for ay 2 Whom as we loue ' boue all things by him wrought So all his glorious Workes in him we loue And eu'n that Word whereby to passe he brought This all in whom eu'n all doe liue bee moue The same is Authour Finisher of Loue The Sea from which all streames of Loue doe flow Which here refresh the tender plants and proue Most soueraigne medicine to the Saints below Whereby in goodnesse loue and vertue they may grow 3 And as the Brookes their tribute-streames doe send Vnto the boundlesse Ocean whence they moue So though on Saints and Poore we freely spend What we receiue yet to this Sea of Loue We must tend alwayes as the steele doth moue With Load-stone touched to the Arctique Pole All other motions violent doe proue This is the obiect of true Loue this sâ—le The Center is of Loue on which all Loue doth roll 4 Authour and Finisher Thou Word of power Center and Load-stone Obiect Sea of Loue Sweet drops of Grace vpon mine heart downe shower Attract my steely thoughts tow'rds heau'n to moue Teach me the complement of man true Loue O helpe me to expresse what I conceaue Of thine affection which thee from aboue Made to descend and all thy Glorie leaue And to the cursed Crosse for loue of man to cleaue 5 Of that dread loue by which the Trinitie Ineffably doth in it selfe delight Of Persons three making one Vnitie I dare not vndertake so high to write My Muse here onely labours to indite Of that free Loue which doth from thence descend That Loue which from the head on members light And that which from them ought againe ascend Lastly that Christian loue we each on other spend 6 But as th' eternall Godhead is but one Yet is by Persons three distinguished The Sonne is of the Father all alone The Spirit from Sonne and Father doth proceede So though a threefold kind of Loue we reade Yet is this true and heau'nly Loue but one For with that Loue from Father doth proceede Christ loueth those he chooseth for his owne And we the selfe-same loue to Head and Members showne 7 Thou that did'st in thy Fathers bosome wun Eternally begotten vncreate Let me begin where first thy Loue begun To be vnto vs manifest when Hate And Pride the Dam of mischiefe and debate Had caused those celestiall Lamps of light The Angels that kept not their first estate To be deiected from thy Palace bright Reseru'd in euerlasting chaines of darkest night 8 Then first thy free Loue did to Man appeare Whom after thine owne Image thou didst frame And blessedst him to multiply and reare Much fruit on Earth and gau'st him power to tame Thy handie workes to which he gaue a name Which they receiu'd as Vassalls of their Lord Adam then Lord of all thy workes became Each herbe fruit seede thou gau'st him for his board Thus Lord of all Hee 's onely subiect to thy Word 9 God saw that all he made was very good Yet 't was not good that Man should be alone I dare not thinke Man could alone haue stood In his integritie thou gau'st him one To be his helpe of his owne flesh and bone For whom he should Father and Mother leaue Behold now Adam with his Paragon Walke in the Garden where they haue good leaue The fruit of euery tree there growing to receaue 10 Hadst thou him set in Gardens ready planted With all vâ—â—etie of rich delight And for his care to keepe them had but granted He might take pleasure onely in their sight And foode from one to feede his appetite Nature had beene content with competence Thou gau'st him leaue of all the trees to bite Thou onely one tree from his lips didst fence To shew thy Lordship and proue his obedience 11 But loe that pride which mischiefe did conceaue First in the Court of Heau'n brings forth below And in disdaine such exc'llent Spirits must leaue Their glorious Mansions vnto one they know Was fram'd of slimy earth Behold they grow To tempt the weaker by a false pretence You shall not die saith he for God doth know What day you eate you shall be gods from thence Loe thus was all mankind made guiltie of offence 12 Adam where art What art Hid naked vile Now thou hast eate of the forbidden Tree My Wife did me a Serpent her beguile Cannot excuse thee nor thy Progenie Curst is the Serpeat for his subtiltie The Ground is curst and all that on it goes Serpents and Womans seede at enmitie The earth from whence thou cam'st thee vp must close Thy Garden 's lost thy Subiects now become thy Fâ—es. 13 O miserable Man in losse in paine Looke but from whence and whither thou dost fall Who now hath power to raise thee vp againe Breach of one Law thee guiltie makes of all Hell is thy Guerdon miserable thrall Driu'n from the presence sweet of God aboue Which thee to such a height of blisse did call The Serpents speech thou now too true dost proue And to thy cost know'st Good and Euill Hate and Loue. 14 God is most mercifull yet True and Iust His Mercy shined in thy first Creation His Law is broken now he punish must Here Loue behold beyond all expectation Will draw them both to reconciliation God becomes Man Iustice to satisfie His Death shall pay the price of our damnation No height of Verse this great Loue can desâ—ry This Sunne is too resplendent for my Muses eye 15 Most glorious God Wise Happy Vncreate Absolute Perfect Pure Omnipotent Here humbly to conuerse in meane estate And as a Malefactor to be rent To saue eu'n those that sought him to torment Captiuitie thus Captiue for to lâ—ade And giue such gifts to Men and Hell preuent Thy workes of power Lord can 〈◊〉 Creature reade But this of Loue and Mercy doth them all exceede 16 Three sorts of Loue wise Sages haue obseru'd Loue of true Friends of Kindred Coniugall Of which amongst them friendship hath deseru'd To be first rank'd this Loue surmounts them all These Starres doe rise these Starres againe doe fall But when this Sunne of heau'nly Loue doth shine Once in our hearts it is perpetuall And when it lowest seemes and to decline It then is highest rays'd and nearest to Diuine 17 This Loue 's an vndiuided Vnitie A concord that diuision will admit Diuided yet to all abundantly And doth this all into one body knit The Head that eu'n aboue in heau'n doth sit It ioyneth to the Members on the ground And all those Members in one Body knit Loue like her selfe the same is euer found Though in one Member more than other shee abound 18 As Soule of Man doth from the Head to Heart And all the Members life and motion send Being â—l in all and all in eu'ry part Eu'n so doth Loue her Power diuine extend On eu'ry part that on the Head depend And as the Members soone rot and decay To which the Soule her
but Hope keepes Faith aliue 14 When Faith beleeues Hope hopes gainst Sense and Reason Gods Promise is her soundest Argument His leisure to attend is her best season Though Faith beleeue ' boue Hope yet shee 's content To hope Present to her are things absent Shee neuer faints but holds out to the end Shee to encrease and grow is diligent Shee 's pure and cleane No shame doth her attend By Patience and Experience shee doth daily mend 15 Faith 's like Elias that by God was sent Elisha to anoint him to succeede Hope like Elisha waits most diligent And leaues her not till fiery Charets leade Faith vp to Heau'n Then Hope stayes in her stead Loe then Faiths Spirit on Hope is doubled found And though by Faith our Soules on Heau'n now feede Hope still sustaynes our Bodies on the ground And waits till all that Faith beleeues shee true haue found 16 Yea after that our bodies turne to dust It seemes that Hope still with our soules remaine What else doth meane the crying of the Iust Which for Gods Word lie vnder th' Altar slaine How long wilt thou Lord to auenge refraine Our blood on those that on the earth it spilled To whom this answere is return'd againe They should rest till the number was fulfilled Of those which for the Word as they were should be killed 17 Hope's subiect is each heart that Christ hath knowne And where in glorie he vouchsafes to dwell Shee best by Obiects is conceau'd and showne For as they doe transcend Hope doth excell All Gods good Promises which one can tell Her Obiects are which if one right would reade He must begin with that when Adam fell Gods Promise to the Woman that her seede Though Serpent bruis'd his heele should breake the Serpents head 18 Like this was that promise to Abraham All Nations should be blessed in his seede And him that King of Israel became God promis'd one should ne're want of his breede To sway great Iuda's Scepter in his stead Till Shilo came who was his Lord and Sonne Sonne as his flesh did from his Loynes proceede Lord as the God-head in the flesh did won Thus he was Dauids Christ Sonne Lord and yet but one 19 Loe God perform'd all his good Promises In Christ his sufferings birth and exaltation All tending to bring wretched Man to blisse But now behold new tidings of saluation The Gospell shewes our reconciliation Is finished as after shall be showne When all in Heau'n and Earth haue restauration What we beleeue and hope shall then be knowne Hope then shall reape in ioy what shee in teares hath sowne 20 For as the promises that God had swâ—re In Christs first comming were accomplished Eu'n so all those that in the Gospell are In 's second comming shall be finished And since that Good to Adam promised Was full foure thousand yeares ere consummation Why then should Hope that 's thus experienced Faint in lesse then two thousands expectation Nearer than when we first beleeu'd is our saluation 21 Oh! had I here Hopes wondrous memorie Then should I able be soone to make knowne All 's Promises which God cannot denie Eu'ry of which Hope doth account her owne Behold in briefe them all vnto thee showne All Faith beleeues And what doth he distrust In whom this little seede of Faith is sowne All these I say Hope doth together thrust And in them puts assured confidence and trust 22 Therefore these Vertues alwayes her attend Assurance Confidence and Patience With Perseuerance alwayes to the end And of Gods faithfulnesse Experience These and the like are her most sure defence 'Gainst troubles sâ—â—ffes her weaknesse long delay Of many Promises which made long since Are not accomplished vnto this day And when shee 's like to faint these her refresh alway 