's but a drop A dust to Him that makes the mountaines hop And skip like Lambekins with his Earthquak hand But thou 't goe faire and soft though he command Thee flie for so doth love He who graspes the winds I' th' hollow of his hand the swelling Ocean binds Up with a word here just here stay thy waves But lawlesse man how proudly he behaves Himselfe he stinted he a strickt precise Foole no for he that is is onely wise Call'st him thy Master while thou canst expect To have thy servant shew thee more respect Thou't bid him come and goe and stay and so He must bid's God thou answerest Him thou 't goe Thou't come thou 't stay when where he will provided His will fall in with thine but if divided Th' art not so silly a Puritan to displease Thy selfe for him but He must serve thy ease Or if thou part'st with 't 't is but with lesse for more T' avoid what 's endlesse tak'st what 's quickly o're So still thy selfe 's thy end thy God O what 'S the worme a doing that assaults its God! Whose every word is pure All linck't together And woe t' him dares the least he all doth sever Every word of God is pure and woe t' him dare Make them their jeere that make it all their care The pure-in-pure-in-heart see Him-their Puritie Th' impure their place who them-Him vilifie O what 's the worme a doing how every bone 'S an Aspen leafe to see it climbe the Throne VVhose footestoole's all the kingdomes of the world By whom such station-quitting spirits were hurl'd To that unbottom'd pit prepared is For all such enviers Whose vexation's this They ne're shall see what they are vext to see Men truly Holy only Happy be Poore childish fooles wu'd have they know not what Heaven they wu'd have but Heaven they wu'd not Cry out braule fight with all that wo'nt confesse It theirs yet when they see 't love nothing lesse Through th' morrall-vertue-swept yard through the porch Bedect with formall duties may approach To th' very doore but they 're too good to knock To waite and if th' least glimpse slip through the locke These light-abhorring Owles winke wish their losse If heaven be puritie they 'd rather their drosse E're-scorching ne're-consuming flames inherit Then passe the fire o' th' purifying spirit Indeed what wud'st thou there Heaven'd be but thy Hell What wud'st thou see who here dost shut thine eye Against the God-revealing light and ope Thy mouth or 's this thy purifying hope Accursed curre that barkest at the Moone That but reflects how wu't against the Sunne Or what wud'st heare a crew of simple Saints With just such puritanicke Angells chants They 'le never ha' done n're linne their singing Psalmes Unto their God for their victorious palmes None 's still or thinke'st while thou wind'st up thy dull Thy jarring heart thou 't make to waite so full A set of fore-well-tuned instruments Jumps all in one compleater of concents Contents God while blesse that dreadfull-joyfull name That brought their blessed mindes in heavenly frame I tell thee man Thou art a Pagan or a Puritan Thou may'st a Jesus but did'st Jesus know These Hell-devis'd revilings dar'st thou throw Upon nay thou wud'st be his Image did Thy faith once see him whom thy God hath hid From blinded eyes while with an ayrie name He lulls thee dead asleepe to wake in flame But Christ is life and so he is to all Whom he shall with h's talitha cumi call A virtuall power-exhibiting command Reares thee a virgin on new resolves to stand To walke the way of his Commandement To keepe thee true loyall chaste pure innocent From selfe-world-devill pollutions all for Him And so thou wud'st did'st thou beleeve in Him Some fancied I doll of thy wanton braine That will thee in thy minnion-lusts maintaine Will winke at smaller faults no great adoe Will make shud'st harbour some few grosser too Will let thee vaunt it in thy pride and gad About thy eye's and flesh's lust be glad O' th' dregs of spirit-exhausted loves the leavings O' th' marrow-sucking world the sad bequeathings O' th' banckrupt-soule now hurried out of doores To pay the debts of ' â—s ne'r-acquittable scores I here 's thy Jesus presumptuous-desperate wretch Dar'st from that soveraigne name such venom fetch To kill thy soule but for that spotlesse Lambe Who so his owne to metamorphize came To teach them by a secret sympathy To follow what by occult qualitie He makes them know his from a stranger's voice To make them runne unto the brest so choice And with their bleating rethoricke bespeake Th' simple milke that makes them strong of weake To teach them keepe his undefiled steps Not dare to tread awry for each-hand deaths At 's first smallest stillest whistle straite to come To stand before their Coate-bereavers dumbe To watch the Wolves come cloathed in their skinne The light-like Angell selfe-deceiving sinne To graze no pasture but His wholesome word To fetch no salve but what his side afford's To become silly that he might make them wise T' abase themselves he might them highly prize Not live t' themselves but Him an'th'common good And when he calls to meekely shed their blood I here 's my Christ of whom thou art afraid To have too much lest so thou shudst be made To be too wise pure just too farre from hell For feare of Heaven fear'st to doe too well Nor car'st indeed for this nor that Earth earth Is thy deare home of sinne-rejoycing mirth But if must needs away thou' rt more content To be where Angels sing then divels torment And yet wert there thou 'dst be tormented with Their singing Lo whither brought by thy beliefe Cud'st thus believe didst thou believe him just And faithfull in his sayings away thou 'dst thrust Thy heavenly joy-prevaricating lust There is a faith that doth not love to trust Nor Christ to trust that faith who sees the heart Him never saw with all for him l'not part Canst thou pursue thy honour pleasure gaine And not believe all this beliefe 's in vaine thou d'st hate loathe friends selfe All did'st ever know But what it meant to have a God to wooe thou d'st doe suffer come runne flie did'st ever prove The powerfull sweet of all-commanding love thou d'st live die by for love did'st ever spie The feasting beauties of that lively eye Poore soule for ever past my pittie if on Thou hold'st thy course I know you not be gone Thou wicked worker thou never livd'st above For what acquaintance Thou my love my dove My undefiled loving dove what thou Sit billing moaning with me flyed'st thou To th' purest houses of my spirits resort Thou m' friend my Spouse wee walke and talke wee sport Our selves in hidden loves Thou carefull how To keepe me as thy life And absent how To take the speediest wayes to finde me Thou In a sweet trembling at a sillable Thou Unlade thy bosome secrets in
night This black-Prince-ruled world but where in thine Thy Word Saints Spirit thou art pleas'd to shine My soul is dark my brightest light but dim This yet 's my joy all I have I have from Him VVith Wanes and Changes now I oft decline But in the Full shall shortly ever shine Freed from this Leasehold earth this shady night Fully possesse possessed by the Light VVhose beaming favours from his Darkelesse face Condign'd his Choice Coheires of Glorious Grace I See no light and yet so much I see As darkes all other lights I feele no love And yet so much I feele as makes me flee All other loves when other joyes can't move My heart that sad perplexities annoyes I joy this griefe and grieve all other joyes Lord art thou gone What shalt thou so be lost Thy glorious eye into this heart hath sent The spark hath took the whole an Holocaust It restlesse mounts unto its Element Fire of the Spirit it is 't will make no stay Till to the Spirit of fire't hath burnt its way Shew me the Father and it shall suffice Whom ne'r man saw and liv'd yet seen of men If death wu'd doe it 't were well for wicked eyes Nor dead nor living yet seen of men how then Dead and alive in thee and by thy Light I feed on that full satisfying sight 'T is not the predisposed Organ here That needs the Medium of a Mediator Quicks deadned eyes th'obscured Object cleares To th'lightlesse Creature the great Light Creator Here see I all I 'd have the world is want The Bed's too short the Coverings are too scant BLack thoughts as black as hell and yet more black Their paines extort their lies Not Good What lack Hast thou of all content but only this I cannot see not say Good Good He is Mad thoughts As mad as Hell and what 's more mad Then to confesse He is and yet is bad More reason 's in m'unreasonablenesse VVhen say there is no God then not confesse Him Good Him only Good O could I thinke My heart so gone in love so brought to 'th brinke Of those Celestiall Rivers thence shu'd shrink And steale me to th' infernall Lake I think VVho did so deeply of his goodnesse drink That this was in my heart my heart in Heaven Ne'r will I trust what hath me so deceiven No no nor what I say for if I doe 'T will cheat me in That Resolution too Ah Lord what wo'nt I do whom even now Thou feasted'st with the sweets of God yet how How soon my mouth was full of gaulie taste That thou shu'dst throw away the world as waste And Fire-fit refuse yet so sure combine Me in that Jesu bundle of Life with Thine Elect who'st room enough in Him for all Or might'st have kept them from their former fall Blest God! 't is therefore that I love thee so That thou these wise-hid-depths to Babes wu'dst show VVhen Fools proud wisdome scorns to stoop so low Thou nothing do'st because 't is Good 't is Good Because Thou do'st it Thy good pleasure wu'd That this be so even so be it who will Doe what They will may thank themselves for th' ill Ensu's but what Thou wu't Thy grace VVho'rt plac'd to dwell in Satans Place O love The God of glory Come Good God! in th'unclean Spirits room VVhat am I Lord And what thy whole Creation That Thou shu'dst condole VVer 't but a Man but Millions so condole As t'beare the Shame Blame Death the whole Evils of thy Sainted Rebels whom Justice judg'd meriting one doome Love Goodnesse shu'd I praise extend Unto its due I shu'd ne'r end Nor wu'd nor will but make my dayes Expire in Panegyrick laycs TEach me Thy Foolish wisdome Lord and let The blindfold world choose wiser Follies set My heart in frame to Learn-Love-Doe Thy will To feare to Think Speak Act the smallest ill Here wisdome takes beginning only Here Where feare shall teach me wisdome wisdome feare Thou art Only-Wise-Immortall God and He That 's taught of Thee but only taught is he VVhose humble feare dives in those depths too deep For haughty Ignorance Sleep fondlings sleep And hug your dreames of wit but when you wake You 'le dearely rue your obstinate mistake HOw pleasantly I weare away my dayes I' th' sence o'renewed strength My strength decaies And rises by his ruines I melt away How sweetly melt still drop proud flesh defray Your marrow to maintain these flames still burne Ble'st spirit burne me all to fire turne Thoughts will prey on my spirits life will away Then live my sprightfull thoughts on your decay Life Life of Lives 'T is only Then I Live VVhen ready stand prepar'd with Joy to give Up my Accompt and speed me to that day That gives me Life Indeed because for Aye O When shall I put off these fleshly Clothes And in my Earthy Bed take sweet repose Untill that Morning come that Holy day In holy Pleasures I shall ever Play On well tun'd Heart that Heart inamouring ditty That is the Consort of that Heavenly Citie Even so Lord Jesus Come when breakes the day Show's us Thy face the shadow 's flowne away Even so Lord Jesus Come when breakes the day Amen Amen the Bride and Spirit say I Come I Come so come that we may come Riding o' th' Cloudes unto our Fathers Home MElt in thy Fire my Earth blest Spirit blow M'into a Glasse through whose transparent pores My radiant streames of holy luster flow Into my light-enliv'ned soule now poares On those dim glimmerings thorough this darksom dust Yet more ob scured by th'False-lights of Lusts More then more strong be those thy glorious rayes To lift my heart up to thy heavenly wayes Till thou shalt spiritualize my very flesh And make my glorious body see no lesse I Cannot hold so full so full of Thee Sweet Father help the more 's the Revelation Of Truth the more th'more strong the test'mony Of love the more th'more strong is the temptation My Love burnes still and from that fire comes light Restores the day unto my darkest Night For still I say I know I 'm ignorant And very bad but Thou art Wise and Good I can't but love Thee Thy Love-Letter I can't But I must reade thus Truth is understood Receiv'd with love without delusion so By knowing I learn to Love by loving Know. A holy Life 's the clearest Commentary I finde o' th' sacred Text the Spirit 's actuall Interpretation 'T unites what seemes contrary Parts One in Two show's how 't is it doth call Griefe joyfull faithfull feare lofty humblenesse Destinguisheth of Prayer Faith show's who confesse Who makes the Word a Lanthorn to his feet God to his pathes to mak 't a Light think 's meet HOw giddy I am with viewing the Sea I 'd know Why Thou't so ebb to some to some so flow Why this man 's left the other Love doth take But woe t' him dares debate with h's Maker make O
