The mother and the child A short catechisme or briefe summe of religion, gathered out of Mr. Cragges Catechisme, for the fitting of little children, for the publick ministery. With short, very comfortable and fruitfull meditations on the Lords Prayer. Together with other briefe and profitable meditations on the seuen penitentiall psalmes. Craig, John, 1512?-1600. 1611 Approx. 133 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 108 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2006-02 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A19531 STC 5961.5 ESTC S116725 99851941 99851941 17237 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A19531) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 17237) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1375:11) The mother and the child A short catechisme or briefe summe of religion, gathered out of Mr. Cragges Catechisme, for the fitting of little children, for the publick ministery. With short, very comfortable and fruitfull meditations on the Lords Prayer. Together with other briefe and profitable meditations on the seuen penitentiall psalmes. Craig, John, 1512?-1600. Du Vair, Guillaume, 1556-1621. [212] p. Printed by H. L[ownes] for T. M[an] & Ionas Man, and are to be sold at the signe of the Talbot in Pater-noster Rowe, London : 1611. In 3 parts; "Comfortable and fruitfull meditations on the Lords Prayer" and "Briefe and profitable meditations on the 7. penitentiall psalmes" each have separate dated title pages; register is continuous. The catechism, which the Stationer's Register entry indicates was "collected by a poore man" of the Company of Stationers, has a few phrases resembling those in STC 5962 but is so condensed, rearranged, and adapted as to be a different text; it may be related to STC 21496.3. The meditations on the penitential psalmes are taken from G. Du Vair's "Méditation sur les pseaumes de la pénitence de David", in a different translation from STC 7373.6. --STC. Du Vair's Méditation was published as part of 'La saincte philosophie'. Signatures: A-I¹² (-A1, I12). Formerly STC 5955. Identifed as STC 5955 on UMI microfilm. Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Church of Scotland -- Catechisms -- Early works to 1800. 2005-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-10 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-11 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2005-11 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-01 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE MOTHER AND the Child . A short Catechisme or briefe summe of Religion , gathered out of Mr. Cragges Catechisme , for the fitting of little Children , for the publick Ministery . With short , very comfortable and fruitfull Meditations on the Lords Prayer . Together with other briefe and profitable Meditations on the seuen penitentiall Psalmes . London printed by H. L. for T. M. & Ionas Man , and are to be sold at the signe of the Talbot in Pater-noster Rowe . 1611. A Short Catechisme . Mother . WHo made you ? Child . God. M. VVhy did God make you ? C. To serue him . M. How will God be serued ? C. According to his word . M. VVhere is that word written ? C. In the old and new Testament . M. VVhat is the olde Testament ? C. The Law of God. M. VVhat is the Law of God ? C. To loue God and my neighbour . M. VVhat doth the Law shew vs ? C. Condemnation . M. VVhether doth the lawe lead vs ? C. To Iesus Christ our Sauiour : M. VVhat is the new Testament ? C. The Gospell of Christ . M. What is the Gospell of Christ ? C. The power of God to saluation . M. To whom ? C. To them that doe beleeue . M. In whom do you beleeue ? C. I beleeue in God the Father , &c. M. Why doe you say , I beleeue , and not wee beleeue ? C. Euery one must bee saued by his owne faith . M. Why doe you call God Father ? C. Hee is so to vs in Christ Iesus . M. Why doe you call God Almightie ? C. Because he rules all things . M. Why is this added ; maker of heauen and earth ? C. Because we should seeke God in his creatures . M. Why should we seeke God in his creatures ? C. Wee cannot comprehend his diuine Maiesty otherwise . M. Why do you beleeue in Iesus Christ ? C. Because hee is God. M. VVhy is he called Iesus ? C. Because he saueth vs from our sinnes . M. Why is hee called Christ ? C. Because hee is our King , Priest , and Prophet . M. VVhy is he our King ? C. Because he ruleth vs. M. VVhy our Priest ? Because hee prayeth for vs. M. VVhy our Prophet ? C. Because he teacheth vs. M. VVhat gather yee of this ? C. Whom hee doth not rule and teach , hee will not pray for them . M. Why is he called Gods onely Sonne ? C. He is so by nature , and we by grace . M. VVhy was he conceiued by the holy Ghost ? C. Because hee should be without sinne , and so sanctifie vs. M. Why was he borne of the Virgin Mary ? C. To shew that hee was a very man. M. VVhy did hee suffer death ? C. To deliuer vs from death . M. VVhat was Pontius Pilate ? C. A wicked Iudge . M. VVhy was he crucified on the Crosse ? C. Because that death was accursed of God. M Why was he buried in a new graue ? C. To shew that hee rose againe by his own power . M. Why did he rise againe ? C. For our Iustification . M VVhy did he descend into hell in his soule , to the place of the damned ? C. To deliuer vs from thence . M. VVhy did he ascend into heauen ? C. To take possession for vs , and to make intercession for vs. M. VVhat is meant by sitting at the right hand of God ? C. That all power is giuen him in heauen and earth . M. Hath God a right hand ? C. No : but it s spoken for our capacitie . M. VVhat is it to vs , that Christ shall come to iudge ? C. Great comfort . M. Why ? C. Because our Sauior shal be our Iudge . M. What meane you by the quick and the dead ? C. Them that bee aliue then , and them that bee dead before . M. Why doe you beleeue in the holy Ghost ? C. Because hee is God. M. Be there three Gods ? C. No : one God , and three persons . M. Which be they ? C. The Father , Son , and holy Ghost . M. What is the Church ? C. A company of elect people appointed of God to bee saued . M. How many markes hath it ? C Three : preaching of the word , ministring of the Sacraments and discipline . M. What is preaching ? C. A solemne declaration , and true interpretation of the worde of GOD by doctrine to beget faith , and increase it . M. What is a Sacrament ? C. A publicke action , ordained of God , being a visible signe signifying Christ : to bee vsed of his Church , for the strengthening of faith , till Christ come againe . M. How many Sacraments be there ? C. Two : Baptisme , and the Lords Supper . M. What is Baptisme ? C. The first Sacrament of the new Testament , that sealeth vnto vs by the washing of water , the forgiuenes of sins by the bloud of Christ . M. What is the Lords Supper ? C The second Sacrament of the newe Testament , that sealeth vnto vs by receiuing bread and wine , the partaking with Christ and his benefits . M. Who must receiue this Sacrament ? C. They that can examine themselues . M. Who must deliuer the Sacraments ? C. They that haue authority to preach the word . M. Which of the Sacraments haue ye receiued ? C. Baptisme . M. Why receiue yee not the Lords Supper ? C. Because wee bee children , and ignorant , and cannot discerne the Lords body . M. What is discipline ? C. Orders in the Church , agreeable with the word . M. How long must these Orders continue ? C. Till Iesus Christ come againe . M. What if any be not of the Church ? C. They that be not of the communion of Saints , cannot haue the forgiuenesse of sins . M. What is the forgiuenes of sinnes ? C. Iustification , peace of conscience , ioy in the holy Ghost , and deliuerance from the wrath to come . M. Doe ye beleeue that your bodies shall rise againe ? C. Yea , but of another qualitie . M. What reason haue ye for it ? C. It is a matter of faith , and not of reason . M. What haue yee to strengthen your faith ? C. The almightinesse of God : and the likenes of Christ . M. What learne you by this ? C. That God beeing Almightie can doe things impossible . M. What more ? C. That Christ died and rose againe : and so shall we . M. Shall not the wicked also rise againe ? C. Yes : but to euerlasting paine , as the godly to euerlasting ioy . M. Doe yee beleeue all these articles of our Creed ? C. Yea : and the Lord strengthen my weake beliefe . Commandements . M. What is the Law of God ? C. To loue God and my neighbour . M. Of how many commandements doth the law consist ? C. Of ten . M. How bee they diuided . C. Into two tables . M. How many are in the first table ? C. Foure : which shew our dutie to God. M How many in the ●●cond table ? C. Six : which shew our dutie to our neighbour . M. Which is the first commandement ? C. Thou shalt haue no other Gods , &c. M. What is the breach of this commandement ? C. Atheisme , Papisme , Ignorance , and Infidelitie . M. What is the second commandement ? C. Thou shalt not make to thy selfe &c. M. What is the breach 〈◊〉 ? C. To worship God according to mens inuentions . M. What is the third commandement ? C. Thou shalt not take the name &c. M. What is the breach of this commandement ? C. Vaine swearing , and a wicked conuersation . M. What is the fourth commandement ? C. Remember that thou keep holy &c. M. What is the breach of this commandement ? C. In doing any thing of our own , for profit or pleasure . M. What is the fift commandement ? C. Honour thy Father and thy Mother , &c. M. What is the breach of this commandement ? C. Disobedience to our Superiours : or want of duty to our Inferiours . M. What is the sixt commandement ? C. Thou shalt not kill . M. What is the breach of this commandement ? C. Vnlawfull smiting of the hand , or malice of the heart . M. VVhat is the seuenth commandement ? C. Thou shalt not commit adulterie . M. What is the breach of this commandement ? C. All vncleannesse of bodie and minde . M. What is the eight commandement ? C. Thou shalt not steale . M. What is the breach of this commandement ? C. The taking away of my neighbors goods , by fraude or violence . M. What is the ninth commandement ? C. Thou shalt not beare false witnes . M. What is the breach of this commandement ? C. All lying and backbiting . M. What is the tenth commandement ? C. Thou shalt not couet &c. M. What is the breach of this commandement ? C. All euill desires and motions of the heart . They that will see this more at large , let them reade Mr. Dod on the commandements . M. To whom doest thou pray ? C. To God alone . M. In whose name ? C. In the name of Iesus Christ . M. After what manner ? C. As Christ taught his disciples . M. What be the words ? C. Our Father , &c. M. How many Petitions bee there in this Prayer ? C. Six . M. How bee they diuided ? C. The first three , for the glorie of God : the second , for our commoditie of bodie and soule . M. What bee the first words ? C. Our Father which art in heauen . M. What is meant by this ? C. It is a Preface , to breede reuerence before prayer . M. Why is this title our , and not my ? C. I pray for my brethren , as for my selfe . M. VVhy doe you call God father ? C. Hee is so to vs in Christ Iesus . M. Why doe you place him in Heauen ? C. It is the seat of his Maiestie . M. What is the first Petition ? C. Hallowed bee thy name . M. How is his name hallowed ? C. When wee know him in vnderstanding and in practice . M. What is the second petition ? C. Thy Kingdome come . M. What is meant by this ? C. The kingdome of grace and of glory ? M. What is the third petition ? C. Thy will be done in earth , &c. M. What doe you pray for , here ? C. VVilling obedience and contentation . M. What is the fourth petition ? C. Giue vs this day our dayly bread . M. What doe you aske in this Petition ? C. All things necessary for this present life . M. What is the fift Petition ? C. Forgiue vs our trespasses . M. What is the forgiuenes of sinne ? C. Iustification by Christ . M. What meaneth , as wee forgiue & c ? C. It is our comfort , if we feele our readinesse to forgiue others . M. What is the sixt Petition ? C. Lead vs not into temptation . M. What do you desire in this ? C. To bee kept from those that lead to sinne . M. VVhy is it added , for thine is thy kingdome , power & c ? C. To shew vs that all praise is to be giuen to God at all times . Amen . Wee trust it shall be so . FINIS . COMFORTAble and fruitfull Meditations on the Lords Prayer . LONDON Printed by H. L. for T. M. and Ionas Man : and are to be sold at the signe of the Talbot , in Pater noster Rowe . 