23 They that would make faithlesse vncertaintie So necessary to attend Hopes trayne And on coniect'rall probabilitie Lay Hopes foundation They demonstrate playne True Faith and Hope did ne're in them remayne And though like Faith Hope sometimes waâ—er may As who can to a perfectnesse attayne Yet Hope encreasing Doubting doth decay Vncertaintie and Hope together cannot stay 24 No more than in the Water cold and heate For as the heate all coldnesse doth expell So Hope all doubting out of vs doth beate I grant that as in luke-warme Water dwell Both heate and cold so in the hollow Cell Of vnsound luke-warme Libertines false mind Vncertaintie and wau'ring Hope doe dwell But this no true and stedfast Hope we find Else true and feigned Hope would differ in their kind 25 Though Hope hath many an open Enemie None wrong her more than her familiar Friends As Merits Doubtings false Securitie In ciuill honest dealing who depends On these quick-sands more danger him attends Than if he split on Rocke of fierce Despaire Or to distrust Gods promises intends Because so long a finishing they are Ciuill Defection hazards more than open Warre 26 Oh! who can point out all the subtilties Satan doth vse this Lady to depose How he all worldly Obiects doth deuise That shee may in them confidence repose And thereby may her heau'nly Obiect lose Who are more miserable Satan sayes Than those on things to come their Hopes repose And who liue longer and more ioyfull dayes Than they whose Hope on wealth and Princes fauours stayes 27 As Iewes two Theeues did hang on either hand When as they crucifi'd the Lord of Life So two extremes on either side Hope stands And both of them haue each with other strife On left hand stands Despaire with bloody knife On right Presumption bold doth ouer-weene Hope oftentimes may saue Despaires life Presumption railes and thinketh in her spleene If Hope could others saue shee â—ould endure such teene 28 Hope is like Iacob that went out but poore But free from danger vnto 〈◊〉 Land But when he doth returne with Wiâ—es and store Laban pursues behind Esau with band Of full foure hundred doth before him stand But Angels as Companions him attend And eu'n with God he wrestles hand to hand Who doth from churlish Laban him defend Nor suffers cruell Esau Iacob to offend 29 So when our Hope alas is faint and poore It forward walkes most free from all tentation But when it gets some strength Despaire before Behind Presumption seekes our supplantation Loe then Gods promises of our saluation Like Angels are to comfort vs at hand We wrestle with the Spirit by supplication Whereby we are inabled to withstand Despaire Presumption proud and all the Deuils band 30 Men in this World are like to ships at Sea Which stormes haue beaten and tâ—e waues haue tost That when they come to harbour in the Lea Cast Anchre out where if they find the coast Consist of quick-sands all their labour 's lost Loe then Hopes Anchre there can get no hold So they with stormes and waues againe are tost But if they find firme Land they then grow bold No wind stormes waues
not doe 14 But as a naturall body doth consist Of quarters foure to make a man complete And if but one of all those foure be mist The other three lose all their life and heate Eu'n so it is with Truth whereof I treate If of these foure substantiall parts want one The other three are vainenesse or deceat For Truth of Iudgement Heart Speech Action Make but one Truth without dissimulation 15 But Truth of Iudgement ground is and foundation Of all the rest For be our Hearts sincere Our words and deeds without dissimulation If Errour in our Iudgements doth appeare With Paul we may eu'n persecute the deare And holy Seruants of the Sonne of Truth And thinke we doe to God good seruice here Fie then on Fooles that misse-spend their youth They neuer seeke to know or learne the way of Truth 16 But be our Iudgements eu'n as right and sound As Christs Disciples by their Master taught Yet if within vs Iudas hearts be found On vs the greater iudgement shall be wrought Who knowes his Masters will and doth it nought Oh what doth he by this his knowledge gayne But eu'n the sting of his owne conscience brought To desperation and infernall payne And to put out this sting puts on an hempen chayne 17 What shall we say of those that doe professe Truth of Religion and a Heart sincere Yet in their dealings nothing lesse expresse But for their gayne deceaue lie and forsweare Surely these men a double heart doe beare For were the Heart which is a liuely Spring Whence flow our words and deeds oh were that cleare Then all the streames from thence forth issuing Would be pure like the fountain from whence they do spring 18 But things we best of all by causes know God is the Cause of each good gift and grace But here more mediate Causes I may show Whereby he in the Truth doth guide our pace By 's Word we Truth of Iudgement doe embrace Which is to wandring Soules a guide and light His Spirit vpon our Hearts doth Truth enchase Then Truth of Iudgement makes vs speake aright And Truth of Heart makes all our actions true and right 19 Thus as Effects true Speech and Actions flow From Truth of Iudgement and the Truth of Heart As all Mankind from Eue and Adam grow But if the subtill Serpent can peruert Our Hearts or Iudgements as he did diuert Our two first Parents then as all their seede Defiled is with their corrupted part So from our Heart and Iudgement will proceede Corrupted words and actions which such fountaynes breede 20 Therefore to set our Iudgement true and right We to the ground and pillar ought to come Of Truth which is the Church of God so hight Because the treasures of all Truth there won Of all Gods Oracles which there haue rome From which all Truth of Iudgement we deriue The Church a carefull Keeper doth become There 's Truth that able is to saue aliue And away Errour Darknesse Superstition driue 21 O blessed Truth that holy Church preserues From Satans malice and the Moth of time O glorious Church whose soundnesse pure reserues Truth of Religion which doth make thee shine In Righteousnesse Faith Hope and Loue Diuine More then Pompe Wealth Vniuersalitie For Truth doth decke Christs Spouse more trim and fine Then Time Consent Succession Vnitie Now foild with Superstition and Idolatrie 22 With these false Ornaments the Church of Rome Like painted Harlot shuns the open Light Nor will vnto the Ground and Pillar come Of Truth to trie if shee bee wrong or right Therefore poore Laiks neuer must haue sight Of holy Writ to frame their Iudgement by Traditions and false Miracles them light And on the Churches word they must relie Thus Ignorance the Mother is of Poperie 23 But as sound Truth abhorres such Ignorance Eu'n so presumptuous curiositie Shee doth decline nor euer doth aduance Her purest thoughts to things that be too high Her subiect is no higher Mysterie Than Spirit of Truth is pleased to reueale Into Gods secret Counsell for to prie Is like the Thiefe that fire from Heau'n did steale To whom eu'n Heathen iudgements endlesse torments seale 24 So vniuersall is Truths glorious Fame That all things that the Heau'n and Earth contaynes Delight to be adorned by her Name Yea God himselfe Truths title not disdaynes Loe He Lord God of Truth for ay remaynes The Word of Truth the Spirit of Truth likewise Wayes iudgements works cōmandements Truth retaynes In this Saints Angels with God sympathize But Satan and his broode delight in contraries 25 Thus as shee is adorn'd by Titles high So with her Glorie shee doth all adorne Nothing vnto perfection commeth nigh Except by them the badge of Truth be borne And though some Worldlings doe her Liuerie scorne As things against their pleasure ease and gayne For that plaine dealing is a Iewell worne But he that weares it beggerie shall gayne Yet Truth her credit still doth with the best retayne 26 Yea Truth amongst the Writers of all times Hath beene in such great honour and account As without Truth yet neuer Prose or Rimes To any Praise or Honour vp did mount The holy Writ wherein Truth doth surmount Shee safely doth'gainst all her Foes defend How oft doth Dauids muse Gods Truth recount Whereby her glorie lasts to the Worlds end Ah my poore Muse see thou alwayes on Truth attend 27 There 's not one Vertue that with Loue doth dwell But honours Truth and seekes her company Begin eu'n at Humilities low Cell And mount to Mercy that doth sit on high All seeke the companie of Veritie Eu'n Loue must be without dissimulation And Righteousnesse without Hypocrisie Vnfaigned Faith true constant Expectation No Vertue without Truth comes neare Loues habitation 28 Faire glosing shewes without Dame Veritie Are but as falsely feigned Holinesse Which surely doubles the iniquitie And neuer leades the way to Happinesse My Muse is farre vnable to expresse The prayses all of Peeres that Truth attends Whom shee adornes with wondrous Noblenesse But Righteousnesse vpon her most depends And Mercy now and Truth haue met growne great friends 29 But surely Truth hath not so many Friends But shee doth find as many Enemies For Satan all his malice 'gainst her bends Supplanting Her by force or subtilties He father is of errours and of lyes And seekes herewith Truths glorie to distaine And therefore they maliciously deuise Interpretations false and glosses vaine Traditions mens inuentions 'gainst her to maintaine 30 As Purgatorie first they did deuise Purses for Pardon of mens sinnes to gleane So Limbo's they for Writers haue likewise Wherein to purge and make their Writings clean◠Index expurgatorius I meane In which if any Writer disagree From their Traditions whereupon they leane They in this Limbo Patrum purg'd must bee Or falsely else condemned to burne for Heresie 31 Thus moderne Writs sacred Antiquitie The Fathers Schoole-men Doctors Histories They all of them in Purgatorie frie And