Thy Wise-knowing depth's unsounded be Since I cannot take Thee take take Thou mee Into Thy mercies Ocean be I receiven I know 't will beare me to my Haven Heaven That shall declare Thy righteousnesse that shall Thy Judgements manifest God's Judge of All Great Wonderfull Thy Workes Just true Thy Waies Shall be the ditty of Thy worthy Praise MY Head 's lost in my Heart sure I 'm in love Forget all yea m'own thoughts while thus above And now what 's this steales slily in my head My spirits thus in my heart concentered Don't I believe My heart my life wo'nt say it And for my thoughts what need I so much weigh it Thoughts oft confound themselves I love I live The God the Life that none but Christ can give Am crucified dead buried risen ascended Begin the Life that never shall he ended MY Head doth ake and yet my Head Doth feel no pain My Head is well and yet my Head Doth still complain Well I 'le goe lay it on my Husbands knee Where stroake it with His gentle hand shall Hee His Palm's a medecine Soveraign If He but touch The Feaver leaves if He refrain Yet I 'le not grutch Ther 's somewhat in 't He 's Wise Good ake's't still well 'Ts Thy mercy Lord 't shall never ake in Hell Ne'r ake in Hell then ever in Heaven Triumph o're griefe And sha'nt this all thy Sowers unleav'n With sweet reliefe But weigh them well they 'le overpoise them quite What 's Earth to Heaven Finite to Infinite And now my Faith what do'st where art What Yeeld to Sence Or hast forgot thy Heavenly Art How to dispence Joyes suiting every sorrow I wonder too Wer't in the Martyrs flames how Then thou 'dst doe Lord give me strength and Thou shalt take the praise Lord take my strength and That shall give Me praise NOw mouldring Earth why hang'st the head Hast not a Soul why why so dead Or shal't be more enslaved by Thy pains whose pleasures conquered lie No no 't is more ingenuous bred With courage as well as wisdome sped My spirit not mine 's egregious I 'M among the Exc'llent who so high That I not Aemulate And can I'ndure to see a Publican Thus match me He can blesse i' th' warme Sun but I 'd blesse i' th' sharpest storme I 'd pray I 'd praise my paines away And lull my griefe asleep a way Of sweet successe I 'd drown my swine This touchy grunting grumbling repine In my own waving passions Swage By reg'lar passions passions rage By this my heavenly indignation Appease this earth-fum'd perturbation Attempts to Shipwrack peace in vain That still 's afloat o' th' calmed Plaine Thy breath the windes did blow away Thy Word the boistrous billows stay Thou said'st I shu'd do greater things For Faith in 'ts power all things brings thou 'dst be commanded by 't I shu'd B' as sure of what so e're is good As if thou wert at their Commands Who humbly-bold wait watch thy hands But I wu'd doe what thou hast done I 'd make dim eyes play with the Sun Dead spirits from their graves wu'd bring And make deaf eares to heare them sing This dumb-grown tongue thy wonders tel I wu'd doe all things wondrous well I 'd th'lowest dullest flatnesse raise To th' highest tones of clearest praise I 'd fighting humours reconcile But if they 'le fight I 'd feast the while I 'd tune distempers to thy praise Turn cloudy nights to Sun-shine dayes Teach fainting hands to ring applaud And parched bones to spring with laud Smooth wrinkling gripings with a smile But if they wo'nt I 'd sing the while How ere it be yet Thou art good And better ditty I ne're wu'd Hold up declining Armes hold up Poure praises from an empty Cup For Grace is no more void then Nature Where th' creature wants ther 's the Creator Where that goes out there He comes in As well as where there goes out sin When then there 's place that 's empty o' thee Then not till then I 'le empty be Thy presence then when Thou sha't cease Then not till then I 'le cease to blesse Then never sha't Thou be unblest By him wh'hath thee a constant Guest Though in the dark a while we be Yet cause I see the Dark I see The world or want All 's one to me The while in either I ha'thee M'thinkes I can't but often pray That thou wu'dst take this world away For while 't is seen it bars my sight And I finde faith the sweet'st delight But all thy counsels have their beauty And all my comfort 's in my duty For thou hast taught my faith the way Through all to passe t' m'eternall stay Thee Thee O wu'dst thou take me now Thy childe that to thine armes doth bow Its straining soule loth to be held By th' world in'ts pleasing'st usage yeelds But paines O Thou that all things made And can'st revive them when they fade Thou that the Chaos fram'dst so faire And from foure discords match't so rare A set of healthy harmony Can'st when thou please make all agree And what 's my Musick but thy pleasure And but thy selfe what is my treasure Then let it goe and goe my health So will 's my musick so my wealth Be packing packing get thee gone No more dear friend He 's all or none Be packing packing get thee gone No more deare health Hee 's all or none Be packing packing get thee gone No more deare self He 's all or none Be packing packing get thee gone No more deare Nothing He 's all or none 'T is very well then I am ill If this be ill be I so still Till thou sha't see it fit to tell M'its very well that I am well 'T is very well friend I thee misse The misse o' th' world 's a world of Blisse Leave out thou sai'st this paltry Crotchet 'T will sound but ill and shall I botch it Into the Song sound it as 't will And so say I ha'th'better skill How too it grates my curious eares My tender Bowels wracks and teares M'observant head sets m'teeth on edge Against my self essay'd t' abridge My joy my stretching it besides Thy Will where all my joy resides And when all 's done so must I play The sweet the while lost by delay Strike off the sin strike as thou please Blot out th' offence I seek not ease And yet my ease because it is Thy pleasure t'keep me still in Blisse My ease my pleasure therefore is Or strike or not I 'm still in Blisse Nay this my ease my pleasure is Strike or forbeare the hand is His. Thankes thankes Think'st th'Angels now are still The just mens perfect spirits sill Not Heaven with their chanting voice Thou' rt o' the Choire my soul rejoyce Thou maist thou must praise with the gods The God makes musique with his rods He 's one Entire Pure Perfect Happinesse No shaddo ' o' change in him thou art e're Blest
in its balbutient age Instruct the Father or what more can ingage Me to content then 't is my Fathers pleasure In whose contentment 's lain up all my treasure Of joy and blisse But th'want o'th'laying th'foundation Well and well building on 't makes all th'mutation So oft befall us else might we steady stand Upright unshaken mov'd on neither hand God is my Diapason rise or fall Above all thorough all the ground of all And so he is to All his workes but they Can heare no concords that will disobey But wee that put our selves into his hand Obedient instr'ments of his just command Who with his crosse-division running art Gives such mysterious pleasure to the heart Of 's understanding ones a stranger can't Conceive whose judgement 's too too rude too scant To compasse such an odde variety Into a sweeter-sounding unity Nor sees th'decorum now with smarter strokes Of 'ts valour excitating tones provokes Our rouzed spirits unto Martiall feates To quiet combates with the enemies threats Now w'th soft retreatings recollects them by it 'S remisser touches to a watchfull quiet Strike hard or gently stroke this know we still We 're th' better musick of his gracefull skill Prosperity's a Triall too and he that uses 'T not in that notion exceedingly abuses Himselfe and it and never sooner looses His every-way ensnared soul then when he chooses It not as pleasing God but him refuses Adversity not because his minde induces Him t'think it 's not thought good of God but hee Wu'd ever prosperous never afflicted be And wu'd'st thou so know every state 's a triall And all prosperity lies in self-deniall While thou surrounded with the confluence Of all the earths indearements that presents Thee with its goodliest heart-alluring'st offers Tak'st them as not ta'ne of them daily proffer'st A glad resignment having learn'd the art To have thy Food-indeed ev'r hungring heart More fil'd with Heaven then thy hands with Earth Count'st Myriades of Worlds a starving dearth Till Him thou seest in All gets Him through All Above all livest with Him 's in through 'bove all O such a man this man of Millions he 'S well bottom'd beares so well so high degree Be rooted grounded stablisht in the Faith So maist thou reare that superstructure hath A winde-and-storme-out-facing firmitude Whos 's Capstone shu'd be constant gratitude Whose corner stone is Christ whom while we see How can we unchearefull how unthankfull be In every thing give thankes ' cause every thing Brings good to us ' cause glory to him brings This is the will of God Sweet will The will Of God concerning me What me What still More sweetnesse What am I that I should be To be the subject of such Majesty That thou shud'st once bestow a thought on me But such a such a thought concerning me In Christ In Him even now translate into The Kingdome of thy dearest Son might view My Crosse triumph't o're by a patient and Long suffering joy while strengthned strengthned stand With might all might according to his power His glorious power doth all things over-power O' th' joy the joy the over-flowing joy Tides on the Heaven-ward soule wherein the Law Of comforts God's a hidden spring delights The inward man whose chiefe whose sole delight 's To be the subject of Gods will a joy Whose boundlesse inundations can destroy And beare before it like a wispe of Straw The hugest oppositions sad'st annoy That Earth and Hell can raise a joy redoubles T 's augmented forces by'ts increasing troubles The while he makes the more retir'd repaires Unto h's entowring Name views th' Legions there Attend him how heavens souldiers flock about Him with their profer'd service and his doubts Fly far away the while hee 's more intent To th' secrets of his heart more represent Him purity integrity simplicity Sincerity truth th' face of God vvhereby H's's inlargedly spirited with joyfull love 'T dares wrastle a fall with death and longs to prove The mastery and like some mighty Gyant fil'd With generous Wines speeds sprightly to the field Of high exploits that th' world and he might see Th'o'repowring arme of Al-sufficiency What wonders 't acts in feeble flesh a joy That can the most blood-sucking sorrow cloy With superabundant sweetnesses a joy Sings nothing sweeter then it's wisht envoy Unto the world a joy whose skill is showne ' N extracting marrow from the dryest bone A joy of that extended pure delight ' I's impossible the heart b' in such a plight Shut up in selfish ridgid austere constriction No't can be hard while such a blest affection Dissolves it all in pitty drawes powres it out In streames of meek compassions run about On every side with heedy tendernesse To see what wayes of succouring redresse 'T may finde while still it makes this gentlenesse prove More flaming oyle to its Seraphicke Love Thus thus annoint with this Celestiall joy Diffuses weighty spirits and imployes M' in such a sadnesse t' which all th' rest is madnesse A grave confulting serious sober sadnesse Consist's with is the Basis of true gladnesse 'T which all other's is but a merry madnesse A joy 's no light slight frothy vapouring bubble That disappeares at th'softliest-blasting trouble But a perspicuous solidity Transplendent firmnesse agile stability Thus kindly may the influented Art Of that bright morning Star that rules this heart Temper thee to it selfe and warm thy soule VVith spirits may raise th' above the worlds controule 'T is not thy Musicke Stories Company Thy forc'd ungenuin mirth can remedie Thy wound no i'ts but a palliated cure 'T will fester more and thou wilt lesse indure T 's returning smart but leave this Mountebanke trick And search toth ' coare better once be throughly sicke Then never truly well Out with this odde This peevish humour that oppugnes thy God His sacred will for then and not till then Thou't say to all his workes a glad Amen 'T is onely this our inconformitie 'S the cause of all our sinne and miserie And wu'dst thou not conforme did'st firmely beleeve Him all good thou all bad but hence we grieve Fond soules the griefes must be griev'd over again Cause our weake faith this maxime can't maintaine How can we be in our repining mood But in our heart we say he is not good No no it 's not it 's not so easie a thing To b'leeve him good for whether wud 't not bring Us duely truly creedited keepe then to this Say God is good for that is all our blisse Our blisse is all in Christ by whom alone The selfe denying soule God good hath knowne Worke waite pray praise This part 's thine God's the rest 'T is daring sacriledge to be unblest Gods glorie 's rob'd ere thine owne good but pray Thy Will be done let thankefull patience pray Blest man how ever There 's nothing comes amisse Toth ' man harh ta'ne the will of God for his Is now no more himselfe is ruled by Another soule his sole