1611. Meditations vpon the Lords Prayer . O My God , I come vnto thee , as to the cōmon Father of all the world ; euen vnto thee doe I make my supplication , who in the creation and preseruation of all thy works , hast manifested thy more then fatherly loue and affection . I come to thee , as to my true and gracious Father , which hast not onely giuen me my being , life , and motion , as thou diddest to other creatures ; but powred out thy spirit vpon me , and lightened my soule with the heauenly rayes of thy diuinity . I come vnto thee , my God , beeing regenerate and incorporated into thy family , by thy free grace and boundless bounty . I come , hauing appeased the anger of my Father , by the satisfaction of my Redeemer ? I come , because it hath pleased thee to call mee , and to spread out thy gracious armes , ready to receiue me . Receiue me then , not in the austeritie of a iust Iudge , but in the tender compassion of a mercifull Father . And accept this my humble prayer , which my heart hath conceiued , my lippes disclose , and my voice doth send vp to the fauourable eares of my heauenly Father . And since it is thy good pleasure , O Lord , that I thus cal vpon thee , Grant , O grāt I beseech thee gracious God , that it may reach euen vnto thee which art in heauen . I know assuredly that thy throne is in the highest heauens ; that the Sunne , the Moone , and the stars , are vnder thy feet , that the earth is but a point , to thee , and I the least part of the earth , yea , lesse then nothing . VVho then hath made mee so hardy as to dare to lift vp mine eyes to thy most glorious Maiestie ? It is euen thou my God ; who hast set thy selfe so high , to behold all the workes of thine hands , to supply all our wants , and dayly to distill downe thy grace into our hearts , as a most sweet morning deaw . It is thou , who hast said , Aske and yee shall receiue : Call vpon mee , and I will heare thee . But how can I call vpon thee , vnlesse I put my confidence in thee , and take fast hold of thy promises by a firme and fast faith ? O then infuse it into my soule , and engraft it in my heart ; ( for it is a gift that commeth from the store-house of thy grace . ) And as sometimes thou didst cause the mouthes of babes and sucklings to resound thy praise , so at this time gouerne the Infancy , and strengthen the weakenes of my hart , that it may send out that prayer which is acceptable in thy sight . And that it may appeare that the prayer of my lips proceedeth from the meditation of my heart : and that notwithstanding the heauie masse of my sinfull flesh doth oppresse my spirit ; yet , vnder that burthen , it doth breath fotth thy honour and praise . The first request which I make vnto thee , is , that thy name may be sanctified ; or rather that thy Name may so sanctifie mee , as that I may be able to blesse and magnifie it . But , which of thy names shall I blesse . That wherewith thou hast destroyed , and confounded all the enemies of thy people ; or that wherewith thou hast blessed all the Nations of the earth ? Wilt thou bee praised , as Lord of Hostes , the God of power ; or as the Sauiour and Redeemer of the world ? Shall I declare how thou hast made all things of nothing , how thou hast spangled the heauens with starres , adorned the earth with fruits and flowers , watered it with rivers , and filled it with liuing creatures ; yea , and aboue all , hast created man , & formed him after thine owne Image ? Or shall I speak only of this incredible loue , wherby thou hast giuen-ouer vnto death thine only Sonne , that we might bee restored to euerlasting life ? My spirits , O Lord , are too faint for so great an enterprise , and my breath would faile before I could recount the least part of them . Let it therefore suffice , that I sanctifie thy name in an humble and chast thought , and that my minde may euer be fast fixed in the meditation of thy goodnes : forasmuch as it hath pleased thee at all times to bee so good and gracious to mee . So that I and all those whom thou hast placed in this world , as in the midst of a rich and glorious Temple to behold , and admire thy diuine Maiestie ; may wholly apply all our faculties and vnderstanding , to the apprehending of thy will. That so beeing all of vs re-vnited and linked in one and the selfe-same desire to serue thee , thy Kingdome may come : that wee hauing cast off the yoake of sin , which hath so long held vs in thraldome , thy loue alone may rule in our consciences full of happiness and true felicitie . For to obey thee , is to commaund our disordinate affections : to commaund them , is to be Maisters of our selues ; and to bee Maisters of our selues , is more then soueraigne principalitie . A sweet thing it is , to serue thee , O my God : thy yoake is easie : and al the tribute thou exactest of vs , is onely that wee will be willing to be made happie . Confirme and strengthen in vs this will ; and graciously assist the zeale of thy seruants , to the beating downe and repressing of their insolence who blaspheame thy sacred Maiestie : to the ende that thy Law and truth may raigne ouer all the world . O thou King of Kings , who rulest in our hearts , and in our humilitie & obedience doest establish thine Empire ; subdue our wils vnto thy law : that so whilest all of vs , with one accord , shall aime at the same marke , & aspire to the aduancement of thy glorie ; our good workes may testifie the discipline of our heauenly King : to whom ( as his deuoted subiects ) wee render homage and fealtie , for those manifold and great gifts and graces which wee hold of his bountie . But what obeisance can wee render thee ? How can wee attaine to that height of perfection as is due vnto thee ? who is able to sound the depth of thy thoughts ? or who is able to fulfill thy will ? All wee can doe , is but to pray vnto thee that thy will may bee done . For seeing that thou art euen goodnes it selfe , and therefore wilt nothing but what is good , and that with thee to will and to doe , is all one ; wee doe in this Prayer whollie commit our selues to thy will , who art neuer wanting to will vs well , and to do whatsoeuer thou in thy goodnes knowest to be expedient for vs. Whatsoeuer thou hast vvilled , O Lord , hath been done : and from this thy good wil and pleasure , as from an euer-flowing fountaine , are deriued so many good things , as the whole Globe of the earth is filled , and the immense circle of the heauens is beautified therewith . Continue then this thy goodnes vnto vs : and forasmuch as thy loue is as fire , ( which augmenteth where it meeteth with combustible matter ) and that it encreaseth in wel-doing to vs , euen to vs poore miserable wretches , in whose misery and infirmitie , it may finde matter enough to worke vpon ) when I pray to thee , my God , that thy will may bee done , the intent of my prayer is , that it may please thee to roote out of mine hart all worldly wil , which springing from the corruption of the flesh , is no waies compatible with the law of the spirit : That thou wilt neuer giue me the raines to liue at mine owne pleasure : and seeing that thou hast vouchsafed to honour me with so high a title as to be stiled thy sonne , thou wilt not emancipate or giue me ouer to mine affections ; but keepe me vnder the rodde of thy lawe , vnder the tutelage of thy Commandements . So shall I , togither with all those that haue vowed alleageance , and are thy faithfull seruants , readily and cheerefully betake our selues to thy seruice ; and during our abode in this life , striue to set forth thy glorie here on earth : which is sounded without ceasing by that heauenlie quire of blessed Saints and Angels , in thy holie and heauenly habitation . But such is the frailetie of our mortall bodies , daily fading and falling away , that without dayly repairing and sustenance , they make vs vnapt to serue thee ; wee therefore make our daily recourse vnto thee , for such things as are necessarie to the maintenance of our life ; beseeching thee to giue vs our daily bread . But giue vs withall , O God , grace so to vse it and all other good gifts ; that in nourishing our bodies , wee starue not our soules , and make them vnable to attaine to the knowledge of thy truth . That togither with thy bountie , receiuing also thy benediction , we settle not our affections vpon worldly , and transitorie things ; so passing through things temporall that wee finally lose not the eternall . Let not the taste of this earthly bread make vs to forget that heauenly Manna , that bread of life , which nourisheth and cherisheth our feeble soules , filleth our mouthes with heauenlie plenty , and maketh vs the liuing Temples of our God , by receiuing him into our bodies through a stedfast and liuely faith . Grant vnto vs , my God , that by receiuing this bread , our hearts & consciences may bee fullie assured that wee are incorporate with our Redeemer , and become fellow-members of our head Christ Iesus : and that as hee taking vpon him our flesh did vndergoe our death ; so wee clad and inuested with his , may bee made partakers of his immortalitie . And since it hath pleased thee to make vs the vessels and receptacles of thy diuinitie , purifie and cleanse our hearts , and renew and rectifie all our affections , that there may bee nothing to cause thee retire , and leaue vs destitute of thy grace and our saluation . But wee cannot bee cleansed , vnlesse thou forgiue vs our trespasses , and wipe away our iniquities . For wee haue beene slaues vnto sinne and death : and whatsoeuer wee can call ours , belongeth vnto them . Neither haue wee so much as one mite toward the paying of our ransome or acquiting our debt . Of thee therefore must wee expect forgiuenes , who hast once redeemed vs by thy precious bloud , and made vs free from Satan our arch enemie : but wee daily fall againe into the hands of our enemies by committing millions of sins which bring into slauerie , and make vs lyable to grieuous punishment . Yet let not this O my God , cause thee to shutte vp that treasure from vs , whence wee may take the price of our libertie . Let not , O Lord , our obstinacie in back-sliding , take away thy constancy in pardoning : but let thy mercifull hand be euer ready to reforme vs. For sinne euer since the fall of our first father Adam , is as it were incorporated into our sinfull flesh , and dayly increaseth and groweth with vs : so that the older we grow , the fowler and filthier wee appeare , vnlesse it please thee to apply dayly vnto our maladies the merits of thy Passion : that as we by our in-bred corruption do wound and exulcerate our cōscience , so thou wilt gratiously refresh it , by curing our wounds , and suppling them with thine oile of mercy . Otherwise , vvell might we feare , O Lord , least casting downe thine eyes dayly vppon vs , it would as it were grieue thy holy spirit so oft to returne vnto vs , by reason of our manifold sins and offences . O then pardon our offences , that is to say , our whol life : and so pardon vs O heauenly Father , as we forgiue them that haue offended vs. Make vs euermore to set before our eyes that loue wherewith thou hast lou'd vs , in vndertaking the paiment of our debts , and the punishment of our sins . That we may duely consider , how vnreasonable it were for vs to expect that grace of thee which wee can not afford our neighbour ; since there is no comparison betwixt the offences they commit against vs , and those wherwith we offend thy diuine Maiesty . Root out of our hearts all malice , fiercenes , and bitternes : giue vs a calme and peaceable spirit , which may foster and maintaine in vs vnity and brotherly loue , teaching vs to support with gentleness one anothers infirmities . For wee can not but acknowledge , O Lord , how easily we slippe , yea stumble , and tumble , in the slippery paths of this refractorie life . Too too slender is our owne force and abilitie to hold vs on foot , and vphold vs against those whirle-windes which are euer ready to driue vs headlong into Iniquitie . And therefore most earnestly doe we beseech thee , not to forsake vs in our temptations ; but to remoue farre from vs all occasions of offending thee ; and to arme vs against all obiects , with thy Spirit : without which we shall be euer vanquisht ; & by whō wee bee sure to vanquish . For the price and crown of victory is reserued for those and those alone who follow thee their Captaine . Graunt vs then this grace , that whensoeuer any inordinate desire of worldly wealth shall assaile vs ; wee may oppose as a rampier , against it the desire of heauenly gifts and graces , generously scorning and contemning the pelfe and transitorie trash of this world , as iustly suspecting their deceitfulnes & fragility . That we may call to minde that they are but as a cloud , which for a while fleeteth from one country to another , and suddenly vanisheth away and appeareth no more ; & that many times that gold and siluer which wee heape vp with much sweate and trauell , doth serue but to the procuring of our owne damnation . And if it shall please thee to bestowe vpon vs riches in greater aboundance ; grant vnto vs likewise the grace to vse them well , and lovingly and charitably to communicate them to such as haue want . For the whole earth is thine , and wee are but the tillers and tenants thereof : our goods belong vnto thee , and wee are but thy depositaries and vassals . So that if we refuse to impart them to such as demaund them in thy name , thou maiest not onely put vs out of possession , but make vs pay the vsurie of our ingratitude & vnfaithfulnes . Furthermore , we begge of thee , that the false lustre of the honors of this world may not deceiue our dazeled sight , nor drawe vs on to desire more then is expedient for vs. Let it alwaies be imprinted in our hearts and thoughts , that there is no true honour in this wotld , but to serue thee aright ; and that in thy seruice , the seat of honor is lowlinesse , and the greatnes thereof consisteth in humilitie . Furthermore , that this same deceitfull lure , which wee so much admire ( after which we runne our selues out of breath , and all but to our ruine ) is but like an Ignis fatuus , about the riuers , that shineth not but in the darke , and draweth them into mischiefe that vnwarily follow it . Our worldly pompe and secular dignities appear not but in the obscuritie of this world . If once we close our eyes against the heauenly light , they seeme to vs as bright as fire , & their lustre appeareth as burnisht gold : but when we come to follow them , wee fall into swift torrents and daungerous whirl-pooles , where we are plunged , floting in vncertaintie betwixt the willes of Princes , and the vnstedfast opinions of the wauering vulgar , vntill we meete with some rocke of offence : and there wee are crusht . Giue me therefore , O my God , constancie , to withdraw mine affections , and withhold my sight from such vanities ; make mee only ambitious of thy glorie ; let my spirit bee so addressed to immortalitie , that shee make no repose in the choaking smoke of this world . Let mee neuer enuy them that enioy all these fickle goods , and fading honours : but let all my aemulation bee to come as neere as possible to that onely example and perfect patterne of good life which most liuely appeareth in that absolute tabliture of thy most innocent life . That so all the violent passions of anger , rancour , and disdaine , may be banished out of my soule , my heart enflamed with desire to doe good to all , hurt to none , and both bodie and soule may be alwaies watchfull , and dayly emploied about good and laudable workes , neuer languishing in slothfull stupiditie . That this base and infamous gourmondizing ( which abuseth thy good gifts , being drowned in wine , and buried in daintie dishes ) may euer be farre from me . Extinguish also , O heauenly Father , all vnchaste prouocations of the flesh , which allure vs to violate the chastitie of our bodies , and the puritie of the soule . And remoue far from vs all those obiects which may stir vp any slippery and vnchaste affections . To conclude , deliuer vs from all euill , euen from the hands of wicked Angels , not suffering them to haue any power ouer vs. And when we of our selues shall bee running headlong into mischiefe ; preuent vs with speede , draw vs back , and stretch out thy fatherly hand ouer vs , euer readier to shew thy mercy then to execute thy iustice . Saue vs , euen maugre our owne selues ; and let not our backsliding and obstinacie alienate thee from vs , or cause thee to forget , to bee both our mercifull GOD , and also our louing Father . FINIS . BRIEFE AND profitable Meditations on the 7. penitentiall Psalmes . London printed by H. L. for T. M. & Ionas Man : and are to be sold at the signe of the Talbot in Pater-noster Rowe . 