The teares or lamentations of a sorrowfull Soule Set foorth by Sir William Leighton |
 |
 | THE TEARES OR LAMENTATIONS of a Sorrowfull Soule. |
|
|
 | The teares or lamentations of a sorrowfull Soule |  |
1
THE TEARES OR LAMENTATIONS of a Sorrowfull Soule.
TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY Prince Charles, Sonne to our Soueraigne Lord the King
A prayer vnto Almightie God, to preuent, prepare, and dispose our hearts rightly, vnto prayer.
Lord teach me how to pray.
Luke 11. 1. Verse.
Luke 11. 1. Verse.
1
O louing God and Father deere,I humbly thee beseech & pray,
For Iesus sake my prayers heare,
and harken what my soule shall say.
2
My heart & thoughts, Lord sanctifie,thine holy spirit inspire within mee:
Mee from corruptions mundifie,
and let thy louing mercies win me.
3
Oh let me aske and haue of thee,let me by faith my suite obtaine:
2
all other fauour is but vaine.
4
Restraine my vaine imaginations,preuent by grace Sathans intrusions,
Let not him taint my cogitations,
nor blind mine eies with false illusions.
5
Which are th'nticements & the baites,of that great ghostly enemy,
That still for worldlings seekes & waites:
within which rancke, poore wretch am I.
6
But as my mouth and lipps haue said,wordes of a faithfull seruant true,
So let my soule of Christ craue ayde,
with inward spirit to liue a new.
7
For now my poore soule is a-fraide,and time mispent alasse I rewe,
To thee I run imploreing ayde:
within me do thy spirit renue.
8
O Lord I see the bloudy woundes,of thy sweete sonne my Sauiour,
I see thy mercies there aboundes:
and promised by thy fauour.
9
And therefore I by sinfull deedes,that er'st liu'd carelesse in dispaire,
3
& plucke down grace by force of praier
10
Oh in that grace graunt me to liue,and in that grace grant me to die,
And when I die, Lord grace me giue,
to reigne with thee perpetualy.
A generall confession of sinnes.
1
Omnipotent and gratious Father,frō thy waies haue I strayed & er'd
Like a lost sheepe & follow'd rather,
Mine harts deuises and prefer'de.
2
My foolish fancies fond desires,& broake the lawes set downe by thee
I haue not done what thou requires,
but done those thinges that should not be.
3
No health's in me, but thou O God,haue mercy on me sinfull wretch,
Spare me, oh spare me, hould thy rod:
that to offendors thou dost stretch.
4
I do confesse my faults restore me,that doe repent (for Iesus sake)
That promis'd euer is before thee,
which thou in Christ to man did'st make.
5
And graunt for his sake liue I may,a godly righte and sober life,
4
possessing heauen that shuts out strife.
6
All laude and praise be to thy name,for euer and euer now and then,
To whom all nations sing with fame,
sweete psalmes of ioy, Amen, Amen.
A Morning meditation.
1
I laide me downe to rest, and slept,and in the morning rose againe,
God me sustain'd and safely kept,
and by his grace did me maintaine.
2
His Angels pitch't, me round about,sleeping and waking keeping me,
Both comming in and going out,
they guarde me with securitie.
3
Lord here my voice in morning brightwhen I my praiers do direct,
And waite till thou the God of light,
doe heere and helpe me with effect.
4
O Father full of power and might,mercie and loue, how dare I cast:
Mine eies into thy heauenly sight,
If thou remember my sinnes past.
5
How can I thinke or hope for good,heere in the earth to come from high,
5
And sin'd against thy maiesty.
6
Thou in thy power & knowledg deepelord seest the wicked waies of mine,
Whether in sinne I wake or sleepe,
they are all open to thine eyne.
7
My vaine corrupt and euill deeds,my imperfections more and more,
With my pollutions which still breedes,
thine anger worse, then was before.
8
Thy iudgement, I might iustly feare,if thou should'st note what's don amisse
Thou might'st in torture be seuere,
but thou giu'st rest, sleepe, peace & blisse.
9
And hast me rais'de vp by thy hand,for onely thou preseruest mee,
And me desend'st by sea and land,
a wake or sleepe (I seruing thee)
10
whether I walke, worke, eate or drinkeor what ere else, doe what I will,
Thou blessest all that I can thinke,
without thy blessings all were ill.
11
For I a creature weake and faint,subiect to daungers that are rife,
6
in this corrupt and euill life.
12
I lie alasse in night and blindenes,and haue no watch mee to defend,
Yet am preseru'de by thy kindnes,
from them that ill to mee intend.
13
Whose owlish eies doe shun the light,who lay their traps & snares in darke
But thou defend me with thy might,
& with bright eie their worke do'st marke
14
Thou deare kinde Father full of loue,regardest thy weake and little ones,
Thy many mercies do thee moue,
t'inuiron them soule, blood & bones.
15
O gratious God I giue thee thankes,for all thiese mercies maniefold,
Saue me from all the perilous prankes,
of sinne, and of that Serpent ould.
16
Forgiue me mine offences Lord,with true repentance Lord me right,
Let thankes with life reform'd accorde,
with trewe obedience in thy sight.
17
I am inclin'd to vanitie;to slide into one sinne or other,
7
since first I came frō wombe of mother.
18
With many foes I am beset,corruptions in me dayly fight,
Which workeing of thy graces let,
and gain'st my faith vse all their might.
19
Wresting my will and settled minde,from true sincerity to sinne,
From good desires to be inclin'de,
to deepe dispaire and die therein.
20
To make one trust in blandishment,of wicked world my soule deceauing,
And in my soules sad languishment,
of comforts all my soule bereauing.
21
I flie vnto the sanctuary,of thy deare care and prouidence,
Assured I shall not miscarry,
when I depend on thy defence.
22
Keepe me therefore O King of Kingsas precious Apple of thine eie,
This day me shroud vnder thy winges,
for by thy sauing health liue I.
23
Teach me the truth, me knowledg giueand wisdome with all humblenes,
8
my soule with hope in all distresse.
24
Chaunge me from sinne to sanctitie,from the nights darknes vnto light,
Let my colde zeale, most ardent be,
to serue the Lord both day & night.
25
Teach me iustly to execute,my outward calling, giue successe:
And happie issue to my suite,
and all my lawfull labours blesse.
26
To brethren loue and equitie,to me and mine in godly care:
With heart and minde true pietie:
to God alone let me repaire.
27
And let thy holy spirit so nourish,and gouerne me, that more & more,
I may increase, beare fruit and florish,
in godlines and goodnes store.
28
Vntill thou shalt cut off this life,that is corrupt with deadly sinne,
And by Christs merrites end the strife,
of mortall warres my soule liues in.
29
And draw me then with cords of loue,to thee and thy Tuition,
9
and giue mee there fruition.
30
Off thee, & those that raign with thee,with Christ and all that in thy word,
Thou promi'st me; graunt this to mee,
for the same Christ his sake, O Lord.
An Euening Meditation.
1
Ile lie me downe to sleepe in peace,for thou Lord only mak'st me dwell
In saftie with great quietnes,
and do'st ill dreames from me expell.
2
My body to innormitie,is subiect, without rest and sleepe:
Because of mine infirmitie,
my life and health it cannot keepe.
3
Good father all sufficient,my louing God, I yeelde thee praise:
For this dayes blessings to me sent,
and guiding me in all my waies.
4
In that thou hast this day now past,me strongly guarded with thy handes
With loue refresh't me, first and last,
with mercies more thē sea shore sandes
10
5
That hast me brought to this daies end(blacke night & darknes drawing neere)
Wherein all creatures rest attend,
and lay them downe t'il day appeare.
6
I finding my debilitie,poore creature, run to thee Diuine:
Oh strengt'h mine imbecilitie,
and ayde this soule and body mine.
7
Thou hast me made of matter grosse,and brittle substance out of clay:
Which still is subiect to the crosse,
a tennis ball for worldlings play.
8
He wanting comfort cannot liue,(after great sorrow and much griefe)
Therefore I doe my body giue,
and soule to thee, Lord graunt reliefe.
9
O Lord I doe thee humbly pray,(as thou art fountaine of all rest:)
Be thou my succour, helpe, and Stay,
let me by thee this night be blest.
10
Consider me in my weaknes,and let thy carefull eies behold:
My miseries, and my distresse,
to cry for mercy make me bold.
11
11
And since t'is time that night now bringsof bodies rest, & quiet sleep:
Oh shadow me vnder thy wings,
let thy protection safe me keepe.
12
Looke ouer me with watchfull eies,when this corrupted flesh of mine:
In slumbering sleepe, and dulnes lies,
depriu'd of sence with closed eyne.
13
Vnnable, my poore selfe to saue,from dangers of the darksome night:
Keepe me my bedd, else is my graue,
and I shall neuer see the light.
14
Lord thou that onely mak'st me dwelland in sure saftie to abide:
(Thou watchest ouer Israell)
watch ouer me, be by my side.
15
Thou art my Castle, and my fort,my Sword, my Buckler, & defence:
My Rocke, my Refuge, & Comfort,
saue me from force and violence.
16
Alasse, without thee what am I?a beast that rightly nothing knowes:
A senceles block a sillie flie,
that no good doe, nor no good showes.
12
17
Thy louing fauour Lord extend,ouer the house, wherein I rest,
My bed with Angels Lord defend,
my spr'it by thy spr'it, be possest.
18
Oh, lie me downe in rest and peace,in rest and peace, O let me rise:
In rest and peace, O giue some ease,
from torments, troubles, teares & cries.
19
Let not the sleights of sinne deceaue,nor wicked practize ouertake me:
Let nothing me, of hope bereaue,
Oh, doe not thou (though all) forsake me.
20
Lord I am poore, Oh make me rich,with those great riches of thy blessing:
My soule, my soule, is blacke as pitch,
let pardon follow my confessing.
21
In hope of this, I lie me downe,depending on thy prouidence:
I care not if the world doe frowne,
for I am safe by thy defence.
22
Lord let it be, for I am thine,my rest make sweete & comfortable:
To thee I doe my selfe resigne,
lord graunt all this, for thou art able.
FINIS.
13
A Nosegay gathered in the holy Paradice.
1
Almighty God which hast me brought,in saftie to this present day:
Keepe me from sinne, in hart & thought,
and teach me what, to doe and say.
2
Prosper me Lord, in all my workes,helpe me with thy continuall grace:
Keepe me from Sathan vilde that lurkes,
to trappe my soule in euery place.
3
Almightie Lord, and God of loue,direct mine heart, and guide my waies:
Amend my misse, my minde remoue:
from all that from thy glorie straies.
4
Thou that of wisdome, art true sprungand fountaine of felicitie:
Let mercie meere, my prayers bring,
by faith in me, to sight of thee.
5
Thou which art Author of all peace,and the true louer of concord:
Keepe me from foes, that neuer cease,
to take my life, from me O Lord.
14
6
Thy seruice is most perfect free,to know thee, t'is eternall life,
Reach out thy helping hand to me,
against my foes, that gain'st me striue,
7
O God from whom all good desires,from whō, all iust workes doe proceed:
Whose counsells wise, all men admires,
assist me in the time of neede.
8
O Lord whose power and qualitie,is sinners trespasse to forget:
Being ti'de and bound with chaines loose me,
of sinne for pittie, I intreate.
9
Assist me in this mortall age,what chaunge or chaunce so e're befall
From Sathan, sinne, and enimies rage,
Lord still defend me from them all.
10
Almightie God which giuest vs gracenow in thy name to pray to thee:
And promisest in any place,
when Ioynes together two or three.
11
Tho' wilt giue & graunt what they requestnow lord doe the desires fulfill:
Of vs thy seruants, as seemes best,
and most expedient to thy will,
15
12
In this world knowledge vs granting,of thy pure truth and sanctitie:
And after death, let our newe being,
be life with thee eternally.
13
O God that noe time do'st despise,the sighing of a contrite heart:
Nor the desires of sinners cries,
in troubles anguish, griefe and smart.
14
Assist our prayers in distresse,and gratiously vouchsafe to heare:
When sudden euills vs oppresse,
and subtill craft of foes vs feare.
15
Let thē, oh Lord be brought to noughtand by thy goodnes scattered bee:
That so to vs noe heart be brought,
we may giue thankes, & praise to thee.
16
Oh God of mercie wee thee pray,to looke on our infirmities:
And all those euils turne away,
which we deserue continually.
17
Graunt that in troubles and sickenes,we put our trust & hope in thee:
And serue thee in true holines,
of life and praise thy deitie.
16
18
Through Christ the only Aduocate,and mightie Lord of all mankinde:
To worke Gods loue, frō wrath & hate,
towards his elect to be most kinde.
19
Oh God to whom all hearts are seeneand hid desires are plainely knowne:
My life reforme, & minde make cleane,
my spr'it, inspire, to be thine owne.
20
That I may loue thee perfectly,and magnifie thy holy name:
Through Christ my Sauiour worthely,
and all the world confesse the same.
21
Lighten my darknes Lord I pray theefrom this nights dangers me defend:
Let not flesh, world, nor diuell dismay me
keepe me both to, and in the end.
22
Thy mightie hand, & arme protect methy mercy in Christ, be my saluation
Lord euer let thy word direct me,
and thy spr'it giue me consolation.
23
The peace of God which far exceedesall vnderstanding of mans wit:
Preserue my soule from wicked deedes,
and guide mine heart, to doe what's fit.
Finis.
17
A particuler confession of a sorrowfull sinner.
1
Most mightie and al-knowing Lordtrue spring of consolation:
I doe confesse with heart and word,
thou art my preseruation.
2
I haue offended grieuously,by my transgression don gain'st thee,
And haue drawne down a weight on me,
of thy great Iudgements wilfully.
3
Vnder which burden cannot I,but faint and fall in wofull sort:
Vnlesse thy hand and thy mercy,
through Iesus Christ doe me support.
4
Thou know'st good father I am weake,and cannot beare thine heauie ire:
Not knowing what to doe or speake,
or how to saue mee from this fire.
5
Vnlesse thou poynt mee out the way,with thy wise spr'it me directing:
Vnto the deuill I am made a pray,
were not thy power me protecting.
6
Not euery one that heares thy word,can vnderstand thy wisdome great:
18
shall enter into heauens gate.
7
Who is not ledd by better line,then doth proceed from flesh & bloud
Er's from the truth, and doth decline,
from right to wrong, to ill from good.
8
Whose end is death, though for a time,seemes sweet to please the outward man
That's nothing else but durt and slime,
or like a puffe, in length a spanne.
9
As honor, riches, frends and health,preferment life and worlds delight:
Esteeming these true happie wealth,
but the true blisse is out of sight.
10
They thinke that sicknes pouertie,imprisonment and enymies fell:
And worldlie crosses veryly,
are gates and entrance into hell.
11
Soe foolish and so ignorant,are those thou guyd'st not in thy way,
Mong'st whom euen I, through wisdomes want,
haue bin misled vntill this day.
