shrinke though knowing this Thy wonderous power great mercies most infinite thy mercy is Yf mad'st the Rocke a water spring thy thirsty people to refresh Frō mine hard hearted foes can'st wring some comfort for my withered flesh Yf thou raind'st Manna from aboue meate by a Rauen thy saints to feede Thousands of men did feede with loue when their was little shew of bread Yf to thy people thou sendest Quailes in desert where all foode was scant And since thy goodnes neuer failes should I suppose that I should want ¶ The fift part of the ninth Lamentation COnfirme my faith for euermore that I most constantly belieue Thou can'st and wilt encrease my store and all good things thou wilt me giue All power belongeth vnto thee who can imagine or will say Thou can'st not in my neede helpe me or that thy loue is tane away Sith thou hast don such mighty things so freely for men in distresse Should not I fly with swiftest wings to thee in time of heauines But lo O Lord all things are thine the heauens are thine the earth also The Cattle Fowles the shrubs vine all things in heauen and earth belowe All things aboue all things beneath is thine who truely then can say Thou can'st not giue or them bequeath to whom thou wilt who can say nay Thou makest the corn to spring grow waterst th' earth with thy sweet showers Thou causest beasts with thankes to low with dewes thou water'st fragrāt flowers Since then thou art the Lord of all sith thou cōmaund'st do'st forbid The rich poore mak'st proud men fall that down can'st throvv raise at need Sith that thou tryest vvilt revvard sith thou dost vvhat shall please thy will And in what manner vvilt regard vvhom thou vvilt can'st saue or spill No liuing man commandeth thee not all the vvorld can thee controle O Lord I still vvill pray to thee for health of body and of soule Let it be thus O father deare for Christ his sake thy dearest sonne That dyed and rose my soule to cleare in all things Lord thy wil be done All glory to the Trinity to Father Sonne and holy Ghost Combind in holy vnity of power in might and glory most FINIS ⧠To God the Father WEll-spring of deity God God-head giuer who giu'st away yet kepest what was giuē A fountaine vndiminisht by thy riuer Riuer and fountaine both in fullnes euer Father by euerlasting generation Without precedence in paternity Whether it be of substance or relation For all things are togither in eternity Disclose the depth take frō my muse obscurity Thine hidden depth which makes my verse an oracle So shall I both attaine vnto thy purity And all that read my lines conceiue this miracle How God in getting of another yet Another not an other God did gett FINIS To God the Sonne GReat sonne of God but borne the sonne of man One subiect of a double substance fram'd wherein nor man-hood lost nor god-head wan But of thē both at once one Christ was nam'd Before all times begot in time created The Lord of Lords a seruant from retaining And yet no former forme thereby abated In seruāts forme the forme of God remaining Great sonn of God thē whō there is no greater No not the father in his great diuinitie As God creator and as aman a creature For more and lesse agree not in infinity Teach me to know how man by God assumed Ys both and yet not man by God consumed To God the holy Ghost O Spirit Diuine the cōmon knot whereby The father the sonne do loue together For sonne and father vniuersally Are loue though loue be proper vnto neither Thou that frō both Proceedest from none Vnequally but with the like authority As from one principall though from that one Principally yet without priority One all the first from two the last of three Sweete breath that ioyest euery pensiue heart Breathed from God O God breath into me Skill aboue skill and teach me how thou art The last of three and yet of three so cast As in them all is neither first nor last FINIS ¶ Diuers consolations that the life and time of affliction is short THe comfort that doth make vs bold is our afflictions transitory Cause wee of Christ do take sure hold the troubles short endlesse the glory Eye hath not seene eare hath not hard the ioyes that God for his elect In heauen already hath prepar'd though many troubles to effect Light are our troubles temporarie because Christ and his spirit diuine This waight and burthen helpe to carry and doth in yoake with vs conioyne We looke not on things seene vaine but on things vnseene cast our eie The blessed saints for Christ were slaine Christ answered when they did cry How long how long Lord wilt thou stay a little time though God doth lowre Stay till his wrath be past away t' is but a minute of an howre Christ calles the time of troubles little but Paule doth say the glori's great And in respect t' is but a tittle if 't be compar'd to heauens seate A while saith God I thee forsooke that is short time in misery