Almightie God and most merciful Father, who in
mercie hast ordeined these lamps for [Gap in transcription—1-3 charactersdamaged] chosen virgins,
and commanded that with our loines girt about, and our
lamps burning bright, we should take heed and be readie
to execute the charge, which is committed unto us, and
watch full warilie and continuallie in our several callings
by fervent and instant praier for the comming of thy
sonne our spiritual Spouse, sovereigne Lord, and sweet
Saviour Jesus: giving us in the meane season diverse gifts
and talents to occupie and imploie till he come; and setting
dailie before our eies the just judgement, that he shall
execute and give in that dreardull daie of his sudden comming,
both upon the quicke and dead; doo thou vouchsafe
even thine owne selfe (we praie thee) to gird and compasse
our loines about, that no iniquitie have power over
us, nor we decline or bow to anie sinne. Oh suffer us not to take that contentation or vaine delight
and pleasure of anie thing in this wretched world, that may lull or bring us fast asleepe in
the cursed cradle of senselesse securitie: nor with the foolish virgins to neglect the houre and
daie of our last visitation, or to forget to wait and attend for thine appearing in the clouds. But
so direct us (we beseech thee) in this short race of our perilous pilgrimage by thy holie spirit.
our heavenlie loadesman, that in the lawfull use of thy good gifts whatsoever bestowed upon
us, our cheefest care may alwaies be to depart from all iniquitie, and how with them wee may
live soberlie to our selves, holilie to thee, and uprightlie to the world, and thereby gaine much
profit and fruit to the better increase of thy kingdome.

Moreover, make thou our lampes to burne cleere and bright in the sight of men and Angels;
and keepe thou them light and ever burning: that our love towards thee wax never key cold,
nor our charitie towards our neighbour be quite extinguished, nor yet our faith, devotion,
zeale, and gifts of the spirit be utterlie quenched in us. But being evermore both within and
without kindled, inlightened, and inflamed by thee, which art a consuming fire, and a purifieng
flame of unspeakable fervent heate: let all our thoughts, words, and works be alwaies directed
to doo thy holie will and righteous judgements, that in all our works begun, continued, and ended
in thee, we may ever glorifie thy holie and reverent name.

Finallie, make us verie carefullie to keepe this castle of our soules and temple of the holie
Ghost (our bodies I meane) pure, holie, and undefiled: and to watch continuallie in all maner
of well dooing unto the end: that when thy Sonne our heavenlie bridegroome shall come to
judge the world, to condemne the wicked, to reject the reprobate, to cast awaie the unprofitable,
and to shut the gates of heaven against all unbeleevers and retchlesse virgins; he finding us
heedfull, watchfull, praieng, well occupied and readie, as those that have beene verie well content
with our estates here for the time, and having our lamps filled brim full of the oile of his
righteousnesse, grace, mercie, and merits, may (thereby onelie) escape the heavie judgement
and direfull doome of the dreadfull daie: and not perish in that common destruction and generall
desolation of the wicked worldlings, and unprofitable servants; but be received to himselfe
as those that are made woorthie onelie by him, joifullie to enter with him and all the elect and
chosen wise virgins, into the celestiall wedding chamber of thine eternall kingdome: there and
then to possesse that mansion place, which before all worlds thou hast prepared for thy chosen,
and to receive (of his gift) that which here now with deepe sighes and groanes we greatlie long
for: that is, even the salvation of our soulse, and the coronation of thy gifts in us: that
both with thee (o Father) and with him thy Sonne, in the unitie of the holie
Ghost, we may live and reigne in the full perfection, holinesse and
puritie of his everlasting virginitie, to blesse, praise, and
glorifie thee, o glorious and blessed Trinitie,
with all virgins, angels, and creatures,
by all ages, throughout
all eternitie, Amen:
Amen,
Amen.

To the most vertuous Ladie and Christian Princesse,
Queene Elizabeth, grace and peace
from God the Father through Christ
Jesus our Saviour.

The King of eternall glorie,
who hath thus loved England
in setting your Highnesse
on the throne of his majestie
to execute justice and judgement,
to instruct his people in
Jacob, and to feed his inheritance
in Israel, be blessed and
magnified therefore for ever
and ever, Amen.