1611. Meditationes in 7. Psal . poenitentiales . Domine ne in furore . Psalme 6. 1 LEt not the arme of thy heauie displeasure bee lifted vp against mee , O Lord. For that would be as a torrent and violent streame , to carrie me headlong into death and eternall damnation . It would bee as a fire to eate vp my flesh , and turne my carcasse into ashes . What eye is able to looke vp , and not to consume at the very fight of thy wrathful countenance ? when casting thine eye vpon vs , thou shalt pierce the bottome of our hearts , and discouer al the secrets of our impure consciences . Our abhominable sins will draw down vpon our heads thy iust indignation : and thine anger once kindled against vs , wil violently cast and plunge vs into that horrid and griefly gulfe of hopelesse tormēts , and endlesse misery . O then let the sorrowfull sobs of a trembling heart , preuent thy fury and indignanation ; and before thy sin-reuenging hand be stretched out for my ruine and destruction , giue eare vnto my feeble & fainting voice , which with woful laments , crieth vnto thee , Haue mercy , O Lord , haue mercy vpon me . Alas , my God , what wilt thou doe ? Wilt thou proue the strength of thy forces , vpon mine infirmities ? and will thy matchlesse might wrestle with my weaknes ? Is it to contend with thy puissance , that I present my selfe before thee ? Oh no : it is thy clemencie , O Lord , to which I flye for succour : she it is vnder whose wings I shrowde my selfe , as the onely shielde and Sanctuarie , which can preserue me from the rigour of that iust doome , which I haue most iustly deserued . Lord , vouchsafe me , a calme and mercifull aspect . And since I haue made haste to flye vnto thy Mercy-seate , make no long tarrying , O my God , but send mee succour and deliuer me , from so many euills , which haue compassed and hemm'd me in on euery side : and wherwith I haue been so sore assailed , that my bones are bruised and broken , and my feeble body languisheth . But well were it , if my body alone were oppressed by these cruell encounters : my very soule is euen ouerlayed , with anguish and heauiness . This soule , O Lord , which hath sometime been enflamed with the zeale of thy glorie , and hath sung of thy praise , in the great Congregation , is now become desolate & deiected , destitute of comfort , and depriued of all courage : & as the fearefull doue at the voice of thy thunder , hasteth to hide her selfe in her hole ; so is she ready to flye into the most obscure darknes , from the terror of thy fearfull indignation . But how long shall thine anger continue , O Lord ? Come , O come my God , and cast downe thine eye of pitty and compassion vpon mee , which is sufficient to deface and abolish not my sinnes alone , but euen the sinnes of the whole world . My soule is plunged in the filth & foule puddle of iniquitie , shee sticketh fast in the bottom , the floods run ouer her : vnto thee O Lord , doth shee stretch out her hand ; O plucke her out , and bring her againe into the wayes of thy sauing health . Saue her O Lord , euen for thy boundlesse bounty , and thy matchlesse mercies sake . True it is , that merite shee hath none ; and how should shee expect succour from him , whom shee hath so shamefully forsaken , and against whose honour shee hath so treacherously conspired ? The price of such a forfeit , is not grace and fauour , but hell and neuer-dying death . But who shall praise thee O Lord in the pit , or who shall sing of thy name amongst the dead ? There is the house of mourning , weeping , & howling . Who hath there any feeling saue only of vnsupportable torments , and hopelesse miseries ? whereas on the contrarie , thy praise consisteth in the publishing of thy infinite louing kindnes , bounty , and clemency . 6 And now behold , on the one side , true Repentance intercedeth , on the other side humble Prayer importuneth , for me ; both of them hauing sworne neuer to depart from me , vntill they haue procured a recōciliation for me . Thou hast seen my teares O Lord , and heard my sighes : euery day wash I my cheekes with teares , at the remembrance of my sinnes , and water my couch euerie night with the streames of of water that gush out of mine eyes . Yea , what is it , that Repentance commandeth and I obserue not ? 7 Mine eyes are cast down , as trembling at the terror of thine angry countenance . I doe not answere to the reproach of mine enemies , and their contumelious taunts I patiently put vp , as a iust punishment for my faults . Euen in their sight doe I walke with sack-cloth and ashes vpon mine head , and confession in my mouth : I lye prostrate at the foote of thine aultar : I macerate and fight against the flesh , which hath betraied my soule to sinne ; and all my griefe is but a sport vnto mine enemies : they come about mee , but to laugh at mee : and the drunkards make songs on me . But , now , since it hath pleased thee to haue mercy on me , I wil say vnto them , Away , away , from mee all ye children of iniquitie , and cease henceforth to reioice at my miserie : the Lord hath heard my prayer , my teares haue quencht his anger ; and loe , now hath hee restored me ioy and peace , with the full fruition of his bounty : the glorious splendour of his grace hath shined vpon me ; and loe , the darke clouds and threatening tempests which hanged ouer my head , are , in a trice , all dispearsed and gone . No sooner had I opened my lippes to call vpon him for succour ; yea , no sooner had my heart resolued to cry to him for mercie , but straight I perceiued his grace spread ouer me , to comfort and refresh my languishing soule ; no lesse then the benumd members of a wearied pilgrim , are suppled and refresht by a warme bath after his toilsome trauell . O incredible clemencie ! how ready art thou O Lord to forgiue ? I runne to offend thee , and thou flyest to bestowe thy grace on mee . I haue employed all the daies of my life , to finde out by sea and by land , matter for my ambition , couetousnes , lustes , and inconstancy : and when I had plunged & ruined my selfe in my pleasures , thou in a moment camst downe , and didst deliuer mee . So that now behold how I triumph ouer my sins , which base and abiect , doe follow the trophees of my repentance , since it hath found fauour in thy fight . And now also my hope , which before was as it were strangled with my many misdeedes , being reuiued , and his spirits quickened , doth promise and assure vnto mee more then all the Empires of the world , opening vnto mee the highest heauens , where after the blessed end of an hopefull life in this world , I shall enioy the full fruition , of diuine immortalitie . What will then become of mine enemies , when they shall see my felicitie ? Their meed shall bee confusion of face , and disquietnes of soule ; they shal flye with distraction and amazement , to see him so highly exalted , vvhome they had sought to lay so lowe . These are they that made a mock at mine ashes , that derided my fastings , that reioyced at my teares , and ( whilest I through abstinence did fight against the flesh , the bitter enemy of my soule ) did euen swim in the delights of this bewitching world : but lo , the arme of the Lord is stretched out to beate downe their insolency . O my God giue them a feeling of their offences , and cause them to know & acknowledge the extreame danger wherein they are ; that so they may call vpon thee the onely remedie for all their mischief . And as for me , since thou hast cleansed my soule from that filth wherewith it was stained , and enflamed my spirit with the fire of thy loue ; teach my lippes that they may sound forth thy praise : addresse my voice to resound thy mercy : and so conduct and guide mine affection , that I may loue thee sincerely , and account it my greatest happinesse and soueraigne felicitie , to know thee , and thy sacred truth . Beati quorum . Psalme 32. O My God ; how happie are they whose offences thou hast pardoned ; and whose sins thou hast buried in obliuion . For alas ; what can befal vnto him , vpon whom thou shalt lay the iust punishment of his iniquitie ? Whole legions of euil besiege him , pouertie assaults him , maladies afflict him , famine presseth him , and death it selfe ( which hee wisheth for , as the hauen of rest after all these tempestuous nauigations ) proues but a gulfe to swallow him downe , vnto eternall torments . O then thrice happy and blessed are those , of whose actions God doth not take account , but is content that they humble themselues before him , acknowledging their infirmitie , and laying open before him the very secrets of their hearts . For by true and vnfained confession , and in sincerity of conscience , must we call vpon his mercy ; and before him must wee humble our selues , if wee will haue him to heare vs. [ And ] as hee that goeth for water of the fountaine , doth put downe the mouth of his vessell to take in the water : so must he humble himselfe before his creator , that meanes to drawe and taste of the water of this sacred source , from whence distill those streames which ( and they onely ) can purifie our stained consciences . I haue thought sometime O my GOD , to hide my faults from thee ; and haue said within my selfe , and how knoweth he , whether I haue done it or no ? and so my sin tooke root within my bones . And as the vlcers of a shamefast Patient , which dareth not shew his maladie to the Chirurgion , doe fester and rankle and encrease euen to the destruction of the vvhole bodie : so these very vices which I hidde from thee , wholly infected me . But when thy hand had beene heauy vpon mee day and night , and when thou hadst laid such sore trouble vpon my loynes , and so many misfortunes vppon my soule , that my spirite could take no rest , and that I was broken with the stinging of my conscience , which did pierce my verie heart ; then did I acknowledge my faultes , and that thy hand had done : this . Looke vpon mee , O Lord , but not in thine anger : and let those teares , whose gushing streames haue dimd my sight , quench the heate of thy iust indignation , since I am not onely the worke of thy hands ; but which is more , the liuing image of thy Diuinitie . Who will be so farre ledde with anger , as to bruise and breake in peeces , that worke which hee hath had so great delight to polish , and bring to perfection , because hee seeth it filthy and polluted ? I confesse ( O Lord ) this image of thine is full of pollution and vncleannes : yet better wil it be to cleanse & scoure it , then to break it & treade it vnder foote . O teach mee , then my God , what thou wilt require for my satisfaction : for loe , now haue I disclosed and acknowledged all my faults , which before I concealed . The feare which had seised on mee , when I hid my selfe from thee , is now since I humbled my selfe before thee , turned into hope of grace & pardon . And now do I cast my selfe into thine armes , as my most assured succour , with the humble demeanour of a poore patient , who presenting his wounds vnto the surgeon , lookes on him attentiuely , and suffers courageously , both the searcher and the knife , for the desire and hope that hee hath to bee cured of them . But that which putteth me in greatest hope of health , is , that those vices , wherein heretofore I tooke greatest pleasure , are now no lesse odious in my sight , then are those meates whereof a man did eat to the full , being in health , whē he is sick of their surfeit : that which had made me haughty and insolent , doth now breede in me shame and remorse , when I consider the hazard of death , wherevnto my pride hath exposed my poore wretched soule . Blessed bee the day , wherein I acknowledged my faulte : now haue I receiued a singular testimonie of thy bounty towards me , O my God. Grant therefore that this pleasure which I haue taken by beeing displeased with my selfe , may bee as durable , as that vvhich before I tooke , to continue in my sinnes . For if I may haue as much contentment in my repentance , as I haue taken in my sinne ; my happinesse shall be euen equall to that of the Angels ; and I shall finde , that through my humiliation , before thee , I haue mounted to the height of thy grace . Who can doubt O Lord , but that thou hast receiued me vnto mercy ? thou whose clemencie and mercy is not onely vnspeakeable , but also incomprehensible . No sooner had I thought to returne vnto thee , but thou preuentedst me : no sooner had I said , I wil confesse my misdeedes , but thy grace was granted me : no sooner had I knowne the punishment due to my sinne , but thou didst pardon mee : no sooner had I taken the rods in mine hands to chastise my flesh , but thou didst take them from mee : in a word , I looked when thou wouldst denounce warre against mee , and loe thou offeredst a louing reconciliation . O how much more willing art thou O Lord , to pardon then to punish ! Can a louing father more tenderly receiue his childe , when hee cryeth him mercie , then thou receiuedst me , when I cast my selfe