12
But hauing found the truth by tryall,that earthly ioyes are transitory:
19
and only seeke th'eternall glory.
13
Now I disclaime all confidence,in Honor, health, in wealth or feature:
In wit or worldly sapience,
or yet in any earthly creature.
14
And Lord I heere doe dedicate,all thou hast giu'n me to thine honor:
My selfe I wholie consecrate,
to march and fight vnder thy banner.
15
And now I bid these ioyes adew,that only please my flesh and sences:
Because they all are most vntrue,
and still doe cause so great offences.
16
Because their glorious bountie fades,and leaue nought but deformities:
Because they are nought else but shades,
and bring forth grose innormities.
17
Because they are most false and fickle,because they are indeed hells fewell:
Because their rose hath many a prickle,
because their slauery is most cruell.
18
Because they are not firme and stable,because they are profane not holie:
20
because they are but sottish folly.
19
Because my soule they call and kill,because they giue me Iudas kisse:
Because my good they spot and spill,
& draw me from mine heauenly wish.
20
because lik swords, they woūd my soulbecause like serpents, they do sting me:
Because my conscience doth controule,
& saith to hell gates, they will bring me.
21
Because they doe beset my sences,because they dull my spirits quicknes.
Because they cause so great expences,
because they cause my sad soules sicknes
22
Bcause all vertue hindred is,by this vild worlds accused pleasure:
Because t'will mee bereaue of blisse,
and of that blessed heauenly treasure.
23
And therefore earth & world farewelladue fond fancies flattering fauoures,
Your ioyes are toyes, your heauen is hell,
I hate your poysoned tast and sauours.
24
And thou that art, life of my life,soule of my soule, O Iesus Christ:
21
thou art that prophet, Prince, & Priest.
25
That went'st vp to prepare that place,aboue Sonne, Moone, & planets seauen
Oh saue me by thy sauing grace:
and bring me to that highest heauen.
26
Where are such ioyes cælestiall,as cannot be expreste by penne:
Bring me from things terrestriall,
to raigne with thee for aye Amen.
A heauenly hymne touching the Natiuitie of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ.
1
Come let vs sing to God with praise,our Prophet, Prince, & Priest, alwaies
And to the sacred holy spirit. and &c.
2
Oh let vs laude the Trinitie,With heart and voyce them magnifie.
For Christ who made vs life inherit. &c.
3
Giue thankes to God with ioy & mirthFor his sweete sonne, our Sauiours birth,
Of all mankind the comfort true.
4
He is the guiltles lambe alas,Whose death & passion brought to passe
Faith hope, and blisse, with spirit anew.
22
5
Lift vp your heart, with ioy abound,With solace sing sweete Musicks sound:
In honor of Gods holy name.
6
Who Christ his Sonne the lambe did make,By death mans sinnes away to take:
All nations sing his worthy fame.
7
He is the seede was promised,To bruse and crush the serpents head:
Which caus'd all men for sinne to die.
8
He is the mediate to appease,Gods wrath by death to giue vs ease:
Praise him praise him continually.
Finis.
A prayer in extreame sicknes
1
Thou God of might hast chastned me,and mee corrected with thy rod:
Wounded my soule with misery,
and humbled me to know my God.
2
And soe made soft my stony brest.Thy Arrowes sticke most fast in me:
My heart doth pant, my ioynts opprest,
my flesh me paineth wofully.
3
My bodies members mee deceaue,I languish still my strength's decayd,
23
I cannot stand but must be stayde.
4
Thy hand O God doth presse me sore,my sicknes soe extreamely growes:
That I am euen at deathes dore,
thou do'st it Lord. my heart it knowes.
5
That I am vexed thus with payne,it is for sinne and mine offence.
For my misdeeds and trespasse plaine,
the cause of wrathfull recompence.
6
Ease me O God, and sucker me,send comfort lay no more on me:
Then I can beare, O suffer me,
to draw my breath, and looke on me.
7
O Lord consider my weaknes,beare with my great infirmitie—
Helpe me oh Lord cure my sicknes,
that I may giue all praise to thee.
8
Incline thine eares vnto my mones,harke to the voice of my complaint:
Let both my crying and my grones,
come to thy throane oh I am faint.
9
I make my plaint to thee alone,for thee alone I haue displeas'd:
24
may't please thee that I may be eas'd
10
I know not how for to appease,thy high displeasure that's gain'st me:
I am afraide to aske for ease,
or looke on thee that pain'st me.
11
I am neare drown'd with deep dispairewhen I in minde doe well perpend:
How I did sinne (sans) feare or care,
without regard of my last end.
12
Lord I haue sind, and thou hast said,that at what time I doe repent,
My debts for sinnes shall all be paide,
thy gratious pardon shall be sent.
13
On this thy promise Lord I build,vpon thy goodnes I relie:
Mine heart doth to repentance yeelde,
graunt pardon Lord, or else I die.
14
Though I haue often heinously,offended, and thy patience prou'd:
By sinning often grieuously,
yet thou with pittie hast been mou'd
15
Art slow to strike, yet strong to suffer,thine hands are yron, thy feete of leade:
25
then we to aske our dayly bread.
16
O now for pittie ease my paine,for Iesus sake, my Lord thy Sonne:
Restore to me my health againe,
if not, Lord let thy will be done.
17
But graunt me strength to beare thy yoake,and patience Lord vnto me lend:
That I may bide thine heauie stroake,
& then send Lord what thou wilt send.
18
Thy punishments are pursiuants,that thou of faithfull loue dost send:
To all thy true and iust seruants,
to warne them of their latter end.
19
Thy rod and staffe doth comfort me,and me vphold t'wixt hope and feare:
Thou gain'st presumption chastnest me,
and th'other keepe me from dispaire.
20
To thee O Lord I doe commit,my selfe I neuer will repine:
For thou know'st best what is most fit,
in life and death let me be thine.
FINIS.
26
Precepts of duties.
1
High mightie God of righteousnes,in wrath, a dread consuming fire:
Thou did'st in perfect happines,
make man, that dar'd gain'st thee conspire
2
And breake thy lawes with all dispightwhē thou had'st made him pure & holy
Plac'd him in garden of delight,
(so great and wicked was his folly.
3
That hauing leaue, to take or leaue,to chuse, refuse or vse, at pleasure:
He did himselfe by sinne deceaue,
of that Diuine surpassing treasure.
4
And by his mutabilitie,(regardles of thy sacred sawes)
He brought in instabillitie,
lost his free will, made breach of lawes.
5
Thou God of iustice must doe right,man wanting grace, with want of grace:
By grace substraction did'st requite,
& bannishe him, that blessed place.
6
By meanes of which we are inclin'd,from thy behests to runne astray:
27
by sinne is carried cleane away.
7
Thine honor first is stedfast faith,in Christ, and in thine holy booke:
And in thy truth that thy spirit saith,
which in mine hart for faith doth looke
8
The next obedience to thy will,as thou cōmanded'st by thy sweet word
From Syna and from Sions hill,
to teach vs do thine hests O Lord.
9
Vs for thy children hast elected,and vs adopted to inherit:
Thy blisse (if thy blisse be respected)
and seal'd vs with thine holy spirit.
10
Thou mad'st vs free, by thy sons bloudto th'end thou mayest be glorifi'd
In soules and bodies for our good,
his passion hath vs purified.
11
thou freed'st vs to that end we moughtserue thee in holy righteousnes:
Thou gau'st thy sonne, and he vs bought
from thraldome of our sinfullnes.
12
Thou would'st he should for al men dieto make him liue in thine elect:
28
and with his graces hast them deckt.
13
By grace and holy inspiration,rebellious nature seek'st to tame:
With precepts for instruction,
& leau'st vs lawes in thine owne name.
14
The readie way of seruing thee,and profit to our neighboures bring:
And louing thee most zealously,
who art our father, Lord and King.
15
Though by thy Gospell we be free,from lawes of sinne, and Punishment:
Yet rules of life and pietie.
thou hast prescrib'd, and to vs lent.
16
Thereby to mannage all our deeds,and guide vs, least we stepp awry:
And rightly vse our natures seedes,
both well to liue, and well to die.
17
These lawes did'st write in tables twowith the pure finger of thine hand:
Deliuered them Moyses vnto,
that we thy will might vnderstand.
18
The first containeth precepts foure,of duties due vnto thy feare:
29
of loue we should to neighbours beare
19
The summe and substance of them alland that fulfilleth euery part,
Is thee to loue, on thee to call,
with all our soule, might, minde, & heart
20
To other men (especially,thine houshold that are firme in faith)
As to our selues to giue supply,
with all our helpe as scripture saith.
21
But we are weake, our case thus standsin this fraile mortall life of ours,
No man can keepe these thy commaunds
but breakes them at all times & houres.
22
Yet thou thy children oft dost will,them selues to comfort hopeingly:
Ther's left for them some measure still,
t'approach to thee acceptablie.
23
Namely when they bend their whole strength,(dayly preuented by thy spirit)
And stand in hope t'attaine at length,
what now they want, by Christ his merit
24
Walking and dayly going on,by stepps thereof to Paradice:
30
sighes yet for their infirmities.
25
The faithfull know all and beleeue,with thee our father mercie is:
For with thy sonne do'st all thinges giue,
how can we then of mercy misse.
26
Therefore my God now giue to me,all that thou giu'st to thine elect:
Of thine eternall clemencie,
let not thy spirit my soule reiect.
27
Illuminate my knowledge darke,Possesse my heart the Lord to loue:
What's don amisse, Lord doe not marke,
but let thy spirit, my spirit still moue.
28
That I most constantly may walke,the steps & path's of thy iust lawes:
And of thy goodnes dayly talke,
with feare and loue and all applause.
29
To whom I wholie owe my selfe,(for thou hast Lord created me:
And bought me not with worldly pelfe,
but by thy sonne hast made me free)
30
Whence I doe also learne to loue,all men in thee and for thy sake:
31
and my vocation surer make.
31
O let me thus thy fauour finde,and peace of consience vnderstand:
Thy blessings and thy mercies kinde,
to God the work's of mine ill hand.
32
That fil'd with daies, I leaue my life,rest to inioy with all contents:
And liue eternally from strife,
and keepe thy ten Commaundements.
Finis.
An invocation to God, humbly praying for remission of sinne.
1
Well spring of bountie, God of feare,beginning that, mak'st all begin:
With what oblation to appeare,
appease thy wrath that's due for sinne.
2
I know not blood of Bulles and beast,or sweetest incense that doth rise:
From earth of old, they were the least,
and are not now of any prise.
3
O how should I be reconcil'd,againe, vnto thy louing fauour:
32
from my sweete Lord & only Sauiour.
4
How long, O haue I cal'd to thee,to thee, in name of thy deere Sonne:
Yet what I ask'd thou gau'st not mee.
and what I would is left vndonne.
5
I long haue knocked at thy doore,of mercy but none entrance finde:
Sorrowes and troubles more and more,
increase and vex my soule and minde.
6
I dayly waite most wofull mortall,before thy seate of clement grace:
But may not peepe within thy portall,
nor see thy glorious beautious face.
7
I sigh and mourne my teares are seas,I sincke vnder the burdnous loade:
Of sinne and shame, and find none ease,
prouoke me forward with thy word.
8
Of castigation I desire,to quench thy wrath with flouds of teares:
Yet still increase thy fearefull fire,
and so increase my frostie feares.
9
By prayers thee to presse who dares,except by thy sonnes mediation:
33
and th'end of earthly mens creation.
10
what course should I poor wretch thē take,to doe or aske that's good & iust:
But vnto thee, my prayers make,
and onely in thy sonne put trust.
11
Yf that my sinnes shall thee offend,then all thy creatures rage & storme:
And all conspire by thy commaund,
to beate on me poore sillie worme.
12
Where shall I be, or whether flie,from sight of thine allseeing eyne:
As Noahs doue, on earth am I,
and cannot looke against thy shine.
13
But if thou show thy louing face,all creatures on my seruice tend:
Men beasts and Angels, doe me grace,
to helpe me all their powers doe bend.
14
What should I then, say, giue or doe,what payne can gaine my fauour lost:
Riuers of Oyle or ought thereto,
they are thine owne, and of thy cost.
15
Accept yet Lord the sacrifice,of Heart & Calues, of lippes vnfained:
This is that Offring did'st deuise,
to haue thy grace to be obtained.
34
16
The free will offringe of my Zeale,in sence of sighing still assending:
They to thy mercies seate appeale,
& would make peace for mine offending
17
Although mine heart & tongue doe faulter,yet in Christ Iesus meditation:
Receaue this offering on thine Alter,
with all my best imagination.
18
Heare me in him, in him relieue me,for without him, noe helpe can be:
None can my soules, or harts ease giue me
nor can I inward comforts see.
19
Till I know that thy wraths appeas'dand haue thy charter of thy pardon:
Then shall I finde mine heart so eas'd,
that I desire noe further guerdon.
20
And now I most vnhappie man,that did offend my God soe kinde:
By grace of him in all I can,
i'le seeke with heart, with soule, & minde
21
To honor, serue, obey and please,him that is mine al-seeing maker:
Whom I beseech to graunt me peace,
and make me of his ioyes partaker.
Finis.
35
A Godly meditation,
wherein the distressed sheweth, he is vnfeignedly grieued, hat he hath offended God, who is so powerfull and so dread a iudge: who also (as the repentant thinketh) hath armed man and all creatures against him for his sinnes. But (aggrauating the greatnes of his miseries aud afflictions) at the last, he resolueth to goe vnto God in Christ his name, with whom he is well pleased, and in whom he will accept the prayers of the offendant.
[The first part.]
1
Alas that I offended euer,this God of Gods, this Lord of powers
That can in peeces all men shiuer,
and ouerturne the stateliest towers.
2
Ah woe is me that I offended,and iustly God stir'd vpp to ire:
Who by his lawe, hath sin condempned,
vnto the pit of endles fire.
3
I dayly see Gods creatures all,iustly for sinne displeas'd with mee:
Mens hearts are hardned and with gall,
feede mee that haue offended thee.
36
4
My God thy blessings all one earth,thou doest witholde, & from me keepe:
Alas my soule sustaines a dearth,
of grace, vnto thy grace I creepe.
5
But what to doe or what to say,I know not Lord, but I know this:
My griefes encrease more day by day,
my mirth is moane, bane is my blisse.
6
One euill doth another call,like waues on waues in raging seas:
My weary burthen makes me fall,
I find no comfort helpe nor ease.
7
I hope of helpe, but that hope quailes,in crosses are my comforts ended:
I fly to faith, but then faith failes,
when I neede most to be defended.
8
As if I were the onely man,prepos'd by thine intendement:
Whom heauen & earth must curse & ban
as subiect of all punishment.
9
Thy iustice dams me, I appeale,to mercy, then appeald I feare:
37
and secret sinnes with griefe I beare.
10
Shall I thinke it a fruitles taste,vnto my God for to repaire:
That Sinners calles and bids them aske,
and they shall haue all things by praier.
