THE FIRST EXERCISE.

1. WHO shall giue to my head water, and to mine eyes a fountaine of Teares that I maye be­wayle both day and night my sinns and ingratitude towards God my Creator.

2. Consider (ô my soule) the multi­tude of the Benefits of God bestowed vppon thee, and be thou confoun| [...]

[Page 42]16. Amongst soe many infidels as are in the world, thou hast brought mee to thy Faith and Baptisme.

17. There that couenant was made that thou shouldst be mine, and I thine; thou my Lord and I thy ser­uant; thou my Father, and I thy child. That thou shouldst behaue thy selfe as a Father towards mee, and I as a child towards thee.

18. What shall I say of the other Sa­craments which thou hast instituted for remedies of my euills, makinge a plaister for my sinns of thy owne most pretious Blood.

19. Haueinge these helpes yet haue I not remayned in goodnesse, but my wickednesse hath beene soe greate, that I haue lost my first In­nocencie.

20. And thy Mercie on the other side soe greate that thou hast pa­tientlie hitherto expected mee.

21. O my Hope and Sauuiour how can I without teares call to my re­membrance how oftentymes thou [Page 43] mightst iustlye haue bereaued mee of my life?

22. How many thowsand soules now peraduenture burne in hell who haue lesse sinned then I, and yet I burne not there.

23. What had become of mee, if thou hadst taken mee away, when thou tookst them.

This is continued in the ensuinge Exercise.

THE II. EXERCISE.

WHO then ô Lord bound the hands of thy Iustice?

2. Who held the rod of thy iudge­ments when as I by sinninge prouo­ked thee?

3. What pleased thee in mee that thou didst deale more dearelie with mee then with others?

4. My sinns cryed vnto thee, and thou stoppedst thyne eares.

5. My malice euerie day increased [Page 44] against thee; and thy merite euerie day encreased towards mee.

6. I sinned, and thou expectedst.

7. I Fled away, and thou Followedst mee.

8. I was wearied in sinninge, and thou wert not wearied in expect­inge.

9. In the midst of my sinns I recei­ued from thee diuers good inspira­tions.

10. What shall I now render ô Lord vnto thee for all these benefitts which I haue receiued of thee?

11. Because thou hast created mee I owe thee all that I am.

12. Because thou hast preserued mee, I owe thee all that I am and my life.

13. Because thou hast giuen mee thy selfe what shall I render to thee?

14. If all the Liues of Angells and men were mine and that I should of­fer them all vnto thee as a Sacrifice, what were this Oblation if it were compared with one droppe of thy [Page 45] Blood, which thou hast shed for mee soe aboundantlie?

16. Who therefore will giue Teares to mine eyes that I may bewayle my ingratitude, and wicked retribution, or requitall of these thy soe many benefits?

16. Helpe mee ô Lord, and giue mee Grace that I may worthylye be­wayle myne iniquities?

17. For I am that vnhappie wretch who hath sinned against heauen and before thee.

18. I am thy Creature made accord­i [...]ge to thy Image, take awaye from mee that which I haue made and know that which thou hast made.

19. I haue bent all my forces to doe thee iniurie, and haue offended thee by the workes of my hands.

20. The things which thou hast giuen and created for mee to be im­ployed and vsed for thy seruice and Honour, I haue wrougfullie and most vnthankfullie conuerted and [Page 46] imployed the same to thy offence and dishonour.

This is continued in the ensuinge Exercise.

THE III. EXERCISE.

1. MY feete haue bene swift to euil, and mine eyes haue beene dissolute to Vanitie, & myne eares haue beene alwayes open to trifles, and toyes.

2. My vnderstandinge which should haue contemplated thy Beautie, and haue meditated both day and night on thy Commandements hath con­sidered transitorie toyes, and medi­tated day and night how to trans­gresse thy said Commandements.

3. My will was by thee inuited to the Loue of coelestiall delights and delicacies, but I preferred the earth before heauen.

4. I haue spread my Armes which thou hast consecrated to thy loue to [Page 47] embrace, and hugge the filthie Loue of Creatures.

5. This is ô Lord the reward, this is the Fruite which I, thy Creature haue yeilded.

6. Alas. What can I a wretch ans­were if thou entrest with mee into Iudgement, and wilt say; I haue plan­ted thee a chosen vineiard all true seed, how then ô strange vineiard art thou turned in my sight into that which is depraued?

7. And if I cannot answere to this first question concerninge my Crea­tion, how shall I answere the second concerninge my conuersation?

8. Thou ô mercifull God hast pre­serued him by thy prouidence who hath thought of noe other thinge, but how to violate thy Commande­ments, and to set vp the Kingdome of sinne against thee.

9. Thou hast moued that tongue which dishonored thee, thou hast gouerned those members which of­fended thee.

[Page 48]10. In soe much as I haue not onlie beene vngratefull for thy benefits, but vsed thy benefits alsoe themsel­ues as weapons against thee.

11. Thou hast made all creatures for my vse to allure mee to loue thee, I haue abused them, and of them haue diuers tymes taken occasion of sinne.

12. I haue made choise rather of the guift, then the giuer.

13. I haue beene blinded by them, and haue not lifted vp myne ey [...]s at the sight of them.

14. I haue not considered how much more beautifull the Creator is, then the creature.

15. Thou hast giuen mee all things that I should giue thee my selfe; and all things haue serued mee, but I neuer haue giuen thee Glorie, or paid thy tributedue.

16. Thou hast giuen mee health, and the diuell hath gathered the fruits thereof.

17. Thou hast giuen mee strenth and [Page 49] I haue spent it in the seruice of Thin [...] enemye.

18. What shall I say? wherefore haue not all the calamities and miseries which I haue knowne to haue falne vppon other men and touched not mee, beene a sufficient argument to mee that my deliuerie from euerie one of them was a peculiar benefit from thee?

19. O most gratious Lord shall I be vngratefull for these Benefits?

20. If the fiercenesse and crueltie of Lions and serpents be assuaged with benefits, why shall not thy benefits be sufficient to tame and assuage my sinnefull Hart?

This is continued in the Followinge Exercise.

THE IV. EXERCISE.

1. BVT if soe strict an account shall be demanded for these things which cost thee soe little [Page 50] what accompt wilt thou aske of tho­se which thou hast bought to thy selfe with thy most pretious Blood.

2. How haue I peruerted thy Coun­sells?

3. How haue I violated the Myste­rie of thyne Incarnation?

4. Thou wert made man to make mee a God, I haue made my selfe a beast, and the slaue of the Diuell.

5. Thou hast come downe to the earth to bringe mee to heauen, and I haue not harkened to or acknow­ledged this high Vocation.

6. But haue perseuered in wicked­nesse, and in the durt and mire of my basenesse.

7. Thou hadst deliuered mee, I haue cast my selfe agayne headlonge into my old bondage.

8. Thou hadst raised mee, I haue agayne embraced death.

9. Thou hadst made mee one Bodie with thee, and I haue ioyned my sel­fe agayne with the di [...]ell.

10. Soe many, and soe greate Bene­fits [Page 51] could not doe soe much, as make mee know thee.

11. Nor soe many tokens of Loue, make mee requite thee with Loue.

12. Nor soe many deserts, and guifts make mee hope in thee.

13. Nor such a strict kind of iustice, as appeared in thy Passion make mee feare thee.

14. Thou hast humbled thy selfe euen to the dust of the earth, I puffe my selfe vp with pride.

15. Thou didst hange naked on the Crosse, I seeke the world & world­lye delights.

16. Thou beinge God wert buffe­ted; if any man touch my garment who am onlie a most vile worme, I presentlye become colericke.

17. What shall I say my sweete Sau­uiour? behold how greate thy mer­cie and charitie is towards mee.

18. Thou wouldst dye to kill my sinns; and [...] persuminge in thy said Mercie, Goodnesse, and Loue haue [...]ot feared to sinne against thee, what [Page 52] greater impietie can be imagined?

19. I haue taken occasion of thy Goodnesse to worke malice; and by that meane which thou hast vsed to kill sinne, I haue taken occasion to raise agayne sinne in my selfe.

20. Because thou wert soe good, I thought I might without preiudice be euil.

21. And because thy Benefits were soe many I thought I might without punishment render vnto thee, as many iniuries.

This is further continued in the ensuinge Exercise.

THE V. EXERCISE.

1. THVS haue I made thy me­decines occasions of sinne [...] and I haue turned that sword which I receiued of thee to defend my selfe from myne enemyes against my ow­ne bowels, and with the same mur­thered myne owne soule.

[Page 53]2. Finally thou diedst (as wee are taught by the Apostle) that they that now liue may not liue to themselues but vnto thee.

3. And I as the child of Iezable haue made thy Death as a meane to de­priue my selfe of thy blessings by Flyinge from thy seruice, and mak­inge my selfe the Bondslaue of thyne enemyes.

4. Alas what doth hee deserue who committeth such enormities?

5. If doggs haue eaten the flesh of Iezable, what will become of mee?

6. If the Apostle make it soe heinous a matter, of the Law itselfe to take an occasion to breake the Law how greate is my malice who of Grace & Mercie haue taken an occasion to of­fend Grace and Mercie itselfe?

7. O most Patient Lord who for sinners hast suffered buffetts; but farre more patient in sufferinge sin­ners. Will this thy patience [...]ndure for euer?

8. I remember what thou hast said [Page 54] by the Prophet, I haue held my peace I haue kept silence, I haue beene Pa­tiint as one that hath beene labouringe with child. I will speake.

9. I see that the earth that yeldeth not fruict after rayne is reiected and cursed.

10. I see that the vineyard which beinge well tilled producinge noe grapes but wild vines by thee is com­manded to be destroyed.

11. Wherefore ô vnprofitable & fruit­lesse branch dost thou not feare the voyce of that potent husbandman, that dresser of the vineyard, who (as truth itselfe reporteth) taketh away all branches not bearinge frui­cte, and casteth them into the fire?

12. What shall I doe my Lord, what shall I doe? I confesse I am not wor­thy to appeare in thy sight, nor to behold thee.

13. Whither shall I flye from thy Face?

14. Art not thou my Father and in verie truth a Father of Mercies [Page 55] which haue noe end, or measure?

15. For though I haue (as much as lay in mee) for a longe tyme desisted to be thy child; yet thou euen to this present, dost not desist to be my Father.

16. Although I haue done many things worthy of damnation, yet thou hast not desisted to saue mee.

17. What then shall I doe but cast my selfe downe at thy Feete, and humblie craue Mercie?

18. Art not thou?

• My Creator,
• My Preseruer,
• My Redeemer,
• My Deliuerer,
• My Kinge,
• My Pastor,
• My Preist, and
• My Sacrifyce.

19. Whither then shall I goe? whit­her then shall [...] flye but vnto thee?

20. If thou repell mee, who will re­ceiue mee?

21. If thou reiect mee, of whom [Page 56] shall I seeke succour?

22. Acknowledge ô Lord and recei­ue this sheepe that hath runne a stray.

23. Behold I come full of wounds, thou canst heale mee.

24. I come all blind thou canst giue mee sight.

25. I come all dead thou canst rayse mee.

26. I come all full of leprosie, thou canst make mee cleane.

27. Thou shalt sprinkle mee (ô Lord) with I sope (with thy pretious blood shed for mee) and I shall be made cleane.

28. Thou shalt wash mee, and I shall be made whiter then snow.

29. Thy mercie is greater then my iniquitie, thy clemencie, exceedeth my malice; and thou canst forgiue more, then I can sinne.

30. Doe not therefore ô Lord, doe not repell and reiect mee.

31. Doe not consider the multitude of my sinns, but thyne infinit mercie.

32. I resigne my selfe wholye into thy hands.

[Page 75]33. Thou ô God who art able to doe all things, conuert mee vnto thee, renew my Spiritt.

34. Enlighten my vnderstandinge, sanctyfie my will, increase my strenth of Bodie and soule.

35. That I may depend onlie on thee, Feare and loue thee aboue all things, and serue thee feruentlye.

36. And in all my actions hereafter to conforme my selfe to thy blissed will and pleasure.

37 I beseech thee finallye to impart vnto mee thyne aboundant effectuall Grace by which I may be able to be­ginne to lead a perfect and holye life, and to serue thee perfectlye and throughlye euen to the end.

Heere end the 5. Exer­cises of Contrition.

THE VI. EXERCISE.

1. TAKE pittie ô Lord, take pittie ô mercyfull Sauuiour [Page 58] of mee most miserable sinner, doinge things worthye of blame, and wor­thylye sufferinge for the same.

2. Beinge by thee daylie afflicted, for that I am continuallye found to haue offended.

3. If I ponder the euill which I day­lie committ, that which I endure is nothinge in comparison of it.

4. That which I haue done beinge much more greiuous then my Afflic­tion. Thou art iust ô Lord, and right is thy iudgment. All thy iudgements most iust, and true.

5. Thou ô Lord our God art iust & full of goodnesse neither is there in thee any wickednesse.

6. Because when wee offend thou dost not vniustlye and cruellye afflict vs, who when we were not hast powrefullye made vs, and when for our sinns wee were guiltie of dam­nation thou hast by thy wonderfull Mercye, and goodnesse set vs in the state of Saluation.

7. I know ô Lord God and am assu­red [Page 59] that our life is not gouerned by vncertayne chances but wholye dis­posed and ordered by thy Awfull powre and prouidence.

8. Thou therefore takest care of all things, but especiallye of such as ser­ue the, who put their confidence in thy onlye mercie.

9. Wherefore I humblye beseech thee that thou wilt not deale with mee accordinge to myne iniquities by which I haue deserued thyne an­ger, but accordinge to thy manifold mercyes which surmount the sinns of the whole world.

10. Thou ô Lord who dost punish mee outwardlye giue always an in­uincible Patience inwardlye to the end may neuer cease to prayse thee.

11. Take pittye of mee ô Lord and helpe mee both in soule and Bodie.

12. Thou I say who knowest all things and art able to doe all things whatsoeuer, who liuest and rieguest for euer and euer.

13. O Lord Iesus-Christ the Sonne [Page 60] of the liuinge God who with thy hands stretched forth on the Crosse hast drunke the bitter cupp of thy Passion for the Redemption of all mankind, succour mee this Day I beseech thee.

14. Behold ô Lord, that I that am needie doe come to thee who art wealthy; I that am full of miserie doe approach to thee replenished with mercye, suffer mee not there­fore to depart void or as one wor­thye to be dispised.

15. I beginne hungrie, let mee not end emptie.

16. I approach as one hunger star­ned, lett mee not depart vnfedd.

17. And if I sigh before I eate graunt that I may at least eate after I haue sighed.

18. First therefore most sneete Iesus before the magnificence of thy sweetnesse, I confesse against mee my iniustice.

19. Behold ô Lord whereas I was conceiued and borne in sinne, thou [Page 61] hast wa [...]hed and sanctifyed mee frō the same; and I after this haue I de­filed my selfe with greater offences.

20. Those wherin I was borne we­re of necessitie, but those in which I afterwards lay wallowinge were voluntarie.

This is continued in the followinge Exercise.

THE VII. EXERCISE.

1. THIS notwithstandinge, thou ô Lord beinge not vn­mindfull of thy Mercie and good­nesse hast drawne mee from my Fa­thers howse and from the taberna­cles of sinners.

2. And thou inspiredst mee with thy Grace to follow the companie of those who seeke thy Face, who wal­ke the direct way that leadeth to fe­licitie, liuinge amongst the Lillies of Chastitie, and sittinge at the table with thee in the parlour of most pro­found pouertie.

[Page 64]14. As I haue sinned, soe doe thou correct, & amend mee.

15. And beinge by the stripes of thy Fatherlie Pittie [...]orrected & amen­ded, committ mee to the care & cus­todie of thy onlye begotten Sonne Iesus-Christ our Lord.

16. Is it possible for a woemen to forgett the child of her owne wom­be?

17. And though shee should forgett, ô most louinge Father thou hast pro­mised not to be vnmindfull.

18. Behold I crie & thou dost not heare mee?

19. I am afflicted with with greife, & thou dost not comfort mee?

20 [...] O what shall I say or doe in this extreame miserie? Alas I am altoge­ther comfortlesse & which is worse am chased out of thy presence.

21. Wretch that I am from how grea­te good into how greate euill am I falne?

22. Whither did I attempt to goe, & whither am I come?

[Page 65]23. Where am I, & where am I not?

24. How is it that I, that did sigh after heauen; doe now sigh through soe greate Tribulation?

25. I haue sought comfort, & haue Found affliction.

26. And truelie it is better for mee not to be, then to be without thee sweet Iesus.

27. It is better not to liue then to liue without thee the only true life.

This Exercise is continued in the Followinge.

THE VIII. EXERCISE.

WHERE are now ô Lord Iesus thy accustomed Mercies?

2. Wilt thou be displeased with mee for euer?

3. Be appeased I beseech thee & take pittie on mee, & turne not thy lou­inge Face away from mee, who to redeeme mee hast not turned away thy Face from those who did mocke & spitt at thee.

[Page 66]4. I confesse that I haue sinned & my conscience doth adiudge mee worthye of damnation, neither is my pennance sufficient to make sa­tisfaction.

5. Nenerthelesse it is most certayne that thy mercie doth surmount all offences whatsoeuer be they neuer soe abominable.

6. Wherefore ô most mercifull Lord I beseech thee doe not write downe my malitious bitternesse, neither en­ter into Iudgement with thy seruant.

7. But accordinge to the multitude of thy mercies blott out myne ini­quities.

8. Woe be to mee at the day of Iud­gement when the bookes of our consciences shall be opened (wher­in our Actions are registred) when of mee it shall be openlye proclay­med. See heere a man and his workes.

9. What shall I doe O my Lord a [...] that dreadfull daye when the Hea­uens shall reueale myne iniquitie. And the earth shall beare wittnesse against mee.

[Page 67]10. Verilye I shall be mute and able to say nothinge, but holdinge dow­ne my head through shame and con­fusion, I shall stand before thee sha­kinge, and blushingé.

11. Alas, what shall I say? I will call and crie vnto thee, ô Lord my God, why am I consumed beinge silent?

12. Neuerthelesse, if I speake my greife will not cease.

13. And if I hold my peace I shall in­teriorlie be tormented with insup­portable bitternesse.

14. Weepe ô my soule and make la­mentation, as a younge married weo­man for the death of her Husband.

15. Weepe and be wayle thy miserie, for that thy bridegroome, who is Christ, hath forsaken thee.

16. O Anger of the Almightie rush not vppon mee, for I cannot subsist against t [...]e.

17. Ver [...]e there is nothinge in mee that is able to sustayne thee.

18. Take pittie on mee, least I dis­paire [Page 68] of thy Mercie; that by dispai­ringe of my selfe I may find comfort in confidinge in thee.

19. And albeit I haue done that for which thou may iustlye condemne mee, yet thou hast not lost thy ac­customed propertie of shewinge mercie, and pittie.

20. Thou ô Lord dost not desire the death of sinners, neither doest thou take pleasure in the perdition of those that dye.

21. Nay rather that those who we­re dead might liue, thou thy selfe ha [...] died, and thy death hath beene the death of that death that was due to sinners, and they by thy Death are come to life.

22. Graunt mee I beseech thee O Lord that thou liuinge I may not die; since that thy death hath giuen life, much more let thy life giue life.

23. Lett thy heauenlye [...]d helpe mee and deliuer mee from the hands of those that hate mee least they in­sult and reioyce ouer mee sayinge [Page 69] wee haue deuoured Him.

THE IX. EXERCISE.

1. HOW is it possible ô good Iesus that euer any one can dispaire of thy mercie who when wee were thyne enemyes thou hast redeemed vs with thy pretious Blood, & hast reconciled vs to God?

