will dress you I have some hopes that God by it may bless you 1. WHen by Spectators I am told what Beauty doth adorn me Or in a Glass when I behold How sweetly God did from me Hath God such comliness display'd and on me made to dwell 'T is pitty such a pretty Maid as I should go to Hell 2. When all my Members I compare form'd by my Maker's hand In what sweet order strait and faire each part together stand How in the use of these might I in vertue 's Walks excell 'T is pitty when I come to die all these should go to Hell 3. Doth God my ornaments provide of soft and good aray The which this Age converts to pride I am as vain as they But when the thoughts of Pride entice such temprings I should quell By serious heeding this advice I must take heed of Hell 4. If Parents industry and care should by the Lord be blest That they large portions could prepare for me and all the rest Though many Suitors this invites my Fortunes might excell What would become of these delights if I should go to Hell 5. Should Wisdom Breeding parts conspire my spreading fame to raise Should Courtly Ladies me admire and my perfections praise Though for Endowments rare and high from all I bare the Bell What would these toys avail if I at lengâ—â—t be lodg'd in Hell 6. If to seek pleasures Pastimes Sports My fancy should be bent Which City Countrey Town or Court to please me can invent Though thus to satisfie my lust with greediness I fell By weeping-Cross return I must or else go quick to Hell 7. Doth Beauty such corruption Hide is comliness a bait Do costly Garments nouirsh pride hath Treasure such deceit Do Complements breed vanity doth pleasure Grace expel How little reason then have I for these to go to Hell 8. 'T is time I should without delayes my 〈◊〉 state bethink Th â—â—gh God's forbearance at my dayes of ignorance did wink Repentance he doth now expect and learning to do well For plainly he doth this detect this broad way leads to Hell 9. To chuse the new and living way the Gospel doth beseech me The heart of Jesus day by day is open'd to enrich me The tenders of New-Cov'nant Grace would sin and guilt expel The promis'd Spirit would me place safe from the lowest Hell 10. Would Christ my Spirit lead along these tenders to embrace I should have matter for a Song to praise his Glorious Grace How first of goodness I was seiz'd from what a state I fell To what a glory God hath rais'd a Fire-brand pluckt from Hell To my Cousin T. H. at School KInd Kinsman Complemâ—nts apart Yet love exprest with all my heart White I bethought what way was besâ— To gratifie a strong request And how to reach the proper â—nd That was â—ssign'd me by a Friend That I would write a seriâ—us line Your tender Spirit to inclâ—ne If possibly from wanton things Which carry with them poysnâ—d 〈◊〉 And kindly to attract your eye From vanity to things on high My thoughts to Meeter were inclin'd As thinking on a Schollars mind It might at first with fansie take And after deep impressions make Which Oh! If God would but inspire Convince of folly raise desire Discover Beauty kindle Love Fix your delight on things Above These weak endeavours then may stand As Christ's remembrances at hand To warn you folly to avoid Which hath such multitudes destroy'd And thence your nobler part incline To Meditations more Divine Which have a faculty to raise Immortal Souls to frames of praise By means of which when you obtain Your Spirit in a serious strain when vanity hath least respect And thoughts are fittest to reflect Then from your Treasure you may bring This brief Solilâ—quie and Sing COme Soul let you and I A few discourses have Shall we bethink how near the brink We border of the Grave Shall we surveigh our time How vainly it is spent How youthful dayes consume in wayes Which Age must needs repent The things which others please What profit do they merit What are the Toyes of wanton Boyes to an immortal Spirit How will our Reckoning pass Of pastim Pleasure play When every thought and Deed is brought Unto the Judgment Day Would not our time and strength Be better far imploy'd If every thought were this way wrought How Christ may be injoy'd Should not a young man's way Be ordered by the Word Should not his mind be still inclin'd To know and fear the Lord If we behold our Frame Our parts and powers compare Sure God intends some glorious ends To form a piece so rare A Letter sent to a Friend's Child Sweet Child I pray you think not long E're I have sent my Prâ—â—oâ—-Song To turn after a Godly sort Your tongue and thoughts from sinful sport Pray let it frequently be brought With holy fear upon your thought And when indeed your Soâ—l is bent On things that are most permanent When least to foolish mirâ—h inclin'd Then from the Treasure of your mind This serious Song you forth may bring â—ith Gospel Melody and Sing LOrd what a worm am I what could'st thou here espie That ever thou should'st humbly bow On me to cast an eye What kind of Love is this What reason can it have Shall God through Grace himself abase So vile a Wretch to save How strangely was I made How curiously adorn'd I was at first an heap of dust Which sin hath quite deform'd My Matter Earth and Clay Form'd by a power Divine Sure God would hide all cause of pride From every thought of mine My Childish thoughts would cease On vanity to stay Could I bethink I 'm on the brink Of danger day by day Tempâ—ations lead to sin Sin doth of good bereave me Cloathes Beauty Strengâ—h and Life at Length Are all at hand to leave me Why then should gay attâ—re Yield so much food to pride What glory 's in a beareous skin That so much filth doth hide Why should the fond delights Of parents puff me up Such boundless love doth often prove To both a bitter Cup. Why should the highest joyes Of Sin subject my reason The sinful Sports of Princes Courts Last only for a season Lord let my Soul be rais'd And all its powers incline On Eagles Wings to follow things That are indeed Divine Those depths that from the wise Thou pleasest to conceal Mysterious things obscur'd from Kings To me a Babe reveal That from an Infants Mouth A Suckliugs Lips inspir'd Thy glorious Name may purchase same And Christ be more admir'd Let me thy Beauty see Thy Countenance behold Thy Rayes of Grace fixt in my face More rich than Massy Gold Let Royal Robes of Praise And Righteousness adorn me Which may me bring before the King How ever Mortals scorn me Let Treasures of thy Grace A portion rich endow me In lasting Bags though here in Rags Men scarce a bit allow me If