This long and blessed peace
wherin we your loiall subjects
doo presentlie live (most noble
Queene) everie man
sitting under his vine and fig-
tree throughout all your dominions,
dooth give just occasion
to the godlie to bee no
lesse thankfull to God, and to your Majestie, than free harted and studious to
benefit his church and their countrie, by offering in the temple, some gold, some
silver, some one thing, some another, according to the measure of those graces,
which god the giver of all good things hath bestowed upon them, or by his spirit
hath incouraged & made them willing to further the worke of the Lord. Which
mooved me also among the rest (although of all other the meanest, & in everie
respect the unwoorthiest) to offer some thing, wherin I might bring profit to that
mysticall bodie, wherof I trust I am a member. And persuading my selfe, I could
not better employ my labour to the good of the church, nor present your Highnesse
the mightie defender thereof, with anie thing of greater price and estimation
in this world, than (after a sort) with that wherewith God the King of kings
acknowledgeth himselfe to be so highlie pleased and glorified both of Prince
and people (praise and invocation I meane) whereby in this life we obteine at
his hand all things needfull for our bodies, and in the life to come everlasting
joie, rest, and comfort both of bodie and soule: I have undertaken in the name
and feare of God, love of his church, obedience of your Majestie, and hartie good A2v
good will of my countrie, ou[Gap in transcription—4-5 wordsdamaged] monuments of your owne Honourable
works, and some o[Gap in transcription—3-4 wordsdamaged], famous Ladies, and vertuous
Gentlewomen of our tim[Gap in transcription—2-3 wordsdamaged]s, to addresse and make readie these
seven Lamps of your perpetuall virginitie, to remaine unto women as one entire
and goodlie monument of praier, precepts, and examples meet for meditation,
instruction, and imitation to all posteritie. And now in most dutifull maner
commending and appropriating so divine exercises of the church, unto your
Majestie the most naturall mother and noble nursse thereof; the cause of a virgine
to a Virgine, the works of Queenes to a Queene; your owne praiers to
your selfe (to whom indeed the particular interest and due praise and honour
therof justlie belongeth) I here prostrate on my knees, in most humble maner
meekelie beseech your excellent Majestie, gratiouslie of your woonted clemencie,
to pardon and forgive this my too rash and bold enterprise; attempted both
with bashfulnesse, feare, and trembling: and favourablie (as in like cases you
are accustomed) to accept these your liege subject his great labors and painfull
travels in good part, which he (not to instruct your Highnesse (of whose notable
learning I am not able to speake) but onelie for a monument of the hartie love
he beareth both to the church his deere mother, and to your Majestie his dread
Sovereigne) hath in a godlie zeale and conscience, bestowed to the good and
profit of his countrie. That (by your Graces good liking and princelie approbation)
they may be both patronized against the wicked, and practised of the godlie.
And so manie (by that means) with due reverence and great honour to so honourable
works, may receive these lamps as from your bountifull hand to inlighten
them by your good industrie in all vertue: and to prepare them by your
holie example, like wise virgins to perseverance in all good works of the spirit.
And that therein manie may often looke and labour mightilie for your Highnesse
as they are bound, in fervent praier; and manie mo thanks, I saie, be given
of manie faithfull harts on your Majesties behalfe for the benefit of such and so
manie needfull and readie helps, ministred and afoorded by your painfull hand
and princelie affabilitie to your everlasting comfort and renowme, the praise of
God, and glorie of his deerest sonne Jesus Christ your sweet spouse. Whom now
for a conclusion as I began, I most entirelie beseech, that as of his owne good
will he first loved his church my deere mother, and gave himselfe freelie for
hir to sanctifie and clense hir in the most holie fountaine of water, through the
word to make hir unto himselfe a beautifull virgine, and glorious spouse without
spot or wrinkle, that she should be holie, pure, perfect, and without blame
before him: so he will vouchsafe in like mercie, still both to cherish, defend, and
maintaine the same in his continuall grace, religion, and holinesse, that she may
yet bring foorth more fruit in hir age, and members, to his glorie: and also as
your spirituall spouse to set your Majestie (a most woorthie and mightie governor
of the same) ever as a seale upon his hart, to tie you fast as a signet or bracelet
upon his arme, to beare you still in his owne bosome, to set his eie over you
continuallie for your health, wealth, and prosperitie, to bend his desires alwaies
toward you, to doo you good; that so your Highnesse may be kept in his
continuall grace, peace, and favour long to reigne over us: and also defended
and preserved evermore from all bodilie and ghostlie perils and enimies, to
your everlasting comfort, and the rejoice of all christian harts. Finallie, the
Lord blesse your Majestie even out of Sion with all his heavenlie gifts and spirituall
graces, that having the principall & heroicall spirit of your holie father good A3r
good king David, doubled (yea[Gap in transcription—1-2 wordsdamaged] in your n[Gap in transcription—6-7 wordsdamaged]
may as in numbers of yeeres be[Gap in transcription—9-10 wordsdamaged]
nes far surmount & excell you[Gap in transcription—1-2 wordsdamaged] prog[Gap in transcription—5-6 wordsdamaged]
of you our good Josias, may to all posterities be like[Gap in transcription—5-6 wordsdamaged]
pretious perfume of the Apothecarie, and as sweet[Gap in transcription—1-2 charactersdamaged] onie[Gap in transcription—2-3 wordsdamaged]
as harmonicall musicke at a banket of wine; that in you our zealous Hezechias,
I saie, we may still remaine in happie peace, and have an hiding place from the
wind, and a refuge from storms and tempests, and rivers of waters to quench
our thirst, and temperate shadowes to shrowd us from parching heate in a drie
land: so shall the harts of manie thousand virgins in England and else-where,
be joifull and thankfull to God and your Majestie; so shall the daughters of Jerusalem
sing joifullie the sweet songs of Sion in their owne land, with great triumph
to their celestial King, reigning on high over all; yea so shal all your faithfull
and loving subjects, I saie, in all humble obedience and dutifull service
both towards God, your Majestie, and their countrie, resound by all
possible meanes to all posterities your most excellent and
woorthie praises, untill the comming of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ: to whom with
the Father and the holie Ghost be
all empire, honor, dominion
and praise, now and
for ever, Amen.

To the Christian Reader, grace and
truth in Christ.