2. Behold ô Lord protected by thy mercie I runne crauinge pardon to the Throne of thy Glorie, callinge and knockinge vntil thou take pittie on mee.

3. For if thou hast called vs to par­don euen when wee did not seeke it, how much more shall wee ob­tayne pardon, if wee aske it.

4. Remember not thy iustice ô most sweete Iesus towards mee a sinner.

5. But be mindfull of thy mercie towards mee thy creature.

6. Remembeh not thy Anger tow­ards mee guiltie, but be mindfull of [Page 70] thy Mercie towards mee in miserie.

7. Forgett my pride prouokinge thee to displeasure and weigh my wretcheūnesse [...] imploringe thy Fa­uour.

8. For what dost thy sacred name Iesus signifie but onlye a Sauiour.

9. Wherefore ô Sauuiour Iesus be thou my succour and protection, and say vnto my soule, I am thy Salua­tion.

10. I doe presume verie much on thy deuine Bountie because thou thy selfe dost teach vs to aske, seeke and knocke at the doore of thy mercie.

11. Wherefore I doe aske seeke and knocke at thy doore, as thou hast ad­monished mee to doe.

12. Thou therefore ô Lord who willest mee to aske graunt that I may receiue.

13. Thou dost counsell mee to see­ke, graunt mee likwise to find.

14. Thou dost teach mee to knoc­ke, open vnto mee knockinge at the doore of thy Mercie.

[Page 71]15. Recouer mee beinge diseased, repaire mee beinge craised, raise me [...] beinge dead.

16. Vouchsafe likewise soe to di­rect and gouerne all my senses, thoughts and Actions in that which is pleasinge vnto thee.

17. That from henceforth I may faithfullye serue thee, liue to thee, and giue my selfe wholye vnto thee.

18. I know my Lord that by reason thou hast made mee, I owe my selfe vnto thee.

19. And by reason thou hast redee­med mee and hast beene made Man for mee, I doe owe (if I had it to giue thee) much more then my selfe vnto thee, by how much thou art greater then I who hast giuen thy selfe for mee.

20. Behold I haue nothinge else to giue thee neither can I giue thee this without thee.

21. Take mee therefore and draw mee vnto thee that soe I may be thy­ne by imitation, and affection, like [Page 72] as I am by Condition, and Creation, who liuest and reignest world with­out end. Amen.

THE X. EXERCISE.

1. O Lord God Almightie who art Trinitie in Vnitie [...] who art alwayes in all things, and wert before all things and wilt be in all things euerlastinglie, one blissed God for all Eternitie.

2. To thee this and all the dayes of my life I commend my soule, my bodie, my seeinge, my hearinge, tast, smell, and touchinge.

3. All my cogitations, Affections, Words, and Actions.

4. All things that I haue without and within mee, my sense and vn­derstandinge, my Memorie, Faith, and Beleife, and my constancie in well doinge. All these I commend into the hands of thy powerfull pro­tection.

[Page 73]5. To the end that all the nights and dayes, howers, and moments of my life, thou preserue and direct mee.

6. Heare mee ô sacred Trinitie and preserue mee from all euill, from all Mortall sinne.

7. And from all the deceites and Ve­xations of the Deuill, and of all myne enemyes visible, and inuisible.

8. By the Prayers of the Patriarchs, by the suffrages of the Apostles, by the Constancie of the Martirs.

9. By the Faith of the Confessors, by the Chastitie of the Virgins, and by the intercession of all the Saints who haue pleased and Faithfullye serued thee since the world begunne.

10. Roote out of my hart all vaine-glorious ostentation, and increase in mee the Spirit of compunction.

11. Abate my Pride, and increase my Humilitie.

12. Stirre mee vp to teares and con­trition, and mollifie my Hart beinge hard as a stone.

13. Deliuer mee, and my soule ô Lord [Page 74] from all the sna [...]es of my Ghostlye enemyes, and preserue mee in the performance of that which is most pleasinge vnto thee.

14. Teach mee to doe thy will ô Lord because thou art my God.

15. Graunt mee ô Lord perfect sen­se, and intelligence whereby I may be able to know, and acknowledge thy meruaylous greate kindnesse.

16. Graunt that my petitions may be such as that they may be pleasinge to thee, and profitable to my selfe.

17. Graunt mee teares flowinge from my whole Affection, which may be able to dissolue the bands of my sinns.

18. Heare mee ô My Lord, and My God, Heare mee ô light of myne eyes.

19. Heare what I demand, and graunt that thou maist heare what I demand.

20. If thou dispise mee I shall pe­rish, and be consumed, if thou res­pect [Page 75] mee, I shall liue.

This is continued in the ensuinge exercise.

THE XI. EXERCISE.

1. IF thou ô Lord examine my righteousnesse I shall be found as a dead Man stinkinge through rottennesse.

2. But if thou behold mee with the eye of thy mercie, thou wilt thereby raise mee (beinge through sinne but a carcasse) from the sepulchre of myne iniquitie.

3. Whatsoeuer thou hatest ô Lord [...]n mee, expell, and roote out of mee.

4. And plant in mee the Spirit of Chastitie, and continencie to the end [...]hat whatsoeuer I shall demand of [...]hee, in my demand I may not offend [...]hee.

[...]. Take from mee that which is hurt­ [...]ull, and giue mee that is profitable.

[Page 76]6. Giue mee a medicine ô Lord by which the soares of my soule may be healed.

7. Bestow vppon mee ô Lord thy Feare, compunction of Hart, Hu­militie, and a conscience Free from all sinne.

8. Graunt mee Grace ô Lord that I may be alwayes able to liue in cha­ritie with my Bretheren, not forget­tinge my owne sinns, or pryinge in­to the sinnes, or doings of other men.

9. Pardon my soule, Pardon my sinns. Pardon myne offences; Pardon myne abominations.

10. Visit mee Weakened; Cure mee diseased; Refresh mee wearied. Rayse mee dead.

11. Take pittie ô God, take pittie of mee, and behold mee from the sacred seate of thy sacred Maiestie.

12. Grant mee ô Lord a hart tha [...] may feare thee, a mind that may lou [...] [Page 77] thee, a sense that may conceiue thee, eyes that may see thee.

13. And illuminate the darkenesse of my hart with the bright beames of thy light.

14. Giue mee ô Lord discretion to be able to discerne betwixt good and euill, and enduemee with an vn­derstandinge that is alwayes watch­full.

15. I humblye craue pardon of all my sinns, I humblie craue it (ô Lord) of thee from, whom and by whom I hope to find Fauour in the tyme of necessitie.

16. O Marie Mother of God; Mo­ther of Iesus-Christ our Lord, thou sacred and vnspotted Virgin vouch­safe to make intercession for mee vnto him who made thee a worthy temple for himselfe to dwell in.

17. O S. Michaël, O S. Gabriel, O S. Raphaël.

18. O holie Quires of Angells and Archangells, of Patriarchs and Pro­phets, of Apostles, and Euangelists, [Page 78] O S. Peter and S. Iohn, of Martyrs, ô blissed S. Thomas of Canterburie. of Doctors ô Blissed S. Gregorie our Apostle; of Priests and Leuites, ô Ve­nerable Bede; of Monks, & Ermites ô Holye Father S. Bennet, of Virgins ô Blissed S. Scholastica, & of all such as haue liued holylye and Reli­giouslye.

19. I presume to beseech you euen for his sake by whom you haue bee­ne elected, and by whose contempla­tion you are extreamelye delighted, and fullye satiated.

20. That you will be pleased to pray for mee a poore sinner vnto him our God, that I maye be deliuered from the furious lawes of the infernall fiend, and from that death which neuer shall haue end.

This is continued in the followinge Exercise.

THE XII. EXERCISE.

1. VOuchsafe ô Lord accord­inge to thy meeknesse, and vnspeakable Mercie to make mee pertaker of eternall felicitie.

2. Graunt, ô Lord that Priests maye liue in concord, & that Kings and Princes rulinge as they ought to doe maye be vnited in peace and tranquillitie.

3. I humbly craue Grace (ô Lord) for the whole Catholicke Church, for Men, and woemen, for Religious Persons, and for secular people, for all Christian Magistrates, and for all that beleiue in thee, and labour for thy holye Loue, that they maye per­seuer in doing well all the dayes of their life.

4. Graunt ô Lord, and kinge eternall [...] to Virgins Puritie, to Religious Per­sons who haue dedicated themselues vnto thee, the guift of Chastitie; to [Page 80] married folkes Holinesse of life.

5. To such as are trulye sorrowfull for their sinns forgiuenesse; to Wi­dowes, and Orphans succour.

6. Protection to those that are poo­re, to Trauellers a safe returne to their Home, comfort to such as mourne.

7. To the faithfull departed the present repose of Heauen, to mari­ners, and such as saile on the sea their desired Port, or Hauen.

8. To those who haue attayned to Perfection Grace, increase, and perseuerance; to beginners, and pro­ficients in vertue Grace to doe better, and better.

9. To sinners and to such as offend (as to mee poore wretch) that they may speedilye Amend.

10. O most mild and mercifull Lord and Sauiour, sonne of the liuinge God the worlds Redeemer amongst all men and in all things I confesse my selfe to be a miserable sinner.

11. Neuerthelesse I beseech thee [Page 81] most sweete and souueraigne father, that as an Abiect I may not be cast out of thy Fauour.

12. Yea rather ô Lord thou who art Kinge of Kings and hast determined and decreed the lenth of each Mans life, graunt mee a deuout desire to amend myne.

13. Stire vp my sluggish soule to the end that at all tymes, and in all things, it may seeke, desire, loue, and feare thee who in all places art three and one; and maye put in practice that which is pleasinge to thee.

14. Especially I beseech thee ô Ho­ly Father who art blissed and glo­rious for euer, that thou wilt merci­fullie preserue all those who in their Prayers are mindfull of mee, or haue commended themselues to myne.

15. Those likewise who haue shewed towards mee any deed of Charitie, or pittie.

16. And those alsoe that are ioyned to mee in Blood, and affinitie aswell those who are dead, as those who yet [Page 82] liue in this mortall Bodie to the end that thou guidinge and assistinge them they may not perish euerlast­inglye.

17. In generall, I beseech thee ô Lord to aid, and succour all Christians that are yet liuinge, and on those that are dead to bestow pardon, and life euer­lastinge.

18. Finallye ô Lord: I most humblye, and hartylie beseech thee (who art the Alpha, & Omega: the beginnin­ge, and endinge) that when the tyme is come I must dye thou wilt be a mild and mercifull Iudge, and a per­petuall Protector to mee against the Accusations, and snares of the Diuel myne old aduersarie.

19. Admitt mee for euer into the so­cietie of the Holye Angells.

20. And of all thy Saintes in thy Heauenlye cittye where thou art blissed and praysed for all Eternitie. Amen.

THE XIII. EXERCISE.

1. O Lord Iesus Christ, My Redemption, My Mercie, and my Saluation.

2. I prayse thee, and giue thee than­kes albeit farre short of thy benefits, wholy void of Deuotion and Fer­uour; leane, and without the desired fattnesse of that most sueete Affection which thou dost require, & deserue.

3. Neuerthelesse my soule doth ren­der thee thankes, such as they are, not such as I know to be owinge, & due vnto thee.

4. But such as I am able to endea­uour such doth my Soule render vn­to thee.

5. O Hope of my hart, ô strenth of my soule maye it please thy omnipo­tent Worthynesse to accomplish what my wonderfull greate weak­nesse doth attempt to performe bein­ge thou art my life, and the scope of my intention.

[...] [Page 86] sire, sigh, and couet to come to thee.

17. And as a poore distressed child depriued of the presence of his ten­der harted Father doth with sighs, and robbs incessantlye embrace in his hart the Image, and semblance of his father. Soe fareth it with mee as often as I call to mind thy bitter Passion: when I call to mind alsoe the buffetts, and whipps by thee sus­teyned, the greiuous wounds by thee endured. When I remember in what cruell manner thou hast beene crucifyed, and murthered; in what manner thou hast (by thy deare friends) beene enbalmed, and buried; a [...] often likewise as thy Glorious Re­surrection, and admirable Ascension doe occurre to my Memorie. All these things I beleiue most firmelye lamentinge with Teares the Cala­mities of my exile in this vayle of mi­serie. My onlye hope is the comfort of thy comeinge, my cheife desire is to behold thee face to face in thy heauenlye habitation.

[Page 87]18. I cannot but greiue for that I haue not seene thee ô Lord of An­gells debasinge thy selfe to conuerse, and liue amongst men, that by that meanes thou mightst exalt men to Angelicall conuersation; when God did dye who was offended, that man might liue who had offended.

19. I cannot but greiue that I haue not deserued to be present, and to be astonished through admi [...]ation of a worke soe wonderfull and vnspea­kable compassion.

20. How is it ô my soule that the sword of most sharpe sorrow doth not peirce thee to the hart, seeinge thou couldst not be present to behold the side of thy Sauuiour wounded with a speare?

21. Seeinge thou couldst not be pre­sent to behold the feete and hands of thy Maker to be fastned with nailes, nor the blood of thy Redeemer to be spilt on the ground in that dreadfull manner?

This is continued in the followinge Exercise.

THE XIV. EXERCISE.

1. WHY art thou not drunke with the Bitternesse of tea­res, seeinge hee was made to drinke of the bitternesse of Gall?

2. Why dost thou not take compas­sion of the most chast Virgin Marie, his most worthy Mother, and thy most worthy Ladye?

3. O my most mercifull ladye what fountaines of Teares maye I affirme to haue flowed from thy most chast eyes when thou beheldst thy only sonne (though free from all offence) to be bound, whipt, and slaine in thy presence?

4. In what mournefull manner may I imagine thy dolefull countenance at that tyme to be blubbered all ouer with weepinge, when thou beheldst this thy innocent sonne thy God and thy Lord to be stretched out vppon the Crosse and that sacred flesh fra­med [Page 89] of thy flesh to be by those bloo­die butchers soe cruellye rent in Peices?

5. With what vnspeakable greife may I well thinke thy poore hart at that tyme to be tormented when thou didst heare those words pronounced. Weoman behold thy son­ne. And to the Disciple. Behold thy Mother? when thou didst accept of the Disciple insteed of his Maister, and the seruant in Ieiu of his Lord?

6. O that I had beene worthy with Ioseph to haue taken my Lord dow­ne from the Crosse, to haue enbaul­med, and buried him, to haue fol­lowed, or accompanyed him to his sepulcher that soe I might haue done some little seruice at soe greate a fu­nerall!

7. I am as a poore fatherlesse child, and my soule is as a weoman berea­ued of her husband in the Absence of my buried Lord.

8. Vouchsafe graciouslye to behold the teares of my distressed Orphan­cie [Page 90] and widdowhood, which I of­fer vnto thee, vntill thou returne ô my God.

9. May it please thee therefore, maye it please thee ô Lord to manifest thy selfe to mee, and I shall be com­forted.

10. Grant that I may see thee, and I shall obtayne what I desire.

11. Make manifest thy Glorie, and my ioye will be accomplished.

12. My soule hath thristed after thee, and soe hath likewise my flesh ex­ceedinglie.

13. My soule hath thirsted after my God the liuinge fountaine; when shall I come, and be presented befo­re the face of my Lord?

14. When wilt thou come ô my comforter: for whom I will wish, and earnestlye wayte?

15. O that I might once behold my delight which I doe soe much de­sire?

17. O how trulye shall I be satisfyed when thy Glorie shall appeare [Page 91] which I greatelye hunger to behold?

17. When shall I, become drunke through the plentie of thy heauenlye habitation, for which I sigh often?

18. When wilt thou make mee to drinke of the riuer of thy pleasure, which I soe much thirst after?

19. In the meane while lett my Teares be my continuall food vntill it be said vnto mee behold thy God; vntil it be said vnto my soule behold thy Bridegroome.

20. In the meane while feed mee with my sobbs and teares, nourish mee with my sorrowes and lamen­tations.

21 Peraduenture my Redeemer will come and visit mee, because hee is full of Mercie, hee will not be longe in comminge because Hee is full of Pittye to him be Glorie for all Eter­nitie. Amen.

THE XV. EXERCISE.

1. O Lord my God grant vnto my hart to desire thee, by desiringe thee to, seeke thee, by see­kinge, to find thee, by findinge, to loue thee, by louinge thee, to ga [...]ne pardon of my sinns heeretofore committed, and beinge pardoned, to committ them noe more?

2. Graunt ô Lord God repentance to my hart, and sorrow to my spiritt.

3. O my Kinge extinguish in mee the heate of vnlawfull lust, and kind­le in mee the fire of thy loue!

4. O my Redeemer expell from mee the Spirit of Pride, and Arrogancie, and mercifullye graunt mee the trea­sure of thy humilitie.

5. O my Sauuiour remoue from mee all anger, and testinesse, and gratious­lye giue mee the shield of patience, & meeknesse.

6. O my Creator roote out of mee [Page 93] all bitternesse of Affection and bes­tow on mee the sweetnesse of a mild disposition.

7. Giue vnto mee most mercifull father a firme faith, true hope, and euerlastinge Charitie.

8. O my God, my Mercie, I beseech thee for thy beloued sonns sake, graunt vnto mee to take pittie on the afflicted, to pardon such as haue offended mee, to loue those, who hate mee, and to render good for euill.

9. To dispise noe-man, but rather reuerence all Men.

10. To embrace Patience in aduer­sities, and Temperance in prospe­rities.

11. To tread vnderfoote by con­tempt all temporall things, and grea­telye to desire those that are eternall.

12. Behold ô my Maker I haue now requested of thee many thinges, and those not small, albeit I deserue no­thinge at all.

13. I confesse alas, I confesse that I [Page 94] doe not onlie not deserue these guifts, and Graces which I haue demanded; but greate, and greiuous torments to be inflicted vppon mee.

14. Publicans notwithstandinge, harlots, and theefes doe enbolden mee, who on a sudden beinge deliue­red out of the Iawes of the ghostlye aduersaries, are receiued into the boosome of their true sheepheard.

15. For thou ô God the Maker of all things, though in all thy workes thou art full of Admiration, yet art thou most to be admired in thy wor­kes, of Mercie, and compassion.

16. Wherevppon by a certayne ser­uant of thyne thou hast said of thy selfe. His Mercies are aboue all his Workes.

17. And as speakinge of one, wee hope thou hast said of all thy people. I will not take away my Mercyes from Him.

18. For thou disdainest noe Man, dispisest noe Man, vnlesse peraduen­ture such an One, as, beinge as it [Page 95] were besides himselfe, shall hate thee.

19. Thou therefore not only forbea­rest to strike when thou art angry, but likwise giuest guifts, and graces to those that haue prouoked thee, if they shall cease from liuing wicked­lye.

20. O my God the horne of my health and my Refuge, I vn [...]appie creature, I haue prouoked thee, I haue sinned against thee, I haue in­censed thyne Anger, and deserued thy displeasure!

This is continued in the ensuinge Exercise.

THE XVI. EXERCISE.

1. I Haue sinned thou sufferest mee, I haue done amisse, and yet thou lookest not angrylie vppon mee.

2. If I repent thou dost pardon mee, if I returne, thou receiuest mee, yea [Page 96] moreouer whilst I delay to doe it thou expectest mee.

3. Thou recallest mee wandringe, thou inuitest mee resistinge, thou waitest for mee lingringe, thou em­bracest mee returninge.