by Gods helpe thou shalt against them all preuaile 51 So by this mightie Power we shall at length Be Victors though Sinne seeme vs here to foile Lord grant me this spirituall Pow'r and Strength That though my Body suffer here a while And like a Coward oft doth take the foile I may with courage so my Soule defend No Power me of spirituall Armes despoile Lord grant I practise may what I commend So I with prayse my Booke and Meditation end 52 Thus as one of the Bridegromes meanest Friends I to adorne the Bride doe offer here These Ornaments The gift no worth commends But He to whom the Widdowes mite was deare Because shee all her substance offred there Will well accept of this poore Offering That when I shall at that great day appeare Before the Iudge to giue my reckoning This time may be allow'd me for Gods honouring FINIS The third Booke consisting of fiue MEDITATIONS viz. 1. Knowledge 2. Zeale 3. Temperance 4. Bountie and 5. Ioy. And The fourth Booke of viz. 1. Prudence 2. Obedieâ—ce and 3. Meekenesse 4. Gods Word and 5. Prayer Were Likewise intended by the Authour at this time for the Presse But the euer-lamented losse of his most honored Lord which hath changed all his Ioyes into Sorrowes and Songs to Lamentations hath beene the cause of deferring their publishing A FVNERALL ELEGIE Consecrated to the memorie of his euer-honoured Lord IOHN KING Late Lord Bishop of London LEt others call their Muse to helpe them mourne And books of Tragique Scenes and Stories turne My Heart abundant matter shall indite If but the halfe I of my sorrow write Were it a priuate losse of mine alone I could it smother with a priuate grone But ah I ring my Fathers Fathers knell The Charet and Horsemen of Israel Happy Elisha when the fiery Horse And Charets thee did from thy Master force Whilst he in Whirlewind vp to Heauen ascends His Spirit doubled downe on thee descends But ah I haue no Spirit but to mourne And wash with teares this sacred Fathers Vrne His 〈◊〉 is not left me to diuide Mine Eyes from Teares as Iordanes floods were dride Yet had I but his Spirit here to tell How stoutly he opposed Iezabel And all her Baalling superstitious crew Of Prophets and their Idols ouerthrew How firmely he in his Religion stood Readie till Death to seale it with his blood Without least Bastard thought to change that Truth Which was in him firme rooted from his youth I then might iusâ—ly hope my feeble Verse Had done full right vnto thy wronged Herse For I should muzzell those that wrong thy fame And die them like their whoare scarlet in shame Should force into their face that modest blood That left them ere since they left Truth and Good Yet why should I thinke much that Calumnie Labours to cloud thy Names bright memorie Since that Iust One thy Sauiour after Death Could not auoid Slanders envenom'd breath And if thy Lord and Masters fate were such Let not thy Ashes grieue to beare as much Oh sacred Spirit enclos'd in frailest mold Of britle Clay when I did thee behold Praying Elias-like thou couldst constrayne The Heau'ns to water all the Earth with rayne And when thy zealous tongue touch'd with the flame Which Seraphin had from the Altar taâ—ne Thou like to Paul or Peter didst diuine Three thousand Soules conuerting at a time When thou didst sit on Iustice sacred Throne Thy Prudence shin'd like that of Solomon And Samuel-like so equall didst diuide Thou often gau'st content to either side Like Aristotles thy Schole Disputations Thy Speeches Tullies eloquent Orations Thy Lectures all Ideas most diuine Where Arts like Starres in Firmament doe shine Did â— behold thee in thy Familie Thy House a Temple of the Deitie Thou Dauid-like didst to th' Almightie sweare No wicked riotous Person should come there You worthy Tribe of Leui when you want And find your shorne allowance all too scant His 〈◊〉 which refresht you often blisse And gaue you Liuengs free as they were his You Poore lament whom he so often fed Not with his Doctrine onely but his Bread And Strangers when you want his losse lament Who vnto you such large allowance sent One and the same Rule in things Temporall He did obserue as in Spirituall Who so on Earth doth plentifully sow May well expect a like increase to mow Most happy Man if Vertue Honour Right Or any worldly Blisse make happy wight Home and abroad honour'd belou'd and fear'd Him Grace and Learning vnto all endear'd But oh what Mortall stands so sure and fast That here may be call'd happy till his last To whom the People erst Hosanna cride When he in triumph doth through Sion ride Ere many dayes was on the Crosse so shaken As if he fear'd himselfe of God forsaken So when this Saint like Paul the â—ged sung To build vp Sions ruines with his Tongue The rauish'd Hearers with thy message strooke Sate as they had no powr's but Eare and Looke Both which did yeeld thy Worth such loud applause As if an Angels Trump had lent thee voyce I thinke their strict attention did fore-see They neuer more should heare so much from thee A Swan-like Dittie for it was his last For ere the Sunne had round his circuit past He that for Sions building vp did pray Did in his owne fraile Temple feele decay My Soule eu'n trembles but thy groanes to heare Alas how couldst thou them with Patience beare Afflictions which would breake a brasen Wall And hardest Milstone grin'd to powder small But Hee in Heau'n that heard thee groane and weepe And all thy teares did in his Bottle keepe When it was full doth take of thee compassion And freed thee from thy paynes and bitter passion Eu'n on that Day whereon we celebrate His Passion whom thou liu'dst to imitate Loe God doth millions of his Angels send Thy sorrowes here with heau'nly Ioyes to end Shall we bewaile thy happy commutation Now chang'd from Earth to heau'nly Habitation Where as thy Ioyes the Angels farre surpast Which neuer of thy Miseries did taste For there thou dost that Psalme of comfort ring Which none but Saints afflicted here can sing That Ioy which neuer had in Heau'n beene knowne But by those Saints that vnder crosses groane That Ioy which feeles God comfort vs againe After he hath vs plagu'd on Earth with paine And for a few yeares of aduersitie Rewards in Heau'n with Ioyes eternitie Which giues for Sorrow Ioy for Labour Rest A Hau'n to vs whom Shipwracke erst distrest From Danger Safetie Light vnto the eye Long blind in Dungeons obscuritie Life after Death doth make our liues more sweet Who here Christs plentifull afflictions meet Shall haue in him a plenteous consolation Then let vs all that wait for like saluation In Body like this Saint the dying beare Of 's dying Lord and let him neuer feare But his Lords life shall be made manifest In Him when He our Labour turnes to Rest. But more my Muse is as vnfit to write As are my sorrowes stupid to endite Onely Shee thus the publique losse bemones And what Shee wants in words supplyes with grones Act. 2. 3. Church Christ. Church Christ. Church Church Christ. Church Christ. Church Church Christ. Church Christ. Christ. Christ. Church Christ. Church Christ. Church Daugh. Church Daugh. Church Christ. Christ. Apples †Church Christ. Church Christ. Church Christ. Church a 1. Sam. 2â— 39. 40. b 1. Sam. 18. 18. c Mark 1. 3. d Iohn 3. 29. * Matth. 22. 9. f Can. 2. 14. 3. 7. g Caâ— 5. 1 2. h 2. Cor. 12. 1 2 3 4. i Matth. 22. 2 3 4. k Caâ— 7. 1 2 c. l Luk. 2. 32. m Luk. 14. 17 18 c. n Apoc. 22. 1 2. o Can. 5. 1. p Can. 4. 12. 6. 2. q Apoc. 21. 4. * Apoc. 5. 11. Quaere Iâ—dg 9. 8. * Pâ—nitentia * 〈◊〉 †Christs †Strength †Strength * Presumption a Infidelitie b Despaire †Heart †Iesus †By reason ¶ By sense * Reuel 6. 10. 11. †Mens merits * Separatists * 〈…〉 Truth of Iudgement Truth of Heart Truth of Speech Truth of Action †Potaâ—iana 3. Esdr. 4. * 〈◊〉 Gen. 32. 33. * Woman-Man * Cutter
Myrrhe and Aloes dwell With all the spice most odoriferous My Loue 's a Spring of Gardens and a Well Of liuing Waters that from Lebanon fell Awake thou North winde come thou South and blow Vpon my Garden and her plants compell In plenty to my best belou'd to flow When he to eate his precious fruits doth thither goe Into my Garden now behâ—ld I come My deerest Spouse my Sister and my Loue I eate mine Hony with mine hony-combe My Myrrhe and Spice I vp together goue I drinke most pleasant wine as sweet as loue Mingled with Milke Oh Milke and Hony deere My frâ—ends of all my Wine Fruit Spices proue Oh eate and drinke I say and make good cheere Yea drinke aboundantly Oh my belou'd my deere CHAP. V. Christ doth his Church out of her slumber wake Her slouth doth turne her heart to mickle woe Shee suffers persecution for his sake And to her Maides describes from top to toe BY night I slept but ah mine heart did wake When loe I heard the voyce of Him I loue He knockt and call'd Open to me my Make My loue my vndefiled and my Doue My head is moyst with dew from Heau'n aboue The night with droppings all my locks doth fill My coate is off how should I on it proue My feete are wash'd how should I them defile Yet seeing's hand within the doore mine heart did smile To open then to my belou'd I rose And loe the Myrrhe did downe mine hands distill Sweet smelling Myrrhe which from his hand did wooze And all the handles of the locke did fill I open'd then to my belou'd at will But my beloued had himselfe withdrawne My loue was gone my heart grew faint and ill I sought him but alas I sought in vaine I call'd him but no answere gaue he me againe The Watchmen that about the Citie went Found me and smote me and they wounded mee The keepers of the Walls my vaile off rent O Daughters of Hierusalem that bee I charge you if you my beloued see To tell him how that I am sicke of loue What 's thy belou'd fairest of Maides what 's hee For whom such questions thou to vs dost moue Tell vs what 's thy belou'd other belou'ds aboue Ruddy and white is my beloued one The chiefest of ten thousand of fine gold His head is and his locks are bushy growne Blacke as a Rau'n his eyes if you behold Are like Doues eyes which by the Brookes doe fold Their feathers washt in milke and fitted neate His cheekes spice beds sweet as the Marigold His lips like Lillies moist with Myrrhe all wet His hands are like gold rings with stones of Berill set His belly is bright Iuory in-laid With Saphires blew and his faire legs whereon He stands like marble pillars vpright staid By golden sockets and like Lebanon His face and faire as Cedars thereupon His mouth behold most comely is and sweet He is the loueliest