MERCY TRIUMPHING OVER [...]UDGEMENT OR, A WARNING FOR SABBATH-BREAKERS.
Published for Gods glory and the benefit of all true Christians.
BY me Thomas Jones, Of the City of Hereford.
Who for prophaning the Lords Day was [...]o;t miraculously strucken by the hand of God, and ut [...]ly depriv'd of all my senses, for the space of 4 years; [...]d now by his great mercy (upon my hearty repen [...]nce) being perfectly restored to my former health, I as moved to set forth this ensuing Relation, as a testi [...]ony of my thankfulnesse to God for his fatherly [...]astisement; and that all others by my example, may [...]e deterred from so hainous an offence as Sabbath- [...]reaking.
1 Cor. 10.11. Now all these things happened for examples Therefore remember that yee keepe holy the Sabbath day. Exod. 20.8.
London Printed by E. P. for Iohn Wright the Younger, dwelling [...]
Goe little Booke, present thy selfe.
Cum Privilegio.
THE PROLOGUE.
BEloved Christians, before I was punished for my sins I followed mine owne wayes, but now I desire to keepe the commandements of my God; therefore I will first relate unto [...]u in Prose the manner of my chastisement, and what I con [...]eive to be the cause wherefore I was afflicted. Ʋpon the Lords [...]ay or Sabbath called Whitsunday, in the yeare 1624. I disobayed the Lord, and violated that great day in Cursing, Swearing, Drinking, and keeping of bad company, making an Alehouse, or a worse place my chiefest Sanctuary all that day, from which time my memory was taking from me for seaven weekes, that I could never since remember any thing I did, [...]eing eight dayes after that offence committed in perfect health, and cannot conceive how I spent the next Lords day, but on Trinity-monday riding to a wedding my horse slumbled, in a plaine greene way, and cast me from off his backe upon a stone, where (as I am enformed) was scarce another stone to be seene for halfe a mile, thence was I carried home to the Priory of Brecknock as dead, and lay as one languishing for a weeke, having a Physitian and a Chyrurgion with me, but could not agree where the fracture was, for outwardly there was no wound to be seene, neverthelesse the Sirgeon conceiving where the fracture was, (and that I might dye within three dayes if the braine had not vent) immediatly made an incision in the [Page] Temples on the right side of my head, and cutting all the Veine in that place, I bled by report six or seaven quarts of blood before the veines stopt bleeding, yet at the seaven weekes end I was almost recovered of that desperate wound, and my memory came to me againe, but how, when, or where, I was thus chastised, I know not, nor whether I felt any paine, when I was so grievously wounded, and cured, I could not, nor can I remember, onely my violating or prophaning the Lords day (before declared) I did, and doe as yet remember, which made me demand of the Surgeon and others that were about me, at the seaven weekes end, how long it was since Whitsuntide. And being commanded in a dreame to give an account of the Talent which was given me, since I repented for violating the Lords day, I have made bold to present these my endeavours to your charitable censures, not doubting but if the rest of my Talent were manifest to the world it would be pleasing to God and man, most beneficiall and usefull for this Kingdome, and fit for all young Clearkes, Schollers, and Artificers, who understand not the Latine Tongue: which I wanted my selfe before my Lord and Master corrected me.
To the VVorshipfull and worthily honoured HERBRT PRISE Esquire, one of the Queenes Majesties Gentlemen Sewers. To his Vertuous, Religious, and Zealous Wife, the Lady Goditha Prise, heretofore one of the maids of her Majesties privy Chamber, and to their onely Child Mistresse Henriete Maria Prise, one of her Majesties GOD Daughters.
MOst blessed three, one God, Divinity
Protect thy number (sacred Trinity)
To whom I prostrate here thy gift, my will,
Grant them O Lord the peace of Conscience still,
True honours grace (thou knowst) I as a Bird
Escapt the Foulers snare when death was fear'd,
My braines being chrusht, my Temples crackt, I fled
From thence, and by a blessed Angell led;
The Spirit of grace, my faith, my hope reviv'd,
And for these seaventeene yeares hath me repriv'd
From death, to shew the world Gods gift, this Story,
That Sabbath-Breakers might behold my glory;
[Page]And Gods elect may see the reason why
I was so plung'd in dreadfull misery:
The truth it doth declare at large, and how
Upon repentance God doth mercy show:
This gift is his, which humbly I present,
In hope you'l please t'accept the good intent
Of him who praise, Your honoured dayes, May Zealous be, Eternallie. His life is yours While heart endures. THOMAS JONES.
Anagram Herbert Prise. her ripe Brest.
An Acrostick on his name. An Acrostick on his Anagram in the last words of these Lines, invented by the Author.
| H | He made his mothers brest full ripe in Her; Ever she hopes her ripe brest will not Erre; Religious Zeale within her brest doth Raigne, Brest ripe in him all vice he doth Refraine, Enrich his heart, (most wise) his Faith In crease, Ripe is his Brest, his Soule the Heav'ns would Please: The she ripe brest her Piety Exceeds, Parting her Zeale to him, in him it Breeds: Rule Lord his heart and make his fortunes Rise, In all respects, before great Monarchs Eyes: Send him true health, true wealth, and let him See, Each sev'rall good descendeth downe from Thee. | H |
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The Capitalls beginning shewes his name,
Those in the ends declares his Anagram.
Goditha Prise Praise thy God.
An Acrostick on her name. An Acrostick on her Anagram.
| G | Great Mountaines stoope let Cedars have the Praise, O're Hills, o're Dales, Gods glory they doe Raise, Deepe Seas and Flouds the Sunne doth oft Annoy, In ev'ry place the Sun's the Cedars Joy; Then Praise thy God brave Cedar, truly Send Him thy best sap, his blessings hath no End. All blessed pow'rs, whose Patience man doth Try, Powre down your grace on her, Praise God on Hye, Rare Cedar blest Gods Heav'nly shade Intreat, Immortall Tree, most blest, most high, most Great Spread forth, and Praise thy God, thou art his Owne, Extoll his name who sends all blessings Downe, | P |
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The Capitalls beginning shewes her name,
Those at the ends declares her Anagram.
Anagram. Henriete Maria Prise, I remaine the aspirer.