4. Thou instructest mee simple, thou comfortest mee sorrowfull.

5. Thou raisest mee from sinne, thou [...]pairest mee after I am falne.

6. Thou giuest when I aske, thou vonchsafest to be found when I see­ke thee, and when I knocke, thou openest vnto mee.

7. Behold ô Lord God of my Salua­tion, what to obiect I know not, what answere to make I am igno­rant?

8. There is noe place of Refuge to which I can fly from thee; there is noe place soe secret in which I may remayne secret from thee.

9. Thou hast shewed mee the way of liueinge well, thou hast giuen mee the knowledge of walkinge as I ought.

[Page 97]10. Thou hast threatned to punish mee with the paines of Hell; thou hast promised to reward mee with the ioyes of Heauen.

11. Now therefore ô Father of mer­cie; and God of all comfort peirce my flesh with thy feare, to the end that those things which thou dost threaten, I may eschape by fearinge thee.

12. And giue mee agayne the ioye of thy saluation that those things which thou dost promise; I may re­ceiue by louinge thee.

13. O Lord my strenth, my force, my God, my Refuge, and my deliue­rer, instruct mee what I ought to thinke; and conceiue of thee.

14. Teach mee with what words, I am to call vpon thee.

15. Make knowne vnto mee, which way I maye please thee.

16. One thinge (doubtlesse) I know with which thou art appeased, and another which thou dost not dispise. Verilie a penitent spirit is to thee, A [Page 98] sacrifice acceptable; soe likewise a hart that is contrite, and humble.

17. With these guifts ô my God, & my Ayde doe thou enrichmee?

18. Barricade mee with these Bul­warkes against myne enemyes.

19. Graunt mee this refreshinge, against the flames of my vicious in­clinations.

20. Sett open this pious place of Refuge, to which I maye flye from the Tumults of myne inordinate Af­fections. Amen.

THE XVII. EXERCISE.

1. GRAVNT ô Lord that I be not of the number of those, who for a tyme beleiue, and in tyme of Temptation doe depart, and leaue thee.

2. Couer my head in the day of Bat­taile, thou ô Lord who art my hope in the day of Affliction, and my safe­guard in the tyme of Tribulation.

[Page 99]3. Behold ô Lord my light and my life, I haue asked those things which I wan [...], I haue made knowne those things which I feare; my conscience neuerthelesse tormenteth mee; the secrets of my hart doe reprehénd mee!

4. And what loue affordeth, feare disperseth, zeale encourageth mee, dread daunteth mee?

5. Myne Actions cause mee to feare, but thy pittie giueth mee cause of Hope.

6. Thy Mercie emboldneth mee, my naughtinesse with holdeth mee.

7. And to speake the truth, their oc­curre to my memorie many sinnefull imaginations, which reprehend the boldnesse of my presuminge Affec­tions.

8. Hee therefore who deserueth an­ger; with what face can hee demand fauour?

9. Hee who meriteth to be punis­hed, how can hee be soe foole har­die, as to aske to be rewarded?

[Page 100]10. He incenseth the iudge, who neglecteth to make satisfaction for his offence, and yet maketh meanes to obtayne a Recompence.

11. That malefactor mocketh and derideth His Kinge, and Lord, who earnestly requireth the Prise, and ho­nour, which hee neuer deserued.

12. That foolish sonne likewise prouoketh to anger the sweete Af­fection of his Father, who vppon re­proaches offered without repentan­ce, dare vsurpe, and lay title to his in­heritance.

13. What is this (ô father) that I recompt of my selfe? I haue deserued death, yet begge for life.

14. I haue moued my Kinge to an­ger whose aid notwithstandinge I impudentlye implore.

15. I haue dispised my Iudge, whom boldlye I begge to be my helper.

16. I haue insolentlye refused to heare him, as a father, whom now I presume to choose as my defender.

17. Woe is mee, for not cominge soe [Page 101] soone as I ought. Alas! alas how little hast doe I make?

18. I neglected to beware of the weapons which wounded mee be­hore hand, and now I am troubled through the apprehension of Death at hand.

This is continued in the followinge Exercise.

THE XVIII. EXERCISE.

1. I Haue made my former [...]carrs to fester with new soares, sin­ce I haue renewed my former faultes by new iniquities

2. And those which the deuine salue had made sound; my phreneticall it­chinge hath agayne vnbound.

3. The skinne which beinge grow­ne ouer my wounds had hidden my maladie (by reason of corruption breakinge forth) hath growne to purifie; because myne iniquitie bein­ge reiterated, hath bereaued mee of [Page 102] mercie, which before was granted.

4. For that I know it is written in what howre soeuer a iust Man shall sinne all his good deeds shall be for­gotten.

5. If the righteousnesse of a good man is abolished when hee falleth into sinne?

6. By how much more is the pen­nance of a sinner defaced if hee re­turne to the same?

7. How often like a dogge haue I returned to that which I had vomi­ted vp before?

8. And as a sowe haue wallowed agayne, in the mire?

9. I confesse that it is impossible for mee to remember how many simple, and ignorant persons through my meanes haue sinned?

10. How many that were desirous to cease from sinne, haue I perswa­ded to sinne?

11. How many that haue withstood mee, haue I constrayned?

12. To how many that were wil­linge [Page 103] haue I consented?

13. To how many walkinge in the right waye haue I prepared a ginne, or snare?

14. To how many that haue sought the right way haue I vncouered the pitt that they might fall in?

15. And that I might not be fright­ned with committinge still the like, I easilie put those past out of my mind.

16. But thou in the meane while (beinge a iust Iudge) hast obserued, and recorded; and doth obserue, and record all myne offences, and hast numbred all my footesteps.

17. Thou hast all this while held thy peace, thou hast beene silent, thou hast beene patient.

10. Wooe is mee: for that thou wilt speake at lenth, as a weoman in her Trauayle.

This Exercise is continued.

THE XIX. EXERCISE.

1. I D [...]re not (ô my Lord God) presume on my owne meritts; yea I am affraide, and tremble to pre­sent my selfe before thee.

2. For my Soule, and Bodie are spot­ted, and blemished with many sinns, and defects, and I haue beene negli­gent [...] thought, and word.

3. To thee, therefore ô mercifull God, & deare Sauuiour I wretched sinner beinge in these streights recurre as vnto the fountaine of Mercie and pittie, [...] flie vnto thee for Saluation.

4. And to thee ô Lord I laye open my wounds, and soares, to thee I discouer my infirmities of which I am ashamed.

5. I know my sinns to be many, and greate for which I stand in feare.

6. I hope in thy Mercies which are without end.

7. Lord Iesus-Christ eternall Kinge [Page 105] God and Man, looke vppon mee with the eyes of thy Mercie.

8. Harken vnto mee puttinge my trust in thee, haue pittie on mee that am full of miseries, and sinns, thou ô Lord who neuer restreignest the flowinge of the fountaine of thy Mercie.

9. I am hartilye sorrie that euer I haue offended thee, I desire to amend for the tyme to come.

10. Doe away therefore from mee, ô most mercifull father all my sinns, and iniquities: that soe beinge puri­fyed and cleansed in soule and Bodie I may be able worthilye to serue thee, and blissedly to be vnited vnto thee.

11. Let my soule thirst alwayes after thee, the source of wisedome and knowledge, the fountaine of eter­nall life, and sunne of eternall light, the Riuer of Pleasure, the Plentiful­nesse of the Howse of God.

12. Lett it alwayes earnestly aspire after thee, seeke thee, and find thee, [...] [Page 108] deseruinge such ingratitude at my hands.

6. I much desire that I were more sorrie, & that my hart might breake for any one of the offences which I haue committed against thy deuine Maiestie.

7. How great reason is there that I should melt into teares for the least of them?

8. For I haue little corresponded with my dutye, and beene verie vn­gratefull for thy Benefits.

9. For thou hast spent thy whole life for my Aduantage, and I haue spent myne in offendinge thee.

10. I acknowledge I deserue for my sinns, and in punishment of them all the paynes of hel.

11. Yea they are all too little for my demeritt.

12. I haue sinned, I haue sinned, I am sorrie, I am sorrie, and repent from the bottome of my hart.

This Exercise is continued in the followinge.

THE XXI. EXERCISE.

1. I Offer thee a sorrowfull, and repentant hart: because such an one is acceptable vnto thee, and beseeminge mee.

2. I assure thee I had rather haue suffered all the torments, and tra­uayles of the world, rather then to haue offended thee in the least of my sinns.

3. I purpose, if please thee to giue mee life, to take chastisement, and reuenge of my selfe, for offending [...] thee, doinge for my sinnes all the pennance I am able.

4. And though they be many and greate; yet haue I greate hope and confidence thou wilt pardon them.

5. For thou art the sea of Mercie, & that which thou most gloriest in, is to be mercifull, and forgiue sinns.

6. Thou hast promised that in what howre soeuer a sinner should repent [Page 110] him of his sinns; thou wouldst par­don him.

7. Be mercifull therefore to mee, ô Lord, be mercifull.

8. Pardon, and forgiue mee my sinns, and offences, pardon mee sweete Iesus.

9. Be mercifull vnto mee, for thy bitter death, and Passions sake, and for ihy glorious meritts haue mercie vppon mee, for in them I trust, and confide.

10. If thou lookest on mee Alone, and naked: then maist thou presentlie cast mee into hell.

11. But I humblye begge of thee that thou wouldst place thy Death and Passion, thy Blood, and Crosse bet­weene thy [...]udgement, and my soule.

12. That by the merits of thy death, I may be deliuered from euerlastinge death, and admitted to life in thy Glorie.

[Page 111]13. And in the blessed societie of thy Saincts, I may prayse thee world without end. Amen.

THE FIRST EXERCISE.

1. O My soule when wilt thou be readie to follow the hu­militie of thy Lord Iesus-Christ?

2. When wilt thou imitate his mild­nesse?

3. When shal the example of his Patience shine in thee?

4. When wilt thou be better?

5. When wilt thou be, wholye free [Page 113] from Passions, and vicious Affec­tions?

6. When shall euill be quite des­troyed in thee?

7. When shall disordinatenesse be blotted out of thee?

8. When wilt thou peaceablye, and gentlye endure all tribulation, and temptation?

9. When wilt thou perfectlye loue thy God?

10. When wilt thou most inwardlye embrace Him?

11. When wilt thou be wholye swal­lowed vpp in his Loue?

12. When wilt thou be pure, simple, and resigned before him?

13. How longe wil it be ere thou be hindered noe more, from his most chast embracings?

14. O that thou wert immaculate?

15. O that thou dist feruentlye loue God?

16. O that thou didst inseparablye cleaue vnto thy cheifest good?

17. O my soule where is thy God?

[Page 114]18. Where is thy Loue?

19. Where is thy Treasure?

20. Where is thy Desire?

2 [...]. Where is all thy Good?

22. Where is thy God?

23. When shalt thou be with him?

24. When shalt thou most happilye enioye him?

It is continued.

THE II. EXERCISE.

1. WHEN shalt thou freelye prayse him, with all the Glo­rious Citizens of Heauen?

2. Dispaire not ô my soule?

3. Take comfort daughter, and be confident most deare?

4. If thou hast sinned, and art wounded: behold thy God; behold thy Physitian is readie to cure thee?

5. Hee is most gratious, and most mercifull, and therefore willinge; [...]tent and therefore [...]

[Page 115]6. Peraduenture thou art afraid be­cause hee is thy Iudge; but take ha [...] for hee who is thy Iudge, is alsoe thy Aduocate.

7. Hee is thy Aduocate to defend, and excuse thee doinge pennance, & soe thy [...]udge to saue, not to condem­ne thee beinge humbled.

8. His mercie is infinitlye greater then is, or can be thyne iniquitie.

9. Thy God is most gentle, most sweet, hee is wholye amiable; wholye de­sirable; and loueth all things which hee hath created.

10. Let not thyne imperfections dis­courage thee too much, for thy God doth not dispise thee, because thou art fraile, and infirme. But loueth thee exceedinglye because thou desi­rest, and labourest to be more per­fect.

11. Arise my soule, arise out of the dust, slipp thy head out of the col­lar, thou captiue daughter of Sion.

12. Arise forsake the puddle of thy negligent lise.

[Page 116]13. How longe must thou take plea­sure in perills? how longe wilt thou esteemee anxitie, and torments to be rest? how longe wilt thou securelye sleepe in destruction?

14. How longe wilt thou willing­lye leaue the right way, and wander abroad farre, and neere in vncouth, and vnknowne Paths?

15. Returne vnto our Lord thy God, for hee expecteth thee.

16. Make hast, be not slacke, for hee is readie to receiue thee.

17. Hee wil meete thee with open armes, deferre not to returne.

18. Haue accesse vnto Iesus hee will heale, and purifye thee.

19. Ioyne thy selfe to Iesus hee will illuminate thee.

20. Adhere to Iesus, hee will blesse, and saue thee.

21. Alas my soule how vngratefull hast thou beene to thy God.

It is continued.

THE III. EXERCISE.

1. HEE hath bestowed innu­merable, and most admira­ble b [...]nefits on thee; and thou stil repaist euill for good.

2. Hee hath adopted thee to be heir of the Kingdome of Heauen.

3. Hee hath promised those things vnto thee which neither eye hath seene, nor eare hath heard, nor the Hart of man can comprehend.

4. But thou hast left, and contem­ned Him, who hath beene soe many wayes beneficial vnto thee.

5. Thou hast cast away the holye feare of Him that loued thee.

6. Thou hast shaken of his sweet yoke that hath elected thee.

7. Thou art become as One of the daughters of Belial; as an impudent harlot, void of all shame thou hast worshipped iniquitie.

8. Thou hast made a compact with [Page 118] death, thou hast giuen thy hand to the diuell.

9. Thou hast beene most prompt to all wickednesse thou hast heaped euil vppon euil, and hast reioyced to adde sinne to sinne.

10. By thy wickednesse thou hast Crucifyed Christ agayne, who had chosen thee for his spouse.

11. Thou hast renewed his wounds by thy crimes.

12. Who will giue groanes and sighs?

13. Who wil giue thee a springe of teares that thou maist night, and day be wayle thy ingratitude?

14. O vnhappie wretch what wilt thou doe?

15. O that thou hadst kept thy selfe in the state of Innocencie?

16. O that thou hadst remayned immaculate?

17. O that thou hadst, not misera­blye defiled thy selfe with disho­nestie!

18. O that thou hadst not gone a stray from thy God!

[Page 119]19. Thou hast lost thyne innocen­cie, thou art defiled, thou art beco­me dishonest, thou hast forsaken thy God.

20. Alas poore wretch, and what wilt thou doe? to whom wilt thou flye? from whom wilt thou expect helpe?

21. From whom? but from Him whom thou hast offended? Hee is most pittifull, most courteous, and most mercifull.

It is continued.

THE IV. EXERCISE.

1. HVMBLE thy selfe, pro­strate thy selfe, powre out thy selfe like water in his sight, and Hee will take pittie on thee.

2. O my soule if it were necessarie dayly to suffer torments, yea to en­dure hell itselfe for a longe tyme to­gether that wee might see Christ in his glorie, and be ioyned in fellow­ship [Page 120] with the saintes in His Heauen­lye Citie: were it not meete thinkest thou to sustayne all manner of mise­rie, that wee might be made perta­ker of soe greate a good, and soe greate a felicitie?

3. O my soule who art most famous by beinge framed accordinge to the likenesse of God beinge bought with the price of Christs owne blood, es­poused vnto Him by Faith, endowed with the holye Ghost, adorned with vertues, esteemed equall with the Angells?

4. Loue Him then, Loue Him of whom thou art beloued?

5. Attend to Him that attendeth to thee, and seeke Him, that seeketh thee?

6. Loue this Louer, of whom thou art beloued, with whose loue thou art preuented, and who is the foun­taine from whence thy loue floweth?

7. Be carefull to please Him who is carefull to please thee, thinke on Him who thinketh on thee: be pure [Page 121] with Him, who is Puritie itselfe, be holye with Him, who is Holinesse itselfe.

8. Accoordinge to thy carriage towards God in thy conuersation, will hee carrie himselfe towards thee againe.

9. God is courteous, mild, full of mercie, and compassion, and doth require therefore of thee that thou likwise be courteous, mild, sweete, humble, and mercifull towards All.

10. Loue Him (ô my soule) who hath deliuered thee from the lake of miserie; and from the Mire of sinne, and iniquitie?

11. Choose Him for thy special Friend who alone will Faithfullye adhere, and sticke vnto thee, when all other things, and Friends will faile, and shrinke from thee.

12. One the day of thy burial when thou shalt be Abandoned and forsa­ken by all thy Friends, Hee will not leaue thee, but will defend thee from [Page 122] those roaringe infernall Fiends rea­die to deuoure thee, & will conduct thee vnto the Land of the liuinge.

13. O my soule sigh vehementlye, and aspire feruentlye to that glorious Citie, soe highlye spoken of.

14. Heauen, and Earth, and all ther­in contayned doe continuallye ex­hort thee, to loue thy Lord God.

15. My soule blisse thou our Lord, my soule praise thou our Lord?

16. Why art thou ô my soule sad? and why art thou troubled? Hope in our Lord for hee will be thy com­fort, and sollace?

17. Sweete, and amiable Iesus is present with thee, thou must with Reuerence, and loue attend vnto Him?

18. O would to God hee would wash mee with his most pretious blood, & perfectlye cleanse, and heale mee, and lighten mee with the brightenesse of his Grace?

19. O that hee would wound my hart interiorlye, and mollifye itt [Page 123] perfectlye, and make it as it were drunke with his mellifluous Cha­ritie?

20. O would to God I might who­lye burne, and be consumed and melted with the fire of his Loue!

21. I aske, I wish, I desire that the heauenlye Kinge who vouchsafeth to be my soules Bridegroome, would vouchsafe alsoe to make mee pleasin­ge to him. Amen.

FINIS.

THE FIRST EXERCISE.

1. I Doe reioyce in all the Perfections that are in thee ô my God, as in thy wisedome, Good­nesse, Powre, and all other thy de­uine prerogatiues, and perfections.

2. Lett it please, and suffice mee; that thou art infinitlye happie, and Rich, my most benigne, and louinge Father.

3. I doe reioyce at the presence of thee my God in heauen (where thou reignest as in thy Kingdome) and that thou art there worshipped, adored, and loued by all thy Angells, and Saincts.

[Page 126]4. Soe that if it were in my Powre, I would Loue, and honour thee with all that loue and worshipp where­with all the Angells, and Saints doe there Loue thee.

5. I doe ioye in all the Loues, and seruices that the iust Men in the Church, especiallye the Perfect in all former ages, in the present Age, or in the future Ages; haue borne, & performed, doe beare, and performe, or shall beare, and performe tow­ards thee.

6. And I desire to loue thee with the Loue of them All; and would for thy Loue doe, and performe, if it lay in my powre, all their workes aswell internall, as externall, and would vndergoe all their labours, and endure all their Afflictions.

7. I doe hartilye reioyce in all the good things that are in the elect ser­uants of God, but especiallye for the wonderfull guifts of the perfect, and that they are by thee, ô my God, il­luminated, inflamed, and sanctified.

[Page 127]8. My Loue, and desire towards thee, ô my God is such, and soe grea­te: that if it were possible to mee, and acceptable to thee, I would of each soule especiallye of myne owne ma­ke a Kingdome of Heauen, that thou mightst be beloued, and pray­sed in foe many Heauens by the dwellers in them.

9. Which if it lay in my powre should be more in number then the Grasse piles on the Earth, the sands in the sea, or dropps of water ther­in.

10. I doe heere in thy presence, ô my God, hold and repute my selfe as nothinge, and whatsoeuer I haue aboue nothinge naturall or superna­turall; I acknowledge it to be thyne, and none of myne.