11
Can it be bootles downe to fall,before his throne of maiestie:
And with repentant tongue to call,
for pardon for my iniquitie.
12
May not vnfained cries at last,preuaile with him that's pittifull:
To pardon my offences past,
& moue my spr'its which now are dull
13
I'le frame my heart to meditate,my tongue to vtter what may please:
Him whom best knoweth mine estate,
and seeke his wrath for to appease.
38
The second part of the meditation.
15
For Christs sake, looke on me againe,hee is God all sufficient:
Hee doth behold and see my paine,
my inward faithfull hearts intent.
16
Hee knoweth what I goe about,all I thinke, speake, or doe amisse:
He writes or noates, without all doubt,
in his remembrance booke it is.
17
I know he will in worth accept,what iustly I intend to doe:
And cannot it performe, except
He put his helping hand thereto.
18
He knoweth that I am but flesh,and what is flesh but fraile and ill:
And what is man a lumpe of trash,
whom vaine desires do fully fill.
19
And will this God Iehouah high,so strong and powerfull set his might:
Against a worme so weake as I,
a silly man a shade of night.
20
What conquest can there be in God,to worke reuenge on mee poore soule
39
whose iustice doth my sinnes controle.
21
shall I dispute with thee, nay rather,poore wetch I should fal prostrate down,
And humbly kneele vnto my father,
& pray with teares whē he doth frowne
22
If he afflict, more be it so,if further plague me let be so:
If he will kill with paines and woe,
do what he list, let it be so.
23
For I am his, do what he will,with mee and all that mine can bee:
It is his owne and must be still,
theres no disputing God with thee.
24
There is noe Art, or Eloquence,can quench thy coales of burning ire:
It is not words can make defence,
nor friends can saue me from thy fire
25
Nor take me from the powerful handsso full of might force strength & power:
Or breake a sunder thy strong bands,
nor ease one minute of an houre.
26
Ile yeelde me therefore to his will,Lord doe what thy good pleasure is:
40
i'le waite the time of happie blisse.
27
Ile waite thy pleasure, time will come,wherein I may the issue see:
Of my afflictions all and some,
and what thy purpose is with mee.
28
The meane time I will with thy wordconsult and vse my exercise:
And comfort take though hope O Lord
refresh dull spr'ites & cleare dim'd eies.
29
With dewe of thy sweete promises,laying aside all fleshly ayde:
I onely rest on thy mercies,
in holy word as thou hast said.
30
And in true faith will I remaine,and seeke thee (beeing the true way:
Wherein who walkes, at length shal gaine
true blisse and happines for aye.
31
Who this embraceth shall not erre,wherein who liues, shall neuer die.
But weare a crowne past reason farre,
to liue with God eternally.
FINIS.
41
A prayer wherein the distressed, humbly confesseth his sinnes, and the vanities of his former times lewdely mispent, desiring others to take example by him, and to returne to God by repentance before it be to late. And at the last preparing to die, commendeth his soule to God: with whom after death, he hopeth to liue for euer.
1
An heart, that's broken & contrite,to God, is a sweete sacrifice:
Repentant sinners him delight,
far more then iust men in their eies.
2
what I haue bin my God hath knownewhat I now am the Lord doth see:
What I shalbe to him is showne,
from him no secret kept can be.
3
How I consume so many yeares,mispent so many monthes and daies:
Both houres and minutes all appeares,
to God who markes my life & waies.
4
Time is the meane that all things tries,time worketh what mens wits deuise:
42
and time in time, will make men wise.
5
Fly from me, follies of my youth,packe hence my sins that burdned me:
Welcome to me is age and trueth,
now I by faith in Christ will be.
6
whose sins do make their harts to bleedlet them examples take by me:
Whose wickednes all mens exceede,
come, come, and my repentance see.
7
Lord now let me depart in peace,I feele thy rod, I finde thy loue:
My paines doe grow, my ioyes encrease,
this mercie comes from thee aboue.
8
My sickenes is a present meane,to heale and cure my wounds of sin:
Lord purge all my corruptions cleane,
and let my death, my life begin.
FINIS
43
The repentant complaineth of his horrid and grieuous sinnes, and in the end giueth thankes vnto Iehouah on high, who is distinguised into one God and three persons.
1
Hidden O Lord are my most horred sins,vnto ye world, though open plaine to thee
He neuer betters that no time begins,
corruption killeth all good thoughts in mee.
2
What sin doth dwell in this vild flesh of ours,but doth encrease like monsters huge in me:
Cōmitting them both minutes, daies & houres,
as swift as Time, so fast grow they in me.
3
Rent thine owne flesh, & teare thy wretched haires,scrape clean corruptions marrow frō thy bones
Put out thine eies, cut of thy tongue, stop eares
lame all thy sences, to kill sinne at once.
4
I faine would walke ye know not how to creepI am opprest with such most hainous crimes:
Whē I should wake, sin drowneth me with sleep
for one good thought I sin a thousand times.
5
Sigh O my soule, weepe, sorrow & lament,and seeke for helpe, if any hope be left:
Pray vnto Christ, for grace thou mai'st repent,
before his merits from thee be bereft.
44
6
Though by his rod, afflictions humble thee,and for thy sinnes, thou suffer grieuous paine
Yet with his staffe, he still vpholdeth thee,
from deep dispaire, in blisse with him to raigne
7
All glory be to God on high,and to his sonne our sauiour wise and iust:
To whom with ioy still pray and sing will I,
and to my comforter the holy Ghost.
8
Whose being was from all eternity,one deity distinct in persons three:
According to the blessed Trinity,
distinguish't three, yet one in vnity.
Finis.
The repentant wholy flyeth vnto the mercies of God in Christ, and describeth the loathsomnes & vglines of his sinnes, aggrauating the greatnes thereof, aboue all other mens.
1
O Lord behould my miseries,my paine and deadly griefe:
No helpe, no hope, but thy mercies,
to yeeld my soule reliefe.
2
I hate my selfe, and loath my sinne,my heart is rent with feare:
To thinke what state I haue liu'd in,
my wits with torments teare.
45
3
If sinnes seeme vgly vnto mee,who did the same commit:
How loathsome Lord, shew they to thee,
that do'st in iudgement sit.
4
Whē others sins, my minde haue vext,and make me search mine owne:
My heart with horror is perplex't,
for my sinnes seedes so sowne.
5
By measure iust and true I finde,no man that euer liu'd:
Hath sinn'd so much in heart and mind,
as I that am thus grieu'd.
6
If all mens faults were put in one,(and knowne were my offences)
T'weare no compaire to mine alone,
so vil'd in all pretences.
7
O cease to sing, sigh and lament,turne tunes to weeping teares:
And learne of Dauid to repent,
by faith to cure thy cares.
8
True faith in Christ, Lord grant to me,that now liue in dispaire:
From Sathans bondage set me free,
let Christs bloud cleanse me cleare.
46
9
Blot out of minde my cursed crimes,and my misdoings all:
That dayly sinne so many times,
and hourely sinck and fall,
10
Thou bid'st thē come that loden are,with burthen of their sinne:
And let thy spirit, my spirit prepare,
that I may now begin.
11
At first to creepe and then to goe,and so come to thy gate:
And then be cured of my woe,
O Lord t'is not to late.
12
Whil'st I liue let me liue to loue thee,for now mine heart aboue:
There's nought on earth, to loue can moue me
my life is with my loue.
13
Where thou doest sit on cherubins,and Angels sing thy praise:
With holy, holy, Seraphines.
Lord let me liue alwaies.
FINIS
47
The poore Suppliant being visited with a grieuous sicknes, sheweth how he languisheth in all the corporall parts & members of his body, but especially with the torture of his conscience for sinne, and at the last prayeth that God would take from him this heauie yoake of miseries.
1
O Lord giue eare to my complaint,attend my teares & heare my cry
My sinnewes shrinck, my limes do faint,
I languish in my malady.
2
My bones are broke, my flesh gon quitmy strength in euery part doth faile:
My thighes grow thin, dim'd is my sight
my leggs & feete, with weaknes quaile.
3
My tongue doth faulter in my head,my spr'its faint, my hands do shake:
With paine and ach, I tosse in bed,
my vaines are stiffe, mine hart doth ake.
4
My bodie is with griefe opprest,noe place, noe part, is free from anguish
I grieue and groane and, take no rest,
I faint, I swoune, I fall, I languish.
48
5
I liue, but dying euery houre,my glasse of time is almost run:
I fade away as doth a floure,
that withers with the heate of sunne.
6
I liue and die yet not with death,I lingring liue, yet dead with sinne:
Condemn'd to die yet draw my breath,
in such confusion liue I in.
7
As if all tortures due for sinne,were euery minute laid on mee:
Horrors with-out, and hell with-in,
and all thiese things thine eie doth see
8
I charge not Heauen, I blame not earthbut of this one thing am assured:
That flesh and world, the diuell my birth
and faults not fates, haue this procured
9
Lord for thy building thou dost square mee,with many a strong and sturdy stroake
When thy will is, O Lord do spare mee,
and take from me this heauie yoake.
FINIS.
49
A feruent prayer vnto God, that the repentant may find fauour in Christ, whose merits and satisfaction he offereth vnto thee O Lord, as a pleasing ransome for his sinnes.
1
Attend vnto my teares O Lord,regard my woefull moane:
And seeke to saue mee by thy word,
or I am ouerthrowne.
2
For sinne doth so oppresse my minde,that I am damn'd to hell:
Vnlesse by Christ I fauour finde,
whose woundes must make me well:
3
Cure thou my soule so sicke with sinneby merrits of thy sonne:
Marke not the state that I liue in,
but marke what he hath done.
4
Most perfect he (though I be vild)to please when I offend:
He sits with thee (though I exild)
in glory to the end.
5
My nature is inclin'd to euill,though his with good accord:
50
his will to please the Lord.
6
Wherefore O God which art most iust,in him my debts to pay:
In his desert my soule doth trust,
thy wrath for to alay.
Finis.
The first Lamentation in distresse cōteineth a confession of sinnes, and a petition to be released of the punishments due for the same.
1. The first part.
The first part sheweth that a man must not only repaire vnto God in prayers, in silent sighes, and in inward desires and groanes: But wee must also worship God, with our tongue, words, and voice, and in royall speech praise his holy name.
1
O Father full of knowledg deepe,thou searchest secrets of each hart,
Behold'st desires, we priuate keepe,
with hidden silence in the darke.
2
But yet thou do'st thus much require,thy children should know & confesse:
Thee for to be their lightsome fire,
that iudg'st their works in righteousnes.
51
3
As thou hast fram'd in man a heart,wherewith his maker to beleeue:
A tongue and lippes, and euery part,
wherewith he glory may thee giue.
4
And thou do'st challenge at his hands,free sacrifice of prayers praise:
And honors due throughout all lands,
that all men can'st deiect and raise.
5
Thy children must not in their minde,be dumbe, nor in their tongues be mute
whē they should seeke thine help to find:
and by petition shew their suite.
6
Thy sonne doth bid me aske and haue,and find to seeke, to knock and enter,
What they do want, that they may craue
by faith in him they may aduenture.
7
Thou still art ready to be found,& helpe thine owne in their distresse:
That in their faith are constant sound,
and patient in their heauines.
8
Therefore deere father, I beset,with many miseries distrest:
Come vnto thee thine ayde to get,
and after trouble to finde rest.
52
9
And haue thy grace with-out with-in,but I that am of sinners chiefe:
Because thou hat'st in me my sinne,
many doubt thou wilt not giue reliefe.
10
Alas poore wretch what shall I doe?to aske I am so far vnfit,
Vnapt my God to seeke vnto,
vnworthy to haue benefit.
11
Of what I craue or do desire,and yet to cry I will not lin:
Till thou do'st send refining fire,
and purifie me, from my sinne.
2. The second part.
The distressed prayeth to be sanctified, and to inioy the renewed graces of regenerations: and though his infirmitie causeth him to thinke that the Lord doth not heare his prayers, but deferreth him too long, yet he concludeth that Gods faithfull promises still nourish and feed him with neuer dying hope of comfortable issue.
12
O let thy spr'it me sanctifie,vntie my tongue, open my lips:
I cannot silence keepe, for why,
my conscience euery houre me whips.
13
My miseries grow more and more,within my bones, I find no rest:
53
& let me speake, what likes thee best.
14
That thine eares euer be inclin'd,to my extreame and dolefull cries:
Let me thy mercies ready finde,
to take my teares from weeping eies.
15
Thou euermore do'st heare the cries,of all that feare thy holy name:
And comforts them with thy mercies,
that trust in thee and begge the same
16
Their soules thou do'st from death defend,& cheares their hearts in time of need:
To me therefore thy comforts send,
and giue thy helpe with louing speede,
17
Thy seruants cānot hold their tongue,though oft they muse & cannot see:
Why their afflictions last so long,
and they for mercy cry to thee.
18
Till at the length the fire of zeale,doth kindle, then it out must breake:
Tongue cannot hould but must reueale,
their grones & grieues & neds must speak
19
To shew their hope which like to firenone can suppresse when they belieue:
54
yet thou do'st seeme no helpe to giue.
20
At last thy goodnes doth appeare,and thou imbracest him with ioy:
Time of deliuerance draweth neere,
& thou Lord feed'st him from anoy.
21
Good God, how cōmeth this to passe,that I so long haue sought to thee:
And thou still seem'st to hide thy face,
and keep'st thy graces still from mee.
22
How long haue I vnto thee pray'd,and thou seem'st not to giue me eare:
This makes mine hart & thoughts afraid
ready to faint with deepe dispaire.
23
I ready was for to surcease,the suite which I so long had sought:
Made vnto thee for to appease,
thy wrath by Christ that hath me bought.
24
O Lord my God thy promises,and louing kindnes only feed'st:
And comfort'st me in heauines,
with neuer dying hope in neede.
25
I know expected time will come,when thou forgetting all my sinne:
55
and free the bondage I am in.
3. The third part.
The repentant sheweth his faith & confidence in Gods fatherly goodnes and wisdome who knoweth best, what and when to giue his children, and therefore he conditioneth not with God by appointing him a time: but onely desireth that the Lord would not defer his graces too long: but mercifully heare him as he did alwaies heare the righteous and holy fathers who also were subiect to the same impuritie of sinne as well as the suppliant.
26
Thou art my god thy helps at handthou art a father, thou know'st whē
To giue the state, do'st vnderstand,
of richest kings and poorest men.
27
The things most fit thou do'st bestow,and helpest, when all helpe is missing:
Those could not creep thou mak'st to goe
& pourest downe on them thy blessing.
28
Therefore God all sufficient,repleate with mercy full of loue:
56
but pray thee doe what mercy moue.
29
To say come now or then doe this,for the time, when, where, what, & how:
What thou do'st ayme, my marke may misse,
me to thy prouidence I bow.
30
Yet be not ouer long away,for thou do'st know my feeblenes:
Thou see'st my troubles day by day,
bow'd down to extreame wretchednes.
31
Without hope of recouery,I fall (alas) what shall I doe:
There is no trust but trust in thee,
for helpe and ayde and succour too.