downe at thy feet ? Therefore my heart danceth for ioy , and boileth with a feruent desire to praise thy Name : it reioiceth in thy grace , and accuseth none for what is done amisse , but it selfe ; crying , it is I that willed and consented to do it : it is I that did it : it is I that pleased my selfe with it : but my God hath been mercifull vnto mee . And how could he withhold his mercy from me , when his holy one made intercession for mee ? And needfull it was , alas , that hee should intercede for mee , when the impietie of my heart had so blinded my vnderstanding by my vvicked thoughts , that my soule was not able any longer to lift her hands vnto heauen . What then remained for me , but that he whom thou denyest nothing , should mediate for mee ? euen for mee , who beeing become my owne enemy , had now no knowledge nor will to pray for my selfe . But now am I comforted , since it hath pleased thee to open mine eyes , that I might see the deformitie of mine owne conscience , and that thou hast mollified my stonie heart , that I might entertaine contrition in my soule . Which though I haue not perform'd so soon as I ought to haue done : yet not so late , but thou hast vouchsafed to receiue mee , as thy custome is , to them that doe not let passe all time and occasion of repentance . For those that runne vnto sinne , and doe voluntarily neglect to repent , when they know their fault , and haue time to repent , deferring to cry for mercy ( or to make a deluge flow from their eyes ) vntil the end of their liues ; it is greatly to bee feared , that they deceiue themselues ; and that true repentance will hardly after so long time , enter into their hardened hearts : that their teares and weeping , will be but the wayling of men in desperation , and that thy mercie will lend but a deaf eare to their too late repentance . But as for mee , I come vnto thee , in an acceptable time as to my refuge , and the marke whereat my hope aimed , and my onely comfort in my tribulation which had enuironed me , euen as the feare seiseth vpon him , who is condemned to a shameful end . O then let mee taste of that ioy , which hee hath in his heart , who is freed from his chaines , enlarged out of prison , and healed of his paine , wherein his enemy had long time held him captiue . And on the contrarie , let the enemie of my soule bee confounded with shame , when hee shall see me so deuoutly calling vpon my God for aide : who in the very turning of his eye , can free me from that voluntarie seruitude , which I had vowed vnto wicked pleasure . When I was on me . He hath not onely exalted mee aboue other creatures , giuing me the vse of diuine reason , but also amongst men hath hee exalted me , into the throne of honour and magnificence ; so that nothing was remaining , for the accomplishing of my felicitie , but onely to know my owne felicitie : and after I had forgotten mine owne estate , hee did enlighten mee by his holy light , and gaue mee both time and will to lament my life passed , and to amend it for the time to come . Be warned then by mee , O my friends , and whilst it is time runne vnto him for grace ; for hee himselfe doth call you , into the way of saluation : and bee not like the selfe-wilde Mule , which hath no vnderstanding or iudgement , but kicketh against him that pricketh her , to make her go right : whose mouth must bee held with bit , and bridle , & whose sides must feele the sharpe remembrance of the spurre . And so if at the first summons , which the Lord shall send to cause you returne into his wayes , you will not be obedient to his will , hee shall raine vpon you such a haile of miseries , as shall make you more miserable then miserie it selfe . You see the starres that glitter in the heauens , and the sand stretched vpon the shoare : but neither hath the heauens so many starres , nor the sea so much sand , as are the plagues and punishments , which remaine for the obstinate sinners . Their owne wickednes hangeth ouer their heads , mischiefe attends at their heeles , vntill they fall headlong into that gulf , the very remembrance whereof is full of horrour ; the sweetest retraites whereof , are but plaints , cries , shreekes , and sorrowfull sobbes : where is paine without end , griefe without remedie , repentāce without mercy : where they are alwaies dying , and neuer dead ; where the bodie liueth onely to die , and the soule only to suffer torments : where the soule feeleth nothing but sinne , and the bodie nothing but paine . On the contrarie , they who flye vnto the Lord , and the couert of his grace , who shielde themselues vnder his mercy , and put their trust in his bountie , who follow his cōmandement , and are zealous to doe his will ; vnto what height of happinesse doe they aspire ? What thing is there so precious in heauen that shal be hid from them ? they shall sit by their God , and all enuironed with glorie , shall bee inuested with greater happinesse , then the spirit of man is able to conceiue the least part therof , much lesse my faultring tongue able to expresse . I will bee glad therefore and reioice , O my God , to think how great good thou hast laide vp in the heauens , wherewith to crown the iust . And I inuite you all to reioice with me , who haue sworn vnto the words of our Sauiour , and loue the straight path of his iustice . Here must you attend the recompence of your trauell : here shall you bee placed in honour and glory : here shall you chaunge your rude thornes of the world , for the beautifull flowre-delice of heauen . O how gracious and sweet repose , shall you then find after the sweat of your afflictions . The golde is not more pure and glorious , after it hath beene refined in the furnace , and made readie to receiue the stampe and image of a great Prince or serue for an ornament to some rich cabinet , then the heart of him who loueth his God , when it commeth pure out of the furnace of the worlds miseries , to bee decked with splendor and glorie . What is there that can content mee in this world ? What shall stay or hinder me from entring into the house of the Lord , to liue for his seruice . How shal I forget to deplore , all the dayes of my life , my sinnes which had put his grace so farre from mee ? Reconcile then in mee , O my God , these two Passions ; of repentance , and consolation : that as the wandring Pilgrim hauing lost his waye in the wilderderness , reioyceth when he seeth the day to dawne , and yet forgetteth not the obscure darknes , whence hee is yet scarce freed , and can not as yet wholy cast off the feare , which he had of so tedious a night : so I may euer retaine some horrour of my faults passed , and yet haue a certaine and ioyfull hope of eternall happiness , which thou hast purchased for mee , with the precious price of the bloud of thy most deare sonne . Oh how great is this loue , when the Mr. spareth not the life of his onely Son , to redeeme his slaue ? And now since I haue been formed and fashioned by thy hands , purchased and redeemed with thy bloud , and purified and clensed by thy mercy ; I will offer vp my selfe before thee , as a sacrifice of obedience : cast mee not away , O my God. Domine ne in furore . Psalme 38. IT is high time for me , O Lord , to turne again vnto thee ; and againe as an humble suppliant to implore thy mercy . For I feele thine anger to waxe hote , against mee . Alas my God wilt thou chastise mee in thine anger , and make mee to feele the violence of thy iust indignation , which my sinnes haue prouoked against mee ? The flame hath euen consumed mee , and the fire of thy fury , hath eaten me vp , and I am ready to vanish away into smoake . For I feele O my God , the arrowes of thy vengeance sticke fast in me , and and I am pressed down vnder thy heauy hand . The remorse & terrours of my conscience , do astonish me , and bruise mee like flashes of lightning and thunderbolts : euill commeth vpon mee as a snare , and one mischiefe ouer-taketh another . No sooner is warre ended , but Pestilence assaults mee : and in the ende Death hath taken from me my dearest pledge , which I haue in this world . Wherin then shall I receiue comfort , O my God ? In my selfe ? Alas , there is no health in any part of my body , the marrowe is consumed in my bones ; there is no rest in my bodie : euerie part reproacheth mee with my sinne , and suffereth the paine thereof . I pine away with griefe and heauinesse , and no man comforteth me ; my eyes serue me onely to see my misery : and my soule hath no vnderstanding or knowledge , but only of my wretchednes . I cast mine eyes on euerie side , and I see my sinnes begirt me round about , and I am ready to faint and sink down vnder the burden of mine iniquities : they are mounted aloft vpon my head , and are heauier then I can beare . How shall I resist them ? What strength haue I to defend my selfe ? seeing all my bones are out of ioint . The filth of my sores runneth , the stench and corruption of my wounds , and vlcers is grieuous : and if my body be ill , is my soule any better ? Is not shee also full of confusion , fearfulnes and trembling ? Maladie hath worn away my body , and brought it to the doore of death , and heauiness hath oppressed my soule : and disrobed her of her Vertue : And as the young and tender budde of the Vine is congealed into sheer-wool , by the sharpe cold , and fadeth away : so the finger of the Lord which hath touched my soule , maketh her to languish , faint , and lose her courage . But alas ( O my God ) what courage can I expect to haue , when I see my self so full of sores , and no part of my bodie is exempt from paine ? and which is farre beyond this miserie , the memorie of my deceitfull Pleasures , representeth it selfe vnto me , and casteth mee in the teeth with my vices , and mocketh me for my vanitie . I say vnto my selfe , did I therfore prolong my dayes in the honny of so many delights , that I might after wash away all with the gall of bitter anguish ? Where art thou now O deceitful pleasure , which hast made my soule drunke with the sweet liquor of thy delights ? how hast thou now forsaken me ? Haue I not yet suffered inough O Lord , hath not my humilitie yet sufficiently chastened mine arrogance ? I haue sinned through sottish corruption ; alas , since that I haue cast my selfe downe vpon the earth , I haue couered my head with ashes ; I haue clouen my heart with cryes ; I haue dimmd my eyes with teares , and yet thine anger ceaseth not . Is it possible , O Lord , that thou hast not seene my teares ? Thou who with the very turne of thine eye doest trauerse heauen and earth ; Thou whose sight pierceth the very bottom of our hearts ; Thou Lord knowest my thoughts , and vnderstandest my cogitations . What is it that I desire , but thy mercie ? In what doe I hope , but in thy bountie ? Wherefore , haue I mourned , and made open profession of my repentance , but to condemne my selfe ? And if my tongue hath not sufficiently expressed my minde , and is not able to vtter what I desire ; Thou O Lord , knowest what wee would before we can think it . It is inough that we lift vp our heart vnto thee , and thou wilt presently grant what we desire . But wherefore delayest thou O Lord , to giue thy blessed consolation , which thou hast promised mee ? Alas , I am not able to hold out any longer : my heart faileth mee , my senses are troubled , my sight is waxed dimme , my flitting soule is euen readie to leaue my bodie . All my friends about me do bewaile my death : they haue giuen ouer all hope of my health , all their care is for my exequies , and say amongst themselues , where is the help that he expected from his God ; where is that fauour whereof hee made himself so sure ? They that priuily haue laide wait for my life , are come about me : they haue thought of parting my spoile among them , so hatefull am I become to the world , since thou hast deiected mee . They whispered among themselues , and haue imagined a thousand wayes to doe mee mischiefe : they haue daily laide snares to entrappe me . Hee is ( said they vpon his death-bed , he shall neuer rise vp again ; wherefore should we feare him , who is now but as the shadowe of a man ? As for me I was as deafe as a man that heareth not , and as one that is dumbe I answered them not : my patience was my buckler , and constancie my bulwarke . Euery one that saw my patience in aduersity , said that I was dumb ; because when they reproached , I answered not : he hath ( said they ) put vp all indignities : if there remained in him any sense of honour , how could he shew such little courage ? wee may well iudge him to be guiltie : for innocencie is alwaies hardy and resolute in her owne defence : but notwithstanding all this I held my peace . For why ? my hope is in God : and I am verely perswaded , that hee will assist me . Though all the world band themselues against mee , though heauen and earth conspire my ruine , yet through the help of my God , I shall still be the vanquisher . With the breath of his mouth hath he created all things : and with the same breath he can destroy whatsoeuer it pleaseth him . I will fight vnder his banner , and so I shall be certain of victorie . I haue oft said vnto them , Reioyce not at my harme , and insult not ouer mee , when I am afflicted & tormented ; for the hand of the Lord is not so short , but it may stretch vnto you also , and presume not too much vpon his long suffering ; for as his feete are of wool , so his arme is of iron : if hee once stretch it ouer your heads , O ye impenitent soules , hee vvill breake you in peeces like a potters vessell , and the very remembraunce of you shall be rooted out . As for me , I haue taken the rodde in mine hand , and haue made the print of my condemnation for my sinne on my shoulders : I haue appeared in thy presence O Lord , with teares , in mine eyes , repentance in my mouth , and warre in my heart . I haue beaten downe my selfe , for feare least mine enemie shoulde triumph ouer me . I haue openly confessed my fault , I haue acknowledged my sin in an acceptable time : I haue bin carefull to runne vnto thee for mercie , whilst