A16580:186
Godly meditations upon the Lords prayer, the belief, and ten commandments with other comfortable…Godlie meditations vpon the Lordes prayer, the beleefe, and ten commaundementes with other comfortable…
Godly meditations upon the Lords prayer, the belief, and ten commandments with other comfortable meditations, prayers and exercises. Whereunto is annexed a defence of the doctrine of gods eternal election and predestination, gathered by the constant martyr of God John Bradford in the time of his imprisonment. The contents whereof appear in the page next following.Godlie meditations vpon the Lordes prayer, the beleefe, and ten commaundementes with other comfortable meditations, praiers and exercises. Whereunto is annexed a defence of the doctrine of gods eternall election and predestination, gathered by the constant martyr of God Iohn Bradford in the tyme of his imprisonment. The contentes wherof appeare in the page nexte folovvyng.
London : Now first printed by Rouland Hall, dwelling in gutter lane at the sign of the half Eagle and key, the .12. of October 1562London : Nowe fyrst prynted by Rouland Hall, dwellyng in gutter lane at the signe of the halfe Egle and key, the .12. of October 1562
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Oh lord if thou hast such care for my goods, cattle, and such pelf, how great is thy care for my soul? If this one commandment were not, I perceive as I for my own part should have done and do much worse then I have done: so much worse had been done to me and mine then hath ben. It is thou good lord (I perceive) that hast both given me all that I have, and also still conservest and keepest the same, and not my own policy, wisdom and industry, for in vain were all this, except thou diddest ⟨image 67⟩vouchsafe to use & take it as a mean to work by. There is nothing therefore that I have but when soever I look upon it, by this commandment I learn thy goodness, strength and power, for as thou givest it of thy mercy, so it speaketh to me that presently thou still doest keep it for me: so that exceeding great cause have I to thank thee for this precept dear god and most gracious lord.
Oh lord if thou hast such care for my goodes, cattell, and such pelfe, how greate is thy care for my soule? If this one commaūdement were not, I perceaue as I for my owne parte shuld haue done and doe much worse then I haue done: so much worse had bene done to me and mine then hath ben. It is yu good lorde (I perceaue) that hast both geuē me al yt I haue, and also still conseruest and keepest the same, and not my owne polycye, wysedome and industrye, for in vaine were al this, excepte yu diddest ⟨image 67⟩vouchsafe to vse & take it as a meane to worke by. There is nothing therfore that I haue but when soeuer I loke vpon it, by this commaundement I learne thy goodnes, strength and power, for as thou geuest it of thy mercy, so it speaketh to me that presently yu still doest kepe it for me: so that exceding great cause haue I to thanke thee for this precept dere god and most gracious lord.
But alas I am so far from thankfulness (as always I have been for all thy care for me and for all that ever thou haste given unto me) that as I have used subtlety and craft, yea some times theft and bribery: so now (good lord) I still when occasion is offered, do exercise the same. I live also voluptuously of that thou hast given & lent me, & nothing consider what equity requireth, and what or how great the necessity of the poor is, whom I do thus defraud by excess and prodigality. That which I borrow, I with unwillingness do repay, I use it more negligently then I would do mine own. Lack of