th' creature can For he hath most of God and who hath so He little cares which way the world will goe 'T shall never touch his heart nor taske his braine To lay about to fetch it backe againe As he whose lines are fallen in a faire Large pleasant place is made for th' worse to care If 't 'll come by faire meanes well and good hee 'le use It when and as he thinks convenient loose 'T he will ere hee 'le imploy the smallest foule Imploy't he doth that lets it pinch his soule T 's the soundest body that feeds o' th' simplest fare The soundest soule that makes his God his fare A happy man the spirit ' f a healthie mind Can in a health-injoying body finde A happie man the spirit ' f a healthy minde Can in a health-deprived body finde LIft up prevailing hands in praysing action ' Gainst Edom and the Edomitish faction There are they fallen proud Prilistims withall Their Ashdod brats so let them let them fall And never rise while on our Harpes we sing The song of Moses and the Lambe our King Victorious meekenesse gird thy all-conquering sword Unto thy potent thigh give give the word Unto thy Heavenly Host they 'l straight conjoyne With earths celestiall Armies then combine Rome Spaine France Hell take the devill and all The Mitred Captaines of the high Priests Hall Come on brave Borgias with your pransing horse Yee Popes deare Nephewes or which sounds the worse Though th' same his Base Sons whom he hath begot On an unwedded Church Change Cannon shot Into the shot of Cannon Tout d'an coup Devoure th' Presicians they 're a slender soup T' a Pulpit full of Sack a slippery yolke In lustie Muskadine they 'l never choake So well wash't downe with blood but if you thinke You'z finde as hard worke as ye had to get a drinke O' th' wary Scot close noddles constult together Hoord up i' th' deep'st Abbisse ' f y'r holy Father Jesuitick plots say a confederacie But 't shall not stand till truth it selfe can lie Come gather then together and be ye broke T'irrecomposible peeces He hath spoke Still will he thinke ye ride upon an Asse No no his white steed 's mounted Hee 'l surpasse Your forciblest finenesses Jerusalem Leape leape for joy Thy King comes and doth hem Thee round with mightie mountaines and his Hoste Is all prepar'd thine enemies to accoast For His are thine for thou art His then boast The in thee Lord thy God when thou art in th emost Inextricable dangers Here I here 's A Saint-like patience thus to chant the blisse Of bleeding wounds while their Te Deums charmes Fond soules with Swan-like songs our harmelesse harmes Shall sweetly breathe in sighes triumphant layes Of conquering Iös while our blood shall praise That name above the proudest wrath and raise A generation that shall Babell raze Stones shall be Churches and dead bones shall live E're God his glory unto Rome shall give Ther 's breath enough in heaven and dust on earth To build more men to ruine all her mirth How heaven derides these Gotham sages wu'd Drowne Eeles i' th' water drowne the Church in blood What 's the Parisian massacre forgot How crown'd with many a thousand Huganot Or th' Marian flames how oft th' Prelatique hands Were crowded with increasing Puritans Or those Ten Prim'tive persecutions what But more Christs-honourers hath their crueltio got But still the devill 's the divill although he know He workes the Saints more weale himselfe more woe So mad is envie 't had rather loose both eyes Then 'ts neighbour's one shud see 'ts deformities Courage my hearts we nor our cause can die Nay we may live to see proud Aegipt lie Dead on the shore What feare we Th' Wonderfull In Skill Power Peace Love 's ours what shall they pull The Palme from Him or shall they rend a Limbe Fro' th' Father of Spirits hurt the eye of Him Whose voyce is thunder and his eves are fire Who hands their breath then have they their desire And ne'r till then Thus in my Fort my Peace My Castle-Christ my flaming Wall ne'r cease There are they fallen yea though I thinke I fall And all my fellow souldiers for thus call We death because we thinke it so when 't is The onely rise unto our perfect blisse Th' irrevocable word 's past decree 's sign'd All things are present to a faithfull minde For hee sees all in God but he sees all At once and thus while he beholds hee 'le call Things past and future present things that are As they were not that are not as they were Let kingdomes clash and their foundations shake Haughtie hearts shrinke to their heele let fury take The loftiest Hills and hurle them in the Maine Let th' lively Sun his sprightly raies refraine And wraps 's in sable might let heaven and earth Meet in confusion while hell yawnes our mirth Shall that be swallowed up by this our joy That none can take away no foe n' annoy Rouse up brave spirits glorifie the name Of that great God that ever is the same And we in Him life death principalities Powers things present things to come shall these Disjoyne us from our God if once in Him One as He is One What is it that can dim Our glorious inutterable joy That sparkles purer luster from th' alloy That streames more radiant luster from th' alloy Of foyling griefe A joy whose native heate Growes stronger by the winter winds that beate Upon 'ts concentred spirits A joy that rises Higher yet higher by the fresh surprises Of 'ts Arke-secured braveries from all The Ocean-inundations can befall Nay leade me captive griefe yet one I know Shall captive thy captivitie and show Thy open spoyles as Trophes while I sing How sweet's the memory of sower to bring To minde those tempests past while hous'd in heaven I feast on Leelesse Wines rich marrow and leaven Untouched bread So great ill turn'd to well 'T is makes his glory-and-my good excell Ther 's nothing nothing ill but all is well Is alway well to those whose wayes excell Thus is th' upright as farre from 's neighbour as hell From heaven here well is ill there ill is well Nullius addictus jurare in verba Magistri NO give me A Philosophick Ingenuitie A Bacon Luther truth-exploring braine Can cull the Wheate from th' Chaffe and bring a graine To th' graynarie of knowledge no lazie pate Will nothing else but reade heare transcribe translate And take what 's brought it at adventure an idle drone Will suffer any thing ere 't will worke but one Whose naturalls can't indure t' be Aristotl'd With ipse dixits nor his spiritualls throtl'd W'th a Spirituall Lord's irrefragable propositions But h's free-borne spirit mak's exquisite inquisitions I' th' depths of grace and nature scornes to have His judgement strangled like a Turkish slave B' usurping tiranny a noble soule Whose understanding w'll suffer no controule But from
And teach my grievingst griefe delight Heavens harpers did Romes Epicedium play Hundreds of yeares before her fatall day Then come sweet Lute with gentle Aires Come kindly touch me with the Cares Of Christs-Crosse-bearing soules whose share Of common woe and weale I beare With Voltos then come raise my spirits Unto the Triumphs they inherit Whose wo's their weale whose wound 's their cure whose Heaven 'S their sweet whose want's their wealth whose hel's their Heaven VVHere am I How this turne hath giddied mee Decemb. 1640. Can hardly credit what I plainly see So farre fro'th doore so backward on the stage Still to protract this wearie pilgrimage Blest Lord so turnd'st our feare-led captive thoughts As those that dreampt we saw devouring Vaultes Heapt by the foaming Beast with Virgin Slaine Indign'd his I doll-lust We dreampt againe Christs-warre-preventing Throne became the Theame Of speedy praise but fear'd this was a dreame But we awake in Paradise And that no fooles be we but wise To keepe our hold'our God so close Nor becks nor blowes shall make us loase Then prove the former dreame yet true Change but the time the latter's too AS he whose braines are weak and businesse much Walks here there now this now that will touch Takes up layes down wu'd somewhat knows not what Even so my Good my God I had forgot Craz'd by my fall Still were my braines imploy'd With swarmes of busie follies still annoy'd With great paines taking in great trifles void Of all successe and got as soone was cloy'd Thus hither thither flew but ne'r cu'd finde An object sutable unto my minde Beauty honour riches seem'd an empty shade Before I saw the substance ere I 'd made Discovery of the Truth they seem'd a lie But that being seen they seem'd a lying lie A shade of shades Natures dim glimmering light Burnt clearer in my heart and shew'd me a sight Far worthyer choyce A soule a beautious soule Inrich'd with rarer honour a prudent soule A meek-sweet lovefull heart whose noble spirit Scornes a few-thousand-miled world shu'd bury it ' N a petty speck of dirt but pleasures in Its larger glories by the eye unseen Then after this while carefull search I made Straite shun a light shew'd this too but a shade A Heaven-sent light was darted in my heart And made me this perverting course divert The world in 'ts richest ornaments is but A show a show th'compleat'st nature but Thon only good and therefore only true Give m' in a recapitulated view Those Scripture-scattered Glories O cu'd I those Thy analysized Graces well compose Into their lovely face How deep I de fall In love and say thy beauty darkens all The creatures beautie's but a skin-deep lawne That by some slight distemper soon undrawne Reveales the lurking messengers of death That lie in waite to snatch away the breath And so possesse their Master of the face That seem'd but now above a creatures grace But take the purest in 'ts admired'st hew If modest else 't is none it dares but shew Its hands and face but He but alwayes Hee Is altogether Lovelinesses Hee Is Lovelinesses altogether every one Is in Him and but in Him there is none The creatures Vertue 's but a fairer foule Lodg'd in too straite a roome t' content my soule That only recreated splendors loves Whereon simplicity and infin'ty moves And where may I enjoy it better then Admitted to its near'st approaches when No intervenient object bars my sight In its impure and narrow Channell Light Pure perfect boundlesse inaccessible light VVhen shall I live in thy delighting sight I live but I wu'd live another life VVhere light and darknesse know no longer strife I live but I wu'd live another life That might informe me what a death 's this life How how m'abhorring spirit starts me back When by thy faire I see their ugly black VVhen by thy wisdome I their folly see And by their folly may the wiser be With what a mightier force my soule returnes To thee in thee with mightier fervour burnes O Light of Lights when shall I see Thee as I 'm seen VVhen shall I bee Thou Love of Loves with Thee i' th' high'st VVho long to learn yet what 's my Christ May Thoughts Men Bookes may all I see But answers to this question be May Thoughts Men Bookes may all I see Be Thoughts Men Bookes be All of Thee May every Sermon that I heare But breake the Clouds this Sun may cleare May every thing I heare or see Be all but Testaments of Thee And when th 'ave told me all they can I still must aske as I began VVell satisfied in seeking till My search with satisfaction fill VVHat 's white compar'd to blacke to browne to gray What mar'le 't excels but take the lightest gray Nay th'purest white the strongest sight e're saw Sublime thy apprehension yet and draw A purer unto which this bright'st's as black As th' face of Hell and yet beleeve there lacks As much resemblance in this draught to th' Life As Earth of Heaven of Heaven for all our strife 'S but pourtrai'd with a coale revealed God In h's holyest glories by a dirty Clod O' th' work-besoiling Clay and yet beleeve Thou' rt altogether unable to beleeve The difference till thou seest it Thou't see a light Is able to discerne an Hypocrite A man s'inlightned he hath skill enough To cheate himselfe and all the world this snuffe This dying snuffe shall burne as black as Hell When with its Christ sincerity shall dwell But what 's that all-surpassing splendor O Where 's he Where 's he will lead me to that show And teach my thoughts my rude and artlesse lines To draw the features of that face divine Divine That every foolish fondling w'll blurt On a neat piece of finer-formed durt O beauty Cu'd I speak but I have lost Expressions in impressions I 'de rather lie Admiring Adoring More sweetnesses suck I So but fire will out must speak of him Rightly if I can however speak of him The best of things so earnestly I covet Th'Unspeakable Gift yet can I say I love it And love will praise its object so must I And yet now I begin to praise I die O may my life so porutrait forth my Love To win Corrivals mount their spirits above With sacred flames while I stand peering there Where all Terrestriall beauties shad dowes are O see prie gaze b'inamour'd here is fare For Myriads of Love-sick worlds and spare O see prie gaze b'inamour'd here is fare Whose Rivals bring each other greater share For many eyes hearts see love more then one Fresh Graces spie to feed fresh hungers on O here 's a banquet where the guests finde ever The more the merrier for the cheare failes never Discovered such a goodly plenty show's Whose there can grieve but that his friends it loose Whose there can grieve but that his griefe 's his sauce To make him rellish more his wiser choice