But thee t'ernall mercy tooke that is to heauen's felicity I 'le feare no danger paine nor losse t' is but the twinckling of an eye I see the crowne I 'le beare the crosse for I shall liue eternally Good gratious God me patience send and then do send what send thou wilt Graunt me those ioyes that ne'r shall end for to that end Christ's bloud was spilt FINIS ⧠Of Death WHat 's death a seperation of mortall body frō our breath What 's that but a Cessation from cares and from a liuing death What 's that Cessation it t' is a sleepe by which we wholie are refreshed Yea but in sleepe who shall vs keepe he that blest all and is most blessed But who made death t'vvas made by sinne what is sin the lawes transgression Of that how should I vauntage win all sinne is weakned by confession But by death's dynt t' is ouercome and whence came sin frō hell beneath Whē wa'st first bred in mothers wombe when will it end not till our death This seemeth strange but this is true by nature sinne is hatcht in vs Old Adams rules till God renue why then I see the case stands thus As sinne goes in soe life goes out as sinne goes out so life comes in So by the Lord t' is brought about sinne conquers life Life conquers sinne Though life by sinne be still anoyde sinne of death by strength sting Yet Viprous sinne by death's destroy'd life killeth death whē death kill'th sin The death of body or of nature is that where to all subiect be Cause sinne hath tainted euery creature according vnto Gods decree When bodies life doth fade away and we giue vp our dying ghost And this our Corps is clad in clay and vnto God
dispaire To thee O Lord I doe commit my selfe I neuer will repine For thou know'st best what is most fit in life and death let me be thine FINIS ¶ Precepts of duties HIgh mightie God of righteousnes in wrath a dread consuming fire Thou did'st in perfect happines make man that dard gain'st thee conspire And breake thy lawes with all dispight whē thou had'st made him pure holy Plac'd him in garden of delight so great and wicked was his folly That hauing leaue to take or leaue to chuse refuse or vse at pleasure He did himselfe by sinne deceaue of that Diuine surpassing treasure And by his mutabilitie regardles of thy sacred sawes He brought in instabillitie lost his free will made breach of lawes Thou God of iustice must doe right man wanting grace with want of grace By grace substraction did'st requite bannishe him that blessed place By meanes of which we are inclin'd from thy behests to runne astray Our tōgue our heart our soule our mind by sinne is carried cleane away Thine honor first is sted fast faith in Christ and in thine holy booke And in thy truth that thy spirit saith which in mine hart for faith doth looke The next obedience to thy will as thou cōmanded'st by thy sweet word From Syna and from Sions hill to teach vs do thine hests O Lord. Vs for thy children hast elected and vs adopted to inherit Thy blisse if thy blisse be respected and seal'd vs with thine holy spirit Thou mad'st vs free by thy sons bloud to th' end thou mayest be glorifi'd In soules and bodies for our good his passion hath vs purified thou freed'st vs to that end we mought serue thee in holy righteousnes Thou gau'st thy sonne and he vs bought from thraldome of our sinfullnes Thou would'st he should for al men die to make him liue in thine elect And they in him to fructifie and with his graces hast them deckt By grace and holy inspiration rebellious nature seek'st to tame With precepts for instruction leau'st vs lawes in thine owne name The readie way of seruing thee and profit to our neighboures bring And louing thee most zealously who art our father Lord and King Though by thy Gospell we be free from lawes of sinne and Punishment Yet rules of life and pietie thou hast prescrib'd and to vs lent Thereby to mannage all our deeds and guide vs least we stepp awry And rightly vse our natures seedes both well to liue and well to die These lawes did'st write in tables two with the pure finger of thine hand Deliuered them Moyses vnto that we thy will might vnderstand The first cóntaineth precepts foure of duties due vnto thy fear◠The second six commandements more of loue we should to neighbours beare The summe and substance of them all and that fulfilleth euery part Is thee to loue on thee to call with all our soule might minde heart To other men especially thine houshold that are firme in faith As to our selues to giue supply with all our helpe as scripture saith But we are weake our case thus stands in this fraile mortall life of ours No man can keepe these thy commaunds but breakes them at all times houres Yet thou thy children oft dost will them selues to comfort hopeingly Ther 's left for them some measure still t' approach to thee acceptablie Namely when they bend their whole strength dayly preuented