Having my selfe taken no small comfort (good Christian
Reader) by the reading and perusing of divers
verie godlie, learned, and divine treatises, of meditations
and praier, made by sunrie right famous
Queenes, noble Ladies, vertuous Virgins, and godlie
Gentlewomen of al ages (who to shew themselves
woorthie paternes of all pietie, godlinesse, and religion
to their sex, and for the common benefit of their
countrie, have not cesed, and that with all carefull
industrie and earnest indevour, most painfullie and
diligentlie in great fervencie of the spirit, and zeale of
the truth, even from their tender & maidenlie yeeres,
to spend their time, their wits, their substance, and also their bodies, in the studies
of noble and approoved sciences, and in compiling and translating of sundrie most
Christian and godlie bookes: a tast whereof you have here in the second Lampe)
as namelie among the rest, the godlie and learned treatise called The lamentation of a
sinner, written long since by the vertuous Ladie Queene Katherin, which for the excellencie
thereof was first published in print by Sir William Cicill, now the
right honourable Lord Treasurer of England, as by his verie godlie, learned,
and eloquent Epistle thereunto prefixed, and here also in this edition now inserted,
to Gods glorie, and his high commendation doth and may appeere: but especiallie
and above all, the most divine, learned, and godlie treatise intituled The
Queenes meditation, written first in French by the vertuous Ladie Margaret Queene
of Navar, and after verie exactlie and faithfullie translated by our most gratious
sovereigne, and learned Ladie Queene Elizabeth, who among manie Queens,
virgins, and women, through the feare of the Lord hath doone verie vertuouslie,
and gotten thereby great renowme. And thereupon considering with my selfe
what great profit, and singular pleasure might thereby come also to other of like
mind to my selfe, if the same their excellent and rare works (dispersed into severall
pamphlets, and in part some thing obscured and worne cleane out of print, and so
out of practise) were by some painefull hand collected togither, and revived, or
brought againe to their former good and godlie use in the church: mee thought I
could not better spend my time, nor emploie my talent, either for the renowme of
such heroicall authors and woorthie women, or for the universall commoditie of
all good christians: than in, and by some apt treatise or collection, to reduce these
their maniford works into one entire volume, and by that meanes, for to register
their so rare and excellent monuments, of good record, as perfect presidents of
true pietie and godlinesse in woman kind to all posteritie. Whereupon, God working
in me both the will and consent, I undertooke the same in his feare: which
when after a sort I had doone, and perceived that there wanted yet manie things
to make the same an absolute and perfect booke for the simpler sort of women, according
to my mind: to satisfie my selfe further in this my purposed collection, I
fell to the perusing of the holie Bible, and manie other good bookes as well of
praier, as of other divine matter, such as from time to time have beene penned by
divers godlie learned men: out of the which (that I might now particularlie applie
that unto them, women I meane, which generallie heretofore was written
of them, or by some other for them, as also to the intent that all godlie and devout
women readers might have in some measure, wherewith to exercise their faith, to
stir up their devotion, and to satisfie their godlie desires: and also verie readilie
find without tediousnesse, or distraction of the mind vertuouslie inclined, whatsoeverB.1. uer B1v
[Gap in transcription—2-3 wordsdamaged] either by praier aske, by meditation [Gap in transcription—1 worddamaged], by precepts learne, or
[Gap in transcription—2-3 wordsdamaged]unitare, or avoid to [Gap in transcription—3-4 wordsdamaged] edification) I indeavoured for their
[Gap in transcription—1-3 wordsdamaged]all possible [Gap in transcription—3-4 charactersdamaged]to cull and bring out of the rich store and treasurie
[Gap in transcription—1-2 wordsdamaged]prootted [Gap in transcription—1-3 charactersdamaged]nie learned men, things both old and new concerning
[Gap in transcription—1 worddamaged] for private and publike use, adding thereunto such plentie of
[Gap in transcription—1-2 wordsdamaged]and spirituall helpes, both for profit and pleasure, as the diversities of so
divine matter, and varietie of so honourable inventions would affoord. Besides,
to avoid confusion and disorder (a thing verie prejudiciall to so holie an exercise) I
have carefullie digested the same into such a plaine, easie, familiar, and certeine
method, order, and direction, both for matter and maner, as I could possiblie devise.,
or was requisite for such a worke, to make it profitable to the simple and unlearned
reader. Lastlie, bicause the diversitie of matter forced a distinction of the treati {Handwritten addition: 7 [Gap in transcription—4 charactersobscured]} end of handwritten addition {Handwritten addition: [Gap in transcription—4 charactersobscured]} end of handwritten addition
ses, I fitly, as I could, have divided and contrived the whole booke into seven severall
parts or Lampes: all which for divers good and approoved considerations I
terme or intitle by this generall name, The Monument of Matrones.
And now make bold, yet under the deliberate view, and carefull correction of
manie verie grave, wise, learned, and godlie Divines, thereunto appointed by authoritie:
as also with the approbation and allowance of the right reverend father
in God my Lord the bishop of London, to publish the same abroad in print, as a
booke, in the judgement of them that are learned, not unprofitable to the church:
but verie necessarie, and in some respect, more proper and peculiar for the private
use of women, than hertofore hath beene set out by anie. Which I have doone not
for that there lacked praier bookes sufficient for women to read, but onelie to increase
the plentie of heavenlie comforts, wherewith this our church and realme
of England (thanks be to God) floweth: as also to make this treatise heretofore
(in part) private to my selfe, and a few of my freends, now publike and common also
to you good christian readers. For behold (I protest) I have not laboured for my
selfe, but for you, and all them that seeke knowledge, feare God, be devout, and
would (not by fits and starts, as those that can find scarse anie leisare to attend upon
the Lord and his service as they ought: but) daie and night continuallie and
incessantlie, either silentlie in hart with Hanna, or openlie in mouth with Marie,
as they are bound, spend their whole life, and make it their whole worke to
praie, meditate, and read Gods word with other such good bookes, or at the least
to allow to themselves some little portion or part of the daie and night, to prostrate
themselves apart from all companie in praier and meditation before the
Lord of heaven and earth their creator, redeemer, and saviour, and that in all christian
perfection, and humble obedience to his word and commandements. So have
you good reader, by the goodnesse of God, who worketh all our works for us, here
now at the length in this Monument or collection conteined (if you list so for distinction
or names sake to call or intitle them) not onelie a burning Lampe for virgins,
but also a christiall Mirrour for Matrones: as also a delectable Diall for to direct
you to true devotion, with a perfect President or register of holie praier for all
women generally to have recourse unto as to their homelie or domestical librarie.

