The sanctuarie of a troubled soule written by I.H. Hayward, John, Sir, 1564?-1627. 1601 Approx. 97 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 133 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2004-08 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A02864 STC 13003.5 ESTC S122989 24558192 ocm 24558192 27773 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. A02864) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 27773) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1853:15) The sanctuarie of a troubled soule written by I.H. Hayward, John, Sir, 1564?-1627. Newly reprinted, enlarged and emended / [5], 258, [1] p. : ill. Printed by I.W. and are to be sold at the Exchange by Cuthbert Burby, London : 1601. Signatures: A¹²(-A1-3,12) B-L¹² M⁶. Title and text within ornamental border. Reproduction of original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Devotional literature, English. 2004-01 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2004-02 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2004-04 Jonathan Blaney Sampled and proofread 2004-04 Jonathan Blaney Text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-07 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Infirmities were multiplied vpon them , and after that they made hast to come , ps . 15 They sought thee out , O Lord , in their affliction . Esay 26. THE Sanctuarie of a troubled Soule . Written by I. H. Newly reprinted , enlarged and emended ; by the author himselfe . Before I was troubled I went wrong . Psal. 119. LONDON ▪ Printed by I. W. and are to be sold at the Exchange by Cuthbert Burby . 1601. Prouide thee of a medicine beefore the soare come , and examine thy selfe beefore Iudgement : and so shalt thou finde propitiation in the sight of God , Eccies . 8. 18. The I. Deuotion . The sinner touched with his own sinnes , and terrified with Gods iudgment , flyeth vnto Christ. O Christ , the Sonne of the most myghtye God , the Sauiour of most miserable men ; whose blessed bodie was buffeted with siftes , torne with whips , stretched vpō the crosse , pierced with nailes & speare ▪ and bathed in the sweete streames of thine owne bloud , for the redēption of all mankind : to thee , O author , O restorer , O preseruer of life , to thy maiestie , to thy mercie , my sinnefull soule , full of fresh bleeding woundes . ful of ould corrupted soares , sicke to the death with a surfet of sinne , would faine present it selfe , and sende a few fainte groanes vnto thy heauenly eares . but alas , the greatnesse of my disease hath almost taken away the sence thereof ; and so horrible is my corruptiō , that I feare it wil too much offend thy pure presence ? and altogether auert , thy coūtenāce from beholding me , thine eare from hearing me , and thy cōpassion from relieuing me . O sinne , the verie bane and death of my soule , was it not enough for you to infect a heedeles creature with your poison , but you must make it so ougly and loathsome , that the eie of mercie should not endure to beehould it ? was it not enough for you to crush it in pieces with your weight , but you must also go about to stop , both the eare of pittie with horror , & the mouth of prayer with shame ? was it not inough for you to drawe me to distruction , but you must also take from mee , both the sence of griefe , and the sight of danger ; and consequently , the cure of the one , and care of the other ? I was wounded & I felte it not : I was wounded to death , & I perceiued it not : I was bound , I was beaten , and I regarded it not : yea , my woundes were a delightfull tickling vnto mee , I tooke pleasure in most base bōdage , and ( like Salomons foole ) I laughed when I was lashed . For I was beside my selfe , whē I was without thee , neither discerning and desiring that which was good nor yet seeing and shunning that which was euill . I beecame not only foolish , but altogether sencelesse ; for thou art trueth , & I was without thee , thou art life , & I was without thee . Alas how am I deformed ? how am I defiled ? O deere Christ , my fainting soule groaneth and gaspeth for thy grace , but it is abashed at thy glory : I would faine intreat thy mercy to heale mee , but I am loth to offend thy maiestie in beeholding mee : I am ashamed to lay open my iniquities , and yet ( woe is me ) I cannot appeare beefore thee without them . Ah these my sinnes , how do they distres ? how do they distract me ? they desire to be seene , that they may bee healed ; but they shunne to be shewn , least they should bee detested : they are not healed without confession , and they are not heard without confusion : If they be couered they cannot be cured , and if they be opened they must needes be abhorred . In the meane time , their sharpenes pierceth me , their waight presseth me , they torment me with griefe , they terrifie me with feare , they confound me with shame . What shall I say , or what shall I doe , wretche that I am , whether did I bende my selfe , and to what pas am I now come ? O Christ , I did not set thee beefore my eyes , and now I dare not appeare in thy sight : I reioyced but not in thee , & now I am troubled , but thou art not with me . Alasse , better it were to bee nothing , then to bee without thee , without whom al things are nothing ; better it were to bee dead , then to be without thee , O our life . Wo to me wretch , what shall I do in that terrible day , when at the sound of the trūpet all graues shall open , & yeeld vp their prisoners , which they haue kept fast fettered in the chaines of death , from all ages since the worlde was made . When the bookes of euery mās naked conscience shall be laide foorth : when all my actions , words and thoughts , euen those which I most esteemed , either concealed , or els forgotten , shall bee set in so open and plaine a veiw , that all the worlde shall point at mee , and say , Behold the man and what hee hath done . When I shall bee compelled to aunswer to manie thinges , whereof I would haue scorned to haue bene either questioned or tould , during the time of my life . when the heauens shall threatē me , the earth rise vp against me , and al the creatures which I haue abused crie vēgeance vpon mee : when the Diuelles shall accuse mee , my own conscience giue euidence against me , and the whole Iurie of Saintes passe their verdict vpon me . At that day to go forward it will be intolerable ; to go back , impossible ; to turne a side , vnauaileable : and so great will bee the astonishment , betwene sorrow , shame and feare , that the guiltie sinner shall be desirous to hide him selfe , ( if it were possible ) euen in hell . What way shall I thē take in these desperate extremities ? whether shall I turne my selfe ? what shift , what friendes shall I be able to make ? all thinges giuing cause of terrour , and nothinge of comforte . Alasse , what shall I do , but euen faint for feare , and stande as a most desperate and forlorne wretch , trēblinge and quakinge beefore the presence of the most seuere iudge , who neither can bee blinded , nor will bee corrupted ; altogether confounded , at the intollerable vehemencie and waight of his wrath , at the inexcusable number and enormity of my sinnes , at the easelesse and endlesse punishment which I shall see I haue deserued . Who , where , what thinge shall then bee my comfort ? when I shall behold , aboue , an angrie Iudge condemning mee ; beeneath , hell open , and the boyling furnace ready to deuour me ; on one side , the diuels with bitter scoffes and vpbraydings haling me ; on the other side , the saintes and my very neerest friendes , not onely forsaking me , but reioycing and praysing God for his iustice in my damnatiō : within , my conscience tearing me ; without , the powers of heauē shakē and dissolued , the elementes shiuered in peeces ; the whole worlde flaming , & all damned soules crying & cursing rounde about mee . O indignation of of the almightie , fall not vpon mee ; for I haue neither power to resist thee , nor patiēce to endure thee , nor place to auoyde thee . And doubtlesse , it is impossible , ether to expresse , or to imagine , what an inestimable treasure a good conscience will be at that day : and if a sinner could now conceiue the infinite sea of terrours and tormentes , whiche then he shal perceiue to rush vpon him , he would not endure them one moment , for all the false pleasures that his sweetest sinnes can afford . Alasse wretch , what shall I doe ? if I speake , my sinnes stand vp against me : & if I hold my peace , I find no mā to comfort mee . Mourne O my soul , drowne thy selfe in bitter mourning ; howle out and lament beecause of these heauy horrours which thine offences prepare daily to heap vpon thee : thou being as vnable to repel the one , as either to represse , or repente the other . And yet now thou doest see these euils , see also if thou canst shunne them ; let no paynes bee too great , no petitions either to often , or too earnest to make prouision agaynste that daye : trample vnder foote the vanities of this life ; shake them off , as Paul did the viper into the fire , lest they cause thee to shake . Runne , O runne vnto thy onely refuge Iesus Christ thy redeemer , become ( as it doth become thee ) an humble suppliant , in the lowest degree both of sorrow and shame : prostrate thy selfe beefore his presence , poure out thy teares at his feete , make an abiect countenance and gesture , vnfained messengers of thy distressed mind ; let thy words bee seasoned with sighes , and bathed in tears , & so addresse thy suite vnto him . Although it bee late , it is not yet too late to call for his mercie : & wherefore shouldest thou be consumed in saying nothing ? As it is impossible hee should forgette the passions which hee endured , so it is not credible that hee should not haue cōpassion on thee for whome he suffered . O Christ , O sonne of the euerlyuinge God , in goodnes infinite , infinite also in greatnes , in power almighty , in wisdome wonderfull , in iudgment iust , in promise true , in workes holy , in mercie rich , patient toward sinners , & sparing when they do repent : call to thy remēbrance , O sweet Iesus , for whose sake thou wert content to endure all the miseries of mortallitie : hūger , colde , griefe , pouerty , contēpt , scorn , blasphemies , bandes , blowes , the crosse , woundes , death , and the graue . And now , O Lord , where is this loue ? where are these mercies ? is thy goodnesse come to an end ? and will thine anger neuer againe be appeased ? If I be full of impietie , art thou therfore not full of pittie ? & if I cōfesse the one , wilt thou therefore denie the other ? if my sins are greater thē it is meet , ar thi mercies lesser then they were wont ? if thy glorious greatnesse did make me draw backe , wilt thou therefore draw backe thy gracious goodnesse ? O Lord my God , althogh I am a sinner , yet am I thi creature : although I am a sinner , yet am I redeemed with the blessed price of thy blood . O Lord my life , It was no goodnesse in me that compelled thee to make me , but euen thy loue ; it was no merite in me that did winne thee to redeeme me , but euen thy mercie : why then sweet Christ and most louing Iesu , let that loue whiche compelled thee to make me , compell thee also to help me ; let that mercy which did win thee to die for me , win thee also to saue my life : for thou art alwaies one , neither is thy loue chāged , nor thy mercy diminished . Heare me O Lorde , heale mee O Lorde , heale my sicke soule which panteth at thy feete , and is euen at the poynt to perish : reiect not him whoe deiecteth him selfe , let not the abasing of my selfe make mee seme base vnto thee : enter not into iudgment with thy seruant , but accordinge to thy mercies , to the multitude of thy mercies put awaye mine iniquities . Thinke not on thy hate against a sinner , but think on thy loue towardes thy creature : remember not thy iustice where by thou punishest , but remember thy mercy wherby thou sauest : forget mee as I was disobediēt , prouoking thee to wrath , & regard me as I am distressed , crying to thee for helpe . Comforte mee that am weake , heale me that am wounded , raise me that am dead : heale the infirmitie which grieueth mee , & thou shalt remoue the deformity which offendeth thee : take awaie the wretchednesse whereof I languish , and thou shalt take away the lothsōnes which thou abhorrest : free me from my danger , and thou shalte free thy selfe from thy displeasure . O sweete Lord & most mercifull Iesus Christ , wee knowe wherefore thou camest into the world , euen to seeke and to saue that which was lost : and do not thou O Lord forget that which we , vile wretches , not only know , but shal acknowledg , eyther wyth trembling , or els with ioy . Thou camest to saue that which was lost , and wilt thou see me perish , in the view of thy pittifull eies , in the presence of thy bowels of mercy ? Thou camest to call sinners to repētance , & wilt thou not heare them when they doe repent ? thou camest to seeke those which wandred , & to assemble those which were dispersed , and wilt thou not receiue those which com vnto thee , which crye after thee , which call vpon thee ? Thou diddest not stop thine eares whē thou wert blasphemed ; and wilt thou stop them now thou art intreated ? thou didst not turne away thy face from those that spat vpon thee and buffeted thee , & wilt thou now turne it away from those that pray vnto thee ? O thou hope of my hart , & strength of my soule , whether should I run for succour , to whome should I resort , but onely vnto thee , who art the reconciler , the redeemer , the Sauiour of mankinde ? O reconciler , whome wilt thou reconcile to thy Father , if thou reiectest a poore sinner , who condemneth himselfe , & calleth vppon thee ? if death shall deuour him who dispaireth in himselfe , and trusteth in thee ? if that soule shall bee drowned in hell , which acknowledgeth his owne wickednesse with feare , and thy goodnesse with loue ? O redeemer whome hast thou then redeemed ? O Sauiour whome then wilte thou saue ? O Christ heare mee , O Christ helpe mee , or else tell mee thy vnwoorthy seruaunt , O mercifull God , tel thy seruant , to whome shall I cry ? to whome shall I complaine ? who is more able to helpe ? who more easy to be intreated ? to whom may I flie more safely ? to whome more readily ? who is more mighty ? who more mercifull ? where may I bee more bolde ? where more secure ? O thou onely refuge & reliefe of the distressed , to whome no man sueth without hope of helpe , forsake mee not now I call vpon thee , for before I did call vpon thee , thou diddst call mee ; and to the end that I should seeke after thee , thou diddest seeke out mee . Sweete Iesus I praise thee for this voluntarie guift of thy goodnes , O let it not be vnprofitable vnto mee : Finish that which thou hast begun , and giue mee the thinge which thou hast moued me to desire . Heare my praier , & haue mercie vpon me a forsaken orphane ; looke vpon the teares of my miserie . Haue mercie vpon me , O sonne of Dauid , O fountain of mercie , haue mercie vpon me ; let my soule be the sea to swallow vp those streames which flow from thee , O fountaine of mercy . Heale the diseased , helpe the distressed which crieth to thee for comfort . O light , behold the blinde ; O strength , stretch forth thy hād that the lame may come vnto thee ; O life , raise the deade out of the sepulchre of his sinnes . O mercrfull louer of mankind , ah shew thy selfe vnto me ; reueale thy glorie , reueale thy grace , oh let me beehold oh let mee hold thee . Let mee finde , let mee feele , that thou onely art the hope of the distressed , the reliefe of the afflicted , the comforte , the strength , the ioy of all . O Christ , let me not in vaine beleeue this trueth : O Christ let mee not in vaine lay hold vpon this hope : O Christ , let me not in vaine desire this mercie . And if my faith be so little , my hope so colde , my prayer so weake , that I can thereby deserue , neither pardon of my punishment , nor participation of thy glorie ; supplie thou I beseech thee my imperfections , that by thy mercy I may obtaine the one , and by thy merites the other . O Sweete Iesu , O my God , bring mee from all ontward thinges to my selfe , and from my selfe vnto thee : make mee as like to thee in will and desier , as I am in nature : set me wholly on fire with thy loue ; thy sweete loue , thy longinge loue , thy chast loue ; with desire of thee , with contentmente , with ioy , with saciety in thee . Let this light of thy loue captiuate my sences from all other both lightes & delightes , let it cleere my soule from the grosse vapors of earthly affections ; that I may thereby , if not fully satisfie , yet shew my selfe industrious to satisfie thy goodnes and good-will ; and that as hetherto I haue liued against my selfe , and without thee , so from henceforth I may leade my life , for my selfe , in and by thee , sweete Iesus Amen . Hom. II. a. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Tam graui● ille mihi nigri quam limina ditis , Ore aliud qui fert , aliud sub pectore celat . As dale of death , so doe I hate that kinde , Whose tonge from th●ught , whose mouth dissent from minde . Periissem nisi periissem The II. Deuotion . The touch of sinne and the terrors of hell , causeth the soule to lay hould vpon Gods mercie . O Soule , O wicked , O wretched soul , shake off sloath , this sleepe , this death of sinne , wherin thou walowest , and wherin thou wanderest : raise vp , rowse vpp thy selfe from this dangerous dulnes . Call to thy consideration ( vnhappie creature ) from whence thou runnest , where thou art , and wherto thou hastnest : the fauour which thou forsakest , the horrour wherein thou abidest , and the terrour wherto thou tendest . Thou wert once washed cleane with the heauēly fountain in baptisme , cloathed with the pure robe of righteousnesse , endowed wyth the ioies of heauen , and espoused to my Sauiour Christ : but now thou hast soiled thy selfe with sinne , defiled that glorious garment , broken those sacred bandes , and by impuritye of life hast made thy louing spouse , both thine earnest enemie , and seuere iudge . O Christ , how can I forget thy goodnes , and yet how dare I remember thy greatnesse ? I haue denied thee with Peter , beetraied thee with Iudas , and runne from thee with thy other disciples : nay , with the most accursed cruell Iewes , I haue mocked , blasphemed , buffeted and scourged thee ; spitte vppon thy glorious face , & torne opē thy tēder wounds . Then since I haue committed theire crueltie , what hope may I haue to auoide their curse ; that thy bloud be not vpon me , and my posteritie ? Alas ( miserable wretch ) in what path haue I walked ? in what pollutions haue I wallowed ? & in what perplexities am I now plunged ? wherein , the consideration both of good and euill tormenteth me a like : of good , with griefe of that which I haue lost : of euell , partly with sence of that which I sustaine : and partly with feare of that which I expect . I haue lost glory , I feele shame , I feare punishment : the losse is by mee irrepairable the shame inexcusable , the feare inconsolable . Oh miserable estate , oh vncomfortable , not onely to be depriued of vnspeakable ioies , but to bee afflicted with intollerable paines . O sinne , the defiler , the deformer , the destroier of soules , from how high a pitch of happinesse hast thou deiected me ? into how deepe a gulfe of miseries hast thou depressed mee ? with what a world of woes hast thou enclosed mee ? heere woe and there woe , and a very hell of woes is heaped vppon mee . Iustly ( Lord ) iustly am I thus tormented ; for I haue beene fainte , yea false in the charge that thou hast committed vnto me : I haue throwne away my spirituall weapons ; I haue forsaken the fielde of christian combate ; and not onely cowardly yealded , but traiterously turned to the prince of darknesse . I haue cast off my Sauiour , and cast away my selfe ; I haue forsaken the societie of Saintes , & ioyned companie with the damned crew ; I haue abādoned the pallaces of heauē , & built mee a nest in the loathsome denne of hell : I am altogether become an abiect from God and a subiect to the Deuill . What hast thou done , O madd man , O mischieuous , O monstrous man , what hast thou done ? what a wofull exchange hast thou made ? what a lamentable losse hast thou incurred ? O peruerse will , O miracle of madnes . How , O God , hath corruption depraued mee ? how O God shall satisfaction restore me ? Cast thy selfe ( forlorne wretch ) into the vncomfortable dungeon of sorrow , ouerwhelme thy self with mountaines of bitter mourning : come griefe , come horror , cōe anguish , come feare ; heape your felues vpon me , wrap me in , weigh me downe , I haue impudently contemned you , I haue desperately prouoked you , and now doe miserably call for you . So , so , it is iust , afflict the wicked , torment the guiltie , reuenge the iniuries , reuenge the periuries which I haue committed against God : giue the sinner a touch of the infernall tortures which hee hath deserued : giue him a tast of the banquet which he hath prepared . Comforte , peace , securitie , ioy , keepe away , I will none of you , except you bring a pardone with you : disquiet shall be my rest , mourning my mirth , sowre sorrowe my comforte . Alas , how shall I present my selfe before the maiestie of the most righteous and vpright iudge ? how shall my fearfull face behold him ? how terriblie will he cast his countenance vpon mee ? His eyes farre brighter thē the sunne , haue narrowly obserued all my actions , he hath weighed my words , he hath nombred my thoughtes ; he hath seene , he hath sealed vp all my sinnes : hee hath hetherto bin silent , hetherto patient ; but out alas , hee will