by thy spirit And stand in hope t' attaine at length what now they want by Christ his merit Walking and dayly going on by stepps thereof to Paradice Praysing and lauding thee alone sighes yet for their infirmities The faithfull know all and beleeue with thee our father mercie is For with thy sonne do'st all thinges giue how can we then of mercy misse Therefore my God now giue to me all that thou giu'st to thine elect Of thine eternall clemencie let not thy spirit my soule reiect Illuminate my knowledge darke Possesse my heart the Lord to loue What 's don amisse Lord doe not marke but let thy spirit my spirit still moue That I most constantly may walke the steps path's of thy iust lawes And of thy goodnes dayly talke with feare and loue and all applause To whom I wholie owe my selfe for thou hast Lord created me And bought me not with worldly pelfe but by thy sonne hast made me free Whence I doe also learne to loue all men in thee and for thy sake Who beare thy image from aboue and my vocation surer make O let me thus thy fauour finde and peace of consience vnderstand Thy blessings and thy mercies kinde to God the work 's of mine ill hand That fil'd with daies I leaue my life rest to inioy with all contents And liue eternally from strife and keepe thy ten Commaundements Finis ¶ An invocation to God humbly praying for remission of sinne WEll spring of bountie God of feare beginning that mak'st all begin With what oblation to appeare appease thy wrath that 's due for sinne I know not blood of Bulles and beast or sweetest incense that doth rise From earth of old they were the least and are not now of any prise O how should I be reconcil'd againe vnto thy louing fauour How long Lord shall I be exil'd from my sweete Lord only Sauiour How long O haue I cal'd to thee to thee in name of thy deere Sonne Yet what I ask'd thou gau'st not mee and what I would is left vndonne I long haue knocked at thy doore of mercy but none entrance finde Sorrowes and troubles more and more increase and vex my soule and minde I dayly waite most wofull mortall before thy seate of clement grace But may not peepe within thy portall nor see thy glorious beautious face I sigh and mourne my teares are seas I sincke vnder the burdnous loade Of sinne and shame and find none ease prouoke me forward with thy word Of castigation I desire to quench thy wrath with flouds of teares Yet still increase thy fearefull fire and so increase my frostie feares By prayers thee to presse who dares except by thy sonnes mediation To seeke thy glory 's all our cares and th' end of earthly mens creation what course should I poor wretch thē take to doe or aske that 's good iust But vnto thee my prayers make and onely in thy sonne put trust Yf that my sinnes shall thee offend then all thy creatures rage storme And all conspire by thy commaund to beate on me poore sillie worme Where shall I be or whether flie from sight of thine all seeing ey ne As Noahs doue on earth am I and cannot looke against thy shine But if thou show thy louing face all creatures on my seruice tend Men beasts and Angels doe me grace to helpe me all their powers doe bend What should I
holy land And faine would haue since thus thransported hether All sorts and sects associate me thether But all alas woe worth doe me disdaine one my Palmers weed with scorn complaine Vp-brayding me that I sometime of yore Triumphant vertues vestures viuely wore which thogh those lines a prisners pace do walk Which whilom did in Courtly measure stalke To open view now they expose their faults Though like a weakling that on crowches haults The fading flower of those youthfull times Now rest of power bewailes her ruthful crimes And ruminating on a sea of sinne Bewraies without what her betrayes within Then with my Poems plaine wreck't dispence Deuour'd in zeale is oft distrac't in sence Let not the rashnes of demolish't Time Explode my harshnes and vnpolisht rime Nor shun me now though I like lowly Ioh This leprous Corps of sin with raggs enrobe But sit by me read me and turne me o're And with thine vngments gently salue my sore within this Port wee 'le Anchour safe frō rockes Frō swelling billowes rageing gusts shockes Til Thetis Halcion Neptunes storke doth haile Then shall our Gallion spread a loftier saile And frō outragious stormes tempests stand For safe arriuall in the holy land ¶ Idillion in eximii Millitis Leightonis laudem THese dulcid layes which heere thy Muse doth sing sound most melodious to the heauenly King Thy zealous Emulation heere aspires To Parallel thy selfe in Angels quires If such ambition from thy Muse can glide Be more ambitious t' is a heauenly pride Still with this Emulation thee inuest For t' is a habit that becomes thee best And as thy selfe thy selfe dost most controule Seeming afflicted with a wounded soule Know for thy comfort thus