An Acrostick on her name
| H | Here is that Cedars Branch whose name aspire, Exalted by a Queene, what Subject higher? Now Praise thy God sweet branches Roote againe Rejoyce in him, his love doth still remaine. I saith the Lord, will powre on them my grace, Even I will shield this Branch in ev'ry place; Th' immortall life that comes in ev'ry bud, Encrease her strength, and feed her with thy blood. |
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| M | Maintaine this Branch aspiring, with thy love, And blesse her Dayes, make her a Turtle Dove: Regard the Zeale of this young Branthers Steke, Increase their Faith, they are thy sheepe, thy Flocke; All joyfull Trees and Plants about them grow, Palme Trees and Cedars unto them shall Bowe: Rare vines shall twist about this Branch, a Tree In Time, but then a Cedar she shall bee, Sweet, vertuous, lovely, comely to behold, Each sprig and leafe shall be of beaten Gold. |
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To all true Christians, REAERS and others.
SIth Schollers Toads and Spiders doe commend,
I hope a Trades-mans Mite cannot offend;
Such venomous creatures Christians loath, or hate,
But this my Mite may prove more fortunate;
Yet Toads and Spiders serve God in their kind,
And doth his will, whereto they are assign'd:
Each creeping thing's ordain'd by Gods decree,
All things were made for man in some degree,
The Poyson which makes vermine breake, or swell,
Most precious is, Physitians best can tell:
Yet though they loathsome are to mortall eyes,
Within this world their shame and sorrow dyes:
But man who sins on earth continually,
Death shall not end his shame, nor misery;
Then doth his woe begin, for whom I pray,
Although they scorne and hate what now I say,
Then shall he know that God caus'd me to write,
The Sabbaths praise, (his gift) or Trades-mans Mite,
Then shall proud gallants wish would they had bin
As weake as I, or vermine void of sin,
Sin's therefore worse then death, then Hell, the Devil,
And of all sin, Pride is the greatest evil,
[Page]Pride makes men hate, and loath, and scorne the poor,
Yet shall a Trades-mans Mite strike every door,
Open therefore and let instruction in,
Observe Gods day with zeale, abandon sin,
Then in this world thou shalt begin true joy,
For Death and Hell Christ Jesus did destroy:
Though Reprobates this Mite doth discommend,
The gift of God my faith shall have no end.
Before I declare the manner of that fearefull Acciden [...] (which I conceive happened to me for prophaning the Sabbath of the Lord my God) I will recite unto you the first Ʋerses tha [...] ever I made, which is the gift of God bestowed on me since h [...] Chastisement, contayning a Dialogue betweene my Soule an [...] Body. And in the end of this Pamphlet, you shall see the Praye [...] which I made when I was deprived of my speech and Sences▪
An Acrostick Elegie on my brothers name, made at th [...] Newes of his death, my descent, my owne, and wives Anagrams, her descent, an Acrostick on her name, made on th [...] words she spake on her Death-bed, I lamentted her death, an [...] concluded with a thanksgiving and Prayer in Verse.
To which Booke I have added an Antidot f [...]r troubled Soule [...] or the fruit of repentance, which a friend delivered unto me sin [...] I was recovered of my numnesse.
The Authors first beginning to make Verses, which straine came naturally to him since his affliction.
A Dialogue betweene his Soule and Bodie. The Argument.
THE DIALOGUE.
I Lay amaz'd when as I seem'd as dead,
I thought my Soule was from my Body fled,
The wings did take, and through the Clouds did sore,
Which made me faint, then God I did implore,
To view my dolefull, wretched, ghastly plight,
Most weake, as dead I seem'd in mortalls sight:
Then 'twas Gods will we should discourse in Verse,
[...]n these plaine tearmes which now I will rehearse.
SOƲLE.
I Like a Pilgrime wandred to and fro,
Twixt heav'n & earth, still crost by mans dread fo,
To heaven I fled where blessed Soules remaine,
The spirit from thence did send me backe againe
To earth, to thee from whom amaz'd I fled,
When gapsing on the ground thou layst as dead:
Then he who doth by feare his servants prove,
Sent me againe to testifie his love.
BODY.
VVElcome sweet soule thrice welcome unto me,
We liv'd as one, I thought we did agree;
I wept, I mournd, since you did me disdaine,
As dead I liv'd, which caus'd me to complaine:
A sudden death I ever thought a curse,
But your departure made mine seeme far worse;
Yet senselesse did I live, I felt no paine,
Nor know I when, or how I did complaine.
SOƲLE.
VVHen from earth's Center I did mount on high,
The damned Fiend pursu'd me instantly,
And there proclam'd what sins I did commit,
Which made me quake, and feare, and tremble. Yet
My faith, my hope and feare, together strave,
Faith hope embrac'd, but feare no rest could have:
Then did my chiefe commander this decree,
That I should redescend to earth in thee.
BODY.
GOds justice is severe, yet mercy found
Me out, when I lay tumbling on the ground,
And then I thought th' immortall spirit said,
Christ dy'd for him sad soule be not afraid,
Returne, returne, let nothing thee dismay,
Christ is thy life, thy health, thy helpe, thy stay;
The Trine that's blest likewise those words he spake,
When death perforce would thy possession take.
SOƲLE.
THy faith, thy hope, hath sent me backe with joy,
Abandon feare, Christ will our Foes destroy,
Thy faith God saw, thy hope, thy heart, thy zeale,
When at his feet I humbly did appeale;
[Page]His sacred spirit shew'd thee then his will,
Cause on his mercy thou dependedst still;
Now see, behold, his love hath sent me backe
To thee, his grace therefore we shall not lacke.
BODY.
AS heav'n bright Sun doth cleare the misti'st morn,
So doth my soule refresh my heart forlorne,
As heav'nly dewes the parched earth doe cherish,
So doth my soule my heart, who thought to perish;
As Cynthias beames makes cleare the sable night,
So bright my soule doth shine, to me most light;
As heav'n and earth obeys our God the chiefe,
So would my heart, his will be done in briefe.
SOƲLE.
THy haplesse fall a happy chance did prove,
Thy faith, thy hope hath gaind thy Saviours love
That suddaine fearefull spectacle most strange,
Declares thy faith, which scornes for feare to change;
God turneth griefe and feare to happy ends;
Most happy they who on his aid depends,
Such is thy faith, thy griefe, thy feare also,
Which shewes Gods love and mercy after wo.
BODY.
[Page]LO, where Gods dreadfull streame did runne, there grows
Faith, hope & zeale, his mercy it o' reflows,
My shield is Christ, the Trinity I praise,
Whose love and mercy hath prolong'd my dayes;
With ardent zeale I will on God depend,
Sweet soule revive, my sorrows here shall end:
Let mutuall love in us againe be seene,
More strong, more firme, then heretofore hath beene.
SOƲLE.
ALthough thy foule fraile spotted sins did draw
Gods direfull wrath on thee, observe his Law:
Th' Apostle Paul Christs Gospel did deny,
The Prophet Ionas thought from God to flye,
Yet God in mercy did their sins forgive,
And they eternally with him shall live:
Therefore O Lord keepe us from Satans clawes,
And hunger starve his guts and greedy jawes.