one that can be showne Thus my belou'd is knowne if you him meete O Daughters of Hierusalem him fairely greete CHAP. VI. The Church her hope doth to her Maidens cleere Her Spouse is rauisht with her glorious sight Before the Queenes and all doth her prefer And likens her vnto two Armies bright FAirest of women whither is he gone Where did he turne that we may seeke with thee Into his Garden my belou'd alone Descended is to 's beds of spicerie In his delightfull Gardens feedeth hee And gathereth Lillies beautifull and yong I my beloueds am and hee to mee Beloued onely is for him I long Behold I see him fâ—ede the Lillies faire among My Loue thou art as Tirza beautifull And as Hierusalem comely and gay And as an Host with banners terrible Thine eyes haue ouercome me Turne away Thine haire is like a flocke of Goates that stray Vpon Mount Gilead and thy teeth doe shine Like to a flocke of Ewes which make their way Vp from their washing place by euery one Are twinnes and loe amongst them barren there arâ— none Thy comely cheekes within thy locks appeare Ruddie and white like a Pomegranate side Queenes sixtie fourescore Concubines there were And Virgins without number which did ride About my Loue my vndefil'd my Bride Yet her the Mothers onely happinesse The choice of all her Mother bare beside When as the Daughters saw they praise and blesse And all the Queenes and Concubines could doe no lesse Who is 't that lookes like Morne faire as the Moone Cleare as the Sunne as banners terrible When I to view my pruned Gardens come The Valleys Fruits and budding Vines fruitfull The Pomegranate that beareth faire and full My soule vnwares me on the Chariot pight Of people vnto me most dutifull Returne returne le ts see the Shulamite Returne what will you see shee 's like two Armies bright CHAP VII The Churches comely graces are descride Shee doth professe her Faith Loue and desire And shewes how to the marriage of the Bride All things that are in heau'n and earth conspire HOw comely are thy feete within thy shooes O Princes Daughter junctures of thy thighâ— Like jewels are which cunning hands did close Thy nauell like a goblet round replyes I want no liquor and thy belly lyes Like to a heape of wheate with lillies dight Thy brests Roe twinnes like tow'r of Iuory's Thy necke thine eyes like pooles in Hesbon bright Thy nose like Lebanons tow'r that towards Damascus light Thine head 's like Carmel with thy purple haire Eu'n Kings within their galleries are bound How pleasant art thou for delights how faire Thy stature's like a Palme tree straight from ground Thy brests of grapes are like to clusters round I said I would into the Palme tree climbe And prune the boughs which there amidst I found Thy brests are like the clusters of the Vine The odor of thy nose is like sweet sops in wine Thy palate is like wines of sweetest smell Which downe the throat goe pleasantly and sweet Causing the lips that drinke thereof to tell Tales in their sleepe I my belou'd doe greet And his free loue with true affection meet Let 's to the fields and lodge in countrey cell And earely in the Vine-yards dew our feet And see if that the Vines doe prosper well And how the Grapes doe bud and Pomegranates doe swell There plentie of my brests I will thee giue Behold the Mandrake sweetly smelling ay Looke at our gates all pleâ—sant fruits doe liue Both new and old which I for thee vp lay For thee â— my belou'd against our marriage day CHAP. VIII Her vndefiled loue the Church makes knowne And doth describe the force of iealousie The Gentiles call'd by Sisters wooing showne Shee hastes her Christ to come in Maiestie OH that thou wert eu'n as my brother deere That suckt my mothers brests when I without Thee found I would thee kisse and none should heere Despise mee then I would thee
his place vaine-gloriously aspire Till Boreas brasen wings him throwes downe in the mire 26 Thus vaine fond youth left his sage Fathers lore And by his borrowed wings did soare so high Loe here their end that seeke so high to soare The Sunne beames heate his waxen wings did frie. Proud Bryar that safe and secure did lie Vnder stout Oakes most safe protecting armes Supplanted him by treason cunningly Then to Sunnes heate expos'd and Winters stormes He 's trod downe by wild beasts and eaten vp of wormes 27 Once had the feete the noble Head defide Grieuing to beare his burthen any more And Brawny armes their helping hands denide To feede the belly with conuenient store But hands and armes forthwith grew weake and poore For want of stomacks strength'ning nourishment And now the legs that able were before To beare both Head and Bodies wonderment Became wrang stumbling lame for want of gouernment 28 When Iothâ—ms trees went out t'annoint a King They first besought the Oliue tree to raigne But he his fatnesse highly valewing Refus'd to leaue it for a Kingdomes gaine Next Fig-tree sweet to rule they would constraine Who nould his sweetnesse leaue for Kingdomes glee Last to the fertile Vine they doe complaine Who fruitfulnesse loues more than Sou'raigntee But Bryar base will raigne and the anointed bee 29 Like as on Mountaynes which doe breake the clouds Sand grauell and vnfruitfull earth doe lye But in the fruitfull Valleyes lowly shrowds Fruit good for meate and to delight the eye And as the brackish Waues doe mount on high Whilst fresher Waters silent slide away Eu'n so it fares with sweet Humilitie Which like the fruitfull Meadow's fruitfull ay And like fresh Brookes whose sweetnesse neuer doth decay 30 And as tall ships which beare too high a saile Are soone o'returned by a boystrous wind Whilst smaller Vessels 'gainst the Waues preuaile Arriuing safely at the Port assign'd So they that to ambition are enclin'd And Phaeton-like to guide the Sunne aspire All things consume that vnder them they find Till from their Coach they tumble in the mire Till fewell failes Ambition neuer slakes her fire 31 And as mans eye the higher he doth stand The things which are beneath doth lesser deeme So he that doth Gods greatnesse vnderstand In his owne eyes doth vile and nothing seeme An humble man 's a gemme of high esteeme Which ignorant men doe trample in the mire Vntill the skilfull Ieweller redeeme It from the dust and clense it in the fire Then those that trod on it before doe it admire 32 Those that in Princes seruice purchase fame And thereby would raise their posteritie Seeke great allyance to confirme the same And of the Heralds get a Pedigree But they that would gaine true nobilitie To doe Christ's heau'nly Fathers will must seeke For such his Mother Brother Sister bee No honour or allyance can be like To this yet sure such are the humble and the meeke 33 Humilitie's the Basis and foundation Of Vertues all into one building brought Which for to raise on high by contemplation Must deepe and low within the ground be wrought If one desire to mount his house aloft And workes his vnder-pinning slight below He builds vpon the sands all comes to nought For if the floods doe come or wind doe blow Affliction Persecution all doth ouerthrow 34 The thing which God or Nature doth decree In secret Man oft b' innate augurie Vnwittingly foretells which shewes to bee Betweene our soules and heau'n a sympathie Hence is it that this Dame * Humilitie Hath her denomination from the ground For though as shee is spirituall shee can flie Aboue the highest heau'ns yet shee is found The lowliest wight on earth though highly to be crown'd 35 The ancient Latines Homo Man did name By deriuation from Humilitie To teach him that he should become the same In Truth as in names Etymologie And let a man looke through Antiquitie Loe all the Men whose vertues are commended For paternes good vnto posteritie In humblenesse they haue begun and ended When Pride as basest sinne is alwayes reprehended 36 Abel and Cain firstlings of humane â—eede Ambitious Cain but Abel meeke and mild His offring was accepted which did breede Such wrath in Cain that he the ground defil'd With his owne brothers blood which he hath spoil'd Moses is call'd the meekest man aliue Abram himselfe but dust and ashes styl'd When he besought his Maker for twice â—iue Iust men there found to saue the Sodomites aliue 37 Iacob fed Labans sheepe the Patriarchs all Like trade of husbandrie did exercise The Iudges with the Prophets great and small And all good Kings were low in their owne eyes Iohn Baptist the Messias-ship denyes And humbly doth himselfe vnworthy deeme To be him that stoopes and his shooe vntyes Christ did it no disparagement esteeme To wash their feete whom with his blood he would redeeme 38 Ah what an humble mind did Mary beare When with salt teares that flowed from her eyes Shee wash'd Christ's feet and wip'd them with her haire Great Volumes I suppose would not comprise Names of all humble Saints let it suffice Their names are written in the Booke of Life They here vaine worldly glorie did despise Free from Ambition Malice Enuie Strife And now by Faith and Hope in Loues Court leade their life 39 Oh! could we but this Vertue truely taste And as w' are dust and ashes apprehend How he that in the highest heau'n is plac't And did of nothing to vs Being lend And one condition vnto all men send Vouchsafes spirituall communication Calls vs his Spouâ—e his Children Host and Friend We n'ould despise the honest conuersation Of meanest brother that 's Coheire of like saluation 40 Dares dust and ashes thus expostulate Shall not the Lord of all the World doe right And yet dares dust and ashes in his state Denie his brother poore to come in sâ—ght Shall dogs licke Lazar's sores whilst thou no bite Or crummes which vnderneath thy table fall Wilt to him giue Behold he shall be site In Abrams bosome thou the Deuills thrall For thus the Humble rise and thus the Proud must fall 41 No better obiect of magnificence Can there be found here than an humble heart Who still ascribes all to beneficence That he receiues not to his owne desart Vnto thy humble brother then impart Part of thy substance with true courtesie Intreat the least The lowlier that thou art God will thee higher raise Humilitie Mounts vp to heau'n whilst Pride in hell doth burning lie 42 But ah Ambition still cryes for a name Like Giants proud that Babels Tower would raise Whence followes sure confusion losse and shame Alas how few there be now in our dayes That seeke by humblenesse anothers praise Humilitie no entertainment finds But poorely 'bout Court Citie Countrey strayes And in her roome faign'd complement her winds Who ne're minds as shee sayes nor e're sayes as shee minds 43 Base Complement hatcht
