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.

Another godlie praier.

O Iesu Christ, holy and eternall God, I miserable woman, and wretched sinner, acknowledge and confesse, that I am not woorthie the least of all thy mercies, and most vnwoor∣thie to receiue thee vnder the roofe of my soule, by participating of thy most blessed bodie and bloud. For horrible and infinite are the sinnes, wherewith I am defiled. Wo is me, Lord. For I am a woman of pollu∣ted lips, and dwell among people that haue vncleane lips. And therefore the verie entrailes of my hart are troubled, and my bones doo shake, because I finde my

soule a most vnworthie ghest for so heauenlie a supper. And yet againe, mine hart is woonderfullie lightned, when I call to mind, that thou, the deere sonne of al∣mightie God, camest not into this world to call the righteous, but sinners vnto repentance. For they that be whole, need not the Physician, but they that are sick. Besides, I knowe right well, and constantlie doo be∣leeue, that notwithstanding my filthinesse, thou canst make mee woorthie; which alone canst make that cleane, which is conceiued of vncleane seed, and righ∣teous men of sinners, when thou forgiuest our sinnes of thy woonted grace, thine holie spirit being powred vpon vs. Through which thy power and mercie, I be∣seech thee, graunt such grace vnto me a sinner, that I may woorthilie approch to this heauenlie sacrament; least otherwise by mine vnwoorthinesse I be made gil∣tie of thy bodie and bloud, and so in stead of life, receiue my iudgement and condemnation.

Giue grace therefore, that afore I presume to come vnto the participation thereof, I may examine my selfe, by calling my sinnes into mind, searching out my waies, and by vnfeigned and hartie repentance retur∣ning vnto thee my Lord; least otherwise, by concealing my sinnes with Iudas the traitor, I eate the bread of the Lord against the Lord; and by abusing thy gentle∣nesse, heape vengeance vnto my selfe against the daie of vengeance. O make me therefore, I saie, to confesse my sinnes, and that with hartie sobs; so thou, being a faithfull and iust God, wilt abandon all mine offences, and cleanse me from my sinnes, and wilt not disdaine to accept me into fauour, when I doo not refraine to acknowledge my wickednesse.

Moreouer, powre into me a true and liuelie faith, that I neuer mistrust thy word annexed to the Sa∣craments, which promiseth vnto mankind the remissi∣on of sinnes. For to eate or drinke with the mouth one∣lie,

is to no purpose; but faith must come therevnto, and apprehend the word with the promises annexed: for they are the grounds and principles of this sacra∣ment: so that, whosoeuer giueth credit to these words, Which was giuen and shead for you, in the remission of sinnes; the same man hath that, which is promised by them, namelie, eternall life and saluation. For where the remission of sinnes is, there likewise righteousnes, life and saluation is. But he which doubteth of these words, he without doubt is an vnworthie receiuer, and commeth vnprepared. For the doubting man nei∣ther eateth the flesh spirituallie, nor yet drinketh the bloud; though carnallie, and to our eies he seemeth to consume the Sacrament of the bodie and bloud with his teeth and mouth, but his damnation rather; not bi∣cause thy supper is poison, but for that an euill man ta∣keth a good thing naughtilie.

Finallie, grant also, that receiuing this thy Sacra∣ment of the new Testament, I may put off, according to the former conuersation, the old man, which is cor∣rupt according to the lusts of error, and be renewed in the spirit of my mind, putting on the new man, which after God is shapen in righteousnesse and holinesse of truth. And albeit my nature be such, that I can not liue without spots of wickednesse; yet so blesse me, that I may neuer offend willinglie, but altogether depen∣ding vpon thy goodnesse, whose manner is to pardon the true penitent, that sinners may boldlie approch to thine holie supper; especiallie, seeing we haue libertie to enter into the holie places, through thy bloud, by the new and liuing waie, which thou hast prepared for vs, through the vaile, that is, by thy flesh. And seeing we haue an high Priest ouer the house of God, make vs to drawe nigh with true harts, in assurance of faith, sprinkled in our minds from an euill conscience, and washed in bodie with pure water. Cause vs to

hold fast the profession of the hope without wauering. For he is faithfull that promised: and let vs consider one of another, to prouoke vnto loue, & to good works; not forsaking the assemblie of the faithfull, as the ma∣ner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more as we see the daie approching,

Amen.