A Looking-Glass FOR CHILDREN Being a Narrative of God's gracious Dealings with some Little Children Recollected by Henry Jessey in his life-time Together with sundry seasonable Lessons and Instructions to Youth calling them early to remember their Creator Written by Abr. Chear late of Plymouth The Third Edition Corrected and Amended To which is added many other Poems very sutable As also some Elegies on departed Friends made by the said Abraham Chear All now faithfully gathered together for the benefit of Young and Old by H. P. Psal 66. 16. Come and hear all ye that fear God and I will declare what he hath done for my Soul Deut. 31. 19. Now therefore write ye this Song for you and teach it the Children of Israel put it in their mouths that this Song may be a witness for me c. London Printed for Robert Boulter at the Turks-Head in Cornhil 1673. To the Reader THou hast here gentle Reader brought to thy view in the first part of this Book a Narrative of the gracious dealings of God with several Children and what they gained in an early looking Heaven-ward in which thou mayest see and behold the condescention of the Lord to such little Ones in opening their understanding and giving them a sight and sense of their undone estate by nature from whence they were made to seek and enquire after a Saviour and by Grace helped to apply and improve his gracious Calls and Invitations to a full satisfaction in and by Faith a cleaving to His undertakings as the alone way and means to Salvation to their great comfort here and firm hope of glory hereafter All which was wonderfully effected to the praise of the free Grace of God and admiration of Relations and Beholders and now presented to thee being first written by that faithful Servant of the Lord Mr. Henry Jessey who in his life time gave it me to transcribe in order for the then Printing But it being small I waited to have somewhat to adjoyn to it which Providence hath lately brought to my hand as that which is worthy of publication being the Fruit of some idle hours of that Servant of the Lord Mr. Abraham Chear whilst in bonds for the truth of Christ wherein he expresses his well-wishes to the Souls of divers poor Children towards whom he then stood nearly related and dearly affected as by the second Part hereof you may largely see and if helped of God to make improvement of it so as carefully to mind and heedfully to walk in the practice of what is seasonably advised in the said Discourse you will have great cause to bless the Lord for such endeavours now published for your profit and advantage The Motive provoking me thus to recollect this little Book is chiefly from consideration of my daily observation of Youths great need of all endeavours to prompt them to that which is good they being naturally addicted to be drawn away through their own inclinations and the powerful prevalency of Satan to sin and disobedience by which they wrong their precious Souls Prov. 8. 36. thereby incurring Gods displeasure to their daily hardning their hearts from his fear and following the sins and pleasures of this vain World until they are prepared as Vessels of wrath fitted for Destruction and Perdition which is the certain effect of Sin ruling and reigning without restraint in the hearts of the Children of Disobedience Col. 3. 6. Which evil and judgment may be timely prevented by hearkning to Gods Call Prov. 9. 6. seeking and serving him betimes Prov. 8. 17. believing his Word avoiding evil company Prov. 4. 15 16. slighting the allurements of present pleasure and the sinful delights of the flesh and by making good-men examples to walk after Prov. 2. 20. Heb. 6. 12. 2. Chron. 29. 2. and therein esteeming and highly prizing the excellency of the Lord Jesus in all his glorious undertakings for poor sinners Phil. 3. 8. cleaving to his Righteousness only for Justification and Salvation 1 Cor. 1. 30. Which Mercy is greatly desired may accompany the Reader of this little Piece whereby he may say it was worth perusing for that by it the Lord made him to consider his latter end and remember him in the dayes of his Youth so as to make his Calling and Election sure as did these pretty Children That being my aim and end in the publishing hereof I shall daily wait for its success and remain yours In true desires after your Eternal happiness H. P. Go little Book and speak for them that be Lanch'd with great safety to Eternity Engaging Others by what they did find Their everlasting Peace chiefly to mind Their names are blest and had in memory They served God and thence in peace did die All you that read be earnest to obtain True faith in Christ which will be lasting gain And if while young God do his Work begin Vpon your Soul take heeâ— beware of sin It will prove to your Crown another day To cleave to Righteousness whilst yet you may Preceed in fear in love with true delight Vnto the Lord to serve him with your might Observe the Lessons given by Abram Chear That they your