SOƲLE and BODY.
HEre on the earth againe in one we live,
Heav'ns grant we may no more offend, nor grieve,
Blest be the night when feare did make her us part,
Blest be that day when God did prove my heart,
Blessed be him who did Gods wrath appease,
Blessed be him who doth my faith increase:
Blesse me yee pow'rs divine, (three one most wise,)
Make all my thoughts and deeds please thy blest eyes.
A WARNING FOR Sabbath-Breakers.
VVHen as the All-seeing God of Gods did give
The Reins to me, I carelesly did live,
For on his great and Sacred day of rest,
His Sabbath made for man, which he hath blest,
I with the vulgar ran and did transgresse
His chiefe command, which here I will expresse:
On Whitsunday that's past was sixteene yeere,
I grosly sin'd, eschewing griefe and feare,
For in the morne when from the bed I rose,
The world, the flesh, the Divell did dispose
Of me, and made me rave, disdaine and sweare,
My heart was vext, which made me then forbeare
To goe to Church, to ease my troubled mind,
But in an Ale-house thought more ease to find,
Where I Tobacco tooke, and healths did drinke,
Of Whitsunday I never once did thinke,
Nor of Gods will, that morne I thus did spend,
Till Divine prayers, and Sermon both did end;
Then in that Ale-house I my dinner tooke,
Gods word, his House, that day my heart forsooke,
[Page]Yet after noone I to my Master went
To waite on him to Church, but my intent
Was crost by sloth, for by the way I met
His spouse and him, and children all compleat,
Then with his servants did I goe along
Unto the Church, but from that zealous throng
I did depart, and I againe did goe
Unto those joviall lads, whose zeale I know
For my returne did stay, among them there
I tippled still, Gods wrath we did not feare.
But when I askt if Evening prayer were done,
A Maid replyd that Sermon was begun.
Then up we stood, a health we did begin,
A Frollicke cal'd, no thought that day of sin,
But when we thought that Sermon was nere ended,
To Church we did repaire, yet I attended
Still at the doore, as if at Church I was
With zeale devout, but this I brought to passe
When from Gods House we all departed home,
I privatly desir'd my Masters groome
To helpe me to a horse, that I might goe
[...]
To visit her, whom he too well did know;Which he with speed perform'd cause sicke he lay,
There did I spend the rest of Gods blest day;
But how or when I did returne againe,
Or where the horse I rid on did remaine,
Or eight dayes after being sound and well,
What then I did, I never since can tell:
But by report of honest worthy men,
On Trinity munday next that followed then,
[Page]A speciall friend reposed trust in me,
To gaine a Licence for him speedily:
Then to my friend the Register I went,
Who instantly petformed my intent,
He forthwith brought the Licence seald to me,
[...]or which I paid to every Clarke his fee;
That Antidote I thought with speed to bring,
[...]o ease their hearts who felt blind Cupids sting;
[...]ut they who thought each houre, I stayd a day,
With all their friends began to lead the way:
Cause Evening came, and far they had to ride
Unto the house who for them did provide,
Then after them I rid with joy and speed,
To shew my love I brought them what they need,
Their Licence 'twas, for which they long had staid,
The sight of it did make their hearts apaid;
When they the same receiv'd I went on still,
Till Phoebus light was clouded with a hill;
Then from them did I part, with many mo,
Who thought with me to Brecknocke back to go,
But marke the end, when we were at a stand,
A Glo-worme came and lighted on my hand,
Then did I ride before when it was night,
And bragging said, that God had sent me light,
With that I fell from of my horses backe,
And on a stone, my scull I there did cracke;
My friends amazed stood, I lay as dead,
No wound they saw, but inwardly I bled,
Which stroake my friends and fellows in a feare,
Some griev'd & sigh'd, and some their haire did teare
[Page]Far from a house it was where I did lye,
What comfort could they have if I should dye,
Upon their hands? each to their friends did goe,
And my disaster told, their feare, my woe.
Then God awak'd a friend who heard the matter,
He ran with speed and brought me his strong-water,
His daughters followed him, they did repaire
Where I did lye, thither they brought a chaire,
His water did my heart and soule revive,
And made both life and death begin to strive
In me; within the chaire was I layd,
And to his house I gently was conveyd;
And by relation there of many a one,
In halfe a mile was scarce another stone,
For to be seene, save that whereon I fell,
Yet where or how it was I cannot tell:
The Groome more bold and ventrous then the rest,
Unto my Master rid, and him possest,
By breake of day what dire mischance I had
Who rose with speed and came to me (most sad)
By that time came a Surgeon unto me
To view my corps, but he no wound could see,
With him my Master stayd foure houres and more,
And they with all my friends did God implore
To save my life, I scarcely then had breath,
Which they perceiv'd, and gave me ore for death;
My Master then returning, newes was spread,
What chance I had, and how I lay as dead:
Which made my friends lament, and feare, and grieve
Yet some that suddaine newes would scarce believe;
[Page]Most of that Country wide, and nere about,
Came thither to see, and to resolve their doubt,
My Master riding home againe did find,
The Bayliffe of Brecknocke and the Townsmen kind,
To me they came, he met them by the way
And gave them thanks, they for my life did pray:
But sure said he, my Man is dead ere this,
He cannot live, or else I aime amisse.
Therefore you need not take such paines in vaine,
Then all (as one) replyd to him againe,
We hope he'l live as yet this many a yeare,
Yet home he went, and thither sent a biere,
To carry me upon when I was dead,
Whereon they plac'd me, underneath my head
A Scholler of mine, whom I did teach to write,
Thus I as dead did lye in dolefull plight,
Then on mens shoulders was I carried home,
To Breknocke Priory, brought into that roome,
Wherein I lay full foure yeares and more,
A Covenant servant in that house before,
There I no sooner was layd downe, but straight
A Surgeon, and Physitian, both did wait
To view my mortall corps, and rufull fate,
For feare least helpe and skill should come too late.