32
I know by proofe that thou art bent,to heare poore sinfull wretched men:
When they are truely penitent,
and when they pray, deliuer'st then.
33
From troubles strife and all debate,from sicknes death and deadly paine:
From enuy mallice sinne and hate,
the righteous thou wilt not disdaine.
34
But who is righteous in thy sight,or in thy iudgements cleane are seene,
57
much lesse we wretches righteous been.
35
But all are sinners, all transgresse,our elder fathers were impure:
All haue offended more or lesse,
yet was thy promise firme and sure.
36
And did obtaine mercy and grace,reliefe, hope, strength, saluation:
They saw the brightnes of thy face,
thou gau'st them consolation.
4. The fourth part.
The repentant sheweth that the Fathers were iustified onely by grace in Iesus Christ: And therefore desireth that his sinnes may also bee couered in Christ his righteousnes: and then (complaining that his prayers are not heard) commendeth himselfe to God, whose good pleasure he still attendeth in steadfast faith & hope.
37
Ovr fathers Lord were comforted,steength'ned relieued & blest:
Onely by grace and iustified,
as righteous men in Iesus Christ.
38
Impute not sinne vnto my charge,not for my merrit and desert:
58
all those that bee of contrite heart.
39
Thou Lord full of compassion,and in thy mercies infinite:
Beare with my imperfection,
and let me in thy lawes delight.
40
Couer my sinnes, as right'ous take meand right'ous shall I euer bee:
That right'ous am not, right'ous make me
in Christ O Lord cosider mee.
41
O Lord what can it profit thee,mee to forsake or leaue in thrall:
As though thou did'st disualew mee,
my dayly cries and offerings all.
42
My troubles yet continue still,I seeke thee, and am yet denied:
Of earthly blessings, do thy will,
thy name be alwaies glorified.
43
Wretch that I am, what end shall be,I still complaine, I sigh, and cry:
I cry and call, yet heerest not me,
I still will seeke thee till I die.
44
Thou mai'st be found, be as thou wilt,Into thy hands I me commend:
Thou full of mercy, I of guilt,
in faith and hope do still attend.
Finis.
59
The second Lamentation containeth Godly and deuout prayers for constancie in afflictions, and to beare malicious slaunders patiently.
1. The first part of the second lamentation
The repentant sheweth that his miseries and troubles increase dayly: and therefore his aduersarie that iudge with a carnall eie, say that God hath forsaken him, but he replieth to them that God alwaies chastiseth them whom he loueth, and doth but correct his children as a louing father doth, for the amendment and bettering of their life.
1
O Lord how doe my woes encrease,how many are my miseries:
My troubles rise and neuer cease,
men iudge thou wilt not heare my cries:
2
They say thou wilt me quite forsake,that ther's no helpe for me in thee:
But Lord they are but such that make,
their sensure with a carnall eye.
60
3
And do not spiritually discerne,thy secret purpose and intents:
Correcting thē whō thou would'st learne
to know thy law & cōmaundements.
4
Chastizing them whom thou do'st loueand scourging them oft with thy rod:
that thou their harts & minds maist moue
to feare and serue thee mightie God.
5
The wicked outward meanes preferre,& worldly helps at neede they muster:
And not to God themselues referre,
nor comfort take from heauenly lustre.
6
Who workes by meanes his sacred will,and without meanes, brings to effect:
And against meanes, can saue or kill,
for those him serue his, true elect.
7
Therefore let not their mallice moue,nor yet their taunts dismay my mind:
I will hould fast by God aboue,
whose promise iust & true I find.
8
I striue thy statutes Lord to keepe,what thou cōmaund'st I will performe:
Direct me right to thee I creepe,
O Lord doe thou my life reforme.
61
9
Defend me Lord from their dispight,that watch to catch me in their snare:
And to intrap me day and night,
with nettes and ginnes er'e I be ware,
10
And scoffe me basely with reproach,with shamefull scandalls and disgrace:
With thy protection Lord approach,
and let thy mercy me imbrace.
11
Let not me come within the reach,of their inuentions and deuice:
whose facts are foule, they faire in speach,
and by base flattery me entice.
12
Nor such as lie in waite for me,obtaine, their wish who doe desire:
Fit time and oportunitie,
to worke the euill as they conspire.
FINIS.
62
2. The second part of the second lamentation.
The repentant prayeth that God would direct him in the right path, that so he may grow from grace to grace, and from vertue to vertue, he also confesseth that his sinnes deserue very sharpe punishments and yet desireth that the Lord would spare him in his mercy.
13
O let me treade in the right path,& walke frō faith to faith in loue:
Obserue thy lawes and shun thy wrath,
and forward to all vertue moue.
14
And let my conscience witnes beare,of my faith and integritie:
Let all men see the christall cleare,
and pure heart of conformitie.
15
Though I good father cannot liue,free from all sinne and all offence:
And some take cause, though I none giue
yet keepe thou cleare my conscience.
63
16
Shall I deserue still I doe,mens iust reprouffes, though in discretiō
And that against my meaning too,
and suffer carnall mens oppression.
17
That breake forth into bitternes,against me that am weake and lame:
And vomit out their filthines,
that thou hast don, they count my shame
18
And take it as an argument,that I am in deiection:
And thinke it is thy full intent,
to keepe me from protection.
19
Indeed O Lord I must confesse,my sinnes deserue sharpe punishment
Worthy of more and not of lesse,
then all the plagues on me hast sent.
20
I more should tast then I can beare,or able them for to endure:
Thy mercies yet they doe me spare,
and make me cleane that am impure.
21
But in my weakenes of mine hauiour,I this haue done which caus'd me fall:
And therefore trust in Christ my sauiour,
his pretious bloud hath paid for all.
64
22
Depending on thy mighty power,to saue, keepe, and deliuer me:
Least miseries doe me deuour,
and enemies my sorrowes see.
23
And take occasion to pursue,pretending to my soule no good:
Inuettred hatred they renue,
to eate my flesh & drinke my bloud.
3. The third part of the second lamentation.
The poore suppliant complaineth that God doth refuse to assist and helpe him, and hideth his face from him to his seemming. Neuertheles he continueth importunate and will not be denied as pleading the merits and mediation of Christ, in whom God the father is well pleased.
24
O Lord consider my great moanes,preuēt ye dangers cōming nigh me
My heart is rent with grieues & groanes,
I fly to thee O Lord stand by mee.
25
Why standest thou a loofe a lasse,seem'st not my troubles to regard:
Why turnst thou Lord away thy face,
mine heart doth hope for some reward.
65
26
Why hidest thou thy selfe me fro.when troubles are so much abounding
As though thou lord did'st me not know
thy darts are always mine hart wounding
27
There is no helpe for me in thee,they say thou nothing do'st respect me:
I ne'rethelesse will come to thee,
in Christ his name wilt not reiect me?
28
The rather therefore me relieue,that righteous men may well perceiue:
Thou ready art thine ayde to giue,
and their desires wilt not deceiue.
29
And not to faint when they are tride,with like affections any waies:
But shall with patient minde abide,
thy will, and giue thy name the praise.
30
The dullest hearts thou dost prepare,to call on thee and thou againe:
Do'st heare their cries & them do'st spare
and easest them of griefe and paine.
66
4. The fourth part of the second lamentation.
The repentant in humility reasoneth with God that sith that the Lord threatneth sorrowes to those that seeke to other Gods, that he would be pleased to mittigate his afflictions, and to romoue his heauie hand, because he poore man onely flyeth to the Lord as his chiefe rocke and fortresse whereon he may safely build.
31
How long O Lord, how long wilt thouforget me & how long shall I:
Seeke to be hard and know not how,
to make thee listen to my cry.
32
How long shall I thy councell seeke,yet ignorant what course to take:
I pray to thee, O Lord most meeke,
with sighes & groanes which neuer slake
33
My heart with griefe and heauines,pow'rs forth complaints continually:
Before thee in my great distresse,
yet inward light obtaine not I.
67
34
That lighten should my pensiue souleand comfort mine afflicted heart:
Thy wrath with rigour doth controule,
my forward hopes and causeth smart
35
Thou threatnest sorrowes to increaseto such as seeke to other Gods:
Why should not then my torments cease
that child-like feare, thy awfull rods.
36
Sith I in thee my faith repone,why should I then true wisdome want
It being sought from thee alone,
why doest thou then refuse to grant.
37
Thou did'st create all men at first,and do'st preserue, & all maintaine:
Thy sunne doth shine on best & worst,
the same to all thou do'st remaine.
38
But sith to thee alone I kneele,and onely, vnto thee doe call:
O let me Lord thy mercies feele,
and let thy dropps of mercie fall.
39
With thee there is redemption,and thou deliuerest all that trust:
In Christ for their saluation,
by whom the sinfull are made iust.
68
40
Thou keep'st thē safe vnder thy wingsof fauour, from the mercilesse:
Thy fauour giueth all good things,
to thine elect in their distresse.
41
O therefore be my rocke whereon,I may both safely build and rest:
Castle of refuge, Arke alone,
in which I am in safetie blest.
42
For thou hast promi'st in thy loue,that they that put their trust in thee:
Like Syons mount which doth not moue
shall safely stand eternally.
43
Breake thou the chaines which haue me ty'de,remoue the sorrowes from my heart:
Wherewith Lord all my vaines are dry'd
and I am parcht in euery part.
44
That I walking at libertie.with a free spr'ite may salue my sore:
My hope may liue, and crosses die,
and I sing praise to thee therefore.
45
And let my foes no more preuaile,that Lyon-like doe me destroy:
And like to Wolues they me assaile.
that spoile the sheep, the shepheards ioy
69
46
O carry me, Lord in thine armes,throughout thiese miseries cleane away
And safely keepe me from all harmes,
that now sticke fast in mire & clay.
47
Let no vntimely suddaine fate,cut off my daies er'e fully spent:
Or raging floudes sincke mine estate,
nor swallow me incontinent.
48
But rather Lord returne them backe,these swelling waues that roare & rage
On euery side to worke me wracke,
their gusts & tempests, Lord asswage
49
Let me passe on my mortall course,and finish thiese my daies of life:
Of thy meere loue and kind remorse,
in peace and loue, from hate and strife.
FINIS
A thankesgiuing to God, with magnifing of his holy name vpon all instruments.
1
Yeeld vnto God the Lord on high,praise in the cloudes & firmament
With heauens & earth's sweet harmony,
& tunes which are from motions sent.
2
His laude be with the stately sound,of trumpets blast vnto the skye:
70
with flute and timbrell magnifie.
3
Praise him with Simballs, loud Simballswith instruments were vs'd by Iewes:
With Syrons crowdes & Virginalls,
to sing his praise do not refuse.
4
Praise him vpon the claricoales,the Lute and Simfonie:
With dulsemers and the regalls,
sweete Sittrons melody.
5
with Drumes & Fife & Shrillest shalmeswith Gittron and bandore:
With the Theorba sing you psalmes,
and Cornets euermore.
6
With Vialls and Recorders sing,the praises of the Lord:
With Crouncorns musicke laud the king
of Kings with one accord.
7
With Shackbuts noate that pierce the skies,with Pipe and Taberret:
What tunes by reedes or Canes arise,
do not his praise forget.
8
Let euery thing that yeeldeth sound,by land or eke by sea:
71
sing yea, his praise alway.
9
All instruments deuis'd by art,all liuing things, by nature:
Praise yee the Lord with ioyfull heart,
of all the world creatour.
The third Lamentation in distresse.
Wherein is contained the hope, faith, and confidence of the distressed: whereby he relieth wholy vppon God, not trusting in the helpe of man, nor fearing any euill that mortall man can doe vnto him.
1
I cannot Lord excuse my sinne,most infinite, before mine eies:
And many more are me within,
I haue forgot: which secret lies.
2
which slightly I haue ouer past,as if they were no sinnes at all:
Thy wrath for them makes me agast,
to mercy I appeale for all.
3
There's no man liuing at this houre,can satisfaction giue for me:
72
of the least sinne to set me free.
4
Who can rehearse or call to minde,what he hath don amisse before:
Who in his reckoning booke can finde,
his sinnes, that thou put'st on thy score
5
If by my selfe I nothing knew,yet thou that see'st and iudgest all:
Can'st finde enough, both old & new,
yea there's enough in Adams fall.
6
I haue no meane for to be freede,neither from wrath or miseries:
But by the wounds of Christ that bleede
and wash me from iniquities.
7
Condempne me not, oh father deere,but in him haue compassion:
Though with thy rod thou beatest me heere,
yet graunt to mee saluation.
8
And then in death I shalbe safe,by thy grace preseruation:
Thou wil't vphould me by thy staffe,
from hell and condemnation.
9
Thou seem'st as if thou had'st me left,why art thou Lord so farre me fro:
73
depriu'd of hope and wrapt in woe.
10
Why turnest thou away thy face?I offering sacrifice to thee:
In prayers, praise vnto thy grace,
and thou no whit regardest mee.
11
I onely put my trust in thee,oh come Lord, come, now at the last
Performe thy promises to mee,
remember not my sinnes bee past,
12
Vaine is the hope in mortall man,weake is his arme, his heart not right:
No iustice, iudgement shew he can,
but thou art iust O Lord of might:
13
Therefore I onely trust in thee,to thee I onely am inclin'd:
Let me not disappointed bee,
but let me now thy mercies finde.
14
O Lord looke on my miseries,behould my troubles paine & griefe:
Who liuing in extremities
of life, am weakned in beliefe.
15
Our fathers prayed with trust in thee,in dangers, out of troubles all:
74
and were rais'd vp when they did fall.
16
thou heardst thē, whē they thee sought& did'st them lend, thy ayding hands:
when they almost, to death were brought
and them deliuered out of bands.
17
Great was thy fauour Lord to all,them that tooke hould of thee by faith
But what am I that am so small,
a worme, no man as Dauid saith.
18
Yet I belieue, helpe vnbeliefe,Lord I am couered ouer with shame:
Be thou my glory, ease my griefe,
that I may magnifie thy name.
19
The wicked worldlings me contempnebecause thou hid'st thy face from me:
Deriding grace and me condempne,
because of imbicillity.
20
My neighbours that should me assist,disdaine me, my familiars all:
That should me comfort, do desist,
their helpe to raise me from my fall.
21
They say of me my hopes are vaine,my kinsfolkes who should yeeld me ayde
75
to come to mee they are afraid.
22
And tauntingly they scoffe and say,deseruedly, he thus doth suffer:
Is iust, he wrought his owne decay,
none other kindenes they me offer.
23
I know t'is thou that sitt'st on high,do'st send and suffer maladies:
And therefore I on thee rely,
to remedy my miseries.
24
My woes O Lord by such increase,as should in friendly wise relieue me:
They that should seek to make my peace,
they are the men that most do grieue me
25
But I that taste the cuppe will say,t'is thou hast don't, and I will beare it
When t'is thy will, who can say nay,
t'is out of loue, why should I feare it.
