The pomander of prayer, newly madeThe pomaunder of prayer, newly made

¶ Hear do we complain that we be not moved nor pricked in our contemplation and prayer like as the angels be which tremble at the sight of God.

¶ Heare doo wee complain that we be not moued nor pricked in our contem plation and prayer like as the angels be which tremble at the sight of God.

Pardon me (O Lord) pardon me, mercifully forgive me & have mercy upon me, spare mine ignorance and my great unperfectness, do not reprove me as a rash fellow, because I dare be so bold which am but thy servant but would to God I were ether a good servant, or none unprofitable nor evil servant. And therefore am I an evil man because I praise, bless & worship ⟨p. 97⟩thee which art our God almighty, terrible and very much to be feared, I worship thee (I say) without contrition of hart and without a well of tears. For if so be that the angels when they worship and praise thee, do tremble being fulfilled with marvellous gladness: I which am a sin ner, whiles I stand before thee saying praises and offering sacrifice, why am I not afraid in my heart? why am I not pale in my countenance? why do not my lips quake and tremble? why is not all my body afraid? and why do I not mourn and bewail before thee after such▪ a ⟨image 100⟩sort that tears might spring out of mine eyes: I would fain but I am not able, because I can not do that which I desire to do. This maketh me truly, won derfully to marvel, that I am no more moved when I see with the eyes of my faith, thee which art so fearful But who can do any thing without the help of thy Grace? Except thou make our stony hearts to relent: we of our selves are not able to mollify them, but all our health dependeth upon thy great mercy. O wretch that I am, how is my soul made without any feeling or perseverance? that it is not ⟨p. 98⟩afraid with over much fear whiles it standeth before God & singeth to him his own praises? Alas how is my hart so hardened, that mine eyes do not gush out great floods of tears without ceasing, when I which am but a servant or bondman, do common and talk in my Lord and masters presence? Yea a man, with God, a creature with a creator. I that am made of the slime of the earth, do speak with him that made all things of nothing? Put me before thee▪ (O Lord) and what so ever I perceive of my self in the secrets of my hart, ⟨image 101⟩I do not keep it close from thy brotherly ears. Thou art rich in mercy & liberal in rewards, give me of thy goods, that with them I may serve thee. For with nothing else can we serve or please thee, but with thin own gifts which thou hast vouchsafed to bestow upon us. Fasten I beseech thee thy fear in my flesh.

PArdon me (O Lorde) pardon me, mercifully forgeue me & haue mercyvpō me, spare mine ignoraunce and my great vnper fectnes, doo not reproue me as a rash felow, because I dare be so bolde which am but thy seruaūt but would to God I were ether a good seruaunt, or none vnprofitable nor euill seruaunte. And therfore am I an euill man because I prayse, blesse & wurship ⟨p. 97⟩thee which art our God almighty, terrible and very much to be feared, I wurship thee (I saye) without contricion of hart and without a well of teares. For if so be that the angels when they wurship and praise thee, doo trē ble being fulfilled with marueilous gladnes: I whiche am a sin ner, whiles I stande before thee saying praises and offeringe sacrifice, why am I not afraid in my harte? why am I not pale in my countenaunce? why doo not my lippes quake and tremble? why is not all my body afraide? and why doo I not mourne and bewaile before thee after suche▪ a ⟨image 100⟩sorte that teares might springe out of mine eyes: I wolde fayne but I am not able, because I can not doo that whiche I desire to doo. This maketh me truly, wō derfully to maruell, that I am no more moued when I see with the eyes of my faith, thee which art so fearfull But who can doo any thing without the helpe of thy Grace? Except thou make our stony hartes to relent: we of oure selfs ar not able to mollifie them, but all our healthe dependeth vpon thy great mercye. O wretche that I am, how is my soule made without any feeling or perseueraunce? that it is not ⟨p. 98⟩afrayde with ouer muche feare whiles it standeth before God & sīgeth to him his owne praises? Alas how is my hart so hardned, that myn eyes doo not gush out great fluddes of teares without ceassing, when I whiche am but a seruaunte or bondman, doo cō mon and talke in my Lorde and masters presēce? Yea a mā, with God, a creature with a creatour. I that am made of the slime of the earthe, doo speake with him that made al things of nothing? Put me before thee▪ (O Lorde) and what so euer I perceyue of my self in the secrets of my hart, ⟨image 101⟩I doo not keep it close from thy brotherly eares. Thou art riche in mercy & liberall in rewards, geue mè of thy goods, that with them I may serue the. For with nothīg els cā we serue or please thee, but with thin owne giftes whiche thou hast vouchsaued to bestow vpon vs. Fasten I beseche thee thy feare in myfleshe.