11. And because of my selfe I am no­thinge, and that my God is all Good; and that all good things come onlye from him: I doe greatly reioyce, and with all my hart confesse that I am nothinge, can doe nothinge, and haue [Page 118] [...] [Page 119] [...] [Page 120] [...] [Page 121] [...] [Page 122] [...] [Page 123] [...] [Page 124] [...] [Page 125] [...] [Page 126] [...] [Page 127] [...] [Page 128] nothinge; for both my beinge, and abilitie to doe, and all I haue, is thyne, and from thee.

THE II. EXERCISE.

1. I Doe heere in the presence of God, repute, and iudge my selfe the most vile of all creatures; and because I cannot feele, or percei­ue this in my selfe, but rather the contrarie hauinge a good, and grea­te opinion of my selfe; I doe ac­knowledge therefore that I am most prowd, and vngratefull of all others, and I doe bewayle my selfe as such an One.

2. O my God I loue, and desire to loue thee with a loue pure, and free from all respect of proper commo­ditie, and selfe interest.

3. I loue thee my Lord with a per­seuerant loue, purposinge by the hel­pe of thy holye Grace, and assistance neuer to be separated from thee by sinne.

[Page 129]4. And if I were to liue for millions of yeares yet would I euer remayne thy faithfull seruant, and louer.

5. I wish all Creatures would Ado­re and serue thee; and that infidels may be conuerted to thy faith, and all sinners to good life; and All this onlye for thy supreame Honor, and Glorie.

6. I wish that neither my selfe, nor any other, had euer offended thee my God, and that in particular I my selfe had euer serued thee faithfullye from the instant of my Natiuitie.

7. I wish, and desire that both I my selfe, and all others maye here­after serue and loue thee most faith­fully, and this for the loue, and good will I beare thee.

8. I reioyce, and congratulate that thou my Lord God art soe rich and happie, that all creatùres can add noe more to thy happinesse then al­readie thou hast.

9. Neuerthelesse because thou maist haue external honour, and worshipp [Page 130] from thy creatures: I doe wish, I doe wish that All of them may accord­inglye performe their seruice, and the worshipp dew vnto thee the best they can.

10. I am sorrie for all the sinns and indignities that are, haue, or shall be done vnto thee, by my selfe, or by All, or any others.

11. And this principally, and only I am sorrie for; because these sinns are iniuries donne to thy deuine Ma­iestie, who onlye is worthye to be honored, and serued by all thy crea­tures.

12. I doe ioyfullye accept, and am glad of all that is pleasinge to God, be it Prosperitie, or Aduersitie, sweete, or bitter; and this meerelye for the loue I beare him.

13. I am sorrie for all that doth dis­please God, or is contrarie to his de­uine will, or Commandements; and all this onlye for the loue of him, and his Glorie.

THE III. EXERCISE.

1. I Congratule thee, ô my God, and am glad that thou art God; and for the Blissednesse, and all the Perfections that are in thee; and which for all Eternitie thou hast euer had as thy omnipotencie, wise­dome, goodnesses, and the like.

2. I congratulate thee alsoe, and am glad that thou hast need of noe ex­trinsecall thinge, but art in thy selfe most rich and fullye sufficient both for thy selfe, and all Other Crea­tures.

3. I likewise with thee, ô my Lord, re­ioyce in the sweete ordinance, and disposition of heauen, and earth; & for all the things which are in the maruaylous Creation of this world, and for all the workes which thou hast made, or shalt yet make vnto the end of the world.

4. I congratulate, approue, and re­ioyce [Page 132] in all the iudgements of my Lord God, aswell manifest, as secret: concerninge the Diuells, the soules of the damned, the vnbaptised chil­dren in Lymbo, the soules that be in Purgatorie, and the wicked men that liue in this world.

5. I congratulate, end reioyce with thee, ô my God in all the Laude, and prayses which the Angells, & Saints in heauen, and thy seruants of the earth doe giue thee, and for all the worshipp they yeild vnto thee.

6. Because I find my selfe altoge­ther insufficient to prayse my God I doe for my helpe and assistance ther­in inuite, and call vppon the holye Angells, and all creatures.

7. And withall my owne soule with all the powres of it, that all of them together may glorifye my God for his infinitt excellencie.

8. I am sorrie I am not perfect, and wish that (soe farre as it maye please my God to grant itt) I maye be per­fect the more worthylie to prayse thee;

[Page 133]9. And not out of any commoditie by it to my selfe, but purelye for the Loue I beare thy Deuine Maiestie who is infinitly worthy of more loue, and honour: then all Creatures that are, or can be, are able to per­forme towards thee.

10. Exult, and reioyce: and be thou delighted ô my soule for all the ex­cellencies, and good things that are in thy God.

11. If it laye in my powre, and were lawfull for mee to choose what God I would haue; I would not choose any other God but thee Alone, sayinge with Dauid. Dixi Domino, Deus meus es Tu. I said vnto my Lord, thou art my God.

12. I reioyce in the Dignitie that our Sauuiour Christ now hath in Heauen, and congratulate him in it.

It is continued.

THE IV. EXERCISE.

1. BLISSED be thy eternall Father who soe aboundant­ly bestowed these felicities on thee. Doe thou blissedly, and gloriouslye enioye them for all Eternitie.

2. I congratulate the most Blissed Virgin Marie; and all the Angells, and Saints in Heauen for the glory and happinesse which they now en­ioye.

3. And I prayse, and exalt my God for his greate goodnesse, and libe­ralitie therin shewed towards those thy most faithfull, and elect friends.

4. I doe exceedinglye reioyce; that since all Creatures together are in noe sort able to prayse thee my God accordinge to the very least worth that is in thee; yet thou thy selfe, and thou onlye art able sufficientlye, and perfectlye to prayse, and glorifye thy selfe.

5. I doe reioyce indeed at this, and [Page 135] doe hartilye desire thee to doe it euer more.

6. Yea I doe hartyly craue of thee that thou may incessantlye, and most intensiuely prayse thy selfe sin­ce thou onlye art Able to doe itt, and deserueth to haue it done.

7. I doe congratulate, and reioyce with thee, ô my Lord God in all the workes which thou hast done; and this only because they are thy wor­kes.

8. As for the Creation of the world, thy Prouidence about itt, thy Re­demption of it. Wonderfully estee­minge all these workes; because they are thyne.

9. An I reioyce aswell in that thou hast made a hell for the punish­ment of the wicked; as a heauen for the Reward of the good.

10. I wish, and desire out of my loue to God that hee may be praysed and knowne of all Men, and I doe inuite all Creatures to doe the same with my selfe.

11. I offer my selfe (for the loue of [Page 136] my God) to beare, and suffer all things which may be to his honour, and Glorie: though noe manner of commoditie accurre to mee thereby; but purely to doe it out of the free loue I beare, and desire to beare, towards my God.

12. Lastlye I professe that if I could deuise any thinge wherin I might shew, or Exercise my loue towards my God; I hope (with the helpe of his Grace) I should, and would doe it most cheerefullye, and readily out of the pure, and sinceare loue that I beare, and wish to beare tow­ard my God without respect of any commoditie by it to my selfe, which God graunt mee to doe for his Glo­rie, and my happynes [...]e. Amen.

THE FIRST EXERCISE.

1. I Resigne my selfe for the Loue of my God my deare Lord, to vndergoe these ensuinge Paines, or Difficulties in my Bodie; soe farre as God hath alreadie laid [Page 159] them, or any of them vppon mee; or shal be pleased heereafter to laye, or permitt them, or any of them to fall vppon mee. To witt: Agues, Fea­uers, falling-sicknesse, crampe, col­licke, Consumption, or other bo­dilie sicknesse whatsoeuer. Especial­lie such sicknesse, or infirmitie, as troubles mee at this present, or to which through my nature or Bodilie complexion, and constitution I am most disposed, and inclined.

2. As weaknesse, feeblenesse, la­menesse, Toothache, or any other ache, or paine in my head, or any other part of my Bodie.

3. Deformitie, or vglinesse in the sight of others, as it was in the case of holy Iob, Lazarus, and others that were full of Biles, botches, and other more odious externall defects in Bodie.

4. Extremitie of Heate such as wee feele, or maye feele in some time of the summer: extremitie of cold such as wee feele, or maye feele in some [Page 160] tyme of the winter. And in tyme of summer to be driuen to weare, and beare perhaps out of Obedience, or other necessitie more cloaths then our nature needeth, or is willinge to beare. And in the cold of winter, to be contented to want cloaths which wee conceiue our nature needes, when that obedience, or necessitie denies them vs.

5. Want of sleepe, as when beinge in bed one cannot [...]leepe through [...]ome bodilie indisposition, or other; or when obedience will not permitt mee to haue soe much tyme for slee­pe, as my nature would desire to ha­ue, or maye seeme needfull to haue.

6. Hunger, thirst, the difficulties of fastinge, and Abstinence, scarci­tie in meate, or drinke, as not hau­inge soe much in Quantitie as my nature would haue, or perchance requireth, or lesse then I see some others haue. Or when the qualitie of the meate, or drinke doth not please my nature, and yet obedience [Page 161] will yeild mee noe better; or when my meate is not soe well dressed, as I could wish it were; or when I haue it not in such a season as in my nature I could wish, but is delayed mee for some tyme.

7. I am resigned, and contented to see others better serued, or prouided for, in, meate, drinke, cloath, lod­ginge, and beddinge then I am: though I conceiue, and imagine that I deserue, and need as much as they doe, and yet obedience will not al­low it mee. Likwise when it seemeth to mee that others are more spared from corporal labours then I am; & yet it seemeth to mee that they need, or deserue noe more indulgence, or sparinge, then I doe.

8. Indisgestion, vomitinge, or other payne, or defect in the stomacke, not to be able to gett downe some meate that is vngratefull to the stomacke, or palate; And yet obedience, or pouertie will perhaps afford mee noe better.

[Page 162]9. Paynes, or Defects about the 5. externall senses. As bitter, or vnsa­uorie Tasts; vngratefull smells; hi­deous, and horrible sights, or repre­sentations to the eyes, as the sight of Deuills, or damned soules. Hideous and fearefull noises, as thunder &c. and noises displeasinge to the eare, and soe of the Rest.

It is continued.

THE II. EXERCISE.

1. AS to the fift sense of feelin­ge. I Resigne my selfe to suffer, and endure scorgings, buffe­tings, beatings, as our Sauuiour en­dured; or stoneings as S. Stephen: or incisions, and launcings, or c [...]t­tinge of the flesh, or any other cor­porall paynes, or torments, be they external, or internal. To the losse of eyes, or pains in them; to deafenesse, or dumbenesse; to vndergoe alsoe some externall worke, or labour [Page 163] from which I am naturally auerted: when that obedience appoints itt, albeit I should conceiue it preiudi­ciall to my health.

3. To attend, and watch with the sicke when that obedience appoints it.

4. I am resigned to loose any mem­ber of my Bodye when God shall permitt, or will haue mee to loose itt, be it feete, leggs, hands &c.

5. To vndergoe all sort of corporall labours, and that with feeblenesse, and indisposition of Body: soe farre as the will of God shall require.

6. I am resigned to loose all pleasure, delight, and Gust in the sense of Tast soe that I may find noe more tast in the pleasantest meate, then I should doe in eatinge a chipp, or a stone: or in drinkinge of a thinge that hath noe tast, or is of a very vngratefull Tast.

7. I am resigned to any disfiguringe in the face, or other part of the Bo­die: come it naturallye, or by any [Page 164] chance, or accident.

8. To loose my life by suddayne death, or else by longe sicknesse as it shal please God.

9. To receiue harme in my Imagi­nation: whereby I may haue my braines crackt, or become a very foole, or madd man; And to be con­tent with all this if God permitt the case to befall mee.

10. That my Body putrifie, and cor­rupt slowly, and with lenth of tyme; and that others obserue, and take notice of such putrifyinge, and in their natures abhorre it, and mee for itt.

11. To endure, and suffer the Ago­nye of Death, and the vnwilling­nesse, and horrour that nature hath in the separation of the soule from the Bodye.

I [...] is continued.

THE III. EXERCISE.

1. I am resigned to dye a natural death; or otherwise a violent, and paynefull death procured by others; which of them may best please thee my Lord.

2. To dye when, where, and in what manner it shall best please God, and that without the helpe of any of the Sacraments; if I cannot come by them.

3. Beinge dead to want not only honorable, but euen Christian Bu­rial; And my Body to be a prey, and food to beasts, and fowles: as hath beene, and often is the case of Mar­tyrs.

4. In the Agonye of death to endu­re such terrours, Afflictions, & tem­ptations as the diuel doth then vsual­lye rayse, and procure, or my deare God permitt.

THE IV. EXERCISE.

1. I Am resigned not only not to be beloued, or well thought of by Superiors, Bretheren, sisters, or others: but euen hated, and euil thought of by them. Yet wil I take heed (through Gods Grace) not by any sinne to giue iust Occasion of such hatred, or euil opinion of mee.

2. And I am resigned that all others yea myne enemyes be in greater Gra­ce, fauour, loue, and good opinion with superiors, and all others then I am.

3. To vndergoe all manner of dis­graces, Reproaches, slaunders, in­famyes, Dishonors, Taunts, con­tempts, neglects, scoffs, backbitings, and iniuries in my fame. And to en­dure all these, be they done to my face, or behind my Back: whither I haue iust occasion for them or noe, and I am sorrie for the sinne, (soe [Page 171] farre as there was a sinne in it) and I am glad of the occasion growne by it, of my Resignation, and Mortifi­cation.

4. And whither they be done mee by my Superiors, or betters, or by myne equalls, or els by such as in the condition of the world are inferior to mee.

5. And whither they be done by such as I esteemed my friends, and of whom I had better deserued: or by any professed foes, or as such be­haue themselues towards mee, though I esteeme them to be in cha­rity with mee, and all the world.

6. I am resigned that my life, or manner of my death be execrable, odious, and hatefull to others, and beinge dead to be euil thought of, and euil spoken of by others, and to haue noe man that will uouchsafe to pray for mee beinge dead, but to be either cleane forgotten, or to haue an ill memorie, and esteeme.

7. Yea thought by all the world to [Page 172] haue dyed out of the state of Salua­tion, and soe damned for euer. Yea moreouer to haue it soe sett downe, and expressed in a printed booke, or Cronicle: not only to my owne euer­lastinge shame, but to the shame, and confusion of my kindred, and fa­milye.

8. And finally in this life to be held for the scumme, and outcast of all the race of Mankind, and forsaken by All both as to their doings, and to their Affections towards mee.

9. In sicknesse, and other occa­sions, and necessities to be chargea­ble, and troublesome to others, and my selfe, to be profitable to none at all, nor in any sort to be able to steed others.

10. Soe that the whole world grow weary of mee, and of my life, and Beinge: and dayly longe to be ridd of mee by death, or some other way they care not how; and in this case to remayne diuers yeares, yea for my whole life tyme though neuer soe longe.

[Page 173]11. I am resigned that dyinge in the Grace of God (which I hope, and earnestly pray I may alwayes doe) and of a naturall death: I be for all that, through some occasion, or other by the permission of God, esteemed to haue killed, or destroyed my selfe and therevppon to be accordinge to the custome of our countrey pearsed through the midst of my Bodye with a stake, and buried in the high way; and euery one that passeth by, to cast a stone on my Graue in detestation of mee to the vnspeakable shame, c [...]nfusion, and damnation of my ow­ne fame, and to the fowle Aspersion of my Familye.

Resignations of and concerninge the soule.

THE V. EXERCISE.

1. I Am resigned to vndergoe all sorts of temptations which [Page 174] may please thy Deuine Maiestie to lay, or permitt to fall vppon mee for myne exercise, and Triall: And to en­dure them to the end: euer adherin­ge to thee; and not yeildinge to sinne by occasion of them, soe farre as thy holy Grace shall enable mee.

2. To endure all manner of desola­tions, Priuations, Aridities, Dry­nesses, and indeuotion. All dark­nesse in myne vnderstandinge, and all dullnesse, and coldnes [...]e of Affection in my will towards my God; soe farre as I am not able to helpe it; And will not for my comfort conuert mee to externall solaces.

3. To want all manner of guifts, & Graces that are not absolutely ne­cessarie to my Saluation; as all super­naturall contemplations, sweetenes­ses, and extraordinarie deuine visits, and fauours.

4. To resigne my selfe in all things be they neuer soe contrarie to na­ture, and its inclination; to sensuali­tie, and its affections.

[Page 175]5. To resigne my selfe to beare with the repugnance which I find in my sensualitie vntill by the Grace of God (sooner, or later; euer, or neuer) in this life, it may be brought to per­fect subiection to the soule: and in the meane tyme to beare with the la­bour, and difficultie: that is in figh­tinge against it, or in resistinge the desires of itt.

6. To resigne my selfe to dye befo­re that I can reach to perfection, and to liue, and dye in that state, or de­gree of perfection which shall be pleasinge to God, and not accordinge to my owne will, or waye: yet euer wishinge, and endeauouringe that I may not be wantinge in cooperatin­ge with His Graces, and Calls.

7. To resigne my selfe to be con­tent to serue my God accordinge to that manner which Hee preordai­ned, and not accordinge to myne owne proper will, desires, or wayes. Hauinge reguard notwithstandinge to my naturall talents, and comple­xion, [Page 176] or corporall constitution: And accordinge to the measure of witt, or vnderstandinge that is in mee, and accordinge to the supernaturall helps, and Graces that God shall af­ford vnto mee: and not accordinge to the talents, guifts, and graces which God hath giuen, and impar­ted vnto others.

8. I am resigned, and well pleased that God hath giuen, and heereafter at his pleasure may giue to others farre greater Graces, and Talents, or perfections then hee hath giuen, or shall giue vnto mee.

9. And that all others make greater progresse in Spirit, and perfection then I doe: albeit I should vse grea­ter diligence, and industrie then they.

10. I am resigned to vnderstand learne, or know noe more, or other­wise then God would haue mee to know, and to remayne ignorant in what Hee would haue mee to re­mayne ignorant of.

It is continued.

THE VI. EXERCISE.

1. AND for what I doe, or shall know: I doe resigne, and yeld vp to God (whose it is by due) all the Honour, contentment, satisfaction, and commoditie that can come to mee by such knowledge.

2. I am resigned to know noe mo­re then is absolutely necessarie to sal­uation, and to want the knowledge of all other things, and especiallye of all curiosities, and impertinencies.

3. I am resigned, yea desire to fol­low God by all wayes whatsoeuer that Hee shall call mee, seeme they neuer soe strange, or vnreasonable (soe they haue noe sinne in them: I meane both for internall, and exter­nall wayes) though I cannot vnder­stand the reasons of them, or percei­ue how they can lead, or bringe to a good end, or issue. And soe to be con­tented to walke as it were blindfold, [Page 178] and in darknesse, as to the vse of my naturall vnderstandinge.

4. I am resigned, and contented that others doe excell mee in virtues, and perfections, yet euer desiringe that I may not be wantinge in my endeauours: And am resigned that they be farre more then my selfe esteemed, loued, and honored by all others for virtues, and perfection.

5. I am resigned not to know in what case I am, as to my soule; nor in what degree of Perfection: and not to know whither I goe back­ward, or forward in perfection.

6. I am resigned not know whit­her I am in the state of Grace, or noe: as noe man (without speciall reue­lation) doth know himselfe to be. I craue notwithstandinge, and desire that I may be industrious, and doe my part, and cooperate with my Grace.

7. I am resigned that God may giue, and bestow on Him who of all crea­tures liuinge most hateth mee: all [Page 179] those guifts, Graces, and Fauours which my soule, my nature, or my hart could craue, or wish of thee my God for my selfe: and am resigned to want them my selfe, and to haue noe more then thy will is to bestow on mee.

