Christian praiers and meditations, to be vsed of and for all sorts and degrees of women, in their seuerall ages and callings.

A praier for silence, shamefastnes, and chastitie.

THERE is nothing
that becommeth a maid
better than sobernes, silence,
shamefastnes, and
chastitie, both of bodie &
mind. For these things
being once lost, she is no
more a maid, but a stru~pet
in the sight of God,
howsoeuer shee disguiseth
hir selfe, and dissembleth
with the world. I
therefore most humblie
beseech thee, O mercifull Father, from whome commeth
euerie good and perfect gift, and without whom,
we are not able to doo anie thing: that thou wilt so order
my tongue, and dispose my talke, that I speake nothing,
but that becommeth my state, age, and person;
neither that I delight to heare anie talke, that might
in anie point mooue me to lewdnes or lightnes, seeing
that euill words corrupt good maners. Giue me also
such shamefastnes, as may plucke me awaie from the
delectation, either of thinking, speaking, hearing, seeing,

A. ii.

or dooing euill; that my whole delight may be in
vertue, in godlines, in eschewing idlenes, in giuing my
selfe continuallie to some godlie exercise; but aboue all
things, in thinking and speaking of thee, in reading
thy blessed word and heauenlie lawe, which is a lanterne
to my feete, and a light to my paths.
Moreouer, suffer neither my mind to be defiled with
euill thoughts, nor my bodie to be corrupted with anie
kind of vncleannes; but giue me grace so to order my
selfe in eschewing idlenes, and wanton wicked companie,
that my mind being free from euill affects, and my
bodie cleere from all vncleannes; I may be found a
meete temple for the holie Ghost to inhabit. And if it be
thy good pleasure hereafter to call me vnto the honourable
state of matrimonie, that I may bring also vnto
mine husband, a pure and vndefiled bodie, and so liue
with him in thy feare, vnto the praise and glorie of thy
blessed name, Amen.

A praier to be said of single women against all euill behauiour, vice, and vanitie, and for the obtaining of modestie, chastitie, and all maidenlie vertues.

ALmightie and euerliuing GOD,
which art of a pure, chaste, vnspotted,
& eternall essence: chaste minds
please thee, and godlie conuersation
thou likest well. Wherefore I beseech
thee, create in mee a cleane
hart, O Lord, and keepe mee from
vncleane cogitations, harlotrie,
whooredome, and all impuritie. Take from me a wanton
eie, and let me not gaze vpon the beautie or comlie
personage of anie man, least I be taken in his snares;
but giue me grace to shun ill companie, least I come
to shame and reproch. Turne awaie mine eies, I saie,
good Lord, from beholding a beautifull man, and keepe
me from immodest, wanton, and effeminate persons,
whose delight is all the daie long in chambering and
wantonnes, in excesse of wine, vaine pleasures, and all
maner of wickednes and riot. As for many idle words,
much babling, filthie speech, and scurillitie, let them be
so far from mine hart, that they neuer come once into
my mouth or lips. Preserue me, O Lord, and keepe me
from all the snares of Satan, from all allurements,
intisements, prouocations, & occasions of sin, & transgressing
thy most holie commandements; as namelie,
from pride, nicenes, sloth, & idlenes; from pranking,
pricking, pointing, painting, fristing, & decking of my
self to appeare piked, feate, gorgious, & gaie in the eies
of men: from taking too much libertie to gad abroad
to see and to be seene, or to prance in pride arrogantlie;
from haunting euill companie, and resorting to bankets,
weddings, idle games, heathenish sports, & dissolute
plaies, and pastimes, vaine pleasures, and filthie
dalliance and dansings, the extreame of all vices: finallie,
from all enuie, arrogancie, ambition, impudencie,
piertnes, boldnes, rashnes, vnshamefastnes, dissolute
laughing, excessiue feeding, retchlesnes, dissolutenes,
deliciousnes, wantonnes, lightnes, inconstancie,
curiositie, and from all other euill behauiour, vice, and
vanitie, good Lord, for thine holie name sake deliuer
me: least of a member of Christ, I prooue a member of
the diuell, by following the works of the flesh, and loosing
that inestimable treasure of great price, mine honestie,
chastitie, and virginitie.
Oh let me not, I beseech thee, with Dinah, Dalida,
Salomen, & such like dansing damsels, become equall
with the vngodlie, by plaieng the foolish virgin, as they
did, and in liuing vngodlie or dishonestlie, to the shame
and great griefe of my friends, and to mine owne infamie,
destruction, and damnation: but grant, O good
and gratious God, that both inwardlie with a pure

A. iij.

conscience, cleane soule, chaste hart, and vnpolluted
mind: and outwardlie with an vnspotted bodie, holie
vessell, and vndefiled members, after the good example
of Sara, Rebecca, Ruth, Iudith, Susanna, the virgin
Marie, and such other godlie women, I may Christianlie
serue, worship, and glorifie thee in true faith,
feare, and loue, and in perfect chastitie, shamefastnes,
sobernes, demurenes, modestie, measure, thriftinesse,
scarsitie, diligence in house, care of deuotion, meeknes,
holines, puritie, and all other vertues bodilie & ghostlie:
that when the celestiall bridegroome, my Sauiour
Iesus commeth, I hauing my Lampe replenished
with oile, may with those fiue wise virgins be found
readie euen at midnight to meete the bridegroome, and
happilie enter with him to the wedding, there with
thine elect virgins to taste of all the good fatnes of the
pleasures of paradise.
And if it shall please thee hereafter to prepare me for
an husband, and to call mee vnto the holie state of honourable
marriage: assist me, I beseech thee, that in
thy feare, with honestie of bodie and good fame, not of
curiositie, or incontinencie, nor through sinister practise
and priuie contracts; but with chaste and holie
loue, with continuall praier and lawfull meanes, and
that with the consent and agreement of parents and
friends on both sides first carefullie obteined, I may
euen before the flower of mine age be past, if it be thy
will enter thereinto, and be presented of them as a
pure virgin to Christ, especiallie considering that thou
hast therefore ordeined that state of life, that the virgin,
which hath not the gift of single life, feeling hir infirmitie,
and to auoid fornication, might marrie, and
take an husband in the Lord: as also that mankind in
chaste wedlocke may be multiplied, and that an holie
Church which both in this world, and for euer shall
praise thee might be gathered and chosen.
And forasmuch, O Lord, as a prudent, a wise, and a
godlie man commeth from thee, and is thy gift; who
onlie triest the harts and reines, and knowest the verie
secret cogitations and conditions of all men: prouide
I beseech thee, and giue me vnto a man of vnderstanding,
of sound and Christian religion, of wise gouernement
and behauiour; of a good life and vertuous disposition:
euen such an husband, I say, as may be faithfull,
constant, gentle, honest, tender, and louing vnto
mee; and godlie, zealous, sincere and religious in thy
sight: but from an vnwise, irreligious, vnfaithfull, and
wauering minded man, from an hastie, testie, rash, heddie,
furious, bitter, angrie, vnthriftie and couetous
husband, good Lord for thy holie name sake deliuer me;
and grant, that obteining at thy fatherlie hands a
good husband, euen according to mine or rather thine
owne hart, and being holilie coupled togither in Christian
loue and puritie, we may both liue togither vertuouslie
and quietlie in thy feare, without sinne or
shame, and also die in a good age godlie and Christianlie
in thy faith, without eternall death and condemnation,
through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Another.

