A16580:275
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
A PRAYER FOR THE REMISsion of finsA PRAIER FOR THE REMISsion of finnes
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.
A PRAYER FOR THE REMISsion of fins
A PRAIER FOR THE REMISsion of finnes
OH lord god and dear father, what shall I say, that feel all things to be in manner with me as in y• wicked, blind is my mind, crooked is my will, and perverse concupiscence is in me as a spring or stinking puddle. Oh how faint is faith in me? how little is love to thee or thy people? how great is self love? how hard is my hart? &c. By the reason whereof I am moved to doubt of thy goodness towards ⟨image 103⟩me whether thou art my father or no, and whether I be thy child or no. In deed worthily might I doubt if that the having of these were the causes and not the fruits rather of thy children. The cause why thou art my father is thy mercy, goodness, grace and trueth in christ Jesus, the which cannot but remain for ever. In respect whereof thou hast borne me this good will, to accept me into the number of thy children, that I might be holy, faithful, obedient, innocent &c. And therefore thou wouldst not only make me a creature after thy Image, enduing me with right limbs, shape, form, memory, wisdom &c, where thou mightest have made me a beast, a maimed creature, lame, blind, frantic &c: but also thou wouldest that I should be borne of Christen parents, brought into thy Church by baptism, and called divers times by the ministry of thy word into thy kingdom, besides the innumerable other benefits always hither to poured upon me. Al which thou haste done of this thy ⟨image 104⟩good will that thou of thine own mercy barest to me in Christ & for Christ before the world was made. The which thing as thou requirest straitly that I should believe without doubting, so in all my needs that I should come unto thee as to a father, & make my moan without mistrust of being hard in thy good time, as most shall make to my consort. Lo therefore to thee dear father I come through thy son our lord, mediator and advocate Jesus christ, who sitteth on thy right hand making intercession for me, & pray thee of thy great goodness & mercy in christ, to be merciful unto me, that I may feel in deed thy sweet mercy as thy child. The time (oh dear father) I appoint not, but I pray thee that I may with hope still expect & look for thy help. I hope that as for a little while thou hast left me, thou wilt come and visit me, and that in thy great mercy whereof I have need by reason of my great misery.