one day crie out , one day he will call mee to a reckoning for all . O my hart , O poore harte , O harte full of miseries , yea depressed , yea oppressed with manyfold miseries ; neuer able to sustaine these firebrandes of conscience . Alas mine eies are not worthie to looke towardes heauen : yea , they are most worthy to bee extinguished with teares . If then I be ashamed to be seene , how shall I be assured to be receiued ? if I haue no harte to aske , what hope can I haue that I shall obtaine . Goe too then O sinfull soule , enter againe into the closet of thy conscience , turne ouer the books of thy accountes , cast thy reckoninges , set downe thy summes ; see what thou hast done , and what thou hast deserued . Imprimis , for abusing many creatures , in desieringe , seeking and embrasing them aboue the Creator . Item , for blaspheming . Item , for swearing . Item , for lying . Item , for vile and vaine talkinge . Item , for couetousnesse . Item , for cruelty . Item , for pride . Item , for ambition . Item , for riot . Item , for gluttony . Item , for drunkennes . Item , for lightnes . Item , for loosenesse . Item , for lust . Item , for enuie . Item , for hatred Item , for anger . Item for vnquietnesse . Item , for frowardnes . Item , for obstinacie . Itē , for rashnes . Item , for violence Item , for idlenes . Item , for sloath . Item , for hipocrisie . Item , for flatterye . Item , for curiositie . Item , for detraction . Item , for oppression . Item , for sclander , &c. The totall snmme is , the manifest and manifolde breach of all thy commandementes . The penaltie is , eternall banishmente from thy presence , & intollerable and endles paines in hell fire . Out vppon mee wretch , alas what shall become of mee ? O my Lorde , I know not what to do , I cannot tel what answere to make : and beeing now in extremitye both of danger and feare , my cogitations trouble me , my conscience tormenteth me , euery thought is athorne vnto mee . Nay goe on then a little further , looke downe into hell , before thou leape into it ; obserue there who expects thy coming , and what shall bee thy entertainment . O good God , what do I behold in this infernal lake , nothing but horror , tumultuous and eternall horrour ; fierie chaines , flaming whippes , scorchinge darknes , tormenting diuels , and burninge soules ; howling , roaring and lamenting , woe and alas ; with a mad rage blaspheming God ; with a desperate impatiencie , cursing thē selues ; tearing ( in a maner ) their owne substance , and enuiting the furious fiends to torment them . Here euerie part of the condemned prisoner hath both a ful and fitte charge of punishment , without either intermission or change : the memorie is tormented with pleasures that are past ; the vnderstanding , with ioies that are lost ; the apprehension , with paynes that are present ; and ( aboue all , ) the conscience is griped with euerie perticular offence that the sinner hath committed ; which once were sweete , but thē like serpents shall cruellye and restlestlye gnaw vpon him . Neuer ceasing to rubbe into his remēbrance , how base were the causes of his calamity what warninge was giuen , what meanes were offered him to haue auoided it ; how easilie he might , and many times howe neerely he had apprehended the occasion ; and yet howe negligently , how foolishly , how madly hee continued in his careles course . Further , the sight is afflicted with fearfull darknes and vgly diuells , the hearing with horrible and hidious cries , the smell with poisonous stink , the tast with bitternes of gall , the feeling with sharpnes of fire . A fire , which as nothing doeth feede it , so it consumeth nothing that it doeth burne : a fire , which hath no light to comfort , but heate to tormēt : a fire , whose force shall neuer bee either spent , or extinguished , or yet abated : but as longe as God is God , so long shall it tormente the wicked ; and that with such vehemencie of heate , that one droppe of water to bee applied to the scorched tongue will bee of greater valuation then a thousand worldes . And besides these common tormentes , euerie offender shall haue his particulare paines , according to the difference of his sinnes , either in qualitie , or in kinde . Of which paines , not onely all , but any one shall be so grieuous , & so intollerable , as it is impossible for any mortall wit , either to expresse ▪ or to imagine . And yet shall no creature bee grieued at them ; and endured they must bee without any hope , FIRST , of intermission ; SECONDLY , of abatement ; THIRDLY of change , ( without which thinges , not onely painfull , but indifferent , yea pleasant , become insupportable ; ) FOVRTHLY , of comforte , but to the contrarye , the diuelles shall vpbrayde them , the damned curse them , and the Saintes deride them ; LASTLY , of end , but after so many millions of ages as there are drops of water in the sea , the damned shall bee as farre from eyther end or ease of their tormentes , as they were the first day of their beeginning . O intollerable punishment , which no meanes can moderate , no patience can endure , no time shal end : Is this ( O Lord ) the wages of sinne ? is this the punishment of wicked doers , of whome I am one , in so deepe a degree ? and is it meruaile then if my cōscience quake ? if my soule cleaue with sighes ? and if my eyes bee drowned in teares . But where am I , and whether am I carried ? whether do you driue me , O my sinnes ? whether , O God , doest thou deliuer mee ? If my sins haue made mee that I am thy offender , haue they also made me that I am not thy creature ? If the Diuell hath bereaued mee of my puritie , hath hee also beereaued thee of thy pittie ? If thy iustice may rightly damne me , cannot thy mercies possiblye saue mee ? and if I haue deserued the one , haue I thereby also disclaymed the other ? O mercifull Lord , do not so looke vpon mee , that thou see not thy selfe : regard no so my wickednesse that thou beehold not thy owne goodnesse : remember not so the sinnes that I haue doone , that thou forget the substaunce which thou hast made . What ( O Lord ) is the sence of thys saying ? I will not the death of a sinner , but I desire that hee bee conuerted and liue : is this I will not the death of a sinner , if thou reiectest a sinnefull soul , if thou drownest it in hell , that crieth vnto thee for mercy ? is this I desire that hee be conuerted and liue ? O gracious God , whose word is a will , and whose will is a power , who doest promise nothing but that which thou dost purpose , and who dost purpose nothing but that which thou able to performe , suffer me I pray thee , to speake with thy mercy ; mee , I say , earth and ashes , suffer mee to speake with thy mercy , for great are thy mercies towardes vs. Lord , if thou wilt not the death of a sinner , what necessitye is there that I should bee damned ? If thou desirest that a sinner should be conuerted and liue , what difficultie is there that I should not be saued ? can the power and malice of the Deuill ? can the number , can the enormitie of my offences , either constraine that which thou wouldest not , or hinder that which thou desirest ? No , no , my God , the deuils tremble at thy mightie maiesty : and if the sinnes of the whole worlde were ballaunced against the least of thy mercies , they could holde no weighte ; much lesse can the offences of one wicked wretch sway thy Almighty and mercifull will. For by how much God is greater then man , by so much is my wickednesse inferiour to thy goodnesse . Haue mercy therfore vpon me , O almighty God , returne , del●uer my soule , saue me for thy mercies sake : for if thou wilt thou canst saue mee , and in thy will resteth the strength of my hope . Remember not thy iustice , and my desertes , but remember thy mercies , and my miseries : thinke not vpon thy hate towardes offenders , but thinke vpon thy loue towardes thy creatures : cast thy seuere eye of reuenge vpon thy sonne , but looke vpon me with thy eye of pitty . O deare God , hell is alreadie full , and what profite is there in my distructiō ? Also many millions of sinners will neuer come vnto thee , will neuer cal nor care for thy helpe : so that if thou reiectest the repentant and sorrowfull sinner , who then shall bee saued ? and whome wilte thou f●●de righteous , if 〈◊〉 iudgest without mercie ? When I was not , O Lord , thy fingers framed mee , and thou neither hatest nor contemnest any thinge that thou hast made . When I was a captiue of the deuill , a slaue of hell , thou didest send thy beloued sonne to die for my redemption : and do not now I beseech thee , cast that away , which thou h●●● purchased at soe ●●gh a price . When I walked in my owne wicked waies , thou didst patiently endure me , mightily preserue me , and graciously call mee ; and wilt thou not now beestow one louinge looke vpon mee ? Why then ( O louing God ) looke vpon thy beloued sonne : behold what hee hath suffered , & of thy goodnesse call him to thy remembrāce , for whom , thy will & his obedience did cause him to suffer . Behold his bitter agonies wherein his bodie was sprinkled with a bloodie sweate ; beeholde his backe torne with whips , his head pricked with thornes , his face defiled with spitting : behold his blessed body so strained vpon the crosse , that all his bones might be numbred : behold his harmlesse handes , & his vndefiled feete pierced with sharpe nailes : behold his naked side strooke through with a speare : behold the aboundance of blood which gushed forth of those holy fountaines ; which blood still streameth fresh in thy sight , and now pleadeth for my pardon . Beholde ( O gracious God ) how his feeling was possessed with paine , his hearing with reproach , his eies with scorne , his tast with gall : beholde howe his neck bowed , his heade hung , his breast beat ; how his sight waxed dimme , his countenāce pale , his legs & armes stiffe , how hee groaned ; how hee gasped and gaue vp the ghost . Behold the preist , behold the sacrifice , euen the lambe vndefiled , gloriously imbrued with his owne blood . Gracious and mercifull God , by this thy sonne , by this my Sauiour , I most humbly beeseech thee to looke fauourably vpon me ; encline thine eares towardes me , hide not thy face now my soule is troubled . Graciouslie receiue the lost sheepe which strayinge from thy pastures through sinne , and flying from thy presence through a guiltie conscience , hee hath louinglye sought , and ioyfullye doth bring vnto thee vpon his own shoulders . Heare mee ( O God of all power ) & turne towardes mee ; and let thy mercies accept his merits for full satisfaction of my misdeedes . O infinite mercie , thou hast sett vs a way , and giuen vs a light ; thou hast threaned vs the paines of hell , and promised vs the ioies of heauen , now pierce my flesh with thy feare , that I may auoide the one ; and inflame my soule with thy loue , that I may