LOrd, thou hast commanded by thine
holie Apostle, that wee should abstaine
from fornication, and that euerie
one of vs should knowe how to
keepe our vessell that is our bodie
in holinesse, chastitie, and honour,
and not in the lusts of concupiscence
and vncleannes, as doo the heathen
which knowe not God. I beseech thee giue me grace to
behaue my selfe according to this thy holie commandement,
that in this my single life and state of virginitie,
I defile not my bodie with whoredome, adulterie, fornication,

A. iiij.

or with anie other filthinesse and vncleanenesse;
but so order my selfe with all honestie, sobrietie,
chastitie, and purenesse of life, that I may glorifie thee
my Lord God, both in soule and bodie, Amen.

Or praie thus:

ALbeit, most mercifull Father, mariage
is honourable among all persons,
and the bed vndefiled; yet forasmuch
as partlie for the tendernesse
of mine age, I am not apt for
holie wedlocke, and partlie through
thine exceeding and aboue naturall
gift for none can liue chaste, except
thou giue hir that gift I liue yet free from the sweet
yoke of Matrimonie, I hartilie praie thee, that as I
haue receiued of thee the gift of continencie and virginitie,
so I may haue grace from thee to bridle my selfe
from lusts, & from all foolish appetits: and to frame my
life in all godlie & vertuous exercises both of the bodie
and mind: yea so go foorth I praie thee to continue and
increase this thy gift of chastitie in me, that I may the
more freelie and quietlie in all godlie patience and sufferance
serue thee, and care for those things that
please thee and pertaine to thy glorie; and also that I
passing ouer the time of this my yong age in thy feare,
in godlie trauels, vertuous labours, and maidenlie behauiour,
may eschew all euill lusts, riotous resorts,
and wanton companie: that when it shall please thee
to call me to the holie and honourable order of blessed
wedlocke, I may bring with me a cleane, chaste, and
vndefiled bodie, and so be apt and fit to liue in that godlie
state of Matrimonie, auoiding all fornication,
whoredome, and vncleannesse, all dissention, strife, and
debate, that thou maiest blesse me and my mariage;
prosper my godlie trauels; send me good successe in all
my doings, and make me a ioifull mother in seeing
my childers children, according to thy holie
promise, which liuest and reignest
verie God, world without
end, Amen.

For the grace of Gods holie spirit, to resist all sinfull motions, and keepe pure the state of single life, praie.

OH Lord the king of glorie, and God
of all power and might, which hast
promised to powre thy spirit vpon
all flesh, vpon virgins, maidens, and
yong women, and to giue the holie
Ghost to thy children, whensoeuer
they shall aske the same of thee in
thy Sonnes name in their praiers:
and allowest none to be pure virgins and thy children
indeede, but such as keepe themselues vnspotted of the
world, and walke before thee in the rule of thy lawes,
and obedience of thy commandements. Oh Lord, thou
knowest I would faine walke with thee from my virginitie,
in righteousnesse and holinesse. My desire is to
walke before thee in a pure conscience, chaste mind, and
vndefiled bodie. But alas, deere God, I confesse the corruption
of my nature, polluted in the first woman Eue
in Paradise, is such; and my weakenesse and vnablenesse
to stand in temptation is so much, and the custome
of sinne hath gotten such dominion ouer me, that
I am not able of my selfe so much as to thinke a good
thought, much lesse to doo anie thing that is good and
acceptable in thy sight. Wherefore, oh most louing Father,
take not thy grace and holie spirit from me thine
handmaid; leaue me not to my selfe, neither forsake
me, for then I am vtterlie cast awaie. For thou seest, O
Lord, that if thou doo but shadowe thy selfe a little, and
depart from me, into how manie grieuous and horrible
sinnes I fall; how much more then, Lord, if thou
shouldest vtterlie forsake me, leaue me to my selfe, and
take thy grace and holie spirit vtterlie from me? Therfore,
oh most intreatable God, I beseech thee consider
my manifold imperfections, womanlie weakenesses, &
miserable corruptions, which dailie turne me out of
the waie, and drawe me from thee, and powre downe
thy grace and holie spirit plentifullie vpon me thine
humble handmaid. Yea giue vnto me also thy most holie
word, thy patience, loue, meekenesse, integritie, righteousnesse,
iustice, temperaunce, sobrietie, chastitie,
peace, long-suffering, faith, goodnesse, holinesse, and all
other thy vertues, fruites of the spirit, and ordinarie
meanes, whereby I may be so instructed, taught, and
guided, gouerned, protected and defended in this my
single life and state of virginitie, that I neuer offend against
thy diuine Maiestie, or mine owne soule and bodie,
but that I may haue power and strength from
thee continuallie to stand against all the secret assaults
and open temptations of mine enimies, both bodilie
and ghostlie: yea grant, O deere Father, that I may
through thy mightie power working in my weake vessell,
haue continuall victorie ouer all hellish hagges,
and also triumph ouer them in all their assaults and
temptations, as manie holie virgins and women haue
done in all ages, so that togither with them I may
walke before thee in the purenesse of my virginitie,
with a good conscience, in perfect righteousnesse
and true holinesse acceptable in thy sight, all
the daies of my life, according to thy
will, through Iesus Christ our
Lord and onlie Sauiour
and redeemer,
So be it.

Another praier in the behalfe of all Virgins, or single women, for the keeping of obedience, modestie, chastitie, puritie, and cleannesse of liuing.

O Diuine spirit, God the holie Ghost,
which abhorrest, despisest, and fliest
from all vncleannesse, filthinesse and
dishonestie; and which dooest contrariwise
both reioice, and hast great
delight and pleasure to be resident,
and dwell in chaste, pure, cleane, and
virginall mindes: I thine humble
handmaid meekelie beseech thee, both for my selfe, and
all other virgins and maidens, that as through thy benignitie
and gentlenesse, we beare and carrie about in
this our weake, fraile, and earthen vessels, the same
most excellent and notable treasure; so through thy
goodnesse and fauour we may keepe and preserue it safe
and whole, vnpolluted or defiled anie manner of waies
as we ought. Make vs gladlie to reuerence our elders,
and by the good motherlie admonitions and sincere
honestie of the best and most godlie women, to institute,
frame, and order our trade of liuing. Cause vs
also to bridle our lusts and appetites, and continuallie
to exercise our selues with labour both of bodie and
mind, in patience and sufferance, that we may be apt
and fit both for maidenlie and huswifelie affaires. Let
vs not giue our selues to much idlenesse, deintie fare, euill
companie, and dissolute pastime; and in all the recreation
of our spirits, let vs beware of intemperancie
and lightnesse, and alwaies vse reuerence, shamefastnesse,
and modestie. Take from vs, O God, all nicenesse,
wantonnesse, prodigalitie, and lasciuiousnesse, especiallie
in the presence of our elders. Let vs euer both
in time and place remember our selues to be women,
and not beasts, yea yong women, and not babes, and
therefore to take heed that our manners and conditions
exceed the manners and properties both of beasts
and of babes: neither let vs thinke our selues women
or matrones wise enough of our selues to teach our
selues; but being free from all selfe-weening, selfe-loue,
and presumption, let vs rather knowe that we lacke
as yet manie instructions and godlie lessons; and giue
vs grace to learne them at their hands, whome thou
doest appoint ouer vs to gouerne and teach vs, that so
we dailie more and more pleasing thee with pure harts
and vndefiled bodies, may with those wise virgins,
come vnto that blessed life which knoweth no corruption,
in the which thou, togither with the Father, and
his Sonne my louing Spouse, and heauenlie Bridegroome,
liuest and reignest one immortall and inuisible
God, blessed and praised for euer and euer, Amen.

Another praier to the same effect.