8. And I am moreouer contented, and resigned that in the end of my life thou my Lord may bestow vpon him that hateth mee most, the fruict, Benefit, and reward of all the la­bours, afflictions, and mortifications which in my life tyme I haue vnder­gone, albeit they were soe great, and soe many as hath beene all the labours, Afflictions, and Mortifica­tions, of all the Mar [...]yrs, Confessors, and Virgins, all put together that euer liued, or heereafter shall liue in the Church of God. Soe purely, and freely doe I desire to serue my God.

9. I am resigned willingly to endu­re all manner of contempts, and yet to be esteemed by others that I en­dure them meerely against my will, [Page 180] and not out of Humilitie; and that I would be reuenged if I could with­out further discredit, or dammage to my selfe.

THE VII. EXERCISE.

1. I Am resigned to serue my God in this life in all labours, and afflictions which are possible for mee to vndergoe: though there we­re neither heauen, or Hell, or Purgatorie, or any payne, or rew­ard in the future life. Soe purely doe I desire, and purpose to serue my God for his owne sake without any maner of interest, or commoditie thereby intended to my selfe.

2. I am resigned, and contented to enioy the very lowest place in Hea­uen, though God should enable mee to meritt as much as all the SS. in Heauen putt together haue done.

3. I am resigned to doe, and suffer both in soule, and Bodye what, and [Page 181] in what maner, and for soe longe tyme as shall be pleasinge to God, and as it shall be his deuine pleasure to lay vppon mee to be done, or suffe­red by mee.

4. For the loue of my God I resigne and renounce all maner of inordina­te loue towards my selfe, and tow­ards all other Creatures.

5. Euen now, and euer I doe re­nounce all inordinate Affection that I beare to the personall company, or societie of any Persons, or to corres­pondence with them by letters, to­kens, or messages: And I am conten­ted to be depriued for euer of their company, and all manner of corres­pondence with them.

6. And I will auoid such companie, and correspondence soe farre as by the will of God I may: where I doe, or shall find it to be an occasion of fallinge into sinns, or imperfections.

7. And when I cannot auoid the company I will with Gods assistance be more warie, and carefull in my [Page 182] conuersation with such persons. And I doe resigne my selfe, and hartilye desire to be depriued of such com­pany.

8. For the loue of God I doe resigne, and yeild vpp all seekinge to gett the Loues, or good wills of others tow­ards my selfe, and all sollicitous see­kinge to please them further, or otherwise then shall be for God-sake.

9. And I will be contented that they whose loue in my nature I most loo­ke after, shall (noe iust cause giuen for it by mee) withdraw all their Affections from mee; yea Hate mee, speake ill of mee, and doe mee all maner of euill Offices.

10. For the loue of God I doe re­nounce all maner of curiosities in dressinge of my selfe, and all desire that other should affect, or esteeme mee for my exterior Habit, cor­porall array, or dressinge; or for my personall visage, feature, comely­nesse, Grace, Beautye, or stature, or any other Qualitie Artificial, or na­turall [Page 183] that is in mee; or generally for any guift, or Talent that I haue. I say I doe renounce all proprietie in them & all affection to them. And would (if it soe pleased God) for my morti­fication be depriued of them.

11. And haue them bestowed vpon some other Man whom in my nature I doe least affect, and most detest.

It is continued.

THE VIII. EXERCISE.

1. AND as for such guifts Graces, and Talents as thou ô my God wilt haue still to abide in mee; I desire, and intend that they may be employed, and made vse of meerely, and purely for thy Honour and Glorie: and not for any Honour, or other end of myne owne. And therefore I wholy resigne, and giue them vp (as to any affection I retay­ne to them) to thee my God, from whom all good things doe proceed; [Page 184] and to thee, and thy seruice only doe they belonge.

2. Likewise in particular I doe re­nounce all complacence, loue, and likinge to elegancie, and Acutenesse of witt, eloquence of tounge, and abilitie to expresse my mind perfect­lye by words, or by letters, or other writinge. All Humour, Abilitye, or facilitye to Iest, recreate, or de­light others. All affection I say to those talents, or qualities (soe farre as I haue any of them in mee) I doe for the loue of God resigne, relin­quish, and abandon.

3. In particular likewise for the louer of God I doe freely renounce all complacence, and loue that I haue in the knowledge, or skill of any particular art either of readinge, writinge, speakinge, enditinge, and generally all skill, and knowledge of any art, or science whatsoeuer. And alsoe all desire to be esteemed for nobilitie, Gentrie, and gteate al­liance. All things in a word (that are [Page 185] not for God, and in God) with the loue, and Affection to them, I doe for the present, and future, reiect, and cast awaye.

4. For the loue of God I doe freely renonnce all maner of affection to the occasions of sinns, or imperfec­tions: soe that willingly I would vt­terlye flye from them, be they of what kind they will. And will en­deauour to auoid all such occasions as farre as well I maye, and what I cannot (such beinge the necessitie of our liues that wee cannot auoid all maner of occasions) I will with the Grace of God be as warie in them as my frailtie will permitt mee, and withdraw my selfe from those occa­sions soe soone as well I maye.

5. I doe for the loue of God renoun­ce all proprietie I haue or may haue in any Kind of Office, Dignitie, or imployment. And am, and will be euer readye to resigne, and yeild itt vp, when it shall please God: and in the meane tyme shall hold my selfe [Page 186] in itt out of Obedience to God, and for his seruice; and not for myne owne turne, Honour, or interest.

6. For the Loue of God I doe re­nounce all manner of proprietye to spirituall Exercises (be they neuer soe pleasinge to mee) soe that there is, or shall be noe Exercise soe swee­te, or pleasinge which I would not giue ouer, if I knew it were Gods will that I should doe itt.

7. Neither is there any Kind of Exercise soe vngratefull, or payne­full to my nature: but I would em­brace it. If I knew, or thought itt to be Gods will that I should; or other­wise could find it to be profitable to mee.

8. In the meane tyme I will for the loue of God serue him in such kind of Exercises, as my poore knowledge shall informe mee to be most for his Honour, and seruice: and my owne soules good.

9. I resigne my selfe to vndergoe all manner of temptations be they cor­porall, [Page 187] or spirituall: as Blasphemies, dispaire, or any other manner of Temptation wherewith it would please God to exercise, and proue mee: and will abide in them as longe as hee shall please that they continue, be it for neuer soe many yeares, yea though it were for my whole life tyme.

10. And I purpose with the Aid of his Grace not to be carried by any of of those temptations to offend his Maiestie. But euer to adhere, and abide faithfull to him.

It is continued.

THE IX. EXERCISE.

1. AND if I should happen vppon any of these tem­ptations to fall, or proue defectiue: (as who is not fraile) I will notwith­stande by the Grace of God soe soone as I can rise vp agayne, reforme what hath beene amisse; and for the [Page 188] future tyme looke better to my selfe, continuinge in resistance to those temptations, soe longe as they con­tinue.

2. Nor will I seeke to driue them away, or lessen the payne of them, but only as it shall be the will of God, and not accordinge to the will of my nature, that is apt to free, or ease herselfe of all temptatiōs meerely out of slouth, and vnwillingnesse to vn­dergoe the sharpe and paynefull re­medies prouided by God for my sou­les good, by the meanes of these tem­ptations.

3. I alsoe resigne mee willingly to embrace, and entertayne such de­fects or blemishes (soe they be noe sinns) as are in mee by nature, or by chance, in bodie, or in soule; and by which I am lesse esteemed by others, soe farre as any such defects, or ble­mishes are in mee, as Dullnesse, or slownesse of witt, or Iudgement; disabilitie to expresse my mind by word, or writinge; ignorance, or [Page 189] vnskilfulnesse in such Kind of things, as others of my callinge vsuallye can doe; rawnesse, harshnesse, lownesse, or vnpleasantnesse of voyce; Blemis­hes, or defects in face or fauour, or in any other part of the bodie, or in stature: or in any other reall or see­minge defect in soule, or bodye. Or in beinge descended of poore, or lesse noble parents, or hauinge poore or obscure kindred, or Friends. In the­se, and all other such like points I resigne my selfe to God; and I doe, and will still accept of my Coudition such as it is, or may be: And doe not desire any betteringe, lesseninge, or alteringe of itt. But that it may con­tinue, and be published to all others, for my mortification, and humilitie.

4. I resigne my selfe all the tyme of my life (proue it neuer soe longe) for the Honour of God, and his de­uine pleasure, to labour all that I can both corporallye, and spiritually for gayneinge of perfection (that is, the perfect loue of God) albeit I neuer [Page 190] reach vnto itt, or neere vnto itt. Therin, and in all other things resi­gninge, and wholy submittinge my selfe to what the Maiesty, Goodnes­se, and Wisedome of God shall please to determine about mee.

5. I resigne my selfe as to all pro­prietie, and affections to bookes, and instructions printed, and written [...] which I either haue had, now haue, or heereafter may haue. And doe resigne my selfe to be depriued of them, when, and by such meanes, as shall please God to depriue mee of them. And for the loue of God I doe for the present, and for the future renounce, and giue ouer all Affec­tion to them.

6. The like I doe for all those things that I haue for the vse of my bodye, or Exercise of deuotion, as chamber, beddinge, cassocke, or any other cloathinge, and all other things appertaninge to the bodye.

7. Beads Reliques, Reliquaries, Agnus Dei, with their siluer, gold, [Page 191] or other pretious cases; pictures me­dalls, and whatsoeuer other mate­riall things appertayninge to Deuo­tion; or that may be a recreation, solace, or pleasure to the mind.

THE X. EXERCISE.

1. I Doe most willingly resigne my selfe to be depriued of all instructors (I meane men, or weo­men, that may, or doe instruct mee) and of all Confessors both in Gene­rall, and particular, purposinge with the Grace of God euer to serue him the best I can accordinge to the na­turall talents which I haue, as alsoe accordinge to the supernaturall ta­lents, and Graces that hee shall be­stow on mee hopinge in his good­nesse that hee will by one meane, or other supplie mee with all know­ledge that shall be necessarie for my soule: albeit I be depriued of all tho­se ordinarie helps of bookes, instruc­tors, [Page 192] and confessors.

2. I resigne my selfe to haue my superiors, and all others whom my nature would haue to be most friend­ly vnto mee; to be in all things cros­se, and contrarie vnto mee; yea, and to persecute mee soe farre as the pro­uidence of God shall permitt, pur­posinge through his Grace, and for his loue to endure all.

3. Since the tongue is an occasion of many sinns, and imperfections, I doe for the loue of God renounce all affection to the vse, and Exercise of the tongue, and to all manner of talkinge, and discoursinge soe that if it might please God I would be contented for his loue to be made dumbe, and to haue noe tongue at all, soe that I could not speake.

4. Because neuerthelesse the neces­sitie of his life will not admitt such mortification of absolute dumnesse in practise; but that I must often spea­ke either for myne owne need, or for Charities sake, or for my own [...] [Page 193] recreatio [...], or for some other iu [...]t oc­casion, I purpose with the grace of God that all my words, and talkings shall not be out of Affection to tal­kinge, but out of a reasonable neces­sitie with a religious warinesse that I offend not in the matter, or manner of my speakinge; giuinge ouer soe soone as conueniently I may; euer affectinge (at least in my superior will, if not in my nature, or sensua­litie) to haue noe vse of my tongue at all, nor wishinge to haue need, or iust oc [...]asion for it, saue only for pray­singe, & Honoring [...] God. Soe that by this meanes my errors, & escapes by occasion of talkinge doe not proceed out of affectiō to talkinge itselfe: but that the talke itselfe be neces [...]tated; and the which wee could not well forbeare.

5. For the loue, and Honour of God; I doe renounce all manner of desire of Honour, and Honorable places; dignities, and Offi [...]es that are o [...] Au­thoritie, command, or Directio [...] [Page 194] or whatsoeuer may breed mee esti­mation with others, and thereby feed my prowd nature.

6. And in steed thereof I will vn­dergoe any office, place, or imploy­ment that my nature doth scorne, and abhorre; if that obedience, cha­ritie, or the will of God doe impose itt on mee.

7. For the loue of God I doe re­nounce all vayne complyinge, con­uersation, and correspondance with the world by letters, tokens, messa­ges, or otherwise. And all seekings to please the world, with which in affection I desire to haue noe more to doe, then if I were really dead, and buried; desiringe only to serue, and please God. Yea I desire soe much to be forgotten by the world, that it may not remember, or know tha [...] there is, or euer was any such crea­ture as I am; or as if I had neuer at all beene borne.

8. For the loue of God I renounce all inordinate affection to my parents [Page 195] Friends, and kindred: as if I were another Melchisedec, whose parents and kindred were vtterly vnknow­ne both to himselfe, and to all others. And doe resigne my selfe to be ne­glected, and forsaken by them all; yea, and to haue them (without any iust occasion giuen by mee) auerted from mee; soe that they abhorre to heare mee named, nor can endure soe much [...] as to thinke of mee.

9. For the loue of God I renounce all affection to meates, and drinkes as to any pleasure, or delight that I willingly intend in them; and doe rather (if it might please God to graunt itt vnto mee) choose for the mortification of my sensual [...]tie, that I might neuer need to eate, or drin­ke at all; but be deliuered from the necessitie of itt. And in such case would I desire to liue soe longe as it shall please God that I abide in th [...] lise. I meane without eatinge, or drinkinge: and without need to eate, or drinke, or to take any thinge that [Page 196] may be pleasinge to my Bodye, or nature.

10. But since it cannot be soe but that I needs must eate, and drinke, I will doe it for the loue, and seruice of God, and not meerely, or at all for my owne will, and pleasure.

It is continued.

THE XI. EXERCISE [...]

1 [...] IN the like manner I resigne my selfe (as to the affection) for sleepinge, Recreation, and all other corporall refreshments, and solaces; to take them only for God; and not for myne owne will, or sa­tisfaction. And to be willing altoge­ther to forbeare them, if that it could stand with the will of God accordin­ge to true discretion.

2. I doe renounce all manner of Affection to created things be they corporall, or spirituall as to any af­fection I heare them for their owne [Page 197] sakes meerely de [...]iringe, and inten­dinge that all kind of created things spirituall, and corporall, and all that is not God, may be loued by mee for God, and in God, and not otherwise.

3. In particular I renounce all Af­fection to sensible g [...]st, and Deuo­tion; to spirituall lights, to facilitie in Prayinge; to eleuated contempla­tions both Actiue, and Passiue, Rapts, and extases, Visions, Apparitions, Extraordinarie Illuminations, Re­uelations, knowledges of the de [...]ine secrets, the beholdinge, and conuer­singe with Glorious Angells, Saints, or other good Spirits. And to all other extraordinarie guifts, and fa­uors. I say I doe resigne all affection to them; soe that if I chance to haue them; yet by the Grace of God will I haue no [...] adheringe Affection to them, but referre it to the goodnesse, and freewill of God to giue, or not to giue what Hee pleaseth [...].

4. And with the Grace of God, I will neuer [...]st in any guift of God, [Page 198] not in any created thinge be it neuer soe noble; but only shall make vse of itt, soe farre as it may be of vse for to passe further into that which is in­created, illimited, and infinitt: which is God himselfe the Creatour, and Giuer: who is infinitly aboue all the­se, and other whatsoeuer guifts, Gra­ces, and Creatures. And in him on­ly will I place, and make my finall Rest, loue, and intention. Though I know well I shall not attayne vnto him, as Hee is in his true essence, while I [...]m in this l [...]fe.

5. And therefore I purpose with his Grace euer to labour more, and more to approach vnto him, & neuer to giue ouer: knowinge well that I shall not perfectly come by him in this life. (It beinge reserued for the future) but yet with continuall la­bour I may with his grace walkinge only in the light of faith draw nee­rer, and liker vnto Him, and more please his deuine eyes, which I de­sire, and intend seriously euer to doe.

[Page 199]6. I resigne my selfe for the loue of God to be depriued of al bodily ne­cessaries, and to be as naked therin as when I was borne. And as for such necessaries as God shall afford mee for the maintayninge of my cor­porall life; I doe, and will likwise resigne all loue, and affection euen to those necessaries.

7. For the loue of God I resigne my selfe to be by all that doe know, or heereafter shall know mee esteemed the most abiect, vnworthy, base, ignorant, foolish, wittlesse, and most contemp [...]ible of all humayne creatu­res: And therefore not only incapa­ble of all Office, and imployment; but alsoe vnworthy to be admitted into the company, or conuersation of any Others though of neuer soe meane condition.

8. For the loue of God I doe resigne my selfe to be contented with the na­turall, and supernaturall guifts, and talents that I haue, or shall haue wis­hinge noe more of them then it shall [Page 200] please God to giue mee, or continue in mee, which I will employ in his seruice while I haue them, and will not repine, or murmure [...]o be de­priued of them.

9, I am resigned, and contented to vndergoe all such mortifications, Obediences, and difficulties what­soeuer, which my superior mediate, or immediate shall deliberately re­quire of mee to be vndergone, or performed.

10. I am resigned after this life to abide in Purgatorie in horrible pay­nes, and torments, and for soe lon­ge tyme, as it shall be the will of God, and to remayne there euen to the end of the world; if it shall soe please God to ordayne of mee.

THE XII. EXERCISE.

1. I Am resigned not to know what will become o [...] mee hee­reafter [...]i [...]her for bodye, or soule: but [Page 201] therin to referre my selfe to the pri­uate, and secret Iudgement of God. And to be resigned, and contented that God doe reserue, and conceal [...] to himselfe those his knowledges, & iudgements about mee.

2. And in particular not to know where, in what companye, with what assistance, and in what manner, of what kind of sicknesse, and whit­her suddenly, or of a: longe sicknesse, or in what case as to the state of my soule I shall dye; as whither my soule shall goe to Heauen, or to Hell, or to Purgatori [...]. In all these cases I am to resigne my selfe, and to be con­ [...]nted that God only doth know what will become of mee, and my [...] to be Ignorant of itt.

3. Neuerthelesse (as to my soule) I hope, and with the Grace of God [...]uer will hope (because hee is good, and commands mee to hope) that I shall be a saued soule; and shall one day sooner, or later enioye Him in Heauen for all Eternitie.

[Page 202]4. For the loue I beare vnto God, & purely for the loue and excellencie that is in him, I resigne my selfe to serue him all the dayes of my life with all my soule, and bodye: with­out any reguard to a reward for soe doinge. In soe much as if there were neither Heauen, or hell, or Pur­gatorie, or any Reward, or punish­ment, in this life, or the next. Yet would I serue him in the best maner I could, and this only in reguard that his Goodnesse, and Other His ex­cellencies doe deserue infinitly grea­ter loues, and seruices then I, yea or all the Angels, and Saincts, and other creatures whatsoeuer are able to do [...], or performe for him.

5. For the loue of God in whose sight I am, and vpon whom all my beinge depends. I resigne my selfe vnto him with all that I haue or can doe, or suffer in soule, Bodie, Fame, Friends, or externall goods: for tyme, and eternitie. Soe that I doe reserue to my selfe noe manner of will: but [Page 203] in all things doe make the will of God to be my will vtterlye neglectin­ge my owne will; as if I had none at all God by this meanes wholye rei­gninge in mee, and doinge by mee, with mee, and about mee (as beinge but his instruement) whatsoeuer shall please him. And nothinge as for, or to my selfe; or any end of myne owne.

THE XIII. EXERCISE.

