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This is the laste wyll and testament of me Marye the Quene.
“The copy from which the Harleian transcript is taken was made from the original will at the beginning of the last century, by the Rev. George Harbin, Chaplain to Lord Weymouth, a very zealous and diligent searcher into historical records, whose papers are now with the above copy in the hands of Sir Alexander Malet, Bart. Great pains have been taken to trace what has become of the Will itself, but without success. It is to be regretted that the copy is not quite complete, and that Harbin has modernised the orthography in many instances. Such as it is, it is printed verbatim from his autograph.”
Note by Sir Frederick Madden, Privy Purse Expenses of the Princess Mary (Appendix, No. iv.).
A PRAYER OF THE LADY MARY TO THE LORD JESU; AGAINST THE ASSAULTS OF VICES.
Most benign Lord Jesu! Behold me wretched beggar, and most vile sinner, prostrate here before the feet of thy mercy. Behold the wounds, sores, griefs and vices of my soul, (which alas! I have brought into the same by sin) that they may be healed. Most Merciful Lord Jesu! Have pity upon mine infirmities, captivity and infelicity: by means whereof my miserable soul is pressed down to earthly things, and divided into sundry desires.
Most loving Jesu! I beseech thee for thy great love’s sake, which caused thee to deliver thy soul into the hands of sinners, to be bound and crucified; and which also did force thee to remain three hours upon the cross, more than the nails either of thy hands or feet had power to do. For thy charity I humbly desire thee to loose the yoke of my captivity, and to deliver me from all my vices, concupiscence, and evil inclinations, to defend me from all the assaults of mine enemies, and in time of temptation to help me. Moreover, quench and pluck up by the roots in me all private love, all inordinate motions, passions and affections, all provokings, readiness and inclination to pride, wrath, envy and vainglory, with such other like. For it is in thy power only to deliver me from these things. Sweet Jesu! Fulfil me with thy grace, and most perfect charity. Make me to continue in goodness, that I may eschew all occasion of sin, strongly overcome temptation, subdue the flesh to the Spirit, persecute and banish sin, and obey thy inspiration; escape the deceits and frauds of the Devil, never consent to any sin, nor nourish anything that should displease thee. But cause me most fervently to thirst for thy honour, laud and glory, most faithfully to prefer the same, and to give and submit myself wholly to thy will. My Lord God, give me grace to cleave to thee only with a clean and pure heart, that I may be unite and knit to thee without separation by a most chaste and fervent love. Amen.
A MEDITATION TOUCHING ADVERSITY, MADE BY MY LADY MARY’S GRACE, 1549.
This natural life of ours is but a pilgrimage from this wandring world, and exile from our own country: that is to say, a way from all misery to thee (Lord) which art our whole felicity. And lest the pleasantness and commodity of this life should withdraw us from the going to the right and speedy way to thee, thou dost stir and provoke us forward, and as yet ward prick us with thornes, to the intent we should covet a quiet rest, and end of our journey. Therefore sickness, weepings, sorrow, mourning, and in conclusion all adversities be unto us as spurs; with the which we being dull horses, or rather very asses, are forced not to remain long in this transitory way. Wherefore Lord, give us grace to forget this wayfaring journey, and to remember our proper and true country. And if thou do add a weight of adversity, add thereunto strength, that we shall not be overcome with that burden: but having our minds continually erected and lift up to thee, we may be able strongly to bear it. Lord! all things be thine; therefore do with all things without any exception as shall seem convenient to thine unsearchable wisdom. And give us grace never to will but as thou wilt. So be it.