Soul may unto Christ endear Such Songs are good if well improved be Sung by experience with Soul harmony The Truths therein inserted make your own By practice in true love to Christ alone Mind chiefly now your everlasting Rest That in compare with all things is the best Love God and fear him in sincerity So shall you praise him to Eternity London 12th Month 12 day 1672. H. P. Of hopeful young Children the great joy of their Parents remembring their Creator in the dayes of their Youth Being trained up in the Holy Scriptures from their Infancy First Of Mary Warren Born in May 1651 Aged Ten years in May 1661. WHen his Child was about five or six years old she had a new plain Tammy Coat and when she was made ready was to be carried with other Children into Morefields But having looked upon her Coat how fine she was she presently went to her Chair sate down her tears running down her eyes she wept seriously by her self Her Mother seeing it said to her How now Are you not well What is the matter that you weep The Child answered Yes I am well but I would I had not been made ready for I am afraid my fine Cloaths will cast me down to Hell Her Mother said It 's not our Cloaths but wicked Hearts that hurt us She answered Aye Mother fine Cloaths make our hearts proud The Scriptures being daily read in the House when one had read Luke 10. she laid to heart the end of the Chapter how Mary sate at Christs feet and heard him And Martha complained and Jesus said Martha Martha Thou art careful and cumbred about many things but one thing iâ— needful Mary hath chosen that good part that shall not be taken from her Hearing this the tears ran down and she wept sore Being
bitterly crying out thus My sins are greater than I can bear I doubt God will not forgive them telling her Father I am in unbelief and I cannot believe Yet she was drawn out to pray many times in those words of Psal 25. For thy names sake O Lord pardon my sin for it is great Thus she lay oft mourning for sin and said I had rather have Christ than health She would repeat many promises of Gods Mercy and Grace but said she could not believe When she had been complaining that she was not prepared her Father opening the Bible his eyes first fixed upon these words in Psal 10. 17. Lord thou wilt prepare the heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear and he bid her take notice of the Lords providence therein ordering the opening of the Book and his eyes to pitch on these words The next day when she was mourning for sin he opening it again his eyes fixed on those words in Maâ—th 5. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted He bid her observe that Providence of also But as yet her time was not come and she still mourned under her unbelief The next day being then the 24th of the 6th month 1661. he praying that morning with his godly Family as his usual way hath been for many years to pray with them and read the Scriptures or Catâ—chise them daily morning and evening Behold and see what gracious incouragement the Lord gave him in his Service as he was praying to this effect That we might not look for any thing in us to rest in or trust unto for our Justitfication to stand righteous before God but only in Jesus Christ alone who died for our sins at Jerusalem and rose again for our Justification Whilst he was praying to that effect the Lord raised her Soul up to believe as she told her Father when Prayer was ended Now I believe in Christ and I am not afraid of Death After this she said I had rather die than sin against God Since that time she hath continued quiet in mind as one that hath peace with God As for this young Child I have been comforted in seeing her and hearing her answer some Questions propounded to her five years ago Her Father saith that since she was five years old he remembred not that either a Lie or an Oath hath ever come out of her mouth neither would she have wronged any to the value of a Pin. Henry Jessey Here ends the first part Here follows now some of the Fruits of Mr. Abraham Chear's spare hours improvement whilst a Prisoner Made and directed to some he was nearly related to and dearly affected Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth 1. SWeet Children Wisdom you invites to hearken to her Voice She offers to you rare delights Most worthy of your choice Eternal blessings in his wayes You shall be sure to find Oh! therefore in your youthful dayes your great Creator mind 2. The joy that other pleasure brings with vanities abound â—ay when in straits they take them wings vexations they are found Your very Vitals thus decayes and torments leave behind Oh! therefore in your youthful days your Great Creator mind 3. They may affect depraved sense while they subject your Reason They say to conscience get you hence and fear it for a season But though a kind of sottish ease you hereby seem to find I beg you in your youthfull dayes your Great Creator mind 4. The dreadful danger heed I pray of such strange wayes at length When you have sin'd your time away and wasted all your strength Be sure in chains of darkness these your hands and seet will bind Oh! therefore in your youthful days your Great Creator mind 5. Observe how poor mortal men their precious seasons spend To satisfie those lusts but then must perish in the end This saving Counsel would you please upon your heart to bind Oh! in your early yourthful dayes your Great Creator mind 6. Upon a World vain toylsome foul a journey now you enter The welfare of your living Soul you dangerously adventure If as the isâ—ue of your wayes yoâ—ve happiness design'd Oh! in your early youthful dayes your Great Creator mind 7. Friends parents all who you affect observe your budding spring Your prosperous Summer