1. I Resigne my selfe that when Charitie, Obedience, discre­tion, or necessitie shall require it: I will visitt, and helpe any One lyinge sicke though of the plague, or any other, infectious, odious, or horrid disease; and will attend serue, and comfort them accordinge to my abi­litie without flinchinge any way; and therin will reguard neither life, nor [Page 207] health: nor will auoid itt for any horrour, or loathsomenesse that my nature shall find, or co [...]ceiue in the disease, or imployment. Yet it is not the will of God that I should with­out cause desperately put my selfe in­to the said imployment, but it must be done accordinge to the Rule of Discretion, and that good may come by it to the partye that is infected, or otherwise sicke.

2. In like manner I resigne my selfe to attend, serue, and watch with those that be sicke, or need helpe ac­cordinge to their necessitie, and as Charitie, Obedience, and discretion shall require of mee.

3. I resigne my selfe to vndergoe, and put in execution all manner of remedies that shall be deliberatelye aduised mee by the physitian with the consent of my Superiors, for the betteringe of my health, or sauinge of my life: be those remedies neuer soe harsh, bitter, paynefull, or odious to my nature. As the takinge of mo [...] [Page 208] bitter Potions, cuttinge of some of my limmes, or any other paynefull remedie, ordayned and prescribed vnto mee.

4. I am resigned to vndergoe the molestations of little but paynefully [...]inchinge, bitinge, and troublesome creatures; as fleas, lice, eimises, and other such like v [...]rmine soe farre as God will haue mee to be exercised by them, and that I cannot rid my selfe from them. Yea though they should soe far [...]e pr [...]uayle ouer mee as to be­reaue mee of my life. [...]as they haue done to diuers] I will, and doe s [...] [...]he loue of God therin re [...]gne my sel­fe to his will, and prouiden [...] [...]ee­rin.

[...]. I resigne my selfe, when Obe­dience, Charitie, or necess [...]tie shall [...]quire it; to goe to any Howse, roo­me, or place: and lodg [...], and dwell [...]here notwithstanding the feare of Deuills, Hobgobblings, or othe [...] had Spirit [...] that are said to be there, [...] will (in th [...] [Page 209] name of God, and when it shall be his will] resort, and abide in such a place: albeit I should there really see a 1000. of those euill, and malitious Spirits; yea, and though God would permitt them to beate, buffet, scratch and torment my Bodie, as hee per­mitted them to doe to the Bodies of S. Anthonie, and other Saincts for their Exercise. For I know well that all the Malice of the Diuell will not be able to hurt my soule, soe longe as I continue my good will, and loue to God, which the diuell cannot take away by molestinge of my Bodie, but hee doth thereby giue mee more, and better occasion to vnite my soule to God, the which beinge done, it little importeth what hee doth to my bodye, which [what harme soeuer hee doe in this life] I beleiue, and am assured will be well restored to mee at the generall day of Iudge­ment, and in perfect health, as I hope alsoe for the saluation, and perpe­tu [...]ll felicitie of my soule.

[Page]6. And therefore, and in like man­ner I doe resigne my selfe that if God will permitt, and haue my bodie to be possessed by the Diuell, or by mil­lions of Deuills, and to be vexed, and tormented by them: or to haue witchcraft preuayle on my bodye, & to vexe, and torment mee, I shall take it patientlye, and resignedly as from the hand of God, and be con­tented that his, and myne enimies those Deuills doe pe [...]forme their ma­lice towards my Bodye, my soule beinge still vntouched by them ouer which they shall haue noe more powre then my Frewill shall giue way to, which by the Grace of God shall be in nothinge at all. And some Saincts there haue beene who for their Exercise, & humiliatiō haue de­sired of God that they might in their bodies be possessed by the Deuill, and haue thervppon come to be pos­sessed.

7. For the loue I beare vnto God I doe renounce all desire to any man­ner [Page 211] of Office, or imployment that is of Authoritie, or Dignitie, or in any sort gratefull to my nature, or sensua­litie, and doe purpose with the helpe of his Grace, for the keepinge my selfe in humilitie, and for auoydinge of occasions of distractions not only not to desire, or goe about directly, or indirectly to procure the haueinge of any such Office, or imployment.

8. But alsoe by all the meanes that may be pleasinge to God to pre [...]ent the hauinge of them.

9. And beinge offered vnto mee to refuse them vt [...]erlye, soe farre as I may without displeasinge God.

It is continued.

THE XIV. EXERCISE.

1. AND further I will endea­uour, and procure (soe far­re, as shall stand with the pleasure of God) that any other (rather then my selfe) though hee be my iunior, [Page] o [...] of talents neuer soe inferior to myne: shall haue the office, if hee shall be iudged fitt, and sufficient for the place: yea though hee be one, whom in my nature I haue least af­fection for, or one who is most auer­ted from mee, and is like to be most contradictori [...], and troublesome to mee. And of this mind with the Gra­ce of God I purpose to be while I liu [...] though I liue neuer soe longe. And shall by the grace of God be conten­ted if not reioyce, that I am, and shall be held insufficient, and vn­worthy of any office, or employ­ment of worth, or creditt.

2. And on the otherside there is not, or shall be any Office, or em­ployment soe meane, base, contem­ptible, paynefull, or otherwise vn­gratefull, but that I will accept of it, if it be the will of God, and abide i [...] it soe longe as it shall please God out of pure obedience to His holy will, though the Office, or imployment were to continue all my life [...]yme; & [Page 213] that I liue, and dye the most abie [...] neglected, and contemptible person not only of all the howse, but euen of all others that are in the whole world.

This present matter of Resignation is very necessarie to be vsed in Prayer but more necessarie to be stood vnto in practice when the occasion happens, Read consi­der, & practi­se. The virtue of pra­yer is Practi­se out of prayer. This is the ru­le of Rules, and the only aduise. as [...]ften it doth. For God seeinge the soule to haue ouer much pride, and to want that humilitie hee would haue in her, will not perhaps haue her to be chosen to such an office, or place of Authori­tie, or dignitie which hee foreseeth would increase pride in He [...], at least would not worke in her that Humilitie which were requisit for her. And the­refore hee prouides out of his greate loue to her, that some other who perhaps see­mes to be much inferior in Worth, a [...] talents; to be chosen to itt. And often­tymes God for her further Humilia­tion in lei [...] of the higher place doth cause her to be chosen to some Other l [...]w, or base place: which shee in her na­ture [Page 214] contemneth. And a soule that meanes, or desires to be good doth obser­ue the deuine Ordinances, and disposi­tions about her, and doth thervnto con­forme, and subiect herselfe though ex­treamely perchance against the Incli­nation of her nature. But a soule that neither is humble, nor desires to be hum­ble, but would exalt herselfe aboue, and against Gods [...]ill, by contradict­inge his deuine Prouidence, doth gro [...] and become willfull, impatient, and takes occasion by itt of much harme, yea perhaps of vtter ruine, and Fall. As it appeareth by almost in [...]init Examples that heeretofore haue falne out, and doe yet dayly fall out. For this hath beene the very cause of Apostatisinge of all Arch-hereti [...]es, as Luther, Be [...]nardi­nus [...] Ochinus, and Others. And in ve­rie deed if you obserue itt, you shall find euen at this day (and as it hath, soe euer it will be) the causes, and rootes of all the stirrs, factions, and contests that are in all Relig [...]ous Conuents doe most commonly, if not al [...]ayes arise out [Page 215] of Pride, Ambition, & Irresignation in the point of Offices, and places now last mentioned. Which is that either wee couet places of Honour, or Credit for our selues, or for our Friends; who bein­ge in the Places would fauour vs: or else wee repine at the puttinge in of those whom our nature doth not affect for the place. Lett vs therefore with the Grace of God ouercome ourselues in itt; and stand vnto the most louinge Prouidence of God: for our humilia­tion, and finall Perfection in his loue which is the proper cause, and end, of our beinge Religious, or our vnderta­kinge a Spirituall course of life: The true end of our vn­derta­kinge a Reli­gious life. And if wee doe not heerin seeke to subdue our selues, but yeild to Ambition, wee doe heereby resemble, and serue the most ambitious Lucifer, & shall with­o [...] adhaerents be pertakers with him, and his adh [...]rents [...] in his vnspea [...]able euerlastinge torments, from which God of his goodnesse preserue vs. Amen.

3. I resigne my selfe to vndergoe not only such Crosses, and Difficul­ties [Page 216] as shall fall vppon myne owne person (of which kind are all the precedant acts of Resignations) but alsoe all such calamities, Crosses, Pes­tilence, famine, scandal, infamies, des [...]lations, deuas [...]ations, disgraces, pouertye, and Other Afflictions of what kind soeuer th [...] Deuine Proui­dence shall by any meanes permitt to fall on this communi [...]ie, or vppon any particular member or members thereof. And I purpose with the gra­ce of God euer to serue, and adhere to him euen in the midst of those ca­lamities, or troublesome alterations.

4. In like manner I resigne my selfe vppon all publicke scandals giuen by others, and vppon all publicke cala­mities falne on the whole Church, or any member of it, or vppon any particular Countrey, and namely vppon our owne, or vppon the citie or Countrey wherin this Monaste­rie, Colledge, or Howse is feared [...] and in all cases to continue my adhe­reinge loue, and good will to God, [Page 217] as if such accidents had not at all happened.

5. I resigne my selfe to dye when, and in what manner it shall please God; and in particular to liue in a howse (the like for any other Danger which hangs ouer my head) soe longe as God shall soe ordayne: that is very like to fall, and thereby oppresse, and kill mee, and that [...]oe suddaynely, that I shall not haue the tyme, or space to say, or thinke soe much as Lord haue mercie vppon mee. Or perhaps I shall be fast a sleepe when it shall fall vppon mee, and oppresse mee ere I be awake. Or peraduenture the fall will not sud­denly bereaue mee of my life, but will bruise my bodye, or my limmes, and make mee liue in such intollera­ble payne that death would be a greate [...]ase, and pleasure to my na­ture. I resigne my selfe I say heerin, and the like; to the deuine will, and Prouidence in all such like cases. Still crauinge, and begginge of God that [Page 218] in whatsoeuer manner, tyme, or pla­ce my death may happen, that I may dye in his Holy Grace, and fauour for the saluation, and eternall wea­le of my soule.

6. Finally I render, and resigne my selfe to thee Alm [...] God (whose I am by Iustice, & frō whō this my beinge depends) with all that I am, haue, or can doe, or suffer in soule, and Bo­dy, Fame, or externall goods for tyme, and Eternitie. Soe that I doe reserue to my selfe noe will at all; but in all doe accept thy Will; vtterly for­sakinge, neglectinge, & contemnin­ge myne owne will; as if I had noe will at all. By which thou onlye dea­re God maye reigne in mee, doeinge with mee, and about mee: as beinge but an instruement of thyne: what thou best likest, and pleasest now, and euer more.

Fiat, Fiat. Amen, Amen.

AN EXERCISE OF Deuotion.

THE FIRST EXERCISE.

1. HAYLE sweet [...] Iesus, Pray­se, honour, and glorie be to thee ô Christ: who for [...]y s [...]e ha [...]t [Page 230] vouchsafed to come downe from the Royal seates, and from the melli­sluous Boosome of thy Deuine Fa­ther into this valley of miserie; And to be conceiued, and incarnated, and made Man by the Holy Ghost in the most chast wombe of the most sacred Virgin Mary.

2. Choose I beseech thee my Hart for thy dwellinge place; Adorne itt, replenish it, with Spirituall guifts, and wholye possesse itt.

3. O that I were able by profound humilitie to inuite thee to itt: and with an ardent Affection to receiue thee, and after hauinge receiued thee, to retayne thee with mee!

4. O that I were soe fastned vnto thee that I might neuer depart, or turne away my mind from thee!

5. Hayle s [...]eete Iesus, Prayse, Ho­nour. and Glory be to thee [...] Christ: Who wouldst that the Virgin Marie hauinge conceiued thee: should ma­ke hast to visi [...]t her Cosin Elizabeth, & didst inspire her, that shee should [Page 231] salute, and assist Her.

6. And thou hast vouchsafed ô Christ to lye hidd for nine months together in the most chast wombe of the sacred Virgin Mary.

7. Powre into my soule ô Iesus the Grace of perfect humilitie, and im­print it most deepelye in my Hart [...] that I may be found readye alwayes to serue, and obey thee.

8. Grant that my Hart maye loath all transitorie things, and may inces­santly perceiue that thou dost pos­ [...]esse, and duell in itt.

9. Hayle sweet Iesus, Prayse, Ho­nour, and Glory, be to thee ô Christ who hast vouchsafed to be borne of thy Virgin Mother, poore, and pas­sible without any payne, or detri­ment to her Virginitie, in a poore stable.

10. Whom beinge borne shee hum­bly adored.

11. O that it were thy will to be continually borne in mee by a new feruour of Spirit!

[Page 232]12. And that I may be wholy burnt with the fire of thy loue.

13. O that thou wert the only com­fort, desire, and sollace of my Hart!

14. O that I did seeke after thee Alone, t [...]inke on thee Alone, and loue thee Alone!

THE II. EXERCISE.

1. HAYLE sweete Iesus, pray­se, hono [...]r, and glorie be to thee ô Christ. Who beinge borne i [...] the depth of winter didst not refuse to be suaddled in poore cloaths, and weepinge to be laid in the manger, and as a little infant to sucke milke from thy Mothers breasts.

2. I adore thee most deare Redee­mer, Kinge of Angells.

3. Hayle Prince of Peace, light of the Gentils, and most desired Sau­ [...]iour.

4. Graunt [...] ô Lord that I may al­wayes stand in thy sight, truely hum­ble, [Page 233] and truely poore in Spirit.

5. Graunt that for thy Holy names­sake I may willingly endure all kind of Mortifications, and may loue no­thinge in this world besides thee, nor wish to possesse any thinge but thee.

6. Hayle sweete Iesus, whom the celestiall legions of Angells did ho­nour newly borne with ioyfull pray­ses: And the sheepheards deuoutly seekinge, and findinge; adored with admiration.

7. Graunt that I may ioyfully with­out tediousnesse perseuer in thy pray­ses, and seruice.

8. Hayle sweete Iesus, who wouldst vppon the eight day like other childeren be circumcised, and bein­ge yet an infant shedd thy pretious Blood.

9. And for our singular Comfort wouldst be [...]aled Iesus which signi­fieth a Sauuiour.

10. O that itt would, please thee to admitt mee beinge circumcised [Page 234] from all bad thoughts, words, and workes into the number of thy chil­deren.

11. Thou ô Lord art called Iesus, that is to say a Sauuiour; be thou the­refore my Sauuiour, and saue mee.

12. Hayle s [...]eete Iesus, whom the sages with a deuout seekinge found by the direction of a starre, and han­inge found most humblye adored.

13. Offeringe vnto thee guifts of gold, Frankincense, and Myrrhe.

14. Graunt ô Lord that with these blissed men I may alwayes seeke, and adore thee in Spirit, and Truth.

15. Graunt that I may offer dayly vnto thee the gold of bright shininge Charitie, the Frankincense of swee­te smellinge Deuotion, and the Myr­rhe of perfect Mortification.

16. Hayle sweete Iesus, who for our sakes wouldst be subiect to the Law, and to giue vs an example of Humi­litie wouldst be carried to the Tem­ple by thy Mother, and be redeemed with an offeringe ordayned for such as were poore.

[Page 235]17. Where iust Simeon, and Anne the Prophetesse reioycinge greately at thy presence gaue very glorious Testimony of thy Dignitye.

18. O that all Pride were vtterlye throwne downe in mee!

19. O that all desire of humaine Fa­uour, and itch of selfeloue, were cooled, and cured in mee!

THE III. EXERCISE.

1. HAYLE sweete Iesus, pray­se, honour, and glory be to thee ô Christ: Who stayinge in the Temple wert for the space of three dayes with greate greife sought by thy deuout Mother, and at lentgh with greate ioy found by Her sittin­ge in the midst of the Doctors hear­inge them, and proposinge questions to them.

2. Would to God thou wouldst giue, and Communicate thy selfe in such sort vnto mee that I might neuer be [Page 236] se [...]arated from thee, not euer be de­p [...]ued of thy comfort.

[...]. Hayle sweete Iesus, who for the space of thirtie yeares remayninge vnknowne hast vouchsafed to be re­puted by the Iewes the sonne of Io­seph the Carpenter, and of his wife the blissed Virgin Marye.

4. Let thy Grace I beseech thee, plucke vp, and vtterlye roote out of the fund of my soule all pride, and Ambition.

5. O that I maye delight to be vn­knowne, and to be esteemed vile, and Base!

6. Hayle sweete Iesus, who hast not disdained to come to the riuer of Iordan, and entringe into i [...]t, there to be baptized by thy seruant Iohn the Baptist.

7. I would through thy meritts I might become most cleane, and pure euen in this life.

8. Hayle sweete Iesus, who for ou [...] sakes abidinge amongst wild beasts in the desert, & fastinge forty dayes, [Page 237] and forty nights, and perseueringe in prayer hast permitted thy [...]elfe to be tempted by Satan.

9. And ouercominge Him hast bee­ne honored with the ministerre, and seruice of Angells.

10. Giue mee Grace that I maye chastise, and subdue my flesh with all the vicious affections thereof.

11. Giue mee Grace that I may con­stantlye perseuer in Prayer, and other spirituall exercises.

12. Lett noe temptation I beseech thee defile mee, but rather let tem­ptations purge mee, and ioyne, and vnite mee vnto thee.

13. Hayle sweete Iesus, who to the end thou mightst gather together the dispersed children of God hast vouch­safed to preach Pennance, to call Disciples, and out of them to choo­se twelue Apostles to be eminent preachers of thy Faith.

14. Draw mee after thee, and powrefully stirre vp my Hart to loue thee.

[Page 238]15. Grant that I may adhere to thee Alone. Amen.

THE IV. EXERCISE.

1. HAYLE sweete Iesus, pray­se, honour, and glorie be to thee ô Christ. Who for mee hast suffe­red many afflictions, Heate, Cold, Hunger, Thirst, Labours, and mi­series.

2. Graunt that I may receiue from thy Hand cheerefully all Kind of Aduersitie.

3. Hayle sweete Iesus. Who thirstin­ge the conuersion of soules, hast pas­sed whole nights in Prayer.

4. Hast beene wearied with trauel­linge, hast passed from Countrie to Countrie, from Cittie to Cittie, from Towne to Towne, from Village to Village.

5. Lett thy loue make mee quicke, and readie to all good things that I be neuer slouthfull in thy seruice.

[Page 239]6. Graunt that euerie where I may haue zeale of thyne Honour, and im­ploye my selfe wholy in thy seruice.

7. Hayle sweet Iesus prayse, honour, and glorie be to thee ô Christ. Who con­uersinge with men hast vouchsafed most willinglye to comfort them [...] & by many miracles most mercifullye to cure their Maladies, and diseases.

8. Giue mee a deuout hartfull of affection, and compassion: whereby I maye pittie other Mens afflictions: and maye haue as greate a feelinge of their miseries, as if they were myne owne.

9. Whereby alsoe I maye beare pa­tientlye with all Mens imperfectiōs, and cheifelye to my abilitie succour them in their necessities.

10. Hayle sweete Iesus prayse, ho­nour, and glorie be to thee ô Christ. Who hast not shunned the company of Publicans, and sinners, but hast afforded them thy most louinge Fa­miliaritie, and readie pardons of sinns, to Mathew, Zacheus, Mary [Page 240] Magdelene, and to the weoman ta­ken in Adulteri [...], and to the rest that were repentant.

1 [...]. Grant that I maye embrace all men with cheerefull loue, and Cha­ritie.

