Gerards prayers; or, a daylie practice of pietie: divided into foure parts. 1 of Confession of sinnes. 2 of Thanksgiving, for benefits. 3 of Petitions for our selues 4 of Supplicatio[n]s for our neighbours. Written (originally) in the Latine tongue, by Iohn Gerard; Doctor in Divinitie, and Superintendent of Heldeburg. Translated and revised by Ralph Winterton, Fellow of Kinges Colledge in Cambridge. Wherevnto is added a morning and euening prayer, for a familie

THE FIRST PART. Of Confession of Sinnes.

THE ARGUMENT.

The Meditation of our Sinnes, comprehen∣deth in it these two heads; Of originall and actuall sinnes. Actuall sinnes, are committed in thought, word, and deed; By the com∣mitting of evill, and by the omitting of good▪ Agaynst GOD, our neyghbour, and our selues. The offences of our youth are manie, and our daylie infirmities many. We are often tempted of the flesh, and we do often yeeld vnto it. Wee partake, many tymes, in other mens sinnes: and in many things wee are defectiue our selues. Wee are convicted of our sinnes, by all the creatures: and wee behold the sexeritie of GODS anger agaynst our sinnes, in the Passion and Death of CHRIST.

PRAYER I. Hee weygheth, and considereth, the grievous∣nesse of originall sinne.

HOlie GOD, and just Iudge! I know that I was conceaved and

borne in sinne: I know that I was for∣med of vncleane seede in the wombe of my mother: That poyson of sinne hath so corrupted and putrified my whole nature, that no facultie of my soule is free from the contagion thereof: That holie pledge of the divyne image, which was commit∣ted vnto mee in our first father, is perished in mee: There is no power at all in mee, to begin to come vnto the saving knowledge of thee, the feare of thee, confidence in thee, and loue of thee: There remaineth no sufficiencie in mee, to performe obedience vnto thy cōmandements: My will is averse from thy law: And the law of sinne in my members, beeing repugnant to the law of my mynde, maketh my whole nature be∣come corrupt and perverse. I wret∣ched and miserable man, doe feele the power of sinne cleaving fast to my members: I doe feele the yoke of wicked concupiscence grievouslie pressing me: For although I am rege∣nerate, and renewed by the spirit of grace, in the laver of baptisme; yet am I not as yet whollie free from the

yoke and captivitie of sinne. For that roote of bitternesse, which lyeth hidden in mee, doeth alwayes desire to put forth new branches: The law of sinne reygning in my flesh doeth striue to captivate mee: I am full of doubts, distrust, and desire of myne owne honour: Out of my heart pro∣ceede wicked cogitations: Filthie thoughts defile mee throughout in thy sight: Out of that poysoned fountaine flow foorth rivers of poy∣son. Enter not, therefore, into judge∣ment with thy servant, O LORD; but bee propitiou•• vnto mee, according to thy great mercie: The deepe of my mise∣rie, calleth vpon the deepe of thy mer∣cie: For this vncleannesse and filthi∣nesse of my polluted nature, I offer vnto thee the most sacred conceptiō of thy Sonne: For mee hee was borne: For mee therefore hee was concea∣ved. For me he was made sanctificatiō, & righteousnes: For me therefore he is become purification and cleannes. Throgh him, & for him, thy Sonne, haue mercie on mee, O thou most highest: and set not in the light of thy countenance that hidden corruption

that cleaveth to my nature; but looke vpon thy beloved Sonne, my Mediatour, and let his most holie and immaculate conception succour my miserie▪

Amen.

PRAYER II. Hee recalleth to our memorie the sinnes of our youth.