they expect a fruitful Crop will bring A witness in this age to raise to Grace of every kind Oh! then in these your youthful dayes your Greatâ— Creator mind 8. Young Isaack's who lift up their eyes and meditate in Fields Young Jacob's who the Blessing prize this age but seldome yeelds Few Samuel's leaving their playes to Temple Work resign'd Few do as these in youthful dayes their Great Creator mind 9. How precious Obodiah's bâ— that feared God in youth How seldome Timothy's we see â—erst in the Word of Truth Few Babes and Sucklings publish praise th' Avengers Rage to bind Oh! then in these your youthful dayes your Great Creator mind 10. Few tender-hearted youths as was Josiah Judah's King Hoâ—annah in the high'st alas how seldom Children Sing Youth 's rarely ask for Zion's wayes they 'd rather pleasure find But oh in these your youthful dayes your Great Creator mind 11. What Children Pulse and Water chuse continually to eat Rather then Conscience should accuse for tasting Royal Meat Would you not bow a King to please though tortures were behind Oh! then in these your youthful dayes your Great Creator mind 12. Those worthy Mirrors of thier Age obtain'd a precious Name Their living Patern should engage your souls to do the same And though in this strait narrow way you few Companions find The rather in your youthful day your Great Creator mind 13. How worthy Christ is could you learn to claim your Flower and Prime And how well pleasing 't is discern to dedicate your time You pleasantly would make essayes to get your Souls enclin'd And gladly in your youthful dayes your Great Creator mind 14. This Garland wreath'd of youthful flowers to Jesus you would bring This Morn made up of Golden Hours you would present the King You 'd humbly bow without delayes Grace in his sight to find And gladly now and all your dayes your Great Creator mind More of Mr. Chear's Verses Written to a young Virgin Anno 1663. Sweet Child When I bethink what need there is of care For precious souls to save themselves from snare That Satan as a subtil Fouler layes To take and keep them captive all their dayes In youthfâ—l folly and in sensual rest To keep them off from being truly blest What strange devices he hath to expel Their thoughts of Judgment Death of Heaven or Hell And minding what engagâ—ments on me lie To you and others Christ to testifie This Song I thought you now and then might sing If God would follow it to mind to bring Your state by Nature and the Gospel Path To set you free from everlasting Wrath. If morn by morn you in this Glass
Comeliness I want Thy Beauty may I have I shall be fair beyond compare Though cripled to my Grave And if above it all To Christ I married be My living Springs Oh king of Kings Will still run fresh in thee Vpon a Bible sent as a Token to a young Virgin wherein the worth of the holy Scripture is minded WHile I was musing what was 〈◊〉 unto your hands to send That of your Souls eternal rest my care I might commend The Holy Scriptures I bethought oft tendring to your heart That your affections might be brought to choose the better part There you may read what guilt of sin into the World you brought And since what filthiness hath bin in Word in Deed in Thought How God's long-suffering sins have prest as sheaves do press a Cart And nothing else can make you blest but Mary's better part That God hath holy jealous eyes the Scriptures do unfold By which heart-secrets he espies yet cannot sin behold Through shades of Death and darkest night these piercing Beams do dart He looks on nothing with delight but on that better part With flaming fire you also read a Judgment day design'd Where every idle Thought and Deed Must righteous Sentence find There Kings stand naked Death hath harl'd their Robes and Crowns apart Then but too late they 'l give the World for Mary's better part Then to have Jesus Christ ones own will be admired Grace To stand with boldness at the Throne and see the Father's Face To sit on Thrones when Christ shall say Ye wicked ones depart But come ye blessed in my day ye chose the better Part. The tenders of his Grace so rich here Jesus doth display He scarlet-sinners doth beseech his Gospel to obey To let sins settered Captives free and heal the broken heart He begs them on his bended knee to chuse the better part Deep Myst'ries of eternal Love hid from the Saints of old To Babes and Sucklings from above these Scriptures do unfold Not in the words of frothy Wits or humane terms of art But such simplicity as fits the Spirit 's better part The glory of the Father's Face the burning Law declares The beauty of Christ's precious Grace the Gospel here prepares Both Grace and Glory here unite to heal sins deadly smart The spirit and the Bride invite to chuse this better part The blessed truths display'd herein all your dear pleasures make It s sharp rebukes of every sin as healing Balsom take For though convictions to the flesh so bitter seem and tart Yet is their issue to refresh and heal the better part Oh! then upon this Word of Truth place high and great esteem This point of Wisdom learn in youth your precious time redeem To know Christ's from a strangers Voice account the highest Art Your richest treasure is your choâ—ce of Mary's better part A Poetical Meditation wherein the Vsefulness Excellency and several perfections of the holy Scriptures are briefly hinted perform'd by J. C. but turn'd into more familiar verse for the use of Children by Abr. Chear AMong thy glorious gifts Lord thou thy Word hast given Precious and pure sweet holy sure To guide me hence to heaven Here I abound with straits Wants and necessities There I have store heapt running o're With plenteous rich supplies Temptations here abound With terrors dangers