Iehouah cries Offer to me a liuing sacrifice Thē these Oblations are more pleasing notes Then flesh of Bulls many thousand goates To him that saith in his Diuine behest Giue me thy heart then shalt thou please me best Better then he who all at once exhausts Chiliads of Hecatombs and Holocausts Nor weigh's he Psalmes composures prickt by art Till first the Psalmists soule be prickt in heart Thē yeeld thy simphonies which best accord With Dauids harmonies that pleas'd the Lord As when the women sung this sweet Idillion Saule slew his 1000. Dauid slew his million Hould on thy course and be assur'd at last Heauens will raise thee some Encomiast That like Apollo's Pean shall disperse The sacred diapason of thy verse In spight of Zeallesse Zoylus all abroad And make proud Momus chaunt his palinode Ed. Cooke ¶ In laudem authoris presentes operis sui Antonii dyat Arm. All euill deedes in darkenes doe delight the perfect good surmoūts the Sun shine bright The cardinall vertues yeald to thē their right Doe vertues lead that are Diuine in sight The former frame to honesty of life The latter are to soules saluation rife The former hath our author lately showne In Goulden verse and matter choycly apt The Latter leading vnto heauenly throwne Will be applauded as the onely that Doth ioyes angelicall and eternall blisse By sweete repenting bring from darke abisse Names do the Nature of the man declare Leighton our authors name from true light floweth To blisse the way to show he doth not spare His name eternal therefore each man knoweth God graunt the soyle where these good seedes do fall may bring forth fruit to rid the soule from thrall ¶ Vnto the troubles and sorrowes of the worthy Knight Sir William Leighton CHrists yoake is sweet see how it workes the Heart with steam's of sigh's with throw's of suppcation Say Well-i am whē griefes Leight-on my part soul's are sublim'd in fire of tribulation No meruaile Marble weepes on gloomy day Since griefe yeeldes Hunny dewes griefe to allay Io. Layfeilde To the Right Worshipfull Sir William Leighton Knight his endeared friend and kinsman concerning his diuine Lamentations EVē as some curious Image wrought in gold is a rich obiect stately to behold And we not only doe the wealth desire But doe asmuch the workmanship admire Yet if it turn'd be to a vse prophane What men did loue as soone they loath the same For all the cost and curious Art bestow'd Is counted base if worship to 't be show'd So stately posey oft is put in vse To sing laciueously her owne abuse And being rich and curious often times Is wrongd with base foule vnchristian rimes Then Poets all this heauenly verse come view Which bringes sweet Art and ripe conceipts to And doth thereby your Poetrie refine And teach it how for to become deuine you A second Dauid here soules health doth sing And thereby honor doth to Poets bring Here is no forged tale of loue or lust To sot the simple and deceiue the most No ticeing baud or foule abusing scoule No Art of loue but Phisicke for thy soule He that the Cardnall vertues late did bring For to vse conference with our mightie King Now likewise bringes a liuely verse to winne Faith vnto all that all may hate their sinne The flintie eye this worthy Knight doth moue To shed salt teares fore-wronging him aboue And as himselfe so is his verse likewise Most Deuine Noble Ciuill good and wise Then let no blasting tongue abuse the tree That beareth fruite to saue thy soule thee Ar. Hopton MVsicke is then Diuine and not but then when words notes in aptnes do concord Composed so by zealous cunning men as words notes both praise the heauenly Lord Such Musique is Diuine none but such be conceit cunning ne'reso much And such is worthy Leightons true intention whose heauēbred Muse Musiqu do conspire Both to Demonstrate his Diuine inuention and to Illustrate his most iust desire Oh let not then his patterne be neglected who hath Gods praise by Notes to him directed Luke Iones I Inlaudem Authoris THis is the second time thou hast appear'd in publick print wel willing worthy knight First thy Tryumphant vertue highly rear'd thy fame aboue our Moderne Poets flight For why those lines in serious wise I write do with such generall learning richly shine As if some blessed or Caelesticall spright possessed had that heart and soule of thine But in this second worke much more Diuiue thy Lamentations woefully cōposed thou dost thy thoughts in such low verse combine as wondrous skill thou hast in thē disclosed That mē may see thou canst write high or low in both so well as none thy worth can show Iohn Lepton THE TEARES OR LAMENTAtions of a Sorrowfull Soule A prayer vnto Almightie God to preuent prepare and dispose our hearts rightly vnto prayer Lord teach me how to pray Luke 11. 1. Verse O Louing God and Father deere I humbly thee beseech pray For Iesus sake my prayers heare and harken what my soule shall say My heart thoughts Lord sanctifie thine holy spirit inspire within mee Mee from corruptions mundifie and let thy louing mercies win me Oh let me
