand. My dais be but as a hand bredth. Teache mee, O Lorde, to bée mindefull of death, and to learne to die, sith in this pilgrimage wee haue no long dwelling place. O Lord let my end be foreknowen vnto [Page 128] me, that in this world I may liue & ende my life vnto thee, and accept the day of my return, and of our reuealing of our lord Iesus Christ thy beloued sonne, by my readines in holy conuersation and godlines. Suffer me to make my ende with perfect vse, reason, and in true confession of my sinnes with contrition. Let me not speake like one that is mad, nor vtter any blasphemous words against thée [Page 129] my good Lorde, or contrarie to my saluation. Uouchsafe to protect me also frō sudden death, and from eternal damnation, that I be not ouertaken by death, before I am fully prepared in performing of true repentance. And whē the same houre shall come, make me strong and without feare to beare the Temporal death, which is nothing else but the doore to eternall life. Let me thy seruant then depart [Page 130] in peace, because mine eies haue séen my saluation▪ which thou hast prepared before the face of all people as a reuealing light to the Gentils, to the renowne of Israel thy people. Giue me grace that at the last instant I may speake, at the least this word which thy beloued Son vttered vpon the Crosse, saying: Father, into thy handes I commend my spirite.. And when I▪ shall not be able to [Page 131] speake, yet vouchsafe, I béeseech thee, to heare my last grones through Iesus christ. Amen.
Against desperation.
O Most iust and mercifull GOD, seeing through my owne faulte and will, I haue often transgressed thy commaundements, and contemned thée my Lorde God, to my greeuous burden of offences, [Page 132] whereby my conscience is sore vexed and wounded, that thereby trembling and weakenes of mind groweth vppon me, I beséech thee most holy father, suffer mee not to distrust thy grace and mercy at any time, leaste I fal into desperation, which is the most gréeuous of all sins. Comfort me that euen in the middest of death I may fixe all my hope in thée, which art my life, without distrust of [Page 133] thy mercy and helpe. Behold me with the eies of thy mercy, as thou didst Peter, after he had denied thée, least dispairing like Iudas the traytor, I might sin against the holy Ghost. O God the holy Ghost, helpe mee in my extreame necessity▪ when Sathan shall gréeuously accuse me before thée, laying open the Booke of my conscience, and the sight of Hell terrifie mée, when I shal be compassed [Page 134] about with the sorrowes and fearefull temptations of death, when al the world shal forsake me, and take parte against mee: then I beséeche thee to comfort me, that my hope fall not from me. Comfort my heart with thy testimony and seale, that I may firmely beléeue the remission of sinnes, and that I may bée mindfull of thy most holy couenant in Baptisme, and of the annexed promise: He that [Page 135] beeleeueth and is baptized, shal be saued.
The prayer of a Magistrate or one in authority.
O Almighty God, Lord of heauen and earth, who hast brought and set mee in the place of a ruler, and giuē me power ouer others, I beséech thée to giue me a wife & prudent heart, that I may gouern thy people according [Page 136] to my office, and vnderstand good from euill, to the performing of iustice without any feare or respecte of persons. Giue me counsail & strength that I may doe that which is acceptable vnto thée, profitable for thē that be vnder me, & auaileable to publike peace and quietnesse. Let mee not forget that I haue not my authority of my selfe, but from the high God, and that I am to execute the iudgement or [Page 137] rule not of man, but of God in heauen▪ and thou assisting me in the same, beholdest all my doinges, who at length wilt inquire and take accoūt of my words, workes, and ordinaunces that am sure to liue but a short time in mine office. And because the punishment shal be sore & gréeuous on them that rule not well, when the mighty shall be mightely tormēted: (For God is the ruler of all, who [Page 138] wil not spare the person of any, nor feare his greatnesse, who hath made both greate and small, hauing an equall care for all.) Assist me therefore O mercifull and eternal god, that I may by thy grace and helpe, bear my selfe well in my office: offring violence nor iniury to any, nor suffer it to be done of others: or to beare with any iniustice, sith I am thy seruaunt, and the sonne of thy handmayde, a [Page 139] weake man and of short life, vnable for to vnderstand thy iudgement and lawes. Send therfore wisedome to be assistant vnto mee in the place which I doe occupy, that it may be with me, and labour with me, that I may knowe what is acceptable to thee? which also may guide me in all my affaires, and kéepe me in hir power, that my doings may be to thy liking in christ Iesu our redeemer & sauior.
The prayer of a sonne or daughter.