First, a Lampe, readie replenished and prepared of the wise virgins, with that
fragrant oile, pretious perfume, and odoriferous incense of holie invocation, pure
praier, divine sacrifice, and heavenlie worship, wherewith God is so highlie pleased,
and whereby at his holie hand the virgine or single woman, through the intercession
of Christ, obteineth the gift of puritie, modestie, shamefastnesse, and chastitie:
the deflowred woman findeth grace to repent, and to be restored to favour both
with God and men: the naturall or stepdaughter to reverence and obeie hir parents
in all childlike duties: the wooed woman not to be by anie meanes cosined
or abused in marriage: the yoong married wife to consecrate hir selfe to live holilie
in that honourable estate: the elder married woman, to live lovinglie, faithfullie,
and quietlie with hir husband: the woman with child, to escape the pit of
so great perils, and to be thankfull for hir mightie deliverance after childbirth:
the midwife, and women assistants, dutifullie and diligentlie to aid, comfort,
and cherish the travelling woman: the mother carefullie to bring up hir children:
the daughter naturallie to cherish and obeie hir mother: the mother in
lawe, to live charitablie and lovinglie with the daughter in lawe: againe, the
daughter in lawe to behave hir selfe christianlie and curteouslie to the mother in lawe: B2r
lawe: the dame or mistresse, to intreate hir handmaids well: the handmaids to
shew all dutifull and faithfull service to their mistresse: the widowe, to comfort hir
selfe in all sorrowes: the old woman to number hir daies, that she may applie hir
hart unto wisedome: both yoong and old, one and other to consider their creation,
condition, vocation, and salvation, the better to live to learne, to learne to live, and
to live to die. To conclude, a Lampe (I saie) for all estates and degrees of women
generallie, to carrie ever in their hands and hart by the burning light and flaming
fire of the reading whereof, their faith, knowledge, zeale, devotion, perseverance in
praier, almes deeds, fasting, with the love of God and their brethren, the desire of
verture, and all maner of godlinesse shall be thoroughlie kindled and increased in
them, so oft as they wax cold, heavie, drowsie, slouthfull, dull, negligent, and remisse,
by too much bodilie ease, worldlie prosperitie, vaine pleasures, pomps, and delights
of this wretched life: and they at all times made readie, like wise and prudent
virgins, to meet the bridegroome whensoever he commeth, to be received of
him, and to enter with him joifullie into the celestiall wedding chamber of his
eternall happinesse, there to glorifie and praise him for ever and ever.

Secondlie, a Mirrour for all sorts of wicked women, as in a cleere glasse with
Athalia, Jezabell, Herodias, and such like, perfectlie to see their shamelesse pride,
crueltie, idolatrie, and contempt of religion, with Putiphers wife, to behold their
incontinencie and infidelitie towards their husbands: with Appam their shamelesse
impudencie: with Cozbi, their manifest whoordome and adulterie: with the
witch of Endor, their abhominable sorceries: with Queene Vashthy their disobedience
to their sovereigne: with Bethshemah and Judith their rebellious stubbornesse
to their loving parents in lawe: with Hagar their contempt of their mistresse:
with Miriam their murmuring against their onelie brother: with Heva their subtiltie and covetousnes to beguile their husbands: with Zipporah, Michol,
Jobs wife, old Anna, Tobit, &c. their unsemelie upbraidings and bitter taunting,
or chiding of their godlie husbands, &c. least that for their great impietie and
ungodlinesse with Queene Maacha, they be desposed from their seate of majestie:
or with Baara, and Q.Queen Vasthy, they be divorced from their husbands: or with Athalia,
they be slaine without the temple: or with Cozbi, be thrust through with
a sword, or with Jezabel, in all their braverie they be throwne headlong downe into
the street out of their owne windowe, and be eaten and devoured of dogs, and so
want the honour of christian buriall: or with Saphyra be stricken with sudden
death at the Apostles feet: or with the Levites wife be shamefullie abused to
death, and after chopt in peeces: or with Samsons wife be burnt to ashes in the
house where they dwell: to conclude, least with the whoore of Babel they be cast
quicke into the bottomlesse pit of perdition: or with the five foolish virgins they
be shut cleane out of heaven, and go alive downe into hell, there to be damned for
ever, if in time they call not for grace to beware and repent them of their former
wickednesse. Againe, a Mirrour contratiwise for all godlie and vertuous women
plainlie to behold the faith, religion, modestie, sobrietie, sinceritie of life and conversation
of Sara, Ruth, Q.Queen Candaces, Bernice Susanna, Elizabeth, the blessed
virgine Marie, &c. The holinesse, devotion, feare of God, justice, uprightnesse, &c. of
Hanna, Q.Queen Hester, &c. The rare wisedome, excellent knowledge, great learning, politike
governement, courage, magnanimitie, with the memorable vertues of Deborah,
Abigael, Bethsheba, Huldah, Jael, the women of Tekoah, Philips foure
daughters, the Ladie commended by saint John, &c. The famous cities, and statelie
territories and towers built by Sherah that noble Gentlewoman to hir perpetuall
renowme. The bountifull hospitalitie, great liberality, and often almes
deeds of the Shunainitesse that vertuous Gentlewoman, of Dorcas, Lydia, Joanna,
Judith, &c. The constant and faithfull love towards their husbands of Sara,
Michol, Susanna, &c. The motherlie and carefull affection towards their children
of Sara, Hannah, Bethsheba, the blessed virgine Marie, the widowe of Sarepta,
Samson’s mother, &c. The dutifull obedience towards their parents, of Q.Queen Hester,
Jepthas daughter, Orpha, Ruth, Sara, &c. The good intreatie and chistian behaviour
towards their handmaids, of Sara, Lea, Judith, &c. The fidelitie and obedient
service towards their mistresse of Hagar, Abia, Rhode, &c. The great kindnesse
and curtesie towards their freends, kindred, and aliance of Bethsheba, Elizabeth,
Q.Queen Hester, Jehosheba, Rizpah, &c. The womanlie pitie & tender harted compassion B.2. and B2v
and affection toward the distressed and persecuted members of Christ, of Puah,
Shiphrah, Rachel, Pharaos daughter, Rizpah, Q.Queen Hester, Jehosheba, Pilates
wife, Marie Magdalen, Martha, &c. The sore labour and paines taking to get
their owne living, of Anna Tobit, Lydia, Naomy, Ruth, Dorcas, &c. finallie, the
admirable humilitie, and invincible patience and constancie in all adversities and
persecution even to the death and martyrdome, of Jepthas daughter, Susanna, the
mother of the seven brethren, and women of the Machabites, and manie other:
that looking in this glasse of the holie lives of their foremothers, they may chritianlie
conforme and adorne themselves after their good examples, and become
for their rare vertues verie beautifull spouses in the sight of their spirituall bridegroome
Jesus Christ: to whom, as the kings daughters, they may appeere all
glorious within, and of whom with the lambes wife they may be marked in the
forehead with the testimonie of his name Jesus, to the end that being clothed
with the sunne of righteousnesse, and crowned with the twelve stars of God and
his word, and treading the moone of this worldlie affections under their feet, they
may evermore be delivered by him their valiant Michael, and his angels from
the power of the red dragon, which so greedilie gapeth to devoure them: and possesse
their soules in patience, in the restfull place of the presence of God, long since
prepared for the elect, where they shall be nourished and preserved for time & times,
and together with all holie virgins, matrones, martyrs, and elect people of God,
joifullie triumph and be glad for the gift of their everlasting happinesse.