thou wast to be found . But the more I humble my selfe before thee , to taste of the liuing water of this fountaine of grace , which distilleth from thy bountie , the more mine enemies encrease : and they that would deuoure mee guiltlesse , are mighty . They gather themselues on euerie side , little foreseeing the tempest that will scatter and disperse them . They kindle through their pride , the coales of thine ire : they despite thy power , which they shall too too soone proue to their vtter ruine and destruction . In a word , caring for nothing in heauen or earth , they wallow in their filthy pleasures , and as much as in them lyeth , deface that stampe of divinitie , which thou hast imprinted printed in their soul ; & shut their eyes against the hope of saluation , which shineth vnto them out of thy word . I cease not my God to warne them : but they render mee euill for good , and make a mocke of whatsoeuer I doe to please thee , and bee an example to them : they traduce and slander mee in the open streets , and impose vpon mee a thousand wrongful imputations . I confesse O Lord , I now beginne to lose patitience . But O my God repaire mine infirmitie , and forsake me not : for else I shall stumble as a little child at the first precipice that shall lye in my way . Increase in mee O Lord , strēgth & courage to ouercom my affliction , and keep mee vnder the shadow of thy wings , giuing me euermore constancie and perseuerance : and bee vnto mee as a tender-hearted mother , which can not but tender him her dugges , as oft as her babe cries for it . Nourish mee then , O Lord , vvith the milke of thy sacred loue : that so encreasing from strength , to strength I may bee able to walke night and day in thy pathes which leade vnto that saluation , the hope whereof shineth in thy promises ; that if my sinne present it selfe to stoppe mee in my way , I may open the floudgates of mine eyes , and neuer shutte them vntill I haue drowned and sunke it with my teares . Psalme 51. Miserere mei Deus . HAue mercy vpon me my God , according to thy great clemencie , and for thy boundless mercies sake forgiue me the punishment which I haue iustly deserued . For if thou expect vntill my fastings , watchings and prayers shal satisfie for my sinne ; alas Lord , when can this bee ? My trespasse reacheth frō earth vnto heauen , and surpasseth in immensitie of greatnes . Who then is able to compasse it , or bring it down , saue only thy sacred mercie ? which as far surpasseth the measure of our sinnes , as the greatness of thy iustice is beyond ours . It is thy mercie O Lord , which compasseth this vniuerse , which holdeth togither the whole frame of this world , which otherwise is readie to dissolue and fall vpon our heads , to burie through his ruine the memory of our sinnes : to destroy , from before thy face , our ingrate , disloyall , and felonious race ; which disclaimeth her birth , creation and preseruation , all which it holdeth of thy bountie . O then let this mercifull bounty , which shineth in thy Diuinitie , now extend it selfe vnto me , not sparingly , or niggardly , but fully and plentifully . As thou didst once cause the waters to passe their bounds , and couer the toppes of the highest mountaines , to extirpate and sweepe away the wicked inhabitans of the earth : so now cast out the torrent of thy mercie vpon mee , O Lord , not to swallow mee vp , but to bathe mee and clense mee from my wickednesse . But let it not content thee O Lord , once to haue made mee cleane , and to say how thou hast regenerated and washed me in the bloud of thy chaste and innocent lamb : for thou diddest not make me so white , and pure , but thou maiest now finde mee as foule and vncleane . I haue plunged my selfe into the depth of filth : I am so besmeared , and so disfigured , that thou wilt not acknowledge mee for thine . Yea , it maketh me demaund sometimes of my selfe , vvhether I be hee whom thy hands haue created : and my heart is so ful of shame and confusion , that it dareth not resolue me . O my God , thou hast created me of durt & clay : and behold , I am become such as I was before thou spreddest thine hand ouer me . I haue despoyled me of my strength and my beauty , to reuest my selfe in mire and filth . But wherefore O Lord , dost thou not forme and fashion mee anew ? Is thy hand shortned ? is thy willingness , to shewe mercie to thy creature , fallen away ? Oh thou that art Almightie ! Oh , thou that art euen goodnes it selfe , wherfore art thou so slack ? O Lord , thine own worke is become obstinate against thee , and taketh pleasure in disfiguring , and disforming it selfe : be thou as obstinate against thy worke , to make it faire and perfect in despight of it . But O my God , I will no longer stand out in mine owne conceit against thee : hold and take mee to thee : turne me as thou wilt , put a new print vpon this clay , renew it , put a new stampe vpon it , for loe it is prest to follow thy will. But when thou hast fashioned me anew , do not then leaue me to my self , O Lord : Put thy bridle within my mouth , that it may through abstinence , allay that gourmandizing , which fouleth it : through chastitie it may coole the shamelesse heates of lustes , which enflame it : through humilitie , it may beate downe that pride and arrogance , which biting enuie hath bred in it , that cōpassionate charitie , may driue from it hatefull and greedy couetize : that a care to serue and worship thee , my bee as a spurre alwaies in the sides of lazie and fetarde negligence . For otherwise O my God , too much haue I proued , how I shall bee handled by these troopes of vices which enuiron mee . They will deface , and throwe downe in such sort thy handie work , that when thou shalt come , thou shalt finde onely the shells and shiuers all broken and bruised . I haue known them too well : these are they that haue brought me to that state , wherin I now stand : and loe they stand in aray round about me , reproaching mee , and vpbrayding mee with these blottes , wherewith they themselues haue defiled mee , and making me guilty of those iniuries which they haue done me . I haue sinned , I confesse O my God , I haue sinned : loe I offer vnto thee the bottome of my heart , take a view of my whole life . I haue sinned in the fight of heauen and earth , and all the world is witness of my fault . But if I had not sinned , how could thy mercy be shewed ? how wouldest thou acquite thee of thy promises of grace , which thou hast so long before proclaimed , by the mouth of thy holie Prophets ? When thou shalt come to sit vpon thy eternall throne of iustice , who would feare thee , if we were all iust ? But that men may know and acknowledge thy greatness , it is meete that when we shal appear before thee , wee cast downe our selues humbly vpon our face , and cry , O sweet Lord , we will not stand in our owne defence before thee , our fault is too manifest , but behold our pardon is in our hand : thou thy selfe hast giuen it vs , loe it is signed with thy bloud , sealed with thy image , which for our redemption hath been printed in the infirmitie of our flesh . Thinkest thou my GOD that when I shall appear before thee , I will put any confidence in mine owne innocencie , or dare to iustifie my selfe in thy presence ? Alas , I know Lord I was no sooner borne , but I sinned : my mother looked to bee deliuered of a childe ; and loe a lumpe of sinne ? How much better had it beene , if such fruite had prov'd abortiue , which shameth the tree that bare it , the earth that nourished it , and the ayre that breathed vppon it . I did nourish my selfe with sinne , when I was yet in my mothers wombe , I sucked it in with her milke , and lo it is so growen vp with me , that it ouer-shadoweth my head , and casteth a miste before mine eyes . But when I see the eyes of my bodie , so seeled with sin , which compasseth me : I opē the eyes of my soule , and begin to discerne a far off the rayes of thine infallible trueth , and acknowledge the marueilous secrets of wisedome , which thou hast manifested to me . Then my soule , abandoning the impuritie of my bodie , lifteth it selfe to heauen , & vieweth the circuite thereof ; and casting her eye vpon the book of life , there doth she peruse the treatie of the newe Couenaunt , which thou hast made with men : and after , returning into her miserable bodie , doth fill it with hope of ioy , promising it assured victorie ouer sinne . For shee hath learned in heauen , that thou wilt take a branch of odoriferous hysope in thine hand , & wilt sprinkle vpon me the water of purification : thou wilt wash me , and I shall be whiter then snow : there shal no more sportes of sinnes appeare in me . What pure lee shall this bee O Lord , which made of the cinders of my sinnes , consumed by the fire of thy loue , with the water of those teares which my repentance hath distilled from my heart , and in the sun of thy grace , shall wash away our weeping , and shall breede in vs spiritual ioy : and in the end shall whiten in the puritie and candor of iustice , to make vs hereafter shine as the starres in the firmament . Then shall no sound enter into our eares , but of that ioifull trumpet of saluation , which shall proclaime grace and mercie to all that will receiue them . Then shall wee see our carcasses which were consumed with rottenness , rise vp out of their beds , to be partakers of this vniuersall ioy , wherevnto thou hast inuited the vvhole world . But that I may appeare before thee , in such honourable attire , as is befitting such honourable magnificence ; treade downe , O my God , all my faults vnder foote , burie them in the centre of the earth , that no eye may bee able to see them , make an euerlasting separation betwixt me , and mine iniquitie , which at this present I forsake , and from whom I vow an irrevocable diuorce . Receiue my soule which I offer vnto thee : make it pure and cleane : renewe in my heart such a spirite , as shall conceiue nothing but truth and holiness . Make it , O Lord God , a temple for thy holy spirit to dwell in ; that henceforth all my thoughts may breath out nothing , but the praises of my God : that thy will bee alway imprinted in my breast , and thy glorie written in my lippes . When thou hast so reuested and adorned mee , with pietie , and integritie , then shall I bee assured that nothing can separate mee from thy presence : and then as the true eagle looketh right vpon the sunne , so will I fixe my eyes vppon the face of thine eternitie , and shall beholde in thy maruellous and glorious countenance , all the perfections which I am not able now to conceiue . O let thy sacred spirite neuer more dislodge from my hart : for hee it is which vpon the wings of zealous loue , shall carrie me into thy bosome , there to make me partaker of thine heauenly ioyes . Make me then euermore to taste the sweetnes of this immortall life : saue mee speedily , from the rockes of this world , which on euerie side threaten shippewracke . And as the Mariner now comne vnto the hauen , crowneth the maste of his shippe with garlands in signe of safetie : so crown me my God with the precious giftes of thine holy spirit , for pledges of euerlasting blessednesse , which thou hast promised mee . I say , of thy spirit which raigneth among thy faithfull , which giueth faith to thine elect , loue to thy beloued , and hope to them , whom thou hast predestinated . And so whilst my soule shal abide in this exile , waiting when thou shalt call him home , I will teach thy wayes vnto the wicked , by following which , they may please thee ; and will direct them how to passe through the darknesse of this world , without stumbling at such offences , as daily offer themselues : they shall beleeue mee , and so be conuerted vnto thee , O father of light : they shall receiue thy faith into their hearts , and shall walke in thine obedience . I know O Lord , that some will against my voice stoppe their eares , and obstinately persist in their vices ; they will conspire my death , and seeke to drench their barbarous crueltie , with my bloud . Deliuer me from their hands O God , and preserue mee , that I may declare thy iustice , and pronounce their condemnation . I will foretell their wretchednes , and they shall feele it : yea , as soon as I haue made an ende of speaking it , thy hand shall smite them : and no sooner shal thy hands haue smitten them , but they shal be broken like a Potters vessell , and come to sodaine destruction . Then shalt thou open my lippes , and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise , & declare thy victory : the aire shall bee calme , the winde shall cease , the riuers shall stay their course to hearken to my voice , whilst it shall chaunt & resound the maruellous actes of the eternall God. For thy praise shall euer be the sacrifice which I will offer vnto thee , and which shall bee euer acceptable in thy sight . I would ere this haue filled thine aultars with the bloud of beasts : I would haue slaine a thousand oxen & a thousand sheep to thine honour : but bloud doth stinke in thy nostrils , thou art not pleased with flesh : the smoke of such offerings doth but vanish in the ayre , and can not ascend vp vnto thee : it is the voice alone of a righteous man , vvhich findeth passage into heauen , and therin is presented vnto thee . Oh how acceptable , a sacrifice before thee is a hart pierc't with repentance ! an hart humbled and deiected in the knowledge of its sins ! neuer shall such a one be reiected . For the way to ascend vnto thee , is to descēd in our selues : to touch the heauens , we must fall down grouelling vpon the earth : to bee heard of thee , wee must bee silent : and to bee crowned in thy kingdome , wee must suffer paine and affliction in this vvorld . These are the sacrifices by which wee must make an attonement to thee , and enter into that couenaunt which thou hast appointed . And if thou wilt O Lord , that we offer oxen and buls , that wee make thine aultar fatte with the bloude of beasts ; if thou wilt that by the death of the innocent holocaust , wee shall represent the death and