12. May readilye forgiue those that offend mee.

13. May perfectlye loue those that hate mee.

1 [...]. Hayle sweete Iesus, who for my soules sake hast su [...]ered many in­iuries, many Blasphemies, many re­proaches, and infinitt abuses of those on whom thou hadst bestowed ma­ny Benefitts.

15. Giue mee a Hart truely innocent, and simple: that I may sincearely lo­ue myne enimies, and vnfainedlye pittie them.

16. And Rendringe good for euill may through perfect charitie, and meeke patience perfectlye please thee. Amen.

THE V. EXERCISE.

1. HAyle sweete Iesus, prayse, ho­nour, and glorie be to thee ô Christ. Who cominge to Ierusalem, in a meeke, and gentle manner did [...]t [...]ide vppon an Asse: and amidst, the prayses which were sunge by the people that came to meete thee, didst powre forth teares bewaylinge the [...]uine of the Citie, and destruction of those vngratefull soules.

2. O that I might neuer be deligh­ted with the prayses, and Fauours of Men!

3. But alwayes be profitablye im­ployed in internall teares of com­punction, and Deuotion.

4. Hayle sweete Iesus, whom Iudas the trecherous Disciple sold for a lit­tle Money to the Iewes who did per­secute thee, and conspire thy death.

5. Roote out of my Hart all euill desires of transitorie things.

[Page 242]6. Graunt that I maye neuer pre­ferre any thinge before thee.

7. Hayle sweete Iesus, prayse. ho­nour, and glorie be to thee ô Christ. Who in Ierusalem accordinge to the Law didst eate the Paschall Lambe which thy Disciples, and giuinge them an Example of Humilitie, and Holye Charitie kneelinge vppon the ground didst wash their feete, and hauinge washed them didst wipe them with a towle.

8. Would to God this example might peirce my Hart, and vtterlye throw downe in mee all pride, and lofti­nesse.

9. Giue mee ô Lord a most profound Humilitie by which I may without difficultie, cast my selfe at all mens feete.

10. Hayle sweete Iesus, who with an vnspeakable Charitie hast institu­ted the Sacrament of the Eucharist, And with a wonderfull liberalitie hast in it, giuen thy selfe to vs.

11. Stirre vp in mee a Desire, and [Page 243] enkindle in the intymme of my soule a most vehement hunger of this most Venerable Sacrament [...]

12. Grant that when I come to that Table of life, I may with a chast Af­fection, singular humilitie, and per­fect puritie of Hart receiue thee.

13. Hayle sweete Iesus, who beinge about to leaue this world didst ex­hort, and comfort with words full of vnspeakable sweetenesse thy elect Disciples, and with most ardent prayer didst recommend them to thy Father.

14. Giuinge testimony thereby how tenderlye thou louedst them, and vs alsoe who were to receiue thy faith by them.

15. Grant that thy word maye be trulye pleasinge to mee, and sweeter then the Honnie, and the Honnie com­be to my soule.

16. O that the Spirit of that fierie Exhortation might enter into my Hart, whereby I might wholye be [...]ransformed into loue! Amen.

THE VI. EXERCISE [...]

1. HAyle sweete Iesus, prayse, Honor, and Glorie be to thee ô Christ. Who goinge forth with thy Disciples beyond the riuer Cedron didst enter into a garden where thou forsawest thou shouldst be taken.

2. O that I could vtterlye forsake my owne will, and alwayes loue, and follow thyne!

3. O that (for thy Honour, and for the [...]aluation of my Bretheren) I could with an vndanted mind vn­dergoe any aduersitie whatsoeuer!

4. Yea that I might not feare (if it pleased God) to expose my life for them.

5. Hayle sweete Iesus, who imme­diatelye before thy Passion didst be­ginne to feare, to greiue, and be sad; takinge vppon thy [...]el [...]e our weak­nesse.

6. That by this thy infirmitie thou [Page 245] mighst comfort, and strenthen those that tr [...]mble at the expectation of Death.

7. Preserue mee I beseech thee as­well from vicious sadnesse, as from foolish ioye.

8. Grant that all the greife I haue hitherto sustained may redound to thy Glory, and the remission of my sinns.

9. Hayle sweete Iesus, who fallin­ge vppon the ground prayedst vnto thy Father, and humblye offeredst vp thy selfe wholye vnto Him sayin­ge Father thy will be done.

10. Grant that in all necessities, and Tribulations I maye haue recourse vnto thee by Prayer.

11. And that I may giue, and resi­gne my selfe wholye to thy Will.

12. That I may with a quiet mind receiue all things as from thy hands.

13. Hayle sweete Iesus, who beinge touched with a compassionate Af­fection towards thy beloued Disci­ples didst preferre their sorrow be­fore thy Greife.

[Page 246]14. And interruptinge thy Prayer (to which thou was most Attentiue) cominge the third tyme vnto them didst raise vp their deiected minds, and drowsie Spirits to the Exercise of Prayer.

15. Graunt that in all my Workes, & Exercises I maye flie all vicious slug­gishnesse.

15. Grant that with a vigilant mind, I may cheerefully serue thee.

17. That I maye euer for thy sake on all Occasions forsake my selfe, & preferre the good of my neighbour before my priuate deuotions. Amen.

THE VII. EXERCISE.

1. HAyle sweete Iesus, Prayse, Honour, and Glorie be to thee ô Christ. Who beinge in an Ago­nie didst pray very longe.

2. And beinge Creator of Heauen, and Earth; the Kinge of Kings, and Lord of Angells didst not disdayne [Page 247] to be comforted by an Angell.

3. Grant in all aduersitie, & desola­tion; in all tribulation, and Afflic­tion, that I may seeke comfort from thee onlye.

4. And that I maye find helpe, and assistance at thy hands.

5. O that I could in all Euents who­lie relie on thee!

6. And leaue my selfe wholye to thy fatherlie care.

7. Hayle sweete Iesus, who by rea­son of thy greatnesse, and vehemen­cie of greife hadst thy Body moistned all ouer with a bloodye sweate.

8. O that all the parts of my inte­rior Man would sweate out holy teares of Contrition!

9. Hayle sweete Iesus, who of thy owne accord offredst thy selfe to be taken by Iudas the Traitor, & other thyne enimies thirstinge after thy Blood, and desiringe thy death.

10. Graunt that for the honour of of thy name I maye not flye aduersi­ties.

[Page 248]11. But maye cheerefullye goe to meete them.

1 [...]. And ioyfullie receiue them, as pretious tokens sent from thee.

13. And humblie, and constantlie endure them, as long [...] as it shall plea­se thee.

14. Hayle sweete Iesus, who didst louingli [...] kisse the traitor Iudas co­minge deceitefullye to thee.

15. Shewinge by the calmenesse of thy countenance, and sweetenesse of thy words, that thou didst loue him.

16. Grant I may shew my selfe lo [...] ­inge, and mild to All myne enimies.

17. That I maye pardon them from my hart, howsoeuer they shall of­fend mee.

18. And tollerate, and loue them, as the Ministers of thy will, and pro­moters of my Saluation.

19. Hayle sweete Iesus, who didst permitt thyne enimies most furiously to lay th [...]ir Sacrilegous hands vppon thee.

[Page 249]20. And beinge cruellye bound by them, didst not reuenge, but mildly endure the reproaches, Blasphemies, and iniuries wherewith they did most wickedly affront thee.

21. O that beinge freed from the bonds of vices I may be fast tied to thee, with she sweete chaines of Loue!

22. O that thou wouldst be [...]tow vppon mee the grace of true patien­ce. Amen.

THE VIII. EXERCISE.

1. HAyle sweete Iesus, Prayse, Honour, and Glorie be to thee ô Christ. Who did restore, and heale the eare of Malchas one of thy fu­rious Persecutors cutt of by Peeter thy cheife Disciple.

2. That rendringe good for euil [...], the riches of thy mercie, and mild­nesse might shine forth to vs.

3. Grant I beseech thee that the de­sire [Page 250] of Reuenge maye neuer hau place in my hart.

4. Grant that I maye beare intima­te compassion, and Affection tow­ards all such as offend mee.

5. Hayle sweete Iesus, who like a Lambe amongst rauenous Wolues didst remayne in the hand of repro­bates.

6. Thy Disciples, & all friends run­ninge awaye, and forsakeinge thee.

7. Strenthen my too too greate weakenesse, and make sted-fast my too too greate Inconstancie, with the most stronge support of thy Grace.

8. Hayle sweete Iesus, who suffe­redst thy selfe to be led bound as a Malefactor, and theife by a troope of soldiers vnto Annas, and to be presented before him.

9. O vnspeakeable mildnesse of my Redeemer!

10. Behold whilst thou art taken; whilst thou art drawne, whilst thou art haled: Thou dost not complaine, [Page 251] Thou dost not murmure, thou ma­kest noe resistance.

11. Grant ô Lord that these exam­ples of thy virtues maye shine in mee to my Good, and thy euerlastinge Glorie.

1 [...]. Haeyle sweete Iesus, Kinge of heauen, and earth: who standinge humbly like a base, and abiect person before the prowd Bishop didst with great mode [...]tie receiue a cruell blow giuen thee vppon the face by one of his seruants.

13. Suppresse I beseech thee in mee all Motions of Anger, and wrath; dull all the stings of Indignation, and extinguish all desire of reuenge.

14. That euen prouoked with iniu­ries, I may not be troubled.

15. I maye not striue, or make any Tumult.

16. But sufferinge all things with a meeke, and patient mind, I maye render good for euill, and euer be readie to Fauour those, who most Crosse, and molest mee. Amen.

THE IX. EXERCISE.

1. HAyle sweete Iesus, Prayse, Honour, and Glory be to thee [...] Christ. Who didst suffer thy selfe to be shamefullie ledd bound to Caï­phas that thou mighst restore vs to true Libertie, freeinge vs from the bonds of euerlastinge Death.

2. Graunt that in the very midst of Derisions, and contumelies; I may giue thee thankes with all my hart.

3. And that by them I may be ad­uanced, and encreased in thy loue.

4. Hayle sweete Iesus, whom Pee­ter the cheife of thy Apostles thrice denied, and yet thou most merciful­lie lookedst vppon him, and prouo­kedst Him to repentance, and holye teares for his offence.

5. O that it might please thee in like manner to looke vppon mee with that louely eye of thy Mercie.

6. That with due teares of Repen­tance, [Page 253] I may bewayle my sinns past.

7. And hauinge bewayled them, may not heereafter any more retur­ne to them agayne.

8. Hayle sweete Iefus, who with a pleasinge countenance, and modest looke standinge before the Bishops, and the elders of the people of the Iewes didst not disdaine to be false­lie accused, and suffer many iniuries.

9. Grant that I maye neuer vtter any falsitie, or calumniate any Man.

10. But maye suffer such calumnies as are laid against mee, with greate tranquilitie of hart.

11. And referringe all difficulties to thee, with silence I maye expect thy Grace, and comfort.

12. Hayle sweete Iesus; who whilst thou madst profession of the Truth affirminge thy selfe to be sonne of God, adiured by Caïphas in the name of God; yet didst thou not disdayne to be esteemed a blasphemer by the said Caïphas, and his assistants.

13. Grant in all places, and before [Page 254] all men I may stand to the Truth, and in awe of the presence of thy Diuini­ty, and Maiestie; not to feare the cen­sures, and Iudgements of Men.

14. Hayle sweete Iesus; who by the wicked Iewes wast proclaymed guiltie of Death, and without cause condemned.

15. That by thy vniust condemna­tion thou mighst deliuer vs form the guilt of our sinns wherewith wee were iustly attainted.

16. Graunt that I maye reiect all si­nister, and rash suspicions.

17. That I may suffer without any bitternesse of hart all such wrongfull detractions, and wicked iudgements as others shall deuise against mee.

18. And that on all occasions I maye retayne by the helpe of thy Grace a quiet, and vntroubled mind.

THE X. EXERCISE.

1. HAyle sweete Iesus, Prayse, Honour, and Glorie be to thee o Christ: Who for my sake wast made the disgrace, and scorne of men and the out cast of the people.

2. And didst not turne away thy sacred face (which the Angells desi­re to behold) from the filthy spittle of thy Aduersaries.

3. Grant that I may imitate thy meeknesse, and patience.

4. Hayle sweete Iesus, who didst vouchsafe to be most cruellye beatē, and buffeted, and most vnworthilie reproached, and reuiled for my sake.

5. Grant I beseech thee, that I maye neuer refuse to be dis [...]ised, and to be reputed base, and vile.

6. And accordinge to thy permis­sion be contented to be exercised with all kind of iniuries.

7. That I maye receiue them not as [Page 256] from men; but from the hand of thy fatherlye mercie.

8. Hayle sweete Iesus, who didst permitt thy selfe to be mocked, and scoffed; and thy louely face (which to behold is the cheifest happinesse) for thy greater deri [...]on to be blind­folded.

9. Grant that the vayle of ignoran­ce beinge taken a way I maye be en­dued with the knowledge of thy Will.

10. Imprint in my hart a continuall remembrance of thee.

11. Hayle sweete Iesus, who for my sake wert diuersly afflicted by the Iewes for a whole night together.

12. Thou knowest ô Lord how hard a thinge it is for mee to suffer though neuer soe small a matter.

13. Out of thy Mercie therefore as­sist my frailetie, and graunt that I maye not cowardlie fall, or faint at the cominge of any aduersitie.

14. Hayle sweete Iesus, who didst permitt thy selfe (beinge mocked, & [Page 257] bound) to be led [...]o the Prophane Tribunall of Pilate the Iudge, and in a disdaynefull manner to be presen­ted before him; thou thy selfe beinge the iudge of the liuinge, and the dead.

15. Grant that I maye be trulye sub­iect to my Superiors, and all Pow­res ouer mee ordained by thee.

16. That I maye obey my Equalls, and loue, and honour all Men.

17. Grant that I maye not feare other mens Iudgments of mee, but may receiue them with a readie, and meeke mind. Amen.

THE XI. EXERCISE.

1. HAyle sweete Iesus, Prayse, Honour, and Glorie be to thee o Christ: Kinge of heauen, and Earth: who didst affirme that thy Kingdo­me was not of this world; that by this thy profession thou mighst auert our harts from the Loue of this pre­sent life.

[Page 258]2. Graunt I beseech thee that in Af­fection I may renounce all worldly, and transitorie things; lett my hart desire nothinge that is subiect to cor­ruption.

3. But lett it loue thee only, the true, and euerlastinge good.

4. Hayle sweete Iesus, who stand­inge before Pilate didst humbly hold thy Peace, whilst the Iewes did wrongfullie accuse, and calumniate thee.

5. Grant ô Lord that I may neuer be troubled at other mens slaunder­inge mee.

6. But that I maye with silence ouer­come all iniuries.

7. Giue mee the perfect Grace of hum [...]litie by which I maye neither desire to be praysed, or refuse to be contemned.

8. Hayle sweete Iesus [...] Prayse, Ho­nour, and Glorie be to thee o Christ. Lambe without spott against whom the wicked Scribes, and Pharisees did rage with a most obstinate hatred.

[Page 259]9. For though Pilate gaue Testimo­nie that hee found in thee noe cause deseruinge Death, yet they would not be appeased from seekinge after thy Death.

10. Grant that I maye imitate thy Innocencie, and Patience.

11. That I maye both liue well, and liuinge well be contented to be euill spoken of, and mispired.

11. Hayle sweete Iesus, who with greate exclamations, and much noise of people like a most hainous male­factor wast drawne from Tribunall to Tribunall; from Pilate, to Herod: through the midst of the Cittie.

13. Grant that I be not deiected with any iniuries of myne enemies.

14. And that I be not much asha­med of Contempt.

15. To the end that by thy gratious assistance I maye possesse my soule in Patience.

16. Hayle sweete Iesus; who beinge asked Vaine Questions by Herod, & [Page 260] in sundrie things falsely accused by the high Priests, and Scribes, didst humbly, and prudentlie hold thy peace.

17. Giue mee that restraint of ton­gue, which maye be acceptable to thee.

18. That I may loue to speake well, and thinke rightly of all Men. Amen.

THE XII. EXERCISE.

1. HAyle sweete Iesus, Prayse, Honour, and Glorie b [...]o thee o Christ: Who by thy silence condem­ninge Herods vaine desire wouldst not without good cause, and for a good end delight his curious eies by workinge a Miracle. And didst the­reby giue vs a lesson to auoid osten­tation in the presence of greate men.

2. Powre into my soule thy Spirit of profound humilitie.

3. Mortifie, and extinguish in mee [Page 261] all ticklinge of vayne Glorie.

4. Grant that I maie not seeke to gaine the praises of Men; but to doe all purelie for thyne only Honour, & Glorie.

5. Hayle sweete Iesus, who didst not disdaine to be scoffed at by Herode, and his whole Army, and to be clo­thed in a white Garment like a foo­le, or a mad man.

6. Graunt that I maie rather choose to be reputed base, and abiect with thee then Glorious with the world.

7. That I may esteeme it better, and more worthy to suffer disgrace for thy loue; then to shine in the vaine honour of the world.

8. Grant that knowinge throughlie mine owne iniquitie, and myne ow­ne vnworthynesse; I maye grow ba­se in mine owne conceit; and despise reprehend, and bewayle my selfe.

9. Hayle sweete Iesus, who beinge compared with the notorious theife [...]arrabas wast iudged more wicked, and more worthy of Death then hee.

[Page 262]10. The Murtherer is set at libertie [...] and the enuious Iewes demand thy death, who art the Author of life.

11. Thou art indeed that liuinge sto­ne, reiected by Man, but chosen by God.

12. O that I maye preferre nothinge before thee, or change thee for any Thinge!

13. O that I could esteeme all things as dunge, and filth; to the end I maye gayne, and esteeme thee!

14. Grant ô Lord that the blott of enuie may neuer staine my soule.

1 [...]. Hayle sweete Iesus, who beinge stripped naked in the pallace, and bound to a pillar didst suffer thy most naked, and immaculate flesh to be rent with most cruell scourges; that with thy soares thou mighst heale out wounds.

16. O amiable Iesus; I make choice [...]f thee couered with stripes for the spowse of my soule!

17. Desiringe to be inflamed, and burned with the Fyre of thy most sweete loue [...]

[Page 263]18. Strippe my hart naked I beseech thee from all indecent cogitations.

19. Grant that I maye now patient­ly suffer the scourges of thy Fatherly correction. Amen.

THE XIII. EXERCISE.

1. HAyle sweete Iesus, Prayse, Honour, and Glorie be to thee [...] Christ: vppon whom all discharged vnspeakeable iniuries, and contu­melies.

2. For they clothed thee Kinge of Glorie with a purple garment for thy greater affront.

3. They fastned vppon thy deuine head a crowne of thornes.

4. They putt into thy hands a sce­pter of reed, and kneelinge downe in a scornefull manner saluted thee sayinge: Hayle kinge of the Iewes.

5. Plant I beseech thee in my hart the memorie of thy Passion.

6. Lett scornes for thy sake, be my [Page 264] Glorie, and iniuries, and affronts my Crowne.

7. Hayle sueete Iesus, who didst not refuse for my sake to be beaten with a reed, to be buffeted, to be spitt vp­pon, and to be the obiect of all kind of derisions.

8. I beseech thee by thy wounds, by thy Blood, by thy Disgraces, and by all the greife, and sorrow which thou sufferedst for mee, to endue my soule with all thy patience, and those Graces.

9. That thou wilt conuert mee, and all I haue to thyne euerlastinge prai­se, and Glorie.

10. Hayle sueete Iesus, Who beinge defiled with spittle, rent, and disfi­gured with stripes, bound, and who­lie miserable, wast brought forth as a spectacle to the enraged people wea­ringe a crowne of Thornes, and a robe of purple.