fears These petty Hels thy Word expels And all my passage clears When Satan fiercely shoots His fiery darts at me Then Lord they Word is shield and Sword Me saves and makes them flee The present world commends Its Objects fresh and fair But yet thy Word doth that afford Which proves more precious Ware When fleshly lusts intice To their alluring pleasure To rare delights thy Word invites More choice in weight and measure The Errors of the Times Their cheating Wares display But Scripture sayes shun Errors wayes My Rule shall guide your way When by the Tempter's Wiles I tempted am to sin By thy Words Art hid in my heart Both field and Prize I win Nay though I foiled be And sin defile my Soul Thy Word can cleanse these noisome Dens And sins best strength controul An unbelieving heart Do I till now inherit Lord thy Word hath Pow'r to work Faith By thy most Holy Spirit If this be my Disease An hard and stony heart Thy Word thus deals first kills then heals And cures me by this smart Will not my frozen heart With Gospel Grace comply Thy Royal Law this heart can thaw And cause a weeping eye Doth lofty towring thoughts Puff up my tempted Breast Thy word brings low the proudest Foe Less makes me than the least Do muttering thoughts arise Grudge murmur or repine Thy Rod and Word teach patience Lord And still these thoughts of mine Am I tongue-ty'd in Prayer And know not what to say Thy Word inspires praying desires Tell 's how and what to Pray When like a lost sheep I In darkness err and stray Thy word 's a Light most clear and bright And guides me in my way A simple fool I be And destitute of eyes Thy word 's a Rule Master and School To make its Schollars wise I see my self undone Distressed naked poor Thy Words infold a Mine of Gold Rich pearls and precious store By sinful nature I And God are still at odds Thy Word my Soul converteth whole From Satan's Will to Gods Do troubles from without And floods of inward grief My Soul torment thy Word is lent With Joy and Soul relief Or is my Soul perplext With reasonings doubts and fears Thy Word of Grace resolves the case My cloudy Judgment clears Or do despairing thoughts My tempted Soul o'rtake Thy word doth give me hopes to live For Christ my Saviour's sake When floods and multitudes Of troubled thoughts me press I call to mind thy word and find Its joyes my Soul refresh Though in this vale of tears I thirst faint hunger Pine Thy word me feeds in these my ne Its Bread and Milk and Wine Or am I weakned out And cannot walk alone Thy word then is strength to my knees And staff to lean upon And though in scorn and pain Forsook and poor I be Thy word alone hath all in one Health Wealth Friends all to me Thus though my pained Soul Be sick and wounded sore With grievous sin which doth begin To fester more and more Thy word directs me where My healing may be had And doth me guide to Christ's pierc'd side For Balme of Gilead Nay though no life at all Nor quickning there remain Thy word is good and liveing Food Which fetcheth life again And if I would desire A Life that lasts for ever The Scripture shows whence water flows To drink and perish never Blest be the Lord my God Who evermore provides And filleth full my empty Soul With Food that still abides My Soul O bless the Lord Who bounteously hath given Strength light guide way lest thou shouldst stray In this thy way to Heaven This Holy Book of God
These Sentences these Lines Each Word and Letter to me are better Than Pearls and Golden Mines 'T is Heaven it self transcrib'd And Glory lively pen'd God's truth no doubt was copied out When he this Gift did send It 's Truth brought forth to light God did hereby intend Man's word should fall Heaven Earth and all But this should never end Dear Soul admiring stand At that blest hand and Quill That did produce for sinners use Th' eternal Sovereign Will Astonished admire The Author too and when Thou canst not raise sufficient praise With wondring say Amen To my Cousin John H. SWeet John I send you here A Song by heart to learn Not it to say as Parrots may But wisely to discern Oh! lay it deep to heart And mind it well I pray God grant you Grace to grow apace In virtue day by day As yet a Child you be And childish Toyes do please you But you 'l complain they all are vain When ever Grace shall seize you Nay When Convictions come In Gospel-Power and Truth You 'l surely cry Ah wretch am I Thus to have spent my youth Childhood and Youth were spent In things not to be nam'd Alas whaâ— praise was in those dayes Whereof I 'm now asham'd Dear John then lay to heart This needful timely hint Before the day of which you 'l say What pleasure have I in 't Begin to mind the Lord Who form'd you out of dust And did you raise to shew his praise Him love and fear you must In things that are of earth Spend not your youthful strength Its joyes and cares are all but snares To mischief you at length Where Christ in glory sits Place there your prime delight Let things above have all your love Your time care mind and might John Christ's fore-runner mind From whom you have your name Though from his birth liv'd mean on earth A shining Light became He chose a Desart life Fed hard was coorse attir'd He left the sport of Herod's Court Though he was there admir'd Sin he reprov'd in all And kept true witness clear He never sought himself in ought That Christ might more appear Another John you find The lov'd Disciple nam'd Who lean'd for rest on Jesus Breast With Gospel-love inflam'd To every Truth of Christ A witness bold he bear Though an Exile in Patmos-Isle Choice Visions he had there A Pattern if they be To you in word and deed Jehovah's eye will make supply To whatsoe're you need To my Cousin Sam. B. DEar Cousin Sam my pretty Lam this Song to you I