c. and great praise by St Stephen his Protomartyr and by St. John that same beloved Disciple as fore-shewed but you see his praise is made perfect by the mouthes of these Babes and Innocents who here came to the Haven without knowing tempests injoying the comforts of an other life Giron in Fest before they knew the miseries of this Qui prius in capitibus Coronaâ— Quam capillos accepistis as one wittily Blessed babes that have your heads Crowned with happinesse e're covered with Hairs Herods crueltie was turned by God into a felicitie translating you from your earthly Mothers armes in a valley of tears to your heavenly Fathers bosom in his Kingdome of Glory It hath been a custome and yet is else where to whip up the Children on this morning that the story might stick the closer but this is to act it over again in kind by a moderate proportion * Lewis 11. Of France was so seri us a remembrancer of this Martyrdome that he would not be interâ—upted in it by any affaires of state how important soever Phil. de Com. while all then seem to condemne the literall crueltie of Herod I wish they may not imitate him in the Figure snatching them from the armes of their mother Church and from her breasts of holy Baptisme and so as much as in them lyeth killing them spiritually not regarding Christs words Mat. 19.14 Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me Mat 19.14 for of such is the Kingdome of heaven or his Apostles 1 Cor. 14. instead then of injuring them 1 Cor. 14.20 become like unto them for humilitie for innocence for obedience for dependance who so humbleth himself as a little childe the same shall be great in the Kingdom of heaven POEM IX A Double Prophesie's this day fulfill'd In these young Innocents by Herod kill'd Here 's Ramah's cry and Davids song of praise Which from these Babes and Sucklings God did raise Whose early vertues Men for shame improve Their humble innocence and Docil love That how so'ere our Fathers us dispose We be submissive patient meeke as those And then though crop'd like these flowers e're their Prime Blisse shall but sooner Crown us beyond Time These infants by that Tyrants raging mood Were baptiz'd unto Christ in their own bloud And though unable yet to speake his Name Dy'd the first fruits of Martyrs for the same Multipli'd Persecution that destroyes Thousands of Parents lives wrap'd in the Boyes Yet the impartiall wretch spares not his own Better his Swine then Son a proverb grown The Fox worrys the Lambs and t is the sinne With which the world will end as t'did begin The COLLECT PRAYER The Epistle Rev. 14. v. 1. to the end The Gospel Mat. 2. ver 13. to 19. Almighty God whose praise this day the young innocents thy witnesses have confessed and shewed forth not in speaking but in dying mortifie and kill all vices in us that in our conversation our life may express thy faith which with our tongues we doe confesse through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Circumcision Luc 2. 21. And when eyght dayes were accomplished for the circumcising of the childe his name was called Iesus which was soe named of the Angell before hee was conceiued in the wombe The Plate here Vpon the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ DISQUISITION 7. A Lmighty God both before and after the fall of man before under and after the Law still manifested his wil by two things especially viz. an understanding Mind and a perceiving Sense as in Paradise at first Adam had his word and that witnessed by a double sign the Tree of life and that of knowledge Gen. 2. Gen. 2. After his lapse he had a promise c. 3.15 Gen. 3. and thereunto sacrifices added as outward signes so after the Flood a promise of no more Deluge and the Rain-bow a signe c. 9.13 Gen. 9. Arcus sine sagittâ a Bow without an Arrow or if with any shot against himself in his Sonne for it stands bent alwaies towards heaven the promise of deliverance from Egypt is sealed with the Pasohal Lamb Exod. 12. and that to Abraham Exod. 12. of multiplying and magnifying his seed signalized by instituting this Circumcision Gen. 17. Lastly Gen. 17. Joh. 13.16 God giving his Sonne and by him everlasting life to believers confirms all with two Sacraments as seals of his grace viz. Baptisme and the Lords Supper Thus the Father of mercies hath in all ages provided for mans weakness Psal 3.149 that He might tast and see how gracious the Lord is Psal 34. and therefore those that pretend to be so spiritual as not to endure significant Ceremonies and outward Rites in the Church runne a violent course quite contrarie to the goodnesse of God Apud Martyr in Rom. 4. and the meeknesse of his holy Spirit who doth instruct the conceiving Mind by the perceiving Sense and by visible words as Augustine calls the Sacraments one of which was this of Circumcision to the Jewes and that may well appeare in a red Letter as being their bloudy Sacrament who therefore when they Circumcised a childe called him Sponsum sanguinis applying those words of Zippora unto him Exo. 4. Thou art a bloody Husband Exod. 4.25 because that day they hold the child is married to the Covenant There was in this of the old as in the Sacraments of the New Testament two constitutive parts signum signaculum both the signe The two parts of a Sacrament and the seal of a sacred Covenant not onely bare badges as the defective Anabaptists nor immediate justifiers ex opere operato Hook l. 5. s 60. as some others in the excess sta non tribuunt quod per ista tribuitur They doe not confer what is conferred by them This Circumcision here was a triple signe 1. Memorative of the promise to Abraham touching his seed his inheritance and the Messiah to come of him 2. Distinctive of the Jews from all other people and of the Sex Males only undergoing it Females yet being within the Covenant Reductive as