Thirdlie, a Diall of devotion to direct you by the glorious globe and shine of
the bright sunne of righteousnesse, which inlighteneth all things in the world, verie
readilie and plainlie at all feasts and seasons of the yeere, and at all houres and
times of the daie and night continuallie unto the holie mount of heavenlie contemplation
and to the christian meditation and consideration of everlasting felicitie
in celestiall things, the better to contemne and forget all terrene, base, vile, momentanie,
and earthlie vanities.

Fourthlie and lastlie, a domesticall librarie plentifullie stored and replenished
both of the best approoved presidents of christian praiers and divine meditations,
made from time to time by manie right godlie authors, men and women of all
ages: and also of the chosen sentences or perfect precepts of holie scripture concerning
the christian duties of all degrees and estates of women in their severall
callings, together with the pleasant histories and memorable acts, lives, and death
of all maner of women good and bad, by name or without name, mentioned in the
old and new testaments of the bible, where among, for the better understanding of
the text, I have inserted some notes out of the Geneva bible with some difference
by parenthesis, verie necessarie for the simple reader. All which treatises, though
not so portable, yet so delectable, profitable, and readie prepared to lie in your secret
chamber or oratorie to use: howsoever intituled or called, God grant they may as
diligentlie be read and fruitfullie practised of you, good readers, as they and everie
of them (I am sure) were painfullie compiled and faithfullie purposed of the authors.
And for these, and all other such good helpes and furtherances to faith, devotion,
and godlinesse, God make both you and me alwaie thankfull unto his majestie,
who by all meanes, at all times, and through all ages, most gratiouslie useth
both the ministerie of men and angels, to doo us good continuallie, that through
our unthankfulnesse and wilfull contempt of his good gifts and graces dailie offered
by so manie high, learned, and painfull hands, we may not loose the same
and the profit thereof, by loathing that, which we ought most to love and imbrace,
but rather in good time by our grateful acceptation and approbation of that which
deserves good liking, gaine to our selves comfort and consolation, and encourage
others (which as yet of anie singular affection for their private use conceale or deteine
the woorks of anie godlie authors men or women) to take good opportunitie
by this occasion offered even for the common benefit of Christs congregation,
to publish the same abroad, for the perfection of this good worke, to the glorie of
God, and the authors everlasting praise and commendation both with God and
men: that full deservablie it may be said of them, as most woorthilie it is of these
my right christian and heroicall authors. Etsi mors indies accelerat, Viuit tamen post funera virtus. Thus B3r
Thus being awaked by last of a[Gap in transcription—2-3 charactersdamaged] as one that gathereth after them the vintage,
I have laboured as you see (good reader[Gap in transcription—1-2 wordsdamaged]a poore gleanenr grape gatherer
with restlesse Ruth to go after the maidens in [Gap in transcription—1 worddamaged]e harvest as to gleane and gather
for my mother Naomi certeine handfuls of corn, [Gap in transcription—1-2 charactersdamaged]rter the reapers and painfull
labourers among the sheaves, let fall of devotion in the fruitfull feelds of charitable
Boaz: and have assailed, as you well perceive, to replenish my wine presse
with the grapes of the Lords plentifull vintage, and to fill my lampes brimfull
with the oile of Gods good blessing and rich store, left behind by the wise virgins
in the holie vessels of his increase. Here therefore if I might be so bold without
offense, as in the name of the foresaid blessed Boaz, I would gladlie exhort and
persuade Ruth, and in hir all other godlie women of the simple sort, to followe this
his good counsell (who saith: heare me, my daughter, and go to none other feeld
to gather, neither depart from hence to gleane, but abide here by my maidens, let
thine eies be on the feeld that they doo reape in, and go thou after the maidens:
and when thou art athirst go also to the vessels, and drinke of that which the servants
and handmaids have drawne, and when thou art hungrie, come hither and
eate of the bread, and dip thy morsell in the vineger, and sit by the reapers, and thou
shalt be satisfied to the full.) So now least you should gather by anie method, order,
division, title, direction, or application, that you shall find in this booke, or anie part
therof that I go about nicelie, curiouslie, or strictlie to injoine you to observe hours,
daies, feasts, times, or seasons, or to bind you unlawfullie to an impossibilitie, as of
necessitie to use all or everie of these praiers and meditations, in place, maner, and
forme as they are set downe (although it is to be wished that for the most part they
might, if it were possible, or the necessities of this turbulent life would permit)
that you should not mistake me, I saie, and judge that my purpose is in anie respect
to hinder common praier, or interrupt the ministration of the word and sacraments
in the church, where & at what time I knowe we ought all to glorifie God
together with one hart, spirit, and mouth, and to be no otherwise occupied, either
in reading or in praieng, than the publike minister is, unlesse we would be deemed
meere superstitious, and under the pretense of severall devotion to commit manifest
ungodlinesse: I thinke it verie necessarie for me to let you understand (gentle
reader) that my meaning herby was and is, simplie first to plaie the part of a faithfull
collector, by following my copies trulie, and placing their works and praiers
together as I found them referred by the authors for private or publike use: secondlie,
for order and memorie sake, after the good example of the learned fathers
of our time, to intitle, reduce, and applie those other godlie meditations and praiers,
which for the matter I found woorthie the more often use in the church, or
elsewhere, unto some more speciall place, apt time, and peculiar purpose, than heretofore
(to my knowledge) by anie others have beene intituled, referred, or applied.
But thirdlie and principallie by the meanes of some plaine forme and easie method
of praier and meditation, to prepare for the unlearned at all times, and in all
places such and so manie sorts, as to avoid ignorance and tediousenesse might convenientlie
serve to further their godlie desires, to the glorie of God, the confusion
of sathan, and their owne eternall comfort in Christ Jesus: referring them notwithstanding,
which you shall find proper for the church to be used there onelie at
convenient times by the ordinances of the church lawfullie permitted: the rest
which are more private to be used elsewhere at your discretions, when and so often
as opportunitie shall serve, and Gods spirit by his heavenlie motion give you anie
occasion. For as I would not have you thinke hereby, that I my selfe doo in all respects
observe this order here prescribed (although I assure you I strive to doo it
either within booke or without: and repent from the bottome of my hart the often
omission of it in times past) so I wish you good readers, which christianlie have
consecrated and vowed to give your selves to this holie exercise (as the Lord, I
saie, in mercie shall give you grace, leisure, time, and occasion, and not suffer you to
be tired with anie worldlie necessitie) in the name and feare of God, to observe this
or that order, method, forme, or direction, which he in his word dooth allow of, or
you knowe best will keepe you in the continuall faith, feare, and favour of God.