HOlie GOD, and just Iudge! Remember not the offences of my sinnes that are past▪ How manie ve∣nemous fruits hath the vicious roote of concupiscence, that is inherent in mee, brought foorth! In my chyldhood what an innumerable brood of actuall transgressions hath the evill of originall sinne hatched! The verie thoughts of my heart are wicked and perverse, even from my chyldhood▪ yea, even from my tender infancie: For when I was an infant but of one day, I was in no wayes innocent before thee. As ma∣nie as the dayes of my lyfe are, so manie offences doe burden me; yea, manie more by farre in number,

seeing that the just man falleth seaven tymes in one day: But if the just fall seaven tymes in one day, then I wretched and vnjust man, without doubt, haue fallen seaventie tymes seaven tymes. As my lyfe hath in∣creased, so hath the web of my sins increased: & as much as hath beene added to my lyfe by thy bountie; so much hath beene added to the course of my sinnes, by the wicked∣nesse of my corrupt nature. I exa∣mine my lyfe that is past: and what else doe I beholde, but a filthie stin∣king cloake of sinne? I attend vnto the light of thy precepts: and what doe I finde in the course of my yeares that are past, but darknesse and blindnesse? The tender flower of my youth ought to haue beene crowned with vertues, and offred to thee for a sweet savour: The best part of my age past did owe it selfe vnto thee, the best Creatour of nature: But the dirtie filth of my sinnes hath most foullie polluted the flower of my age, and the stinking mud of my offences hath in a wōderfull & mise∣rable māner defiled me. The first age

of man is amongst all the rest the fit∣test for the service of GOD: But I haue spent a good part thereof in the service of the devill. The memorie of many sinnes, which the vnbridled loosenesse of my youth hath commit∣ted, is set in my sight: and yet there are manie more which I cannot call to memorie. Who knoweth how oft hee offendeth? cleanse thy servant from se∣cret faults. For these offences of my youth▪ I offer vnto thee (holie Fa∣ther) the most holie obedience, and perfect innocencie of thy Sonne, who was obedient to thee vnto death, even the death of the crosse. When hee was but a chylde of twelue yeares olde, hee performed holie obedience vn∣to thee, and began to execute thy will with great alacritie. This obe∣dience I offer vnto thee (just Iudge) for a pryce and satisfaction for the manifolde disobedience of my youth.

Amen.

PRAYER III. Hee reckeneth vp our daylie falls, and slips.

HOlie God, and just Iudge! There is no man innocent in thy sight, no man free from the spote of sinne: And I am bereaved of that glorie, which I should bring with mee to judgement: I am stripped of that garment of innocencie, with which I ought to appeare arrayed before thee: Seaven tymes, yea, and oftener everie houre I fall: seaventie tymes seaven tymes I sinne everie day. The spirit indeede is sometymes readie; but the flesh is alwayes weake: The in∣ward man flowrisheth, and is strong, but the outward man languisheth, and is weake: For I doe not the good that I would, but the evill that I would not. How often doe vaine, wicked, and impious cogitations aryse in my heart: How often doe vaine, vn∣profitable, and hurtfull wordes breake foorth! How often doe per∣verse, wicked, and vngodlie actions pollute mee! All my righ∣teousnesse is as the cloath of a men∣struous woman: Therefore, I dare not pleade for my righteousnesse be∣fore thee: But I humblie prostrate my selfe before thy most just tripu∣nall,

and out of the deeps doe I cry vnto thee: Lord, if thou shalt decree to impute sinne, who shall abyde it? If thou wilt enter into judgement, who shall stand? If thou wilt call me to appeare according to the severity of thy justice, how shall I come be∣fore thee? If thou wilt exact a strict account of my lyfe, I shall not bee able to answere thee one for a thousand: Therefore my mouth is stopt, and I▪ acknowledge before thee, that I haue deserved eternall torments; and withall I confesse with teares, that thou mayest justlie cast mee into prison for ever. Therefore, for these daylie sinnes of my lyfe, I offer vnto thee (holie Father) the most pre∣cious blood of thy Sonne, which was poured foorth on the altar of the crosse, which washeth me from all my sinnes. My sinnes which leade mee captiue, are manie in number, and most powerfull: But the ransome of thy Sonne is much more pre∣cious, and of more efficacie: Let that most perfect, plenarie, and ho∣lie pryce payed by Christ, obtayne for mee remission of sinnes.

Amen.

PRAYER IV. Hee examineth our lyfe, according to the rule of the first table of the Commandements.