Two dayes they did consult and feele my head,
But disagreed; then I being almost dead,
The 'ternall just who kils, and doth restore
To life made them consult no more:
And then the Surgeon found the Brain-pans rent,
Who an incision made to give it vent;
[Page]The fracture in the Temples he had found,
Where he did make a desp'rate bloody wound,
There he the vaines did cut, then as a flood
Did issue thence, abundance of my blood,
In streames it ran, till I had lost my breath,
Then all men fear'd that I should bleed to death:
Yet after I six quarts, or seaven did bleed,
My blood did stop, and I from paine was freed:
Then did my worthy Master send againe,
To divers Shires a Surgeon to obtaine
Who had more skill, for I was growne most weake,
Languish I did, they thought I could not speake:
Thus I remain'd, a weeke (they say) and more,
In wofull case, impatience made me rore,
With me the Surgeon and Physition staid,
Expecting still to have more skilfull aid;
Now when 'twas thought that I was almost spent,
A skilfull Surgeon unto me God sent
Out of, Glamorganshire, from thence he came
By chance, Iohn Nichols was the Surgeons name,
Who when he saw how ghastly I did lye,
He said I was past hopes to live, but dye
I should ere it were long, and thought it best
For to with-hold his skill, and not molest
My lingring life, which made my Master grieve,
And thence returne; and say, he cannot live
If he no skill will shew, he needs must dye,
But if his best he doth, what remedy?
Then when my Masters griefe and feare was past,
Unto the Surgeon he thus said at last,
[Page]Be pleas'd I pray to let him dye with skill,
That's all I crave, for God must have his will.
The Surgeon then unto my Chamber turn'd,
Where many fear'd, and hop'd, and wept, and mourn'd,
Then did he raise me up; small hopes I have
Saith he, death I doe smell, his life I cannot save.
Yet in the name of God he did begin,
To view the wound which I had for my sin:
God out of ill drawes good, and who doth know
If unto him the Lord will mercy show,
While that he breathes (saith he) in hope I live,
That God in mercy will assistance give
To what I undertake, I must confesse,
Ten thousand in the world are kil'd with lesse;
A stroake upon the Temples of the head,
Without a wound or fracture strikes men dead,
Therefore my brother Surgeon shewd his skill,
Whose aid I crave, I shall applaud him still:
If in the head the fracture were not found
Before this time he had beene in the ground:
In Brecknockeshire he lives, one of his name
Did live in Hereford, and dy'd with fame,
He was a noted Surgeon of account,
Who to the seat of justice there did mount,
When I a Schoole-boy was, he then was Maior,
And ore the Citty swaid in justice chaire,
His name was Thomas Williams, there approv'd
For knowledge, wit and skill, of all belov'd.
My Surgeon here is of that name, and nature,
Ordain'd of God, to make me live Gods creature,
[Page]And here on earth his servant would I be,
To blaze his love and mercy unto me,
This dreadfull newes to Hereford did come,
Which struck my brother, friends, and mother dumbe,
Then she who never thought to visit Wales,
God did appoint to mount those hils and dales,
If any were within that sad short way,
She did not them respect, with delay:
She and my brother came with speed to see,
What dire mischance had happened unto me.
Oh! for my sins is was on God blest day,
For which my Conscience makes me fast and pray,
His Sabbath I prophaned sundry times,
But specially I grieve for all those crimes,
I did on Whitsunday (declar'd before)
Which caus'd the Lord to punish me so sore:
Wherefore with heart and soule I dayly pray,
That I may truely keepe his Sabbath day.
Lord make the world detest that great offence,
And let all Christians have that spirituall sence.
The Surgeon whom God sent began to try,
His hopefull skill, my wound he did unty,
The sharpe incision made, he open layd,
Which made (my friends) the lookers on affraid,
Saying with feare, if more blood this man spill,
He needs must dye, yet doth he dye with skill;
Then he replyd, thinke you my skill so small,
VVhat ere I doe there shall not much blood fall
From him, my flesh he scar'd as he thought good,
And with his fingers still he stopt the blood,
[Page]My skin he flaid, and did raspe out that bone
Which in my temples cract upon a stone;
But by Gods providence and Surgeons skill,
A spoonfull more of blood he did not spill,
The bone wraspt up it smeld egregiously,
And ore the braine he said three skins did lye,
[...]f each of them were putrify'd, then he
May linger yet, but long he cannot be
Alive, two tainte, where the third was not
With putrifaction stain'd, blemish, or spot;
Whereat my friends and Surgion did rejoyce,
[...]n hope the Lord my God did heare the voice
Of some that prayd, yet they an alteration
Feard, which fell beyond mans expectation;
For God himselfe which did my flesh torment,
Reviv'd my soule, and made my heart repent,
Then in the morne before the breake of day,
The Surgeon sent to see how quiet I lay,
My loving friends who watcht with me that night,
With courteous words againe did him requite,
Surely said they the Surgeon hands are blest,
For since his fall he tooke not so much rest:
The former Surgeon his attendance gave,
And all things brought which he desir'd to have,
Their care, their paines, their love did still abound,
They griev'd, they fear'd, they hop'd I mercy found
With God, and when they hopes of life did see,
They prais'd the Lord, and each one prayd for me,
Then did they view my dreadfull wound againe,
And order gave what meats I should refraine,
[Page]And when my grievous wound they view and drest,
The Surgeon (God did send) made this request,
Cause I have many patients here, and there,
And my long absence might put them in feare,
I pray be pleas'd sith feare of death is past,
That unto them againe I now may hast;
His brother Williams he would leave with me,
For under God he sav'd your life said he,
Had not he found the fracture in the head,
And an incision made, you had beene dead
Before this time, therefore you live to God,
All comes from him, he smote you with his rod;
These words my Masters pleas'd my friends also,
Who said to him, you know your time to goe,
Let us not hinder you, goe when you please,
For God appointed you to give him ease,
After which time he two dayes more did stay,
But then with speed he seem'd to post away;
The former Surgeon then his skill did shew,
But how this wound I had I did not know;
For after I abus'd the Sabbath day,
I did remaine in health a weeke (they say)
And more, but all that time I cannot tell
What ere I did, being then both sound and well,
Nor six weekes after I was hurt (alas)
Nothing I know, nor how it came to passe,
But by relation I will make it knowne,
Wherefore Gods judgement was upon me showne,
It was for mine offence seven weekes before,
Which still I doe remember, but no more,
[Page]Saving those things I did on Whitsunday,
For then I know from God I went astray:
Within six weekes the Surgeon came againe
To me, but then (they said) I told him plaine,
I knew him not, wherefore he did reply,
Your braines I felt when you were like to dye,
Witnesse this bone which then I tooke from you,
My friends did say (alas) it's too too true,
He under God did save your life on earth,
And gave a being to your second birth;
Then as a child I did begin to goe,
And senselesse liv'd of griefe, of paine, of woe;
My mother and my friends newly did grieve,
And prayd, that I so simple might not live,
They of a wedding speake, where I had beene,
Wishing that I those parties nere had seene;
Whereat I mus'd, for I had cleane forgot
The same, alas said I, I know it not,
Hath not the Lord new moulded me agen,
And makes me now a spectacle for men
To gaze upon: but tis my makers pleasure,
Which I imbrace, as worldlings doe their treasure,
His Sabbath I prophan'd, not once, nor twice,
But too too oft, for which I Sacrifice
These sighs of mine, my wound it fairely heal'd,
Which pleas'd my Surgeon well, yet he appeal'd
To God, he could not make me speake againe,
Yet I but halfe a yeare did so remaine,
Nay in a moneth or two my health I had,
Though weake and feeble, melancholly sad,
[Page]But then my Mother she my double nurse,
Departed home, whereat I griev'd, far worse
To thinke my faculties from me were gon,
Which made me sigh and pray to God alone
For grace, and that he would be pleas'd to see,
My dolefull case, my feare, infirmitie.