sprung from Circumcised Fathers and married to such husbands 3. Prefigurative of Baptisme and the spiritual Circumcision of the heart Againe as Circumcision was thus a various signe so was it a Seale also a double one on Gods part as the Paten of Kings for confirmation on Abrahams part Ardens in locum as his obedience and faiths Attestation Some note a threefold Circumcision viz. Carnall under the Law Spirituall under Grace Celestiall in the Kingdom of Glory The first is Nascentium good in its due time of children the eight day Gen. 17. Gen. 17. The second Renascentium at all times better of such as are born again and that of the heart in the spirit Rom. 2.29 Rom. 2.29 effected by the sword of the spirit sharper then all the flinty knives of circumcision 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Josh 5.2 Heb. 4.12 The word of God sharper then any two-edged sword that circumciseth not onely the fore-skin but all the Faculties of the soule the parts and senses of the body the eyes Job 31.1 Psal 119.37 Job 31. turneth away those least they behold vanity Psal 119. The eares and lippes that they heare or speak no guile Ephe. 4. Circumcising the hands against all Theft and idlenesse Ephe. 4.25 28 c. 5.4 Ephe. 4.28 the Head from imagining mischiefe and the feet from blood-shed Psal 14.6 19.13 Psal 14. Circumcising the intellect from curiositie and errour Act. 26.25 the Will from all presumptuous wickednesse Coloss 3.2 3. Psal 19. the affections from inordination Coloss 3. even the very thoughts and imaginations Isai 1.16 in a word Circumcising the whole man cutting off all superfluous cares of the world and lusts of the flesh even to that happy Metamorphosis of the old into the new man Ephe. 4.22 Eph. 4. whence flowes the third kind of Circumcision by consequence Resurgentium in the world to come when all superfluity of sinne deformity and corruption shall bee cut off utterly so that we may appear before the Throne of God without any spot in our soule Apoc. 14.5 1 Cor. 15.53 or corruption in our body Apoc. 14. 1 Cor. 15. But in this Circumcision of Christ which was carnall onely as needing none of the other Three circumstances are remarkeable the Quando Vbi Quare the Time the Part the Reason the time was the eighth day Gen. 17. Gen. 17. and Christ then undergoes it Luke 2.21 Luke 2.21 comming not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it you see in every circumstance Some say then as because that tender age could more easily bear the griefs but this is both too dubious and too generall others say the eighth day Chrys Mar. in Rom. 4. because that was the time of our Lords Resurrection so Lombard in Rom. 4. seven dayes figuratively signifying the time of this present world and the eighth day the resurrection wherein mortality shall be cut off with immortality 1 Cor. 15.53 For the Vbi Circumcision was placed in the generative part Aug. in Johan tract 30. 1. Because the Propagation of originall sinne is thence traduced Per actum generationis 2. As a signe of the promise Martyr in Rom. 4. Aquin. part 3. Quest 7. Art 3. both to Parent and Posterity Gen. 17.7 3d. ad diminutionem carnalis concupiscentiae Lastly why Christ undergoes this Circumcision Luke 2.21 ut supra more particular reasons to shew he was the seed of Abraham Heb Heb. 2.16 2.16 to demonstrate he had true flesh against Manicheus not his body Coessential with the Deity as Apollinaris or fetched from heaven Epiph. Haeres 30. as Valentinus but as Rom. 1.2 Circumcised he was ut figuram ipsa veritas finiret that he who was the truth and substance might at once fulfill and take away the typg of Circumcision and all this out of obedience for us Isai 9.6 Isai 9. nobis puernatus vobis saith the Angel expounding the prophesie Luke 2.11 unto you men I for us born for us circumcised Gal. 4.4 Gal. 4.4 made of a woman and under the Law hereby giving publike testimony that he would fulfill the whole Law as the circumcised is bound Gal. 5.2 and that he would do all the rest for us to make up our unwilling Faylures so we give but all diligence 1 Pet. 1.5.10 1 Pet. 1. This circumcision was the prologue of his Passion and first rise of Ezechiels waters c. 47. flowing above the knees till after it came to Davids Deluge Psal 99. all the way sponsus sanguinum Psal 99.1 to keep us from or at least to sanctifis our bloody sufferings as is intimated hence Mat. 1.21 by his consolatory and saving Name of Jesus now imposed Mat. 1.21 for which all hearts and knees are obliged unto signall gratitude Phil. 2.8 9. Phil. 2. whose mercifull indulgence extends here to our bodies as well as souls tenderly changing this sharp into an easie Sacrament and instead of those knives of flint and stone prefiguring this Corner stone commanded Iosh 5. saying now but as Elisha Josh 5.2 2 King 5. to each leaprous soule wash and be cleane and therefore if the neglect of That so punished Gen. 17.14 Gen. 17.14 how much more the contempt of this more easie Seale of the new Covenant whereof such Children are altogether as capable as of that old being indeed still but one John 3.3 and the same renewed Sacrament POEM X. SPotless Obedience this day underwent The sharpe paines of that bloudy Sacrament And what could They pare off from His pure skin Who but Theirs that so cut him knew no Sin Onely to Teach us Gods Law to fulfil Spar'd not thus first and last his blood to spill Yet know t is not the Pruning any part Makes a new Creature but that of the Heart Since t is a day of Presents then le ts give Our Heart to God that it with him may live Or if he please to send it back againe It may come mollify'd and cleans'd from staine Lord exchange New-years-gifts for broken heart Vouchsafe a sound for old new spirits impart The COLLECT PRAYER The Epistle Rom. 4. from v. 8. to 15. The Gospel Luke 2. from 15. to 22. Almighty God which madest thy blessed Son to be circumcised and obedient to the Law for man grant us the true circumcision of the spirit that our hearts and all our members being mortified from all worldly and carnall lusts may in all things obey thy blessed will through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. The Offering of the three Kings Mat 2. 