HOlie God, and just Iudge! Thou. gavest vnto vs thy Law in mount Sinay, and thou wouldst haue it to be the rule of all our actions, words, and thoughts: That whatsoever is not squared by it, should in thy judgement bee accounted sinne.

As often as I looke vpon that most cleare glasse, I perceaue mine owne filthinesse, and tremble everie part of mee. I ought to loue thee (O my God) aboue all thinges.: But how often doe I loue the world, and for∣get the loue of thee! I am bound to feare thee (O my God) aboue all things: But how often doe I con∣sent to sinne, and let thy feare slip out of my memorie! Thou requirest, that I should trust in thee (O my God) aboue all things: But how of∣ten in adversitie doeth my soule wa∣ver, and anxiouslie and carefullie doubt of thy fatherlie goodnesse! I am bound to obey thee (O my God)

with all my heart: But how often doeth my refractarie flesh resist the resolution of obedience, and leade mee captiue into the prison of sinne! My cogitations ought to bee holie. my desires pure and holie: But how often is the quyet state of my mynde troubled with vaine and impious cogitations! I ought to call vpon thee (O God) with all my heart: But how often doth my minde wan∣der in prayer, and doeth anxioustie doubt, whether her prayers be heard or no! How often am I remisse in prayer, aud demisse in conceaving confidence! How often doeth my tongue pray, and yet I doe not wor∣ship thee in spirit and in trueth! How profound oblivion of thy benefits doeth seize vpon mee! Thou doest dayly poure thy benefits vpon me in a loving manner; and yet I doe not daylie returne vnto thee thanksgi∣ving. How cold is my meditation of thy immense and infinite gifts be∣stowed vpon mee! What slender devotion is there for the most part in my heart! I vse thy gifts, and yet I doe not prayse thee who art the

giver. I sticke in the rivers, & come not to the fountaine. Thy word is the word of spirit & lyfe: But I through sinne and corruption haue destroyed the worke of thy holie Spirit within mee. The sparks of a good resolution often inkindled, I as often extin∣guish: and yet I doe not sue to thee for increase of thy gifts. For these and all other my sinnes and defaults, I offer vnto thee (O my God) the most pure and perfect obedience of thy Sonne, who loved thee in the dayes of his incarnation, most per∣fectlie with his whole heart, & clea∣ved vnto thee most firmlie with all his soule: in whose deeds, words, and thoughts, there was found no blot of sinne, nor spot of the least offence. That which I want, by faith I draw from his fulnesse: Therefore for this thy wel-beloved Sonnes sake, haue mercie LORD vpon thy servant.

Amen.

PRAYER V. Hee considereth our lyfe, according to the rule of the second table of the commandements.

HOlie God▪ and just Iudge! It is thy eternall and immutable will, that I should honour with due respect my Parents, and the Magi∣strates: But how often doe I thinke too meanlie of their authoritie! How often doe I in heart refuse to obey them! How often doe I traduce their infirmities! O how often doe I omit by serious prayers to further their safetie! I often cherish anger conceaved agaynst them, whereas I ought with patience to submit my selfe vnto them. Thy sacred will re∣quireth, that I should doe good to my neyghbour in all things, to my power: But how often doeth it irke mee to doe him good! How doeth it goe against my stomacke to for∣giue him? How often am I solicited by my flesh, to anger, hatred, envy, and brawling! how often doth the fire of my angrie heart burne within mee, although contentious wordes bee not heard without! Thy holie will, requireth that I should liue chastlie, modestlie, and temperately: But how often hath the loue of drun∣kennesse & lust, made my soule cap∣tiue

to sinne? How often doe fires of lust flame within mee, although my outward members be restrained! Hee that looketh vpon a woman, to lust after her, hath alreadie committed adulterie with her in his heart, sayeth the Text: How often therefore in the sight of GOD doe wee commit adulterie! The inordinate and im∣moderate vse of meat, drinke, and wedlocke, often stealeth vpon vs, and maketh vs appeare guiltie before thee▪ if thou wouldest enter into judgement with vs. Thy holie writ requireth, that in bargaining I de∣ceaue not my neighbour in anie sort; but that I rather further, and procure his good; that I traduce not his faults, but rather cover thē with the cloake of charitie; and that I doe not censure him rashlie & vnadvi∣sedlie: But how often doe I seeke mine own profite by injustice! How often doe I spend my judgemēt rash∣lie vpon my neighbour! Thy holie will requireth, that my spirit, minde, & soule be free from cōcupiscence: But how often doth my flesh solicite mee to sinne, and contaminateth my