¶ A very devout prayer for the giving of thanks.

¶ A veri deuoute prayer for the geuing of thankes.

O Lord Christ which art the word of the father, which came into this world to save sin ners. I beseech thee by the most loving bowels of thy mercy, to amend & repair my life, make better my deeds, take thou the ordering of my manners, take from me that which noyeth and hurteth me, and displeaseth thee: and give me that which thou knowest ⟨p. 100⟩will please thee & profit me. Who can make clean that which is conceived of an unclean seed but thou alone? Thou art the god almighty, of infinite piety, which dost justify and make righteous even those that were wicked men and raisest again to life them that were dead in sin, thou changest sinners and they are no sinners. Take away therefore from me, what so ever is in me that pleaseth not thee, for thine eyes do see much unperfectness in me. Lay thy hand I beseech the of thy pity on me, & whatsoever offendeth the eyes of thy pity, remove it from me. In thy sight is both my health and my disease.

O Lorde Christe which art the wurd of the father, whiche came into this world to saue sin ners. I beseche thee by the most louing bowels of thy mercy, to amend & repaire my lyfe, make better my dedes, take thou thorderyng of my maners, take from me that whiche noyeth and hurteth me, and displeaseth the: and geue me that which thou knowest ⟨p. 100⟩will please thee & proffit me. Who can make clean yt which is cōceiued of an vncleane sead but thou alone? Thou art the god almighty, of infinite pietie, which dost iustifie and make righteous euen those that were wicked mē and raisest again to life thē that were dead in sin, thou chaungest sinners and they are no sinners. Take away therfore from me, what so euer is in me that pleaseth not thee, for thine eyes doo see muche vnperfectnes in me. Lay thy hand I besech the of thy pitie on me, & whatsoeuer offendeth ye eyes of thy pitie, remoue it from me. In thy sight is bothe my health and my disease.

The one I beseech thee to preserve the other to cure: do thou heal me (O Lord) and I shall be healed: do thou make me safe & I shall be saved. Thou I mean which dost make hole them that be diseased, & dost preserve them that be cured, which only with a beck dost restore and repair things that be decayed & fallen into ruin. For if thou wilt vouch safe to sow any good seed in the field of my hart, of necessity thou must pluck up first with the hand of thy pity, the thorns a fvices which be in it. Put in my heart I beseech thee, so great plenty of delectation in thee, that I may ⟨p. 100⟩desire no earthly or carnal thing nor yet think upon them, but that I may love thee alone, that I may have thee only in my hart and in my mouth. Write with thy finger in my breast, the delectable remembrance of thy sweet name & so that it may be blotted out with no forgetfulness. Write thy will in the tables of mine hart, and also thy justifications, that I may always & in every place have thee (O Lord) before mine eyes in my sight. Inflame my mind with that fire, which thou diddest send into the earth, and willedst it to be kindled, that I might offer unto the daily with ⟨image 104⟩tears, a sacrifice of a troubled spirit and a repentant hart. O sweet Christ, O good Jesus, even according unto my desire and even as I heartily require thee with my whole mind, give me thy holy and chaste love, which may replenish and keep me & also fully posses me. Give me an evident sign and token of thy love, a flowing well of tears which will continually run, that those tears may somewhat testify thy love in me, that they may show forth, that they may declare how much my soul loveth thee, whiles for the great delectation it hath in the sweetness of thy love: ⟨p. 102⟩it may not refrain from tears. I call to my remembrance from times good lord, that virtuous woman Ann, which came to the tabernacle to pray ye thou wouldest send her a son, of whom the scrip ture maketh mention that her countenance (after her tears and prayers) was not again changed or altered. But when I think upon so great virtue, constance & steadfastness: I am vexed with sorrow and confounded with shame, because I a wretchedoo perceive my self to be fallen over much from thee. For if a woman did weep after such a sort and continued so in weeping, which ⟨image 105⟩

how ought my soul to mourn and to persist and abide in weeping, that seeketh & loveth God, and hath a desire to cum unto him? how ought such a soul to mourn & weep, which seeketh God day & night, which will love nothing but Christ?

how ought my soule to mourne and to persist and abide in weping, that seeketh & loueth God, and hathe a desire to cum vnto him? how ought suche a soule to mourne & weep, whiche seeketh God day & night, which will loue nothing but Christ?

My tears now truly should be made unto me, meat day & night Look upon me therefore (o lord) and take pity on me because the dolours and sorrows of my hart are many in number. Give me thy heavenly consolation & do not despise nor cast away a sinful soul for the which thou ⟨p. 103⟩didst die. Give me inward tears I beseech thee from the bottom of mine hart, which may wash away the spots of my sins.