10. When they saw the starre they reioyced etc. 11. And when they were come into the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother and fell downe and worshiped him and when they had opened there treasures they presented unto him gifts Gold and Frankincense and Mirrhe 12. And being warned of God in a dreame that they should not returne to Herode they departed into there owne countrey another way The Plate here Vpon the Feast of Epiphany or appearing of the star DISQUISITION 8. SEasonably doth the Church celebrate the honour of Christ's Epiphany next unto his Circumcision that his glory might be manifested in the Flesh as well as his humility Aug. S. 30. de Temp. And the very Name speaks the Antiquity of this Festival and its early rise in the Greek Church and 't is fairly Englished by the day of apparition or manifestation of Christ from above that igrance might no more call it the Tiffany as in the Legend or as one that bidding it holy day said he knew not whether 't were a He or a She Saint It reflecteth on three manifestations of our Saviour and therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The
knowledge of salvation to them that sit in darknesse and the shadow of death and too of good example to shine before men that they seeing our good works Why in fire may glorifie c. So that this holy Fire commendeth each of the Apostles to the world as Christ did Saint John Baptist both for a Burning and a shining Lamp and indeed He that hath knowledge or charity without zeale is but too like the Glow-worm hee hath some cold splendour without heat or efficacy whereas who so hath zeal without the rest as now a days too many such blind metled Horses They are so far like Hell fire that they burn and give no light but in whose brest soever they are united such are baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire Again Fire is a bright Hieroglyphick of Grace I those Septem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the seven chiefe Donatives of the Holy Spirit are not frigidly demonstrated by Fire grace 1 as first Purgat Fire you know purifieth the Gold from drosse so doth the Spirit by the gift of Love purge out the old Leaven of Malice and Hypocrisie turning all Injuries into a Golden Patience grace 2 2. Liquefacit Fire melteth most obdurate Mettals and mouldeth them into any Figurations The seven Graces of the Holy Spirit So doth the Spirit by the Gift of Poenitence dissolve our steely Hearts conforming them to Christ and the best Patterns making them flow through our eyes like a Coelestiall Spring grace 3 3. Consolidat Fire constipateth and hardneth the clay so that no Rain or storm can injure it and so doth the Spirit by the gift of Patience confirme and fortifie us against all Afflictions grace 4 4. Decorat Fire maketh new and burnisheth the Mines So doth the Spirit by the gift of Knowledge Adorn and Beautifie the Minds of men grace 5 5. Elevat Fire carrieth up vapours and things of lighter Nature with its ascending motion So doth the Spirit by the Gift of Faith raise our Desires and sublimate our Indeavours towards Heaven grace 6 6. Illuminat Fire imparteth light to all that are about it and so doth the Spirit by the Gift of Wisdome enlighten the Understanding and direct the Practice grace 7 Lastly Dulcorat Fire you know sweetneth and preserveth things from corruption So also doth the Spirit by the Gift of Prudent Innocence sweeten our whole life into a continuail Feast and keepeth Soules intire from spirituall Putrefaction In a word our great God himselfe is a Fire saith Scripture to the wicked 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 4. which Saint Paul translateth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 4.2.24 Heb. 12.29 Hebr. 12. i. e. an eating fire to Sodome and Gomorrha Nadab and Abihu to such Stubble a Consuming Fire but to the Faithfull to the Poenitent as here Ignis illuminans a Light unto their Feet and a Lanthorn to their Pathes to guide their steps into the way of Peace Peace temporall spirituall and Eternal And now the Question of this Fire is extinguished admit here a few words of Tongues that 's the second Why in Tongues the Holy Ghost was pleased formerly to Appear in the milde Emblem of a Dove viz. when he flew down on him who was as void of Guile as that same bird of gall but now pointing out the effect by the externall cause hee speaks his presence in the forme of Tongues But as before of Fire so neither must we here imagine reall Tongues but their Similitude non carneae linguae saith my Author these were no fleshy tongues Gorran in locum no those had been too grosse incongruous Representatives of the subtilest spirit these were of a rarer substance suppose of purest air condens'd into this shape and lightned from above so that as before the Spirit descended Sicus Columba Matth. 3. but in the likenesse of a Dove so here no more then tanquam linguae only in the similitude of tongues Why in Tongues and in them specially ut qui Intellectui Lucem Ardorem Affectui Ori verbum ministraret in Tongues above all Figures that he who had given light to their intellectuals and fervency to their affections might now also add a voice and expressive faculties to the tongue without which all abilities are but like the talent in the napkin the napkin hid in the earth Jewels lock'd up in a Cabinet whose key is lost Act. 24. Elocution being the Oratours primum secundum tertium expression the ornament of all here is therefore opened to them a dore of utterance Caeperunt loqui variis linguis Act. 2. They spake with divers tongues as c. these tongues then betokened the Gift of languages wherby they were inabled to perform that great taske Christ had set them Mat. 8.