For trust me, if you will but a little together with me call these ten memorable
things to your christian remembrance in this so holie an exercise. First, theOpen note vma01-rota 1
commandements of almightie God himselfe, whom in consideration of our owne B.3. great B3v {Handwritten addition: comandment} end of handwritten addition
great miserie an necessitie, and com[Gap in transcription—3-4 charactersdamaged]acke of the christian congregation, hath
willed us to call upnupon him, saieng: “Praie alwaies with all maner of praiers and supplicati {Handwritten addition: promises} end of handwritten addition
Open note vma02-rota 2 ons in the spirit, and wake thereunto [Gap in transcription—3-4 charactersdamaged]with all perseverance.” Secondlie, his most sweet and
comfortable promises made gratiouslie both to heare and grant our godlie and
lawfull requests, saieng: “Aske, and ye shall have; seeke, and ye shall find; knocke, and it shall be
opened unto you: for everie one that calleth upon the name of the Lord, and departeth from iniquitie,
{Handwritten addition: manifold sinnes} end of handwritten addition Open note vma03-rota 3 shall be saved, &c.” Thirdlie, our great and manifold sinnes, whereof we are guiltie,
which will not suffer us to sit still without care, but driveth us of necessitie to beg
{Handwritten addition: weake nature
do any good} end of handwritten addition Open note vma04-rota 4 his most gratious pardon. Fourthlie, our feeble flesh and weake nature unable in
everie respect to doo anie good thing, which requireth continuall praier to aid and
{Handwritten addition: sutheltie of sathan} end of handwritten addition Open note vma05-rota 5 strength it. Fiftlie, the wilie subtiltie of our spirituall enimie sathan, who privilie
lurketh in the inward parts, wating even in our best actions to trip and over
{Handwritten addition: [Gap in transcription—2 wordsobscured]} end of handwritten addition Open note vma06-rota 6 throwe us, against whom we must by fervent praier vehementlie strive. Sixtlie,
our owne greevous assalts and cruell temptations, which never give us truce, rest,
{Handwritten addition: zeale of good glory} end of handwritten addition Open note vma07-rota 7 nor quietnesse, but hasten us verie much unto God for helpe. Seventhlie, the zeale
of the glorie of God, and advancement of his kingdome, which ought wholie to
drawe and moove us continuallie to exercise our selves in the service of God.
{Handwritten addition: [Gap in transcription—5 wordsobscured]} end of handwritten addition Open note vma08-rota 8 Eightlie, the dailie dangers and continuall calamities that hourelie hang over our
heads, which give us all cause enough, yea even the most holie, and that with sighs
and grones continuallie to flie unto God our heavenlie father, and call upon him
{Handwritten addition: [Gap in transcription—2 wordsobscured]goodness} end of handwritten addition Open note vma09-rota 9 by fervent praiers. Ninthlie, the infinite benefits and greatr blessings of God so
bountifullie and plentifullie everie waie powred continuallie upon us, which give
us both ample matter, and just occasion, hourelie by thankesgiving, even from the
{Handwritten addition: [Gap in transcription—1 wordobscured] of praise} end of handwritten addition Open note vma10-rota 10 bottome of our harts to praise and magnifie him for the same. Tenthlie and lastlie,
the great excellencie, woorthinesse, necessitie, vertue, fruit, and profit of true and
christian praier, consisting partlie in the dignitie of God the commander, and partlie
in the effect of obteining of whatsoever we aske according to his will. These
things I saie, good reader, well considered, I suppose you will saie here is nothing
superfluous: but all little enough to so needfull and profitable an exercise of our
faith, praier I meane, as wherein the peace of conscience, yea our whole salvation
consisteth, and whereby God himselfe is said to be present with us, not onelie by
his providence to watch over us, but also by his power to susteine and succour us,
and by his goodnesse and mercie to receive us into his fatherlie grace and favour.