Latines from Paine doe make their deriuation Next is a new mind by interpretation Both these describe her nature wondrous right In paine and sorrow is her inchoation When shee with Flesh and powers of Hell doth fight Then followes change of mind which bringeth sweet delight 38 For shee is bred in paine brought forth in gladnesse Sorrow is ouer-night but in the morne Comes soundest ioy to chase away nights sadnesse And when we thinke that we are left forlorne Then comfort 's nigh to lift on high our horne And though a while the Worldlings vs doe deeme The off-scumme of the people and the scorne Of wicked men yet God doth vs esteeme And by this change most precious in his eyes we seâ—me 39 Thus haue all holy men in former ages By griefe and change of mind obtayn'd Gods grace This eke is shadowed in those grand Sages That tooke great paynes and care to find the place Where Christ was borne that they might see his face Who after in a dreame forwarned were Not to returne againe in their first trace Thus after trauell long great paines and care With ioy and change of mind another way they fare 40 Of all the 〈…〉 Eu'n from 〈…〉 that â—its in her Tâ—â—one To low Humilitie that keepes her 〈◊〉 Our blessed Sauiour hath vs paternes showne Onely because no sinne was euer knowne To be in him He cannot well be said For to repent of sinnes that be his owne But sure for ours a ransome deare he paid And felt the wrath of God which on vs should be laid 41 His Soule was heauie eu'n vnto the death He fear'd to drinke this cup of bitternesse God did on him such wrath and vengeance breath That he sweat drops of blood in his distresse Such horror by Gods curse did him depresse That he cry'd out as if he were forsaken Such horror doth repenting â—oules oppresse But not in so great measure are they shaken For Christ the edge of Gods displeasure off hath taken 42 This was his way to heau'n This must be ours Before we be to true Repentance brought Consider now with are the bitter stowers Whereby our Fathers haue Repentance sought Let Abram tell from natiue Countrey brought Into an vnknowne Land to be a stranger Where he indured hunger cold and drought Whom Canaâ—â—â— famine made an Egypt 〈◊〉 Where of the losse of Wife and Life he was in danger 43 Afflicted Iob modell of true Repentance How was he plagu'd without frighted within Who though he seem'd most happy in his entrance Yet his last dayes were best Dauid did sin Most desp'rately but after did begin Sadly to crie when he Gods anger found Purge me without and make me cleane within When Solomon felt his sinnes accursed wound He a whole 〈◊〉 of true Repentance did compound 44 Good 〈◊〉 chattered like a Swallow Or like a Crane and mourned like a Doue And though his sonne Manâ—sses long did wallow In much foule sinne yet bondage did him moue To true Repentance Peter more did loue His Master aâ—ter vnaduis'd denyall Thus all Gods seruants better Saints doe proue After they haue endur'd the fiery tryall Experience of Gods loue makes holy men more loyall 45 I should seeme partiall if I onely tell Of men who in this worke haue happy beene Since Women for this beare away the bell Witnesse her eyes which like two Fountaynes dreâ—ne To wash her Sauiours feete And Riâ—â—as teene When vnder sackcloth shee her life did lead Till the wish't raine from heau'n to fall was seene So long shee did defend the bodies dead That for the Gibeonites were hang'd vp by the head 46 But why seeke I for witnesses without Looke in thine heart if there thou hast not found This smart of horror thou maist iustly doubt Thy soule 's not yet vp in Lifes bundle bound Therefore vnto thy selfe with speede propound To view Gods wrath and thine owne wretchednesse Then griefe of heart and sorrow will abound Which thee vnto the brinke of hell will presse Till Faith thee raise by inward ioy to happinesse 47 Thou shalt not find her like fruit which to th' eye Was wondrous faire and pleasant to the taste Which poyson'd Adam and his Progenie Shee bitter is at first sweet at the last And when the cloud of sorrow 's ouer-past Shee brings of ioy and comfort so great store That all become new loe old things are past Shee is the Antidoâ—e that doth restore What Adam lost when he forsooke his Makers lore 48 No th'Antidâ—â—â— is Christs most precious Blood Repentance is but the preparatiue To make our soules taste this most heau'nly food Than which no other can keepe vs alâ—â—e And till Repentance out of vs doth driue In-bred corruption and all actuall sin This Balme of Gilead will not make vs thriue Oh then Repentance purge me cleane within And make my stomach fit this Manna to let in 49 The Spirit 's willing but the Flesh is weake Oh a most bitter pill is this temptation None but they that haue felt it right can spâ—ake What pangs it breedes in our regeneration Well let men-pleasers onely sing saluation Let not vaine fruitlesse hopes thine heart deceaue We must first taste the curse of our damnation Before saluation truely we conceaue As head so must the members that to it doe cleaue 50 We here must taste it or then when w'appeare At Christs Tribunall From which none can hide Himselfe but all stand forth themselues to cleare When Bookes are brought forth and are open'd wide In sight of God Christ Angels and the Bride When Satan and thy conscience thee accuse And no gold can an Aduocate prouide Oh who thinks of this day and can refuse To taste here of Christs Cup and scape the Deuils Cruse 51 Wherefore against thy selfe an Action bring And thus accuse examine iudge and trie Lest thou beest iudged of the righteous King First before Gods Tribunall prostrate lie And if he then beheld thee with his eye Confesse thy in-bred sinnes knowne and vnseene Against thy selfe pronounce vnfeignedly Damnation hell and horror when we seeme Most vile in our owne eyes God doth vs best esteeme 52 Death to all men the wages is of sin But vnto those the Heau'n of happinesse That thus on earth condemne themselues within And after bring forth fruits of Righteousnesse But to those that goe on in wickednesse Death is the Port and entrance into Hell Lord giue me here this pill of bitternesse Which may corruption from mine heart expell No wound can be so deepe but thou by grace canst heale 53 And though shee seemes like fiery two-edg'd sword That keepes from Man the way to Tree of Life Because her fiery triall is abhord And Cowards heart doth faint to see her knife Swouning away at Flesh's and Spirits strife Oh neuer yet let feare my courage quaile To hinder me from that sweet Tree of Life Better Repentance thresh me with her flaile On earth than hellish Dragon breake me
sailes doe faile all faile in their true motion 41 Faith is our spirituall Sunne in Firmament Which Clouds may darken not put out her light Shee is sweâ—t Oile that giueth nutriment Vnto our Lamps vs to direct aright Shee is our strong Shield vnder which we fight Safe and secure'gainst all the powers of Hell Which though our brest-plate oft by force or slight They pierce of Righteousnesse Faiths shield doth quell Yet all Hells fiery darts and Satans force expell 42 Shee Morter is vs liuing Stones to ioyne In that great Building to the corner Stone The Pins and Ioynts which euery peece combine Into one goodly Frame By Faith alone Members on Earth and Head in heau'n is one Shee doth espouse the Bridegroome to the Bride Shee vs the earnest of his Spirit hath showne Shee sets vs at the Banquet by his side Then Loue vs to embrace her Armes doth open wide 43 Faith like is to the holy Martyr Steuen Who when before the Councell he did stand Look'd vp and saw Gods glorie great in heau'n And Iesus standing by on his right hand Shee 's like Tobiâ—â— Angell at command For to direct vs in our iourney right And free from danger both by Sea and Land Shee doth endue vs with such heau'nly light That we to Friends and Parents may restore their sight 44 Like Aduocate who not for priuate gayne Pleades for all sinners to Repentance brought Whom neither feare nor fauour can restrayne From pleading till our Pardon shee hath wrought Shee neuer leaues vs till shee hath vs brought To the most glorious happy Court of Loue Into his armes whose Blood vs dearely bought For Faith and Hope cease further there to moue Our state there is immutable without remoue 45 Faith like to Moses out of Egypt leades All Israelites that vnder bondage grone Baptiseth them that in her foote-steps treades As in red Sea Faith cleaues a Rocke of stone From which gush liuing Waters Faith alone The hidden Manna makes from heau'n descend Which who by Faith eate Bone become of Bone Flesh of his Flesh Faith doth before vs wend Through this worlds wildernesse but there she makes an end 46 Yet Faith like Moses doth from Mount behold And view from farre the blessed promis'd Land But leaues vs there vnto our Iosuah bold T' expell the Amorite with mightie hand And giue vs seisin of that blessed Land Loe then Faith to sure Knowledge is return'd Then we in state vnchangeable doe stand Not that Faith Hope as needlesse off are turn'd What Faith beleeu'd and Hope did waite for is confirm'd 47 Like when some friend doth promise thee to giue After his death a faire Inheritance Thou must beleeue and hope whilst he doth liue But when his change thy fortunes doth aduance And thou possessest this Inheritance Loe then thy first beliefe and hope dâ—crease Thou hold'st it now by good assurance So when we Heaâ—â—n possesse Faith Hope doe cease It is our owne for euer not a Farme by leaâ—e 48 Faith is as much as when we credit say Which is as sure as money in our hand If we trust one that able is to pay And to what he hath promised will stand If rightly then Gods power we vnderstand And Truth which fast like