spirit with wicked concupiscences! As a fountayne doeth abound with continuall bubbling of water: So doeth my heart alwayes swell with evill concupiscence. For these, and all other my sinnes and defects, I of∣fer vnto thee (most holie Father) the most perfect obedience of thy Sonne, who loved all men with per∣fect loue, and in whose mouth was found no guyle, in whose words and deeds no aberrations, no corruption in na∣ture: To this propitiation I flee with true fayth, and by fayth I sucke out of his wounds, as much as is suffi∣cient to justifie mee, and saue mee: Haue mercie on mee my GOD, and my Father.

Amen.

PRAYER VI. Hee showeth that wee often partake in other mens sinnes.

HOlie God, and just Iudge! Thou hast committed vnto mee, not only the care of mine own soule, but also the care of my neighbours: But how often doeth my neyghbour through my negligence suffer great

losse of godlinesse! How often doe I neglect freelie and boldlie to chyde him, when hee sinneth! How often doe I, being hindred eyther by fa∣vour or feare, reproue him for his sinnes more slightlie than I ought! In pouring out prayers for his salva∣tion, I am too remisse; in reprehen∣ding his sinnes, I am too-too time∣rous; in furthering his salvation, I am too sloathfull: insomuch that thou mayest justly require at my hands the blood of my neyghbour that perisheth. If there were in mee a perfect and sincere loue of my neyghbour, sure∣lie from thence would proceed free∣dome in reproving of sinne. If the fire of sincere charitie did burne in my heart, surelie it would breake foorth more clearlie into the spiri∣tuall incense of prayers, to be made for the salvation of my neyghbours. For a man to pray for himselfe, it is a duetie of necessitie: But to pray for the salvation of his neyghbour, it is a deede of charitie: As often therefore, as I neglect to pray for the salvation of my neyghbour, so often I condemne my selfe for the

breach of the commandement of the loue of my neighbour. My neigh∣bour dieth the death of the bodie, and sorrow filleth all with lamenta∣tion and mourning; when as yet the death of the bodie bringeth no hurt to a godlie man, but rather giveth him a passage into a celestiall coun∣trey: My neighbour dieth the death of the soule, and behold, I am no∣thing troubled at it: I see him die, and grieue not at all; when as yet sinne is the true death of the soule, and bringeth with it the losse of the inestimable grace of God, & eternall lyfe. My neighbour delinquisheth against the king, who can onlie kill the bodie; and beholde, I seeke by all meanes his reconciliation: but hoe sinneth against the King of all kings, that can cast both bodie and soule into hell-fire: and yet I beholde it in securitie, and consider not that this offence is an infinite evill.

My neighbour stumbleth at a stone; and I runne presentlie to saue him from a fall, or otherwise to raise him vp, if hee bee fallen: Hee stumbleth at the corner stone of our

salvation; and beholde, I securelie passe by it, and labour not with care and diligence to lift him vp againe. Mine owne sinnes are grievous anough: And yet I haue not beene afrayde to participate in other mens sinnes. Bee propitious (O God) vn∣to me, great sinner, and overburde∣ned. To thy mercie I flee in Christ, and through Christ promised vnto mee, I come vnto this lyfe, beeing dead in sinne: I come vnto this Way, having gone astray in the path of sinne: I come vnto this Salvation, being by reason of my sinne guiltie of damnation. Quicken mee, guide mee, and saue mee, thou which art my Life, my Way, and my Salva∣tion, for ever and ever,

Amen.

PRAYER VII. Hee showeth that wee are manie wayes convinced of sinne.