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 go forth and teach c. See God never giveth a burden but withall strength to bear it if he will have them teach He wil furnish them with Tongues else the Apostles themselves you see were not to go from Jerusalem and preach till they had received the Tongues yet how many in this daring Age praecipitate into the holy Function before any Receipt of the Holy Ghost in Tongues of as many languages as their Mother without ever waiting as the Apostles here or perhaps scarce once seeing the place where they are bestowed an Vniversity But on the other side no sooner have the Apostles here received the Gift but like good Stewards forthwith they imploy it Men ought to make a timely use of their endowments stil moving in the proper Sphere of their vocation And what have They to answer for that have received this Gift of Tongues and yet are dumb Psalm 39. I mean not that inforced silence which now many a David keepeth not without pain and griefe for it which Sin shall light on its Imposers but for voluntary Mutes I am sure Isai 56.10 the Prophet gives them but a biting Character Isai 56. and Saint Bernard as seriously as wittily on that 12th of Matth. ver 36. Of every idle word c. Etiam otiofi silentii reddenda Ratio Bernard in Mat. 12.36 as of idle words so of every idle silence saith he must an account be given here they immediately began to speak with tongues as c. Streight the whole multitude of strangers Parthians Medes and Elamites Romanes Jewes Mesopotamians Syrenians Cretes and Arabians all in a generall wonder acknowledge them speaking in their own tongues 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Magnalia Dei the Wonderfull things of God And it may passe for one of those Magnalia the sudden Rise and strange Growth of the Church immediately there upon how from that Embrio In Jury is God known it commenced as it were per Saltum into a full stature by Proselytes of all Nations and daily numberlesse Additions This brighter Moon doth wax may she know no wayne These Tongues speak the converlion of the Nations but still increase til she
but Saint Peter confuteth them from their own experience it being but the third hour of the day ver 15. Wine was not their mocker but the Jews yet Saint Bernard confesseth it with a qualification Verè Ebrii vino novo Saint Bernard in Festo They are drink indeed with new wine saith He but such a new wine as those old bottles the unbelieving Jews were neither worthy to receive nor able to contain being a wine powred out by the true Vine Himself by Him that trod the Wine-pesse alone Vinum Cor Laetificans non statum mentis evertens such a wine as made glad the Heart without any disturbing of the braine The Apostles had had a sowr Drawght on it by their Masters Absence now therefore they receive the wine of comfort and this me thinks may cheer our patince to see it is Christ's Method to keep the best wine till the last here then what if wee must taste of sorrows cup while we are sure hereafter to have our water turned into wine our tears into eternall joy for what I say unto you saith Christ I say unto all and that is Non relinquam John 14.18 I will not leave you comfortlesse To which end let us fervently and frequently say unto him againe in the Prayer of the Church O God make clean our hearts within us and take not thine Holy Spirit from us POEM 18. THe Sun of Glory being now in 's hight Shines forth on His in a Meridian Light And lest Griefs for his Absence strike Them mute An inspir'd Tongue doth each of Them salute And the World's Charity grown Cold and Dead With fire from Heaven is here Re-quickened Christ's Promise meets th' Apostles Vnion Which Those share not that love Division A Spirit of Comfort various as our Griefs Proportioning them all with fit Reliefs A Spirit of strength for to support the weak And bind up wounded hearts when like to break A Spirit of Amity and sacred love Uniting Lower envies from above A spirit of Aliment to hungry Souls Cheering with Manna and true Nectar bowles And now all Persons of the Trinity Have at times to man appear'd visibly Two Heraulds here usher the Spirits way A mighty wind and Sound fit to display The Gospel one whereof the world must Ring Mens carnall chaff the t'other winnowing Then doth Himself in fiery tongues dispence Heaven takes Some as some That by violence Hither a Question pertinent belongs Why he descends in Fire and cloven Tongues A fiery Comforter must needs seem strange shall not that angry Element once change The world to cinders True and yet presume While God's i' th Flame it sha'nt a Bush consume The Light and heat of fire best emblem forth Knowledg and zeal all true Apostles worth Science without zeal Ape 's the Glow-worm wel But zeal without that Heat without light 's Hell The seven chief Graces of the Spirits desire Not frigidly demonstrated by fire The fire doth Gold from its drosse purifie The Spirit doth by love purge enmity Fire melts the most obdurate Mines you know The Spirit by Remorse makes heard hearts flow Fire hardneth clay against the injurious storme The spirit by patience doth sad hearts confirme The fire makes new and burnisheth the Mine The Spirit by knowledg makes the Face to shine By fire to things ascending motion 's given The spirit by Faith too makes Souls tend to Heaven The fire to all about it light imparts The spirit by wisdome doth irradiat Hearts Fire too preserves things sweet not still consumes The spirit by Innocence our life persumes But why now was this fire shap'd