26
Releiue my soule with timely dewe,and comfort me restore:
Restore my soule vnto those ioyes.
the which I felt too sore.
27
Now after stormes Lord send a calme,and graunt me peace yet now at last:
76
with thankes for all thy fauour past.
28
I'le magnifie thy name for aye,that bring'st such wondrous things to passe
That worldlings neither thinke nor say,
nor know why t'is, or how it was.
29
The iust shall heare, & saints be glad,when wicked men shall faint & quaile:
To see what fauour I haue had,
& all their hope doth quench & quaile.
30
whō they so lōg haue scornd & deem'deuen through afflictions cast away:
For thy name sake Lord mee esteem'd,
their night is past, they haue their day.
31
Respect my meditation,helpe mee in time conuenient:
Lord graunt my supplication,
thou know'st & tri'st my hearts intent.
32
Let not the righteous be dismaide,nor wicked triumph in my fall:
Nor yet let sinners be afraid,
in time of neede, to thee to call.
33
And let me put my confidence,direct my faith, erect mine hope:
Vnto thy gratious prouidence,
this of my praiers is the scoape.
FINIS.
77
The fourth Lamentation in distresse.
Wherein the distressed prayeth for faith, for zeale, and strength in vndergoing Gods corrections, and to be deliuered from dangers prepared against him.
1
O Lord I lift my heart to thee,my soule in thee doth euer trust:
O let mee not confounded bee,
but make me righteous with the iust.
2
Let men not haue their wills gain'st me,but powre on mee thy comfort sweete
Thy sauing health Lord let me see,
who prostrate begg it at thy feete.
3
Let thy right hand and prouidence,be stretched out to hould me vp:
And giue me grace and patience,
in lowlines to tast thy cuppe.
4
So shall I sit on surest rocke,and strength and power to me get:
78
though round about they me beset.
5
For why my comfort is in thee,and on thy prouidence I depend:
O keepe mee safe in libertie,
till all my troubles come to end.
6
From perills six hast me deliuered,I know therefore thou wilt from seauen
From earthly thoughts let me be seuer'd,
and conuersation haue in heauen.
7
I know that loue, a multitude,of shamefull sinnes doth closely couer:
Within the gates, I me include,
thou art my soules true spouse & louer.
8
The faithfull thereby may take hold,of hope to haue a prosperous end:
Of their desires, this makes me bolde,
for ayde and comfort to attend.
9
And with all patience to perseuer,I know thy word it is most sure:
Poore penitent by faith, i'le euer,
stand firme and to the end indure.
10
Alas deere God I nothing craue,to haue of thee by mine owne right:
79
for hee's most gratious in thy sight.
11
Yea for his merrits thou do'st loue me,in him I know thou art well pleas'd:
And hearest sinners whē they moue thee
forgiu'st their sin, and they are eas'd.
12
Among'st whom Lord I am the chiefeand of good things am Ignorant:
Yet on the crosse did'st saue the theefe,
for Christ his sake me mercy graunt.
13
In this worlds vanities most vilde,I liue and haue no taste of trueth:
I knew not I was in exile,
but did in folly spend my youth.
14
Of thee alone I knowledge haue,(for of my selfe I am but weake)
Thou art my God that strength me gaue
to worke, to rest, to liue, to speake.
15
For of my selfe is misery,and of my selfe is all that's ill:
But from thee Lord comes all mercy,
and perfect power to worke thy will.
16
With in, to consolation,of my sadde soule & wounded heart:
80
of my weake body in each part.
17
Therefore teach me ye truth oh Lord,thy sacred truth shew mee thy waies:
That I should walke, led by thy word,
& to thy glory spend my daies.
18
Lord keep frō wicked thoughts mine heartmine hands that they commit noe ill:
Mine eies, my tongue, and euery part,
Lord grant they may performe thy will
19
My feete from falling still preserue,as of my selfe regard me not.
Deale not with me as I deserue,
as are my sinnes reward me not.
20
Behould not my deformitiesbut looke on me in Christ by loue:
My sinnes and all enormities,
as mists and cloudes from me remoue
21
Thou righteous art and gratious,reformest sinners, sinnes forgiu'st:
O be to me propitious,
to liue in thee that euer liu'st.
22
Keep thou my soule, let me not perish,nor vtterly to be confounded:
81
& ioy mine hart which thou hast wounded.
23
Thou art my strength & sure defence,in time of dangers imminent:
Though all helpe faile, experience,
hath taught me thou art permanent.
24
I goe vnto thine Oracle,and from thy word I councell take:
And finde a wondrous miracle,
thou neuer do'st thine owne forsake.
25
Thy seruants that in thee do trust,thy tabernacle shall them shield:
In secret thou do'st hide the iust,
that are not with foule sinne defilde.
26
Harken O Lord harken and heare,vnto my voice that call and cry:
O let thy loue to'wards me appeare,
with streames and floods of thy mercy
27
Thou sayest O Lord, seeke yee my facewhat is it? but in my distresse:
To cry for helpe and craue thy grace,
and ayde in time of heauines.
28
My soule by the pure priueledge,of thy free spirit which teacheth truth
82
and faith and hope vnto thee sueth.
29
My tongue doth speake mine heart doth mutter,and euery member in his place:
Doth striue to speake & these words vtter
helpe me opprest hide not thy face.
30
Though, father that did me begett,my mother that frō wombe me bare:
And all my frindes forsake me yet,
thou Lord of me tak'st charge & care.
31
O Lord thou wilt me not forsake,for so ha'st promis'd in thy word:
In all distresse noe feare i'le take,
but fourth with fly to thee O Lord.
32
Thou giu'st not like our earthly Sires,nor wants suppli'st like carnall friends:
That would, but cannot our desires,
performe in deedes as heart pretends:
33
Hopeles, I should downe faint & fall,did I not in thee surely trust:
That holdeth noe respect at all,
but vnto those whom Christ makes iust.
34
And thou accept'st not vaine glorie,as worldlings do, nor thinges eternall,
83
but to the thinges that are internall.
35
A lowly and obedient heart,a troubled spirit thou do'st elect:
Of poore opprest, thou tak'st the part,
& proud men downe thou do'st deiect
36
frame thou therefore my inward zealethat outward busines, me deceiue not:
Of comforts which thou dost reueale,
to thine, and me of ioyes bereaue not.
37
When at thy mercy gate I knocke,do not as rich men vse the poore:
That gain'st them fast the gates do locke,
but quickly Lord set ope the dore.
38
Let not my miseries depriue,my spirits of ioy or soules comfort:
Let noe vaine thinges ill men deuise,
drawe me to be of their consort.
39
make strong my faith, & hope lord giue me,and i'le take hould of thy protection:
Be my defence and panoplie,
and guide me safe to thy election.
40
Thou hast O Lord my troubles seeneHast knowne my soule in bitternes:
84
O helpe me now in my distresse.
41
In mercies thou hast mightily,sau'd me from perills infinite:
My life consumes, mine heart doth die,
my yeares do waste, my daie is night.
42
the day telles day, the night ye morrowthe base reproach of my disaster:
Yea friendes & foes, add griefe to sorrow
& each base mate doth me or'e-maister.
43
I am now at the point to pine,O let it be thy blessed pleasure:
To ease my griefe for I am thine,
my paines asswage lord in some measure
44
For thou my paines ha'st measured,and all that's good for those that feare:
Lord thou in store hast treasured,
to me Lord let the same appeare.
45
In sight of those that are my foes,that thinke there is noe period:
Of all my tortures paine and woes,
graunt this for Christ his sake, O God,
85
The fift Lamentation in distresse.
Wherein the distressed prayeth God to keepe him from dispaire, howsoeuer men goe about to make him afraide.
1
In thee O Lord I put my trust,and yet there are which dayly say:
There is no helpe for me vniust,
but Lord thy word cannot decay.
2
Thou art my God how can they then,proue that thou wilt none helpe me send
I am brought lowe in sight of men,
there's none will helpe or comfort lend.
3
My basket and my store is spent,they say, it was by thee accurst:
Thou did'st it take, that had'st it sent,
but they take all thinges at the worst.
4
At me they gape, at me they wonder,as at a monster seldome seene:
86
What I now am, what haue I beene.
5
I faint at nought thou know'st my smartth'art my Father & do'st me foster:
what words or workes, can daunt my hart
I am in thee become a boaster.
6
Thiese men thy might & power disableor else thy loue to man diminish:
Or else they thinke thou art vnstable,
or do'st begin and wilt not finish.
7
Or that the poore wilt not support,nor helpe thee needy in distresse:
But as thou know'st what they report,
so make them feele their wickednes.
8
But I do know thou failest neuer,them that in thee their trust repose:
If they be constant and perseuer,
all things are for the best to those.
9
Thou art in deed a iealous God,and first thy children thou dost monish
Thou bear'st with loue, & beat'st with rod
if they mend not, wilt further pūnish.
10
Yet cal'st thy chosen children backe,by gentle stroakes, from running riot:
87
and do'st prescribe to them their diet.
11
We may condignely then deride,the iudgments of such foolish men:
That vnto thee Lord wilt prescribe,
the measure what, & the time when.
12
Such fleshly men by wealth & woe,censure thy loue or thy displeasure:
As natures friend or graces foe,
by humaine reason all things measure
13
They thinke thou lou'st whom thou feed'st fatt,with plentie pleasures worldly riches:
And that all others thou do'st hate,
thiese world & flesh, & deuils bewiches
14
And great is this temptation,vnlesse our natures thou assist:
Infeebled with affliction,
whose helpe doth rest in Iesus Christ,
15
When thou therefore do'st me correctwith one hand, hould me with ye other:
Let faith in thee make thee accept,
me for thy sonne by Christ my brother.
16
Lay not vpon me greater loade,then I poore wretch can well indure:
88
and if I fall then keepe me sure.
17
thou know'st lord whereof I am madeI am a silly simple man:
A worme, a flea, a puffe a shade,
that no good doe, nor no good can.
18
Try by the crosse, true to the crownethat we may proue by wants & losses
But to dispaire pull me not downe,
but vnto comforts turne my crosses.
19
I am not able beare thy yoake,least Christ thy son doth with me draw
I am not able fend thy stroake,
lesse he O Lord doth beare the blow.
20
Lord with thy mercies compasse me,protection draw out of dispaire:
O let me thy saluation see,
and all things fit obtaine by pray'r.
21
Thou showest mercy to thee meeke,that trust in thee in all mens sight:
Thy children shall finde that they seeke,
thou shalt to sunshine turne their night.
22
a place whēce worldlings are excludedand all that hellish rable rout:
89
to roote Gods faithfull children out.
23
And such as haue with hate pursu'de,and trusted in the arme of flesh:
And would their hands in blood imbru'd,
shall say in iudgement they were rash.
24
god's on my sid, who cā or'ethrow me,Christ pleades my cause, cā god refuse me
As iust in Christ, ye Lord doth know me,
he doth acquite, who can accuse me.
25
Wee thought that this mans life was madnes,then shall the wicked worldlings say:
But see his words are turn'd to gladnes,
whom we haue deem'd a cast away.
26
his hād hath wrought yt he would haueyea I my selfe shall say I er'd:
That thought poore wretch would'st not me saue
because my ioyes were then defer'd.
27
I thought my cries thou would'st not heare,when I thee sought thy selfe did'st hide
When I complaind thou cam'st not neare
I would no time, and place thee tide.
28
But now I knowledge and confesse,thy wisdome great in humbling me:
90
thy prouidence relieuing me.
29
This past all iudgement and conceit,of learned'st, grauest, wisest men:
Therefore deare father I will waite,
take thine own time, how, where & whē
30
I will not with thy will indent,nor thee direct the manner how:
Thou should'st me helpe t'is mine intent
vnto thy will to bend and bow.
31
Heareafter I will hould my peace,though men shall say yet still of me:
(& though their tongues will neuer cease
there is no helpe for me from thee.
The sixt Lamentation in distresse.
Wherein the distressed detesteth the world and worldly things, and desireth heauen, and heauenly thinges.
1
My soule doth long & shall depend,for euer on God euerliuing:
God shall begin and make an end,
that hath giu'n all, yet euer giuing,
91
2
I sigh and groane for to appeare,before his gratious mercy seate:
As thirst'h, the heart for water cleare.
so long I for thy mercy great.
3
I am quite tyred with my groanes,I faint vnder mine heauy loade:
Of miseries breaking all my bones,
laid on me iustly by my God.
4
O God the rocke of my whole strengthLord of mercy behould mine anguish
O graunt me helpe and ease at length,
I faint, I fall, I sigh, I languish.
5
Why do I daily weepe and mourne,and haue no comfort helpe nor ease:
Why do'st not heare, but from me turne,
why doe my woes and foes increase.
6
Sith I do seeke thee vnfainedly,defend me, oh defend me in:
This dangerous time of misery,
laid iustly on me for my sinne.
7
Preserue me from men mercilesse,hard harted, bloody minded cruell:
Blesse me with thnie hid blessednes,
giue me thy fauour my soules iewell.
92
8
The man of earth laies load on load,as on an Anuill stroake on stroake:
Within without, at home abroade.
mine head to heele, bowes with ye yoake
9
They nip, they strip, they watch, they catch,they craue & raue, by hooke & crooke:
Flesh bloud & bones, they teare & cratch
on that they neither thinke nor looke.
10
They wake they rake, they poll & pill,they face they brag, they boast dissemble
Each stone they turne to haue their will,
& make mine hart to quake & tremble.
11
I am reproach to neighbours all,I am ashamde men should mee see:
They scorne & laugh to see my fall,
but this mine hope doth comfort me.
12
That thou from them wilt set me freeand thee triumphant shall behould:
In shining throane of Maiestie,
where's neither hunger thirst nor cold.
13
No want nor sinne, nor ignomie,nor sickenes, death, nor deadly paine:
But fullnes, mirth, ioy, victory,
with thee in glory I shall raigne.
93
14
And if it bee thy will O Lord,now after all this sturdy storme:
To my most troubled soule affoord,
thy peace and pittie me poore worme
15
Free me frō death (that's Mors Gehenie'giue peace, ioy, rest that's transitory:
I take it as an earnest penny,
of perfect blisse and endlesse glory.
16
And i'le heere praise the men among,that they may see, marke and consider:
T'is thou canst only right our wrong,
and from all troubles vs deliuer.
17
Thou can'st and wilt vs saue & keepe,though much wee suffer in this life:
Thou art our Shepheard, we thy sheepe,
saue me from hate, enuy and strife.
18
So shall I also giue thee praise,my mouth continually thee laude:
My soule and inward parts alwaies,
thy wondrous workes shall still applaud
19
I will be glad and ioy in thee,reioyce yea, and againe reioyce:
Abiect though I, yet comfort me,
i'le praise thee with mind, heart, & voice.
94
20
Awake therefore in time awake,preserue mee that I perrish not:
I am if thou do'st me forsake,
but as a dead man cleane forgot.
21
And censured a cast away,among such as see me depriu'd:
Of present helpe, for thiese men say,
my soule can neuer be reuiu'd.