HOlie God, and just Iudge! If I looke vp to heaven, I thinke with my selfe, that I haue manie wayes offended thee, my GOD and Father: I haue sinned against

heaven and before thee, I am not worthie to bee called thy sonne. If I looke down vpon the earth, I thinke with my selfe, how I haue abused thy crea∣tures by my sinnes: I haue infinite∣lie abused not onlie the darknesse of the night, but also the light of the day, to worke workes of darknesse. If I looke vpon the examples of sin∣ners, vpon whom thou in thy just judgement hast inflicted punish∣ment, I finde that the weyght of my sinnes will counterpoise theirs. If I looke vpon the examples of the Sayncts, I finde that I come farre short of them in my holie service of thee. If I thinke vpon the Angell my keeper, I finde that often I put him to flight by my sinnes. If I thinke of the devills, I finde that I haue often given place to their sug∣gestions. If I weygh with my selfe the rigour of thy lawe, I finde that my lyfe is manie wayes irregu∣lar. If I looke vpon my selfe, I finde that the verie cogitatiōs of my heart doe accuse mee before thy judge∣ment. If I thinke vpon the houre of death to come, I finde that it is the

just reward of my sinnes, and (vnlesse thou of thy meere mercie for Christ his sake shalt receaue mee) the gate and entrance into everlasting death. If I thinke vpon the judgement to come, I finde my deserts such, that thou mayest justlie call mee to the most exact account, and punish my sinnes according to the strict se∣veritie of thy law. If I thinke vpon hell, I finde that I haue deserved by my sinnes the most just punishment there, If I thinke vpon eternall lyfe, I finde that I haue by my sinnes just∣lie fallen away from all hope of at∣taynment. All thinges therefore con∣vince mee of my sinnes: Onlie thou thou, O my God, bee not thou ex∣treame against mee! To Christ thy beloved Sonne my onlie mediatour I betake my selfe: By him I most firmlie belieue I shall obtayne thy grace & remission of my sinnes. Thy creatures accuse me; the booke of my conscience accuseth mee; both the tables of thy divyne law accuse me; Satan accuseth mee day and night: But take thou vpon thee my patro∣nage. O sweet Iesus! To thee the

poore man is left bereft of all solace of the creatures. All my refuge is placed in thy satisfaction for my sinnes, and in thy inte••cession at the right hand of the Father for mee. My soule, take thou the wings of the morning, and, lyke a doue, hide thy selfe in the clests of the rocke, that is, in the wounds of Christ thy Saviour. Hyde thy selfe in this rocke, till the anger of the LORD bee passed by: and thou shalt finde rest, and thou shalt finde protection, and thou shalt finde deliverance therein.

AMEN.

PRAYER VIII. Hee by the effects of contrition argueth vs to bee convicted of the haynousnesse of sinne.

HOlie God, and just Iudge! My heart is contrite and humbled▪ my spirit is heavie, and in a great straite, by reason of the burden of my sinnes where with I am oppres∣sed. The cowrage of my heart hath failed, and the sharpnesse of my eyes is decayed. My heart is pressed, and

from thence gush out teares: My spi∣rit is oppressed, and I forget to take my bread: My heart is wounded, and from thence gusheth out blood, and a fountayne of teares. Who knoweth how of thee offendeth? Who knoweth the sorrow of the heart, that is in a great straite by reason of offences? My soule is dry and broken in pieces, and thirsteth after the fountayne of lyfe: O Christ feede mee with the dew of thy Spirit of grace. My heart that is in a great straite sigheth vnto thee: O thou true joye, giue vnto mee peace and quietnesse of heart, that beeing justified by sayth, I may haue peace with God.

My heart condemn••••h mee: But doe thou absolue me, who art greater thā my heart. My conscience accuseth mee: But doe thou absolue me, who hast fastned to the crosse the hand∣writing of my cōscience. I offer vnto thee (ô my God) my contrite & hum∣bled heart, for a most acceptable sa∣crifice: I offer vnto thee my sighs as the messengers of true & serious cō∣trition: I offer vnto thee my teares as abundant witnesses of my vnfeigned