In mercy then my memory he sent
Againe, and gave me grace for to repent,
Then on the Sabbath day my thoughts did run,
I griev'd, I mourn'd, to thinke what I had done
On Whitsunday before declar'd, (alas)
For which I feare the heav'ns brought this to passe
On me, and makes me to the world relate
The cause, that mortall man that sin may hate,
My heart condemnes me still for that offence,
Cause seven weeks after, I had lost each sense,
My memory fayld in all things that I knew
Before that time, which I before did shew,
Then in my griefe I slept, and in my sleepe
The Angell spoke that did my body keepe.
Yet foure, and thou shalt be as thou hast beene,
Which made me hope at foure weeks end t'have seene
It come to passe, but that night in a Dreame
The Angell spake againe, foure yeares I meane,
With that I wak't, and prais'd the God of might,
Who in my sleepe resolv'd my doubt that night,
Which made my heart rejoyce, then as I prayd,
The spirit spake againe, and thus it said,
Gods sacred Booke take thou and understand
His will, read it, and marke what he commands,
[Page]Doe not despaire, he knowes thy judgement's weake,
Thy heart he knows, & what thy tongue would speake
Observe, and note his mercies manifold
To haynous sinners, our fore-forefathers old;
Which Booke in time I read, in hope, in feare
Yet speechlesse I remain'd for halfe a yeare,
After that dreadfull accident most strange;
But then my desperate thoughts to faith did change
Now when the Idoll of vaine pleasure, she
Whom on the Lords day I did ride to see,
Was of her sicknesse late recovered quite,
Her lewd temptation made my soule affright;
But then I found God was displeas'd likewise
With her, the Load-stone to my miseries,
For on his blessed day, his day of rest,
His word I loath'd when she my heart possest.
To her I rid, who likewise did prophane
Gods day; for which (offence) she came to shame.
That yeare, she from those parts disgracefull fled,
And in another shire was brought to bed;
The child being borne, of it she was bereft
By death, ere since her native place she left,
Thefore I pray as God converted me,
Doe so O Lord to her where ere she be:
Then from my mother speedily I heard,
My father in law lay sicke, his death she fear'd,
Which made me strive to write my mind againe
To her, and then I wisht her to refraine
To grieve excessively if he should dye,
God would provide enough fot her and I,
[Page]After which time, eight dayes he liv'd (the most)
Then as they say, he yeelded up the ghost:
Which when I heard I griev'd, yet then
I thought that God did looke on me agen,
And for my mothers good this chance befell,
That after ages may this Story tell;
When she was married to that second man,
I then being Prentice from my Master ran,
Because I griev'd at her unluckie fate,
I fear'd her choice would prove unfortunate,
Which soone did come to passe: his gains did slip
Still through his hands by too oft suretiship,
Which made my mother vex, she wept, she griev'd,
Yea small content she had while here he liv'd:
Wherefore this dire mischance the Lord did send
To me, that she in Wales might me attend,
But when to Hereford she was return'd
Within eight dayes she for her husband mourn'd,
Whose unexpected death perplext her heart;
But then Mans chiefe protector tooke her part;
On her my thoughts did run, I could not rest
Untill she yeelded to my small request;
Which onely was that she would live with me,
The which the pow'rs divine did first decree.
With me my fathers name she had againe,
'Cause I her son as husband did remaine,
Two yeares being past and gon in hope I liv'd,
At Bath to gaine my speech, for which I griev'd,
Which made me often to be vext and crost,
For all my faculties and speech I lost;
[Page]At Bath I stayd nine dayes in expectation,
Not as brave gallants doe for recreation,
But I with Faith and hope my time did spend,
Then as from Bath I rid, at the Townes end
My horse did stumble at a heape of stones,
Whereon I fell, there might I breake my bones,
My foot within the Srirrop hung to shew,
My life, my soule, my all to God I owe,
He made my horse afraid to stirre or move,
From thence, untill my foot I did remove
Out of the Stirrop then my friend came in
And held my horse, who saw that I had bin
Deliv'red safe from harme, but fearefull sad,
Which made me thinke upon a dreame I had,
Two yeares before, my heart did then perceive
God might my braines dash out, and me bereave
Of life; because I did mistrust that he
At foure yeares end would make me be
As I had beene, Lord pardon me for it,
And I shall wait untill thou thinkst it fit
To make me sound, yet I in Bristoll stayd
At that new well, till I was there afraid
Of Gods all-seeing power, then did I grieve,
Because my faith would not a dreame beleeve;
And I returned home againe with speed,
Where for my secret sins my heart did bleed,
Then did I call to mind what God had pend,
There I observ'd Gods mercies hath no end;
(Made knowne by's Prophets and Apostles grave)
Which did increase my faith, and comfort gave,
[Page]To me, yea there I markt what fearefull sin,
Our fore-fathers did too too much runne in,
Gods mighty wrath they often did provoke,
Yet soone it vanisht as the Airy smoake:
But most severe he hath beene unto those,
Who did his Sabbath breake when they might choose,
Witnesse the man who for a small offence
On Gods blest day, death was his recompence,
He onely gathered sticks to serve his need,
But from neglect or sloth it did proceed;
God seaven dayes did make, and did exempt
But one for his owne use, now in contempt
If man abuse his Sabbath which he blest,
And from his worldly labours will not rest.
Or if we lewdly spend the Sabbath day,
Or carelessely his sacred will obey;
Or if that day our duties we neglect,
For that offence wee may the like expect,
But he that gathered sticks and I have bin,
Thus plagu'd, that others may abhorre that sin.
Praysed be God for it, though I have beene
Ere since perplext in mind; yet hath he seene
Me dayly on my knees for mercy praving,
And with repentant teares alwayes am saying,
O Lord, my God, my faith, my hope encrease,
My weake petitions grant, when thou shalt please:
Yet all those faculties which I enjoy'd,
For seven yeares, the Lord my God annoy'd.