MOst mercifull God, the celestiall father, who hast commaunded that I shoulde honor my parents, of whom I tooke this life, who also acceptedst in good part, that duty and obedience for Christ thy beloued Sonne, and promisest to rewarde the same with long life, together with sundry temporall benefites [Page 141] and the heauenly blessing, I beseeche thee euen from the bottome of my heart, that thou vouchsafe to giue vnto my most kind and louing parentes, long life and prosperous yeares, and also to defend them from al mischaunces, hurt and domage. Giue me also a heart apt to loue and obay them, and that I may honour them in deedes, speech, and all patience: that the same blessing of god may [Page 140] [...] [Page 141] [...] [Page 142] come vppon me, and that I may succéede my father, as well in old age, as in worldly benefites. And likewyse that I offende not or greeue my swéete mother that bare me in hir wombe with much griefe, and brought mee vp with much car [...] and busines, whom I ought not to forsake or discomfort, least her curse come vpon me. And if before this I haue shewed my selfe disobedient to my parents or [Page 143] vnquiet, vouchsafe mercifully to forgiue me the sinnes of my youth, and my secret offences, O Lord remember not: but let me acknowledge my owne foolishnes, and performe due repentance therefore, carefully setting before mee the wholesome example of Iesus Christ, who in his childhood was an admonition to his parents, and an example to all children by his obedience. So let me by thy help [Page 144] be endewed alwaies with Christian obedience. Kéepe mee from the company of naughty persons: and if they intice me, let me not go with them, but with-holde my féet from their paths. Let me encrease and profit in wisedom age, and fauour with GOD and men, through the same thy beloued sonne our Lorde Iesus Christ. Amen.
The praier of a seruant.
O Mercifull God, who by the precious passion and death of thy Sonne Iesus Christ, hast made me an ouercommer of hel and death, being deliuered from perpetual seruitude, from the power of sin from the kingdome of darkenesse, and from the horrible tiranny of the diuel: I beséech thée vouchsafe vnto me by thy grace, that I fall [Page 146] not into any wearines or disliking of that state and seruantly condition whereunto thou hast caled me, according to thy good wil and pleasure, nor through impatience neyther murmure against this thy ordinance, or enuy the dignity and better calling of others. But that I may performe this thy will with all ready willingnesse, as if I serued the Lord of al, and not men. Helpe me most pittiful [Page 147] Lorde, that I may with all feare and patience obey my carnal maisters, be they good or euill, in those things that be not contrarie to thy will: not seruing to the eie, as ther with to please men, but from my heart for thy commaundementes sake. Giue mee grace that I may be sounde faithfull in all thinges committed to thy charge: that I léese nothing, or suffer it to perish by my sloth and negligence. [Page 148] O Lorde kéepe mee in health, and comforte my strength giue me vnderstanding wit to go forward with the worke of my Maister or Mistres, and by thy gracious help for to increase their substance, that by my diligence they may bee replenished with thy blessing. And further that whatsoeuer I shall do at any time, the same may turne to the glory of thy most holy name, and to the wholesome [Page 149] exercise of my faith, through Iesus Christ thy beloued son, which liueth with thee, and raigneth in the vnity of the holy Ghost worlde without end. Amen.
The praier of one in a troubled conscience.
LOrde reproue mee not in thy fury, thy arrowes are fixed in me, and thou hast laide thy hande vppon mee. [Page 150] There is no helth in my flesh because of thy wrath: there is no quiete in my bones, because of my sinnes. My heart is sore troubled, my strength and valour hath failed mee, the light of mine eies is not with me, sorrows haue compassed me without number, my iniquities are gone ouer my own head, & they are multiplied as the haires of my head, gréeuing & oppressing me as a sore burden. The sorrowes [Page 151] of death haue compassed me, and the troubles of hell are come vpon mee. My conscience and my heart are both against mee. O Lorde deliuer me, hasten to helpe me, and bring my soule from the terrors of hell: forgiue me my sins, which my enemy the diuell heapeth vppon me like a mountaine, so as the same standing before my eies, I may not beholde the brightnesse of thy grace. Let [Page 152] thy mercy therefore appeare vnto me I beseech thee, and let me not be destitute of thy fauour. Comfort me O God that I may haue the inioying of a quiet conscience: for all this is inferiour to thy greatnesse and mercy if thou wilt. Why art thou sorrowfull my soule? trust in God the helth of my countenance, and he shall take thée out of temptation, and bring thée at liberty, through the innocent [Page 153] death of our Lorde Iesus Christ, which is the holy and vnspotted sacrifice for our sinnes. Amen.
The prayer of a sicke person.