MOst sweet Lord, Iesu Christ my heauenlie
spouse, which art the glorie
of the Father, and the brightnesse
of the euerlasting light, I thine vnwoorthie
handmaid, beseech thee for
thine incomprehensible diuine Maiestie,
that thou wilt giue vnto me
a godlie preparation of mind, puritie
of hart, simplicitie of spirit, and cleannesse and chastitie
of bodie. Oh kill I beseech thee sweet Iesu, and
vtterlie extinguish in me all inordinate lusts; pull out,
and plucke vp by the rootes what vice soeuer is in me,
and take quite awaie whatsoeuer displeaseth thee in
me. So rule, temper, and dispose all both mine outward
and inward senses, as also all the force and powers
of my mind, that through thy grace I may refraine,
preserue, and keepe my selfe from all vniust, and
naughtie workes, from all euill cogitations and
thoughts, from all wicked and peruerse purposes,
willes, intents, and affections, which fight against thy
holie and blessed commandements. Grant moreouer,
that I may loue thee aboue all things; that nothing
may delight or please me but thou alone; that I may
seeke, will, desire, and couet nothing that is contrarie
and repugnant to thy heauenlie will, and good pleasure.
Finallie, grant O most gentle Iesu, that heere in
this world, I may so godlie liue, and vertuouslie behaue
my selfe both in this my single life, and afterward,
that in the last daie of my life I may be found
readie with the wise virgins, pure, holie, cleane, and
vndefiled, and so through thee the celestiall Bridegrome
most happelie enter, and be caried into the celestiall
countrie of ioies eternall, Amen.

A praier to be said for all virgins and maids generallie.

O GOD, the former of our bodies,
and the inspirer of our soules, which
neuer despisest anie age; reiectest no
sexe; nor esteemest anie estate or condition
vnwoorthie of thy grace; but
art the Creator and redeemer of all:
defend with the shield of thy protection
all those thy seruants and
handmaids, whom it hath pleased thee to indue with
the gift of continencie, and virginitie; that they, which
yet be free from the sweet yoke of matrimonie, by the
helpe of thy grace subduing all sinfull motions and
concupiscences of the flesh, and being giuen to all good
works, and holie exercises both of the bodie and mind,
may be vnseparablie vnited to the loue and obedience
of thy Sonne their spouse, Lord, and Sauiour Iesus
Christ. We beseech thee also, O Lord, minister and giue
thou vnto them weapons of defence, not carnall, but
spirituall, that thou gouerning both their members
and senses, sinne and wickednes may neuer be able to
beare rule in them, nor preuaile against their bodies
or soules; and that they alwaie liuing in thy feare,
grace, and fauour, Satan the friend to the bad, and fo
to the good, may not be so bold to claime them as his,
whose vessels thou hast consecrated, to glorifie thy
name in puritie of life. O let the dew and moisture of
thy heauenlie grace quench and asswage their naturall
heate: and let the fire of perpetuall chastitie inflame
their harts and minds. Let not their modest and
shamefast faces be blotted with anie reproch, neither
let securitie or negligence at anie time be hurtfull vnto
them. Take from them all occasions of offence, and
suffer them not to endure anie open infamie; but let
there be in them a warie chastitie, adorned and inarmed
with a liuelie faith, firme hope, and sincere charitie,
that their minds by thy gift being thus prepared
to continencie, their vertue by the power of thy grace
may be of force to incounter with the suggestions of
Satan, & vanquish all his mightie assaults, and that
by despising things present and transitorie, they may
euer followe with desire, and at the last obtaine the
ioies to come. Finallie, make them, O Lord, alwaies
to prefer abstinence and temperance before banketing
or bellie-cheere, and cause them to giue themselues to
the reading of holie scripture, to diuine contemplations,
and meditations, before feasting, wantonnes, and
excesse or riot; that being fed with praieng, filled with
instruction, and illuminated with watchings and holie
exercises, they may purelie performe and fulfill the office
of true virginitie, in this their state of single life,
and become meete spouses for the bridegroome. And
lastlie grant, O gratious God, that thou thus defending
and shielding these thy seruants both externallie
and internallie with the spirituall weapons of thy
grace and holie vertues; they, and euerie of them, may
be well able to passe through the pikes of Satans
host, and run their race in all holinesse, puritie, and honestie,
without anie offence to thee or the world, to the
confusion of Satan, and the exaltation of thy glorie,
through the same Lord Iesus Christ their euerlasting
spouse, and our most blessed redeemer: to whom with
thee, O Father, and the holie Ghost, be all praise, honour
and glorie, for euer and euer, Amen.

A lamentation of anie woman, virgin, wife, or widowe, for hir virginitie or chastitie, lost by fornication or adulterie: not vnapt also to be vsed of anie Christian sinner, or sinfull soule adulterated and fallen awaie by sinne from hir spirituall spouse Christ Iesus.

CAP. I.

IN the bitter affliction, griefe of
minde, and torment of conscience,
I go about to speake vnto
him that sitteth vpon the tribunall
seat, accompanied with the
Saints in heauen. And how
can I speake, when as the tong
is tied, and the lips dare not
once mooue or wag? The tong
doth not his office; the throte is dammed vp; all the
senses and instruments are polluted with iniquitie:
but I will proceed on, and first I will fall to the ground
on my knees, and make mine humble supplication vnto
the blessed spirit, that he will helpe me seelie wretch,
which dare not, by reason of the horror and superfluitie
of my sinne, craue ought at the hands of God. Yea, and
I beseech you also, O yee Saints, both holie men and
women of God, liuing here, with watrish eies and wet
cheekes soken in dolor and paine, to fall downe before
the mercie-seate of God, to intreate and make intercession
for me miserable sinner.
Wo is me, bicause of the sorowe of mine hart! Wo
is me, that my soule is thus afflicted! Wo is me, that
am compassed thus on euerie side, and shut vp in my
sinne, and that there is no health in me! Wo is me, O
mother, that euer thou broughtest me foorth a righteous
woman to be conuersant in vnrighteousnes; for
a religious woman to fall into extreme impietie; an
heire of the kingdome of God, but now an inheritour
of the kingdome of the diuell! Wo is me, O mother,
which broughtest me foorth a perfect Christian; yet a
wretch found walowing in all impietie: a virgin beautified
with honour and dignitie; yet in the end blemished
with shame & ignominie: a woman beset with manie
euils, & choked vp with infamous dooings! Wo is
me, O mother, which broughtest me foorth, as an high
and loftie turret, yet suddenlie turned downe to the
ground; as a fruitfull tree, yet quicklie withered; as
a burning lampe, yet foorthwith quenched; as a running
fountaine, yet by and by dried vp. Wo is me, that
euer I was bedecked with all gifts and graces, and
now seeme pitifullie depriued of all.
But who will minister moisture vnto the temples
of my head? And who will giue streames of teares
vnto mine eies, that I may bewaile my selfe in this
my sorowfull plight? Alas, O chastitie, how shall I
bewaile thee? Alas, O virginitie, how shall I lament
thee? O all you my friends and kindred, tender
my case, pitie my person, in that I am dangerouslie
wounded. Pitie me, O all ye my friends and kindred,
in that I am now become an abiect person. Pitie me,
O ye my friends, in that I am now with sorowe come
to naught. Pitie me, O ye my friends, in that I haue
now troden vnder foote the seale and cognizance of my
profession, and ioined in league with the diuell. Pitie
me, O ye my friends, in that I am reiected and cast awaie
from the face of God and man: it is for my lewd
life, that I am thus polluted and noted with open
shame. Bewaile me whome the Angels haue bewailed;
bewaile me whome all the Saincts haue bewailed;
bewaile me whome euerie woman hath bewailed.
Bewaile me O all ye virgins and women vnder
heauen, in that I am fallen from my glory, and haue so
wilfullie quenched the lampe of pure virginitie. The
Lord made and ingraffed me a fruitfull vine, but in
steed of pleasant clustred grapes, I brought forth pricking
thornes; therefore bewaile me also, for that in
steed of grapes I brought forth brambles. But let the
welspring of teares be stirred vp, and let my cheekes be
watred; let them flowe vpon the earth, and moisten it,
for I am soken in sinne, and borne in mine iniquities.
I see my virginitie lament ouer me. I see all ioie sorowing
for mee. I see the spider ouer my seate building
with cobweb, by reason of mine absence. I see and behold
my selfe all sorowfull and pensiue. Euerie creature
sorroweth at my case: for I was woont heeretofore to
powre out praises vnto God for them all. Alas, what
haue I felt? and how am I fallen? Alas how am I
thus come to naught? There is no sorrowe comparable
to my sorrowe; there is no affliction that exceedeth
my affliction; there is no bitternesse that passeth
my bitternesse; there is no lamentation more lamentable
than mine; neither is there sinne greater than
my sinne, and there is no salue for me.