yet unwrought Must I be one how sweet a trembling joy Runs through my veines and kindly doth imploy Me in a fearefull love must I be one â—e then be Thine shu'd all the world be none â— I be one I le then be none alone But I le be thine shu'd all the world be none O blesse blesse blesse my soule still blesse thy Blisse VVhat sweeter worke unto my soule then this Or what more acceptable unto thee Thou lovest it and I love it then ever be Thou blest of ever-ever-blessing me Of ever blessing me ever blessed be O blesse when wu'd I cease when thou sha't cease To be then not till then I 'd blessing cease O blesse were I in Hell yet cud I blesse I were in heaven but I cannot blesse I cannot cannot blesse is this to blesse To call thee blessed while thinke nothing lesse Or can I thinke I thinke it while not part VVith all for Thee Thou onely blessed while my hearâ— 'S not wholly given up into thine hands T' be melted moulded fashn'd by thy commands T' be cast into a full conformitie VVith thee if thought Thee th' sole felicitie Blessed art thou O Lord th' art good and Dost good no unaccustom'd song but stand Not deedes thoughts words at mutuall defiance Thought I't wud not there be a quicke compliance VVith all thy wills wud not I hast to know Presse hard to learne thy statutes th' wayes thou 't goe To meete with Thine thou onely blessed goodnesse VVu'd not I still be in thy presence Oh! th' woodnes Th' wilde wandring madnesse hath seduc'd my soule Since first I turn'd my backe upon Thee to proule And filtch an independant blessednesse whence grew My aye-depending misery while fondly threw Me from my Eden where the all-creating spirit VValke't with his fleshie workemanship But wu't blest spirit Returne againe and be Emmanuell VVu't teach my heart to call Thee good wut dwell There make 't thy temple hence helpe me breath petitions I see thy goings here th' glorious exhibitions Of the invisible flesh spirit God man heaven earth A marriage song of everlasting mirth And must I sing ' t who since thou took'st me in And trim'st we for thy selfe weedest my sinne â—lantedst thy grace the dore wide open hurl'd And made my heart the through faire of the world Thou mad'st thy garden this then the pully be VVith greater swing to clap me close to Thee The pully be to make me sticke so close The greatest pull may never make me loase But when I heare the stillest voyce behind And heare it ecco'd by thy written minde â—ay thy beloved's here straite ope I flie And blest who knowes what meaneth He and I. This opening shuts me in the fastest close VVhile in h's revealed loves my selfe I loose O how this smiling favour quite prevailes â—isolves me all in teares and then exhales â— ' ascending soule to that refining Sun Resolves me into it selfe O turne heart turne And never never teturne Thus is begun Consummate glory when I 'm all undone Undoe undoe apace dissolve melt run Thy onely undoing is th' art not undone Draw out shed shed abroad thy selfe in praises Leave not a drop behind let all turne praises But what am I thou shud'st put such a thing Into my heart so cordially to sing The glories of the God ' gainst whom I have beene A constant belcher of blaspheming sinne What thought I spake I did I but in all My cursed life did Thee accursed call And must I blesse I blesse Shall I sinke O! Hold me Hold me in this bless'd pleasure So So may I over sinke and sing how sweete Sweet sound the praises in these depths O meet Meete me a diving plundring through my heart 'S false-bottome thorough whatsoever wu'd part Me from Thee Catch me in those lasting armes VVhose closings are a close of warbled charmes Charmes warble still and shake me up and downe Untill you rest me with my fixed Crowne Rest warble still for still this is my rest To see to sing my worthlâ—snesse so blest Blest spirit shake shake on loosen my soule From this false world break downe beare through the foule False bottome of my heart still more to meete With truth i' th' inward parts still more to greet Those peace-heaven-sounding wellcommings those sure And never-over-burthened armes those pure Those pure imbraces whose harmonious close Shall blesse my blessing soule with full repose Thus may my rising falling heart in praying praise My falling rising heart sing on my dayes Steadfast in joyes discoursing that vast distance That 's swallow'd up in an unite persistance And wu't thou me forsake Just now I saw thee Oh draw faine'd overtake Cud cud I but beleeve Were I in Hell yet shu'd I nothing grieve I waite trust walke with thee Revive in peace shall ne're confounded be REtire sad thoughts into your inmost Cells There view the Hell of Hells Thy sinne-foul'd soule In blacke flames howle Those never-lightned hearts Wh'in this their day ha' n't done their studious parts In their false purifying while hope Hath Judah's fountaine doore kept ope Returne glad thoughts and mount the utmost bounds O' th' boundlesse heavens There 's he Yea he is here The word is neare And hence my joy redounds To see the Ruddy VVhite in him and me The watry blood so pure so just To white to quench my pitthy lust HAng all these Puritans A Puritan what 's that an Hipocrite Nay hold there man for so thou dost but fit The noose for thine owne necke Dost n't thou professe The service feare of God yet what dost lesse From thine owne mouth th' unrighteous servant th' art Condemned for a Puritan wu'd thou wert So happy t' owne the honour of the name Who that description canst not but disolaime And say he is no Hipocrite then sincere I there it is the object of thy jeere I tell thee man Thou art an Atheist or a Puritan Within my heart the wicked's wickednesse cries There is no feare of God before his eyes VVithin his heart the foole hath madly said There is no God why should I be afraid Selfe-cozening soule did'st see the curious eye Thy bosome thoughts did at a distance prie How dar'd thy fond affections say within There is no God for speculative sinne So say there is no God for hee 's his name VVhose vengeance teares the tearers of the same Heart-searching and sinne-visiting he is Deny it and deny thy eternall blisse Canst count thy pastime-words but passing winde Thy irreforming tongue shall shortly finde A word no scruple but a tun of leade To sinke thy soule to an Infernall dread Then shal't thou see each minute on the scoare VVhat thought spoake acted while thou sha't implore That great tribunall with Lord Lord for all Thou 'st done i'th'flesh though minced n're so small Presumptuous wretch thou d'st thought'st there were a God Run trembling up and down at every nod VVhat art thou to the world that
hither that holy holy holy I am a man c. Hither that behaviour of the foure and twenty Elders that on the contemplation of the excellencies of God threw downe their crownes their excellencies at his feete as being nothing but what they had of Him in Him for Him But life would faile mee in referring zeale and constancie c. and all other graces hither in what dependancie relation they stood to one another Sinne being like so much muck and dung on the fire of zeale the more unmixt the more intent c. The feare of the Lord being a cleant feare and abiding for ever make me sound in thy statutes and steadfast in thy Covenant The inheritance undefiled that fadeth not away 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how that the purer the thing is the more free from corruption heterogeneousnesse the more stable firme durable it is so the body so the soule But now we know this puritie this sinceritie is by this discovery therefore this constancy this zeale c. And hither that the things that are seene are temporall but the things that are not seene are eternall The things that are not seene being rare pure holy simple c. and therefore free from corruption and therefore from alteration from decay But into what a blessed maze and gladly involving labarinth hast thou wound thy selfe O my soule And sha't thou be so unhappy ever to finde the way out againe Is it not good for us ever to wander here in these paths of pleasure and walkes of delight Can there be any thing that can steale away the heart so surrounded with such glories such loves But art thou not to thy selfe but to thy God and doth he call thee to workes of an inferiour nature Still worke and wonder worke and love worke and blesse still keepe thy ground thy God who is the God of the vallies as well as of the mountaines And still while thou art walking with him thorough a diverse path loose thy selfe in him who shall shortly with all them that in truth have knowne his name be ever lost in the blessed contemplation of the wonderfull contrivances of the eternall wisedome When there shall be no more eating and drinking no more sleeping and rest no more spending of spirits no more avocations from the immediate and uninterrupted continually active contemplation in that full vision of the onely blessed God and in him of all his wonderfull works When there shall be no successivenesse of plenary intuition and perfect action but still the heart that knowes-loves-obeyes him continually overpowred with the blessed vision and over-flowing in loves and sweetnesses shall be incessantly running over in heart ravishing praisings and intranced in perpetuall extasies Who is it that even now is able to conceive the heaven that is in his owne heart what then when we there see and love-and-sing-and-sing-and-love-and see eternally when we shall not onely have the spirit in us but be in be wholy in the spirit Perfused baptized overwhelmed with it Not onely see and have light joy love spirit but be In nay be spirit light joy love And now O Lord what are wee that it should be thus with us O thou life of life and being of beings thou incomprehensible God! What is it to thee that wee know thee that we love thee what pleasure hast thou in our righteousnesse or what profit it is to thee that we make our wayes perfect surely O Lord thou hast thou hast none who art so infinitely above all happie and holy none but what thou acceptest as such in him in whom thou onely art in whom we onely are well pleased In whom thou wilt welcome us with a Well done good and faithfull servant when thou shalt finde us so doing who have done nothing What are our understandingst thoughts of thee but as so many mishapen confused conceits What our appositest speeches but as so much jabbering and gibberish What our accuratest performances but as so many trifling toyes All childish childish all What are they further then they are exercises of then they are testimonies of our love the end the summe of all the Commandements Yet what too are our strongest our heart-possessingest loves but as so many fond and fleeting passions And yet thou looking on us and we on thee thorough the face of thy Christ that perspective of mutuall lustre and glory from in and for whom are all our thoughts words affections actions and ought that ought is art pleased to accept them as the thoughts as the language as the love as the life of Angells Whom thou hast made ministring spirits to thy chosen thy faithfull that wee with them and they with us preferring each other in honour might all joyntly promote the honour of our onely-honour-worthy God O the freenesse of thy grace the unfathomednesse of thy wisedome the incomprehensiblenesse of thy glory O where is the learning that hath learnt thee that would not willingly debase it selfe