him hath euer stood We haue most firme assurance of heau'ns Land Yet least weake Faith make doubt of this as good Loe his last Testament sealed with his owne Blood 49 If with th'incredulous these cannot preuaile Who will beleeue no more than they can proue By Sense and Reason None of these shall faile Thee to a true and liuely Faith to moue Behold the Father vs hath shew'd such loue That we the Sonnes of God should called bee If Sonnes we be Coheires of heau'n aboue If we beleeue but what we taste and see To Sense in Sacraments exhibited is hee 50 With these authorities why should I sort Saints Monuments which in Worlds wildernesse By Faith obtayning here a good report Are now arriu'd at th' Hau'n of blessednesse Millions which haue and constantly professe And for this Faith land honours life doe leaue Accounting it their greatest happinesse They are worthy found not onely to beleeue In Christ but for his sake their liues goods friends to leaue 51 See Abraham in whose most holy Seede All Nations of the earth most happy are How Faith did arme him to performe a deede Against the promise God vnto him sware His sonne his onely sonne not Isaack spare See Iacob with his Maker hand to hand Wrestling to get a blessing nor doth care To lose his limbs so firme his Faith may stand Loe Faith brings Iosephs bones from Nile to holy Land 52 Moses by Faith the red Sea doth diuide So stroke the Rocke that Waters gâ—shed out Calls food from Heau'n with God on Mount doth bide Full fortie dayes Loe Iosuah bold and stout Commands the Sunne to stand still while he fought Gods Battailes Loe Kings Iudges Prophets all By Faith inuincible did neuer doubt Blessings Raine Haile and Foode from heau'n to call With fire and vengeance on Gods enemies heads to fall 53 Loe Christ himselfe when he on earth did preach And mightie miracles to passe forth brought What thing did he more here vnto vs teach Than Faith By which great miracles he wrought He that had Faith neede not despaire of ought Lepers by Faith are cleans'd issues are stayd Blind see Lame walke the Deuils are cast out Her Faith so great 's growne that for crummes earst pravd That Be it as thou wilt to her by Christ is said 54 Yea after that our Sauiour did ascend And had the promis'd Comforter downe sent His Church by Faith wrought wonders that transcend Loe Peters shaddow heal'd eu'n as he went Partlets and Napkins from Paules body sent Expell'd ill spirits did Blind and Lame restore Cur'd all diseases of the patient So that th' Apostles by true Faith did more And greater miracles than Christ had done before 53 I doe beleeue the World could not contayne The Bookes if one all Monuments should write Of Saints which Clouds of witnesses remayne Of Faith's great power her glorie grace and might Which though they laid their liues downe in this fight Their glorie euer doth in Heau'n remayne Where Victors they triumph in the Lambs sight And for their losse of life and mortall payne True immortalitie and endlesse pleasure gayne 56 And though in these last times and 〈◊〉 dayes Her force and vertue seeme for to decline Yet he that feeles the comfortable rayes Of her Sunne-beames vpon his heart to shine Infallibly perceaues some power Diuine In him that World of wonder hath effected Which is both God and Man in one to ioyne For this they know and feele that are elected But Satan blinds the eyes of those that are reiected 57 Oh! What great wonders worketh Faith within When first shee rayseth by regeneration And quickneth soules that lay long dead in sin Vnto the life of
Sonne for vs What can be denyde Who dares condemne who by him saued are For whom his Death and Rising doth prepare Eternall blisse Shall anguish tribulation Nakednesse famine perill sword or feare Vs sep'rate from the Horne of our saluation In these Faith makes vs conquer by Christs mediation 75 My prayer gracious Lord shall euer bee Increase my Faith And as now in some wise Thou her faire Lineaments hast made mee see For which I praise thee Open so mine eyes That seeing I her worth may truely prise And for her sake most willing be to loose My life and all this wicked world despise And rather bondage here with Faith to choose Than liue in Egypts Court with vaine deceitfull showes 76 Now as a valiant Souldier strong and wise That would in open field defeate his Foe Suffers no sleepe to come within his eyes But keepes continuall watch For he doth know His En'mie Lyon-like about doth goe By force or sleight his life for to surprize Eu'n so good Lord grant thou me grace to doe That though sleepe often close my bodies eyes My Soule may still keepe watch 'gainst Satans subtilties 77 Hope was the Patron that with Faith did ioyne When to my triall me Repentance brought Who all their might and forces did combine Vntill my absolution they had wrought These not their owne good but their Clients sought And pleaded not for friendship fees or gayne Loues fauour was their vtmost ayme and thought They shew'd no Law their Causes to maintayne But Pardons wrote in 's Blood that for our sinnes was slayne MEDITAT V. Of Hope 1 REpentance Faith and Hope be graces three Which no where but in Israel are knowne Of other Vertues some resemblance wee Do find amongst the Heathen which are showne To them by Natures light and first were sowne Most pure till they corrupted were with sin But now they most vnlike themselues are growne For till Faith Hope them to restore begin They glorious seeme without but foule and vile within 2 For though of Knowledge Loue Truth Patience Right Mercy Fortitude Humilitie Prudence Zeale Temp'rance Bountie Obedience There doe in them remayne some memorie Yet wanting Faith and Hope like either eye Their blinded soules for to direct aright In all their actions they doe moue awry For Faith and Hope like Sunne and Moones cleare light Direct repenting Soules which wander else in night 3 And though by reading in Dame Natures booke The Heau'n and Earth's most wonderfull creation They vpwards to their Maker oft did looke And saw his Power and Wisedomes manifestation And their owne wretchednesse Yet Humiliation For sinne in them no true Repentance wrought For missing these chiefe Agents of saluation The worke could not be to perfection brought For without Faith and Hope Repentance profits nought 4 Thou that the Finisher and Authour art Of eu'ry good and perfect Gift and Grace Who look'st not on the worke but on the heart Where eu'ry Vertue holds her seate and place Who lately hast me guided in the trace Of Faith the Mother now direct aright My Muse to follow on the Vertues chase And first of Hope Faiths daughter next in sight And make my Hope stand stedfast whilst of Hope I write 5 Hope is of things to come an expectation Which God hath promis'd and Faith doth beleeue For when th'Elect of their Iustification By Faith stand sure Then Hope doth them releeue With Patience to expect till God doth giue All the good things which he hath promised So that no crosse affliction can them grieue For by this Hope they stand assured The day will come their Hope shall be accomplished 6 Some Faith Hopes Mother some her Sister call Howsoe're betwixt them is so neare relation That if one faile the other needes must fall Faith brings forth Hope the Anchor of saluation But Faith is nourished by expectation A thankfull Daughter to a blessed Dame Who nonrisheth her Mother in this fashion And oft when Faith growes cold blind faint and lame Hopes brests Assurance Patience her restore againe 7 A blessed paire like Naâ—mi and Ruth Faith doth direct and Hope goes forth to gleane Faith searcheth first beleeues and finds the Truth Then Hope at Booz feete expects the meane And though at first a small reward shee gayne Yet being content Gods leisure for to stay Shee in the end doth to her Hope attayne Ruthâ—nto â—nto Booz married is that day And now may Naomi in her lap Obed lay 8 Hope is so like Faith and so neare of Kin As hardly we discerne a difference Faith is the ground whereon Hope doth begin Both haue alike assurance Patience From the same Spirit both haue their influence Both sauing Graces purge and purifie The heart and season with obedience Both last alike By both we'our selues denie Both make our conscience sound By both for Christ we die 9 But Faith is first for loe shee is Hopes ground Hope onely future sees but Faith things past Faith seales our euidence and makes it sound Hope waites till shee possession take at last Hope is the Helmet that on th' Head is plac't But Faith the Shield doth all the body hide And though our Faith oft faint our Hope stands fast From off the Shield full many a blow may slide On Helmet but there farther entrance is deni'de 10 Thus haue I shew'd how they are different The cause now As of Words immortall seede The Spirit begets Faith to giue firme assent Vnto Gods Promises Eu'n so indeede That Spirit out of those Promises doth breede A liuely Hope whose end is our saluation And that we shall haue all things which we neede In the meane time we haue our conuersation By Faith and Hope with Christ in heau'nly habitation 11 Similitudes make plaine and illustrate Things that are else mysterious darke obscure As when th' immortall Workman did create At first Man without helpe alone and pure He made him then a deepe sleepe to endure And tooke stuffe from him ere he did awake Of which he made for him a helpe most sure So the same Spirit that Faith at first did make To make now Hope Faiths help doth matter from Faith take 12 As Body Spirit Faith Lord and Baptisme's one So but one true and liuing Hope we find But as her Obiects infinite become We may distinguish her in different kind If heau'nly Obiects be to her assign'd Shee like the Obiect is Celestiall If shee on worldly Obiects set her mind As doth the Obiect shee doth rise or fall Loe then the Obiect of our Hope is all in all 13 We hope for that for vs in Heau'n's vp laid We hope to see Christs glorious Exaltation We hope for all things that Christ for vs praid We hope in Gospell that brings vs saluation We hope of all in Christ a restauration We hope Soules Bodies shall immortall liue We hope to reape what 's sowne in expectation The faithfull Pastor hopes his Flocke shall thriue Faith Author is of Hope