may also bee couered in Christ his righteousnes and then complaining that his prayers are not heard commendeth himselfe to God whose good pleasure he still attendeth in steadfast faith hope OVr fathers Lord were comforted steength'ned relieued blest Onely by grace and iustified as righteous men in Iesus Christ. Impute not sinne vnto my charge not for my merrit and desert Thou Lord art loue in loue inlardge all those that bee of contrite heart Thou Lord full of compassion and in thy mercies infinite Beare with my imperfection and let me in thy lawes delight Couer my sinnes as right'ous take me and right'ous shall I euer bee That right'ous am not right'ous make me in Christ O Lord cosider mee O Lord what can it profit thee mee to forsake or leaue in thrall As though thou did'st disualew mee my dayly cries and offerings all My troubles yet continue still I seeke thee and am yet denied Of earthly blessings do thy will thy name be alwaies glorified Wretch that I am what end shall be I still complaine I sigh and cry I cry and call yet heerest not me I still will seeke thee till I die Thou mai'st be found be as thou wilt Into thy hands I me commend Thou full of mercy I of guilt in faith and hope do still attend Finis ¶ The second Lamentation containeth Godly and deuout prayers for constancie in afflictions and to beare malicious slaunders patiently ⧠The first part of the second lamentation ¶ The repentant sheweth that his miseries and troubles increase dayly and therefore his aduersarie that iudge with a carnall cie say that God hath for saken him but he replieth to them that God alwaies chastiseth them whom he loueth and doth but correct his children as a louing father doth for the amendment and bettering of their life O Lord how doe my woes encrease how many are my miseries My troubles rise and neuer cease men iudge thou wilt not heare my cries They say thou wilt me quite forsake that ther 's no helpe for me in thee But Lord they are but such that make their sensure with a carnall eye And do not spiritually discerne thy secret purpose and intents Correcting thē whō thou would'st learne to know thy law cōmaundements Chastizing them whom thou do'st loue and scourging them oft with thy rod that thou their harts minds maist moue to feare and serue thee mightie God The wicked outward meanes preferre worldly helps at neede they muster And not to God themselues referre nor comfort take from heauenly lustre Who workes by meanes his sacred will and without meanes brings to effect And against meanes can saue or kill for those him serue his true elect Therefore let not their mallice moue nor yet their taunts dismay my mind I will hould fast by God aboue whose promise iust true I find I striue thy statutes Lord to keepe what thou cōmaund'st I will performe Direct me right to thee I creepe O Lord doe thou my life reforme Defend me Lord from their dispight that watch to catch me in their snare And to intrap me day and night with nettes and ginnes er'e I be ware And scoffe me basely with reproach with shamefull scandalls and disgrace With thy protection Lord approach and let thy mercy me imbrace Let not me come within the reach of their inuentions and deuice whose facts are foule they faire in speach and by base flattery me entice Nor such as lie in waite for me obtaine their wish who doe desire Fit time and oportunitie to worke the euill as they conspire FINIS ⧠The second part of the second lamentation ¶ The repentant prayeth that God would direct him in the right path that so he may grow from grace to grace and from vertue to vertue he also confesseth that his sinnes deserue very sharpe punishments and yet desireth that the Lord would spare him in his mercy O Let me treade in the right path walke frō faith to faith in loue Obserue thy lawes and shun thy wrath and forward to all vertue moue And let my conscience witnes beare of my saith and integritie Let all men see the christall cleare and pure heart of conformitie Though I good father cannot liue free from all sinne and all offence And some take cause though I none giue yet keepe thou cleare my conscience Shall I deserue still as I doe mens iust reprouffes though in discretiō And that against my meaning too and suffer carnall mens oppression That breake forth into bitternes against me that am weake and lame And vomit out their filthines that thou hast don they count my shame And take it as an argument that I am in deiection And thinke it is thy full intent to keepe me from protection Indeed O Lord I must confesse my sinnes deserue sharpe punishment Worthy of more and not of lesse then all the plagues on me hast sent I more