CAP. II.

WHere is that good shepheard of the soules?
Where is he that went downe from Ierusalem
to Iericho, which also salued and cured
him that was wounded of the Iewes?

B. j.

Where is he that came from Iudea to the Citie Sichem
in Samaria, which also there liuelie touched the
woman of Samaria with hir faults, and yet gaue hir
drinke of his spirituall grace and life, to hir and others
conuersion? Where is he that in the Temple so mercifullie
deliuered hir that was taken in adulterie, and
would not suffer hir to be condemned to death as she
had deserued? Where is he, I say, that healed the sinfull
sinner Marie Magdalen, by casting out of hir seauen
Diuels, and forgiuing hir manie sinnes, bicause
she loued much, to hir perpetuall fame and glorie?
Seeke me out also, O Lord, and cure my wounds; deliuer
me from my deserued condemnation: heale me,
O God, haue mercie vpon me, and forgiue me all my
sinnes, which am fallen from the higher Ierusalem;
which haue broken the vow I made in my baptisme;
which haue prophaned my cognisance, and polluted the
holie temple my bodie, in that I haue dealt too iniuriouslie
with thy blessed name. Alas that euer I was seduced;
alas that euer I fell against thy will and commandement.
What shall I saie? Or what shall I doo
most wretched caitife that I am? I being desolate of
so great comfort, am vexed with sorowe for verie greefe
of hart, that I am cast out from the sight of thine eies.
Wo be vnto me, from how great goodnesse, into how
great mischiefe am I fallen? Whether purposed I to
go, and wither am I come? Where am I, and where
am I not? Whom did I studie to atteine vnto, and
what euils haue I obteined? I went about to lighten
others, and behold I haue darkned my selfe. I endeuoured
to bring others from death to life; but alas, I
haue brought my selfe from life to death. I that minded
to present others before God, haue presented my
selfe before the Diuell. I that desired to be found a
friend, and a fauourer of godlinesse and chastitie, am
found a fo, and a furtherer of vncleannesse and iniquitie.
I that should haue set my selfe against the assemblies
of the wicked and reprooued their lewd doings,
haue now found shame & the most pestilent wound of
the Diuell amongst the vngodlie. I that should haue
allured others to the knowledge of the Sonne of
God, am now become ignorant and vnskilfull in the diuers
slaights of Sathan, which commonlie entrap
men and women.
Wherefore after much alluring and sifting, they
promised me vnhappie woman craftie conueiances
to auoid the subtiltie of Sathan; but afterward, the
Diuell in the same night transformed into an Angell
of light, reasoned with me, saieng; When thou art alone,
get thee vp, and go vnto them, and if in case they
perswade or entise thee, then condiscend, and harken
vnto them, do it, and cease not, neither stagger thou at
the matter, till they be satisfied. And againe, the Diuell
going before to prepare the waie, whetted their wits
to deuise mischiefe against me seelie wretch: he sowed in
their minds adulterie, fornication, dissimulation, and
deceit; but I, oh vnhappie creature, skipping out of my
bed at the dawning of the day, could not finish my
woonted deuotion, neither accomplish my vsuall praier
and christian exercises, but following too much mine
owne fleshlie affections, folded and wrapped my selfe in
the snares of the Diuell. I got me vnto the bed of the
wicked, and required of them to performe the couenants
in the night, which we had made the day before.
Oh seelie soule! oh blinded hart! how didst thou not
remember thy promise and vow made in baptisme, to
forsake the diuell, the world, and the flesh? O foolish
mind! how didst thou not bethinke thy selfe what
would followe? O witlesse braine! how didst thou not
vnderstand so damnable a defiance? O thou sense of vnderstanding
I saie where didst thou sleepe in such
senseles securitie? O but it was the Diuell, which prouoked

B. ij.

thee so to slumber and snort, that in the end he
might slaie thine vnhappie and wretched soule.
Alas, he bound my mightie men, and spoiled me of
my knowledge; he bound my mightie men and wounded
me. I answered but in a word, and foorthwith became
reprochfullie defamed: I spake vnaduisedlie, and
felt spite. The diuell raised an assemblie of wicked
ones about me; and when I consented to obeie their
filthie lusts, then pronounced he against me strait, this
iust sentence; M.C. saith he, hath plaid the harlot; M.
C. hath committed adulterie, and defiled hir fathers
house, and hir husbands bed.

CAP. III.

O Thou diuell, what hast thou done vnto me?
O thou diuell, how hast thou wounded me?
I bewailed somtime the fall of Dinah and
Thamar; but now haue I felt far woorse
my selfe. I bewailed heretofore the fall of
Aholla, and Ahollibah; but now am I fallen much
woorse my selfe. I bewailed heretofore the fall of Cosbie,
Bersabe, Rizpa, Tamer, and the Leuits wife; but
now haue I felt far woorse my selfe. I haue bewailed
heretofore the state of all sinners; yet now am I plunged
in them all. For I haue beene more bold than Apam;
more impudent than Memphetica Potiphers
wife; more shameles than Lots two daughters; more
wicked than Baara, or Salomen; and more bloudie
in persecuting than Iesabel. Dinah, and Thamer,
through violence offered them, were defloured against
their wils; but I with all greedines haue most filthilie
followed my fleshlie desires. Iudith decked hir selfe
brauelie of a right discretion and vertue, for the safegard
of hir people; but I for voluptuousnes and pleasure
of the flesh, to allure the eies of all men, and catch
the soules of the simple in the net of sinne, and snares
of Satan. Susanna being secretlie and forciblie assaulted,
sighed, and thought it better to crie, and shriek
out, that she might so fall into the hands of hir enimies,
and suffer death without the deed dooing, than to
sin in thy sight by consenting vnto their wicked wils;
but I both openly and priuilie haue followed too much
the deuises and desires of mine owne hart, and too soone
consented to those that haue burnt in lust towards
me. It was Dinahs libertie that brought hir to hir
fall; but it is mine owne wanton eies, mine owne rash
tongue, and mine owne wilful follie that hath brought
me to this sinfull fall and great confusion. And as she
was the cause, that manie of the Sichemites lost
their earthlie possessions and liues; euen so my lewdnes
hath depriued me of the spirituall gifts, which
somtime haue flowed with heauenlie riches. And euen
as she being seuered from hir father and brethren, and
cleauing vnto strangers and forreners, endured great
annoie; euen so I in satisfieng the lusts of notorious
sinners, haue brought my selfe captiue vnto captiues,
and made my selfe the bondslaue of sinne.
For alas my parents liue, yet am I an Orphan and
fatherlesse. Alas my brethren and freends are liuing,
yet am I comfortlesse and freendles. Alas my husband
liueth, yet am I a widowe. Alas my children be aliue,
yet am I barren. Alas euerie creature reioiceth, and
I alone am forsaken and sorrowfull. Alas O house
wherein I was gladsome. Alas O familie wherein I
sate full merrie. Alas O holie Ghost, thou spirit of puritie,
which heeretofore camest downe vpon me, why
hast thou forsaken me? I am forsaken, and become desolate,
because of the corruption and filth of mine iniquitie.
Bewaile me, O all ye virgins, that am defloured
of all virginitie. Bewaile me, O all ye womenkind,
that am depriued of all chastitie and goodnes. Bewaile
me, O ye blessed people of God, which am banished