pure But if in Subiects of Iniquitie They are contayn'd they cannot so endure But like the Subiect they become corrupt impure 10 Three kinds of Lawes from God I doe obserue Morall Iudiciall Ceremoniall Which three the Iewes did constantly preserue As bound in conscience to obay them all The Ceremoniall and Iudiciall Cease but remayne paternes for imitation The Morall is the same perpetuall That most pure Law which from Mans first creation Continues still to vs without least alteration 11 And though the Rule of Right now doth not tie To the Iudiciall Lawes strict obseruation Yet it doth bind vs to the equitie Thereof as fittest for our imitation Though Blasphemie Theft Murder Fornication Haue not amongst vs now the punishment Which Iewes inflicted by Gods ordination Yet 't is a Rule in all good gouernement The paine vnto the sinne must be equiualent 12 As Lawes right to maintayne and wrong redresse Should be conform'd to the Iudiciall So rules of order and of comelinesse Should imitate Lawes Ceremoniall The Morall Law by some call'd Naturall Is Gods eternall Law by which aboue He things in Heau'n and Earth disposeth all These God ingrau'd in Stone the Iewes to proue But in our hearts they all now written are by loue 13 Mistake me not that I maintayne hereby Grosse Iudaisme or out-worne rudiment Which Christs last Sacrifice did typifie Such Ceremonies long agoe are spent But those whereby we should our selues present In publique Preaching Sacraments Deuotions It well becomes vs all with one consent To imitate without strife or commotions 'T is sinne to disobay Lawes in indifferent motions 14 I know fnll well there is a Law beside This Morall Law which some call Naturall Which vnder God by Nature is impli'de To rule Heau'ns Spheres and Motions which they call The Law of Nature By which rise and fall Sunne Moone and Starres in Motion necessarie But from the Law of Reason whereby all That Reason haue are Agents voluntarie By some call'd Reasons Law my Muse now will not varie 15 From hence as from a Nurserie doe come All Lawes which by good Christian Politie And lawfull Power to vs as bonds become To keepe vs in the bands of Charitie And vs preserue from wrong and iniurie And not by others losse to raise our gayne But leade our liues in Truth and Honestie As not enough from euill to restrayne Except we good performe and others right maintayne 16 Eu'n as we see things wanting life and sense But Agents naturall striue to maintayne The preseruation of the common Ens And 'gainst their naturall course themselues constrayne Eu'n Motions against Nature doe darraigne As heauie stones will vp from Center flie Rather than all a Vacuum entertayne So reasonable men should rather die Then suffer any harme to Vniuersitie 17 And hence come Lawes of Nations which maintayne Leagues betwixt Princes Freedome Seruitude Next ciuill Law whose equitie did gayne Command of all Romes Empires amplitude The Canon Law whose wiâ—edome did conclude All other Lawes till Pride and Superstition Amongst those sacred Sanctions did intrude So Antichristianizing by ambition That holy Writ must now giue place to their Tradition 18 Thus Statutes of each Countrey Citie Land Which they themselues doe call Municipall All Lawes which now in force with vs doe stand The Common Ciuill Ecclesiasticall All these doe come from the pure Naturall And tend true Right and Iustice to maintayne Respecting Gods true worship aboue all Next Magistrates peace publique common gayne And last that each man may in peace his owne retayne 19 But as from Fountayne seated on a Hill Pure siluer streames in sundrie Channels flow First cleare like Spring from which their waters rill But passing farther thicke and miry grow Defiled by their Channels soile below Eu'n so all Lawes which from th' Eternall come First like the paterne are as pure as snow But doe in time corrupt and base become By Mans corrupted heart through which Lawes streames doe run 20 Base Dust and Ashes dares not be so bold As to define of Righteousnesse Diuine That Iustice pure which Flesh cannot behold But as some rayes here seeme below to shine As farre aboue the reach of humane eyne As infinite Loue Truth and Maiestie Transcends the measure of a finite Line Yet Man at first was fram'd thus righteous by The Righteous God from whom comes none iniquitie 21 For nothing that 's vnrighteous or vniust Hath e're or shall be in his Presence seene Wherefore renouncing all our rags we must In Christs pure Righteousnesse all clothed beene It is a wicked fond conceit to weene Mans righteousnesse once able is to stand Before the Righteous Iudge where our most cleane And perfect acts as vile vnpure are scand Oh wretched Man whom thus Presumption holds in band 22 My feeble Spirits and Soule amaz'd become When I contemplate of the Righteousnesse That with the most Iust God doth euer wonne My Muse vnable farre is to expresse His Iustice which is Truth and Holinesse Therefore I backe now will retire againe To Iustice that brings Man to Happinesse And here on Earth doth Peace and Loue maintayne And first her Nature by her Causes will explayne 23 Out of bad causes good effects to draw Peculiar is to Prouidence Diuine From whence it comes that many a wholsome Law From euill manners seemes to draw her Line But they no causes are For power Diuine Is the first Cause of Iustice and of Right Eu'n as the Sunne which giueth powre to shine To all the glorious Lamps wee see by night Though darknes seeme the cause of their pure twinkling light 24 Yet as the Sunne the Fountayne of all Light Doth of his beames to all those Planets send Which in the absence of the Sunne by night Direct all Trauailers aright to wend So righteous God such Righteousnesse doth lend To Kings and Rulers all that iudge below That they may Right and Iustice true extend And in Gods stead both Light and Guidance show To Men which else to all obliquitie would grow 25 At first when Kings and Princes gan to sway And that no Lawes as yet were on record All did their Princes will and mind obay And the whole Law came from the Princes word Law therefore Kings this Title doth afford And stiles them liuing Lawes by grace Diuine Sent vnto Men to be their Liege and Lord With power to make new Lawes and old define The Head which Members all in politique Body ioyne 26 Thus God first giues Kings power Lawes to ordayne Which power Kings to the Iudges delegate By their Lawes Right and Iustice to maintayne All Power from God doth first begin her date And therefore all ought him to imitate And thereby to doe right and wrong redresse Not onely to encrease their owne estate And liue in Plentie Pride and Wantonnesse For so we make God cause of our vnrighteousnesse 27 So we abuse the Power God doth giue To Pleasures Pride Vnrighteousnesse and Wrong As if we onely
the righteous seede he will on earth preserue 80 To praise God for the blessings manifold His Word assures vnto this righteous Nation Would in discourse my Muse for euer hold And be too long for this one Meditation Oh hold me then to more strict obseruation Of Time to come than I haue had of past That I may make a daily examination Of my whole life and all my sinnes vp cast As mindfull of th' account I am to giue at last 81 And teach me that this Grace of Righteousnesse Is as a Chaine of many links close ioyn'd By which we would ascend from hence to blesse Whereof if but the least linke doth vnbind Loe the whole Chaine is to the earth declin'd Eu'n so in this strong Chaine of Law and Right Though most of all our acts be rightly lin'd If one Iniquitie our Hearts delight This one makes all the rest vnrighteous in Gods sight 82 But I vniustly my discourse extend Now I beseech the Authour of this Grace I all my force to practise it may bend And first doe Right and Iustice in my place Respecting not the Person but the Case In my Commerce with all Men dealing right Last that I may true Righteousnesse embrace That with true Faith and a good Conscience dight I in these spirituall Armes vnto the end may â—ight 83 Thus hauing chalked out the Rule of Right I should by my first Method next proceede To sing of Mercy but Truth doth inuite My Muse first her great power to areede Who doth in time eu'n Righteousnesse preceede Besides none can approch dread Mercies Throne But those whom Truth and Iustice thither leade And sure their Nature links them so in one As one without the other neuer goes alone MEDITAT II. Of Truth 1 SVch is the nature and sweet inclination Of heau'nly Graces all whereof I sing That with most kind and mutuall relation They all seeme ioyn'd together in a ring So close each one another following That who gets one doth all the rest obtayne For from one Fountayne all of them doe spring All link'd together in so strong a chayne As where one Vertue dwels there all the rest remayne 2 'T is vaine to thinke that single Graces can Make vp complete the Man spirituall More than diuided Members of a Man Can grow or thriue not ioyn'd together all Hence Poetâ— the three Graces twins doe call Ioues Daughters and them in one ring doe ioyne And hence they make the Virgins musicall All but one consort which are Sisters nine Thus by their fables shadowing things Diuine 3 For they discern'd by Natures dimmed light One Authour sole of eu'ry goodly Grace Whom Father they and King of all doe hight And him Lord ouer all their gods doe place Loe thus as in a mist they Truth did trace But missing the true path of Righteousnesse In stead of Truth they Errour did embrace For neuer was Dame Iustice Errours guesse Nor euer Truth did dwell with false Vnrighteousnesse 4 For seeming Truth without the 〈◊〉 of Right Like Summum 〈◊〉 is greatest iniurie And Righteousnesse not guided by Truths light Is Curiousnesse or false Hypocrisie Faith that brings forth fruits of Iniquitie Is base Presumption Loue Diffimulation That worketh not in vs by Charitie All from one Head haue life and sustentation And therefore all together make their habitation 5 But none more like are or of Kin more neare Than this faire paire of Truth and Righteousnesse The blessed Mother and her Daughter deare For