into Tongues To speak those grand abilities that Throngs Converted unto Christ throughout all lands Drawn by such Eloquent and pious bands Without which Dore of utterance all Gifts Crost And like Gems in a casket whose key lost But hence all Nations sweetly woo'd do come T' hear News from heaven in their own Idiom But Satan too his fiery Tongues hath spred Whose fire by Fire shall be extinguished But cloven tongues these of th'Apostles were Mixing that is Law Gospel every where And by that double Fork'd Reflection Pointing out Gentiles Jews conversion The parting of the hoof did cleannesse shew The Serpent's too a cloven tongue we know Christs school of wisdom then the tongue that 's clean From putrid talk 's the cloven tongue we mean Thus Christs and Davids word both made good then When Christ gone up showr'd down these gifts on men The COLLECT The Epistle Act. 2. v. 1. to v. 12. The Gospel Joh. 14. from v. 15. to the end God which as upon this day hast taught the heart of thy faithfull people by the sending to them the light of thy holy Spirit grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and evermore to rejoyce in his holy comfort through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Spirit one God world without end Amen Vpon Trinity Sunday DISQUISITION 16. IMmediatly after that admirable Descent of the Holy Ghost forementioned as it were consequently ensued notice of the incomprehensible Trinity even thereby given to the Church of God But as the Apostle saith Great is the mystery of Godlinesse 1 Tim 3.16 1 Tim. 3. and This indeed one of rhe greatest parts of all that mystery viz. the Distinction and yet Union of those three glorious persons of the Deity Byssus Abyssum invocat Here one deep calleth upon another A Theam fitter for admiration then examination not visible in the Book of the Creature where the Deity is seen Vt per speculum as in a glasse onely by reflexion No nor presently legible in the Book of the Scripture where God is seen Vt per lucem by a kind of light more directly you know Moses could see but his back-parts Exod. 33.20 and scarce them neither they were so glorious but this Distinction of Persons is as it were His Face and accuratly to be discerned is scarce an adaequate object of this life Exod. 33. And albeit the Bible begin and run on still with his NAME in the plurall number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Gen. 1.1 Gods created the Heaven and the Earth Yet this determineth not three Persons although it fairly contribute something toward it and more then intimateth Diversity of persons Gen. 1. Deut. 5. even when applied to God Himself Gen. 1. and Deut. 6. And some even out of the first Book of holy Writ do probably argue that triple personality from that first plurall word of Gods created that there are several persons hinted and you know the act of creation is generally externally attributed to the Father quod extra according to us for else to all the three indivisibly God created the c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And in the second verse there is another person Particularized viz. the Spirit The Spirit
his dayly Sacrifice Who must haue skill in Divine Surgery For Lions heart soft hand and Eagle's eye Both so searcht out and lance the putrid wound Whilest the bruis'd Spirit must be gently bound But what need I tell you what God requires Who read of Nadab and Abihu's fires Yet let me cheere your paines your Converts may Once shine as Heaven but you as Starres for aye Vpon the great Eclipse of the Sun Mar. 29. 1652. Math. 16.3 Acts 1.7 THough the Grand First Cause need no Instruments Yet Second He adopts to work Events By which though rare productions here are done Yet none for vig'rous Influence like the Sun Whose active vertue and strong operation Is even halfe Parent of our Generation His Trinity of Motion Light and Heat Effecting wonders too Changes so great That most things receive Detriment or Blisse According to his Approach or Recesse Sure then th' Eclipsing of his Fountain-beam Must be of sad Concernment to the streams And that as the degrees of restrain'd Light Most Dismall when most near a Totall Night Yet ther 's more in 't then our Star-gazers tell Christ is the Sun in Davids Paralell Ps 19. For all those friendly Qualities before And some sublimer Influences more Our very Light and Life that to both parts To Soul and Bodie Being Well-being imparts His distances set our passions degrees Our Sorrow Joy Feare Hope as he good sees Causing those different Seasons in our Soul With whom 't is Spring when he doth Sin controule And first plant Grace but when he draweth nigh With warmer beams 't is then her Summer high Rip'ning thereby those Plants of Grace so fast That brings a fruitfull Autumn too at last But when Sins angry Tropick Him recals A Frozen Winter then our Soule befals Our Consolations strait go Retrograde Then Sin and Judgment driving all the Trade So that we here Rejoyce all or do mourne According to his Absence or Returne If his Remotenesse then so fatall be How Direfull his Eelipse poor Soule to Thee When thy black Sins 'twixt Him and thee disclos'd With Satans aggravations interpos'd This is the terrible Eclipse I This That horrid houre and power of Darknesse is The t'other Nature or meane Arts can teach And scarse can voluntary Agents reach But This concernes no other and therein The prime parts chiefly Souls Eclips'd by Sin Wherein benighted though somtimes we mourne Yet let thy beams of Comfort too return And then though We more Frozen then the Pole Warm'd with thy Count'nance-Light shall soon be whole Away then with your Superstatious Fears Of that Eclipse which Naturall appears Nor startled be with the Bugbear-Praesage Of the praetending Wisards of the Age Whom if Men would observe as well i' th Misse As in