should tast then I can beare or able them for to endure Thy mercies yet they doe me spare and make me cleane that am impure But in my weakenes of mine hauiour I this haue done which caus'd me fall And therefore trust in Christ my sauiour his pretious bloud hath paid for all Depending on thy mighty power to saue keepe and deliuer me Least miseries doe me deuour and enemies my sorrowes see And take occasion to pursue pretending to my soule no good Inuettred hatred they renue to eate my flesh drinke my bloud ¶ The third part of the second lamentation ¶ The poore suppliant complaineth that God doth refuse to assist and helpe him and hideth his face from him to his seemming Neuertheles he continueth importunate and will not be denied as pleading the merits and mediation of Christ in whom God the father is well pleased O Lord consider my great moanes preuēt the dangers cōming nigh me My heart is rent with grieues groanes I fly to thee O Lord stand by mee Why standest thou a loofe a lasse seem'st not my troubles to regard Why turnst thou Lord away thy face mine heart doth hope for some reward Why hidest thou thy selfe me fro when troubles are so much abounding As though thou lord did'st me not know thy darts are always mine hart wounding There is no helpe for me in thee they say thou nothing do'st respect me I ne'rethelesse will come to thee in Christ his name wilt not reiect me The rather therefore me relieue that righteous men may well perceiue Thou ready art thine ayde to giue and their desires wilt not deceiue And not to faint when they are tride with like affections any waies But shall with patient minde abide thy will and giue thy name the praise The dullest hearts thou dost prepare to call on thee and thou againe Do'st heare their cries them do'st spare and easest them
striue to speake these words vtter helpe me opprest hide not thy face Though father that did me begett my mother that frō wombe me bare And all my frindes forsake me yet thou Lord of me tak'st charge care O Lord thou wilt me not forsake for so ha'st promis'd in thy word In all distresse noe feare I 'le take but fourthwith fly to thee O Lord. Thou giu'st not like our earthly Sires nor wants suppli'st like carnall friends That would but cannot our desires performe in deedes as heart pretends Hopeles I should downe faint fall did I not in thee surely trust That holdeth noe respect at all but vnto those whom Christ makes iust And thou accept'st not vaine glorie as worldings do nor thinges eternall Thou look'st not to thinges transitory but to the thinges that are internall A lowly and obedient heart a troubled spirit thou do'st elect Of poore opprest thou tak'st the part proud men downe thou do'st deiect frame thou therefore my inward zeale that outward busines me deceiue not Of comforts which thou dost reueale to thine and me of ioyes bereaue not When at thy mercy gate I knocke do not as rich men vse the poore That gain'st them fast the gates do locke but quickly Lord set ope the dore Let not my miseries depriue my spirits of ioy or soules comfort Let noe vaine thinges ill men deuise drawe me to be of their consort make strong my faith hope lord giue me and I 'le take hould of thy protection Be my defence and panoplie and guide me safe to thy election Thou hast O Lord my troubles seene Hast knowne my soule in bitternes Thou hast mine helpe succour beene O helpe me now in my distresse In mercies thou hast mightily sau'd me from perills infinite My life consumes mine heart doth die my yeares do waste my daie is night the day telles day the night the morrow the base reproach of my disaster Yea friendes foes add griefe to sorrow each base mate doth me or'e-maister I am now at the point to pine O let it be thy blessed pleasure To ease my griefe for I am thine my paines asswage lord in some measure For thou my paines ha'st measured and all that 's good for those that feare Lord thou in store hast treasured to me Lord let the same appeare In sight of those that are my foes that thinke there is noe period Of all my tortures paine and woes graunt this for Christ his sake O God ⧠The fift Lamentation in distresse ¶ Wherein the distressed prayeth God to keepe him from dispaire howsoeuer men goe about to make him afraide IN thee O Lord I put my trust and yet there are which dayly say There is no helpe for me vniust but Lord thy word cannot decay Thou art my God how can they then proue that thou wilt none helpe me send I am brought lowe in sight of men there 's none will helpe or comfort lend My basket and my store is spent they say it was by thee accurst Thou did'st it take that had'st it sent but they take all thinges at the worst At me they gape at me they wonder as at a monster seldome seene On all their works and words I ponder What I now am what haue I beene I faint at nought thou know'st my smart