griefe. In my selfe I despare: In thee is my trust. In my selfe I faint: In thee I am refreshed. In my selfe I feele straitnesse: In thee againe I finde enlargment, I am troubled and bur∣dened overmuch: Thou shalt refresh mee, and giue rest vnto my soule. One deepe calleth vpon another: The deepe of my miserie calleth vpon the deepe of thy mercie. Out of the deeps doe I cry vnto thee. Cast thou my sinnes into the deepe of the sea. There is no soundnesse in my flesh, by reason of thy anger: neyther is there anie rest to my bones by reason of my sinnes: For mine iniquities are gone ••ver my head, and become too heavie for mee. Cure my soule, thou heavenlie Physician, that I bee not swallowed vp of eter∣nall death. Take the burden of my sinnes from mee, thou that hast ta∣ken it vpon thy selfe on the crosse, that I despare not vnder the intolle∣rable burden thereof. Haue mercie on mee, thou fountaine of grace and mercie.

Amen.

PRAYER IX. Hee declareth the number and great∣nesse of Gods benefits vnto vs, and the grievousnesse of our sinnes.

HOlie God, and just Iudge! By how much the more benefites thou hast bestowed vpon mee, by so much the more I grieue, that I haue so often displeased thee, so loving a Father. As manie gifts as thou hast heaped vpon mee, so manie bonds of loue hast thou sent over vnto mee▪ Thou wouldest haue bound mee vnto thy selfe: But I haue for∣gotten thee and thy beneficiencie, and linked sinne vnto sinne. Father, I haue sinned against heaven, and before thee: I am not worthie to bee called thy sinne: make mee as one of thy hired servants. I am altogether displeased with my selfe: Make thou mee al∣together to please thee. Thy large bountie, and wonderfull patience, haue often invited mee to repen∣tance: But hitherto I haue beene backward to come. Thou hast often called mee (O most Bountifull GOD) by the preaching of thy word, by the teaching of thy crea∣tures,

by the punishment of the crosse, and by inward inspiration: But I haue stopped the eares of my heart altogether at thy call. All the faculties of my soule, all the mem∣bers of my body are thy gifts: I ought therefore, with all the powers of my soule, and parts of my bodie, be rea∣die to doe thee all holie service, which is due vnto thee: But I haue made them (the more is my griefe) the weapons of iniquitie and vnrigh∣teousnesse. The breath which I fetch is thine; the aire which I sucke in is thine; the sūne, whose light I see day∣lie, is thyne: All these ought to haue beene vnto mee as furtherances and instruments to sanctitie of lyfe: But I haue abused them, the more is my griefe, to the slaverie of sinne. Thy creatures I should haue vsed to the glorie of thee the Creatour: But I haue wickedlie abused them to thy dishonour. In the light of the sunne I should haue put on the armour of light: But therein haue I committed the works of darknesse. How much soever is added vnto my lyfe, com∣meth all from thy bountie: Therefore

my whole life ought to be employed in thy service, on whom it doeth whollie depende: And yet I haue scarce bestowed the least part therof in thy service. As manie good inspi∣rations as I haue felt within mee, so manie hand-maydes of thy grace hast thou sent as ambassadours to invite mee most lovinglie to returne vnto thee by true repentance: But alace, how often haue I stubbornlie refused to giue them audience! But yet receaue him, who now at length returneth vnto thee with sighing & a contrite heart. Sprinkle mee with the blood of thy Sonne, that so being purged from all the pollutions of the flesh and the spirit, I may become whiter than snow, and with all thy elect prayse thee in the heavenlie Ierusalem world without ende.

AMEN.

PRAYER X. Hee considereth the severitie of GODS anger agaynst our sinnes, in the death and passion of CHRIST.