But I with faith and hope did alwayes pray
Unto him still, whose mercy doth o'resway
[Page]His justice great, for in all ages past,
Gods dreadfull wrath did but a moment last:
And his chastisement which in mercy fall,
The greater blessings doe attend them all,
Witnesse the Thiefe that dyed with our Saviour,
His faith upon the Crosse, his last behaviour,
Made him with Jesus Christ to live for ever,
And with the Saints he Lauds th'Almighty giver
Of Heaven and Earth, of joy, of Peace, of Rest,
(The onely man that at his Death was blest)
Now seeing in mercy God chastised me,
With faith I hope, my life was his decree,
(He turn'd my teares to smiles, and in my sleepe
The Spirit that spake true promise then did keepe)
For long before the time was at an end,
A married wife from London God did send,
Unto her husband who in Brecknocke liv'd,
Where he with sicknesse was long vext, and griev'd,
Now in this second M [...]trymoniall knot,
Gods love and mercy shall not be forgot,
For when the Sick-mans meanes was almost gon,
It was encreast (past hopes) by God alone,
Who made his wife returne to ease his heart,
And from her gold most freely she did part,
She travail'd, far and neere, by day, and night,
To gaine Physitions aid if that she might,
No cost she spar'd, no physicke did he lacke,
But all in vaine, for death at crusht his backe,
Yet God did make their love againe more strong,
Then ere it was, which death did crosse ere long,
[Page]For Atropo's stole with his dierfull knife,
And suddainly did cut his thred of life:
Before his death she dream'd by her relation
Unto their friends, beyond mans expectation,
She being with child was often sicke with feare,
Then in a dreame her Unckle did appeare
To her, and to her comfort thus he said:
Thinke on Christ Jesus, be not thou dismaid,
On wednesday thou shalt ease and comfort have,
But when she wak'd the man was in his grave;
In dust and ashes he was long before,
For he had then beene dead six yeares and more.
Her husband being in tomb'd within the earth,
Two children strove in her to have their birth,
Then two moneths after upon Friday night,
Strong throws and labour did her soule affright,
Yea day by day she was in mortall paine,
Untill that hopefull wednesday came againe,
The Mid-wife and her friends this counsell gave,
To cut her wombe, that she her life might save,
But she replied, nay, God forbid that I,
Should rip my wombe, no, rather let me dye;
But on the wednesday morne that followed next,
Her griefe encreast, and she was more perplext,
Then from her wombe a sweet girle there did spring,
Which did encrease her faith, not feare deaths sting;
Yet then her throws encreas'd, she had more paine,
Till from her wombe a dead child sprung againe,
Which was a boy, the girle on earth did live
Eleaven dayes. Then Christ her soule did give
[Page]To God, and all her friends with one accord,
Did humbly praise th'eternall mighty Lord,
Who such a wonder on a stranger wrought,
The like was never seene in Wales tis thought,
God sav'd her life past hopes, and made her know
The day, that his great mercy he would show
To her, her friends thus said, she was belov'd
Of God, for God her faith and patience prov'd,
She was chastis'd to shew that she was blest,
God spar'd her life, her faith the heavens increast,
Her love, her care of him who caus'd her wo,
Doth shew her faith, yet she (they said) must do
The like (no doubt), Gods glory she must raise,
For which she lives, to gaine eternall praise;
Cease doting Muse in vaine thou setst her forth,
God knowes her heart, let heav'ns make knowne her worth;
She being restored to her health againe,
Among her husbands friends she did maintaine
Her selfe, according to her rancke and blood,
In modest sort, during her widdow-hood
She taught, to sow, to wash, to starch, to read,
Her love, her fame in divers shires did spread,
From whence the Gentry did their children send
To her, her breeding they did still commend,
Her paines, her care, her love gave all content,
The heaven of heavens did know her true intent:
Then did she dreame againe as twas reported,
A Painter to her company resorted,
He gain'd her love, to him she married was,
But thought that it would never come to passe
[Page]When she awak't, but in the morning she
Did aske what Painters here in Wales might be,
Her friends reply'd, truly we know not well,
But in this Towne there's one we all can tell:
This night said she, a Painter won my love,
A blacke haird man, of him I did approve,
But now the Painter I have lost, my love
Is God, who did my faith, and patience prove.
Then when she was growne strong, she did returne
Unto that house where she began to mourne,
For her late husband dead, but when againe
She came, my mother neere her did remaine,
Where they close neighbors for a twelve month liv'd,
And oft discours'd, sometimes wherefore they griev'd,
My mother finding her most loving, courteous kind,
Of good conditions, and a zealous mind,
They both were intimate, and liv'd together
More deare then neighbours; for I knew not whether
Greater affection bore unto each other:
Then for her kind respects unto my Mother,
In commendations of her blessed name,
I these unpolisht lines did frame,
Mary a Virgin God and Man did beare,
Who conquer'd Death for those in thraldome were,
And you in name and nature blest also,
For health unto the Virgins Son did go,
Your love, your faith, your hope in God your joy,
Brought you to him, who did death, hell, destroy:
Then when the Spirits promise did grow neere,
Fresh hopes reviv'd my heart, as shall appeare,
[Page]My senses all benumb'd, my drooping mind,
My tongue, my limbs did alteration find,
(For when my speech and faculties I lost,
Upon deepe despaires tombe my heart was tost)
And now the heavens who life doth still presage,
Bound up my wounds, and bids me cherish age,
What cares, what feares then harbour'd in my brest,
Is knowne to him who matrimony blest.
He made me goe unto my Mothers friend,
That faithfull widdow whom she did commend;
Our hearts we linkt in one, we did agree
When that our Nuptiall day should be,
Which now I note twas just foure dayes before
The foure yeeres were expired and no more,
Upon which day she said, for you I tarried,
My life God spar'd for you, yet was I married
A twelve moneth since, unto an Artist kind,
Unto a blacke hair'd Painter, but I find
Dreames are but fantasies, they'r seldome true.