innocencie of him whom thou hast destinied for the redemption of our soules ; if the figuring of that which is to come , in the person of that immaculate lamb , bee acceptable , in killing of Sheepe and Rammes : O then look downe with thy eye of pitie vpon thy poore people , comfort thy distressed Sion , giue courage to her poore inhabitants , that they may repayre the decayed walles of thy holy citie , and build vp thy temple , though not with that glory which thou deseruest , yet with as great as the riches of this world will retch vnto . Thither then shal all thy faithfull flocke come from all parts to sacrifice vnto thee : and there shalt thou accept the propitiation for their sins . But O my God , it is neither the bloud nor death of beasts , which can wash away their offences : the expiation of their disobedience and stubbornnesse is prepared from all eternitie . This is that inestimable sacrifice , that immaculate holocaust , which shall take away the veile , dispell the darknesse , breake the partition wall ; to make vs see face to face , the truth of our saluation ; to make the bright beames of mercie shine vpon vs , and to resume vs vnto the communion of that eternall happinesse , from vvhich wee of our selues had fallen . O most merciful God , which hast opened the eyes of mine vnderstanding , to see the mysterie of my saluation ; make me O Lord , by a liuely faith , to taste of that fruite , which flourished vpon the tree of the Crosse , and shall quicken with his iuice mortified soules : preserue and heale vs for euer from that miserie and calamitie , which hath so miserably fallen vpon the race of man , & hath been deriued from the first to the last through their disobedience . Psalme 102. Domine exaudi . O Lord , I haue long cryed vnto thee for mercie , and am still to attend on thee for succour . The ayre is filled with my cryes : the windes haue carried the voice of my complaint to the ende of the earth ; and thine eare which heareth mee from the depth of hell , doth not hearken vnto my prayer , which pierceth vnto the very heauens . Wilt thou then O Lord , be only deafe to mee ? and shall all the world heare my moane before thee ? No , no my God thou hast been absent from mee too long to reiect me , now when I come vnto thee for succour . Turne not away thy face from mee ▪ O Lord , now when so many thousands of griefes lay hold on mee , and so many mischiefes assault me . Alas , I haue placed all my hope of rising , in the milde looke of thy countenance . I haue forsaken the world , to draw neere vnto thee . I haue abandoned the children of the earth , to ioin my selfe to the Maister of heauen : and wilt thou now forsake mee ? O doe not so good Lord : but assist and strengthen my weakness all the dayes of my life ; that as soone as I shall lift my voice vnto thee , so soone I may feele the comfort of thy presence : and let thy grace speedily descend vpon mee , as an Eagle hasteth to succour her yong . For vnlesse thou assist me , how shal I be able to fight against the enemies of my soule ? My strength faileth me , and my life dayly consumeth as a smoake that vanisheth away into nought : the same eye that seeth it rise out of the fire , seeth it also dispersed , & in the same moment seeth both its beginning and its ende : man may looke after it ; and loe , not so much as the trace therof it selfe . He that hath noted the small branches cutte off the trees , and laide in the sunne , how soone they lose both sappe and verdeur ; may suppose hee seeth my bones which are dryed vp , and fallen away , and fit for nothing but a Tombe . A Tombe no doubt might make me happy , if a small graue could stay the course of my most extreame miserie . Hee that hath seene the grasse cut down in the medowes , how it fadeth , changeth his liuely hewe , & withereth , let him looke vpon my face , so wan and pale , that I looke like death it selfe . My heart is scorched in the midst of my entralls , and my bloud is dryed vp within my veines , because I remember not to put bread within my mouth , and forget to take my daily repast . My mouth serueth mee but to lament and crye : and the voice of my daily complaints is so strong that it spendeth all the rest of my vigour , so that my bodie , consuming with heauiness , falleth away by little and little , & now my bones appear most wofully through my skin . Why then doe I care to remaine any longer in this bodie , the subiect of my misery ? Why doe I watch to preserue this life , which wrestleth against so many miseries ? which is cleane spent with so many afflictions ? Were it not much better for mee , with the ende of my life , to ende my miseries ? The Pellicane that in the solitarie deserts of Egypt , tormenteth her selfe vvith grief , to haue slain her yong ones , besprinkles them with her owne bloud , to restore them that life which she had taken frō them ; is not more sorrowful thē I , nor maketh more grieuous moane then I. Hath not my sin procured the death of my dearest child , which I loued more then my selfe ? And now that I haue already spent all my teares , the bloud is readie to spring forth of my eies , least my plaints should faile in so woefull a case . But the Pelican redeemeth her young , by the price of her bloud : and I miserable wretch shall bee vtterly depriued of the child , which I so tenderly affect . I forsake the day and the light , and confine my selfe in the obscure darknes , as a dolefull Owle , which goeth not out of her hole , vntill the night with his sable mantle haue couered the earth . I watch continually and take no rest , I seeke to hide me from mischiefe , which commeth vpon mee as an armed man. I am quite discomfited , my courage faileth mee : I doe nothing but search for a corner to hide me in : euen as a solitarie sparrow , which beaten with winde and raine , doth seek some couerture , where shee may shrowde her selfe from the raine , and also receiue some heate from the sunne . Mine enemies seeing me thus deiected , reuile mee , and make a mocke of my misery : they that vvere wont to make much of me , in stead of condoling with me in mine affliction , haue conspir'd against me . What shall wee then account of the goods of this world , when the greatest riches , a man can attaine vnto , is to haue many friends ; and yet friends are so double , that they make small reckoning of violating their faith . Behold , my glorie is decayed , the floure of my beautie is fallen away , and withered ; for I haue cast ashes vpon my bread , and mingled my drinke with teares . But shall I for this , bee still a laughing stocke to this wicked race of infidels ? I am come indeed before thy face , in the day of thy displeasure : thou hast laide vpon me the arme of vengeance , and it hath beaten me downe , and laid me in the dust . I had magnified my self among men , and loe now am I brought lowe . O vaine presumption ! to what height hast thou made mee mount , to giue mee the greater fall ? Alas , what could I finde in my selfe , which could breed in my hart so high a selfe-conceit ? As the shadow of a body decreaseth by little and little , according as the sunne riseth higher and higher ouer it , vntill it appeare but as a point : so as soone as thine anger was risen ouer me , O Lord , my life , my goods , and my greatnesse did by little vanish & turne to nought : so that now , behold I am but as the haye spread vpon the ground , without grace , and without colour : they bind it vp in bottles to feede their sheep : and al those glorious flowers which before were so sweet & fragrant , are now bound vp togither with the thistle and hemlocke . But what ? shal I therfore giue ouer all hope ? Not so my God : for thy might is immense , and shall neuer decay : Thy mercy is infinite , & shall extend ouer all those that trust in thee . One age succeedeth another : but the memorial of thy louing kindness , shall endure for euer . One generation goeth , and another generation succeedeth , and all shall recount thy praise , and magnifie thy goodnes . Thou shalt at length arise O Lord , and be mercifull vnto Sion , for the time approacheth . Behold , I see it at hand . The Riuers doe not sēd so much water into the wide bosome of the Ocean , as thy bountie will showre bounty and graces vpon the face of this land . Open your hearts , O yee people , open your hearts wide : for the liberall hand of my God will fill you , with a holy zeale , vvhich shall purifie you , and make you as faire beaten gold . For the edifice of Sion , O Lord , is the refuge for thy seruants : this is it they loue so well , this is it they desire so ardently : this is it where they waite for thy mercie : this is the temple O Lord , which thou wilt destroy in three daies , and in three daies build againe , to be the mansion of life eternall , the seate of saluation , the store-house of grace , the temple of eternitie . Then my God , shall the nations stand amazed : and the kings of the earth shall tremble at the brightnes of thy glorie . What corner of the earth shall bee so secret , but that thither also shall spread the fruit of thy blessed comming ? What people shall there bee so remote from the sunne , so confined in darknes , which shall not open their eyes to behold the glorious lustre of saluation , which shall shine vnto them ? The heauen shall encrease the number of his lampes , to giue light at thy glorious entrance into the world : and kings shall come from far , to doe homage to the King of Kings , and Lord of heauen and earth . For hee hath exalted his throane in Sion , with great and magnificent preparation : there shall men see him enuironed with glory , and obscuring the Sun & Moon with the brightness of his countenance . But wherfore hast thou O Lord , so highly exalted the throne of thy glory ? Is it to this end that thou mightest contemne the humble prayers of thy faith full seruants , and to neglect all the world , which is nothing in comparison to thy greatness ? Ah , nay , my Lord. Thou hast therefore set thy self in a place so eminent , to the end that all the inhabitants of the earth might see & acknowledge thee to bee their God : and to run to thee for grace and mercy : for thou art euer ready prest , to incline to the humble call of thy seruants , and neuer disdainest their pitifull request . Look now vpon them al arraignd like poore prisoners condemned to the chaine , who attend the view of some King , to bee by him deliuered at the day of his coronation . Euen so deliuer these O Lord , who are sold vnder the slauery of sinne : and at the turne of thine eye , all their irons shall fall from them . Then shall they be heard to chaunt out the song of glory , to the victorious king : their voice shall bee heard throughout all the parts of the earth : and the memoriall of thy singular bounty , and infinite mercy shall bee engrauen in mens harts , to remain from generation to generation to all posteritie . The Earth shall melt away , the waters shall be dried vp , the aire shal vanish , the heauens shall passe away , and be no more : but the memoriall of thine aboundant kindnes , O eternall God , shall endure for euer . Thou art the euerlasting God , who hast daind to cast down thine eyes from heauen , to behold the neathermost parts of the Earth , to take notice of their torments , who lye fast bound in the depth , who hast heard their groanings , and immediately runne to their succour , to vnbinde and set at liberty these poore prisoners , and their whole posteritie . Death hath vanquished them by the strength of sin ▪ and had shutte them vp in darke dungeons : but the Lord of life , hath conquered death , and hath giuen full deliuerance . That so they might declare thy praise O Lord in Sion , and proclaim thy clemencie in Hierusalem . But though euery one of them had an hundred tongues , & though their voice were as strong as thunder , yet would they not bee able to reach vnto the greatness of thy glory : though all the parts of the world conspire in one , to represent in their motions some part of thy might and infinite bounty , yet can they reach no further : for these are depths , and the depths of depths , which haue no bottom nor bound , and which wee are not able to see , but a far off . Let it then suffice , O my God , that thy people assembled & revnited both in body and minde , doe vvith humble deuotion offer vp vnto thee , the wil they haue to honour thee : for the effect is not able to approach to that , which to thee is due . Let it be acceptable in thy sight O Lord , that the kings of the earth doe prostrate themselues at thy feet ; and do tender that homage and seruice , which is due to thee , as to their soueraigne Lord. They shall lay down their scepters on the earth , and their crownes at their feet , and shall present an innocent conscience , as a sacrifice of an humble deuotion . I will bee the first , O my God , that wil prostrate my self before thee , to worship and serue thee with my whole heart : On thee onely will I fixe my thoughts : to thee will I consecrate my spirit . Quicken it O Lord ; that beeing purified with the sacred ardour of thy loue , it may ( as a most pure mirrour ) receiue in it the image of thy incomprehensible beauty and perfection , and may feele in it selfe the reflexion of thy sincere amitie , vntill thy infinite beautie shall associate it vnto the number of thine elect , to be with them coheir of euerlasting life . Now my God , doe I feele that thou hast enlightened my soule with thy grace , and haue first felt the fauor which thou wilt bestowe vpon the sons of men . My spirit hath already seen a far off how thou wilt come to redeeme the world ; but it feareth it shall dye before thy comming ; and this is the cause , why it hath cried vnto thee , saying ; Tell me O Lord , what shall be thee course of mine age , & when thou wilt ende my dayes ? Cut not off the thread of my life O Lord , at the first or second turne of the spindle , and take mee not away in the middle of my course . Let me liue O my God vntill the time come , wherein thou shalt open the treasures of thy graces , to bestowe among men the largesse of