The monument of matrones conteining seuen seuerall lamps of virginitie, or distinct treatises; whereof the first fiue concerne praier and meditation: the other two last, precepts and examples, as the woorthie works partlie of men, partlie of women; compiled for the necessarie vse of both sexes out of the sacred Scriptures, and other approoued authors, by Thomas Bentley of Graies Inne student.

A praier to God the father.

ALmightie God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ, whome no desert, merit, or worthi∣nesse of ours; but thine owne great clemen∣cie, mercie and pitie caused to send downe thine onlie begotten sonne into this world, to beare the burden of our sinnes, with the which we most mise∣rable sinners were ouerladen, and that he should suf∣fer most cruell torments, yea and also most bitter and shamefull death, and sanctifie the reprochfull name of the crosse, with the renting of his blessed bodie, and shedding his most pretious bloud thereon; thereby to make attonement betweene thee and vs, thereby to paie the raunsome for our soules, thereby to consum∣mate and finish the perfection of our redemption, and saluation. Which thing it was thy good will that he should doo, not onelie to asswage thy wrath & indigna∣tion, but also to bring vs againe into thy grace and fa∣uour; and that we being deliuered out of the bondage of sinne and hell, might serue thee in righteousnesse and holinesse, all the daies of our life, and by the free gift and benefite of his death and passion, be made parta∣kers of his resurrection, and of thine endlesse and vn∣speakable glorie.

Wherefore my God, my maker, my Lord, my King, seeing thou hast so aboundantlie bestowed thy heauen∣lie gifts vpon me, and all mankind, and hast so plenti∣fullie powred out thy grace and fauour on vs, that for our sakes thou wouldest not spare thine owne sonne: how shall we escape thine indignation, which for this

care and kindnesse of thine, are most carelesse and vn∣kind? And among all other, which waie shall I poore creature turne me? How shall I, who haue beene most vnthankefull for thy benefits, and most vnmindfull of them, be so bold as to lift vp my hart or hands vnto the heauens, and to call vpon thee? Thou of thy singular goodnesse didst so prouide, that the wickednesse of old Adam should be purged and washed awaie with the bloud of Iesus Christ; but I haue wilfullie fallen into sinne againe. Thou madest me the child of light, but I haue made my selfe an inheritour of darkenesse. Thou madest me thine by creation, I haue made my selfe the child of perdition.

What shall I now therefore do? Shall I doubt of anie further mercie and forgiuenesse? No no, sweete Lord, so great is thy mercie, which surmounteth all thy workes; so large are thy promises; so sure is the performance of them to all such as take hold thereof; so deere in thy sight are the merits of thy sonne Iesus; so acceptable vnto thee is the hartie repentance of a sinner, that with the remembrance thereof, I am pro∣uoked to crie vnto thee, saieng: Father, I haue sinned against heauen, and against thee, I am no more wor∣thie to be called thy child. Neuerthelesse, behold thou me, not as I am, a greeuous offender, but as thy crea∣ture. Haue now no respect to mine offences, but behold my repentance: thinke not vpon my wickednesse, but vpon the wounds of my Sauiour Iesus. Looke not vpon my false hart, which hath wauered from thy lawes, but behold the bleeding hart of thy sonne Iesus Christ, which was pierced to release me, and set me free. My sinnes I cast vpon thy backe, beseeching thee that his merits may beare them, and thy mercie par∣don them.

Heare me O Lord my God, heare me: for I knowe, the more earnestlie that I seeke for, and desire thine

aide, the readier thou art to stretch foorth thine hand to helpe me. Heare me therefore, O Lord; bow downe and incline thine eare vnto my praier: inspire me so with thy holie spirit, that I may loue thee aboue all things, and that I neuer faile to put my hope and trust of saluation in him, whome thou wouldest to be my redeemer and sauiour.

Make me, by the forsaking of all wickednesse, so to rise from falling into sinne, that I may obtaine the true seruing of thee with innocencie, and purenesse of life. Graunt this O Lord, for Iesus Christs sake, to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie,

Amen.