attain the other . Grante I praye thee , that as longe traueilers are therby taught to loue their owne cuntrey , soe my former err●urs may henceforth bee a meane to hould mee in the right path : that beeing led by thee , & walking through thee , I may come vnto thee , and rest in thee : for wee ( sillie wormes ) are vnable to enter into thine eternitie , vnlesse thou who hast created vs , doest guide vs in . Saue ( O God who desirest not the deth of a sinner ) saue my sinnefull soule , which flieth frō thy feareful iustice , to thy comfortable mercies ; from the desert of my sinne , to the desert of thy Sonne . This ( O God is easie to thy power , and vsuall to thy mercie , and agreeable to thy will Such are the witlesse wilfull , right , as is the heedles flie , Which kils it selfe , & hurtes his sight has hath her in his eie . Sperate miseri : Cauete faelices . The death of Saintes is precious . Psal. 125. Miserable is the death of Sinners . Psal 53. The III. Deuotion . The guiltines of sinne , and the consideration of Death , calleth the sinner to call vpon God , for his mercy in Iesu Christ. O Most high , most holye , moste mightye , most mercifull , most good , most goodly , most louinge , most fearefull and terrible God ; the Creator , the renuer , the maintainer of all thinges : whome to know , is to bee wise ; whome to serue , is to raigne ; whome to loue , is the life and happinesse of the soule : behold , I pore wretch , to thee who art both rich , and liberall ; I miserable , to thee who art both pittifull and plentifull do draw neere : behold , a hunger-starued begger knocketh at thy doore ; open vnto mee , O honourable householder , without whome all aboundance is beggerie ; open , I say , thy mercies to my miseries : and although I am not worthy to sitte at thy feast with thy sons , yet with the basest of thy seruantes , let me bee refreshed with some broken pieces that are taken from thy table . Thou hast commaunded vs , ( O gratious God ) to knock , to aske , and to seeke : whereuppon thou hast promised to open , to geue , and to bee founde : beholde now my sighinge doth seeke thee , my teares crie vnto thee , and the groanes of my payned soule , do knocke at the gate of thy mercies : behold , Lord , I am desirous to doe thy will , performe thou , I besech thee , thy word . And first ( O Lorde ) I acknowledge against my selfe , that I was conceiued in iniquitie , and borne in miserie ; but thou of thy free loue diddest cleanse mee , thou diddest sanctifie me , thou didst through faith on my part and mercy on thyne betroath thy selfe vnto me . Yet I , vnmindfull of so greate goodnes , haue since , with many a foule fact , distained my selfe , and dishonored thee ; not dreading thy displeasure , whole wrath maketh the deuells to quake . I was borne in necessary , but I plūged my selfe in voluntarie sinnes , I made no conscience in offending thee , & feared not to forgett thy lawe . Notwithstandinge thou , accordinge to thy wonted mercies , diddest not banish mee from thy protection ; but as though I had daylye and duly obserued thy will , thou diddest bountifullye heape thy benifites vppon mee ; so much vndeserued of mee , as not desired . When I sinned against thee , the deuill was readie to haue made a pray of mee , I was content , I was desirous to haue perished with him : but thou ( O Lord ) diddest driue backe him , and draw backe me ; not onely without either my request or knowledge , but very much against my mind . When I was in daunger of death , both by sickenesse & casualties , and my soule was so rocked a sleepe in sinnefull securitie , so burdened with the weight of wicked actions , that it must needes haue suncke downe into hell ; thy grace stoode by mee , thy power did preserue , both my body from death , and my soule from damnation . I did offend thee , but thou diddest defend mee . I did deserue death , but thou diddest preserue life ; I did not regard thee , when thou diddest safely guard mee : I ( like a wretch eyther sencelesse of desperate ) did forsake thee , and flie vnto mine enemie ; I did long , I did labour to haue bene lost : but thy care did keepe mee , whilest I busied in vayne thinges neuer marked so much ; thy loue did seeke with very greate and gracious fauours to win mee vnto thee . But as one that is sicke of a sleepie disease cannot bee awaked but by pinching ; soe out of this lethargie of sinne , my sleepy soule ( neither vnworthie nor vnwilling to haue perished ) could not be called to it selfe , but by some sharpe and sensible accident . Heereupon thou begannest to runne with me a more rugged race , laying many kind crosses vpon mee ; not onelye to bend my vnwilling , but to breake my wilfull minde , and to make it appliable to thy pleasure . Thou diddest call mee out of the wildernesse of worldlye delightes , wherin my guiltines would haue hid it selfe from thy presence ; thou diddest compell mee out of ●●e high way to hell ; thou diddest take me vpp strayinge in the streetes to attend vpon thee ; thou diddest enter couenant with thy seruāt , thou diddest stirre in mee a desire , & strengthen , an indeuour to follow thee : thou diddest instruct , thou diddest enable , both my vnderstandinge , and also my power ; that to discerne , this in some degree of duty to do thy will. Yet I ( wretch that I am ) since my entrance into thy seruice ; haue either vngraciously forgottē , or vngratfullye remembred all thy benifites , and haue not so esteemed thee for them , as I would haue done a mortall friend for a few curtisies of course . I haue forsaken thee againe , and followed the right trace of the vnrighteous world ; thinking euery thing good whose euell I had not tried . I haue prouoked thee , I haue stirred vp thine anger , I haue deserued thy displeasure , I haue done euell in thy sight ; not ignorātly but presumptuously ; not weakly but wilfully ; not fearfully , but impudently hauing not onely lost the tender touch of conscience , but beeginning to beare my selfe ( an offence beeyond the degree of my vile word ) in a brauerie of euell . Alas how deepely hath corruption tainted my soule ? what folly hath not had his feate in my mind , and left his footsteps in my actions ? Nay , I haue farre exceeded the limites of follye ; noe man not banished from his owne wittes , would thus haue bin entrapped , thus entangled . I should haue repented mee of my former sinnes , but I haue in such sorte both encreased & aggrauated thē ; that I haue scarce left , eyther number for more , or place for worse . O my God , what answere shal I make ? how shall I eyther excuse , or extenuate this my relapse ? shall I pretend the slie subtelties of the deuell ; the fair-faced shewes of the worlde ? the pleasant perswasions of the flesh ? the woman gaue it me , the serpente deceined mee ? Tush , all these are baites for babes ; but I was come to a greater staiednesse , both age , & in experience ; I was warned , I was weapened ; I was instructed , I was encouraged ; I shoulde haue vsed more warines to suspect , more wisdom to discerne , more valure , both to defend my selfe , and defeat mine enemie . Noe sure , I will neuer excuse him whome his owne conscience condemneth : I had thy expresse word and will to stop me ; my owne knowledge to bridle mee ; I would haue disalowed those thinges that I did , if any other had done them but my selfe . When a mans memorie is the bill of his debt , when his thoughts are willing wytnesses agaynste him , when his feare is his goaler , when his iudgment is his iudg , when his owne knowledg conuenteth him , there is little doubt either of denying or deceiuing credite , and much lesse of making escape . I , I , it is euen I that haue broken couenant with thee ; I haue abused my reason , rather why to do amisse , then howe to amend ; I haue falsified my faith ; I haue riotously runne after the vaine conceits or rather deceits of sin ; whose kindest courtesies are the allurementes of mischeife ; which like a be-mired dogge , defileth with fawning ; whose kisses are of power to kill . I haue receiued manye freshe woundes , I haue renued all my oulde soares , and what thou ( O Lorde ) by thy mercies haddest healed , I by my madnes haue rubbed open ; in soe much as sinne vsed agayne , hath made the pardone once granted to bee of none effect . I may well say with Iudas , I haue sinned ; but either name or number my sinnes I cannot . O bottomlesse sea of miserie and sorrowe , wherin I haue plunged my selfe , allwaies sinckinge , & yet by the infinitnesse thereof neuer at the bottome ; which I am able , neither to abide ▪ hauing the firebrandes of all furies within me , nor yet to auoide , beeing fettered therein with the cruell chaines of my owne feare . Oh my soule , full of wretchednesse , ful of shame , but fullest of guiltines , accept no obiect but of sorrowe ; drawe greedely into thy minde all conceites that maye increase thy griefe : bee ashamed , nay abhorre to think of any comforte . Loath thy selfe , torment thy selfe , and soe shall thou doe some thing well ; for thou canst neither loath nor torment a more cursed creature . Alas , howe is my soule abandoned ? how are all the powers thereof layd wast ? comforte is no more ease vnto me , then is the handlinge of sore woundes . I am deuided in my selfe , how can I stand ? I am ouerthrowne in my selfe , how shall I rise ? my desire is payned because it cannot hope , and if it hath any sparke of hope , it is rather in change then riddance of griefe . Forlorne wretch that I am , it had bin better for mee neuer to haue bin conuerted to grace , then thus peruersly to bee diuerted from the same ; for then I should haue gon on in a sober securitie , and my punishment should haue bin soe much the lesse , as ignorance is beneath contempt : but nowe I am not onely vnhappie , but vnhappy after the falle from some degree of happinesse ; nowe the footestepps of ouertroden vertue laye cruell accusations against mee , and make the hatefull comparison of vice more manifest , miserable are they whoe lose they wott not what , but more miserable are they whoe knowe what they lose . O foolish reason , how sharpe art thou to see thy mischiefe , and yet how dimme , how blinde art thou to foresee it ? O poore remnant of pierie ; onely soe much goodnes left , as to make me languish in my owne euell . O sinne , the onlye fall of my iudgment and staine of my cōscience , now thou hast sacked my soule , now thou hast beaten it downe vnder thy tiranny , rest thy selfe , forbeare a while , treade not vpon my ruins , set not fire to thine owne spoiles . And yet not so ; but do thy worst , cruell and cursed sinne , do euen the verie worst that thou canst : the more terrours thou executest vppon mee , the more shall I both loath and lament the seruice that I haue done thee ; the sooner shall I seeke to drawe my desires out of the mire of thy subiection . There is yet left , both time to repent , and occasion to amend ; yet doeth Christ , not only admit but inuite to his feast : I coulde neyther see nor sorrowe for my sinnes , did not he both enlighten my vnderstanding , and soften my sences . Hee hath not enlightened my vnderstandinge to drowne it in darknes ; he hath not softned my sences because he could not breake them ; and why then hath hee thus wakened the one , and weakened the other . It is euen soe : hee that hath hetherto in patience expected mee , doeth now in pittie call me . Speake then ( Lord ) speake vnto thy seruant ; thunder into the inner eare of my harte ; breake my deafenesse that I may heare thy voice . Lorde , thou lookest for mine amendmente that I may haue thy fauour ; and I looke for thy fauour that I may amende . Woe is mee , how longe haue I staied ? Alas how late doe I come ? how slowlye doe I hasten ? howe doeth my resolution stick betweene loathnesse and necessitie ? woe is me wretch , how cunningly doth the deuell seeke to delay mee ? what arte hath he vsed to keepe the line from breaking wherat the fish was caught ? not drawing him violently , but letting him play vpon the hooke which hee soe greedely had swallowed . O my God , the sunne of my life hath passed his Meridian , and I am now in the after noone of my age ; the night of nature will come fast vpon mee , when death ( as Gods sergeant ) will arrest , my bodie vpon debt to nature her selfe , my soule vpon trespasse committed against God. The one hee will binde hand and foote , and committe close prisoner to the graue : the other he will arraigne in the high court of heauen , where God shall bee both partie and iudge , to aunsweare to all obiections , as well of errour as of contempt . At this houre of death , when the sinnfull soule beginneth to bee loosed from the fetters of flesh , O good God , howe is it troubled ? what terrours are presented vnto it ? Then beginneth it to throwe the thoughtes freely into euery corner of the conscience ; to see the sinnes which it hath done ; to perceiue the vengeance that it hath deserued ; to consider , that the time of repentance is then at an end , and that it is set vpon the immoueable pointe of passage to a most stricte triall , vncertaine howe the best actions that it hath done shall bee examined . It is desirous to stay , it is compelled to goe : and as it often happeneth , that whilest one thinketh too much of dooing , he leaueth to doe the effect of his thinking ; soe whilest it lamenteth the losse of all the time that is past , it looseth that little which then remaineth . Looking backe , it esteemeth the whole race which it hath runne , as a short steppe ; looking forward , it behouldeth the infinite space of eternytie wherin it hath to continue ; lifting vp the minde to heauen , it discouereth a most bright & beautifull glorie ; againe , castinge it downe vpon the earth , it seeth all thinges enfoulded in a mistie darknesse . Heereupon , a new swarme of thoughts stingeth the minde ; It lamenteth , that it was soe chained with the enchauntmentes of a momentanie estate , as scarce to thinke vpon the condition which neuer shall haue end ; that to satisfie the flesh , which is to be a nest of wormes , it hath neglected the spirite , which was to haue bin a companion of Angells ; that it hath lost , for soe short a shewe , the eternall substance of pleasure ; that it hath exchanged , the treasure of immortall glorie for the trash of floating vanitie . O , if it had but a smal time more of amendment , how seriously would it conuerte ? what a sharpe and seuere course would it set into ? but it is like vnto a horse , desirous to runne , & miserably spurred , but soe short reined that hee cannot stirre : or like vnto those who in their dreames are taken with some fearfull vision , which sweate with payne , and striue to crie for helpe , but cannot finde any strength to crie . In the meane time , the head shooteth , the back aketh , the hart panteth , the throate ruttleth , the tongue faultreth , the breath shortneth , the flesh trembleth , the veines beate , the hart stringes crack ; the eyes wex dimme , the nose sharpe , the browes harde , the cheekes colde and wanne , the lippes pale , the handes numme , the iointes stiffe ; the whole bodie is in a colde sweat , the strength fainting , the life vanished , and death drawing on . Neither will the children and friendes ( for whose sake the sick shall often thinke them selues damned ) for beare in this instant of extremitie ; but continually like flesh flies they will offer molestation . Whilst these summoners of death doe execute their office , all the wicked actions , wordes and thoughts are broght into presence ; they are heaped together , and aggrauated to the vttermost ; they giue the conscience many a colde pull , and lie vpon the hart as heavie as leade . Faine would the sinner turne away his eye , but hee shall bee compelled to behold them ; they will all crie vnto him ; wee are thy workes , wee will goe with thee . Then shall the conscience sharplye accuse , the memory giue bitter euidence , reason shall sit as iudge , feare shall stand as executioner ; and scarce is there any seuere sentence in all the bible against sinne , which the deuell will not bring into minde , vrging euery poynt and amplifying it by construction . Then will resolution bee turned to trembling , pride into basenesse , confidence into despaire . Then will bee a greate difference in iudgment from that which men beare commonly in this worlde , in soe much as the sinner shall be forced to cry and confesse ; we simple men thought their life to be but madnesse , whose end wee now esteeme most honourable : but wee haue wearied our selues in craggye waies , wee are worne out in pursuing vanity , and the waies of the Lorde wee haue not knowne . Neuer did tirant exercise his rage with greatet cruelty , vpon anye that hee most hated , then the miserable sinner shall then vpon him selfe ; in iustly condemninge , in vainly acknowledging , in vnprofitably lamenting the errours of his actions ; whilest the paines of parting shall drawe the powers of the minde from true repentance . All vaine pleasures are then at an end , and as quite forgotten as if they had neuer bin at all . Yea , euery wicked delighte shall geue sharp twitches to the soule ; especially whē it considereth , that it is to endure the smart for manye thinges , wherof it must leaue the plesure to others . Somtimes the sinner , more able to abide death then the feare of death , wisheth to bee discharged , from beeinge guided by soe euell a soule ; not in full hope that his tormentes shall thereby either end or abate ; but according to the nature of greife , the present being most painfull , hee desireth to chang , and to put in aduenture the ensuing . But when he doth perceiue infinite legions of deuells prepared to receiue him , and the horrours of hell open for his entertainment , then is hee in a maze of amazement ; then like one that houldeth a wolfe by the eare , bitten whilest hee holdeth , and slaine when hee lett goe . Well then , ( secure and sencelesse soule ) howsoeuer the deuell woulde beare thee in hande , as hee did thy first parentes , that thou shalt not die : yet assure thy selfe this heauie houre , this fearfull , this dangerous , this vnauoidable passage is not farre from thee , euen in the fardest and fairest course of nature ; and may bee euerye houre , by many vsuall accidentes , both of violence and of sicknesse . Thy continuance is onely certaine in vncertaintie ; and God would haue the time vnknowne , because thou shouldest bee allwayes readie . Awake therfore , and watch ouer thy selfe ; looke vpon the pale horse , and him that sitteth thereon , whose name is Death ; prouide that thou be not sodainely surprised , and die before thou beginne to liue . Loose not the offer of occasion , whilest it may not onely bee taken , but offereth , yea sueth to bee taken ; and if it be not now taken , will neuer heereafter be ouertaken . Christ yet distributeth the treasures of hys mercye , the doore standeth yet open , to all that will bee suiters for the same ; his nature is nowe as apte to forgeue , as hys power will be able hereafter to punish . The kings of Israell were not so famous for heir mercy among the seruauntes of Abinadab , as the God is among vs. When thou didst sinne , hee did spare ; when thou didst deferre , he did expect ; when thou shalt returne he will ēbrace . The bowelles of his mercie doe still ouerflowe , neyther wante their issues to deriue the streames thereof into thy soule : his backe was torne , hys handes and feete were pierced , hys side was opened : throughe these holes thou maist see the aboundaunce of his loue , at these holy holes thou maist taste the sweetenesse of hys mercy . Present thy selfe therefore vnto him in all those humble behauiours , which the consideration of his maiestie and thy miserie can possibly frame ; be penitent for the time past , and resolue for the time to come ; and with as greate confidence as necessitie crye vnto him and say . O Christ , O eternall light , O life of all thinges , to whom nothing is soe greate that it can resist , nothinge soe small that it is contemptible ; whom no man is soe good that he doth not neede , noe man soe euell that he may not hope ; I beseech thee ; by the nobl●st title that in my greatest affliction I can geue my selfe , that I am thy creature ; and by thy onely name of comfort vnto sinners , that thou art mercifull ; heare my vile voyce , helpe my distressed soule , and in the time of necessitie and trouble bee gra●ious vnto me . Behold ( O Lord ) howe my conscience lyeth queasomed vnder the multitude of my offences ; behold how I am borne downe wyth the weight of my owne weakenesse : and doe not thou , whose propertie is not onely to spare , but to helpe , eyther lighten the burthen , or lay vnder thy heauenlye hand , my soule must needes sincke downe into hell . But thou ( O Lord ) hast neither delight nor likinge in the death of sinners ; thou didst dy to raise vs vp from the death of sin . O good Iesu , thou diddest redeeme vs when wee were thine enemies , and shall wee bee destroied now wee are thy suppliantes ? thou diddest call vs to mercie when wee craued none , and wilt thou denye vs now we are suiters for it ? through thy death wee were brought vnto life , and shall we dy now thou doest l●ue ? O thou whoe helpest the weake wich a worde , behoulde , I come , I call , I looke for thy mercie ; hide not thy face , stoppe not thine eare , cast mee not out of thy regarde : let it suffice that I feel mine own weaknesse and want , least I should haue beene too proud in my selfe ; now let thy power and plentye appeare , that thereby I may bee confident in thee . O Christ , the guide of those that seeke thee , the light of those that see thee , and the life of those that loue thee ; O sweete Sauiour , what shall I say ? whether shall I goe ? where shall I seeke thee ? or wherefore doe I not see thee ? O my God , if thou bee absent from mee , where shall I seeeke thee ? if in all places thou art present , wherefore doe I not see thee ? O infinite goodnesse , passing all humane both search and sight , thou both fillest and includest all thinges ; thou art in euerie place present without either seate or motion ; giue mee grace for thy loue and desires sake I beeseech thee , to cast off the blinde burthen of fleshlye affections ; subdue my reason , regenerate my will , and purifie my nature ; lead my desire that I may seeke thee ; lighten my vnderstandinge that I may see thee : for I can neither seeke thee without thou direct mee , nor see thee except thou reueale thy selfe . Gracious God , I haue noe goodnesse in my selfe , but onely to finde that I haue no goodnesse like a scholler , who is come to that degree of knowledge , to knowe him selfe vtterly ignorante : but suffer ( I beseech thee ) some beutifull beame of thy maiestie to shine into my soule , disperse the cloudes wherwith my conscience is ouercast , melt the mistie darknesse which couereth my vnderstanding . O thou who saydest let there be light , and light was made ; speake the worde and my soule shall bee enlightened , that I may playnly see thee , and perfectly knowe thee , and ardently both desire and loue thee . O surpassinge light , deliuer mee from the shadow both of ignorance and errour , and consequently from the darkenesse of death ; swallow me vp in the depth of thy brightnesse ; dazell my eyes , that I maye not bee able to see any thing but thee ; possesse all my bodily sences , that my sinnefull affections , or rather defections may finde no place , but that I maye soe feele thee , that I haue noe feelinge of my selfe . O Lord of life , allthough I am a sinner , yet I am thy creature , beecause thou hast made mee , yea and made me againe ; both by redeeming , and by often renuing mee : helpe mee therefore whome of thy goodnesse thou hast fashioned , let mee not perish in my miserie whom of thy mercie thou hast redeemed , gouerne mee heerafter whome hetherto thou hast preserued ; despise not ( O Lord ) the worke of thine owne handes . For wherfore hast thou created mee ? beecause thou wouldest damne mee ? It had bin better for mee neuer to haue bin made , then to bee confounded in my owne corruption . Listen ( O Lord ) to the crie of thy poore Orphane ; cast mee not off in thy displeasure , and my distresse ; forsake mee not , for thy sake , I beeseech thee . And although I haue in such sorte , both defiled and defaced this thy creature , that thou mayest iustly refuse to take knowledge of mee ; yet by thy mercies I pray thee , wherein thou art more wonderfull then in all thy workes , remoue the one , and renue the other ; rubbe out with thy bloode the staines which sticke in my soule and then thou wilt knowe it , to bee thy creature . O Lord my God , at whose presence all powers doe shake , at whose becke all creatures obey , looke fauourably vpon me from thy glorious seate ; let thy maiestie shine vnto mee through thy mercie : bee not angrye with vs ( wormish weak elinges ) although we offend , for thou knowest what wee are , and whereof we are made . Is not man rottennesse ? are not his desires vanitie ? is not his life miserie , and a verye shadowe of death ? wilt thou shewe thy strength against a worme ? against a leafe ? against a blast ? O thou who grantest truce of life , there are but twoe pleas before thy throne , either of innocencie , or els of mercie : I doe cleerely debarre my selues of the one , oh let my soule runne into the armes of the other . Haue mercie vpon mee O gracious God , haue mercy vpon mee , a most wretched creature ; deale not with mee according to my desertes , but according to the greatnesse of thy mercie , which is infinitely more then the sinnes of the whole world . O almighty God , from whose sight there is noe couert , and against whose power ther is , neither resistance nor flight , looke not vppon mee with thy eie of iustice , drawe not thy sworde of vengence against mee ; but extend that compassion , which thou hast soe graciously , soe deerelye purchased for mee . I acknowledge indeede , that amonge all , and aboue all sinners , I am wretched ; I acknowledge also that I am vnable to satisfie for my sinnes : but ( O sonne of God ) beehold that in thy selfe , which may moue thee to haue compassion vppon mee . Soe often as thou beehouldest the woundes of thy bruised bodie , soe often let pittie pierce thy harte : Soe often as thou behouldest the blessed streames of thy bloode , wherof one droppe had bin sufficient for redemption of the whole worlde , soe often couer my sinnes , and recouer mee . Forgiue my ignorance , forget my presumption , pardone my iniquities , relieue my necessities ; let my sinnes no longer bee a cloude betweene my prayer and thy pittie , beetweene thy goodnesse and my distresse , most gracious God , who art mercifull towardes all , suffer not mee to bee distitute of thy mercie : for although I haue committed that whereby I maye bee damned , yet hast thou neither forgone , nor forgotten that wherby thou art wout to saue . O wretch that I am , how coldly doe I crie ? how weakly doe I craue ? woe is me wretch , how is my harte hardened , that mine eies doe not poure forth plentie of teares ? how sencelesse is my vncleane soule , that my flesh tremble not , that my iointes doe not shake vntill my knees knocke together ? But wherefore do I expostulate with a dead carcase ? Alasse , I am nothinge but vanitie ; a rotten roote , without anye life of vertue ; a barren grounde , bringing forth nothinge but sinne , shame and damnation : I am vnable , either to giue thee any thing but of thine owne goodes ; or to doe any thinge for my selfe , but by thy free guifte . Wherefore , O sweete sauiour , by thy tender loue , and by all thy mercies I beeseech thee , giue mee grace , that with thy goodes and by thy guiftes , I may serue thee , and sorrowe for my sinnes ; giue mee alsoe a floude of teares in token of thy fauour , that I may sweetlye poure them beefore thy presence , with greate reuerence and feare , in bewailinge mine offences , Mollifie my stonie harte , illuminate my mistie minde , subdue my flesh to my soule , my soule vnto reason , my reason to faith ; let mee ioie only in enioyinge thee , in whome , desire neuer wanteth sacietie , and sacietie neuer breede dislike . Come thou into mee , that I may remaine in thee , shake off these shackles , free me from this weight of fleshly affections that leauing and loathing all earthlye desires , I may firmelye resolue , speedely beginne , and constantlye continue , in dooinge and sufferinge thy holy will. Poure vpō my hart the sweete stremes of thy grace , that therby my affectiōs may be framed , to honour thee as a Creator , to loue thee as a redeemer , to expect thee as a Sauiour , & to feare as a iudge . Let mee allwaies bee humbled beefore thee , and neuer bee high minded , but onelye in mindinge thinges on high . Write thy name with thy owne finger within the tables of my breast , neuer to be either shadowed or worne out ; that I may continually feede my hungry ho●es , with stedfast remembrance and regard of thee : for firmly to remember , & reuerently to regard thee , is our mortall manner both of holdinge and beeholding thee . Let the firie force of thy loue swallow vp my soule , that being altogether possessed therwith , it may neither feele , nor desire , nor once thinke vpō any erthly thing ; but bee alwaies and onely , not onelye ioined but vnited to thee : for as thy goodnesse towardes vs is vnmeasurable and infinite soe wee are bound to loue thee without either measure or end . Lorde , my whole desire is before thee , and my thoughtes are not secret from thy sight ; turne not thy countenance from my complaint ; heare mee , O my God , and grant my petion ; grant my petion , that thou mayst heare mee . Reach mee thy helping hande , draw my soule out of the mire of sinne wherin it is fast set , that I perish not in the presence of thy pittie . Deliuer mee frō the snares that th' enemy hath laid , to take the souls of sinners ether willfull , or secure ; cutt away occsions of euell beefore mee ; guide mee vnto thee the streightest course ; and soe long as I am to continue in this vile vale of miserie , settle mee in that state of life wherein I may best please thee and pleasure others . Giue mee grace , O gracious God , that although I haue hetherto had noe care to liue well , yet nowe I may wholly and holyly bend my care to die well ; that from henceforth I may liue in thy feare , die in thy fauour , rest in thy peace , rise in thy power , and remaine in thy ioie . Amen . Nec pudet viuere , nec piget mori . Call vpon mee in the day of tribulation . I will deliuer thee , and thou shalt praise mee . Psal. 50. The IIII. Deuotion . A Thankesgiuing , intermixt with confession and prayer , O Lorde Iesus , infinite in pitie , infinite in power , infiite allsoe both in thy rewards , and in thy reuenge : I am weakly ( thou knowest ) rather willing then desirous , with my soule to loue thee , with my flesh to feare thee , with my minde to honor thee , with my mouth to praise thee , with my whole substance to serue thee , to commend my whole substance vnto thy protection . But alas , I am soe clogged with corruption , I am soe drowned in flesh and bloud , that I scarce either dare or can lif● vp my head , and looke vnto thee : and yet why should I bee ashamed when thou doest inuite mee ? why should I bee faint when thou doest not onely incourage , but alsoe enable mee , or at the least accept my weake endeuour ? Striue then , O the verie bowels of my soule , striue with all your strength to raise your thoughtes , out of this mire of mortallitie wherein they sticke , out of these waues of fleshly affections wherein they floate , without either firme footinge or certaine drift . Aduance thy selfe towardes thy creator , Frame thy affections , to loue him for his goodnes , to honour him for greatnes , to reioice in him for his merites , to pray vnto him for his mercies , which daylye thou doest neede , and by needing doest craue , and by crauing doest obtaine ; if not according to thy desires , yet verye farre aboue thy deserts . O Lord , I confesse vnto thee , that my harte is vncleane , and that I am a man of polluted lippes ; wallowing in the dunge , and stinkinge in the rottennesse of my owne sinne : soe that I may iustlye tremble to appeare before thy glorious presence , much more to present vnto thee thy pure prayses out of my defiled mouth . But who except thou ( O Lorde ) can make mee cleane , and what is pure which thou hast not purged ? Thee therefore , O Father of life , O Lord of light , thee with all the forces of my soule , thee most humbly , most earnestly I do