saluation : or at least if thou hast so determined of mine ende , that my life may not continue till then ; remember my posteritie , and let him spring of my race , that by his comming shall redeeme and sanctifie the earth . I know O Lord , that thou hast from the beginning fashioned the heauen and the earth , and whatsoeuer is good , and excellent in the world , is the worke of thine hands . But all the vniuersal shall wax old as doth a garment : they vanish away , and shall be no more to be found : it hath been created , and it shall bee dissolued : it hath had a beginning , and must haue an ende . But thou O Lord , art from euerlasting , and thou shalt continue the same for euer . Time and continuance , which consume all things , doe onely serue to confirme thy being , and to publish thy diuinitie : and men do liue vpon the earth that they may contemplate on the one side , thine incomprehensible greatnesse , and on the other side , their owne infirmitie . Man goeth from place to place , & the same land doth change her inhabitants : one driueth out another , and all is renewed in a moment : but thou my GOD art yesterday , and to day , and the same for euer . Euery province of the earth can reckon vp great numbers of Kings , which haue raigned one after another : but the the heauen and the earth doe continually sing , that thou hast euer been God alone , alwaies admirable alone : and that thy goings out and thy commings in , haue euer beene vvithout change . Now O Lord , when I shall depart hence , I doe verely beleeue , that I shal taste of that sweet fruit , which shall heale vs of this contagious maladie ( which hath been deriued from our first Parents , for eating the forbidden fruit ) of death , and sinne . For our children shal come after vs , and thou O Lord , shalt continue our posteritie , vntill wee shall come to appeare togither before thy face : not to receiue a rigorous doome ; but by the merit and intercession of thy beloued Son , to enter into that inheritance of euerlasting blessednesse , which shall be giuen to all thy faithfull , by the adoption of the sonnes , in the family of thy seruant Dauid . Psalme 130. De profundis . OVt of the deepe bottome of the depth , I cryed vnto thee my God : lost & couered in the fearefull cauernes of the earth , I called vppon thy name . Hearken vnto my voice , giue eare vnto my prayer . For all hope of succour was gone ; I looked about mee , and behold nothing but horrour and fearfulness : yet haue I not lost courage , but waited for that which thou hast promised to all those who liue in feare of thy name , and are obedient to thy commandements . Bow down then O Lord , a fauourable eare to my complaint . If sinne haue interposed it selfe betweene thee and me , to exasperate thee against mine offences , and to mooue thee against my prayer , which I make vnto thee ; driue it out of the sight of thine eye of mercie : or rather O Lord , close for a while thine eye of iustice , vntil the eare of thy clemencie haue receiued my confession , & the humble request which I make vnto thee . For I come not to stand vppon mine owne iustification ; but vpon thy gentleness and bounty . If thou shouldst keepe a register of our faults , and cal vs to a strict account for them , who could endure O Lord the rigour of thy iudgement ? What day is there of my whole life , that deserueth not a whole age of torments ? Thou mightest bring vpon mee all the punishments of hell , and yet the greater part of my sinnes remain vnpunished . But thou art ready to receiue to mercie the sinner that commeth to thee with confession in the mouth , and contrition in the heart . No sooner hath he looked toward thy mercie ; but he feeleth it work in him , breaking and dissoluing sinne , which had frozen his heart with feare and amazement . The punishment vvhich hangeth ouer his head , departeth farre from him ; carying away with it , this miserable carefulnes , which is a hel to the cōsciences contaminated with iniquitie . For this cause O Lord , would I neuer vtterly forsake thy lawe : but haue alwaies attended , when it would please thee to bee gracious vnto me . For hee that is ill aduised , and desperate in his sin , and abandoneth his soule , as past recouerie , doth like to the abhominable vsurer , who because he hath suffered some losse of goods , goes and hangs himselfe . My soule hath not done so : for euen then when she felt thine hand heauie vpon me ▪ exacting part of the punishment , which my faults had merited ; yet did shee still hold fast the hope in thy promises . When the stripes vvere multiplyed vpon my back , I cryed vnto thee , O Lord , Thy wil be done : only giue me as much strength as affliction . Measure my paine according to my vigour : and if thou encrease my ●orment , augment my cou●age : and so hast thou dealt with me O Lord. Let all true Israelites therfore both day & night , but their cōfidence in God , ●ook vpon him , and to him ●lone for all their succour : ●or his succour is readie , ●nd neuer faileth those that with integritie of conscience , and puritie of wil call vpon him . Though their trouble be great & terrible , as soone as the Lord doth incline his eare to their cry , so soone shall they finde themselues deliuered . For he aboundeth with mercie , and neuer faileth to succor those who make their recourse to him . Insomuch , that his bountie taketh away all the sorrow , that we had for beeing sinners ; and makes vs as it were reioice that we had fallen ; as at the cause , for which wee haue had such trial of his mercy : for if our faults surmount measure , his grace exceedeth all imagination . Wee haue deserued a long and hard captiuitie ; but loe , he hath deliuered vs , and set vs at most sweet libertie : wee haue blinded the eyes of our vnderstanding ; and lo , ●ee commeth to illighten ●s . O Israel , ye haue sinned against the Lord : yee haue made a mocke at his lawe , and sported your selues in ●he breach of his commandements , and forgotten his ●ounty so plentifully pow●ed vpon you . He hath freed thee from miserable bondage : he hath ●ed thee with bread from ●eauen : hee hath made ●●reames to gush out of the ●ard rocke , to giue thee drinke : he hath giuen thee the most delicious garden of the earth for thine habitation : he hath made a couenant with thee , & made thee know his will. But ye haue conspired against his honour , gone a whoring after strange Gods , and troden his lawe vnder your feet : in a word , ye haue merited all the punishments of hell : and yet still doth he offer himselfe most graciously vnto thee : he will redeeme thee with the price of his bloud , from the slauerie of sin , to which thou hadst of thine own accord bound thy selfe . Behold him , who himselfe payeth the ransome , for those that haue betrayed him ; vvho taketh vppon himselfe the punishment of our backsliding , and the paiment of our forfeit . With what words shall we render him thankes ? Open my lippes , my God , my Creator , my Redeemer , that my voice may bee lifted vp in that measure , as mine heart is enflamed with a boyling affection to giue thee praise and thankes , and to abase my selfe in the knowledge of my self ; that I may rouse vp my spirits in the knowledge of that sacred mysterie , whereby wee are reincorporated with thee , and admitted againe to thy couenant , to enter into this blessed participation of glorie ; wherein all those shall triumph , who shall be partakers of the merite of the passion of thy welbeloued Sonne , the true and onely Sauiour of the world . Psalme 143. Domine exaudi . O Lord , man is weary in the ende of all things : the continuance of his course putteth him out of breath : too much seeing , dimmeth and dazeleth his eyes : the clatering sound deafeth his eares : but the more I crye unto thee , the stronger is my voice , my courage increaseth , and my prayer is the more pleasing to mee : and all because I begin my daily petitions , with Lord heare my prayer , and giue eare to my supplication : for in praying to thee my God , consisteth al my comfort . This is my prayer , O Lord , which doth coniure thy clemencie , to expiate my sinnes ; not by the rigour of thy punishment , but by the effect of thy grace , whereby thou hast abolished & cast away from thy soueraigne and powerfull might and maiesty , the memory of mine offences . Deale not then in iustice , with thy seruant , neither giue him ouer to the rigour of thy lawe : for of all men ●●uing , that shal appeare before the seate of thy iudgement , no man shall bee iustified , no man shall escape this fearefull condemnation ; the punishment whereof is horrible , and the horrour immortall . Alas , O Lord , who can iustifie himselfe before thee ? It is thou that art offended ; it is thou that shalt accuse vs ; it is thou that hast seene our faults , and wilt beare witnesse ; it is thou that wilt iudge vs. When the accuser shall be witness , and the witnesse iudge , what shall then become of the guiltie ? what cause shall serue to cleare him ? But I will not stand out O Lord , to come to this issue . I will arme me with thy grace , and oppose that as a buckler to thy iustice . Thy grace is procured by the acknowledgement of our faults , & humbling of our spirit . Loe , I lye prostrate before thy feete , confessing my sinne ; O Lord haue mercie vpon me . My sinne O my God , the capitall enemie of my soule , hath so discomfited and beaten me down , that I goe groueling vppon the earth , not daring to lift vp mine eyes vnto heauen . For as soone as I lift vp mine eyes ; loe , the light shineth vpon mee , to bring vnto light , all my manifold offences , which accuse my conscience . And I feele withall shame to couer my face ; a face vnworthy to looke vp vnto heauen ; the king whereof it hath so grieuously offended ; a face too cowardly to cast vp his eyes to those places , where are so many thunders and lightning prepared , for the destruction of guiltie sinners . My spirit then hath led me into the darknesse , and hath buried mee in the graue , as one that is dead . My soule within mee is heauie , & my heart is troubled : euen like him , vvho walking loftie with hye bent lookes , falleth vnawares into the bottome of some pitte , presently his soule is troubled ; he loseth his vnderstanding ; he vexeth and tormenteth himselfe ; he knoweth , neither what to will , or what to do ; vntill his spirits returning vnto him , he beginneth to consider his estate , and the place wherein hee is , and the manner of his fall : then hee beginneth by little and little to regaine the toppe , and with great paine and labour to winde himselfe out of the place , into which he so easily fell : so I hauing called to minde , as much as is possible , things past , and hauing entred into a profound meditation of the workes of thine hands ; and hauing exactly considered the perfection of all things , which thou hast created ; then calling to minde the estate wherein thou hast created me ; and then proposing to my selfe , that wherein now I finde my selfe , as it were ouerwhelmed vnder the ruine of sinne ; I curse to my self the houre wherein my mother conceiued me , and the day that first opened my eye-liddes to make me see heauen and earth , the witnesses of mine infirmitie : and in the ende finding nothing in this world that could comfort mee , in this distresse , I addresse my selfe yet further vnto thee . I fall down on my knees before thee , and stretch out my hands and armes to thee : and my soule thirsting after thy grace , doth attend with as great desire , as the thirstie and scorched earth , doth expect a gracious raine in the heat of summer . Help me then , and that soone , O my GOD : for I am alreadie cleane out of breath ; my heart faileth : loe , how I fall into a swoun . Wilt thou , Lord delay , till death hath seised on mee ? I am euen alreadie at Deaths doore , if thou make not hast : for my senses decay by little and little ; my soule is as it were in a trance , and my body without motion . If thou O Lord , be farre from mee , if thou hide thy face from mee , I shall bee like vnto those that goe downe into the depth of Hell : Pale death will sit vpon my face , and seize on my senses : and which is worst , spirituall death will slay my soule , fill it with fright and horrour , and vtterly depriue it of the knowledge of thy singular bountie , and the hope of grace , which shineth in thy miracles , as a glittering starre , in the obscure darkness of the night . Cause mee then to vnderstand and feele the effects of thy mercy betimes : and in the morning vvhen the sunne beginneth to rise vpon the earth , let thy mercie also rise vpon me to enlighten mine ignorance , and conduct mee in the wayes of thy commandements . Yet let it not , O Lord , bee wholly like the sunne , which at the ende of his course goes to plunge himselfe in the sea , hiding for a time his light from silly men : but let it assist mee perpetually , & be as indiuidual a guide vnto my soule , as is my soule vnto my bodie : for the life of my soul , doth more strictly depend vpon thy mercy , then the life of my bodie doth vpon my soule . O then let her neuer forsake mee : but let her light alwaies direct my goings in thy wayes , that I neuer wander out of that path through which alone I must come vnto thee . For otherwise my spirit which is entangled amongst the briers and brambles of this world , and wandereth in the thickets , were neuer able to finde out the right way ; but posting along at aduenture , might lose both labour and trauell , neuer neere that place where shee desireth to arriue . But my hope is alwaies in thine aide , and I look for succour from aboue . I am held captiue of those that cruelly thirst after my life : hasten thee O Lord , to my deliuerance : to thee I flye for succour : O receiue me into thy protection ; teach mee what I shall doe : for to thee alone my God , doe I tender my seruice . Away , away from mee , thou deceitfull ▪ pleasure , which heretofore hast bewitched my soule , and poisoned my spirit : thou hast fedde me with thy too too pleasing delicates , to make me with a little hony swallow down a