22
One sorrow doth encrease another,all hope on earth turnes to distrust.
Of ayde frō neighbour, friend or brother
hide not thy face my God most iust.
23
Forget not mine extremities,Lord free me from infernall hells:
Of torments and of miseries,
which comes frō thee & from none els.
24
my soule is beaten to pitts brim,my hart doth faint, my hands grow weak
My knees do faile mine eies grow dim,
my tongue is dumbe & cannot speake.
25
And each part of my body vext,I dayly moane my miseries:
Looke on me Lord, I am perplext,
O ease my griefe & heare my cries.
95
26
Though thou by Iustice made ye woūdand by correction grieu'd mine heart:
If thou wilt cure, salue soone is found,
with spirituall comfort ease my smart.
27
Do not with hould such thinges are goodwhich for thy children are ordain'd:
Turne thou thy face with Christ's bloud,
clense all the spots my sins hath stain'd.
28
Rise vp O Lord, rise vp I say,with thee doth loue & bounty raigne
I am throwne downe I thee obay,
therefore rise vp, raise me againe.
29
Although my sins like swords do cut,me from thy fauour and thy grace:
Let righteousnes of Christ be put,
to hide my sinnes before thy face.
30
Vnite me vnto thee againe,in such sort Lord, make me so fast:
That I with thee may still remaine,
and ioy in ioyes, that aine shall last.
FINIS.
96
The seauenth Lamentation in distresse.
Wherein the distressed sheweth his desire to hould more fast the promises of God.
1
O Lord thou art my hope & strengththou help'st in trouble, do not hide
Thy selfe for euer; but at length,
for men distrest, doe thou prouide.
2
For I by thee, will hould most fast,i'le trust in thee while I doe liue:
And till those stormes be ouer past,
i'le neither feare, nor faint, nor grieue.
3
Tremble thou earth, rage Sea & land,winde, tempest, stormes and all about:
I see thee Lord holde out thy hand,
for my defence I'le neuer doubt.
4
What though hills quake & staggering stumbleand fall into the mid'st of seas:
Though waters roare, rage & tumble,
thou canst this chaunge, & all appease.
97
5
Should I thē faint at troubles small,which like small darts thou throw'st at me
In loue, but not to kill at all,
but make leaue my vanity.
6
Forsake my follies euery deale,reclayming errors to the truth:
This thou did'st hurt, & thou can'st heale,
thou hast preseru'd me frō mine youth.
7
I must confesse I meritedthe death of death, with paines of hell,
And to be disinherited,
of heauens high, where iust doe dwell.
8
But Lord do mittigate thine anger,and turne thy heauy wrath to loue:
Deliuer me from all this danger,
let thy compassion mercy moue.
9
And with trew cōforts Christall fountaine,my drie and thirstie soule refresh:
And poure on me from holy mountaine,
sweete dewes to glad my soule & flesh.
10
Thy darts in me sticke fast O Lord,O pull them out, cast them away:
and cure my wounds, to helpe make hast,
bind vp my sores, soules sorrowes stay.
98
11
Clense the corrupt affections,of my defiled wicked heart:
Prosper and blesse mine actions,
lighten my knowledge grose & darke.
12
O wash me from impietie,exhilarate my sicke soules sadnes:
In darknes let me light espie,
in mid'st of sorrow graunt me gladnes.
13
On fruitfull ground Lord doe mee plant,and build me vp on surest rocke:
Annoyes to ioyes, to wealth turne want,
from future ills me keepe and locke.
14
As trees that grow by waters side,whose leaues & blossoms freshly flourish
For euer let my state abide,
thy loue reuiue, thy grace me nourish.
15
Let thy spirit dayly spring & bud,with faiths pure braunches frō my hart.
Let dewes & drops of Christ's deer bloud
feede vaines of hope from sinners dart.
16
My store's decayd, thou can'st renew itmy basket's empty thou can'st fill it:
Refresh my heart againe reuiue it,
reuiue it Lord, for thou did'st kill it.
99
17
Thou help'st ye simple poore & needy,thou see'st my state thou can'st all mend,
I know thou know'st when to be speedy,
and know'st thy time when to defend.
18
Helpe helpe O Lord else downe I fall,hould me fast, by thy strong hand:
And lift me vp against them all,
that by opposing me withstand.
19
Thy promise Lord thou doest performe,thy words are deeds, thou sai'st & do'st:
A happie end thou doest returne,
and graunt, to those that on thee trust.
20
My safety Lord thou hast ordain'd,by faith my hope doth mount & fly:
And by that hope I am sustain'd,
if that were lost my soule would dye.
21
My faith hath fixt an obiect right,my will doth farre my power exceed:
But Lord I know that in thy sight,
the will is taken for the deeede.
22
Then Lord for deede my will do take,and I secured shall be then:
Oh graunt me this, for Christ his sake,
to whom be praise for aye Amen.
FINIS.
100
The eight Lamentation in distresse.
In which the distressed craueth pardon for his sinnes, the cause of his misseries.
[The first part.]
1
O had I wings like to a Doue,then should I from these troubles flye,
To wildernes I would remoue,
to spend my life, and there to dye.
2
Mong'st bushes thicke, and branches tallof mightie Cedars hughe and high:
With sauadges and wild beasts all,
for to auoide my misery.
3
But why thus wish I, Lord alas,that am vaine man of flesh & blood:
Thou God that bring'st all things to pas,
do'st know, this sorts not for my good.
4
For were I in vast wildernes,in furthest part of earth or ayre:
I could no whit my case redresse,
as being in thy power there.
101
5
Were I in bowels of the earth,were I in Sea, in Cloudes or Skie:
With sorrow, griefe, with ioy or mirth,
there Lord thou art with powerfull eie.
2. The second part of the eight Lamentation.
The penitent by faith preuailes against frailty in the fierie triall.
7
Then let me at thy footestoole fall,& there acknowledge mine amisse
For pardon begge, and mercy call,
and pray for grace and heauenly blisse.
8
And that thou bridle my desires,clense mine affections with thy spirit:
Inflame me with thine holy fire,
in nought but thee let me delight.
9
Lord tame the fiercenes of mine heart,reforme my words my mouth & speach
102
therefore right wisdome do me teach.
10
In vnderstanding truth instruct me,vouchsafe me perfect patience:
So to that freedome wilt conduct me,
where is no losse nor paine of sence.
11
And from thiese dangers best me free,which most I feare, & soon'st possesse;
The comforts most desir'd by me,
and so enioy true happines.
12
O make not Lord thy absence long,but hasten my deliuerance:
Against my foes Lord make me strong,
which do themselus gainst me aduance.
13
That ready are with on set newe,for to assault my silly soule:
Wearied with stormes that do accrew,
& plungd with waues which or'e me roule.
The third part of the eight Lamentation.
14
Wherefore hast thou left vnto vs,by thy word, a commaundement:
103
with weighty burdens vs torment.
15
With promise to vs helpe and ease,thou see'st & knowest Lord our desire:
Our secret hearts and all our waies,
all's plaine to thee as light as fire.
16
If therefore I should iustifie,my selfe I should condempned bee:
Thou find'st me out and do'st me try,
my righteousnes is nought to thee.
17
disclayming mine integritie,I cast me downe Lord at thy feete:
And pray for pure sincerity,
that I do all, in all that's meete.
18
Wherefore thou art most bountifull,when wants & weakenes we confesse:
Yea then thy guifts are plentifull,
vs to releiue in our distresse.
19
On thee my burden Lord i'le lay,for well I knowe thou car'st for all:
That thee belieue, loue, feare obey,
and for thy grace and mercy call.
20
My faith and hope is all in thee,I am of imperfections full:
104
should I that blockish am and dull.
21
Defiled within and eke without,pleade duties don or else be mute:
It is in vaine to goe about,
with thee O Lord for to dispute.
22
Who euill am in my best way,in purest thoughts yea most impure:
Pardon my weakenes Lord I pray,
and giue me zeale & strength t'indure.
23
With humblenes and perfect loue,which Lord thou do'st of me require:
Instruct me God with wisdome moue,
mee guide and lead to thy desire.
24
Shew me the way that tends to blisse,after this my long straying heere:
And bring me home where all peace is,
let thy free fauour Lord appeare.
25
Wherein is life and liberty,comfort ioy and society,
With rest, peace, and tranquillity,
for them that liue in pietie.
105
The fourth part of the eight Lamentation.
26
Oh happy he whō thou protec'st,most hapy he whō thou dost loue
Hee's strong and wise in all respect'st,
hee's fed and clad from thee aboue.
27
In all good things, hee's rich in deede,when he doth call, thou dost him heare:
What he doth aske, thou giu'st at neede,
he seekes, & findes them euery where.
28
When he is sicke, thou do'st him cure,when poore, thou do'st his wants reply:
When he is sad he shall be sure,
thy sauing health and helpe is nye.
29
When he is troubled do'st defend himin danger do'st securenes giue him:
whē men him hate thy loue wilt send him
when dead to long, life doth reuiue him.
30
And giu'st him thē such ioyes for euer,as no mans wit can comprehend:
106
to thiese thy blessings without end.
31
This fauour Lord vnto me shew,and blesse my contemplation:
Onely in heauen and thee I know,
is perfect contentation.
32
My sorrowes shalbe turn'd to ioy,my wants vnto sufficiency:
My teares to gladnes from annoy,
mourning to mirth and melody.
33
My soule keepe safe from death & hell,my feete from sliding, & from falling:
Let me vprightly walke and dwell:
and on thee still O Lord be calling.
34
Who do'st performe thy promises,and let'st none empty part away:
That with their hearts seeke thy mercies,
or do for helpe & comfort pray.
5. The fift part of the eight Lamentation.
35
Send helpe therefore, O Lord and saue me,from thē yt would me quite deuoure
And dayly grieue me and depraue me,
my soule's, with Lyons euery houre.
107
36
I wade as through the rageing sea,I dwell amongst men set on fire:
whose teeth are speares, whose tongs bear sway
like two edg'd sword with wrath & ire.
37
Thy mercy therefore and thy truth,let be my bucklar and strong shield.
Hast bin mine hope euen from my youth,
let troubles cease, new ioyes me yield:
38
Set me vpon thy rocke for euer,of perfect loue and true reliefe:
Let rest and refuge faile me neuer,
and thy protection saue from griefe.
39
Bring thou to passe what's fit for me,what thou dost know expedient:
That righteous men my end may see,
and how mine hope obtain'd content.
40
That they may of thy glory talke,and speake of thy eternall praise:
All men shall say that see mee walke,
doubtlesse God will the righteous raise,
41
There is a God that's gratious good,to them that bee of perfect heart:
When he hath all their foes withstood,
heauen's ioyes to them he will impart.
Finis
108
[The ninth Lamentation.]
1. The first part of the ninth Lamentation in distresse.
The penitent acknowledgeth mans vildenes & Gods mercies by faith and example of Gods prouidence, relieth on his goodnes.
1
O Lord thy name's most excellent,in all the world, thy glorie's spred:
Through heauens and the firmament,
and by all creatures vttered.
2
In vniuersall harmony,extold in heauen and in earth:
Exprese'st in Song and melody,
with all alacritic and mirth.
3
What thou bestow'st, what man can number,vpon vs slaues, and sonnes of men:
Who by our sinnes are farre put vnder,
all Creatures we can name by pen.
4
Forgetfull and so capeable,of sinne, as pouder is of fire:
109
and know not what we should desire:
5
Aboue all Creatures we forget,thy grace, are prone to disobey:
And if thy mercy did not let,
all Adams broude thou should'st destroy
6
And I for my part, me confesse,guilty of all sinnes, and all euilles:
And that I haue deseru'd no lesse,
then to be damn'd among'st the diuels.
7
The world for disobedience,did'st punnish, & thou mought'st subuert:
But chiefely me for negligence,
mai'st plague with all plauges, t'is desert
8
I am not worthy breath in th'aire,nor haue the vse of any creature:
Much lesse to thee to make my prayer,
cause gainst my God I am a traitor.
9
Thou worthily, me do'st afflict,at me thou takest iust offence:
All punnishments thou do'st inflict,
because thy wrath I did incense.
10
My trespasses do more offend,then I can please with my best zeale:
110
I least performe my soule Lord heale:
The second part of the ninth Lamentation.
11
I shame at mine vnworthines,yet faine would be at one with thee:
Thou art a ioy in heauines,
a succour in necessitie.
12
To them that do their liues reforme,and rightly frame their penitence:
Sincearely follow and performe,
thy will without all negligence.
13
All this to doe I do desire,and what thou sayest I do belieue:
Thy pardon graunt me I require,
release and pardon Lord me giue.
14
O be with them that doe thee seeke,& yeeld them helpe that hould by thee
Instructing, humble men and meeke,
that wisdome seeke by thy mercy.
15
Sith I so long haue to thee cride,so long thee sought yet hope I will:
111
in constant patience i'le waite still.
16
thou rightly hear'st my inward gronesmy sorrowes sighes wants & desire:
And do'st respect the outward mones,
of men distrest that feare the fire.
17
Though in their lippes they mute do seeme,& do speake nothing with their tonges:
what they would haue, thou doest deeme
and present art to right their wrongs.
18
But loe the time is not expir'd,of mine ordeined punishment:
Nor of that freedome I desir'd,
i'le waite by hope in languishment.
19
My helpe my comfort and my life,saluation mine depends on thee:
Within my conscience stint the strife,
and giue me grace and libertie.
The third part of the ninth Lamentation.
20
My life, my comfort, helpe and all,saluation, on Christ dependeth:
112
he all begins and he all endeth.
21
I will not murmure neither grudg,nor feare nor faint; but alwaies waite:
He is my Sauiour, and my Iudge,
his grace decree'd who can retrait.
22
Is there not an appointed time,for all things that by God be wrought?
Iob was brought low, at last did clime,
to wealth and honor he was brought.
23
And Ioseph was afflicted long,by brethren and by false accuse:
He was shut vp in prison strong,
did'st all his cause and wrongs peruse.
24
At length brought'st him to honor great,and Dauid was at first cast downe:
And then inthron'd in princely seate,
and long enioy'd the royall Crowne.
25
Poore widdow of Sarepta shee,and hirs were ready for to pine:
Hir barrell, and hir cruise by thee,
were blest, and by that Prophet thine.
26
Her meale, and oyle, did neuer faile,thou send'st that Saint, eu'n to that end:
113
so did'st from famine hir defend.
27
Wherefore a little while i'le waite,I know th'appointed time will come:
I shalbe freed from sinnes deceite,
wilt mercy send in miseries roome.
The fourth part of the ninth Lamentation.
28
Thou art my portiō & my strengthmy defence and saluation:
Thou seest my troubles, and at length
wil't giue me consolation.
29
Thou send'st them not as ignorant,of thē, thou know'st thou did'st me make
Therefore what's needfull God me grant
good Lord do neuer me forsake.
30
I am brought to the very pit,of all confusion men suppose:
Thou hast decreed the time most fit,
of my deliuery from my foes.