B. iij.

from God. Bewaile hir that is bereaued of the holie
Ghost. Bewaile me, that like a foolish virgin am thrust
out of the wedding chamber of my spouse Christ. Bewaile
me, who once was thought worthie the kingdome
of God, now altogither most vnworthie. Bewaile
me that am abhorred of the Angels, and seuered
from the Saints of God. Bewaile me for that I am
condemned to eternall punishment. Bewaile me, for
that I am heere languishing on this miserable earth,
and thus now tormented with the prick of conscience.
I do feare death, because I am wicked. I doo feare
the dreadfull daie of iudgement, for that I am damned
for euer. I do feare the punishment, for that it is eternall.
I doo feare the Angels, which ouersee the punishment,
bicause they are void of mercie. I doo feare out
of measure all the torments; and what I shall doo, I
wot not, being thus on euerie side beset with miserie.
If there be anie man or woman which can, I beseech
them now assist me with their earnest praiers, and
with their sorrowfull teares. For now it behooueth
me to shed infinite teares for mine infinite sins. Who
knoweth whether the Lord will haue mercie vpon
me; whether he will pitie my fall; whether he will
tender my person; whether he will be mooued with my
desolation; whether he will shew mercie vnto mee;
whether he will haue respect vnto mine humilitie, and
incline his tender compassion towards me, as he hath
done to Rahab, Marie Magdalen, the woman of Samaria,
and the woman taken in adulterie, besides manie
others?

CAP. IIII.

BUT I will prostrate my selfe before the
thresholds and porches of the Church, that
I may intreat all people, both small and
great, and I will saie thus vnto them;
Trample, and tread me vnder foot, which
am the foolish salt, the vnsauorie salt. Treade on mee,
which haue no taste or relish of God; treade me vnder
foote, which am fit for nothing. Trample mee vnder
your feet as a Iesabell, for I am a daughter of Sodom
and Gomer, that deserueth to obteine no mercie, nor
to haue anie pitie or compassion to be shewed vnto me,
but to be quite forgotten, and put cleane out of all remembrance.
Now let the virgins mourne and lament, for that
their fellowe virgin is defiled. Now let the maidens
and damosels mourne, for that their companion is
fallen. Now let the wiues, widowes, yong women and
matrons mourne, for that a fellowe sister is fallen.
Now let all women both old and yong, maried and vnmaried,
bond and free mourne and lament, for that an
aduancement of virginitie and womanhood is shamefullie
fallen, and hath broken hir faith and promise
made both to God and man. Wo is me that I fell so
lewdlie. Wo is me that I fell most dangerouslie, and
cannot rise againe.
Assist me O holie spirit, and giue me grace to repent.
Let the fountaine of teares be opened, and gush
out into streames; to see, if peraduenture I may haue
the grace worthilie and throughlie to repent, and to
wipe out of the booke of consciences, the accusation
that is printed against me. But thou, O Lord, thinke
not vpon polluted lips, neither weigh thou the tongue
that hath vttered lewd things, but accept thou repentance,
affliction, and bitter teares, the dolor of the hart,
& the heauinesse of the soule, and haue mercie vpon me,
and raise me vp from out of the mire of corruption, for
the puddle thereof hath euen choked me vp. Wo is me
that sometime was a pearle, glistering in the golden
garland of glorie, but now throwne into the dust, and
trode in the mire of contempt. Wo is me that the sault
of God now lieth in the dunghill. Wo is me that the

B.iiij.

temple of the holie Ghost is thus prophaned, and made
a cage of vncleane spirits. Wo is me that thy holie
house of praier is become a den of feends. But how
great streames of lamentations shall wipe and purifie
mine humble hart? Now I will addresse my selfe and
turne my talke vnto God. Why hast thou lifted me vp,
and cast me downe? For as thou hast exalted me with
the diuine word of thine heauenlie wisedome; so mee
thinks, I sticke in the depth of sinne, which my selfe
haue wrought. I had not committed this impietie,
vnlesse thou hadst withdrawne thine hand from me;
but it is thy pleasure, O Lord, which art good, to doo
all things gratiouslie: and I of the other side being a
foolish and fraile woman, haue foolishlie fallen.
But why, O Lord, hast thou shut my mouth by thy
iudgements threatened in thine holie word against
adulterers and sinners? Haue I beene the first that
herein haue sinned? Or am I the first that fell? Why
hast thou thus forsaken me, being desolate and reiected?
Why hast thou thus banished me from among
thy Saints, and astonied me to read thy iudgements
and lawes? What is he or she borne of a woman that
sinneth not? What man or woman is there now, or
euer was conuersant here vpon earth, and did none
iniquitie? This I saie, bicause thou hast thus forsaken
me. Dauid, Bersaba, and the woman of Samaria,
sinned too bad in thy sight; yet after their repentance,
thou receiuedst them in mercie. Likewise Peter a professor
of truth, and Marie Magdalen, after their fall,
wiped awaie their bitter passions, that they suffered,
with salt teares, sleaing sinne, and purging awaie the
venom of the serpent, not continuing long in the puddle
of infidelitie; but they of fauour were thought
woorthie of mercie. And this I speake, to the
end these things may take effect also
in me miserable sinner.

CAP. V.

WO is me, that I fell thus wickedlie! Wo
is me, that my aduenture in these things
was so vnfortunate: but now I humblie
beseech thee, O Lord, inasmuch as I haue
felt far woorse, call me backe, O Lord, for
that I tread a most perilous and ruinous waie that
leadeth vnto death. Grant me that good guide and teacher,
the holie Ghost, that I be not made a pricking
hedgehog, and become an habitation for diuels: but
that I may tread vnder foote the diuell, which trode
me, and ouercomming his sleights, be restored againe
to my former health, puritie, and saluation. Remember
not, O Lord, the iniquitie of thine humble suter,
who sometime haue celebrated vnto thee the fruits of
virginitie. Remember not, O Lord, the iniquitie of me
seelie woman, who made answere too soone with wicked
language, & too rashlie gaue my consent to naughtinesse.
Now, O all yee virgins and women, which behold
my wound, tremble for feare; let your loines be girt,
and your lamps burning; and take heed that ye slumber
not, neither fall into the like crime; but take heed,
watch and praie, and come iointlie, which haue the
same measure of faith; let vs assemble togither, and
rent our harts, and prouoke streames of teares to gush
out of the temples of our heads. For when these run
and flowe vpon the face of the earth, there will followe
remission of sinnes, the paines will be auoided, and the
torments shall not be felt. I mourne, and am sorie from
the hart roote, O ye my friends, that euer I fell from aloft.
I haue fallen and am brused; there is no health in
me. Let all women lament ouer me, bicause of this my
dangerous fall; let the garlands and crownes of virgins
lament ouer mee, for that I am seuered from among
their blessed assemblies. Let the whole Church
of Christians lament and bewaile my wofull case, for
that I am so ruinous, decaied & wasted. Let all people
generallie lament ouer me, for that I haue my deaths
wound. I see the clouds in the skie shadowing the light
from me, and the sunne hiding his bright beames. And
now ye doo all see and perceiue that my mouth is shut,
and that shame and confusion hath couered my face.
But bewaile me, and lament this my bitter sorrowe;
bewaile me, which am in like case with the reprobate;
bewaile me that am woorthie to be troden vnder foote
as mire and dung of euerie one that goeth by the way;
bewaile mee that am become nothing but rottennes
and wormes; bewaile me that am taken awaie and
made a publike example of reproch to all women, and
an inheritour of death and damnation, and all bicause
I would not vnderstand the feare of the Lord, and liue
after his commandements; bewaile mee that am
transformed into a dog, a sow, and filthie goate, by
trespassing against mine owne soule and bodie, by dishonesting
my friends, and dishonouring my God.