Yea I doubt not, but you will willinglie confesse with me, I saie, that all sorts
of devout women have great cause, and that continuallie, to take these lamps into
their hands, thereby either with banished Hagar to acknowledge Gods graces towards
them: or with desolate Naomi to praie that God would blesse their children
to be staies and staves of their age to their comfort: or with hevie Hanna to
powre out their harts before the Lord in teares for a sonne, and for his mercie and
favour towards them: or with wise Abigael, by praier to prevent the mischeefes
that hang as well over their heads, as their families: yea or with hir often on
their knees to praie for the good prosperitie and preservation of their gratious governour
Queene Elizabeth: or with the church and faithfull soule of all christians,
to long for the kisses of the peace of Christ their spirituall spouse, and never
to cease daie nor night to seeke him, whom their soule loveth, till by praier and meditation
they have found him: or with the wofull daughter of Sion, to lament and
mourne pitiouslie for their sinnes, till their miseries be mitigated, and they comforted;
or with sorrowfull Sara Tobit in fasting, and teares to be delivered from
dailie reproches and slanderous toongs: or with vertuous Judith in sackcloth
and ashes to obteine strength and courage mightilie to destroie and ouuvercome
proud Olophernes, with all the huge host of his bloudie ruffians: or with noble
Queene Hester to proclaime a fast, and call their virgins, families, and people together,
to praie daie and night to the hazarding of their owne lives also, if need so
require for their owne further preservation, and their peoples and subjects safetie
and deliverance out of the hands of cruell Haman, and all his seditious conspirators:
or with chast and innocent Susanna to appeale to God the high judge of judges,
to be acquitted from a violent death by false accusation, and more unjust condemnation:
or with the afflicted church in exile, to acknowledge their sinnes, and
call for mercie to be delivered from distresse: or with the woman of Canaan to flie
unto Christ in all necessities, to be releeved both bodilie and ghostlie: or with our most B4r
most gratious Sovereigne Ladie Queene Elizabeth, to muse [Gap in transcription—1-2 charactersdamaged]inelie of the
inward love of the soule towards Christ their spouse, their Lord and father, mother
and brother: or with the vertnuous Ladie Queene Katherine, to bewaile
the ignorance of their blind life led in superstition: and with hir also in all their
troubles to stir up their godlie minds patientlie to suffer all afflictions for the love
of everlasting felicitie: or with the right godlie Ladie Jane Dudley to endure the
crosse to death most patientlie: or with good Ladie Tirwit to exercise themselves
morning and evening in fruitfull and godlie praiers, psalmes, hymnes, and meditations:
or with the honourable Ladie Aburgaivennie by the like, to tread the
path to paradise for the health of their soule: or with holie Agunus and Eulalia
the martyrs, to triumph in the victorie of Christs death: or with Anne Askew the
martyr to praie hartilie for their enimies: or with maister Bradfords mother to
be petitioners unto God for the constancie in faith to death of their children: or
with mistresse Dorcas Marten carefullie to instruct their whole familie in the
principall points of christian religion: or with other grave and godlie matrones
unknowne, to exhort others to mortification and holinesse of life, and to flie unto
God in all troubles for releefe as he hath commanded.

That so with the five foolish virgins it be never too late for them to crie, “Lord,
Lord, open to us”: but that to their comforts and the praise of God, with Miriam
they may evermore upon their timbrels sing the song of Moses, for their mightie
and miraculous deliverance from sathan their spirituall Pharao: and with Debora
give great thanks for the victorie got by our Jahel against Sicera: and with
holie Hannah rejoise from the hart, and praise God in the temple for the birth of
their children, and safe deliverance: and with the women of Israel triumph upon
timbrels for the famous victories of Davids daughter our noble Queene
Elizabeth had against all hir enimies: and with the spirituall spouse at the
marriage daie sing the sweet song of songs to the glorie of the bridegroome Christ
Jesus: and with Sara Tobit blesse the name of God for their deliverence from
slanderous reproches, and the evill spirit Asmodeus, that enimie of holie matrimonie:
and with holie Judith highlie praise God for hir and hir peoples mightie
preservation out of the hands of their cruell enimies: and with the blessed virgine
Marie continuallie magnifie the Lord their Saviour, for their high exaltation
and favour with God, with men, and with angels: and with our most gratious
Queene Elizabeth, incessantlie to yeeld all possible praise and hartie
thanks for their so often, mightie, and marvellous preservation and deliverance
from so manie kinds of dangers, yea deaths and destruction pretended by sathan
and his bloudie ministers dailie against them.

Finallie, that all godlie women (taking hereby good occasion with these their
holie foremothers continuallie to make their petitions for the preventing of
evils: their supplications, for the obteining of all things needfull for soule and
bodie: their intercessions as well for others, as for themselves: and their thanksgivings
for corporall and spiritual benefits received) may shew themselves daughters
woorthie such mothers: virgins woorthie such lamps of perpetuall virginitie:
and women woorthie such ghostlie weapons of their right christian ministration
to helpe their weakenesse (praiers, precepts, and meditations I meane)
by following their vertues wiselie in the perfect feare of God: by bearing the same
in the hand of their harts carefullie in the due obedience of their prince: and by
fighting therewith in Golgatha the field of this spirituall warfare, the good fight
of faith couragiouslie in the pure love of their countrie, and christian charitie towards
their neighbours: and at the last in the world to come to the glorie of God,
& their everlasting comfort togither with the wise virgins, and all the elect people
of God, joifullie triumph over all weaknesse, infirmitie, and corruption: yea over
sinne, death, hell, and damnation, and saie: “Oh death, where is thy sting? Oh hell, where is thy
victorie?”

But now if in wading so far in this argument of praier, and in making this
volume so big, anie shall thinke or saie, that I, by mine idlenesse and time thus
spent, am verie chargeable unto them: and considering the plentie of praier books
more portable alreadie extant, shall judge me to have taken a verie needlesse or
bootlesse travell, or to have laboured in vaine, and spent my strength for nothing,
as he that would adde stars to the skie, or light a lampe at noone daie, and thereforeB.4. fore B4v
shall deeme me woorthie in their opinions to loose both Oleum & operam. Oh
forgive me this wrong I praie you: and considering that I could not otherwise
either satisfie my selfe to go forward in my determined purpose, according to the
prescript order of this collection, or pleasure the simple reader with such plentie
and varietie of profitable matter, especiallie in so good paper and faire usuall letter,
a thing to the aged and feeble sighted reader verie gratefull and much desired.
Let me intreate you whosoever you be, to measure the same rather by the goodnesse
or deerenesse of the volume, which to the willing and desirous mind are
ever best cheape. So no doubte shall the pleasure and profit of the one at the least
countervaile, if not far surmount, the paine and charges of the other.