th' art my Father do'st me foster what words or workes can daunt my hart I am in thee become a boaster Thiese men thy might power disable or else thy loue to man diminish Or else they thinke thou art vnstable or do'st begin and wilt not finish Or that the poore wilt not support nor helpe thee needy in distresse But as thou know'st what they report so make them feele their wickednes But I do know thou failest neuer them that in thee their trust repose If they be constant and perseuer all things are for the best to those Thou art in deed a iealous God and first thy children thou dost monish Thou bear'st with loue beat'st with rod if they mend not wilt further pūnish Yet cal'st thy chosen children backe by gentle stroakes from running riot And sufferst them to suffer lacke and do'st prescribe to them their diet We may condignely then deride the iudgments of such foolish men That vnto thee Lord wilt prescribe the measure what the time when Such fleshly men by wealth woe censure thy loue or thy displeasure As natures friend or graces foe by humaine reason all things measure They thinke thou lou'st whom thou feed'st fatt with plentie pleasures worldly riches And that all others thou do'st hate thiese world flesh deuils bewiches And great is this temptation vnlesse our natures thou assist Infeebled with affliction whose helpe doth rest in Iesus Christ When thou therefore do'st me correct with one hand hould me with the other Let faith in thee make thee accept me for thy sonne by Christ my brother Lay not vpon me greater loade then I poore wretch can well indure If I do sincke stay my aboad and if I fall then keepe me sure thou know'st lord whereof I am made I am a silly simple man A worme a flea a puffe a shade that no good doe nor no good can Try by the crosse true to the crowne that we may proue by wants losses But to dispaire pull me not downe but vnto comforts turne my crosses I am not able beare thy yoake least Christ thy son doth with me draw I am not able fend thy stroake lesse he O Lord doth beare the blow Lord with thy mercies compasse me protection draw out of dispaire O let me thy saluation see and all things fit obtaine by pray'r Thou showest mercy to thee meeke that trust in thee in all mens sight Thy children shall finde that they seeke thou shalt to sunshine turne their night a place whēce worldlings are excluded and all that hellish rable rout though here on earth they haue intruded to roote Gods faithfull children out And such as haue with hate pursu'de and trusted in the arme of flesh And would their hands in blood imbru'd shall say in iudgement they were rash god 's on my sid who cā or'ethrow me Christ pleades my cause cā god refuse me As iust in Christ the Lord doth know me he doth acquite who can accuse me Wee thought that this mans life was madnes then shall the wicked worldlings say But see his words are turn'd to gladnes whom we haue deem'd a cast away his hād hath wrought that he would haue yea I my selfe shall say I er'd That thought poore wretch would'st not me saue because my ioyes were then defer'd I thought my cries thou would'st not heare when I thee sought thy selfe did'st hide When I complaind thou cam'st not neare I would no time and place thee tide But now I knowledge and confesse thy wisdome great in humbling me Thy loue sustain'd me in distresse thy prouidence
relieuing me This past all iudgement and conceit of learned'st grauest wisest men Therefore deare father I will waite take thine own time how where whē I will not with thy will indent nor thee direct the manner how Thou should'st me helpe t' is mine intent vnto thy will to bend and bow Heareafter I will hould my peace though men shall say yet still of me though their tongues will neuer cease there is no helpe for me from thee ⧠The sixt Lamentation in distresse ¶ Wherein the distressed detesteth the world and worldly things and desireth heauen and heauenly thinges MY soule doth long shall depend for euer on God euerliuing God shall begin and make an end that hath giu'n all yet euer giuing I sigh and groane for to appeare before his gratious mercy seate As thirst'h the heart for water cleare so long I for thy mercy great I am quite tyred with my groanes I faint vnder mine heauy loade Of miseries breaking all my bones laid on me iustly by my God O God the rocke of my whole strength Lord of mercy behould mine anguish O graunt me helpe and ease at length I faint I fall I sigh I languish Why do I daily weepe and mourne and haue no comfort helpe nor ease Why do'st not heare but from me turne why doe my woes and foes increase Sith I do seeke thee vnfainedly defend me oh defend me in This dangerous time of misery laid iustly on me for my sinne Preserue me from men mercilesse hard harted bloody minded cruell Blesse me with thnie hid blessednes giue me thy fauour my soules iewell