Basil Valentine: Last Will & Testament (1671)

and spitefulness, or contempt of others.

O Lord God Almighty, merciful and gracious Father of your only begotten Son Jesus Christ, who are the only Lord of Sabaoth Hebrew title meaning "Lord of Hosts.", the principle of all things made by your Word, and the definite end of all creatures above and below; I, a poor, miserable man and earth-worm, return thanks with my babbling tongue from the innermost center of my heart. You have been pleased to enlighten me with the great light of your heavenly and earthly wisdom, and the greatest mysteries of the created secrets and treasures of this world, together with your divine saving word, by which I learn to know your Almighty power and wonders. To you belongs eternal praise, honor, and glory, from eternity unto eternity, that you have bestowed on me health, livelihood, strength, and ability to be helpful to my fellow Christians in their necessities and inflicted infirmities with those mystical healing medicines, together with such spiritual comforts to raise their drooping spirits. Lord, to you alone belongs power, might, and glory; to you is the praise, honor, and gratefulness for all the mercies and graces you have bestowed on me, and have preserved me in until this my great age and lowest weakness. O you God of all graces and Father of all comforts, be not angry with me that I deliver up to you, my eternal Creator, the keys of my stewardship, wrapped up in this pergamene parchment or manuscript., according to the duty my calling and conscience call for. With these you allowed me to keep house most of my time, until now, when you have called and foreseen me to be your servant and steward, and have graciously afforded that I should enjoy the noble, sweet fruits that were gathered in your almonary Almonry; a place where alms are distributed. to my last instant end,