throw downe it selfe as the footstoole before thy Throne and the Throne of thy Christ as being nothing but what it is in raysing up the soule to a dutie-learning to an humble walking with thee that would not willingly as it were unlearne all and learne it over againe in thy Christ where are those fond and selfe-conceited Opiniasters that would not lay downe all at his feete at least meekely and selfe-suspectingly mannage their Scripture-unevidenced tenets O did we know in what a blacke cloud of ignorance wee were all involved in what a night of palpable darkenesse an epithite not unknowne to a Christian heart that cannot but be feelingly sensible of it Had our memories oftener recourse to that Originall pride that confounded the language of our minds as well as that of our tongues or thought that multiplicitie and incertainty of opinions may since purposely be permitted by the divine wisedome and gratious justice to lay us low in our owne eyes to make us out of love with our selves c. how could we then be so proud and not so so contentious Why may not all that hold the same head have the same heart why may not there be dissention without contention But every one seeke their owne and none of Christ Which true foundation or foundation of truth laine in the heart if any shall as who doth not among our gold and silver unwittingly build straw and stubble why should not we labour to purge one anothers drosse with a tender love and carefull salvation as I may say of one anothers respects content peace whom the God of love and peace hath promised to save eternally Or had we observed that it is with Christians as with the tenent and mortesse in building the condyles and concavities in the bones of the body he is that eminent at one end as it were may be defective at the other that is excellent in this may be wanting in that that so wee may fall in with joyne closer to one another in one the
perfect in weakenesse concording discord And if it be the glory of God to bring light out of darkenesse good out of evill how can we but rejoyce that by being subjects of the one we come to bethe instruments of the other 2 Cor. 12. 1 Cor. 2.5 And if good be the object of the concupiscible facultie why shu'd we make our affections the object of our irascible The Lord strengthen us with joy in the inner man and then goe it how it will with the outer So may we gladly keepe the word of his patience in the saddest and patience-assaultingst times so shall hee keepe us from or at least in and therefore from the houre of temptation that shall come upon all the world to try them Now is it a time for the patience of the Saints for them that keepe the Commandements of God and the faith of Jesus Now is it a time for those that have held fast this inviolable knot in the bond of love to hold up their heads in rejoycing as then knowing the greater redemption drawes nigh when the greater calamitie approaches Thus what ever of these things we may know already feelingly in the heart if not notionally perspicuously in the head let us not faile to put one another alwayes in remembrance Alwayes striving together in our Prayers and that with no small conflict of heart that we may be comforted being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgement of the mistery of God and the Father and of Christ Had we more godly and brotherly love wee should have more comfort and that would hunger after more knowledge and that fill with more assurance and that furnish with more grace and all acknowledge the mistery of the puritie of the wisedome of the love of the Godhead So much spirit so much faith so much faith so much Christ so much Christ so much love so much love so much knowledge so much knowledge so much fulnesse of God Eph. 3.16 c. Come then what may come befall what may befall to the flesh The Lord be with the Lord will be with will be our Spirits Ruat Mundus Restat Deus PLay on about the Candle wanton flie Play sindge thy wings consume thy soule and die Make jests of Scripture-jeere the God of heaven Laugh at the Light-mock them who hath receiven It in their hearts-and shine it in their lives Invent unheard of opprobries contrive New fashion'd obloquies scum hell for scurrulous wit Or dive th'lowest depths of the unfathom'd pit 'T will furnish thee with just sufficient store To make thy selfe a foole and nothing more Enough and but enough to over-reach And cheate thy selfe th' infernall cheater'l teach Else shud'st be wiser then thy master shud Thy wit have wit enough to make thee good On madnesse belch thy deadly Antipathie To heaven in thy horrid blasphemy Cast up thy workes and reare thy mounts on high Heape fetch on fetch to overtop the skie Shield thee with distinctions say it is not him Thou shoot'st at but his word Saint Image Limbe Not God but God in them While merrily along To the correcting stocks the foole holds on His heedlesse way tickled with the high desert Of h's flattering wit into his endlesse smart PUritan the invention of Hell the Character of a Christian the language of prophanenesse the blasphemy of God the evomition of a heart desperately wicked a glorious defamation an undermining of an open thrust at the very heart life and power of Religon an evident preferring of Pharisaicall formes and Laodecean neutralitie a Match-divillian device to kindle sire in Church and State a slie practise of the old Serpents old maxime Divide and Raigne a word that is as it is made enterteined And what indeed is this Puritan but a Protestant drawing naturall conclusions from his owne praemises beleeving and living according to his owne profession at the highest pitch of his owne principles Nor know I indeed how one differs otherwise from the other then a Papist from an Arminian A perfect birth from an Embrio a Bird from an Egge Time and due heate Cateris non obstantibus will give them both their full maturity And as I have had it from good hands confessed by a Papists that Protestanisme not kept down wu'd naturally grow up to Puritanisme And surely that which doth not is but a dry and dead stumpe without branches or at farthest leaves without fruite Is that tree which cumbers the ground is that ground which is nigh unto cursing to the executed sentence of its amendment-unaverted judgement Let then this or whatsoever other synonymous Nickname any divill-brooded braine hath latelier hatched be sent forth drest in the gavest feathers of proud and selfe-conceited and therefore desperately foolish wit yet shall they prove but finer colour'd excrements but ensignes of their vanitie and therefore not seasonably prevented of their eternall vexation of spirit But what then those more blacke and darke aspersions of impudently-forheaded calumniators with the very thoughts where of I abhorre to defile my memory Whose empty whose witlesse wit is so taking with because so easily apprehensible by so aptly sutable to corrupt nature While the substantiall wisedome of heaven is only justified by her children Who have learnt of her how ever these scoffers deceive themselves God whom in his word Saints c. they mock will not be mocked Jude 15. Act. 4.9 Matth. 25.42 c. Try all things hold fast that which is good REject the Branne reteine the flower All things abide their sifting houre Perfection onely in Heaven is 'T is knowledge here to know we misse But they who studdy not to advance Are ignorant of their ignorance But we that follow on to know In floods of lights and loves shall flow Baptiz'd in glory till wee see Th' unseene in all his Puritie But what O what then shall we be Who so much of him here can see Chant in a fire of humble zeale Soule-loosing hymns of restlesse weale Ravish't and ravish't while we rest Hugg'd in his aye-fomenting brest Surrounded in a Maze of blisse Distracted with felicities While firmely resident in one In whom All knowables are knowne The things that neither eye eare heart Can see heare thinke the milliont'h part Who see nor love simplicitie Inf'nit Invisibilitie O what what then who this now know Yet know not ought as w' ought to know T Is calme within and so I sang before 'T is calme without so sing what sang before My head-my heart-my hand shall sing My God my Prophet Priest and King These three below with those above Shall make six parts unite in love And so I sang in the extreamest storme And what else can I'n the serenest calme O Teach thy servant to be humble for the humble thou wilt teach Let him see thee and he dies and he lives for ever Send forth thy Light and thy Truth and let them lead him in thy presence Cause thy face to shine upon him and it will teach him they statutes Thy loving kindnesse is better then life O let it never depart from him O Comfort him with thy Aples and refesh him with thy Cordialls For his soule is sicke is sicke with love O thou Discerner of hearts Why are thy Chariot wheeles so slow How long shall he looke out of the window How how long shall those beauties be masked and the God of glory vailed When shall this night of ignorance turne day and these thicke clouds be dispersed Why hast thou showne thee and but shown thee O fully abidingly Thou hast wounded his heart with thy glories and it bleedeth inwardly It sinkes it falls it dies for want of more wounding 'T is sweetly imbittered with thy inconceavable thy insupportable Loves What bounds can hold it what thing detaine it what expressions describe it How long shall it languish in thy strength and expire in thy breathings O never never shall these gratious visitations forsake it THus all my life 's a course of seeking Thee Who liv'd who lost Thy life in seeking me Such is my faith such shall my finding be Whose love hath found the way to waite on Thee With righteous works which can't extended be To Thee but thou wu't meete so doing me So running from my selfe to be Ingulph't in ever-blessed Thee So twining streames in sweete confusion Till know my Love without allusion Clos'd in a Close without Conclusion I have gasped after thy Salvation O Lord Even so come Lord Jesus come quickly
spread downeward in the roote of my humble faith so much the more nourishment I draw and consequently thrive in bulke and stature towards the full measure of perfection in Christ Jesus We have according as we receive but we receive according to our humility-the hollow of the Palme the capacitie the capability of the hand of faith therefore we have according to it Againe Grace is the Indwelling of God in us and Humility the emptying and the unselfing us of our selves to live in him looke then as he comes in the very first forming of grace so we goe out and as wee goe out so he comes in with a daily and further transforming us into himselfe Or thus Christ is the patterne of Humility but in him dwelleth the fulnesse of the Godhead therefore Thc humblest man is the most gracious man Nay who 'twixt th' one and th' other difference can For indeed Grace is Humility-and Humility is Graceis godlinesse they having divers names in a divers respect Humilitie as we are made unlike to are outed of our selves Grace-and Godlinesse as made like to as Inned in our God The unselfdenying man therefore is the prond man-is the ungracious-the ungodly man Or thus God himselfe hath so humbled himselfe take upon him the forme of a servant to be God-with Phil. 2. ver 6 7. The Lord of Life hath shed blood hath been slaine and that on the Crosse for 〈◊〉 Acts 3.15 1 Cor. 11.27 In whom it is humility looke on the Earth to looke on the Heavens Psal 11 Grace then being but what a man hath of God it mâ— be but what he hath of humility The more truly then the more kindly the Sould humbled the more raised the more sublimed it is 〈◊〉 cause more filled with him who is Above all But of tâ— otherwhere God willing the Kingdome standing 〈◊〉 not overturned by these studie-disturbing Statestroying Over-looking Prides QVia des noixil en casse Et qui n'en a il s'en passe Hee that hath Nuts to h's teeth them puts Hee that hath none lets 'em alone 'S ne'r troubled about ' em Just such toyes are all the joyes This world can give and I can live As well without ' em It is not bread whereby I 'm fed I much may carve and yet may starve If Nature feed not But on the aire I can well fare If God shall make me all forsake So say they need not God is my portion all this spatious world â—S a little-tinie Nut that to me hurld â—'ve more adoe to get the Kernell forth Then all the world as but the shell is worth God 's in 't I know and God's without it too And I get him without with lesse adoe My Nuts are left I 'm off my childish stage Approach the Acme of m'eternall Age â—care f'r this ratling pleasure Counter-wealth These Hobby-horse Honours For this trumpery pelte â—arths puling sucklings stretch your throats I draw My Life fro'th ' Wisdome o' the Gospel-Law ARise my Harp my Heart is risen up Praise him hath fill'd hath overfill'd thy cup. â—rise my Heart my Harp is risen up â—raise him hath fill'd thy praise-o'rerunning cup. â—eart Harp arise mixe your melodious notes Whereon my soule my soule to him devotes â—ow praises vow thy selfe in praisefull blisse â—y Heart the Spirit my Harp the Organ is â—ay Harp and Heart and sweetly both agree 〈◊〉 Him my Life my life your Echo bee â—esse Heart Harp blesse with blest conspiracy â—y Life Earth Heaven your constant Echo be SIng pretty Bird and welcome in the Spring And mock my silence heark unthankfull soule How sweetly doth she chant it sing on sing My daintiest Bird how nimbly doth she rowle And poure out Roundelaies as if she wu'd Have all at once her concords understood Yet pretty wretch how well she keepes the time How gracefully she rests how entertaine Her Flats with Sharps how neatly doth she climbe Up note by note and run them downe againe VVith gentle breast breaths many a melting straine Harke harke unthankfull soule what still refraine Rouze up put in thou lacking in thy part Refuse so just a challenge Thou hast two Springs From Earth one Heaven another rise up my heart The winters past raine gone 't is time to sing The Flowers appeare heard is the Turtles voice The voice of thy Beloved Arise Rejoyce Up meditate his praises on thy Lute VVith a grave Higgaiion while like Seraphim Thou burst'st in t ' flams fails th' tongue 'to speak depuâ—â— Thine eyes They Let astonisht silence him Proclaime wondrous in doing in Sanctitie Glorious in praises fearefull I praise Thee Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Rest My rest yet restlesse I how faine wu'd speake But so o're powerd with dazling Light so prest VVith Humbling weight of Massie Glory breake M'imprisoning earth claime climbe my high degree Glory in its El'ment can't too heavy be O turne away thine eye No turne mine eye To a refulgent Sun whose steady view May feast upon unmixed Entitie 'S uncircumscribed and uncoulerd Hew Till * Ps 14.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 complectitur copiam affluentiam Fluminis Luminis cum celeritate lubentia ac pronitate Fosterus whelm'd in living floods of streaming beames I rise far far above these dunghill-steames To sing Blest God who to thy Pure in heart I' th' Sight of Thee all blessings dost impart LOrd I believe O help my unbeliefe My sins are great therefore my sins remit Are thy thoughts thy wayes mine To see the Chiefe Of sinners Chiefe of Saints a work befit Such free full grace O how my soule admires Rapt up in wonders lost in large desires How I expatiate in this Infinite I stretch I retch and yet still more 's before Still I put out my selfe so from Selfe quite Am drawne most happy losse to finde such store I 've lost my empty Barke * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 swift sailing come Inrich't with Glory to my Glorious Home Tosse World thy waves Heart harker for thy Earth Blow Divle thy blasts He he is in my Barke Shall quit me of you all Ravisht with mirth While to my Husband-Pilots Loves I harke With full assarance fleetly glide along Long longing t'sing that overlasting long Hallelujah Hallelujah But must I rest I heare A harshned touch what interchange here needs Or have I so fastidious an eare Or i' st Variety my joyings feeds But that that 's Grounded on Simplicity In Jah's the confluence of all Harmony T 'S a Princely Fabrick This. What curious rowes Of glittering windows stately Batiements How well compact proportion'd trim it showes A Master-piece of Arts imbellishments And what a bredth and length it runs as high As if it wu'd the spangled Cope outvie In lofty glory And if within you prie How neatly furnisht with rich Utensils How gorgeous deckt with broidred Tapestry What Paintings Carvings Guildings What so e're fills Th' eyes with content Yet be the Seat unsound Foundation shallow soon't salutes
we ENough Lord July 1640. Mercy enough take my life from me I better than my Fathers No s'bad I 'd die Were I left only Yet were I still with Thee But I 'm so fickle s'inconstant one while I Conquer Philistims break through all but then My strength is gone and I 'm like other men 〈…〉 renew'd and now had I 〈…〉 I 'd so imploy 〈…〉 â—ation Go their 〈…〉 Exalts it self above the highest Throne And sweeps down Stars whose lustre hath outshone Their artificiall Fires and made their Light Appeare th'ditch-plunging Vapours of the Night Lull'd were wee fast asleep while they Us shave But in thy Name wee 'le valiantly behave Our selves wee 've strength an t'spare wee 'le be more be Than Conquerours yea shortly on Them see Wh'have long depriv'd us of our sight and made Us grinde the grist keeps up the Romish Trade And now wee'z make them sport but such as makes Them and their Conclave feele their Downfall shakes Down down it goes this Lordly Machination On their own Lordlesse hearts this reputation Have all His Saints let not the vision be Prolonged Lord. When when shall I once see These Cockatrices Egges These Spiders webbs Crush't and swept down This Flood even now it ebbs While't more Rebellion then the Ocean sounds That curbs its proud Waves by its Makers bounds Is'nt th'Myst'ry of Iniqu'tie's Measure found Orerunning th'brim strik 't strik 't and throw 't to th' ground O when 's That 's Shortly Thou't under our feete contrite All desperate haters of Thy holy Might SWell on proud Toad and with thy swelling burst Spit venome still I 've m'Antidote How say'st I can't indur't Nor He thee thou accur'st That blest the meek I wonder how thou pray'st Thy Will be done What Wu't th' prerogative 'S His Glory To none other will He give A Touch a Pin a Word a Look make such a brable But brought on Bed thy self-will never eas'd Gi'th'Child its will give the Fool its bable And who more pleasant The devill 's well when Hee 's pleas'd But whose of God is pleas'd when He 's not well His Will 's his Pleasure and his own 's his Hell NO feare not Thou for Thou dost Jesus seek Meek righteous soul to make thee righteous meek Feare nothing nothing else but Him who can Yet cannot ' cause he will not hurt a Man A man of God whose single watchfull eye Heart minde strength might joy time doth all imploy In all Commands with all their due extents And sweetly still the humble soule relents And drooping dropping dropping in his breast will cry Ah wretch't unprofitable servant I O blest and profitable servant Thou Rewarded with th'All powerfull God and how How canst thou feare wh'hast Him who all things made Feare not He bids then feare to be afraid Feare not the Lion but the way watch pray He 'd keep th'in his who keeps His in their way THat feare and love is good and great That Goodnesse feares and Greatnesse loves Good for a slave may feare a threat And every rascall money moves Great the greatest feare from * Miserimum est fuisse foelicem Sin-and misery is as it is to Holinesse-and Happinesse Had not they first been we had never known these It is the full and feeling apprehension of their irrecoverable losse that makes Hell Hell to the wicked And the feare of their indiscoverable obscuring that makes feare feare to the godly In this so far exceeding that of the ungodly that the feare of the one ariseth from the losse of God of the other from the losse of themselves an infinitely sweet and gratious God a poore petty contemptible worm The soule of the one widened in the great vast apprehensions of the incomprehensible simplicity of God of the other shrunk up shrivelled in the strait narrow bounds of its own welfare That being a feare of Love the workings whereof are stronger than Death this of hatred that shall be kept under the power of Eternall Death That being that which draws the soul insinitely after him bindes it indissolvably to him makes it dwell everlastingly in him who is Love all Love and in whom is no hatred at all This that which contracts it into it self in a straight and scanty compasse carries it off makes it flie and keep at a distance from him who is Heaven while they are flying from Hell There being nothing that laies a stronger ingagement on the soule than Love and therefore nothing that doth more intend and increase the affections conducible to its preservation Which did an Arminian feele he would never exclaime against free Grace and absolute Predestination as a doctrine of sinfull liberty but rather as I may call it against forc't Grace and dependant Predestination The feares cares worries of the slave and mercenary beginning and ending in himselfe he not labouring out of a single eye but as seeing the whip and lash over his head the messe of Pottage at his hand while the adopted Son that lives at his Fathers Court and is ascertained of the Inheritance can as well qua talis as such whose heart is so enlarged and carryed forth in the sence of divine joyes and loves indure any the least aberration from its Fathers good pleasure as he that hearing him bespeake him with such like kinde compellations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my deare my precious Son the childe of my kisses my pleasant embracings for whose trouble my bowels are troubled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on whom in tender mercy I will have tendes everlastingly tender mercie c. can chuse but be affected with the most quick and ready concord of bowels the most passionately stirring 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the most Son-like givings givings up of soule and consequently acted with a more than manlike feare care working to be ever ever pleasing such a Father such a God to whom he findes it so good to draw to be so neare Losse doth rise Heroicque spirits catch not flies HOw full of sweetnesse is my foule While in this boundlesse Ocean 't roules 'T selfe in concurring floods of Blisse Where meets in One what ever is O How I dread thy mercies How Imbrace thy judgements on whose brow Sits lovely Soveraignety Inthron'd in an Identity Of awfull smiles whose holy beames Influence Seas of gratefull streames Through all thy wayes whose every path A sweetly fresh occurrent hath To bath my blissefull soul sings still Jehovah is in all and till He cease to be he never will To doe Great Good nor I to fill My reverentiall heart with praises Whose welcome feare my spirit raises To such an heighth of self-contempt that all This and the world below below me fall Poore despicable spectacles to 'th soule that feares Nothing but what it Loves nor loves but what it feares Hence pedling world with all thy paltry pack Trusse up away be gone Nor have I lack What Faire foule skins full empty bags Fresh rotting
nimble eye could not prevent His noble heart turnes to incouragement And counts small undertakings too too small For that Great minde that nothing great can call But God On on brave hearts What what temptation Dismaies the man whose danger 's recreation Not feares the hard'st injeopardingst and yet feares The light'st secur'st Imployment since he heares More Alsufficiencie in th' Aeternall's Word For th' difficult'st exploits and findes't confer'd On 's Heaven-raised soule then'n Himselfe sees To th' least good thought vast insufficiencies Thus by this feeblenesse made more apprehensive O' th' gratious supervenient strength'i's defensive Offensive succours He finds so sweet a greet In 's R'covering Heart where strength and weakenesse meet God and himselfe Here'd faine b'unchamber'd by 'th ' Free quickning Aire growne stronger ' d conflict with The ruder windes and yet his strength increast Stirres up the heartned Champion to request The King his Master to designe him to Some singular service which he passing through With perill-edging puissance might prove The Sovereigne vigor of his Soveregne's love Arm'd w'th ' All-powrefull Arme that rends in pieces The hugest hosts of foes as th' slender Fleeces O' th' slightest rottenest Woole What what temptation Dismaies the man whose Danger 's Recreation â—â—st not thy exercise I' st not to trie Thy strength that Thou mayest know 't and magnifie â—â—is Giver I' st not use legges and have them use travell And use shall teach thee nimbly trippe the gravill * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epict. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And how thou' rt here mista'n 't is not th' affliction Whereby thou suffer'st but thine owne affection No man can hurt thee unlesse thou wilt what may An Heathen teach thee magnanimitie O pray Pray for more faithfull courage let men see Ethicks are yet to learne o'Theology What fear'st but sinne lookes 't after what but grace Since there 's so much in these then these imbrace Count them thy Pleasure Glory and thy Gaines For what gets more of Christ's well worth thy paines From the eater meate cruell sweet darke light ill good A Ridle in heaven's fully understood Here were our hearts s ' Inheaven'd in Holinesse As there they 'll be even here they 'd see no lesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 SImplicitie-Immutabilitie Art thou O'Lord and am I as thou art One Spirit with Thee this contrarietie Whence is it then whence this inconstant heart Wer 't but that to thy sacred Image I 'M renew'd I 'd looke for more Analogie One spirit yet many loves yet many changes O be there now no mixtures no estranges O here 's my woe incorrespondency My deeds unlike themselves and all to Thee O trie refine rack supernaturalize Extract subtile sublime spiritualize O spirit spirit what shall I doe for spirit This body o' Sin this rotten Carkasse bury it How ' nweldy ' t is how over-grown with flesh How faintly it workes More spirits to refresh I can't indure these lame sick presents t' give Or make me lively or not let me live O cou'd I keep my Orb and constant shine I 'd draw up worlds with influence divine And mount their spirits but so dim low coole They 'le feare 't is but some Meteor to befoole Them not so wise to deem the different doome Between a setting Sun and falling Fume Much light 't is shewes the Sun much fruit the Roote The Roote the Sun Thou art then may my fruit My Light be much that men may wonder much What 's th'lightfull Roote whose fruitfull Light is such I am thine Image don't men judge of Thee By me Ah Lord let me no longer bee Or be more like Thee What no more holy yet More perfect yet Nay my heart intreats Thee let Me branded be for a damn'd hypocrite Or my-thy Light let it increase its might The soul Thou sai'st that 's clean-and sound promoves In strength the righteous man his Light improves Unto the perfect day but better I For ever perish then Thou once shu'dst lie They 'r foolish men and if I once doe ill From P'rticulars to Generals argue will From Man to God but how ever I be Yet Thou art good when wu't Thou come to me O that I could but wish to wish to bee For ever in Hell then be a jot from Thee This th' only Hell then may I there ne'r be O cou'd I keep my earth-freed wish to be For ever in Heaven then be a jot from Thee Thee Thee But ' die for feare for love of Thee Great Good what not but I sin shame Glory Grace Grace nay Then I le live Thy Name With loudest praises I le promulgate Then My heart my life shall say Amen Amen ORub me rub me He is passed by Pass't by my breath my life my I. O what but My hanging hands and feeble knees agree To joyne their suit for speedy remedy My yearning lookes and rowling bowels make A sad relation of Thy sad forsake My yearning lookes and rowling bowels make A glad petition for Thy glading sake For Thy forsake I faint I sinke I die But for Thy sake I live I rise I flie And over all I hie I post I speed I cannot stay For Faith is nimble in its way I post I speed I cannot stay For love and love know no delay I post I speed I cannot stay For Faith and Love are all my stay I post I speed I cannot stay For Love in Sence must end my way HEalth Wealth Name Liberty The World at will enough Take thy ease and minde thee The World what 's that to me Not elbow-roome enough To turn and winde mee Not peeping hole to see My Love not breath enough For m' Lungs to winde me Great great deficiencie Not lightsome roome enough To loose n'er finde me Wu'd not I die did not I eye Thee far before my self Wu'd not I pray my selfe away From all this paltry pelfe Wu'd I demurre when gone so far In love to thy Great Selfe Wu'd I descend and not there spend M' into Thy Endlesse Selfe No sure I de goe I de never hold my head And keepe my flushed spirits from their flight To roule their chantings i' the Darkelesse Light And sing inlargement from the living dead But that I heare me thinkes a voyce behind Sing Evangelick Anthems through thy life Thy Heavenly concords woo'the I ambe a wife Wives and more winne the spirit of their minde Corrivalls here increase their mutuall flame by 'th ' mutuall praysings of th' all pleasing Name O make me then thy Instrument So holding to thy hearts content So true unto the Touch each string Each straine so suite each Note so bring A grace unto the rest that they May fall in love that heare thee play May heare thee play that they may fall In love that raises above all To dwell with dwell in him that is Because the God of love of blisse VVHere wut thou goe this morning wandring soule With whom wut sport or where wut make
thy baite At noone and at the falling Sunne wut roule Thy wearied Limbes He that Thee did create And Re-create He shall thee recreate He feed He lodge Thee and He be thy Mate Thy Mate then like the faithfull Dove complain Watch on th' house top alone till He come back Who is not gone be all thy pleasures paine Thy Food thy Famine and thy Bed thy Wrack Till He 's all These to Thee that 's All in All No vaine no chaffie joyes thy minde forestall I can't feed on a Stone a Scorpion 'T is only Bread 't is Egge that I can eate Not on this Vanity and Vexation 'T is Angels food 't is Manna is my meate To th' poys'nous breath'd Aegyptians I resigne The Leekes and Onions the huskes unto the Swine I tell thee worldling in my meate 's such might That on one feast I forty dayes can travell Expos'd to winde and weather watch ward fight Defie the gates of Hell wu'd not this gravell Thy Earth-fed strength Keep the' an Aegyptian slave And make thee-Canaan leave to spirits more brave O how I cu'd even melt into Compassion Poure out my soule in pitty to behold Those that for godlinesse are in the fashion But for the power have they skill are they bold About them with the two edg'd Sword to play Through right left hand temptations cut their way Poore soules a taste that ne'r yet did enjoy How good is God it may be wet their Lip In a Communion Cup or like the Boy O'th'Vint'ners palates the essaying sip Commends 't for good and spurts it on the ground God in their Mouthes not in their Reines is found Poore soules that never drew their draught so deep Of this Rich Philtre that it threw their veines Into those inward hidden parts might creep There on Loves Hearth to tine the fire disdaines An Ocean which shu'd it it surprise ' Twu'd but zeales heate antiperistasize HOw oughten hath thy Servant wish'd his knees Were glu'd to 'th ground they were for did he rise The skin untorn fro'th ' flesh T 's his death who sees Such holy Beauties to divert his eyes But Thou bid'st rise Well-'t's but a turn still walk I with my God still Heare still See still Talk I turn not from but with we 've many a walk All Mercy and Truth Paths rugged lower ground Yet Could nor wrench my foot shall make to stray From Him His Angels keep me thus I found Not th' World not Hell perverts the conversation As th' heart unshoo'd with 's Gospels preparation Lord did I love Thee as I love to love Mid'st crooked Men Things can't I be upright When in afflictions waters thou dost prove My affections Sha'nt their fire increase its might But on command the world I de never touch Search me and try me if my heart been't such Wu'd I not still keep in immediate vision How ' fraid again lest Tenter-hook'd I be By mediate things lest ought should cause division Between my soul and body God and me Leade me not hence unlesse 't be in thine hand Thy Mandates Promises Promises Command I de shake off all men businesse turn Anchorite And wrap my quiet soule int's own content Hows'd from the winde and weather wu'd delight My selfe in my New World till having spent M' appointed time my wished change shu'd come And fetch me from my Cell t' my Fathers home Try Try my heart deare Lord. O where 's the man That loves his neighbour as himselfe his God Above ten thousand worlds and lives that can With filiall thankfulnesse runt ' kisse the rod And pray as heart'ly for it as his food As oft as his good Father sees it good O where 's the man that is the Inward man Whose Eyes Tongue Sences all keep still within With God n'er step without untill he can Receive his warrant thence skill strength the ginne To shun to break that lies in every thing And so thorow all himself to God Re-bring O where 's the man that watches every thought That cannot misse his God a minutes space But 's in a sowne who 's heart at th'smallest fault Boyles with revenge against himselfe Where th' face Whose smiles are all reflects all h's sadnesses Eclipses of the Sun of Righteousnesse His lookes thus a true Lookinglasse o'h's Soule His Words are Ecco's to that Word was ever With God was God he can't indure to foule His fingers with the world if fowl'd were never Never lin rubbing with his Fuller soape Till th' are more white than ever Wher 's th' man can hope Whose hope can silence all his earthly wishes Make them subscribe to heaven Tell him ' f a Crowne Of Tempes Indies He answers 'em with Pishes But name but Jesus you 'le see him strait bow downe But what No fooles Cap nor no Asses knee With 's humble'd eye rebound to heaven will he O where 's the man that glories in his shame Too many 't's true yet not enough 't's as true Millions that are a shame to God but name The man that hee 's a shame for God How few Who only wish that they may bee to be Gods glory though through greatest infamy Where 's Hee 'le make godlinesse his only gain Count so much got as got of God Account Him for his end all else as meanes refraine All paines all gaines that he sees not amount T' a thriving Summe of this will live on Bread On Water die but Hee 'le be here well fed Think'st thou deluded Worldling Christ is Thine Bid'st Him good-morrow for all day and then Hurriest to th' World toyl'st moyl'st when thy spirits decline If th'st breath enough salut'st Him with good-den Or once a week com'st with thy Dog to visit His House not Him no nor His House what is it Poore soules wu'd my Teares Eye-bright water be Unto your blinded Eyes how fast I 'd weep But godlinesse is such a mistery As God t' All save His House unknown doth keep Let thy Life say thou know'st this mistery Or thy Presumption gives but God the lie Cud'st once say thus I le ne'r indure this life Goe th' World to 'th World Not all day make a meale Upon a Promise How faint I'm I a wife Of such a husband I o' th' Common weale Of Israel Not seene my Love to day No care o's ' Kingdome then well hope I may Nay where in whom when all ill sensuals meet Hath Christ so cast in 's heart that He can turn To wine His water His bitter into sweet VVher 's He can sit and see his City burn VVhile mounted on th' high Tower of his Salvation VVarbles the Praises of his New Creation Yet be no Nero neither but from those Heights Lookes and condoles poore soules can't sit and sing In Blood and Flames keepes pauses with his sigthes And time w'th's Teares strikes flats on every string Ecco's w'th's Voice re-ecco's with his Heart VVith Ciprus face in mourning beares his part Still glitters in his eye milde