send Whatever play aside you lay learn this from end to end With God begin take heed of sin know Jesus out of hand Betimes you must flee youthful lust Its first assaults withstand Spend not your dayes in wanton playes Though naughty boyes intice They first begin with little sin but end in deadly vice If naughty Boyes allure with Toyes to sin or lies to tell Then tell them plain you tempt in vain such wayes go down to Hell God's holy Eye our faults do spy and will to Judgment call us We must fear God more than the Rod or ought that can befall us How oft have I been like to die yea Death is alwayes near Chuse whom you will to follow still I Christ must love and fear Fathers best Boy and Mothers joy I then shall surely be And that that 's best of all the rest God will provide for me To my Cousin W. L. DEar Child although my Father's Will in Prison me hath bound Through uprightness and patience still my comforts here are found The presence of a gracious God doth this a Pallace make It makes the bitter of the Rod be sweet for Jesus sake But Oh! when guilt brings any here in Fetters to be bound Because of God they had no fear but were in evil found To such it is a dreadful place here guilt to judgment binds them Where if they don't repent apace Death Wrath and Vengeance finds them Of you dear Child with carefulness my heart hath many a thought Least you through youthful wantonness to greater sins be brought And so by adding sin to sin you wast your time and strength And when your judgment doth begin in vain you mourn at length I charge you then in any sort your great Creator mind Spend not your youthful dayes in sport that cannot be regain'd Avoid those rude and wicked Boyes that make a mock of sin Love not their playes and sinful Toyes to fear the Lord begin Keep close to School read Scriptures oft in private learn to pray Your Gospel-grounds keep still in thought Your Parents both obey Your Brethren love and teach them good a Christian learn to be Then God will give you clothes and food and you 'l be dear to me To my Kinsman A. L. MY pretty Child remember well you must your wayes amend For wicked Children go to Hell that way their courses tend But heark to me if you to be the Child of God desire The broad and open road must flee which multitudes admire Sâ—rive every day to mend you way learn Christ while you are young Take constant heed to every deed heart feet hands and tongue You may be quickly sick and die and put into the Grave From whence to judgment you must fly and righteous Sentence have Learn then to fear while you live here with Christ your time imploy Labour to live and die as one that leaves the World with joy My strength in cries I shall imploy that God will bless your youth I can have nothing like this joy My Children walk in truth To my youngest Kinsman R. L. MY little Cousin if you 'l be your Uncles dearest Boy You must take heed of every deed that would your Soul destroy You must not curse nor fight nor steal nor spend your time in games Nor make a lie what e're you aile nor call ungodly names With wicked Children do not play for such to Hell will go The Devils Children sin all day but you must not do so Begin I pray to learn that way that doth to Heaven tend O learn a little day by day which leadeth to that end For God and good men love such Boyes and will them good things give Father and Mother will rejoyce and I in comfort live Another to a Child insisting on Psal 119. 9. SInce I am naturally bent to take delight in Songs A Friend from Prison one hath sent that to my Soul belongs Which when I sing he doth intreat I would not mind my play But frequently with weight repeat How may I cleanse my way It is the use of such as I to Dance and Play and sing Or else to lie and rail and cry for will in every thing Why should our wantonness be crost or pleasures night and day We fear no danger to be loft what need we cleanse our way Should we our jovial play-mates shun when we return from Schools Should we not fight and
stratagems bewrayes the wiles Wherewith the Fowler silly Larks beguiles He warns of dangers needful counsel drops Forestalls surprisal hints coelestials props Both heaven and earth his lot must needs commend Who hath such a seal'd though concealed Friend Friend do not cease thy outcry to prefer Slack not thy witness from thy mount of Mirrh Although the Rock of ages thee immure Where Bread's ascertain'd and where water's sure Though out of dread and gunshot thou abide Thy Talent in a napkin do not hide From Mount-Communion Gospel-depths disclose If not in Meeter yet in Nervous Prose For If to birds incag'd thy strains be rare Theâ—'l more be priz'd by birds in th' open air Direct thy musick to the shady Wood Where for a covert and to pick their food The sometime numerous flock dispersed lie Expos'd to sinkings and design'd to die Let pitty move you yea let grace incline Your yearning Bowels by a power divine Sing heaps of Wheat Birds of the Golden-feather Will fly like clouds then flock like Doves together Ne'r fear the Vulturs that are now abroad Your Covert-work and wages are of God I le not detain you but conclude and end Your no-way tired though retired Friend A Coppy of Verses Composed and sent me from London by a Child of 12 years o Age. OH what is man that God should mindful be Of such a Brute of such a Beast as he Admire the goodness of the Lord of lords That he such mercy unto man affords Man that 's but durt or clay or some such thing Oh! then admire the goodness of our King When first the Lord created man then he Did give him grace to live eternally Then he did fill him with his holy Spirit And gave him power eternal joy to merit Thus man by his own power and strength doth stand The subtil Serpent comes with a