The man of earth laies load on load as on an Anuill stroake on stroake Within without at home abroade mine head to heele bowes with the yoake They nip they strip they watch they catch they craue raue by hooke crooke Flesh bloud bones they teare cratch on that they neither thinke nor looke They wake they rake they poll pill they face they brag they boast dissemble Each stone they turne to haue their will make mine hart to quake tremble I am reproach to neighbours all I am ashamde men should mee see They scorne laugh to see my fall but this mine hope doth comfort me That thou from them wilt set me free and thee triumphant shall behould In shining throane of Maiestie where 's neither hunger thirst nor cold No want nor sinne nor ignomie nor sickenes death nor deadly paine But fullnes mirth ioy victory with thee in glory I shall raigne And if it bee thy will O Lord now after all this sturdy storme To my most troubled soule affoord thy peace and pittie me poore worme Free me frō death that 's Mors Gehenis ' giue peace ioy rest that 's transitory I take it as an earnest penny of perfect blisse and endlesse glory And I 'le heere praise the men among that they may see marke and consider T' is thou canst only right our wrong and from all troubles vs deliuer Thou can'stand wilt vs saue keepe though much wee suffer in this life Thou art our Shepheard we thy sheepe saue me from hate enuy and strife So shall I also giue thee praise my mouth continually thee laude My soule and inward parts alwaies thy wondrous workes shall still applaud I will be glad and ioy in thee reioyce yea and againe reioyce Abiect though I yet comfort me I 'le praise thee with mind heart voice Awake therefore in time awake preserue mee that I perrish not I am if thou do'st me forsake but as a dead man cleane forgot And censured a cast away among such as see me depriu'd Of present helpe for thiese men say my soule can neuer be reuiu'd One sorrow doth encrease another all hope on earth turnes to distrust Of ayde frō neighbour friend or brother hide not thy face my God most iust Forget not mine extremities Lord free me from infernall hells Of torments and of miseries which comes frō thee from none els my soule is beaten to pitts brim my hart doth faint my hands grow weak My knees do faile mine eies grow dim my tongue is dumbe cannot speake And each part of my body vext I dayly moane my miseries Looke on me Lord I am perplext O ease my griefe heare my cries Though thou by Iustice made the woūd and by correction grieu'd mine heart If thou wilt cure salue soone is found with spirituall comfort ease my smart Do not with hould such thinges are good which for thy children are ordain'd Turne thou thy face with Christ's bloud clense all the spots my sins hath stain'd Rise vp O Lord rise vp I say with thee doth loue bounty raigne I am throwne downe I thee obay therefore rise vp raise me againe Although my sins like swords do cut me from thy fauour and thy grace Let righteousnes of Christ be put to hide my sinnes before thy face Vnite me vnto thee againe in such sort Lord make me so fast That I with thee may still remaine and ioy in ioyes that aine shall last FINIS ¶ The seauenth Lamentation in distresse ¶ Wherein the distressed sheweth his desire to hould more fast the promises of God O Lord thou art my hope strength thou help'st in trouble do not hide Thy selfe for euer but at length for men distrest doe thou prouide For I by thee will hould most fast I 'le trust in thee while I doe liue And till those stormes be ouer past I 'le neither feare nor faint nor grieue Tremble thou earth rage Sea land winde tempest stormes and all about I see thee Lord holde out thy hand for my defence I 'le neuer doubt What though hills quake staggering stumble and fall into the mid'st of seas Though waters roare rage tumble thou canst this chaunge all appease Should I thē faint at troubles small which like small darts thou throw'st at me In loue but not to kill at all but make leaue my vanity Forsake my follies euery deale reclayming errors to the truth This thou did'st hurt thou can'st heale thou hast preseru'd me frō mine youth I must confesse I merited the death of death with paines of hell And to be disinherited of heauens high where iust doe dwell But Lord do mittigate thine anger and turne thy heauy wrath to loue Deliuer me from all this danger let thy compassion mercy moue And with trew cōforts Christall fountaine my drie and thirstie soule refresh And poure on me from holy mountaine sweete dewes to glad my soule flesh Thy darts in me sticke fast O Lord O pull them out cast them away and cure my wounds to helpe make hast bind vp my sores soules sorrowes stay Clense the corrupt affections of my defiled wicked heart Prosper and blesse mine actions lighten my knowledge grose darke O wash me from impietie exhilarate my sicke