CAP. VI.

WHat shall I doo that am thus beset with
manie mischiefes? Alas O death why dooest
thou linger? I had rather thou spite me
and beare me malice, than pitie me. O sathan,
what mischiefe hast thou wrought
vnto me? Now hast thou pierced my brest with thy poisoned
dart? Thinkest thou that my ruin will auaile thee
anie thing at all? Thinkest thou to procure vnto thy
selfe ease and rest, while that I am greeuouslie tormented?
Who is able to signifie vnto me whither my sins
be wiped and done awaie? or whither I haue escaped
the paines which greatlie I feared, and most iustlie
deserued? Who is able to signifie vnto me, whither I
shall be yet againe coupled and made companion with
the virgins and saints? O thou Lamb of God Christ
Iesu my sweet and onlie sauiour, haue mercie vpon me
sinfull woman, for that I am not worthie to heare the
message of them that bring such glad tidings, but presuming
far worse practises, haue heard the terrible
threats of the Euangelists. Alas, O the bosome of Abraham,
the paradise of heauen, and presence of God,
that I am depriued of. Alas that I became partaker
with the rich man of his condemnation in the horrible
pit, and partner of his thirst in the bitter place, full of
sorowe and heauinesse. Alas, sweet Iesu; alas, O bountifull
Iesu; alas, O mine onlie mediator, intreat the father
for me I beseech thee, that I be not cut off fro~ the
coasts of Zion, nor debarred of ye bosome of my father Abraham,
the which I haue so greatlie longed after, yet
not worthilie, bicause of my great sinne. For, behold O
Lord, I fall down before thy mercie seate. Haue mercie
vpon me, which mourne thus out of measure, which
haue horribly offended against heauen, against thy maiestie,
against my friends, against the Church and congregation
& against mine owne soule. Haue mercie vpon
me the sinfullest woman aliue, which haue sinned too
bad in thy sight. Haue mercie vpon mee the wretch of
wretches, which haue shed my salt and bitter teares,
whose miserable case euerie creature hath lamented.
Oh Lord, why hast thou broken down my hedge & stro~g
holds, and taken away thy grace and holie spirit from
me; so that the wild Bore out of the wood, Sathan,
hath destroied me; and the wild beast of the field hath
eaten me vp? Rid me, O Lord, from the roaring Lion.
The whole Church and assemblie of saincts doth make
intercession vnto thee for me, which am an vnprofitable
seruant, and vnworthie member thereof. The holie
and vnspotted Lamb Christ Iesus thy deere and onlie
beloued sonne, doth continuallie and incessantlie intreat
thee for me, which haue greeuouslie offended both
him and thee, O blessed Trinitie, that thou wilt shew
mercie vnto the wandering sheepe, which is subiect to
the renting teeth of the rauenous woolfe. Saue me, O
Lord, out of his mouth. Suffer me not to become the
sacrifice of sinne, but let downe vpon me thy holie spirit,
that with his firie countenance, he may put to
flight the crooked feend of the Diuell, that I may be
brought home againe vnto thy wisedome; that the
bill of sinne written against mee, be blotted out and
cancelled; that the sowe may be washed from hir filthines;
the dog eate of the crumbs that fall from hir
maisters table, and a sinner worsse than Marie Magdalen,
yea chiefe of all sinners, be saued. O let my lamentation
cease in the euening, and cause mee to receiue
ioie in the morning. Let my sackcloth of sorrowe
be rent asunder; gird me with ioie and gladnesse; let
me be receiued once againe I beseech thee into the ioie
& fauour of my God and father; let me be yet thought
worthie of his kingdome, through the earnest petition
and praiers of the whole Church of Saincts, which
soroweth ouer mee, and humbleth hir selfe continuallie
vnto thee: yea rather, through the onlie mediation,
and vehement intercession of my Lord and Sauiour
Iesus Christ: to whome with thee, O Father, and the
holie Ghost, be all honor, glorie and dominion, for euer
and euer, Amen, Amen.

Another lamentation of a woman that hath lost hir virginitie and chastitie: or of a Christian soule polluted with sinne.