strong hand To try mans power and to shake his faith Thus to the woman he begins and saith Come silly woman hath God said that ye Are not to eat of the forbidden Tree The woman answering to the Serpent said We are to eat of all that God hath made But from the tree that in the midst doth stand We are commanded to refrain our hand The subtil Serpent gat the day at last And made poor Eve and Adam be laid fast In mire and dirt and filth of sinful sin Which made poor Adam Gods great curse to win For when the woman saw the tree was good And that 't would make one wise also for food She takes the fruit of the forbidden tree And gave some to her husband and when he Had taken of the fruit he condescended To eat likewise so to the Serpent bended Now God perceiving man had quite lost all This great perfection had before his fall And that there was no way for him to stand He thinks how he might put an helping hand Though feeble man 's thus fallen and quite lost God calls his Son and therein spares no cost Who sure is able all their sins to bear Yea though their sins were twice as many more Come my dear Son come wilt thou undertake To bear those Sinners sins do for my sake Come my dear Son redeem lost man for me I have no way to save him but by thee If thou wilt be a surety for mankind I 'le covenant with thee dear Son and bind My self to give thee strength and glorious power For to go through the torments of that hour In which thou Justice art to Satisfie I say againe to thee I will stand by Our Lord and Saviour willing for man's sake To dye for him he did his office â—ake And so well did perform his charge that he Poor man from chaines of darkness did set free By offering up himself a Sacrifice He paid the debt that did for sin arise Go that the highest heavens doth now ascend To God the Father and from thence doth send His holy Spirit to lead in the way And guide us lest we erre and go astray Aâ—l praise be given unto the Lord of lords 〈…〉 his Grace much help to us affords And 〈◊〉 us all our dayes express the same 〈◊〉 honour of his great and glorious Name An Answer being desired This fragment being but a part of what was intended â—â—nd Friend When first I purpos'd freely to rehearse The courteous welcome of your rare ripe verse With what delight your promptness we descry With what thanks-givings we God's teachings eye How wit 's dâ—xterity ascends its place 〈◊〉 how it prostrates to enthroned grace On this design there need not be imprâ—'st Our rural requisites to do their best Our empty Genius would attempt the wing Our home-spun dialect its store would bring Wit if its wit assistance would afford And wanton mirth turn-out its frothy hoord But all their work were fitter for the plough Than wreath a Garland for your hopeful brow For look as hazy morning-mists give way When glistering Phoebus doth his beams display Or as with gentlest touch the fearful snail Contracts his cornets and slow silvering tail So slunk and shrunk for shame such vain essayes By sound rebukes from your grave gracious layes Since then no concord can be but a clash 'Twixt the best substance and this filthy trash No streams nor frames can square with the design But aid and arguments throughout divine What great necessity upon us lies For that anointing to prefer our cryes That 's promis'd and prepared to direct Through paths of Myst'ries secrets to detect Things hid from ages from the voice to hide Of fleshly glory to abase the pride While Babes and sucklings weak base empty things Into the knowledge of these depths he brings Oh then what purity should such direct As lively leadings in such paths expect What chast conceptions yea what frames refin'd Should still accommodate the waiting mind And then how thankful should they trembling stand Who need such leadings from this Holy Hand Joy watch with Jealousie most safely keeps Their feet who walk through such misterious deeps Sweet Soul for you is prayd in early dayes What Israel's singer upon high did raise Their mirth and musick who bare conquering palms Prompted to sing the Lamb's and Moses Psalms Which none but Zions Virgins can acquire Tun'd to the sacred Evangeliâ—k lyre May your dear Soul the power and vertue find Of that great Compact which your song doth mind How neer how pure the blood of sprinkling makes What glorious priviledge the Saint partakes What helps to holiness it brings to hand On what firm Basis all his comforts stand What grounds for constant triumph it affords What sweet ingagements still to be the Lords What blessed prospects through these clouds it gives To Zions joy that its redeemer lives And that he hasts to pluck from Satan's jaws And give reviving to his blessed cause A Friend his Offer towards the preserving The remembrance of that faithful servant of Christ John e Edwards junior who died in the Prison of
Exon. the 27th year of his age John e Edwards Anagram Inward He do's or He Do's Inward WHen Satan shuts up Saints in ward his might Is bent to quench at least obscure their light To quel their spirits to distract their mind That they no heart no hand for work should find But here 's a Conquerer in spight of foes His fathers business though in Ward He Does He Does much inward work he writes Prays Preâ—ches The saints and sinners through his grate he reaches Nay still he speaks It don't that work obstruct Though from his prison he to reign be pluckt This voids that argument we must comply Or if in bonds must cease our Ministry John e Edwards Anagram He 'd draw Sion He 'd Sion ward From Hell's black region yea through Sinai's shade New covenant conduct plain his passage made From threatned strokes which wisely he foresaw And from sins hastening them He 'd Sion draw He 'd draw souls Sion ward with dexterous