their Hitts would their Delusions hisse Were not our Sins more likely Prophesies We might their Ridling Oracles despise But with an holy Terror guard your lives ' Gainst This which Souls of Divine light deprives Which if it happen totall ne'r returnes To light againe but still in darkness burnes Take Antidotes spirituall Sins lament And thereby true-ill-consequents prevent Nay then the beams of grace shall ne'r decline Till this bright Sun in glory on Thee shine Vpon the three Theologicall graces Faith Hope and Charity 1 Cor. 13. ult 1 Pet. 4.8 ALl Graces are presented in this Trine That make a Soule here and hereafter shine grace 1 Faith is the Magna Charta of our soules That our chiefe Evidence for Heaven inroules grace 2 Hope is the Anchor of each floating mind That in most stormy times doth safety find grace 3 And Charity 's the good Samaritan Befriending both parts of poore wounded Man grace 1 Faith is an Eaglet through the Sphears can pry And there the Son of righteousness descry grace 2 Hope like the dying man clincheth her Fist Upon the Promises fast holding Christ grace 3 While Charity more like the hand that lives In goodness trades amply receives and gives grace 1 Faith like the Stomack entertaines the food The Diet spirituall Christs flesh and bloud grace 2 While Hope the Faculty digestive acts And wholesome nourishment from thence extracts grace 3 But Charitie 's sublimer Chymick Arts Nutrition distributes to all the parts Though all co-operate in our Salvation Yet differ they in object and duration grace 1 Faith Promises and Threats both comprehends Knits past and Futures Origins and ends grace 2 Hope only at some Future good directs Her Ayme and that with patience too expects grace 3 Both those look up Love so and round about They first set forth but This holds longest out grace 1 Faith indeed like the Element of fire An Heaven-borne grace doth thither still aspire But once there Centred doth for ever rest Driving meane time but private Interest grace 2 Hope like the water hath its ebbs and flows Muddy or cleare as Sun'd or Clouded shows Whose fluid Optatives may more extend Yet This too 's some what of a Selfish end grace 3 But Charity 's diffusive free as Aire Whose upper Regions unto Heaven repaire Her lower embrace Earth a Grace o' th' way And of the Country both shall ne'r decay These to the Soule kind Presents needs would give And first Faith tenders her a Perspective Hope some flowre-buds and Fruit-blossoms doth bring But Charity 't is gives Perfection's Ring Vpon a Clock an Houre-glasse and a Watch. Iob. 8.9 Psa 102.11 Mat. 24.44 Luk. 12.39 TReble Monitions me thinks here we have Our life our Soule and Body too to save By guiding warning arming us for Grave Time is the measure of our life and see All these the measurers of that time be To God to man to thy selfe fit all three The Clock speakes loud how fast our time doth spend The Glasse our Frailty whispers as a friend The Watch saith vigilance yet both will mend Lament we by the Clock then mispent houres Ejecting Sins as sands through the Glass showr's And for the Future watch ' gainst who devours The order'd Clock bids Heart Tongue Hand agree The Glasse transparent hints fidelity The Watch shews low-pitch'd Soules wound up must be What oyle to Clocks such unto Hearts is Grace Sins are to Soules what stones are unto Glasse Watches and hearts long must not cleansing passe If bodies thinke Times be too swift a Rice Be Soules as Centerish and mend their Pace Till both haste home with equall speed and Grace When griefe or sicknesse clip the wings of Time Which slowly Creep's with Bodies that decline Let Soules the more in Contemplation climbe That when Times Path may be no longer Trod Bodies may rest in their own first abode And Soules returne unto their Fountaine God These are a Good man's use of all the Three Not Ensignes of Pride Cares or Vanity But Monitors of Sin Death Piety Vpon a passing Bell. Math 24.31 1 Cor. 15.52 HArk hark what noise is this a Passing Bell That doth our own Fate in an others
tell Sounding to each of us a serious caution A Timely pray'r and a due preparation First when or wheresoever it Thee find It proves or should A monitor o' th' mind If in thy Bed it waken thee There best It doth insinuate thy latest rest If as a dressing it salute thine eare It Hints Deaths Livery Thou once must weare And when thou hear'st it in thy cheerfull walke It seasons with Mortality thy Talke And if you heare it as at meat you sit Then thinke it sounds earth to earth I commit In pride of passions if the â—are it beat How streight it Damps the wild-fires cooles the Heat And when in Frollicks thou shalt heare This Toll May it forthwith all sinfull mirth controule To men buried alive This cheering Bell Doth Liberty infallible foretell And unto such as languish in exile This sounds a Returne home againe e're-while When most transported in the busie hall This in thine eare Thee to thy selfe doth call When Earths Affaires Thee from thy self estrange This tolls Thee Home unto thine own exchange What ever our conditions Good or ill This rings us in the eare with that news still Of Philips Monitor Remember man Or Davids Rather Thy life 's but a span Thus having rung all in next let it move Thine Heart and Tongue to Piety and Love Now shew thy Christian Sympathy and Groane With them whom even Bell mettall doth bemoane Do as thou wouldst be done for that is Kneel And pray as heartily as thou didst feel The burdens of the sick the worst they Ayle Knowing that fervent Prayers still prevaile And shall for soules or bodies better state For both therefore thy Prayers ejaculate From thy sick servant Lord let this Cup pass Yet with submission as Christs Patterne was Be pleas'd to act their Body's Physitian Howe'r be their Soules good Samaritan And though these