O My soule, wash away thy sinnes, purge
thee of thine iniquitie, and make the rest of
thy life agreeable to the word of truth. O
thou vnhappie soule, yea thrife vnhappie
woman, behold I say, whole mountaines
couered with thy sinnes, and great vallies ouerlaid
with thine iniquities. O my soule, once purged with
the pilles of grace, endowed with the gifts of the holie
Ghost, and espoused as the most pure virgin to the
faithfull louer our sauiour. But out alas, what haue I
done, or whome haue I thought of? My sauiour was
once my louing spouse, bicause of my chastitie; but now
alas he is become a seueare iudge to punish mine iniquitie.
O vnhappie remembrance of so great a losse?
Why doest thou so aggrauate my greefe? Or why doth
both good and euill thus torment me? Alas, alas, is it
not inough for mine euill conscience iustlie to prick me,
and the punishments due therefore to torment mee,
but must the remembrance of a good conscience also,
and the deserts due to the same condemne me? Fie vpon
thee wretch, that thou art to lose so rich a treasure,
which thou canst neuer recouer.
O comfortlesse creature, why wert thou so vnhappie
to lose that, which hath made thee to be pointed at of
the righteous, and to be laughed at of the vngodlie? O
lampe of virginitie, how art thou quenched? Once I
was a spouse, but now an abiect; late a souereigne,
but now a slaue. Why hast thou thus preuented me?
And in what a filthie puddle of iniquitie hast thou
plunged me? O fornication the defiler of my mind, and
the destroier of my soule; why hast thou bewitched my
mind, and enchanted my soule? Why hast thou cast me
headlong from the throne of my sauiour, and placed me
amongst the condemned soules of sinners? O griefe of
griefes, why doest thou thus sting? Bicause I haue lost
such a iewell. O sorrowe of sorrowes, why doest thou
thus wound mee? Because I haue lost such a treasure.
Behold, behold alas why monsters haunt me. On the
right hand stands greefe to torment me, and on the left
sits sorrowe to condemne me; but yet I confesse it is
worthilie: for thou O my soule hast bene a traitor to
God, periured to Christ, and an adulteresse to thy sauiour,
and therefore deseruedlie thou art fallen from the
tabernacle of truth, to the dungeon of the diuell. O
thou abiect of God, and slaue to Sathan, nay rather,
the disdainer of the Deitie, and embracer of iniquitie!
for thou O my soule, lieutenant vnto sinne, first refusedst
the seruice of thy sauiour, and of thine owne accord
enthralledst thy selfe to the Diuell. O miserable,
yea more than miserable change! Alas, what a pallace
hast thou forsaken, and what a prison hast thou chosen?
Alas what a sauiour hast thou sold, and what a slaue
doest thou serue? Oh madnesse of mind, oh foolishnesse
of hart, what hast thou done? What I say hast thou
done? Hast thou forsaken thy sweet spouse and sauiour,
and embraced that rauening woolfe the Diuell? Hast
thou lost thy louing bridegroome, to followe the filthie
fleshlie pleasures of the world?
O sinfull soule, how wretched is thy state? O wicked
wretch, how sinfull is thy fall? O my God, whence
proceede these irkesome stings of sinne? Or who can
make satisfaction for such heapes of iniquities? O thou
miserable wretch my sinfull soule, why dooest thou not
cast thy selfe headlong into the dungeon of griefe,
which of thine owne accord didst throwe thy selfe into
the filthie sinks of sinne? O thou polluted creature,
why dooest thou not burie thy selfe in the bowels of sorowe,
which so willinglie wallowedst in the kennell of
shame? O thou sinfull helhound, why dooest thou not
drowne thy selfe with the waues of weeping, which
hast so often swoome in the seas of fornication? O sting
of sinne! O rod of sorrowe! O daughter of heauines!
torment me, scourge me, plague mee, crucifie mee, and
trample and tread me as a filthie rag vnder your feet.
I haue deserued it, yea I haue sought it; for I haue
most impudentlie contemned, yea and most arrogantlie
prouoked you, nay rather God, not you; and therefore
now shew your authoritie in executing the giltie to
death, that ye may be reuenged for your God. Let the
sinfull fornicatrix feele the punishments she hath deserued,
and drinke deepe of the cup of shame she hath desired.
O thou my sinfull soule, it is now high time for thee
to shew the fruits of repentance, which hast so long
straid from the fold of the godlie virgins, and erred
from the paths of the righteous women. Bath thy
selfe I saie in the sweet streames of repentance, which
so often hast wallowed in the filthie puddles of vnrighteousnes.
O God of all consolation and securitie, I durst not
sue for anie fauour at thine hands, vnlesse I had
brought in my bosome a pardon for my sinnes, procured
by repentance in the death of Christ, which heere with
teares I present vnto thee, desiring thee good God of
consolation if again with the dog I returne to my vomit,
and wallowe in my sinnes as the sow in the mire
then to driue me from the countrie of the godlie, and to
banish me like a vagabond from the court of my sauiour
and spouse; yea I desire of God it may be so, and I
hope in Christ it shall be so. And although I am not
woorthie to lift vp mine eies to heauen to call to my
God for grace, by reason of the multitude of my misdeeds,
which alwaies are as red as scarlet in my sight,
yet am I not vnworthie with continuall weeping and
crieng for grace to loose them. For seeing my soule is
constrained through greef of conscience, to powre forth
praiers to my God for his mercie and grace, it is meete
it should be done with great contrition of heart, and
continuall mourning. Consider therefore, O my soule,
what thou hast done, and what plagues thou hast deserued
for losing thy virginitie. Ponder I say lament,
and remember O my soule, before thou end the short
pilgrimage of this life, how thine aduersarie the Diuell,
like a roring lion, lies lurking in euerie corner to
deuoure thee, and sends out his messengers into all
places to entrap thee. O my God, what doo I see on
earth but engins to entrap me? What, I say, can I
behold, but baites to entise mee? Alas, and out alas,
what doo I heare? A co~fession of mourners, a crashing
of teeth, and a great multitude of howlers. Wo is me
alas. For me thinks I see great flames of fire; huge
balles of wild fire, and fornaces full of boiling leade,
and all approching neere vnto me.
Alas, what meanes these strange cries of monstrous
woormes? What diuelish spite doth thus inflame
them, and what firie flame doth so torment them? O
yee hellish hagges, frieng with heate, and frowning
with furie; why are yee so cruell to those that lie howling
amongst you? Is there no meane, no remedie, nor
no end of this your punishments, and are these O my
God the torments which are prepared for filthie fornicators,
and contemners of thy commandements; of
which I am one, yea the cheef of all sinners? And must
I needs abide these infernall plagues? Then O my
soule, why art thou not afraid? And thou my hart why
dooest thou not rent in sunder? Alas, alas, how suddenlie,
yea and how greeuouslie the serieants of sinne
now seeme to arrest me? Alas I saie, what wicked actions
mine aduersarie sinne hath found against mee?
But oh cruell sinne, whether wilt thou carrie me? And
thou my God, whither wilt thou leade me? If I haue
committed this horrible crime which deserueth death,
O yet remember I praie thee that thou art my Sauiour.
If I haue broken the bands of chastitie, O yet
call to mind that thou art my redeemer. O my God, if
I haue done any thing that deserueth death and damnation,
yet forget not how that thou sheddest thy pretious
bloud to saue me. And therefore, O my mercifull
God, be not so seuere, in marking what is done amisse
of me; but let thy mercie preuaile and couer all my secret
and open faults. Remember thou saiedst by the
mouth of the Prophet, I will not the death of a sinner, but
that he should conuert and liue. My God, which canst
not lie, what meanest thou to say that thou wouldest
not the death of a sinner, if thou throwe him into the
bottomlesse pit of hell? Dooest thou meane that thou
carest not for the death of a sinner, when thou committest
him to the slauerie of the diuell? Is this thy meaning
I say, when thou saiedst, I had rather he should
turne and liue?
I am a sinner, O my God; if therefore thou haue no
delight in the death of a sinner, then who shall let thee
to take compassion vpon mee sillie woman? If thou
hadst rather he should turne and liue, then who shall
withhold thy countenance from me sinfull wretch? If
the hugenesse of my sinnes deserues a wound, the care
of so gratious a father prepares a salue. God forbid
that the wickednesse of a sinner, repenting hir of hir
sinne from the bottome of hir heart, should surmount
the mercies of so bounteous a Sauiour. O therefore
remember me most louing father, I beseech thee, because
thou art my redeemer, and take compassion vpon
thine vnwoorthie handmaid, because thou art my sauiour.
Respect not, O my God, the iustice due to so greeuous
a sinner; but remember thy louing kindnesse towards
thy creature. Remember not, O Lord, the offences
of a sore transgressor, but call to mind the mercies
of a louing sauiour. I confesse, O Lord, that my
sinnes both old and new, deserues eternall condemnation,
and that no repentance is able to make satisfaction
for the least of my faults, and yet by faith I am assured
of my saluation, bicause thy mercies surpasse thy
iudgements. Spare me therefore, O Lord, for my soule
appealeth from the seate of thy iustice, to the throne of
thy mercie. O deliuer me, because thou art almightie.
Oh saue me sinfull woman, because thou art mercifull,

C.j.

and take compassion vpon me, wretched woman, for
thy beloued sonne Iesus Christes sake, who liueth
and reigneth with thee and the holie Ghost, one God,
euer world without end, Amen.
God the Father of all comfort and consolation, blesse,
keepe, and defend me from all the illusions and suggestions
of sathan, now and euermore; also giue me grace
to walke in thy feare, Amen.

Another verie necessarie praier to be said of anie daughter or maiden child.