Truth the Mother is of Vprightnesse And surely Truth and honest Simplenesse To eu'ry Vertue doth so needfull grow That all faire shewes not done in Singlenesse And Truth of Heart are but a false vaine show A splendid sinne corrupted by Mans heart below 6 Thou in whose Lips was neuer found least guile Whose Heart hates lying and iniquitie Whose Hands did neuer God or Man beguile Whose Hand Heart Word and Thought is Veritie Whose blessed Spirit of Truth doth testifie Vnto our Spirits true way of Righteousnesse By which we come to liue eternally Direct my Muse Truths nature to expresse That Truth may guide my steps to endlesse Happinesse 7 My bounded Muse here dareth not define Of boundlesse Truth from all Eternitie Which as impossible's to mete by Line As Persons three which in the Trinitie Make but one Truth and perfect Vnitie But as one God consists of Persons three And each participates of Deitie So we one Truth communicated see To Persons three which but one in the God-head bee 8 Of Father 〈◊〉 and Spirit of Truth we reade But as one God so but one Truth alone Into which Truth the Spirit of Truth doth leade Who sent is from the Father and the Sonne The Word of Truth that gloriously did won With Spirit and Father from eternitie Flesh here tooke of our flesh bone of our bone To free vs from errours captiuitie And chalk't vs out a way to walke in Veritie 9 This is the Truth whereof I meane to write Which ought to be of our whole Life the square To leuell out our words thoughts acts aright And eke our Iudgements to Gods Word to square For of this Truth foure parts there onely are Of Iudgement Action Speech and of the Heart The want of one the rest doth all impaire Wrong iudgement words and actions doth diuert But a false heart doth iudgement action speech peruert 10 And that I right and plainely may proceede I will all foure thus singled out define And first the Truth of Iudgement I doe reade A power inlightning of Gods Spirit Diuine Which doth Mans vnderstanding part refine And settles in the Doctrine of his Word Behold when Truth doth in our iudgement shine All Heresie and Schismes by vs abhord This Truth of Iudgement sacred Knowledge doth afford 11 Truth of the Heart is a sweet singlenesse And sincere meaning whereby Man constraynes His Heart to approue it selfe in Holinesse To him that searcheth both the Heart and Raynes This in the inward Man the Truth contaynes And is to God most acceptable treasure This Truth from all Hypocrisie refraynes Here doth the Deuill soonest take his seasure For loe the Heart of man's deceitfull aboue measure 12 The Truth of Speech is when our hearts agree Vnto the matter and vnto our mind For if it from our Heart doe disagree Or from the thing whereto it is design'd The first to be plaine lying is defin'd The second falshood at the best we name One doth abuse the Conscience and the Mind The other brings the Authour vnto shame Both falsifie the Truth and are alike to blame 13 The Truth of Actions honest dealing plaine Faithfull in all without dissimulation With God and Man whether we lose or gaine When we doe not deceiue by simulation And feigning things without determination Or else dissembling whereabouts we goe These are from Truth a wicked declination And when we God or Man deceauen so What we would vnto vs to others we
as he shame endur'd and crosse did beare So Souldiers of our valiant Generall We with vndanted resolution dare Oppose the World Flesh Sinne and Deuils all Whose Faith stands firme in Christ what dread can him apall 14 Though spirituall Enemies doe more abound In number Malice Strength and Policy Yet by these spirituall weapons we confound Them all triumphing on them valiantly This spirituall strength growes in vs inwardly As doth the new and inward Man reuiue Which stronger growes as our corruptions die And by the Fleshes weaknesse most doth thriue And when the Body's dead preserues our Soules aliue 15 Our Soule the subiect of true Fortitude Not giu'n by Nature but infus'd by Grace The spirit of Man it is that doth include This most heroike Vertue 'T is not place Wealth and preferment or a noble Race And Breeding that doth raise so high the Mind To count all fading Obiects vaine and base And wholly be to heau'nly things inclin'd Whereby our strength aboue all earthly things we find 16 True Fortitude is home eu'n from aboue And in Loues Court is of such high regard That none couragious are but they that loue And of their valour hope for Loues reward Loue conquers all oh What can be compar'd To mightie Acts of Loue whose iealous ire Consumes all that her Grace doe not regard Oh! what is stronger than Loues hot denre None e're without her did to noble acts aspire 17 Loue Fortitude her valiant Generall In all her spirituall Battels doth employ On whom these Graces wait and follow all To fight against our spirituall Enemy Long-Suffering Patience Magnanimitie Assured Faith Hope Constancy and Peace But most of all shee loues Humilitie For as great 〈◊〉 her glorie more increase So shee inclines to Meeknesse and true Lowlinesse 18 What is 't that I haue not receau'd saith shee All help 's from God Mans strength is weake and vaine If he be for vs Who can 'gainst vs bee Oh who can to true Fortitude attaine But he that from aboue doth it obtaine Boldnesse therefore and Intimiditie Which leaues Gods glorie seeking priuate gaine Is to true Fortitude an enemie As well as Cowardize and Effeminitie 19 For as all Cowards timorous and faine Discourage Friends and hearten Enemies So foolish rash vnexpert vnacquaint With spirituall Battailes and the policies Of cruell Satan and his complicees Doe desp'rately themselues and fellowes traine Vnarm'd where Satan in close ambush lâ—es Where some are stung some poyson'd and some slaine All as his captiâ—'d Slaues in bands hee doth retaine 20 Thus those that on their owne strength doe relie And haue within them selues vaine confidence Proud Boasters oft Goliah-like defie Their Enemies but take a fall at length God onely is our Rocke of firme defence Beastly presumption 't is for to depend On fleshes arme in things of consequence But deuillish madnesse 't is for to defend Our spirituall strength and as our owne it to commend 21 This spirituall Pride of all most dangerous As bodily in them doth harbour most Who are least valiant and couragious Thus Braggadochio himselfe doth boast To be fit Leader of a mightie Hoast And Merit-mongers out of foolish Pride Will merit more than their first Father lost And lay vp store for many Soules beside Who for their money may to heau'n haue entrance wide 22 No floods of teares are able to disgrace The resolution of braue Fortitude Which like pure Diamonds adorne her face And from her all hard-heartednesse seclude Oh may mine eyes like Fountaynes bee endude With floods in Warre my panting Soule to coole 'T is Satans policie first to exclude From quenching waters the besieged Soule Then burn the town with fire when he hath stopt the Poolâ— 23 When valiant Gideon went out to fight With Midian God made a Proclamation Who dreaded or did feare the Enemies might Returne should to their People and their Nation And shall we in this spirituall dimication Hope to withstand our ghostly Enemies Except our Hearts be strengthned 'gainst tentation To fight with Powers Principalities And by true Fortitude to treade downe iniuries 24 Wherefore the Sonne of Sirach doth compare The heart of Fooles to an high plast'red wall Which stormes of wind and winter cannot beare But shaking tottering at length doth fall Imaginations vaine his heart apall But a wise heart that is established By counsell to a strong and stately Hall With Beames and Ligaments so coupeled As it of Winds and Tempests neuer stands in dread 25 As Harts huge Hornes him profit not at all By reason of his faint and fearefull heart So Christian Armour yeelds defence as small If diffidence our Fortitude peruert And as none proudlier march than stately Hart In Summer faire of his prosperitie But if he heare a Dogge or see a Dart Doth faint for feare and flyeth cowardly So doth the Man whom God doth Fortitude denie 26 The heart of man's like Pilot in a ship Whose cunning in calme weather is vnseene But if Winds blow and Waues to Heau'n vp skip And all in danger great of drowning beene Then both his skill and courage may bee seene Then though the Sailes be rent and Ship be torne He faints not till the wished Port he win So though our Flesh here 's tortur'd and forlorne Yet by true Fortitude we to our Hau'n are borne 27 As Branches of the Palme the more opprest With burthens nearer Heau'n themselues doe raise So Fortitude in valiant Christians brest The more assaulted merits greater praise And as those Boughes are stronger found alwayes That are oppos'd to Boreas boystrous blast Than those on whom the South and West wind playes So that Mans mind doth stand most firme and fast Who hath through greatest torments and tentations past 28 Three wise men wrot King Women Wine are strong But aboue all Truth beares the Victorie Earth great Heau'n high Sunnes course is swift and long Yet Truth contaynes all in 's imensitie Earth Heau'n Sunne all obey Truth chearefully To Truth I perfect Fortitude compare Both one most perfect in the Deitie As Iustice Loue and other Vertues are God onely here to vs some sparkes of them doth share 29 Now onely of this Sparke is my discourse This Vertue Manlinesse the Grecians call For they that ran not valiantly their course The Heathen scarse accounted men at all By Latines Fortitudes originall Comes from a Body strong and valiant Mind They therefore count those most heroicall Who most in warre to valour are inclin'd Or whom most resolute 'gainst Fortunes stormes they find 30 With them a Man of warre was seldome found Able in Peace to conquer Iniurie The godly in examples doe abound Of suffering and doing valiantly Let captiu'd Lot declare how valourously From mightie Kings him Abram succoured Which shewes his strength and magnanimitie But his mind's valour when he suffered Cold Famine Banishment his owne Sonne slaughtered 31 Most Princely Iacob with God wresteled And therefore better might with men preuaile Yet