An introduction to a deuoute life composed in Frenche by the R. Father in God Francis Sales, Bishop of Geneua. And translated into Englisg [sic], by I.Y.

An authenticall protestation, seruing to en∣graue in thy soule a firme resolution to serue God, and to conclude the actes of Penaunce. CHAP. 20.

1. I wretched sinner heere personally appeering & standing in the pre∣sence of God euerlasting, and of all the court of heauen; hauing consi∣dered the exceeding mercie of his diui∣ne goodnes towards me, most vnwor∣thie and miserable caytife, whome he hath created of nothing, preserued, su∣steined, and deliuered from so manie dangers, & endowed with so manie be∣nefits. But aboue all considering the in∣comprehensible sweetnes & clemency wherwith this most good God hath so bountifully tollerated me in my iniqui∣ties, so often, and so louingly inspired me inuiting me to amendment, and so patiently expected my penance & con∣uersion vntill this N. yeare of my age: notwithstāding all my vnthanckfulnes, disloyaltie, and infidelitie, wherby dif∣ferring my conuersion, & despising his graces, I haue so impudently offended him; Hauing moreouer cōsidered that

at the day of my Christening, I was so happely & holily vowed and dedicated vnto my God to be his childe, and that contrary to the profession, which then was made in my name, I haue so many and sundrie times, so execrably and de∣testably profaned & violated my soule, imploying it, & opposing it against his diuine maiestie; At length recalling my self, & prostrating my self in hart and mind before the throne of his diuine iustice, I acknowledge, confesse, and yeald my self lawfully attached & con∣uicted of high treason againste his di∣uine maiestie, & guiltie of the death & passion of Iesus Christ, by reason of the hainous sinnes which I haue cōmitted, for which he died, and suffered the tor∣ment of the crosse: so that consequent∣ly, I am worthie to be cast away, and damned for euer.

2. But turning my self towards the throne of the infinit mercie, of the self same eternall God; hauing detested from the bottom of my hart, & with all my force, the iniquities of my life fore-passed, I most humbly require & crane pardon, grace, and mercie with entire

absolution from my crime, through virtue of the passion and death of the same Saueour & redeemer of my soule, vpon whome relying, as vpon the only foundation of my hope, I confir∣me againe, advowe, and renew, the sa∣cred profession of loyall seruice and fi∣delitie, made in my name & behalfe, vn∣to my God at my Baptising: renoun∣cing the diuel, the flesh, and the world, abhorring their execrable suggestions, vanities, and concupiscences for all the time of this present life, and for all eter∣nitie; And conuerting my self vnto my most gracious and mercifull God, I de∣sire, deliberate, purpose, and fully reso∣lue irreuocablie, to honour him, serue him, and loue him, now and for euer: giuing him for this end, and dedica∣ting, and consecrating, my spirit with all his faculties, my soule with all her functiōs, my hart with al his affectiōs, & my bodie with all his sences: protesting neuer more to abuse any one part of my being or nature, against his diuine will and soueraigne maiestie: to whom I offer vp and sacrifice my self in spirit, to be to him a loyall, obedient, & faithfull

creature for euer, without euer vnsaying reuoking or repēting me of my promise.

3. But yf alas, through suggestion of myne enemie, or through humane frailtie, I chaunce at any time to trans∣gresse in any thing whatsoeuer, this my purpose and resolution, I protest and determin frō this verie houre, through the grace and ayde of the holy Ghost, to arise againe so soone as I shall per∣ceaue my fall, & so to returne a new to the diuine mercie, without any stay or delay whatsoeuer. This is my will, in∣tention, and resolution irreuocable & inuiolable, which I aduowe, and con∣firme without reseruation or exception in the same sacred presence of my God, and in the sight of the triumphāt chur∣che, and in the face of the churche mi∣litant my mother, who vnderstandeth & registreth this my declaration in per∣sō of him, who as her officer hearth me & taketh my confession in this action.

4. Let it please thee ô my eternall God, allmightie and all good Father, Sonne, and holy Ghost, to confirme & strengthen me in this resolution, and to accept this my cordiall and inward sa∣crifice,

in the odour of sweetnes. And as it pleased thee to lightē me with thy holy inspiration, & to giue me the will to purpose fully, so graunt me also for∣ce and grace to performe it perfectly. O my God, thou art my God: God of my hart, God of my soule, and God of my spirit: and for such do I reuerently, thanckfully, and louingly acknowled∣ge, honour, and adore thee, now, and for euer. Liue ô Iesus.