beseech ; heare O mercifull , helpe O myghtye Lord , helpe thy seruant whome of thy mercie thou hast created : clense my filthynes , lighten my darknes , enflame my coldenes , quicken my dulnes , awake my drowsines , reuiue my deadnes ; repaire the ruines of my soule , enlarge the frame of the vnderstanding thereof , clense it from all earthly corruption , garnish it with thy heauenly graces , that it may bee conueniently both fitt and furnished to receiue thee ; that thou maist make thine entrie , & possesse that which is thine owne , both by creation , & also by redemption ; and that as thou art exalted aboue all creatures , soe aboue all creatures I may honour thee , loue thee , and praise thee ; not with that affection wherewith my weakenesse is able , either to doe or to desier ; but with that perfection wherewith in dutie I should , and wherewith thy Saintes and angells indeede doe . O giuer of life , O restorer , O preseruer , O enlightner of life ; O most louinge and louely Lorde . But what shall I say ? where shall I finde full praises to extoll thee ? my speach faltreth , and my spirit faileth ; my tongue can applie no fitting wordes , neither can my minde supplye sufficient matter : I want wordes to expresse my minde , I want alsoe a minde to apprehende thy merites : I conceiue farre aboue the abilitie of my vtterance , and yet farre vnder the dignitie of thy desertes . Lord , my soule is desirous to yeelde praises to thee for thy benefites , but it is vnable to conceiue that which is worthy , and vnwilling to vtter that which is vnworthy ; it is ashamed to sende forth woordes , knowinge how weake they are for soe weightie an office . without thy presence it can neuer attaine to any degree of thy praise : let it therefore haue thee ( O Lorde ) that it may in some measure praise thee . For what worthy praise can I giue vnto thee , by whose goodnes I was created , by whole mercie I was redeemed , by whose power I am preserued , and by whose grace I looke to bee glorified ? when I was not , thou diddest make mee ; when I was lost and forlorne , thou camest downe , and tookest mortallitie vpon thee to redeeme mee : thou a King , diddest humble thy selfe to exalt mee ; thou wert sould to redeem mee ; thou wert wounded to heale mee ; and thou diddest dye to saue mee . O sonne of God , how hast thou abased thy selfe ? how were thy affections inflamed ? how large were the limits of thy mercie ? Lorde , thou hast loued mee more then thy selfe , beecause for my sake thou wouldest endure , not onely a contemptible life , but both a shamefull and painfull death . And yet did not thy loue in this sorte leaue mee , but thou hast continuallye soe followed mee with thy fauours , as though thou haddest regarded mee alone , and neglected all thy other creatures . When I wandred thou diddest seeke mee , when I was ignorant thou diddest instruct mee , when I offended thou diddest correct mee , when I sorrowed thou diddest comforte mee , when I stumbled thou diddest stay mee , when I fell thou diddest raise mee , when I stoode thou diddest strengthen mee ; in my affaires thou diddest direct mee , in my troubles thou diddest helpe mee , in my dangers thou diddest deliuer mee ; waking thou diddest inlighten mee , sleeping thou diddest watch mee , sinninge thou diddest suffer mee , and prayinge thou diddest heare mee . Further , thou hast annointed mee with thy holy spirit , and giuen mee a minde to follow thee ; thou hast called mee by thine owne name , and thou hast sealed mee with thy bloude vnto eternall life . These and manye other benefites haue I receiued , some in hand , and some in hope ; although through my owne sinnefull demeanor , I haue almost both let go my hold , and lost my hope . But what ? if by my owne fault I haue lost these graces , shall I bee vnthankefull to him , by whose fauoure once I had them . Lorde , I can yealde noe reason wherefore I had them but that thou wert mercifull ; ney ▪ can I say any thinge nowe I haue soe neere lost them , but that thou art iust : & therefore I thanke thee beecause thou diddest giue mee them , I am sorie beecause I haue noe better kept them , and I pray thee that thou wouldest againe fully restore them . For I assure my selfe , that thy goodnes is as willinge to restore as it was to giue ; and that my weakensse is as able to recouer as it was to receiue . Therefore , O Lorde Iesus , by thy precious teares , by thy blessed bloude which thou diddest shedd for my redemption , by the aboundance of thy mercies I most humbly beeseech thee , saue thy seruant , saue one of thy members , though poore and feeble ; saue , I saye , a part of thy selfe . Be as greate in pardoning those that are submitted vnto thee , as in punishing those that are rebellious : poure vpon my heart the sweete streames of thy mercies ; conforme my life , confirme my faith , settle mee in a right and vpright course , and contynue mee in the same euen vnto the end . The worlde ( O Lorde ) is wrapped in darkenesse , whereby it is made subiect , both to the pollicies and power of our most dangerous and deadly enemy : who beeing the prince of darkenes , is thereby become alsoe the prince of the worlde : but by thy light his malice is discouered , by thy wisdome his deceites are auoided , and by thy strength his power is repelled . Hee hath manye and verye greate thinges ( I confesse ) to laye vnto my charge , but for thy names sake ( O Lorde ) rebuke him , and deliuer me . Drawe my desires aboue the pitch of his darkenesse , raise my soule out of this myrie lake of misery , which affoordeth nothing , but eyther daungers or discontentmentes ; that this filthy lumpe of flesh onely may abide on earth , but my thoughtes may continually attend vpon thee . O sweete Iesus , the way of health , the gate of life , the pallace of pietie , of ioy , of safetie ; I doe too much depresse thy benefites whilest I labour to expresse them : for they haue not onely filled , but ouerflowed the frame of the worlde . But , O thou who vnfealest the silence of the dumbe , vntie my tongue , that I may declare thy goodnes , and giue my voice a power to praise thee for the same . By thee ( O Lord ) the exile is reduced , the captiue redemed , the sinner is iustified , the sicke are healed , the dead are raised , and the damned are saued . By thy goodnesse wee are created , by thy power wee are preserued , by thy mercye wee are saued . Thou diddest create vs without any neede , thou doest gouerne vs without any labour , thou mayest destroie vs without any losse . Thou hast giuen all thinges vnder heauen for our vse , either necessarye or conuenient ; and yet diddest thou not thinke that enough , but thou hast allsoe appointed thine angells to attend vpon vs , to stande aboute vs , to watch ouer vs , to bee messengers for our seruice beetweene thee and vs. And not onelye mankinde hast thou exceedinglye both honoured and enriched with thy blessinges , but the heauens , the starres , the earth , the aire , the seas , the floudes , the day , the night , and whatsoeuer else thou hast ordained , either for the necessitie or delight of man , are by thee renued , and restored to the end for which they were created . For all thinges were made for the seruice of man , and man for the seruice of God : but once they serued those who serued idoles , and then they were without anie dignitie , then in a verie kinde of death , being diuerted from the right vse of their creation . But now they are exalted , now reuiued , now they reioice to serue those , who serue and worship thee , O Lorde . But why doe I confine thy benefites within the compasse of the whole worlde ? They haue prepared downe into hell ; they haue alsoe surmounted aboue the heauens . Thou hast subdued the kingdome of Sathan ; thou hast broken the chaines of darkenesse and death ; thou hast loosed the captiuitie of hell . By thee alsoe the angells expect a restitution of the breach which was made amongst them , by reuolt of those which fell . O singular grace , O admirable goodnesse , whereby mankinde is saued ; the elementes are renued hell is vanquished ; and heauen is repaired . O beutifull , O bountifull Iesu , thou hast blessed al creatures , & all creatures againe doe blesse & praise thee : by thy holinesse they are blessed , by thy happinesse they reioice , by thy fullnesse they flourish . O holy , O happie , O high Iesu , how is my dull sight dazelled with thy exceeding brightnesse ? My affections laboure to attaine vnto thee , but whether , I pray thee , doest thou flie the pursuite of my vnderstanding ? How exceedest thou the compasse of my conceite ? Tarry O Lord , tarrie a while for my feeble feete , which straine to followe thee : hide not thy selfe from my dim eies , which seeke to see thee : haue pittie vppon my weake soule , which wearily panteth after the sauour of thy saluation . Reach forth thine heauenly hand ; leade mee Lorde , lighten mee Lorde , let mee put the finger of my faith into thy woundes ; let mee looke a little how thou hast loued mee . Oh wonder of wisdome , O miracle of mercie : God made all thinges , and God was made man : God made all-thinges of nothinge , and without man all-thinges had turned to nothinge : God made all thinges of him selfe , but God would not restore all thinges without man. Hee was beegotten of God by whome all thinges were made , hee was borne of a woman by whom all thinges were renued : he was beegotten of God with out whome there was nothinge , hee was borne of a woman without whome nothing was well . O Christ , perfect God , and perfect man ; O sweete safetie , O secure ioye ; howe wonderfull , how worthy a matter , how weightie is it which I doe beehoulde ? I am much delighted to see it , and yet I scarce dare vtter it . Let my sences bee silent for a time , let the tumultuous cogitations of my minde bee quiet ; reason cannot shewe her selfe more reasonable , then to leaue resoning in matters aboue her reach . What was hee made ? and what hath hee made vs ? Shall I speake with ioie , or with modestie houlde my peace ? But that which my hearte doth beelieue with loue , shall not my mouth confesse with praise ? I w●ll speake therefore , not with an high , but with an humble spirite ; not to glorie in my selfe , but to glorifie God. The Sonne of God was made man , to make men the sonnes of God. If then hee hath made vs the sonnes of his father , hee hath therby made him selfe our brother ▪ therfore , our intercessor is our brother , our iudge is our brother , our Sauiour is our brother , our God is our brother . With what assurance then may wee hope ? what feare shall inforce vs either to dispaire or to doubt ? seeing our saluation dependeth vpon the will of our most louing brother ? With what securitie may wee flie vnto him ? with what bouldnesse may wee embrace him ? with what confidence may wee intreate him ? Our louinge brother will giue vnto vs the good which wee do desire , and forgiue vs the euell which wee doe deserue ; hee will aske for vs , hee will obtaine for vs , whatsoeuer is expedient : the sonne wil entreat the father for his children , and the father will heare the sonne for his brethren . Let the diuell then doe his worst to dismay mee ; let my foolish feare murmur as much as it will ; let them both vrge they re abiect obiections , and saye ; who art thou ? howe greate are thy sinnes ? and where ( in Gods name ) are thy demerites ? I will answere with assurance , I knowe what I am my felfe ; and I knowe who hee is vnto whome I trust Hee hath giuen mee his gracious worde , who is both in promise true and mightie in performance ; hee will doe what he can for my safetie , and can doe whatsoeuer hee will. When I call to my consideration the inestimable both bent of his loue , and treasure of his mercie , then may I plainly both see and say , as the seruant of the prophette did when his eies were opened : they are more that stande for vs , then they who are against vs. 2. Reg. 6. 