11. Graunt that with my hart I maie vtterlie tread vnder foote, spitt vp­pon, and haue in detestation all [Page 265] ambition, ostentation, worldly pom­pe, and vanitie, and all earthlie di­gnitie.

12. That by profo [...]nd humilit [...]e, and true contempt of my selfe, I may in­cessantlie [...]unne towards the Glory of thy heauenlie felicitie.

13. Hayle su [...]ete Iesus, Who beinge declared Innocent by Pilate the Iud­ge, didst not refuse to heare the fu­rious outcries of the Iewes, by which they demanded that thou shouldst be crucified.

14. Grant that I may liue innocent­ly, and not be troubled by reason of Other mens euill will towards mee.

15. Giue mee this Grace that I maie neither backbite other Men, or willinglie giue [...]are to those that doe it.

16. But that still I may haue a good opinion of others, and beare other mens imperfections with a true compassion.

17. And loue all men for God, and in God with a pure, sinceare, and [Page 266] cordiall affection. Amen.

The XIV. EXERCISE.

1. HAyle sueete Iesus, Prayse, Ho­nour, and Glorie be to thee o Christ: Who didst permitt thy selfe in the presence of thy people to be vn­iustlie condemned to the most igno­minious Death of the Crosse.

2. That thou mighst free vs from the sentence of eternall Death.

3. Grant that I may seeke thy ho­nour, and rather choose to be exer­cised with thee in Aduersitie then by forsakinge thee to enioye the commodities of this life.

4. Hayle sueete Iesus, who beinge deliuered ouer to the pleasure of tho­se who did persecute thee, didst suf­fer greate payne by puttinge of the purple garment which did sticke vn­to thy soares, and puttinge on thyne owne againe.

5. Grant that after I haue putt of the [Page 267] garment of my Bodie, and am vested with the robe of perfect brightnesse I maye appeare adorned with thy meritts.

6. Hayle s [...]eete Iesus, Who with many disgraces, and iniuries offered thee didst carrie thy Crosse on with grea­te payne vppon thy sacred, and torne sholdiers.

7. And beinge weary, and breath­lesse didst languish vnder the bur­den.

8 [...] Grant that with feruent Deuo­tion I may embrace the Crosse of myne owne Abnegation.

9. And with an ardent charitie imi­tate the Examples of thy virtues.

10. And may humbly follow thee vnto Death.

11. Hayle sueete Iesus, Who in that la­mentable iorney in which thou went to thy death, didst meekely ad­monish the Weomen that did be­wayle thee, to bewayle themselues, and their childeren.

12. Giue mee accegtable teares of [Page 268] Compunction with which I ma [...] truely bewaile my sinns, and mine owne ingratitude.

13. Giue mee Teares of deuout com­punction, and of holie loue which may melt my hard hart, and make it gratefull vnto thee.

14. That I maye loue thee alone, and rest in thee only.

15. Hayle sweete Iesus, Who beinge led out with two theeues, didst not refuse to be driuen forward, to be vrged, and hastened, and in many other sundrie manners to be afflic­ted.

16. Draw mee after thee, and lett mee cheerefullye follow thee.

17. Grant that I maie reioice in thee Alone.

18. Giue mee grace to loue thee, and render Loue for Loue.

THE XV. EXERCISE.

1. HAYLE sweete Iesus, Pray­se, honour, and glorie be to thee ô Christ: Who hauinge thy shol­ders bruised with the weight of the Crosse, didst at lenth arriue wearie at the place of execution.

2. Where Wine mingled with Gall was offered thee to refresh thy lan­guishinge forces.

3. O that thou wouldst extinguish in mee the allurements of Gluttonie, and the Concupiscences of that flesh!

4. And cause in mee an auersion, & horrour from all impure, and vn­lawfull delight.

5. And that I may eate, and drinke soberly to the glorie of thy name.

6. That I maye hunger, and thirst after thee alone.

7. And in thee place my delight, & ioye.

8. Hayle sweete Iesus, Who didst [Page 270] not disdaine to be stripped naked vp­pon Mount Caluarie in the sight of the people.

9. And to suffer a most bitter paine by thy soares renewed with the pul­linge of thy cloaths.

10. Graunt that I maye loue pouer­tie of Spiritt, and neuer be troubled for any worldly want.

11. Grant that by thy example I may endure, and suffer any corporall necessities, or calamities whatsoeuer [...]

12. Hayle sweete Iesus, Who beinge naked didst not refuse to be rudely stretched out vppon the Wood of the Crosse, and cruellie fastned with nailes vnto the same.

13. In this manner didst thou suffer thyne innocent hands, and delicate feete to be most greiuously woun­ded, and all thy sacred ioints to crac­ke, and be put out of ioint.

14. Grant mee ô Lord that with a faithfull, and gratefull mind I maye consider this thy vnspeakeable Cha­ritie with which of thyne owne ac­cord [Page 271] thou didst stretch forth thyne armes, and willingly offered thy hands, and feete to be peirced.

15. Vouchsafe ô Lord to enlardge, and extend my hart with the perfect loue of thee.

16. Peirce it, and fasten itt vnto thy selfe with the most sueete naile of Charitie.

17. And all my senses, cogitations, and affections inclose only in thee. Amen.

THE XVI. EXERCISE.

1. HAYLE sweete Iesus, pray­se, honour, and glorie be to thee ô Christ: Who didst hange (thy hands, & feete beinge peirced) three howres vppon the shamefull wood of the Crosse, and sheddinge in grea­te aboundance thy pretious Blood didst of thyne owne accord endure vnspeakeable torments through out thy whole Bodie.

[Page 272]2. Lift vp I prey thee vppon the wood of thy Crosse my misera­ble soule grouelinge on the ground.

3. O healthfull Blood! ô reuiuinge Blood!

4. O that thou wouldst purge, and througlie heale mee beinge washed with this thy pretious Blood!

5. O that thou would offer this thy Blood to thy father for a perfect sa­tisfaction of all myne iniquities!

6. Grant I beseech thee that myne inward Man maye with ardent Af­fection mentally receiue, and licke the liuely dropps of thy pretious Blood, and maye truely tast how sue [...]te thy Spiritt is.

7. Hayle sweete Iesus: Who han­ginge vppon the Crosse in the midst betwixt two notorious theiues wast reputed with the wicked.

8. That by thy incomprehensible humilitie, and Patience, thou mights amend, and withall satisfie for myne immense impatient Pride.

9. Lift vp I beseech thee my Spirit [Page 273] aloft that from aboue I maye dispise all things transitorie.

10. That I maye only admire thee my God Crucified for mee.

1 [...]. Lett mee thinke, speake, and dreame of thee.

12. Hayle sweete Iesus, Who wast soe good, euen to those that were soe wicked; that for the verie same parties who did crucifie thee thou didst praye vnto thy father, sayinge Father forgiue them, for they know not what they doe.

13. Giue mee I beseech thee the gra­ce of true meekenesse, and Patience, by which I maye accordinge to thy Commandement, and example loue myne enemies.

1 [...]. And doe good to those that ha­te mee.

15. I hartilie pray vnto thee, for those that hurt, and persecute mee.

16. Hayle sweete Iesus, who wouldst that the Title written in Hebrew, Greeke, and Latine (as it were the Trophie of thy Victorie) should be [Page 274] fastned to the Crosse: that wee be­holdinge it, might couragiously fight against our inuisible enemies.

17. Protect mee vnder this Title against the wiles, and deceits of the Diuell.

18. Teach mee vnder this Title to ouercome all Temptations, and to subdue all uices.

19. That hauinge by Grace conque­red them, I maye freelie prayse, and Glorifie thy holy name. Amen.

THE XVII. EXERCISE.

1. HAYLE sueete Iesus, Prayse, Honour, and Glorie be to thee o Christ. Whose garments the soul­diers hauinge deuided amongst them­selues did leaue thy coate which was without seame (and signifieth the vnitie of the Church) vndeuided.

2. Powre downe into my hart, I beseech thee the Spiritt of Peace, and Vnion.

[Page 275]3. That I may neuer through my fault, deride, or trouble the concord, and vnion of my Bretheren.

4. But that I maye alwayes endea­uour to repaire diuisions, and pacifie troubles.

5. Hayle sweete Iesus, Who sufferinge vppon the Altar of the Crosse in­comprehensible torments, and inef­fable lanquishes; wast shamefully reproached, and scorned by the Iewes, who vomited out of their wicked Mouths sundrie Blasphemies against thee.

6. Grant ô Lord that beinge mind­full of thy humilitie, and Patience, & mildnesse, I maye quietlie, and chee­refully suffer, paynes, disgraces, Per­secutions, infamie, and contempt of my selfe.

7. And may remayne with thee nayled to the Crosse euen to the end.

8. Let noe violence of temptation, noe stormes of Aduersities, noe tem­pest of contumelies hinder mee from effectinge my good purposes.

[Page 276]9. Lett not Death, or life, or things present, nor to come, nor any creature separate mee from thy loue.

10. Hayle sweete Iesus, who didst tollerate one of the Theiues to vp­braid thee: and didst most merciful­lye, and bountifullie promise the Glorie of Paradise to the other who did humblie acknowledge his owne iniustice, and with a deuout faith did confesse thee to be his kinge, and God.

11. Behold mee I beseech thee with those eyes of mercie which thou didst cast vppon the Theife repen­tant for his sinns.

12. O that by thy Holy Helpe, and Grace I maye lead a life soe innocent that I maye soe faithfullye serue thee, and purelye loue thee!

13. That at the end of my life I may deserue to heare from thee (most mercifull Redeemer) that most desi­sired voyce. This Day thou shalt be with mee in Paradise.

14. Hayle sweete Iesus: Who from [Page 277] the Crosse beholdinge thy most sweete Mother full of greife, and teares with inward compassion didst commēd Her to Thy Disciple Iohn, and agayne Iohn to Her, and vs all in Iohn vnto thy said Mother.

15. Grant that I maye Loue, and Honour Her with a most chast, and ardent affection.

1 [...]. That hauinge Her for my Mo­ther I may deserue alsoe to be ac­knowledged by Her for her sonne.

17. Grant that in all necessities, and especially at the howre of my death I may find Her present assistance. Amen.

THE XVIII. EXERCISE.

1. HAyle sweete Iesus, Prayse, Honour, and Glorie he to thee o Christ: Who in a most pittifull man­ner hanginge vppon the Crosse with wide gapinge wounds, didst pro­fesse thy selfe to be destitute of all all comfort.

[Page 278]2. Grant that with a firme confiden­ce I maye alwayes haue recourse to thee my most mercifull Father in all aduersities, Temptations, and De­solations.

3. And wholy distrustinge my selfe, I maye trust in thee alone.

4. And committ, and resigne my selfe entirely to thee.

5. Wound the intymme of my soule with the remembrance of thy wounds.

6. Imprint, and caracter them in my Hart, and make my mind euen drunke with thy sacred Blood.

7. That I may attend to thee; and thee only seeke, find, hold, and possesse.

8. Hayle sweete Iesus: Who pantin­ge vppon the Cros [...]e thy Bodye bein­ge drawne drie for want of Blood becamst very thirstie, and didst bur­ne with an vnspeakeable desire of our Saluation.

9. Grant that I maye most ardently thirst after thyne Honour, and the [Page 279] Saluation of our soules.

10. And may with courage employe myselfe in this affaire.

11. Grant that I may not be hinde­red, or entangled by any transitorie thinge.

12. Hayle sweete Ies [...]s, who wouldst that a spunge dipt in vineger, and gall should be offered thee to drinke thirstie euen to death: that by tastin­ge thereof thou mighst satisfie for our gluttonie, and leaue vs an exam­ple of pouertie.

13. Giue mee grace to dispise vn­lawfull pleasures, and delights; and to auoid all excesse in meate, and drinke.

14. Alsoe to vse those things mo­derately which thou giuest for the sustentation of the Bodie.

15. Pacifie the inordinatenesse of my desires that whatsoeuer doth please thee, may please mee: and whatsoeuer displeaseth thee, may be displeasinge alsoe to mee.

16. Hayle sweete Iesus: most en­amoured [Page 280] of Mankind who duly per­forminge the Worke of our Redem­ption didst offer vp thy selfe vppon the Altar of the Crosse: an Holy Sa­crifice for the expiation of the sinns of all Men.

17. Be thou I beseech thee, the scope of all my thoughts, Words, and Wor­kes.

18. That in all things I maye With a right, and simple intention seeke thy honour.

19. Grant I maye neuer grow cold, or Faint in thy seruice.

20. But that the feruour of Spirit may be renewed in mee, and that I may be dayly more, and more infla­med to praise, and loue th [...]. Amen.

THE XIX. EXERCISE.

1. HAYLE sweete Iesus, pray­se, hon [...]ur, and glorie [...]e to o Christ. Who of thyne owne accord didst embrace Death; and recom­ [...]endinge [Page 281] thyselfe to thy Heauenly Father bowinge downe thy venera­ble Head yeildest vp thy Spirit.

2. Truly thus giuinge thy life vp for thy sheepe, thou hast shewed thy selfe to be a good shepheard.

3. Thou didst dye, ô the only be­gotten sonne of God! Thou dyedst ô my beloued Sauuiour, that I might liue for euer!

4. O How greate Hope, How grea­te confidence haue I reposed in thy Death, and in thy Blood!

5. I Glorifie, and prayse thy Holie name acknowledginge my infinit obligations to Thee.

6. O good Iesus for thy bitter death, and Passion: giue mee Grace, and Pardon!

7. Giue vnto the faithfull departed Rest, and life euerlastinge.

8. Hayle sweete Iesus, at whose death the [...]unne withdrew his light, the vaile of the Temple rent in sunder, and the Monuments opened.

9. O Sunne of Iustice permitt not I [Page 282] beseech thee, that the beames of thy grace at any tyme forsake mee.

10. But lett them continuallie enligh­ten the inner parts of my soule.

11. Withdrawe wholie from mee the vaile of Hypocrisie.

12. Shake the earth of my soule with wholesome repentance.

13. Rent my stonie hart.

14. That beinge wholie renewed, I maye contemne all things transitorie, and loue onlie that which is eternall.

15. Hayle sweete Iesus; Who wouldst that thy side should be opened with a soldiers launce.

16. And out of itt poure out blood, and water to reuiue, and wash our soules.

17. Thou wouldst ô my best beloued, that thy mellifluous Hart should be wounded for mee.

18. O that it might please thee to make a most deepe wound in my Hart with the launce of thy Loue!

19. And vnite itt to thy most sacred Hart.

20. In such manner that I maye haue [Page 283] [...]oe powre to will any thinge bu [...] that which thou wilt.

21. Bringe in ô my Lord, bringe in my soule through the wound of thy side into the Boosome of thy Chari­tie, and the treasure-howse of thy Diuinitie.

22. That I maye ioyfullie glorifie thee my God Crucified, and dead for mee. Amen.

THE XX. EXERCISE.

1. HAYLE sweete Iesus, pray­se, honour, and glory be to thee ô Christ: Grant that all other vi­sible things maye be blotted out of my memorie, and that I maye freelie applie my selfe to thee Alone.

2. Behold with as much Deuotion as possibly I can, I salute the fiue prin­cipall wounds of thy most blissed bodye.

3. Hayle ruddye, glorious, and mel­lifluous Wounds of my Redeemer, of my Kinge.

[Page 284]4. Hayle glorious seales of my Re­conciliation, and Saluation.

5. I humblye desire to abide, and be hid in you, and soe by that mea­nes be secure from all euill.

6. Hayle sweete Iesus, who being [...] with greate lamentation of thy friēd [...] taken downe frō the Crosse woulds [...] be annointed with pretious oint­ments, wrapt in a windinge sheete, and buried where noe man was bu­ried before.

7. [...]urie I beseech thee all my sen­ses, all my forces, and all myne af­fections in thee.

8. That beinge ioyned to thee through efficatious loue, I maye become as it were stupid, and vnsensible in res­pect of all other things.

9. Hayle sweete Iesus. Who hast vanguished the powre of the Diuell, & powrefullie, and louingly in soule descendinge into Hell didst make ioyefull with thy presence the fa­thers there detained.

10. And didst translate them thence [Page 285] [...] thy Glorious Ascension to the de­lightfull Guarden of the Celestiall Paradise, and to the cleare Vision of God.

11. Lett the virtue of thy Passion, & of thy Blood descend now I beseech thee into Purgatorie vppon the sou­les of my parents, knisfolkes, friends, benefactors, and all the faithfull de­parted.

12. That beinge deliuered from paynes they maye be receiued into the Boosome of Eternall Rest.

13. Hayle sweete Iesus: Who like a conqueror with glorious Triumph didst arise out of thy closed sepulchre

14. And reuested with thy louelie countenance didst replenish thy friends with new ioye, and glad­nesse.

15. Grant ô Lord that leauinge the olds paths of my vicious conuersatiō, I maye walke in the newnesse of life.

16. And seeke, and Sauour those things which are aboue in Heauen, & not those things which are heere vp­pon earth.

[Page 286]17. To the end that when thou my life shall appeare at the last Daye, [...] maye appeare with thee in Glorie. Amen.

THE XXI. EXERCISE.

1. HAYLE sweete Ie [...]us, prayse, honour, and glorie be to thee ô Christ. Who fortie dayes after thy Resurrection beinge expired didst gloriouslie Ascend into Heauen in the sight of thy Disciples, where thou sittest on the right hand of thy Father, blissed for euer.

2. O that my soule might alwayes languish on earth, and ascend, and aspire towards Heauen!

3. Mai [...] hunger, and thirst alwayes after thee.

4. Hayle sweete Iesus: Who didst giue thy Holie Ghost to thy elect Dis­ciples perseueringe together with one mind in Prayer.

5. And didst send them to teach all [Page 287] Nations through out the whole world.

6. Cleanse I beseech thee the inte­riour of my Hart.

7. Giue mee true puritie, and con­stancie of mind that the Holie Ghost maye find a gratefull Habitation in my soule.

8. And maye replenish mee with [...] the speciall guifts of His Grace.

9. Maye comfort, strenthen, fill, gouerne, and possesse mee.

10. Hayle sweete Iesus; Who comin­ge as a Iudge at the last Day wilt ren­der vnto euerie one accordinge to his Workes: either punishment, or Reward.

11. O my most mercifull Lord God grant that accordinge to thy Will I maye soe innocentlie passe the cour­se of this miserable life.

12. That my soule departinge, out of the Prison of my bodie, I maye be vested with thy merits, and virtues.

13. And be receiued into thy euer­lastinge ioye;

[Page 288]14. And With all the Saints, I maye blisse and prayse thee for euer.

15. Hayle sweete Iesus, Whom I haue most grieuouslye offended all the dayes of my life.

16. Ala [...]! I haue neuer ceased to be vngratefull to thee, resistinge thy Grace in diuers maners, and alwayes addinge new faults vnto my [...]ormer.

17. Behold ô my sweete Refuge, be­hold mee the outcast of all Creatu­res, bringinge with mee nothinge but bundles of sinnes.

18. I prostrate my selfe at the feete of thy mercie, and humblye implore pardon, and remission.

19. Pardon I beseech thee, and saue mee for thy names sa [...]e.

20. For I belieue, and am assured that noe sinns are soe greiuous, and heinous, but by the meri [...]s of thy most sacred Passion maye be forgi­uen, and washed a waye. Amen.

These Exercises, and All Others may, and ought to be e [...]larg [...]d, and di­lated accordinge to euer [...]e ones Gr [...]ce. [Page 289] and Guift: which is the only infallible Guide, and rule of our Prayer, and noe sett, written, or printed forme what­soeuer; as the directions particularly, and pertinently teach vs.