31
To me vnknowne that being seene,I may attribute to thee then:
114
without the aide of mortall men.
32
Which I haue sought so long in vaine,yea while I called thee vpon:
Let me acknowledge helpe againe,
to come from thee or else from none.
33
And all that the world can affoord,bee but th'effects of thy deere loue:
Thy power thy prouidence and woord,
do send me comfort from aboue.
34
O blessed man whom thou dost chuse,and call'st by crosses vnto thee,
Whom thou by death seem'st to refuse,
by secret sweetenes liues by thee.
35
With inward consolation,fed with the Manna of thy loue:
Who dwels in thy protection,
with liuely hope can neuer moue.
36
He fainteth not at mightiest frowne,so I O Lord assured rest:
Thou art my portion and my crowne,
to dignifie those loue thee best.
37
Thou tendrest me as a deare sonne,though thou me visit with thy rod:
115
with sinners and to fall from God.
38
Although I seeme of hope depriued,and that my wonted comforts past:
Yet I O Lord shalbe reuiued,
by thee and by thy grace at last.
39
For all my long and instant cries,I will not shrinke though knowing this:
Thy wonderous power & great mercies,
most infinite thy mercy is.
40
Yf mad'st the Rocke a water spring,thy thirsty people to refresh:
Frō mine hard hearted foes can'st wring,
some comfort for my withered flesh.
41
Yf thou raind'st Manna from aboue,meate by a Rauen thy saints to feede:
Thousands of men did feede with loue,
when their was little shew of bread.
42
Yf to thy people thou sendest Quailes,in desert where all foode was scant:
And since thy goodnes neuer failes,
should I suppose that I should want.
116
The fift part of the ninth Lamentation.
43
Confirme my faith for euermore,that I most constantly belieue:
Thou can'st and wilt encrease my store,
and all good things thou wilt me giue.
44
All power belongeth vnto thee,who can imagine or will say:
Thou can'st not in my neede helpe me,
or that thy loue is tane away.
45
Sith thou hast don such mighty thingsso freely for men in distresse:
Should not I fly with swiftest wings,
to thee in time of heauines.
46
But lo O Lord all things are thine,the heauens are thine the earth also:
The Cattle, Fowles, the shrubs & vine,
all things in heauen and earth belowe.
47
All things aboue, all things beneath,is thine, who truely then can say?
117
to whom thou wilt, who can say nay?
48
Thou makest ye corn to spring & grow& waterst th'earth with thy sweet showers
Thou causest beasts with thankes to low,
with dewes, thou water'st fragrāt flowers.
49
Since then thou art the Lord of all,sith thou cōmaund'st, & do'st forbid:
The rich & poore, mak'st proud men fall,
that down can'st throvv & raise at need.
50
Sith that thou tryest & vvilt revvard,sith thou dost vvhat shall please thy will
And in what manner vvilt regard,
& vvhom thou vvilt, can'st saue or spill.
51
No liuing man commandeth thee,not all the vvorld can thee controle:
O Lord I still vvill pray to thee,
for health of body and of soule.
52
Let it be thus, O father deare,for Christ his sake thy dearest sonne,
That dyed and rose my soule to cleare,
in all things Lord, thy wilbe done.
53
All glory to the Trinity,to Father, Sonne, and holy Ghost:
118
of power in might and glory most.
FINIS.
To God the Father.
Well-spring of deity God God-head giuer,who giu'st away, yet kepest what was giuē
A fountaine vndiminisht by thy riuer,
Riuer and fountaine both in fullnes euer.
Father by euerlasting generation,
Without precedence in paternity:
Whether it be of substance or relation.
For all things are togither in eternity:
Disclose the depth, take frō my muse obscurity,
Thine hidden depth, which makes my verse an oracle
So shall I both attaine vnto thy purity.
And all ye read my lines conceiue this miracle.
How God in getting of another, yet,
Another not an other God did gett.
FINIS.
119
To God the Sonne.
Great sonne of God, but borne the sonne of man,One subiect of a double substance fram'd:
wherein nor man-hood lost, nor god-head wan
But of thē both at once one Christ was nam'd
Before all times begot, in time created,
The Lord of Lords, a seruant from retaining,
And yet no former forme thereby abated:
In seruāts forme, the forme of God remaining
Great sonn of God, thē whō there is no greater
No not the father in his great diuinitie,
As God creator and as a man a creature:
[For more and lesse, agree not in infinity.]
Teach me to know how man by God assumed
Ys both, and yet not man by God consumed.
To God the holy Ghost.
O Spirit Diuine, the cōmon knot whereby,The father & the sonne do loue together:
For sonne and father vniuersally.
Are loue, though loue be proper vnto neither,
120
Vnequally but with the like authority,
As from one principall, though from that one,
Principally yet without priority:
One all the first from two the last of three,
Sweete breath that ioyest euery pensiue heart,
Breathed from God, O God breath into me,
Skill aboue skill, and teach me how thou art
The last of three, and yet of three so cast,
As in them all is neither first nor last.
FINIS.
Diuers consolations that the life and time of affliction is short.
1
The comfort ye doth make vs bold,is our afflictions transitory:
Cause wee of Christ do take sure hold,
the troubles short, endlesse the glory.
2
Eye hath not seene, eare hath not hard,the ioyes that God for his elect
In heauen already hath prepar'd,
though many troubles to effect.
3
Light are our troubles temporarie,because Christ and his spirit diuine,
121
and doth in yoake with vs conioyne.
4
We looke not on, things, seene & vaine,but on things vnseene, cast our eie:
The blessed saints for Christ were slaine,
Christ answered, when they did cry.
5
How long, how long, Lord wilt thou stay?a little time though God doth lowre:
Stay till, his wrath be past away,
t'is but a minute of an howre.
6
Christ calles the time of troubles little,but Paule doth say the glori's great:
And in respect, t'is but a tittle,
if't be compar'd to heauens seate.
7
A while saith God, I thee forsooke,that is short time in misery:
But thee t'ernall mercy tooke,
that is to heauen's felicity.
8
I'le feare no danger, paine nor losse,t'is but the twinckling of an eye:
I see the crowne i'le beare the crosse,
for I shall liue eternally.
9
Good gratious God, me patience send,and then do send, what send thou wilt:
122
for to that end Christ's bloud was spilt.
FINIS.
Of Death.
1
What's death? a seperationof mortall body frō our breath:
What's that? but a Cessation,
from cares, and from a liuing death.
2
What's that Cessation: it t'is a sleepe,by which we wholie are refreshed:
Yea but in sleepe, who shall vs keepe?
he that blest all, and is most blessed.
3
But who made death? t'vvas made by sinne,& what is sin? the lawes transgression:
Of that how should I vauntage win?
all sinne is weakned by confession.
4
But by death's dynt, t'is ouercome:and whence came sin? frō hell beneath?
Whē wa'st first bred? in mothers wombe:
when will it end? not till our death.
123
5
This seemeth strange, but this is true,by nature sinne is hatcht in vs,
Old Adams rules, till God renue.
why then I see, the case stands thus:
6
As sinne goes in, soe life goes out,as sinne goes out, so life comes in:
So by the Lord, t'is brought about,
sinne conquers life, Life conquers sinne.
7
Though life by sinne be still anoyde,& sinne of death by strength & sting:
Yet Viprous sinne, by death's destroy'd,
life killeth death, whē death kill'th sin.
8
The death of body, or of nature,is that, where to all subiect be:
Cause sinne hath tainted euery creature,
according vnto Gods decree.
9
When bodies life doth fade away,and we giue vp our dying ghost:
And this our Corps is clad in clay,
and vnto God our soules doth poast:
10
It is ordayned and decree'd,that all men by necessitie:
Through that first Adams sinfull deede,
are subiect made, the death to die.
124
11
To dye for sinne, t'is due for sinne,to dye in sinne, a heauy case:
To dye to sinne is to beginne,
to leaue to sinne, and liue to grace.
12
The death in sinne, without repenting,in affect, effect, and aspecting:
In thinking, doing, and frequenting,
and offred grace of God reiecting.
13
I wretched wofull execrable,haue plague of God, by sinne for sinne:
Of miseries, most miserable,
to them that liue and die therein.
14
But he that dies, before he dies,when he is dead, he is not dead:
But olde age dies, and he shall rise,
with glory from the graue his bed.
15
And he that's toucht with conscience pricke,whose sence of sin is sharpe & quicke:
That man is sicke, ere he is sicke,
and when he's sicke, he is not sicke.
16
I looke poore wretch on mine estate,and others monish, by mine harmes:
That was neere death but now of late,
by sinne inchaunted by her charmes.
125
17
Had I not dyed, sure I had di'de,(oh happie Phenix liuing death)
Still let my flesh be mortified,
let my sp'rit, breath, by thy spirits breath
18
Sweete Iesu thou didst die for me,and in thy death, with thee I di'de,
Oh liue in me, and I in thee,
shall liue, and euermore abide.
19
And wormes meate thou, durt clay & slime,thy body kill, thy soule to saue:
Quaile vild affections, whil'st hast time,
ye life by death, through grace mai'st haue
20
Shake hands with sinnes & all offencesand learne to dye before thou dye:
When bid'st adue vnto thy sences,
then shalt thou liue eternally.
The Cause of death.
21
The cause of death is wicked sinne,for out of sin our death did flowe:
From thence our plagues did all begin,
cut of this tree, our ills did grow.
126
22
Hunger, fire, death, and all,created were for punishment:
And laid on man for Adams fall,
and was the cause of our torment.
23
God said to Adam, Scripture saith;what houre soeuer thou shalt eate:
Thou shalt be sure to die the death,
god made not death, but death did threat
24
Through enuy, malice of the diuell,into the world came this estate:
Sinnes entred with all actions euill,
by Adams fault: not by our fate.
25
Two sortes of death, frō death by sin,proceed, as effects from their cause:
The death of Nature doth begin,
& death of grace next by Gods lawes.
Death of two sorts.
26
By which we are made slaues for euer,in darknes, called death eternall:
From worme of conscience freed neuer,
depriu'd of all the ioyes supernall.
127
27
As by example, euident,two sorts of death approued well:
The Glutton rich, being dead was sent,
his body buried quicke in hell.
28
And Lazarus poore, beggar dead,to Abrahams bosome caried is:
With Angells wings, with glory spread,
where is true ioye and comforts blisse.
29
The one hath heauen, the other hell,the one hath blisse, the other bale:
The one in heauen still must dwell,
and th'other, Diuells pull and hale.
30
He died with his conscience euill,in death he saw his wickednes:
And his dampnations with the diuell,
as holy Scriptures doe expresse.
To the elect and faithful.
31
This is the consolation great,of the that in their death-beds lie:
Their mindes fly vp to'th mercy seate,
and there for mercy loudly cry.
128
32
By Christ which death abollished,and sinne that's clensed by his bloud:
Whose merits, pardon purchased,
for all our sinnes, and death withstood.
33
To vs his goodnes is imputed,to him the sinnes that we committed:
And we for righteous are reputed,
and all our sinnes, they are remitted.
34
For he alone by death hath bought vs,from power and paine of deuill & hell:
& merly he through loue hath brought vs
with him in heauen to raigne & dwell.
35
That no afflictions giue vs griefe,that Sathan should vs not destroy:
And giu'th to vs eternall life,
and filth our hearts with heauenly ioy.
36
He made vs free-men, heires to God,which captiue bondslaues were to hell:
Beate Sathan downe with iron Rod,
to place where dampned diuels dwell.
37
Eternall death could not preuaile,gain'st him, nor ouer him haue power:
christ strēgthned those whō sin did quaile
his might, the mighty did deuoure.
129
38
O're death o're sinne & hidious hell,he gaue vs life and victory:
T'all those that keepe his precepts well,
and them installes in endles glory.
39
For as by Adam all men dy'd,for sinne and by iniquity:
In Christ shall all men be reuiu'd,
to liue with him eternally.
FINIS.
Although the body die yet they shall liue.
40
The Godly and iust people haue,most cōsort though with paine & griefe:
They suffer death & lie in graue,
and seeme forsaken sanz reliefe.
41
They are as sheep which men ordaine,to death and slaughter to be put:
As silly guiltles Lambes are slaine,
when Butchers knife their throates doe cut.
42
For we which liue shall giuen bee,to death for Iesus Christ his sake:
130
noe feare of death can cause thē quake.
43
But rest assured they shall passe,through death to life eternally:
Who aske for mercy and for grace,
and vnto God for faith doe cry.
44
They suffer both his hand and Rod,and when he strikes, are patient:
They put their hope and trust in God,
who comforts thē with hearts content.
45
Their death is good, & of great price,they also know through Christ his passiō
Death's ouer come, in wond'rous wise,
and soe, receaue they consolation.
46
If any touch't in latest paines,of dierfull death, this faith hould fast:
In mid'st of death, his life attaines,
and shall haue lasting life at last.
47
The Christians surely doe belieue,that whē they seeme to be most dead:
That then, they most of all doe liue,
and soe with ioy lift vp their head.
FINIS.
131
The death of the Godly is a sleepe.
48
Christ calls the death of godly men,a sleep, his owne a death, & why?
The Souldiers speare was made a Pen,
his bloud the Inke to write thereby.
49
Quietus est, for Christians all,and then the same to vs was sealed:
A sleepe, he iustly may it call,
cause by his stripes our wounds were healed.
50
His was a death, cause death was due,in him died all, he di'd for all:
Gods Iustice vs to death doth sue,
he pay'd it and repair'd the fall.
51
that we moight sleep, he suffer'd pains,that we mought laugh, he oft did weepe
His was the losse, ours was the gaines,
thus did he change, Death to a sleepe.
FINIS.
132
To whom they that die ought to commit their Spirit.
52
To Christ did Stephen yeald vp his spirit,for hee's the way the truth & life:
He purchast life by death and merrit,
the husbandes he, the Church his wife.
53
He is that Noah, his Church ye doue,that houldes his hand for to receaue vs:
He bids vs come to imbrace his loue,
we fly to him when all deceaue vs.
54
The heauens & earth the Lord commaundes,to him all Creatures runne but wee:
None can vs take out of his handes,
in life and death to him we flee.
FINIS.
133
The bodie is buried but shall be raised vp againe at the last day.
55
Pillor of faith, Basis of blisse,of true religion sure supporter:
The pointe of Resurrection is,
in death it is the chiefe comforter.
56
If this doe fall, all faith may faile,what article doth vs refresh:
When life and health, and strength doth quaile:
the Resurrection of the flesh.
57
Our bones shall blossom as the grasse,we shall be raised out of dust:
The bodie that before time was,
by power of Christ's spirit rise it must.
58
The first fruit's Christ, ye head is rais'd,the members shall the same likewise:
The Lord God for the same be prais'd,
we know that we shall also rise.
134
59
If head, aboue the water bee,how can the body then be drowned:
We shall arise, and Iesus see,
and with him shall be kingly crowned.
FINIS.