My teares now truly should be made vnto me, meat day & night Looke vppō me therfore (o lord) and take pitie on me because the dolours and sorowes of my hart are many in numbre. Geue me thy heauenly consolation & doo not despise nor cast away a sinfull soule for the whiche thou ⟨p. 103⟩didst die. Geue me inward teares I beseche thee from the botome of min hart, which may wash away the spottes of my sinnes.

Replenish my soul always with heavenly delectation and heavily mirth, that I may obtain some little portion or part in thy kingdom, although not amongst the perfect men whose steps I cannot follow: yet at the least wise amongst the inferior sorry. The marvellous devotion of an other woman cumeth now unto my mind, which with a virtuous love did seek thee lying in the sepulchre, which when thy disciples went away and departed ⟨image 106⟩from thee, did remain with thee her self, which sat there sad and sorrowful weeping long and very much, and when she did arise she searched with a diligent eye and with many tears the corners of the sepulchre which was left empty, if the might espy thee out in any place, whom she with a fervent desire sought. Yea and more over she went again and again to the sepulchre, but that was not enough unto her, nether did it satisfy her desire. For the grace of a good work is to persevere and continue in the same. And because she did love more then other, and that ⟨p. 104⟩in loving she wept and in weeping she searched, & in searching she continued, therefore was it thy pleasure that she should first find thee, see thee, and talk with thee before all other.

Replenish my soule alwayes wt heauenli delectacion and heauely mirth, yt I may obteine some litle porcion or part in thy kingdome, although not emongst the perfect men whose stepes I cannot folow: yet at the least wise emongst the inferiour sorie. The marueilous deuotiō of an other woman cumeth now vnto my minde, whiche with a vertuous loue did seek thee lying in the sepulchre, whiche when thy discipies went away and departed ⟨image 106⟩from thee, did remain with thee her self, whiche sat there sad and sorowfull weping long and very muche, and when she did arise she serched with a diligent eye and with many teares the corners of the sepulchre whiche was left emptie, if the might espie thee out in any place, whom she with a feruent desire sought. Yea and more ouer she went again and again to the sepulchre, but that was not ynough vnto her, nether did it satisfie her desire. For ye grace of a good wurk is to perseuer and continue in the same. And because she did loue more then other, and that ⟨p. 104⟩

And not only this, but also she was a tidings bearer of thy glorious resurrection unto thy disciples, when thou didst command her and bid her, goo and tell my brethren that they goo unto Galilee, there they shall see me. &c. Seeing therefore that a woman did weep after such a sort and continued in weeping, which did seek him ⟨image 107⟩that was alive among the dead: which touched thee with the hand of her faith: how ought a soul to mourn and to continue in mourning, which believeth in thee, and with his mouth doth acknowledge thee to be his redeemer that sittest now in heaven & reignest every where? How much therefore ought such a soul to mourn & weep, which loveth thee with all his hart, and with his whole desire doth covet to see thee? Oh only refuge, the only hope of wretches, unto whom no man needeth at any time to pray with out hope of mercy, grant unto me this grace for thy sake, and ⟨p. 105⟩for thy holy names sake, that as oft as I think upon thee as oft as I speak of thee, write of thee, read of thee, confer of thee, as oft as ever I remember thee, stand before thee, offer up praises, prayers and sacrifice unto thee: so oft I may weep abundantly with tears in thy sight, so that my tears may be to me in stead of bread day and night. Thou truly king of Glory and master of all virtue, hast taught us with thy word and with thin example to mourn and weep, where as thou sayest. Blessed be they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Thou didst weep for thy ⟨image 108⟩friend that was dead, and didst let tears fall down plenteously for the city which should perish. I beseech thee (O good Jesus) by those most precious tears and by all thy mercies and pieties, wherewith thou didst vouch safe marvellously to help & succour us that were lost: give me the grace to weep and to be earnestly repentant for my sins, which grace my soul desireth and coveteth very much, and except it cum of thy gift: I can not have it, but by the holy ghost which doth mollify the hard harts of sinners, and provoketh them to weeping.