winged Doves should not succeed Yet shall they once fly home with happy speed And more good company ' gainst thy Turne come And pay thy Parcels with a totall Sum. And yet relie not on that hoped Aide But let thy daily Debt be duely paid To God and Man Take care Accounts to Even With jarring Earth but Chiefly with just Heaven This Bell minds Thee o' th' Church That of Devotion Thy Neighbours Case Spurs on thy preparation For thou wouldst take the Hint did his house burne Shall not his Feavour make Thee mind thine urne Ensafe thy Goods then at this warning Given Remove from the worlds Dangers store in heaven There if thy Deeds laid up thou canst not miss Though this world turne to coale the land of bliss Meane time when thou dost such a Soule-Bell heare Thinke that St Jerome's Trump sounds in thine eare This triple use then of each passing Bell E're it pass from him He that makes doth well Vpon a Skeleton or Resemblance of Death Eccl. 12.1 Ioh. 17.13 LOe here the Frame of a rare Structure stands Which was a building too not made with hands Although on Earth where the Creator great Did an immortall heavenly Tenant feat The house then Fitted for such Guest of state Was built in opposition to all Fate Of strong Materials by Divine art For endlesse Fellowship and ne'r to part But This admitting Inmates the first day By their ill usage soon 'gan to decay And then through Rent and Homages neglect The Landlord forc'd the Tenant did eject And now like Buildings disinhabited That by all stormes and showres are injured Where Elves and Satyrs dance where Bats and Owles And Beasts of prey keep their Nocturnall howles All Shatter'd and Forlorne I such is this House Become through Sin and Death so Ruinous A Rendevouz of wormes and Creeping things VVhere they disport their dusty Traffickings Yet Look well on 't againe and you 'l descry I' th' Ruines of this Pyle its Dignity How wonderfully made Exact and even Strong Uniforme and erect toward heaven Let thy Thoughts then dwell henceforth in this place For thy Soule doth in such another Case Here fix thy Meditations startle not To thinke the best Skin Flesh and Bloud must Rot For St Markes Carpenter Can all Repaire And make this house more firme than e re more faire Strength'ning the timber-work with his Crasse wood The Morter temper'd with his precious Bloud VVhile on thy Part all Trouble and Expence Amounts but to true Faith and Penitence Acted in Pious Deeds and not delay'd But made good timely e'r too far decay'd Before the Keepers of the House do Grew Be-Palsi'd Trembles and the strong men bow E're the Nutrition Grinders become few Or what remaine unserviceable Chew Mind this this needfull object Early marke Before the Lookers forth the windows darke This debt pay as wise payment ought by Light E're Natures stars do set in Ages Night Or are Eclips'd by Sickness Chance or Griefe That none of Them Anticipate Reliefe Before the Portals of the Lips do Close And every whisper interrupt Repose Or ever Musicks daughters become mute Nor voice nor Eare Consorting sweetest Lute Before the Almond flourish and wax gray In that Trees spring boding the heads decay E're all ascents grow tedious and with Fear The way still block'd A load each Grassehopper Then This desire before Desire doth fail Which with endeavour too sure shall prevaise Before the Loosing of the Silver Coard While Spinall Marrow doth Thee strength Afford Or e're that Ewer broke resembling Gold Which the Braine 's vitall Moysture doth infold Before the Pitcher's broken at the well Or veines distemper'd such a Liver tell Before the Head or Phancy's turning wheele The Fractures of that Cisterne the Heart feele Before Man thus Goes to the House of Age Leaving his Friends to Mournefull Equipage Let him here commune often with his Urne His Spirit then doth and shall to God returne By whose kind Power both after some dismiss Ne'r more to part shall reunite in bliss Let outward Prudence then herein controule All slack ill-husbandry for our own soule Let 's streight Renew our Lease or rather buy This repair'd house whose Rate low whose Seat high Each Faithfull Pray'r and Charitable Act Passeth for Currant Coyne to this Effect In obitum Effigiem Librum venerandi Josiae Shute praeconis mellitissimi ab Authore nuper Editum SUrgito Lector adest Tibimet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anglus Scilicet egregius Shutus orator adest Flexanimus vates Animas Qui traxit in Aures Voce docens Sacrum quod pede pandit iter Malleus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 constans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Qui nequit à Recto Spe-ve Metu-ve Trahi Hunc tulit in Partum Dominus Minitante Procellâ Nec fuerant Tanto Sacula digna viro Umbra dat Essigiem resonat tihi Pagina Mentem Assolet ut Reliquis gratus adesto Tibi HEre 's that wise Charmer whose Sweet Ayres to Hear Each Soule delighted so to dwell i' th' Eare Whose Life and Doctrine's Combin'd Harmony Familiarized St Paul's Extasy