art Inform their Judgments then attract their heart His worth and Sions lyes not much obscur'd Well though he liv'd contemn'd and dy'd immur'd When Jesus comes he 'l in his Lot remain He slept to wake he died to live again Johannes Edwardus Anagram Heav'nd Sion-wards THis serious Sionist his race pursues whilst young men languish still his strength renews Through Bacahs vale he plyes from strength to strength To appear in Sion is his scope at length With Princely staves He slighting carnal tools Digs pits on earth Heaven daily fils his pools In this his progress through the Kings-high-way He meets with heaven heaven meets him day by day Till of a suddain midst his travelling night An Heavenly Chariot caught him out of sight Ah wretched I how Earth my course retards Lord let me be as he Heav'n'd Sion-wards Upon the Grave-stone of Anastis Mayow and her Child laid in the same Grave in Dartmouth Anastis Mayow Anagram Aim at Sions way Till Jesus comes this bed the dust contains Of a sweet Sionist discharg'd from pains Whose aim at Sions way was took aright That path she travel'd with increasing might That race she finish'd in her youthfulday Though dead she speaketh Aim at Sions way On her young Child dying shortly after SPectators Heed death's quick pursuit But now the Tree and now the fruit Yet his attempts are all but vain For Tree and Fruit shall spring again On Mr. Fowler of Lime and his Wife William Fowler Anagram Worm will fail WHat 's man at best a worm Can worms avail About eternal things A worm will fail Mortals be warn'd by me reclaim your trust From man a worm reducible to dust Martha Fowler Anagram The formal War TWixt flesh and spirit once in me the formal war was raised Now grace hath got the victory the Blessed God be praised The triumphs of the Crowning day with Jesus are not far Let nothing Saints your faith dismay nor dread the formal War In memory of that servant of Christ Ed. Cock of Plym Who rested from his labours the 23d of the 5th Month 1666. Edward Cock Anagram A dewed Rock IF Rizoah's offer from her Princely mind Such Royal favour did with David find When she with tears and tenderness had spread A sable sackcloth to conceal the dead Nay clad with this attire the mournful Rock Where hung the Off-spring of Saul's Royal stock From Birds and Beasts them day and night to keep Till from above the cloudes on them did weep Nay till their bones the Kings command did gather And lay in state and honor with their father Till Harvest's end till three years famine cease Till God was pacifi'd the Land at Peace Why may not I at least allowed be This Paper Canopie to spread on thee Dear Heaven-born Royally descended Cock Not to obscure thee nor thy dewed Rock Thou art secured in a better way From teeth or claws of birds or beasts of prey From strife of tongues and from the foot of pride Thy Fathers Royal secret tent doth hide As for the Rock whereon thou end'st thy dayes It s none of Gilboa's the Dew bewrayes Thy roots were watered though to stones they clung And all night long dew on thy branches hung Thy sleece with drops was filled from on high When round about the parched ground was dry Yet still as Jacobs â—ountain dropt on thee At second hand they â—ound should dewed be From thence thy first and latter rain did drop Which fill'd thy ears and so inrich'd thy crop Thy ear-ripe harvest God's command did shew Thou shouldst be blessed with mount Zions dew On â—his high Rock where thou wert made to ride Honey and butter flow'd on every side This strong munition did thy peace secure Thy bread was given thee and thy water sure Thy sepulcher thou in this Rock didst hew Yet still remain'st as dew of herbs thy dew Thy flesh abides in hope though 't dwell in dust With Christ's dead Body rise and sing it must It 's but a little while untill the King Shall make the dwellers of this Rock to sing A friendly attempt to call to remembrance the precious Saviour of that gracious Soul Mrs. Margaret Trenick late wife of Mr. Thomas Trenick of Plymouth who departed this life the 30th day of the second â—lmth vul January Anno 1665 being the 27th year of her age Psal 12. 1. Margaret Trenick Anagram Art creating meeker My slumbring Muse hath me invited A song with sighs in hand to take But with such work not much delighted She shrunk and slunk escapes to make Great indisposedness appears In mind and Members to this thing Yea â—hrongs of doubtings clouds and fears Discouraging excuses bring But under great ingagements I 'le go seek her For thy sweet sake who art creating meeker But Oh How treat of Christ can I Or of his Grace-begetting write Creating is a Theam too high Unless th' Anointing all indite Besides it is a sight so â—are To see Creating-grace display The Everlasting Arm made Bare Who will believe in it one day Becomes me best to own my self a seeker Can this thing be Thou art creating meeker But when I fix my serious thought Upon the task I 'm undertaking A lively instance forth is brought Of a meek soul yet meeker making A Lamb-like temper at the first In nature beautifi'd her morn But 't was not Adam form'd of dust Whose meekness could her Soul adorn Till Christ in meekness comes himself to seek her And speaks with power Thou are creating meeker This new-Creation progress found From strength to strengh by meekning grace By oppositions gaining ground Till she had finished her race Through soul distresses doubts delays Which others meekness oft times tire She meekly walkt to Christs high Praise Her meekness by these steps got higher Nay when grim death to ruine all did seek her This truth was seal'd Th' art yet creating meeker Margaret Trenick Anagram Greater Mercie tak'n While earth's foundations cannot stand while powers of heaven are shaken