ALmighty God and heauenly Father, forasmuch as thou hast commaunded vs saying: Call vpon me in the day of trouble & I will heare thee, and thou shalt honour me, therefore I doe call vpon thée in this my great distres [Page 154] through Iesus Christ thy beloued Son, forsake me not a wretched sinner. And if this my infirmity extend not vnto death, help me that by thy mercy I may recouer my helth, and glorify thy power and vertue which thou hast shewed vppon me. But if it be thy good pleasure more expedient and méete for me to die, then to remaine in this sorrowfull vale and troublesome life: let thy godly will [Page 155] be done in Earth as it is in Heauen. And giue me grace (I beséeche thee) that I may commit my selfe to thy will which alwaies is best. Kéepe me firme in the Catholique faith, to the end that I be not seuered from thee and thy vnity: but receiue my soule into thy kingdome, through the same thy beloued sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Another prayer of the sicke.
O Mighty and omnipotent God, which art mercifull and ful of pitty, and long suffering, forgiue me my sinnes, and put away my iniquity. Uouchsafe (beséech thée) to comfort my soule against whatsoeuer temptation and afflictions: helpe me that my faith doe not faint or wauer in thee, nor my hope haue any distrust, nor my charitye [Page 157] waxe cold, nor that my frailty be ouercome with the fear of death. And when the extreame houre of my life shall come, then send me forth in peace, I beséech thee, because mine eies haue seene thy health, which thou hast made ready before the face of all people, as a light to lighten the Gentiles, and as a renowne for all thy people of Israel. In this my Sauior I beléeue, & in him doe I trust. [Page 158] I beséech thée O Lord let me not be confounded, sith thou art my help and my strength beholde mee with the eies of thy pitty, and turne thy fatherly fauour towards mee, through Iesus Christ thy sonne, who by his most sacred passion and death, obtained for vs eternall redemption. Amen.
A prayer of such as be present at the extreame sicknes or death-pangs of any.
O Most holy and omnipotent God, that preseruest our life euē at the point of death, wee do beseech thee vouchsafe to cast the eies of thy mercy vppon this sicke person, to reléeue him both in body and soul, and to forgiue him al his sins: accept we beséech thée the oblation of the [Page 160] most innocent death of Iesus Christ thy beloued Son, in place of satisfaction for all his iniquities. For in the confession of his name hee was baptized, deliuer him now therefore from the pains and griefes of his body: shorten his griefe and affliction: conserue him against the accusation of his own conscience, and against whatsoeuer temtations of the enemy: that hée may striue manfully by the [Page 161] faith of the holy Church, and ouercome him. Sende vnto him thy holy Angelles, that they may bring him to the felowship of al Angels, and of the elect in Christ Iesus our Lord. Amen.
A prayer in time of plague or common mortality.
ALmighty God, wee doe grant and acknowledge that we haue often and gréeously [Page 162] offended thee by our diuerse and manifold sinnes: forasmuch as wee haue all swarued from thée, and therwith are become vnprofitable, neither we nor our fathers kéeping thy commaundements. With a right sorrowfull spirite, wee beseech thy infinite mercy for Iesus Christe thy beloued Sonnes sake, that thou wilt not deale with vs according to our sinnes, but haue mercy [Page 163] vpon vs according to thy great goodnesse and fauour. Be mercifull to vs of thy fatherly good wil, take from vs this fearefull cogitation of pestilence & infectiue sicknes: and suffer vs not thus to perish by thy dreadfull disease. Rebuke vs not Lorde in thy fury, nor consume vs with the wicked & vngodly. Lorde I beséech thée, let thy displeasure cease & leaue vs: shew vnto vs thy mercy, and deliuer [Page 164] vs: bée mindfull of thy goonesse and pitty for thy names sake. Thou O Lord art good, and thy iudgements be right: but we haue sinned and stirred vp thy displesure against vs: forgiue I beséech thee, the iniquity of my people, and take from vs this pestilent infection for the bitter passion of thy sweet Sonne. Protect vs from thy wrath, from euill and sudden death, and from eternal damnation. [Page 165] But if thy good pleasure bee such, that thou wilt needes visit our iniquities with this temporall punishment, so fauour vs, I beséech thee, that bearing thy fatherly hande, laide vppon vs, wee dispaire not in thy chastisement. For when we are iudged, we are so corrected by our Lord, that wee be not condemned with this worlde. And more profitable it is to suffer here temporall punishment, then eternall [Page 166] in the life to come: and better it is to fal into the hands of the Lord, then of men, for that thy mercy is infinite. O most holy father, graunt vs to end our liues in the true and Catholicke faith of thy Sonne Iesus Christ, who is the euerlasting reconciliation and perfecte oblation for our sinnes.
Amen.
Our Father.
By benefite of Creation through thy omnipotencie.
By priuiledge of condition, through thy prouidence.
By pietie of adoption thorough [Page 199] thy charitie.
By reparation of blisse through thy onely begotten.