Pair of cleansing streames flow'd from the Side Of our deare Lord when on the Crosse he dy'd Even Christs two witnesses who though not slaine Yet slay our sinnes and fresh his Death againe Our Brace of Spies that from blest Canaan brings Newes of its cheering wines and fruitfull Springs A Mother hath but two Breasts Ours These are For spirituall Nutrition thriving fare The two Church dores open to who desire First leading into th' Body then the Quire The one a Spirituall Matriculation T'other such nourishment and Education Then not to Tantalize you on and Tast The Delicates of their Divine repast Vpon Holy Baptism Gen. 15.17.11 1 Cor. 1.16 1. The INDULGENCE CHRIST no hard Master our Indulgent Lord Now for harsh Sacraments doth milde afford No way ward Zippora need now upbraid Her Moses bloudinesse or be afraid Her Child's life cut together with his Skinne That Bloud 's turnd Water now but wash thy sinne His Yoake in deed is easie Burthen light Wear 't all Life's day and rest well at Death night 2. The LAVER To wash is ease but Thereby to doe good Faith must our Water mingle with Christs Bloud And then it takes out Staines of deepest dye And gives more then our own first Purity A Simon Magus else may be Baptiz'd And passe for a Disciple so disguis'd 'T is not the Water only but the Dove Moving upon 't doth the Soules Laver prove 3. The LISTING This is the Military Sacrament Giving to each Presse-money from Christs Tent Engaging us to warre ' gainst Sinne and Hell Such and so many Foes need guard us well Mind we our part 'o th Compact as Christ his Who the victorious Crowns with Grace and Blisse But who his Standard cowardly doth flye You know by Martiall Law deserves to dye But there 's a Chancery in our Leaders breast That who returns shall be a pardon'd Guest 4. The ARK This is Christs Ark as 't were while Flouds of Sinne Deluge the World to shroud his Servants in Even in his Churches armes then no time slip To have poore Soules imbarqued in this Ship Dispute not Infants Faith thou graft's thy Plant Though in its Youth and Winter it fruit want Commerce of Spirits goes not by age or acts Externall but where Gods free Grace affects And Christ most favour did to such dispence Schooling the Gravest to their Innocence Forbid not then these Sacramentall Rites To such as Jews admitted Christ invites His Ordinance and promise who neglect Are out of 's Arke and may the Floud expect And as for timely entrance Care be ta'ne So must there too that all i' th' Ship remain As Saint Paul caution'd for offences foule Cast Jonah's Lot on a bestormed Soul But after such a wrack no better plank Then deep Remorse to land on Safeties bank Vpon the Holy Eucharist 1 Cor. 11. John 6. 1. A FEAST TO thy Grand Houshold Th' art a bounteous Lord For all the World spreading an ample Board But specially for Man at whose feet all The severall Species in subjection fall Yet thine own Israel doe higher fare And Fellow-Commoners with Angels are The Rocks are broacht to quench their Thirst at wish They doubly Feast with first and second Dish And yet all these but figure in a mist The Viands thou preparest thine in Christ The former of thine Alm's-basket are fed But unto These Thou giv'st thy self for bread Bread thresh'd and ground to dust by Sinne and Jews As Staffe of life ' then let us this Bread use Walk with it all our wayes and 't will sustaine Our hearts from slips in Sinne from falls in paines The better Jacobs Staffe that guides to Heaven From whence this Feast the Feeder doth enliven As Grace before made Thee a welcome Guest So let Zeale waite and due praise close the Feast 2. The RANSOM Our life 's a warfare and our hellish Foes Too numerous and strong daily enclose Us in their fatall Nets insulting still Or'e us as Bond-slaves captiv'd to their will But Judah's Lyon by victorious power Free's his Sheep from those Wolves that would devoure Christ to our Rescue did descend This day And unto Heaven with him bore the Prey Nor are wee only Prisoners of Warre But of Debt also and ingag'd so farre That all we have or are can never free Our Soules be-dungeon'd to Eternity Yet cheere up drooping Wights he that essaid To Rescue you and did hath also paid The Price beleeve it farre beyond best Gold Your Debts and Forfeitures and this day told A Summe so great could not be understood Paid willingly too though as drops of Bloud Henceforth by double Ransome then His be Whose service is most perfect Liberty 3. An ANTIDOTE How sick doth Poyson swallow'd make the Heart Diffusing Venom into every part Within without all ulcered and thus The Serpents Teeth and Apple had serv'd us But here 's a soveraign Antidote made up Of rare Ingredients mixed in this Cup Of Bloud and Grace which who drinks heartily Shall be so Cur'a as live immortally 4. The CEMENT How should These mixt Tenacious Cement make To bind all in a Building should partake One Common Uniformity and grace Each other with proportion in its place This tyes Christs Members in a mutuall knot Never to be rescinded or forgot Unto their saving Head uniting all In Love and Duty both perpetuall Till He and They as in grace here below Above in Glory all one Body grow Vpon Holy Orders Or the Ministeriall Function 1 Cor. 9.11 1 Tim. 3.1 2 Cor. 2.16 1 Tim. 4.16 2 Cor. 4 7. Ch. 5.20 1 Tim. 5.17 VVHich the Worlds two main Burthens if you aske Truth saith the Kingly and the Priestly taske Both Heaven-born Functions but the last all fire They 'd need all Caution be who That aspire Indeed for Soule-cure who sufficient is It startles even a chief Apostle this What Atlas shoulders nay what Angels fit Thus to beare Heaven up and yet since it Is Both Gods acceptation and Decree This Treasure should in Earthen Vessels be We gratefully attend the Divine call And then in all obedience 'fore it fall But without That and signaliz'd by those Who rightly have the Keyes on 't to dispose We stirre nor Foot nor Hand least Uzzah-like Some suddaine Vengeance our presumption strike Must all your Arts and Plants mature with time And This which needs most leape into it's Prime Beware bold Flies that buzze about This flame Lest your proud wings being scorched in the same Your fond Icarian zeale at last fall down Into that Lake which Pride shall ever drown But you that by both Callings enter faire Snuffe your own Lights and take a watchfull care The Wearer doe not holy Vestments staine Or to your Master a dishonour gaine If undeserved Scandall doe you spoile Those Shafts to their own Shooters breasts recoyle Knowledge the Head the Heart crowns Holinesse Light and Perfection make up Aarons Dresse Spirituall and Corp'rall Charities With fervent Prayer's