HOlie God, and just Iudge! I be∣holde thy Sonne hanging vpon the crosse, and pouring foorth plen∣tifull rivers of blood: •• behold him; and behold, for verie terrour, I ••aint altogether. My ••innes are those yron nayls with which I haue boared his hands and his feete. My sinnes are those pricking thornes with which his most sacred head (which is to bee rever••••ed of the Angelicall powers) was crowned. My sinnes are those stinging thōgs, with which his most pure bodie (the proper temple of Divinitie) was scourged. A cruell wilde beast hath torne in pieces the heavenlie Ioseph, and embrued his coat with his blood: I miserable sinner am that wicked beast: for my sinnes did make an assault, and rush vpon thy most beloved Sonne. If thy most obedient Sonne is so vexed & troubled for other mens sinnes: What cause hath the vndutifull and disobedient servant to feare in re∣gard of his owne sinnes! The wounds of my soule must needs bee great indeede and mortall, when as thy onelie begotten Sonne is so

miserablie smitten for to cure them. The disease of my soule must needs bee great indeed and mortall, when as the heavenlie Physician, and lyfe it selfe, doeth die vpon the crosse to cure it. I see the torment of his most holie soule: I heare the miserable exclamation of my most holie Sa∣viour vpon the crosse: For mee it is hee is so vexed: it is for my sinnes that hee complaineth, that hee is for∣saken of GOD. If the weyght of other mens sinnes doeth so exceedinglie presse the Almightie Sonne of God, that it wringeth from him a bloodie sweat: How intollerable shall the anger of God bee, and how vnmea∣surable shall bee his wrath agaynst the vnprofitable servant! O thou drye and vnhappie wood, that hast alwayes served as a slaue the ever∣lasting fire of hell! What must thou feare, when thou seest these things come to passe in the greene wood! Christ is the greene tree: In the roote of his divinitie, in the loue of his humanitie, in the boughes of his vertues, in the leaue•• of his holie wordes, and in the fruit of

his good works. Hee is the cedar of chastitie, the vine of joyfulnesse, the palme of patience, and the oliue of mercie. But if the fire of the divyne anger inflameth this greene tree of lyfe: How much more shall it con∣sume the sinner lyke drye wood for his vnfruitfull workes! In what ca∣pitall and bloodie letters are my sins ingraven in the bodie of Christ! How conspicuous (O thou most just GOD) is thyne anger agaynst myne iniquities! How straite must that captivitie needes bee in which my soule was held, when so precious a ransome was payd for her delyve∣rie! How great must the staynes of my sinnes needs bee, when rivers of blood flow downe from the bodie of Christ to wash them away! O thou most just God, and yet most mercifull Father, consider what in∣dignities thy Sonne hath suffered for me▪ and forget the wicked works of me thy vnworthie servant! Behold the pro••unditie of his wounds; and overwhelme my sinnes in the pro∣found sea of thy mercie▪

Amen.

Notes

• Psal. 51. 5
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 24, 4
• Rom. 7, 23
• ▪Titus ••. 5
• Matt. 15, 19
• Psal. 143. 2
• Psal. 51. 1
• Psal. 42. ••
• Isai 9. 6 1 Cor. 1. 30
• Psal. 90. 8
• Psal. 25. 7 ••et. 31, 34
• Ge••. 6, 5
• Pro••▪ 24, 1••
• Psal. 29, 12
• Phil. 2. 8 Luke ••, 42
• Prov. 24, 16 Matt. 26. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Rom. 7. 1••
• Isai. 6••▪ 6
• P••••••. ••30. 3
• Psal. 143. 3
• Iob. ••. 3
• Exod. 20, 1
• Rom. 7. ••
• Iohn 4. 23
• Iohn 6. 5••
• Isai 53. 9
• Exod 20. 1••
• Matt. 5▪ 28
• Isai 53, 9 1 Pet, 2, 22
• Rom, 3. 28
• 1 Tim, 2, 1••
• Ezek. 3, 21
• Matt. 10. 28
• Psal. 118 22
• Luke 15, 1•• 19▪
• 19
• Rom. 6, 23
• Cant. 2. 14
• Psal. 18▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Psal. 4••. ••
• Rom. 5. 1
• ••Iohn 3, 20
• Col. 2, 14
• Psal. 51. 17
• Matt, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 28
• Psal. ••30. ••
• Psal. 230, 1 Mic. 7▪ 19 Psal. 38. 3
• Luke 15, 19
• Rom. 2, 4
• Rom. 13. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• 2 Cor 7. ••
• Psal. 5••. 7
• Gen. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 33
• Isai 53. ••5
• Matt. 27. 46