And not only this, but also she was a tidinges berer of thy glorious resurreccion vnto thy disciples, when thou didst commaund her and bid her, goo and tell my brethern that they goo vnto Galile, there they shall see me. &c. Seyng therfore that a woman did weep after suche a sorte and continued in weeping, whiche did seeke him

Give me the grace of tears, like as thou gavest to our forefathers, whose examples we ought to follow, that I may bewail my self in all my life, like as they did bewail them selves day and night. Give me the dew of thy grace from above, and also a dew of tears beneath, that my tears may be unto me in stead of bread day and night: and that I may be made in thy sight (O Lord my God) by the fire of thy provocation, a fat and acceptable sacrifice. Make me to be mortified & killed upon the altar of mine hart, & that I may be received ⟨image 109⟩of thee as a fat and a sweet smell ling sacrifice. Give unto me (O good Lord) a plentiful flowing and clear well of tears, in the which I may wash continu ally this foul and spotted sacrifice. For although I have offered up my self, wholly unto thee, by the help of thy grace. Yet nevertheless in many things I offend thee daily, because of my great fragility and weakness. Eeve me therefore the grace of tears (O blessed God) and most especially through the great sweetness of thy love & the remembrance of thy mercies, prepare this table for thy servant in thy sight, ⟨p. 107⟩and give me power that as oft as I list I may be satisfied of it. Grant unto me for thy goodness and pity, that this thy cup replenished and filled full, may satisfy my thirst, that my spirit may covet thee, & that my mind may burn in thy love, forgetting all vanity and misery.

Geue me the grace of teares, like as thou gauest to our forfathers, whose exāples we ought to follow, that I may bewayle my self in all my life, like as thei did bewaile them selues day and night. Geue me the dew of thy grace from aboue, and also a dew of teares benethe, that my teares may be vnto me in stead of bread day and night: and that I may be made in thy sight (O Lorde my God) by the fier of thy prouocation, a fat and acceptable sacrifice. Make me to be mor tified & killed vpō thaltar of min hart, & that I may be receiued ⟨image 109⟩of thee as a fat and a swete smel ling sacrifice. Geue vnto me (O good Lorde) a plentefull flowing and cleare well of teares, in the whiche I may wash continu ally this foule and spotted sacrifice. For although I haue offred vp my selfe, wholy vnto thee, by the help of thy grace. Yet neuertheles in many thinges I offend thee dailly, because of my great fragilitie and weaknesse. Eeue me therfore the grace of teares (O blessed God) and most especially thorow the great swetnes of thy loue & the remembraunce of thy mercies, prepare this table for thy seruaunt in thy sight,

Hear (my God) hear, thou that art the stirrer up, and quickener of my dull ears, hear what I desire & ask: and give me grace to ask that which thou hearest.

Heare (my God) heare, thou that art the sturrer vp, and quickner of my dull eares, heare what I desire & aske: and geue me grace to ask that which thou hearest.

O pitiful Lord, which art wont to be easily entreated, be not hard to be entreated of me because of my sins, but for thy ⟨image 110⟩goodness receive the prayers of thy servant: and grant me the effect of my petition & desire.

O pitifull Lorde, which art wōt to be easyly entreated, be not hard to be entreated of me because of my sinnes, but for thy ⟨image 110⟩goodnes receiue the prayers of thy seruaunt: and graunt me theffect of my peticion & desire.

¶ In this prayer mans mind is very much and plenteously stirred & moved, if it be said in quietness.

¶ In this prayer mans minde is very muche and plenteously stirred & moued, if it be said in quietnes.

O Lord Jesus, o gentle and loving Jesus, o good Jesus which didst vouchsafe to dye for our sins, & didst rise again for our justification, I beseech thee by thy glorious resurrection, to raise me up out of the sepulchre of vices and all my sins, & give me daily part in thy first resurrection to the intent I may receive some part in the latter resurrection. O most mighty king which ⟨p. 108⟩didst ascend into heaven, with the triumph of thy glory, and sittest on the right hand of thy father, draw me upward towards thee, that I may run after thee in the sweet savour of thine anointments. Let me run & not faint when thou drawest me and leadest me running: draw the mouth of the soul that thirsteth after thee, unto the high floods and streams of thine eternal a bundaunce & satiety, yea draw me holly unto thy self which art the living well, to the intent I may according to my capacity, drink of that whereupon I do live.

O Lord Iesu, o gentle and louīg Iesu, o good Iesu which didst vouchsafe to dye for oure sinnes, & didst rise again for our iustificacion, I beseche thee by thy glorious resurrectiō, to raise me vp oute of the sepulchre of vices and all my sinnes, & geue me dayly parte in thy first resurreccion to thintēt I may receiue some part in the latter resurreccion. O most mighty king which ⟨p. 108⟩didst ascend into heauē, with the triumphe of thy glory, and sittest on the right hand of thy father, draw me vpward towards thee, that I may run after thee in the swete sauour of thine anoyntments. Let me run & not faint when thou drawest me and leadest me running: draw the mouth of the soule that thirsteth after thee, vnto the high fluddes and streames of thine eternall a bundaunce & sacietie, yea draw me holly vnto thy self which art the liuing well, to thintent I may according to my capacitie, drinck of that wherupon I doo liue.