In the pangs of death and in all tribulations, the remedies be to be learned in the sufferings of Christ.
60
Of life and death the true director,who in his life and his dying:
Of our misdoing is corrector,
and into all our actions prying.
61
Christ is afflicted for our sake,left vs, example that we should:
Follow his stepps and his way take,
thy Crosse to beare with courage bould
62
Our Sauiour Iesus teacheth thee,how can that be (say'st thou) behold:
Example, if thou punisht bee,
with sicknes, hunger, thirst, & colde.
135
63
With thy selfe reccon and accompt,how it cannot compared be:
with his thornes, yea his nailes surmount,
the greatest payne that paineth thee.
64
Art thou restrain'd of thy desire,& lusts yt draw thou know'st not whether
Thinke on Christs crosse, Gods wrath & ire,
& put his tortures all together.
65
If prid puffe vp thy mind with motiōs,looke on Christ, nailed on the Crosse:
And thinke as bound by due deuotions,
of our great gaine, by his great losse.
66
If thou in filthie lust dost burne,or any other ill desire:
Thinke but how Christ his flesh was torne,
to saue thy soule frō flames of fire.
67
With stripes thrust through, and all to brokēhis drinke was Ezell mixt with Gaule:
With his last gaspe, ye earth was shoken,
who suffered for the sinnes of all.
68
If enuy, hate, reuenge, thee grieue,thinke with thy selfe how Christ did pray
(O Father, doe them all forgiue)
for them that tooke his life away.
FINIS.
136
An exhortation to forgiue one another, before we depart out of this, world.
1
God vs commaunded to forgiue,& saith then we shall be forgiuen:
Without offence noe man can liue,
and God his ballance hangeth even.
2
He that doth not forgiue his brother,will then the Lord his faults remit,
Noe, as he dealeth with another,
another shall repaire t'is fit.
3
And when you kneele to God & pray,forgiue if you haue any thing:
Gainst any liuing man that day,
that Christ may your remission bring.
4
And when thy guift thou dost present,and on the Aulter sacrifice:
First with thy brother make consent,
and him forgiue in any wise.
137
5
When thou to Christ wast enemie,and strengthned, in great extreames:
Yet then did he giue remedie,
and or'e thee spred his mercie beames.
6
He gaue to thee his holy spirit,to guide and leade thy soule aright:
And gaue thee heauen there to inherit,
all ioyes and blisse, lay in his sight.
7
When thou from him wa'st gon astray,he sought thee out & did thee finde:
And finding thee, brought thee away,
vnto his fould, he thee resignde.
8
Thanke God therefore & render praiseexalt and laude his holy name:
Vnto the heauens sing alwaies,
all men on earth doe ye the same.
9
Hence forth my soule, walke in his pathand erre not from him any more:
Lesse thou prouoke his heauie wrath,
and then art worse then wer't before.
10
Let not Gods spirit be giuen thee,to worke thy condempnation:
But let thy eye remembred bee,
for thy soules preseruation.
138
11
Shun thou all wicked company,with dooers ill associate not:
Least thou from faith should'st fall & fly,
and soule & body soile and spot.
12
But blesse his name who called thee,vnto the state of righteousnes:
And thy sinnes vengance tane hath hee,
to giue thee heauens happines.
13
Blesse thou his blessed holynes,his praise let minde & heart record:
And let thy tongue and voyce confesse,
the gratiousnes of God the Lord.
14
Prostrate thy selfe downe at his feete,offer thy seruice with free heart:
O yeeld God all, for t'is most meete,
since he made, sau'd, & blest each part.
15
Who spared not his only Sonne,but let him die thy soule to saue:
To pay and ransome thy faults done,
and to redeeme thee from the graue.
16
So in the prayer of our Lord,we doe forgiue that's done gainst vs:
As God forgiuenes shall afford,
our Sauiour Christ doth teach vs thus.
139
17
That is, that we forgiue them must,who did vs harme in any thinge:
In thought, in word, in deede vniust,
or ought to thine in damaging.
FINIS.
Diuers consolations that the life and time of affliction is short.
1
The cōfort that doth make vs bould,is our afflictions transitory:
Cause wee of Christ doe take sure hould,
the troubles short, endlesse the glory.
2
Eye hath not seen, eare hath not heard,the ioyes that God for his elect:
In heauen already hath prepar'd,
through many troubles to effect.
3
Light are our troubles temporarie,because Christ and his spirit deuine:
This weight and burthen helpe to carry,
and strongly vs to them combine.
4
We looke not on things seene & vaine,but on things vnseene cast our eye:
140
Christ answeared, when they did cry.
5
How long a time that they must stay,a little while though he doth lower:
His stay till wrath be ouer past,
t'is but a minute of an howre.
6
Christ calls the time of troubles little,but Paule doth say, the glories great:
As in respect of th'earth a little,
so griefes compar'd, to Heauens seate.
7
A while saith God, I thee forsooke,that is short time in misery:
But there th'eternall mercy tooke,
that is to heauen felicity.
FINIS.
A consolation for them which suffer for their offences.
1
If men you buffit for ill deedes,what praise mongst mē, get you therby:
Corrections from your faults proceedes,
and therefore take it patiently.
141
2
See none do suffer as an Actor.of ill, as busie bodies, theeues,
Nor as a wicked male factor,
for that barrs pitty from your grieues.
3
But if please God we suffer must,for wicked deedes were done by vs:
Deseruing punishment most iust,
may holy be by suffering thus.
4
And vnto God t'is no lesse pleasing,then suffering of the Innocents:
God can and will, helpe our diseasing,
we are but as his patients.
5
If euill men their faults confesse,and noe good course of life omit:
Belieue in Christ, and faith expresse,
then surely he'l their faults remit.
6
And their deserued punishment,and crosses all he'l lenifie:
And giue a crowne magnificent,
to purenesse them he'l sanctifie.
7
The theefe who died for heineous crime,hang on the Crosse by Iesus side:
Confessing sinnes at his last time,
was in his suffering sanctifide.
142
8
To comfort him our Lord did say,this day thy soule to heauen seal'd vp:
On Iacobs ladder, heauens high way,
because thou tasts with me my cup.
9
Then sinners all that him belieue,repent their sinnes & mend their life:
As mercy them shall sure releeue,
and so cut off their mortall strife.
10
The suffering Martiers testifie,Christ and his Gospell he vs sent:
The law doth sinners scourge and try,
faith frees their paines if they repent.
11
Whē thou sufferest for right or wronglet steadfast faith in Christ remaine:
Such sufferings shall ere it be long,
the crowne of endlesse glory gaine.
12
No man therefore ought to dispaire,Christ dyed for our redemption:
Him aduocate did God prepaire,
from sinne to cause exemption.
13
And thē he wil'd his word be preachedto euery creature instantly:
And by his Gospell his grace reached,
cause he would haue no sinners die.
143
14
The health of all he doth desire,calls all to him that burdned bee:
And to forgiue doth vs require,
and all to pray that troubled bee.
FINIS.
A disputation betweene the Diuell and vs.
Man.If Sathan heape vp all thy sins,
addresse thy selfe to God on hie
Fall thus to pray (when he begins)
Lord turne thy face, & heare my cry:
The Diuell with strong inuasion,
suggesteth his temptation.
2
Guarde me from Sathan, death, & hell,the Feind on me his wrath doth wreake
All ill temptations Lord repell,
defend my soule for it is weake:
Looke on the face of Christ thy Sonne,
consider Lord what he hath donne.
144
3
For Christ is mine, and I am his,mine is his iustice, mine the gaines:
Lord turne thy face from mine amisse,
Christ bear'st my sins, & bore ye paines:
Thou did'st me aske, and I shall haue,
in faith therefore thy grace I craue.
God heares no sinners, why do'st pray?
thy sinnes the sandes in number passe:
M.
Christ blood hath washt my sins away
and made me righteous as he was.
Christs merits shall me cloath about,
God will not finde my vildenesse out.
D.
Shalt thou the sincke of sinfullnes,
goe on with Peter and with Paule:
To euerlasting blessednes,
noe, noe, to Hell, downe must thou fall:
I but in thought did him offend,
and he me dampned without end.
M.
I with ye theefe reach out my hand,
of faith, to Christ his hand of grace:
He holdeth me that fearefull stand,
and drawes me vp to heauenly place:
Thou neuer canst be sau'd, and why?
for men, not Angels, Christ did dy.
145
How hast thou this assured trust,
Which hast done nothing that is good?
M.
Because though god, be god most iust,
My debts are paid with Christ his blood:
My sinnes are all to Christ imputed,
And righteous, I in him reputed.
D.
Thou shalt be haled downe to hell.
M.
my head's in heauen, ther's no hel fire
D.
with vs in chaines, & paines shalt dwel
M.
Thou art a murderer and a lyer:
When head's aboue, who can be drown'd,
Christ is the head, mine head is crown'd.
9
Thou art a damned fiend no iudge,T'is thou set'st God & man at warrs:
Thou art that enuious slaue do'st grudge,
That man should shine as do the starrs:
& heauē enioy whence thou wert thrown
Thy malice ould, false fiend is knowne:
Legions of Diuells watch sinners soules.
M.
but Angels pitch their tents about me
God me protects, & thee controles,
Diuels are in chaines, I need not doubt thee
If thy power stretch not to a Swine,
How can'st thou hurt this soule of mine.
146
God is not iust, if for thy euils,
He giues thee euerlasting life:
Thy balefull portion is with diuels,
Where thou shalt haue torture & strife:
Endles, mercles, remediles;
Due for thy monstrous wickednes.
M.
God's iust and doth his promise keepe,
From iustice to his mercie seate:
In Christ's name I appeale and creepe,
And so obtaine his mercie great:
And by his grace in largest scope,
By Christ I doe erect mine hope.
D.
Thou feed'st thy selfe with hope in vaine.
M.
Christ is the truth, he cannot lye:
He saith his saints with him shall raigne,
And such a one by Christ am I
Presumptious slaue, my hope's not vaine,
Cause Christ is heauen & cheefest gaine.
D.
Thou see'st what thou shalt leaue behind,
What thou shalt haue, thou seest not:
M.
Sathan auaunt thy faith is blind,
From the heauens blisse is far remote:
That may be seene with natures eies,
My soule doth scorne and I dispise.
147
yu part'st hence loadē with misdeed,
And of good workes th'art naked bare:
M.
Christ's works & merrits stand in steed
Of mine by faith are mine I dare.
By faith in him and true repentance,
Still hope for blisse and scape Gods vengance.
D.
But thy repentance comes to late,
Againe thy God's the God of truth:
I must needs say, he must thee hate,
Cause gainst mee all thy flower of youth:
Think'st now that he will take the bran,
No ti's to late thou wicked man.
M.
To late it was not for the theefe.
D.
yea but the theefe, his faith was true,
Thine is a wauering weake beliefe,
Hast no more faith then hath a Iewe:
Now what remaineth, but deepe dispaire
For God of thee, will take no care,
M.
I'le fly to God, i'le him beseech,
To blow this little sparke of fire:
And he that is in mercy rich,
I know will graunt me my desire:
Faith pleaseth God by quallitie,
He cares not for the quantitie.
148
Do'st not thou see God hath in store
In earth, in hell and euery where:
Ten thousand thousand, plagues & more,
Which makes vs Diuels quake & feare:
Yet art so sensles, foolish dull,
To say thy God is mercifull.
M.
He like a good Chirurgion,
Doth hurt to heale, they are his launces:
That lett out our corruption,
And so saues vs from worse mischances:
Our plagues on earth saue vs from hell,
diuels wel may feare, for there they dwel.
D.
It is a wretched thing to dye.
M.
To die in Chri'st, a blessed thing:
D.
A sinners death's a misery,
M.
By death is lost my sin deaths sting:
D.
& god hath made thy death most biter
M.
the ioyes of heauen will be ye sweeter.
D.
Thou leau'st this world, go'st know'st not whither,
M.
I leaue this Hellish place on earth:
Mine home is heauen, & il'e goe thither,
My soule doth claime it by hir birth:
Heauen is my country, there was bred,
My soule, & there is Christ mine head.
149
Thou leau'st cōmodities behinde,
And many great and pleasing things:
Thou many moe ill things maist finde,
yt men to care & sorrow brings:
M.
Ther's nought on earth that's worth ye buying
For that's in heauen, is worth my dying.
D.
Thou leaust thy riches & thy store,
M.
Thay'r other mens, that I do leaue:
I beare mine with me and no more.
D.
Therein thou do'st thy selfe deceaue:
Thy wife and Children do'st forsake.
M.
They are ye Lords he will them take.
D.
It's hard to be quite pluckt away,
From those thou lou'st so deerely well:
M.
Within short space they shall not stay
But come to me where I shall dwell:
D.
thou do'st frō thy sweet friends depart
M.
I goe to sweet friends true of heart.
26
Whom Sathan cannot make dispaire,Them he'le tempt, in themselues to trust:
Against that giue thy selfe to prayer,
And know, none in themselues are iust:
So from thy selfe to Christ doe flie,
And he'le relieue thee by and by.
150
27
He's ouer strong with vs to wrastle,Against this danger when help we need:
Against his force Christ is our Castle,
And his assaults defends with speed,
Answere the subtill diuels dispute,
With thiese replies shalt make him mute.
28
It is a sure and strong defence,Against all desperation:
When Sathan seekes with dilligence,
To worke thy soules damnation:
The more the diuell would thee depresse
The more do trust in Gods goodnes.
29
Against presumption and pride,Thy feeble weakenes well do weigh:
And let humility thee guide,
Remember th'art but dust and clay:
Vnto thy Sauiour Christ do fly,
What thou dost want, he will supply.
30
If thou thus answearst diuels temptation,And all his vaine suggestion:
Shalt not fall into desperation,
Nor blowne vp by presumption:
And being strong in faith and humble,
The diuell shall not thee downe tumble.
FINIS.
151
The poore and distressed soule being loaden with the burthen of his sinnes, feruently prayeth to God for his remission thereof.
1
O Lord come pittie my distresse,see how I sigh and groane:
With teares and floods of heauinesse,
my heart is ouerthrowne.
2
Noe hope I finde, noe helpe I feele,noe cure nor salue I see:
None can my sinnes corruptions heale,
sweete Iesus comfort me.
3
My wounding sorrowes neuer cease,my greefes grow more and more:
What I should kill, doth still increase,
Lord saue my soule therefore.
4
I liuing dye, yet dying liue,in life, yet dayly dye:
I sigh and grone yet cannot grieue,
sinne makes this mistery.
152
5
Lord let me liue yet howrely die,in loue yet dayly hate:
Let me imbrace yet still defie,
let peace breede all debate.
6
O let me liue, yet neuer liue,aliue yet euer dead:
O let me grieue, yet neuer grieue,
fed with thy liuing bread.
7
Let passions passe, let groanes be gon,let moanes be turn'd to mirth:
I liue and die to Christ alone,
let sorrowes sincke to earth.
FINIS.
| The teares or lamentations of a sorrowfull Soule | |