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REmember, O Lord I beseech thee thy mercies shewed towards me of old time, through which thou hast prevented mee with the blessings of thy sweetnesse, even from the begin∣nings for thou, O Lord, and my hope, from the very time that I was a suck∣ling,
(yea before I was borne) hast provided and prepared the waies that I should walk in, and by them attain to the glory of thy heavenly King∣dome: thou hast knowne mee before thou didst forme mee in my mothers belly; and before I issued out of my mothers wombe, thou hast preordai∣ned of mee whatsoever seemed good to thy divine pleasure.
I know not, O Lord, what things are written of me in thy Booke, in the secret of thy Consistory, which make me to feare exceedingly: but thou knowest them all particularly, be∣cause that which I expect by successi∣on of dayes and times, a thousand yeeres hence to bee fulfilled, in the sight of thy Eternity is already ac∣complished, and that which is to come is already done: but I, for that I know not these things, (living heer in a darke and obscure night) cannot
but feare and tremble, whilest I see sundry dangers on every side assault∣ing me, troupes of enemies pursuing me, and infinite miseries of this life invironing me. And were it not that the ayd of thy grace doth succour me in these my manifold tribulations, I should soon fall into desperation; but I have a great hope and confidence, O my God in thee, who art a God of unspeakable mercy and pity: and the consideration of thy infinite mercies are no small comfort unto mee in my miseries.
The former tokens likewise of thy love and mercies shewed towards me before my nativity, but appearing now especially, doe put mee in hope for the time to come, to receive more ample and greater favours, from the hands of thy bountifull liberality, which thou doest reserve for thy friends, and those that love thee to
the end, that my hope may rejoice in thee, O Lord my God, with a sacred and lively cheerefulnesse, with which thou doest continually comfort my old disconsolate years.