FOrasmuch as in thy holie word O
almightie God and heauenlie Father
it is said, that a wise daughter
is an heritage vnto hir husband,
but she that liueth dishonestlie, bringeth
hir father to heauinesse: againe,
A daughter that is bold or
past shame, dishonoureth both hir
father, and hir husband, and the vngodlie shall regard
hir, because she is not inferiour vnto them, but both
hir father and hir husband shall despise hir, because of
hir foolishnesse: I beseech thee therefore, take from mee
a stout stomach, an incorrigible hart, an impudent

C.iij.

mind, an vnshamefast eie, and a bold countenance, with
all other vices, and marks of a reprobate and disobedient
child, and in stead thereof, giue vnto mee a gentle
spirit, a meeke hart, an humble mind, a demure looke, a
sober countenance, an affable and seruiceable bodie,
with all other good graces and comelie conditions of a
chast virgin, and godlie child, towards hir parents.
Oh suffer me not to be of the number of those shamelesse
children, that sticke not to reuile and cursse their
father and mother to their face, nor of those stubborne
and wicked daughters, which as the Prophet complaineth,
doo rise vp and rebell against their owne mothers,
setting their commandements at naught, & vtterlie
refusing to be corrected by them for their amendment.
Yea far be it from me, O Lord, with Lots two
daughters, to make my father dronke to vncouer his
shame: neither with curssed Cham, let me not reioice
or laugh at the dishonour of my parents, especiallie
sith I knowe that my honor commeth by them, and
that their reproch is in deed my dishonour. And though
my parents forsake me, and count me as a stranger,
yet giue me grace neuer to forsake them vtterlie, nor
to saie of them as Leah and Rahel said of Laban their
father, We haue no more portion or inheritance in
our fathers house: but rather make me through the
gift of thy grace obedient and verie willing to suffer for
thy sake, my parents to worke thine and their willes
in me, yea though it be to my losse if thou thinkest it so
good without anie resistance, striuing, grudging, or deniall,
euen as Isaac did to his father Abraham,
Iepthaes onelie daughter did vnto him, Lots two
daughters vnto their father, and the seauen children
of the woman in the Machabees vnto their mother,
&c. that with these vertuous and godlie children, I
may be blessed and haue mine obedience crowned and
rewarded.
Moreouer because thou O Lord, in the old law hast
straightlie commanded, that the daughter which looseth
hir virginitie, and plaieth the harlot in hir fathers
house, should be stoned to death, yea though afterward
she be married to an husband which beastlie vice of
filthie whoredome, fornication, and vnchastitie, how
greatlie thy sacred maiestie doth abhor and detest by
this lawe, besides other examples of thy iudgements
mentioned in the scriptures, it may and doth easilie appeare.
Assist me therefore, I humblie praie thee, that
by watching and praier, temperance, holie exercises,
moderation and abstinence from superfluous meates
and drinks, and ouermuch fine fare, which makes the
mind waxe wanton and ouerlustie, I may so tame this
my bodie, crucifie my flesh, and bring it into subiection
to the spirit, with all the affections and desires thereof,
that I may neuer with Thamar pollute my fathers
house, nor sin against thy maiestie, my friends,
and mine owne soule and bodie, by ouerpassing the prescribed
limits and bounds of honestie and chastitie.
Giue me grace, that I follow not the concupiscence
of the flesh, neither prouoke my senses by vnbrideled
libertie, with Dinah to abuse my selfe, and trespasse against
my parents and friends to their harts griefe, against
my selfe, to mine owne publike shame, and reioicing
of mine enimies, and against thee and my country,
to other euill example and ouerthrowe. Sanctifie me,
I saie, O holie father, that I defile not my selfe with
carnall vices, riotousnesse, bellie-cheere, nor vnlawfull
pleasures. Suffer me not to cast off thine holie spirit,
thereby to make my bodie the house of filthie feends,
which carrie awaie, and cast headlong all intemperat,
vnchast, and secure or retchlesse persons, into euerlasting
destruction, but driue far from my hart all euill
thoughts, from my mind all wicked concupiscence, and
from mine eies all vnchast lookes; yea, be thou euer so

C. iiij.

mercifull vnto me, O Lord, as to helpe me continuallie
with thy diuine power, that the holie spirit, which
thou didst powre into me at my baptisme, may beare
the rule in all my members, and so preuaile ouer the
flesh, and all the inordinate affections of the same, that
being renewed dailie after thy holie spirit, I may the
better walke in the spirit, and serue thee in righteousnesse,
obedience, and true holinesse, all the daies of my
life, to the honor of thy sonne, which is the most excellent
floure and crowne of all pure virginitie.
Finallie, if heereafter it shall please thee not to continue
in me the gift of virginitie or single life, or that my
father or friends, thinking it vncomelie for me to passe
the floure of mine age, to auoid all other further inconueniences,
shall iudge it needfull for them, respecting
mine infirmitie, to marrie me, and so to performe that
weightie matter, and ease themselues of so great a
charge, care, and burthen, by dooing their dutie betimes,
and not neglecting their authoritie and office,
as Iudah did towards his daughter in lawe Thamar,
to the perill and hazard of both their good names
and honestie: then grant, I beseech thee, O deere father,
that I for my part not so much as desiring marriage,
much lesse to shew my selfe to long therefore by
anie meanes, may be content to leaue all the care and
charge of that businesse, wholie vnto my parents or
friends, who no doubt loue me no lesse, than I loue my
selfe. And let me be fullie persuaded, that they will
prouide no lesse diligentlie for me, than they would for
themselues, but much better, that all whisperings,
close communication, sinister practises, and priuie contracts
being of me vtterlie eschued, as a thing most vngodlie,
and in deede far vnbeseeming anie Christian
child, yea as things abhorred euen among the Infidels,
I may after the good examples of Rebecca, Leah,
Sarah, and such like holie virgins, & obedient daughters,
most willinglie allow and approue the authoritie,
power, and priuiledge of my parents and friends ouer
me heerein, and resigning all my will to their wils,
be verie well content to be ruled by them in all things
they shall doo in thee, as becommeth a well nurtured,
and obedient child, labouring also by all earnest and
feruent praier, to further the matter, that I may
bring a chaste mind in a chaste bodie, vnto a vertuous
husband, to thy glorie.
And grant, that my parents and freends also for
their parts, as thou hast commanded, Deuter. 7, 3. may
carefullie endeuour by all possible and studious diligence,
to prouide for me their daughter, a man of vnderstanding,
wisedome, pietie, and honestie; euen such
an husband, Lord, as is no Idolater, or irreligious
woorshipper of God, no Atheist, Infidell, or vngodlie
man, nor one that shall let or hinder me from vertuous
liuing, but such a one as is both wise, godlie, vertuous,
holie and religious, one that serueth thee, O God sincerelie,
and liueth in thy feare christianlie, and will
gladlie prouoke, exhort, and helpe me to liue accordinglie.
Finallie, grant I beseech thee, that my parents or
freends, without anie respect of their owne gaine or
commoditie, may seeke me an honest husband, and marie
me in thee, O Lord; neither let them with couetous
Laban sell me to their seruants in recompense of their
seruice, as Leah and Rebecca were; nor yet with that
hypocrite Saule giue me vnder pretence of fauour, to
snare and betraie the innocent, as Michal and Merab
were giuen to Dauid. But considering that the
knot of marriage cannot be lightlie loosed or dissolued,
sauing onlie by death, let them with great studie, and
deliberation, with good aduisement and counsell doo
it, yea with such diligent care, and faithfull discharge
of their owne duties to thee, O God, with such loue
and entier affection towards me their child, and with
such due regard to the man, vnto whome they shall
match me as namelie not so much for anie his externall
goods of the bodie, as chiefelie for the inward vertue
and goods of the mind that in euerie respect it may
be trulie said they haue verie well ioined and married
me in the Lord, to the reioicing of all parties, so shall it
come to passe, that they thereby shall not onlie procure
vnto me their daughter perpetuall ioie, comfort and
felicitie, by causing my marriage to become easie and
well-liking vnto me, but also prouide by this meanes
for themselues such a sonne in lawe, as shall be a faithfull
freend, a dailie succour, and continuall aid vnto
them, euen in their old age, to their great comfort and
thy glorie; which grant, O blessed God for his sake, who
was most obedient, not onelie to his blessed mother
Marie, but also vnto thee his celestiall Father, thy holie
sonne Iesus, I meane, to whome with thee, and the
holie Ghost, be now and euer eternall praise & thanks,
and vniuersall power, rule and dominion, Amen.