Then I replyd, that dreame perhaps comes now,
For I a Painter am, or would be so
Though I of late no faculty could show,
And Doctor Laud the Lord Archbishops grace
Of Canterbury, being Bishop of this place
Saint Davies calld, his Lordship promise made
That by Commission I should use that trade,
Throughout his Dioces, to beautifie
The House of God, by his authoritie;
And though of late he be translated hence,
Your dreame my hopes revive without offence,
[Page]Then when the next Lord Bishop there did come,
For to succeed the Lord Arch-bishops roome,
Thats now, in my behalfe my Master spake
To him, who nobly for my Masters sake
The like Commission caused to be made
For me, I his assistance had, and aid;
Then with my men Gods house I did adorne,
Although before I seem'd as one forlorne,
But riding on the Sabbath day againe,
My soule and conscience griev'd, and did complaine
Against my heart, God now the umpire is
Who will not suffer man to doe amisse;
Then as I rid I thus resolv'd the doubt,
It is Gods house which makes me ride about;
Therefore I know I doe not God offend,
With that my heart did faint, because the end
Was for my gaine, and not to rectifie
The house of God, which I did beautifie,
Then my Commission close two yeeres I staid,
Because my greedy heart made me dismayd,
My wife being then with Child, that night when she
Did hope by her account her Child to see,
At midnight she fell in a shivering fit,
Whom I awakt and askt the cause of it,
This night saith she, when I expected ease,
My spirit or guardian angell, which you please,
To me did speake, whereat I was affrighted;
Thinke not (its said) that you shall yet be lighted,
[Page]On All Saints day God hath decreed that you
Shall then be brought to bed, alas its now
Full six weekes hence, (saith she) alas that I
Must so long yet endure this misery,
Yet tis Gods will she said, his name Ile praise,
His will be done, he hath prolong'd my dayes.
Then in the morne she heart of grace did take,
All griefe, all feare distrust she did forsake,
On All Saints eve her labour then begun,
Sad gripes and throwes in every part did run,
But by the breake of day on that blest morne
That followed next, a man child she had borne
Into the world, wherefore she prais'd the Lord,
Blessing his name who hath perform'd his word,
With her, and said I most unworthy am
To know thy will or call upon thy name.
Then I another course of life did undertake,
And for a time all Painting did forsake,
Because a friend of mine was Sheriffe there,
And his Recorder made me for that yeare,
I by that place experience still did gaine,
There I with credit did my charge maintaine,
My son by promise by my wifes relation,
God blest with vertue, beyond expectation:
He being a twelve moneth old or somewhat more,
His mother dream'd againe as heretofore,
When Mistresse Prise of Brecknocke Priory lay
Most dangerous sicke, expecting every day
[Page]The time she would this wretched life depart,
Cause all Physitians fayld with skill and Art,
To cure her long disease, yet if she playd
With her young child, a voice unto her said,
She should be eas'd of each sicke tedious fit,
But wisht my houshold not to speake of it,
Least she should there be made a laughing stocke,
For dreames are fancies which doe most men mocke:
Still Mistresse Prise lay sicke as heretofore,
After that time a moneth I know and more,
About which time my wife did ride to see
Her mother, friends and kindred, Gods decree
That morne she went from home one privatly
Reveal'd her dreame, but told it secretly
To Mistresse Prise, who for my child did send
To see if after that her griefe would end,
The child being brought to her, with him she playd,
And him Physition cald, but thus she pray'd,
Lord if it be thy will that I shall live,
And hast ordain'd this meanes I praises give,
Unto thy sacred name, for this thy love,
Blesse this sweet child with grace, that he may prove
Thy Servant here on earth, and in the end,
Make his sweet soule unto thy Throne ascend.
After the child's being there she mended still,
And did recover her health, Gods sacred will,
His mother scarce a weeke from home did stay,
After the child with Mistresse Prise did play,
But God was pleas'd before my wife came home,
To make my Mistresse walke about her roome:
[Page]Then God restor'd her to her health againe,
And ever since in health she doth remaine,
She can declare the truth which I have Writ,
To shew the gift of God I thought most fit,
I having now discharg'd in Brecknockshire,
The Shire-Clerks place, which held but for a yeere,
It pleas'd the Judges there my will to grace,
And did confer on me another place,
They made me an Attorney at th'Assise,
Which office there my fortunes did not rise,
Because my Clyants they were Welsh-men bred,
And when they spake, I knew not what they sed,
Then I a Prentise tooke and thought it fit,
To teach him all things that was requisite,
But when I found he Welsh and English spake,
I thought with him I should more profit make,
If he and I with my Commission went
T'adorne the House of God: then my intent
And purpose I began, yet still I prayd
My God, my Lord, who made my soule affraid,
T'assist my good desire, Lord send me skill
Againe t'adorne thy house, he knew my will,
He was my ayd, though he chastised me,
He makes me cautious of his blest decree.
Though I did once prophane his day of rest,
Henceforth I hope t'observe his Sabbath blest,
For on that day within his sacred Booke,
My heart and soule for profit there shall looke,
His grace and favour I have found againe;
He with his blessings doth my life sustaine.
[Page]Still he is pleas'd t'assist me with his grace,
Which doth my mind content in every place,
Yet every day my sorrows did encrease,
Because my speciall friends did still decrease,
Death strikes them here too fast, ah me I grieve,
To see strong Oakes cast downe and brambles live:
Then when I left my Church-worke every night,
I still would take a Pen, and thus did write.
Wee Painters erre to picture death still blind,
For I observe he sees the best to find,
But meagre death thy Dart hath done them good,
Thrice happie they wherein thy sting hath stood,
Thou art deceiv'd, their soules to heaven flye,
Though in the earth their bodies rotting lye,
Thy ghastly pale grim face makes friends to weepe,
When thy sharpe dart makes friends in earth to sleepe,
Yet nought thou canst with all thy hate or love,
Save what's decreed by that three-one above,
Then let me spare to rave and be content,
He is commanded by th'Omnipotent:
He doth command the world, and him also,
Therefore let us prepare with death to go,
Let those alas who too too oft have stood,
More for the Church goods then the Churches good,
Repent and grieve for it with awfull feare,
Praysing his name who doth his rod forbeare,
And let those great ones next who seeme most strong,
Can hardly offer right or suffer wrong:
Let them with humble hearts and soules confesse,
That heretofore they weakely did transgresse;
[Page]Let every one make privie search within,
And with repentance root out damned sin,
Let's firmely love, yea with a tender heart,
All envie, malice, discord set apart,
Such sins as those, and others not much lesse,
Is th'onely cause of griefe and heavinesse,
Twas not their sins alone which bred our woe,
But ours with theirs, and many sinners mo,
We are the cause alas, as well as they,
For which our friends so soone doe rot in clay,
We oft speake faire and love is dayly faind,
Gold some doe make their God, ungodly gaind.