15. The multitude of my sinnes shall neuer choake his loue ; I can want noe merites soe longe as hee doeth want noe mercies : If his loue bee greate , my sinnes are but small ; and if greate bee his mercies , greate likewise shall bee my merites . He hath registred mee on his backe ; he hath engrauen me in his handes , hee hath sealed me on his side ; the whippes , the nailes , the speare haue surely signed his loue vnto mee : they proclaime his mercie to bee claimed of all men ; they crie comfortably vnto mee , that I neede not feare . Hee hath displaied his blessed bodie abroade vpon the crosse , his armes spreade to imbrace mee , his heade bowed downe to kisse mee , his hearte laide open to loue mee ▪ Into those armes of my Sauiour will I runne , beetweene these armes will I rest , beetweene these armes will I reioice . I will sprinckle my heart with the bloud of this lambe , and the destroyer shall haue noe power to hurte . My sinnes greater then can bee forgiuen ? Thou liest , Caine ; our sinnes can stande in noe degree of comparison with the mercies of God ; but soe farre as God is greater then man , soe much doeth the goodnesse of the one exceede the euell of the other . As the nature of God is infinite and vnmeasurable , soe cannot his loue bee limitted , soe is there noe measure of his mercie ; as the nature , soe the goodnesse of God is knowne only to him selfe . The sonne of God hath taken our substance vpon him , hee hath exalted it aboue the heauens , he hath seated it in the kingdome and glorie of his father : In him I haue a portion of flesh aud bloud , in him a parte of my selfe euen now doth reigne , in him a part of my selfe is alreadie glorified : and as I doe nothing doubt of this his communion with mee in nature , soe will I not distrust of my participation , both heere of his grace , and heereafter of his glorie ; for although I am sinnefull , yet is not hee soe vnnaturall , that either hee can forgette , or will forsake his owne mēbers . Hee that dispaireth or distrusteth his owne safetie , hee denieth Christes mercie : and consequently , hee denieth his loue , hee denieth his truth , hee denieth his power ; the loue of his passion , the truth of his promise , and the power of his ascention . Therefore , the more willinge hee was to suffer , and the more able hee is to saue , the lesse cause haue I to feare ; for when all thinges shall faile , he will most constantly keepe his faith . O wonderfull misterie , O exceeding mercie , euer to bee admired , euer to bee loued : wee were not worthye to bee seruantes , and loe we are made the sonnes of God ; yea the heires of God , and fellowe heires with Iesus Christ. Who but must bee amased at such bowelles of mercie ? who but will reioice at such aboundance of loue ? which when I call to my consideration , the burthen of my flesh doeth not so presse me , the weight of my mortalitie and miseries are not soe grieuous as they were wont . Gracious Lorde , what thankes , what praise shall I tender to thee for this adoption ? where shall I get good wordes to set forth this thy good will ? Surely , if I had the tongue and knowledge of Angells , yet could I neither thanke thee , nor thinke of thee as is it meete . For thy exceeding loue , proceding from thy meere goodnesse , reacheth beyond all boundes , both of vtterance and vnderstandinge : thy praise , Oh Lord ; is incomprehensible ; and then wee doe most praise thee , when wee knowe thee to bee thine owne praise , and acknowledg our selues vnable to praise thee . But , O sweete Sauiour , whome none seeketh but the admonished , none findeth but the guided , I beeseech thee by thine inestimable goodnesse , let mee not bee vnthankfully silent for these thy benefits teach me secretly in my hearte , O my God , teach mee thy humble seruant , O mercifull God , euen by thy greate mercies , I beseech thee , teach my hearte , with what reuerence it shoulde thinke of thee ; tell my soule , with what delight it shoulde loue thee ; giue my tongue some power to poure forth praises vnto thee : correct my weakenesse , erect my hope , direct my desires : finish the work that thou hast beegunne , and bringe mee to the fullnesse of thy mercie . I was dead and buried in sinne , I shoulde haue rotted in distruction , but thou diddest raise mee , thou diddest reuiue mee , by thy loue I liue : a●d therfore I offer my selfe wholly vnto thee , most earnestlye entreating thy gracious acceptance , that wee may loue and liue together . O Lorde Iesus , I bowe the necke of my soule vnder the feete of thy maiestie , and in the lowest degree of reuerence , doe giue thee most humble and hartie thankes for these thy benefites : I yeelde thee praise ( O Lorde ) although base and bare , and farre vnanswerable to thy desertes : yet something my weaknesse is bounde to performe ; namelye , to settle my minde to beeholde and loue thee , and to praise thee with wordes soe well as I can . O amiable , O admirable Iesu , let mee loue thee allwaies , because thou diddest loue mee firste : let mee loue thee onlye , for hee loueth thee too little , that loueth any thing besides thee , except it bee for thy sake ; allwaies and onely let mee loue thee , beecause by thee onelye I shall alwaies liue . O that my hearte did so languish with thy loue , that it might melt the moysture of my bodie into teares , oh that the bowells of my soule were soe enflamed with thy loue , that it might consume all drossie desires , and drie vp the verie marrowe of my bones : oh that I were sicke for the loue of him , whoe died for the loue of mee . Lorde , allthough I bee not worthy soe to loue thee , yet art thou worthy much more to bee loued . Therefore ( O louing Iesu ) doe not soe denie mee that wherof I acknowledge my selfe vnworthy , that thy selfe be depriued of that , wherof thou art most worthye . Graunt ( O Lorde ) graunt I beeseech thee , not for my desertes , but for thy mercies sake , graūt to my soule , that it may loue thee as thou hast deserued . Grannt ( I say ) that I may bee worthy to giue that , which thou art worthy to receiue : soe shall I bee worthy of that , whereof nowe I am vnworthy . It is verie much ( O Lorde ) that I doe desire , beeinge alltogether vnworthy to speake vnto thee ; but thy bountie hath made mee bold ; I will speake therefore againe vnto my Lorde , although I bee but dust and ashes : I will speake againe vnto him , who hath not onelye licensed , but prouoked , but commaunded vs that we should aske . O Lord our God , O gracious , O allmightie God , is it not better that thou shouldest freelye giue mee that which I haue not deserued , then that I shoulde vnthankefullye not yeelde to thee , that which is thy due ? the one woulde bee a propertie of thy mercie , the other an effect of my iniustice . Giue therefore vnto mee thy grace , that I may returne vnto thee thy due ; bestow vpon mee thy mercies , that I may commit against thee noe iniustice ; bee liberall vnto me , that I may not seeme iniurious to thee , giue ( O Lorde , ) giue vnto my soule aboundance of thy loue , which I doe iustlye desire , that I may not be vnthankfull vnto thee , which thou mayest iustlye punish . Deare Christ , I doe feele in my heart a weake warmnesse of thy loue , but my prayer is , that the coales were throughly kindled with desire , and blowne with delight into a full flame . O sacred fire , how comfortablye doest thou burne ? O heauenlye lighte , how sweetlye doest thou shine ? how desirous are they more and more to burne whom thou dost enflame ? how are they delighted whome thou doest enlightten ? Alasse , how late haue I loued thee , O beautie most exceedinglye both auncient and fresh , and yet , alasse , how little do I loue thee ? wherfore I beeseech thee , O Lorde , by thy precious woundes , from which gushed out the streames of our redemption , wound my sinnefull soule with the dart of thy loue , strike Lorde , strike with the two edged sworde which procedeth out of thy mouth , strike deepe into my harde harte , pierce my sencelesse soule , parte all the inner partes of my spirit , that I may crie out , ( but not complaine ) how I am wounded with thy loue . O sweete Christ O good Iesu , euen for thine intercession sake , and for thy merites sake I beeseech thee , giue me thy holy and chast loue , and then shall I bee fullye furnished with all heauenly ver●ues . Lorde , thou diddest loue vs when wee were thine enemies , and wilt thou denie vs now to loue thee againe ? thou hast commaunded vs with our whole harte to loue thee ; and wilt thou not graunt vs abilitie to obey . Heare O my God , heare O light of mine eies , encrease my desire , and grant my request ; stop not thime eares against mee , beecause of my sinnes . Indue my soule with thy loue , subdue my flesh with thy feare , that I may allwaies thinke of thee ioyntlye both with tremblinge and trust . Settle the loue of thee in mee , and the care of mee in thee : let my prayer come vnto thee , and thy mercie come vnto mee ; let the ioy of thy happinesse remaine with mee , and the cōpassion of my miseries remaine with thee . Let my hearte loue thee , let my flesh feare thee , let my whole substance in this worlde ioie whollye in thee , that it may enioye thee wholye in the worlde to come . Amen . Aut vbique aut nusquam liber pag. Lin. error corrected 49 9 my thy 51 13 path pathes 73 12 at them for them 112 7 my any 121 4 shall shalt 114 16 both age both in age 151 7 the God the God of Israell   4 heir their 153 7 resolue resolute 1●3 11 goodnesse goodnesse ; 161 15 sonle soule ,   16 it , it 187 14 ether either   16 occsions occasions 184 8 wheeein wherein 189 3 lif lift 191 1 for his merites , for his happinesse , to praise him for his merites , 193 4 sonle soule 197 15 thert veat vtter that 216 2 the whole world the world   3 prepared pierced 217 11 beutifull beautifull 223 2 resoning reasoning