As for my selfe (good reader) who have rudelie as you see undertaken this
great labour, I protest, I have doone it neither of presumption, as he that would
usurpe the office of a Divine, and intrude himselfe into the studies of other professions:
nor of arrogancie, as he that would boast and make great brags of other
mens labours: nor of envie, as he that went about to make frustrate and insufficient
the painfull and godlie works of better learned: neither yet of ambition or
vaineglorie, as he that gaped after the praise and commendation of anie, or that
would faine seeme to be approoved and registred of anie Chronicler for an author,
or one that knoweth somewhat, who in deed knowes nothing, much lesse for all
this deserves to be thought of above that, which anie either of their owne knowledge,
or by true report doo, or shall see in me, knowe me to be, or heare of me.
Therefore I saie (good reader) my judgement, howsoever it please others to judge
of me, and of mine intent herein, is, I knowe with the Lord that formed me from
the wombe, to be his servant: for he is the eie witnesse of mine integritie and simple
meaning herein, I saie, in whom my life in hid, and to whom I am made manifest,
doo live, and must die.

As for my worke (so honourable for the verie authors, so godlie for the matter,
so necessarie for the time, so profitable for the persons, so excellent for the use,
and so convenient to increase pietie and christianitie in the simpler sort, howsoever
otherwise with some carping heads, and evill disposed readers, with Aesops dog
in the manger never given either to doo well themselves, or to judge rightlie and
speake truth of others) it is I am right well assured with my God, who first put me
in mind to take it in hand, and in, by, and through whom onelie I confesse with
humble and hartie thankesgiving after manie a yeeres sore travell, in studie much
sweet, long watching, and great expences, I have now at the length finished the
same I trust to his glorie, your profit, and mine owne comfort.

Therefore leaning to all and everie of the woorthie works of other godlie
men or women howsoever here or elsewhere extant, their particular use in the
church of God, as they were published: and to the honourable authors themselyes
their due deserved praise and perpetuall commendation to all posteritie, with exhortation
to all godlie christians reverentlie, willinglie, and thankfullie to read,
receive, and imprace the same, as wherein to the better fulfilling of so heavenlie an
exercise of our faith most agreeable to Gods good will and word is perfectlie supplied
and accomplished, by the rare gifts, ornaments, and graces of the holie
Ghost in the compilers, whatsoever otherwise through ignorance, wanteth both
in me, and perhaps in you also (good readers) if you be unlearned. (Give them
therefore, O give them, I saie, and that woorthilie of the fruit of their owne hands,
and let their owne works praise them in all the world.) I to conclude humbly submit
my selfe unto the grave judgements of the godlie learned, and mine heroicall
authors living, of whom I meeklie crave pardon for this my bold enterprise attempted
both with bashfulnesse, doubtfulnesse, and feare to become a writer in this
so learned an age, or to trouble your studies with my rude labours. And here lastlie
I offer these my labours such as they are unto the good liking and favourable
correction as well in matter, as in maner of you my right christian learned readers,
of whom in full recompense and satisfaction of anie fruit, that either you or the simpler
sort shall hereby reape, I onelie now make this request, as dutifullie to reverence
the divine works of so noble and learned authors, by whose holie travels
you perceive your selves to enjoie most inestimable benefits: so freendlie to take
in good part these first fruits of my poore studies, proceeding from a well meaning mind, B5r
mind, and built upon so good foundations, as from him that did that hee could
though not that he ought to benefit all, and to hurt or offend none. That they being
now as lamps well esteemed of in the opinion of the rich in vertue and knowledge,
and gratefullie accepted and approoved of the learneder sort, as the monuments
of so famous matrones, may yet at the least for their sakes become welcome
and aprooved of all other simple christians, and I by that meanes greatlie
incouraged to go forward in vertuous studies for the benefit of my countrie, with
hartie thankesgiving unto God both for his mercie, and your great curtesie and
goodnesse towards me, in whom I bid you farewell, and unto whose heavenlie defense,
almightie protection, divine favour, and continuall blessing, I finallie commend
and betake both these my labours, my selfe, and you deere and welbeloved
readers, beseeching you to love me, as I love yon unfainedlie, to speake of me and
my worke, no woorse than I doo of you and yours christianlie, and that for his
sake alone that loved us all most deerelie, & in that love for us all enured all maner
of reproch and slanders that might be most patientlie, even to the effusion of
his most pretious bloud often and sundrie times trulie, as well as fervent praier as in sweat, and otherwise on the crosse for our eternall glorie: to whom
therefore, and for all the inestimable benefits of his bloudie praiers,
dririe death, and bitter passion be evermore rendred and given
as of writers and readers, so of angels, men, and all
creatures in heaven, in earth, or in the deepe,
all possible praise and perpetuall glorie
that hart can thinke, hand
can worke, or toong can
speake, Amen.

What ceremonie everie woman ought by Gods
word to use in the time of praier,
publike or private.

“Everie man praieng or prophesieng, having anie thing on his head, dishonoureth” (God)
“his head: but everie woman that praieth or prophesieth bare headed, dishonoureth” (hir
husband) “hir head. For it is even one verie thing as though she were shaven.

Therefore if the woman be not covered, let hir also be shorne; and if it be a shame for
a woman to be shorne or polled” (as in deed it is) “then” (for shame) “let hir be covered (and
keepe hir haire trussed up under a kercher.)

For a man ought not to cover his head (but ought to be polled and bare, forsomuch as he
is the image and glorie of God, in whom his majestie and power dooth shine, concerning his
authoritie over his wife, and other of Gods creatures subjected under his dominion and
rule)

But the woman is the glorie of the man” (or receiveth hir glorie in commendation of man,
and therefore is subject:) “for the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man: neither
was the man created for the womans sake; but the woman for the mans sake.

Therefore ought the woman to have power on hir head (that is, some thing to cover hir
head in signe of subjection, bicause of the angels, to whom also they shew their dissolution and
shame, and not onelie to Christ and his church, or congregation where they praie.)

Judge you in your selves also, is it comelie that a woman praie unto God bareheaded?
Dooth not nature it selfe teach you, that if a man have long haire like a woman, it is a shame
unto him: but if a woman have long haire, it is a praise unto hir: for hir haire is given unto
hir for a covering (and to the end she should trusse it up about hir head: to declare that
she must cover hir head.)