When men grow rich they then grow insolent,
Scorning the poore and harmelesse innocent,
Gods wrath we doe provoke, he oft doth threat,
With bitter teares let's humbly him intreat
To save the rest, and turne his wrath away,
Oh! turne us Lord, I'm bold my selfe to pray,
For, for our sins, and for our wicked crimes,
Thou tak'st away the godly oftentimes:
God takes from us in my conceipt the best,
My faithfull friends with death he did arrest;
Thus I my heart did ease at idle times,
With making such unpleasant dolefull lines;
Six sheets of Paper closely did I write,
The more I griev'd bewail'd the more I might,
Of them I onely here have given a touch,
To Criticks eares I know its too too much:
Therefore Ile cease, and hold on my discourse,
In praise of God, which may perhaps seeme worse
And Painted most of all the Churches there,
My Prentise did desire his friends to see,
And with his father rid to Mountgom'ry,
That day from Herefordshire a message came,
To me, (and said, that there God spread my fame)
I thither must make hast without delay,
And there resolve a moneth or two to stay,
To teach young Gentlemen to write with speed,
Whom Doctor Rogers in his house did breed,
To them I went, where I did find such love,
As if the powers divine had from above
Decreed, that to my native place I must returne,
And for the good of others am I borne.
My Prentise then return'd to me no more,
Wherefore my Church Commission I gave ore.
Now was my first borne son on All Saints day
[...]ust five yeers old; and as my friends did say,
About that time, the day, the houre of's birth,
His blessed soule forsooke this mortall earth,
Then on the morrow when I heard that newes,
[...] came unto my house where I did use,
[...] Iob like patient mind, and prays'd the Lord,
Not doubting but his mercy would afford
Me grace to be content, then did I write
And make this Epitaph, his fathers mite,
On All Saints day thou didst draw vitall breath,
On All Saints day God sent for thee by death
On All Saints morne twas five yeeres since that time,
Thou first unto thy mothers papes did climbe▪
[Page]God cald thee hence; twice all the Saints did show,
Thou wast a jewell which God himselfe did owe,
God did decree that all the Saints should bring
Thee to the earth, and fetch thee to their King:
Who so is borne to day and dyes to morrow,
Looseth few dayes of mirth but moneths of sorrow.
Then when some mournfull dayes for him were past,
To Herefordshire againe I did make hast,
Unto my Schollers there, but by the way
I at a zealous house was forc't to stay,
Whose sons that Doctor did instruct, and I
Their want in th'Arte of writing did supply;
And as I backe returned home againe,
At that religious house, I did remaine
All night, and on the Sabbath day I went
From thence, (unknowne) because I would prevent
The time, for riding to and fro so far,
My expectation it did seeme to bar,
But when I came to them againe I heard,
A mild discourse, which made my soule affeard:
Cause I againe had trespast on Gods day,
For which offence I wept, and thus did pray,
Be pleas'd O Lord to make me recompence,
My weake desire and wilfull ignorance,
With zeale devout, Lord shield me every where,
From bold presumption, griefe, despaire, and feare;
Then as through Hereford I often past,
The Free Schoole-Master, and his friends at last,
With many a Townes-man there did speake to me,
That in their City I sometimes would be
[Page]To teach to write. For in your native Towne
Said they, where you once liv'd, your fame is blowne,
Their kind perswasion soon impression tooke,
In me, for Wales I instantly forsooke
And all preferments there, to Hereford
I came, whose Church and Colledge will afford,
A pensive man true comfort in distresse,
True food for soules and men in heavinesse.
Now in this City can I scarcely gaine
Sufficient meanes, yet doe I still maintaine
My selfe, my family, taxations pay,
And all God sends, to whom I fast and pray.
Grant me thy grace O God, contentment still,
Lord my ambition is to doe thy will,
Thou know'st that's all the wealth I wish on earth,
Which is thy gracious gift (my second birth.)
My heart, my soule shall on my God relie,
His name I blesse, I praise, I magnifie,
Which is the cause that I this Mite have writ,
To shew my zeale, but not to blaze my wit
Which is but weake, a Trades-man weake I am,
Whom Christ I hope hath cald t'adore his name.
THE PRAYER.
O Lord God everlasting, Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, glorious, holy and mercifull art thou in all thy works, of thy goodnesse and mercy thou maa'st me of the dust of the earth, breathing in me the breath of life, to the intent I should continually serve thee, but I a miserable and wretched sinner, following the steps of my first parents, transgressed thy commandements, and have beene often inveigled by the world the flesh and the divell to breake thy Sabbath, for which my conseience perswades me (by many infallible reasons) that thou in mercy hast afflicted me for the same, yet upon my weake humiliation thou wast pleased (after thy chastisement) to comfort my heart with the remembrance of thy fatherly love declared in thy sacred word, for thou causedst thine onely Son Christ Iesus to descend from thy throne of Majesty into this vale of woe and misery, who became as it were a sinfull man and suffered the most shamefull death of the Crosse for my sins, and for the sinnes of all Mankind, he being spotlesse and righteous; neverthelesse I still erred and procured thy wrath and indignation against me, yet in mercy thou only afflicted sime for my sins & offences, piercing my conscience for prophaning thy Sabbath, for which thou mightest justly have consumed me, and rooted me out from the face of the earth, but thy mercy overswayed thy justice, for thou sparedst my life when all that saw me or heard of me said I was either dead, or past hopes of recovery, verifying in me the Apostles words, This is the Lords doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes, and what thy Servant David said is true in me, Lord thou hast chastised and corrected me, but hast not given [Page] me over to death; therefore my heart and soule and all my vitall spirits shall magnifie thy great name, beseeching thee for Iesus Christs sake, if it be thy blessed will and pleasure, to restore me to my former stoength, speech, health, memory and faculties, that I may hereafter walke faithfully before thee, all the dayes of this my earthly pilgrimage, doing, and performing diligently, (with faith hope and zeale) those things which thou commandest me, banishing from my heart presumption and despaire. Lord forgive me my former sins and iniquities which I ungraciously (and partly thorow ignorance) have committed against thee. Thou knowest O God my simplenesse, and what I need, better then I can aske or crave, therefore in all humility I refer my will to thy blessed pleasure, beseeching thee O most gracious Father to continue, multiply and increase thy love and favour bestowed on me, that I never offend thee in thought, word, deed, or consent, and when it shall please thee to call for this my wretched body out of this miserable world, that my Saviour may present it spotlesse unto thee amongst thine elect, notwithstanding the wickednes of my corrupt nature: which blessing I humbly beg at thy mercifull hands for the merits of thy only Son Christ Iesus my Saviour, redeemer, and advocate O immortall, eternall, and everliving God from the bottome of my heart and soule I blesse magnifie and adore thy sacred name, beseeching thee again and againe for Iesus sake, to accept of these my humble petitione, although my hand is not able to write, nor heart conceive the praises due unto thee, neither can any tongue declare thy love, goodnes, and mercy Wherfore I conclude this my humble desire, praise, and thanksgiving with that absolute prayer which thy Son my advocate Iesus Christ hath taught us saying, Our Father which art in Heaven; &c.
FINIS.