deadly poison of hemlocke ; which distilling into all my members , hath made them half dead and voide of sense : so that now I am little better then a dead man. But which is worse ; not my body alone , but euen my soule also , the fountain of my life present and to come is benumm'd . It is time thē that thy spirit come to rouse vp my dying soule , to take her by the hand , and leade her into a place of safetie , to quicken her and imprint in her the image of thy iustice ; that , that may bee her shield against all temptations , which besiege her on euery side , and threaten her finall ruine . Thou shalt come then , and by thy comming drawe my soule out of tribulation , receiue mee vnto to mercie , and destroy all those that haue conspired against me . Then shall my warre be at an ende , and theirs beginne : yea , with such a beginning as shall continue in endlesse griefe : and as the riuers running from their fountaine still enlarge themselues vntil they come into the sea ; so shall their miserie increase from day to day , and in the ende plunge them into extreame languor and hopelesse distresse . And this shall bee the ende of all those that vexe my soule : for I am thy faithfull seruant O Lord , and thou wilt not cast me out of thy remembrance ; but wilt call those to account , who in reproach of my GOD , haue so shamefully handled mee . They laughed at my harme ; but loe , the time is at hand , vvhen they shall bewaile their owne . Thy vengeance beginneth to flame against them , and men shal see them fall away , as leaues from the trees at the approaching of vvinter . How shall I glorifie thy name O GOD ? And where shall I beginne to set forth thy praise ? Shall I declare thy bountie in the creation of so many admirable vvorkes as are vnder the Sunne ? and thy wisedome in preseruing them ? Shall I proclaime thy iustice in condemning and taking vengeance of the pride of Angels , and disobedience of men ? Shall I sing of thy mercy in redeeming of those , who by forsaking of thy law fell headlong into the slauerie of eternal death ? To what part of thy praises is the base tune of my voice able to stretch ? or were my voice sufficient , what eares were able to receiue it ? All things faile mee O Lord , in this enterprise , saue onely courage , and will : vvhich , filled with a vehement and feruent affection , cry out vnto thee as lowde as they can . Assist their vveake essayes with thy grace : and since the teares of my repentance haue vvashed away the foulenesse of my sinnes , vvherewith my spirit vvas ouercharged , deiected and pressed downe ; giue mee henceforth the wings of faith and hope , whose swift flight may carrie mee into thy bosome , to bee revnited to his first originall : that I may neuer hereafter entertaine any other thought , then vvhat may tende to the furtherance of thy seruice , and the aduancement of thy glorie . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A19531-e130 Those that will see further of this , looke his Maiesties Catechisme , made by Mr Craige . Notes for div A19531-e8380 Our Father . Which art in Heauen . Hallowed be thy name Thy Kingdom come . Thy will be done . In earth as it is in heauen . Giue vs this day our daily bread . Forgiue vs our trespasses , As we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. Lead vs not into temptation . But deliuer vs from euil . Notes for div A19531-e8700 O Lord rebuke me not in thine indignation : neither chasten me in thy displeasure ! 2 Haue mercy vpon me O Lord , for I am weake : O Lord heale me , for my bones are vexed . 3 My soule is also sore troubled : but Lord how long wilt thou punish me ! 4 Turne thee O Lord and deliuer my soule : oh saue me for thy mercies sake . 5 For in death no man remembreth thee : and who will giue thee thankes in the pit ? 6 I am wearie of my grouing ; euery night wash I my bed , and water my couch with my teares . 7 My beauty is gone for very trouble : & worn away because of all mine enemies . 8 Away from me all ye that worke vanity ▪ for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping . 9 The Lord hath heard my petition : the Lord shall receiue my prayer . 10 All mine enemies shal be confounded , and sore vexed : they shal be turned back , and put to shame suddenly . Notes for div A19531-e9000 Blessed is he whose vnrighteousnes is forgiuen , and whose sinne is couered . 2 Blessed is the man vnto whom the Lord imputeth no sin , and in whose heart there is no guile . 3 For while I held my tongue , my bones consumed away through my dayly cōplaining . 4 For thy hād is heauy vpon me , day and night : and my moisture is as the drought in summer . 5 I will acknowledge my sin vnto thee : and mine vnrighteousnes haue I not hid . 6 I said I will confesse my sins vnto the Lord : and so thou forgauest the wickednes of my sinne . 7 For this shal euery one that is godly make his prayer vnto thee in a time when thou maist bee found ; but in the great water flouds they shall not come nigh him . 8 Thou art a place to hide me in , thou shalt preserue me from trouble : thou shalt compasse me about with songs of deliuerance . Be not like Horse and Mule , which haue no vnderstanding : whose mouthes must be holden with bit & bridle least they fall vpon thee . 2 Great plagues remaine for the vngodly but who so putteth his trust in the Lord , mercy embraceth him on euery side . 12 Be glad O ye righteous , and reioyce in the Lord : and be ioifull all ye that are true of heart . Notes for div A19531-e9270 Put me not to rebuke O Lord in thine anger : neither chasten mee in thy heauy displeasure . 2 For thine arrowes sticke fast in mee : and thy hand presseth me sore . 3 There is no health in my flesh because of thy displeasure : neither is there any rest in my bones by reason of my sinne . 4 For my wickedness are gone ouer my head , and are like a sore burthen too heauie for me to bear . 5 Mo woūds stinke and are corrupt through my foolishnes . 6 I am broght into so great trouble and misery , that I goe mourning all the day long . 7 For my loynes are filled with a sore disease , and there is no whole part in my body ▪ 8 I am feeble and sore smitten : I haue rored for the very disquietnes of my hart . 9 O Lord thou knowest all my desire : and my groaning is not hid from thee . 10 My heart panteth , my strength faileth me : and the sight of my eies is gone from me . 11 My louers and my neighbors did stand looking vpon my trouble : and my kinsmen stood a far off . 12 They also that sought after my life laide snares for me , & they that went about to do me euill , talked of wickednes and imagiced deceit all the day long . 13 As for mee I was like a deafe man and heard not , and as one that is dumb , that doth not open his mouth . 14 And I am as a man that heareth not : and in whose mouthe are found no reproofs 15 For in thee O Lord haue I put my trust : Thou shalt answere for for me , O Lord my God. 16 I haue required that they euen mine enemies shuld not triumph ouer me : for when my feet slipt , they reioiced greatly against me . 17 And surely I am set in the plague : and my heauinesse is euer in my sight . 18 For I will confesse my wickednesse : and be sorry for my sinne . 19 But my enemies liue and are mighty : & they that hate mee wrongfully are many in number . 20 They also that reward euill for good are against me , because I follow the thing that is good . 21 Forsake me not O Lord my God : be not thou far frō me . 22 Hast thee to help me : O Lord God of my saluation . Notes for div A19531-e9770 1 Haue mercie vpon mee , O Lord , after thy great goodnes : according to the multitude of thy mercie doe away my offences . 2 Wash me thorowly from my wickednes and cleanse me from my sinne . 3 For I acknowledge my fault : and my sin is euer before me . 4 Against thee onely haue I sinned , and done this euill in thy sight : that thou mightest be iustified in thy saying , and cleare when thou art iudged . 5 Behold I was shapen in wickednes : and in sinne my mother cōceiued me . 6 But loe thou requirest truth in the inward parts : and shalt make mee vnderstand wisedome secretly . 7 Thou shalt purge me with hysop , and I shall be cleane : thou shalt wash me , and I shall be whiter then snow . 8 Thou shalt make me heare of ioy and gladnes : that the bones which thou hast broken may reioice . 9 Turne thy face from my sinnes , and blotte out all my misdeedes . 10 Make me a cleane hart O God : and renew a right spirit within me . 11 Cast mee not away from thy presence : and take not thy holy spirit from me . 12 O giue me the comfort of thy help again , and establish mee with thy free spirit . 13 Then shall I teach thy wayes vnto the wicked : and sinners shall bee conuerted vnto thee . 14 Deliuer me frō bloud-thirstiness O God , thou that art the God of my health : and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousnes . 15 Thou shalt open my lippes , O Lord : and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise . 16 For thou desirest no sacrifice , else would I giue it thee : but thou delightest not in burnt offerings . 17 The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit , and a contrite heart O Lord , shalt thou not despise . 18 O be fauourable and gracious vnto Sion : build thou the wals of Ierusalem . 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousnes , with the burnt offerings and oblations : then shall they offer yong bullockes vpon thy aultar . Notes for div A19531-e10190 1 Heare my prayer O Lord : and let my crying come vnto thee . 2 Hide not thy face from me in the time of trouble : Incline thine eares vnto mee when I call , O hear me , and that right soone . 3 For my dayes are consumed away like a smoake , & my bones are burnt vp as it were with a firebrand . 4 My heart is smitten downe , and withered like grasse , so that I forget to eate my bread . 5 For the voice of my groaning my bones will scarce cleaue to my flesh . 6 I am becom like a Pellicane in the wilderness : and like an Owle , that is in the desert . 7 I haue watched , and am euen as it were a sparrow that sitteth ▪ alone vpon the house toppe . 8 Mine enemies reuile me all the day long , and they that are mad vpon me are sworne togither against me . 9 For I haue eaten ashes as it were bread and mingled my drinke with weeping . 10 And that because of thine indignation , and wrath : for thou hast taken me vp and cast mee downe . 11 My dayes are gone like a shadow , and I am withered like grasse . 12 But thou O Lord shalt endure for euer : and thy remembrance throughout all generations . 13 Thou shalt arise and haue pitie vpon Sion : for it is time that thou haue mercy vpon her , yea the time is come . 14 And why ? thy seruāts think vpon her stones : and it pitieth them to see her in the dust . 15 The Heathen shall feare thy name O Lord : and al the kings of the earth thy maiestie . 16 When the Lord shall build vp Sion , and when his glory shall appeare . 18 This shall be written for them that come after : and the people which shall bee borne shall praise the Lord. 19 For hee hath looked down from his sancturie ; out of the heauen did the Lord behold the earth . 20 That he might hear the mournings of such as be in captiuitie : and deliuer the children appointed vnto death . 21 That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion , and his worship at Ierusalem . 22 When the people are gathered togither & the kingdomes also to serue the Lord. 23 He broght downe my strength in my iourney : and shortened my dayes . 24 But I said , O my God take me not away in the midst of my age : as for thy yeeres they endure throughout all generations . 25 Thou Lord in the beginning hast laide the foundation of the earth : and the heauens are the workes of thy hands . 26 They shall perish but thou shalt endure , they shal all waxe olde as doth a garment ; And as a vesture shalt thou change them , and they shal be changed , 27 But thou art the same and thy yeares shall not faile . 28 The children of thy seruants shall continue , and their seed shall stand fast in thy sight . Notes for div A19531-e10760 1 Out of the deepe haue I called vnto thee O Lord : Lord heare my voice . 2 O let thine eares consider well the voice of my complaint . 3 If thou Lord wilt be extreme to marke what is don amisse ; Oh Lord who may abide it ? 4 For the●● mercy wi●● thee : therfore shalt thou be feared . 5 I looke for the Lord , my soule doth waite for him , in his word is my trust . 6 My soule flyeth vnto the Lord : before the morning watch , I say before the morning watch . 7 O Israel trust in the Lord , for with the Lord there is mercy : and with him there is plentious redēption . 8 And he shal redeeme Israel : from all his sins . Notes for div A19531-e10950 1 Heare my prayer O Lord , and consider my desire : hearken vnto me for thy truth and righteousnes sake . 2 And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant : for in thy sight shall no man liuing bee iustified ▪ 3 For the enemie hath persecuted my soule : hee hath smitten my life down to the groūd , he hath laid me in the darknes , as one that had been long dead . 4 Therefore is my spirit vexed within mee , and my heart within mee is desolate . 5 Yet doe I remember the time past , I muse vpon al thy workes : yea I exercise my selfe in the workes of thy hands . 6 I stretch forth my hand vnto thee : my soule gaspeth vnto thee , as a thirsty land . 7 Heare me O Lord : and that soone : for my spirit waxeth faint : hide not thy face from mee , least I be like them that goe downe into the pit . 8 O let me heare of thy louing kindnes betimes in the morning , for in thee is my trust : shew me then the way that I should walk in , for I lift vp my soule vnto thee . 9 Deliuer me O Lord , from my enemies : for I flye vnto thee to hide me . 10 Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee , for thou art my God : let thy louing spirit leade me forth into the land of righteousnes . 11 Quicken me O Lord for thy name sake : and for thy righteousnes sake bring my soule out of trouble . 12 And of thy goodnes slay mine enemies , and destroy all them that vexe my soule , for I am thy seruant .