thou want'st In earth and be as troubled as thou canst Be steady immoveable if thou 't approve By alway abounding workes thy trust above Hast seen the palsie hand how'ts shaking sinews Bungle at its worke it often discontinues And slowly rids away while marrs th'little part It do's So th'feare-griefe-care-disturbed heart All things cooperate thy good How dar'st Deny 't How dar'st affirm it while thou scar'st Thy self vvith thine own shadow fondly cast O' th' love shines clearest vvhen the Cloud is past The Cloudy world the cleare quick-sighted soule Transpeirces vvhen't detaines the dully foule And thus me thinkes afflictions makes us sing How good How good they are while they re-bring Our stragling hearts to more demeuring views Of him vvhom vve cause he us first did chuse And thus by them his holinesse partake When disincumbred frequenter we make Immediater approaches so to limbe Us form and feature more his own and trim 'S more accurately to him vvhile more see Him as he is the vvorld as it is Vanity Of all except vexation and thereof Full in its serled'st state and are we lo'th To be unmanicled to have our hand Strengthned to hold truth more of Christ while stand Happily ' nfetterd in these freeing Cords That make our erst enslav'd affections Lords Where closer kept in perfect libertie Imperfect onely in that t' shall closer be Hee 'l point out our misprisions and give Instructions how we may more like him live How good ' Twu'd make thee covet povertie And be ambitious of disgrace and flee Upon the wracke presented by thy God Wu'd'st thou beleeve that glorious abode O' th' spirit of spirits What is thy state If once with all our States and Lives thou weigh it I knew a man the moone hath twelve times since And onely twelve by quarterly dissents Lighted the winking world t' see how 't beclings Th' inconstancy of sublunary things This man whose Age stood i' th mid'st of all The earth's temptations while they roundly fall About his necke to steale his heart with kisses Downe to 'th infernall Chambers forearm'd withblisses Of never failing proofe where ere they cover Marches where that sweet Dove is us'd to hover Upon his God exploring head that sought Him in the Garden and imbracing caught Him in his walking voice that i' the fresh O' th' day wont there to meet him and expresse Farre fresher loves VVhen suddenly he teares A dismall cracke invade his quiet eares As when some mighty Structure craz'd with yeares And reparations negligences beares 'Ts decrepid limbs upon its friendly props Who straite deceived of the ground that drops From under 'm not o're sound no little part Themselves forc't from their tottering Charge they start Assunder from their close conjunction Now Now All 's agoing her massie bodie bowes Her longue-time-drooping now quite falling head O' th' weaker Ayre that overburthened Finds strength enough to lift her dolefull voyce Unto the lofty skies seem'd to rejoyce By their cleare cheerie countenance that they Were so farre distant from so shroud a fray But still the loud mouth'd Ayre not able beare Th' oppression fumes in a furious rage and teares Her deadly throat with envious exclamation To rend the restie eares o th' drousie Nation Whose feeble Portalls too too weake to stand So hard a stresse flie up before the grand Tumultuous noise attended with its Troupes Of hiddious feares t' whom straite their spirit stoopes With yeelding slavery while they represent Them spectacles as Potent to torment See Citties broyling in their bloody flames And choak't in sweltring smoake the mincing dames Their fashion-brooding braines dasht on the streete They thought too base a pavement for their feete The canker'd Usurer hugging o' the bagges Betray his Life the fine-mouth'd Wanton draggs Some poysonous carrion from a loathsome hole For his restorative and now there 's nothing stole That 's felony nor slaughter's murther to Those divle-inspired Pontificians who With more than Savage cruelty make death laugh 'T selfe fat with'flesh't devoures the blood it quaffes In full Carrowses from the Parricide hands Of Hell-sprung Catilines whose Rome-bred Bands Arm'd with Hierarquique powers make sculls their Cups Bouse of their Rounds to fate and wallow up To th' reaking knees in vast Acheldamas Thus and beyond Thus in a thousand wayes That grim-fac't Monster shooke his angry dart Against the fearing but God fearing heart Rose in undanted courage to that height That Nature ne're can beare advanc't by th' sight O' th' Beautie in that breach the Musicke in That Crack that vailed beautie that was seene More faire through black that Musick that Was heard more sweete through waters that begat That well composed temper in his heart So fixedly prepar'd no force might part It from t 's Elshaddai by whose blisse-full name 'T was so enlivened with transporting flames So man'd with Heaven-animated spirits So carried forth with brave resolves 't demerits Some Angells Pensill to describe the joy Intranc'd the soule who while on All it saw This Motto There 's no evill but the Lord Hath don 't full nimbly aptly sweetly accords The will o'th'Lord be done for He can doe Nothing but Good but very Good And who VVhos 's heart 's inflam'd with Thy Great Love Great Go Can say that any thing Thou dost is odd Who 's he shall teach thee wisdome Canst thou draw The Heavens out like a Curtaine give a Law To th' Earth to hang on nothing Who shall lend Him bowels that steeres our hearts Or who extend His goodnesse unto Him Shall th'fountain come To drink o' th' streames Shall I be cal'd to summe M' account to Thee Thou scan my Poesie On thy crook't fingers Ar'nt my wayes eaven Thy First framings of thy thoughts wholly perverse And that continually and thou redresse Thou make thy Maker Or was I so o're taken Like some unwary Father who hath forsaken His goods to live at 's Sons provision or Hast thou them of thy selfe and dost abhor To be beholding unto me Behold the man 'S become's own God himselfe and scornes to stand T' our pleasure but to thy dust proud dust goe drudge About thy Thorny Earth learn hence not t' grudge Me my prerogative and if thou dost Deale proudly still still I 'le be uppermost But are my doings all good whence then this mutter Ar'nt they Shew me my Master let him utter His skill Come Mushrome thou of yesterday Come teach the Ancient of dayes to sway His Scepter Or what milder sounds th' attempts That quarrel'st at his prudent Regiment Who 's not a truly-throughly-humble man Hee 's but a practicall Arminian Had'st but thou well studyed his revealed will And pray'd thee to'ts perswasion wu'd't not still Thy murmuring at the loosing of a Straw Who had'st digested that Eternall Law Of pretermission and receipt to grace Wu'd this in all thy Topicks find no place More than the proud Pelagian will see Even so my Father ' cause it pleased thee What shall the child
felicitie What 's Heaven if not a seeing face to face Sung heart to heart were here that full seene grace Sung to a perfect harmony of wills We might on Earth of Heaven take our fills Bless't God hath given us such an Heavenly Brother To tune us all to Thee and each to other O what a consort 's here but ah where finde I two or three strick Unisons in minde Yet were they thirds fifts eights yet unitie Runs sweetely through with a sweet Symphonie There 's one blest One i' th' mid'st who where he is In turning all to One turnes all to blisse One reconcil'd One Smpathy agree How full's my soule with heavenly melodie What 's sinne shame griefe what whatsoever's bad But discord from the good the God we had What else th' all-sinning sinne this Tree I will A sign of Soveraigntie I will not Hell Hell but what th' all-saving grace come doe Come suffer m'will thy will I come I doe Heaven Heaven How harsh'n answ'r t' a sweet injuction How sweet an answer to so harsh a function Thus fin-and-sorrow follow self-will'd pride And grace-and-peace the self that is denide To will thy will 's the sole humilitie Wherein thou dwel'st and that 's in Heaven to be How sweet a Heaven 's the heart still say it wu'd It is my God do he what seemes him good Here 's a belov'd sweet singing Israel Whose heart 's full set to God's consent's as well In all notes as in one and if he strike A jarre jarres with himselfe till strikes alike And that 's a jarre that playes a pleasant moane I'th'eares of Heaven and therefore in his owne VVhat to give Grace and Glory but to give According to thy sacred will to live VVhat i st to be in Hell To be at ods Men with themselves friends neighbours devils God's Cursing the cause of this their sad discent From th' just inflicter of their punishment Gnashing their teeth for envy at the thought Of that Salvation Reconcilement brought Thou only blest in being only One Make us to be One spirit with thine owne And so with one another ere may I be VVith them thee feare they feare to disagree VVhat was our blessers dying blessing His prayer VVe might be One as He and 's Father are O were I were I able to unfold The riches that one sillable doth hold There 's only One thing that is necessary Met we all there how cu'd we thus contrary One body one spirit one hope one faith one Lord Baptim God Father so many Ones afford Their help to keep all One and yet how few VVhose boysterous spirits will not bussle throw Soft peaces bounds so lewse loose unity For none but humble-candid-wise agree But proud-contentious-fooles will ne'r agree Nor vvith themselves nor others nor with Thee Their friendship 's but dissembled enmity Unto th'r owne soules Thee all since not agree In Christ they 're not at peace wi'th ' very stones O' th' field the whole Creation groanes Under this universall enmity It feeles by man his parting friends with Thee Now this Commune Vinculum is broke All flies in pieces and we doe but cloke Our differences if not seem to be Each for himselfe and then what friends we be How now afraid of injury from each other Shrink up our selves into our selves and smother At least our mutuall hatred and not discover The depths of malice that our hearts doe cover Stor'd up against th'all-good all-powrefull God while self-wills and fond desires wu'd pull The Crowne from off his head so ' gainst our selves Who love they hate who hate they love themselves But whether are we brought by this sad breach Or what was 't brought it but our selfish reach Or what can binde it up but only Hee In whom alone we reconciled bee That bundle o'life b'whom His are gathered in To One to never part their hearts again Deare Saviour Cu'd we pattern lowly Thee How willing to our Farhers will wee 'd be Blest Love that spy'st so rare a policy Th'Athistick Florentine cu'd ne'r descry Stand soule this ground while Heaven can provide Himselfe of joy thy joy must needs abide Let him have all have all though I get none My joy 's my Gods content and not my owne Thou canst not Lord displease me ' nlesse thou wu't Displease thy selfe for I will what thou wu't Take take thee all deare Lord though I get none My joy 's my Gods content and so my owne So will the wilfull'st but passive instruments they But of thy grace we actively obey My care 's to please my husband so my self He that so loves so foolish fond an else Wu'd undoe all againe to put in selfe Though taught so well in him t' injoy it selfe Th' issue I nor know nor care t 's my blisse His pleasure 's mine and my displeasure's his He beares our burthen we injoy his yoake He weares our Thornes that hath our Thrones bespoke O cu'd we ever keep us at this pitch What an untroubled life wee 'd leade how rich In all contents nor wu'd there need descents To lower arguments that can't dispence Us sollid true substantiall comfort till We 're rais'd to sing it is our God his will The great'st content is none whose grounds not this Th' great'st discontent's swallow'd up in this vast blisse That beares the soule in an unstopped streame Of mightie force to 'th pleasure o' th' Suprearme The strength of all obedience is this It is his will and not it is my blisse The man that 's not alive can he be strong 'T is Love's the life of God beares all along With speed with ease the Councell ta'ne word given No parley 's with the flesh On on 's straite driven With conquering flames and if his blood shall rise Hee 'le lose his blood e're hee 'le his God despise What chalenge wo'nt he take what frowns what blows What death 's on deaths who such a Guerdon knowes Awaites his certaine victory such a Beautie As cheares him to and cleares him through his dutie VVhos 's thence infused vigour feares nothing more Then want of dangert ' make the world adore Those Heart'ning Splendors that in every Ray Th' all conquering strength o' th' Deity convey VVith what Luxuriances the turgent soule 'S borne up beyond the world and hells controule O how it longs it longs to be imploi'd I' th greatest worke the greater love 's injoy'd How't runnes at halfe a word how 't markes the lippes And heares before they speake away it trip VVith speedy dilligence and cannot stay Though th' thrungin'st pressing'st diff'culties beats it way Snaps off the strongest cords like rotten threads Dissects the massiest barres in shivering shreds And drives before it all the joyned force O' th' mighti'st obstacles oppugne its course And if it feele the least repulse returnes VVith thrice-redoubl'd couragious onsets burnes VVith spirit-incensing indignation to Be stop't in ought that for his Christ hee 'd doe The man 's in love
The man 's in love VVhose reason 's in his Mistresse ' will This th' Primum Mobile doth move His mind her madnesse to fulfill The man 's in love and loves with skill VVhose reason 's in his Master's will The man is mad her will 's no reason The man 's wise Reason is his Will The man 's a Rebell his love is Treason Loyall he whose love His Law fulfils Hee 's wise that knowes it he knows that loves it He loves that doth it He doth that loves it PUrities foes swell like a tottering wall Threatning whole Kingdoms with their shaking fall But they proud fooles are sure to have the worst Our shaking settles us they fall and burst Courage my hearts the joy of God's our strength Then joy we most when most we 've need of strength Courage my hearts what shall such men as wee Such men as wee shall we once thinke to flee Conquerours of Mell and shrinke before a flie Sons of the everliving God and feare to die Nor is it death 't is but the end of death Our life 's our death our death 't is gives us breath Unprison'd once ever in the open ayre Perfus'd with spirits by a spirit so rare Pure simple life O that we once were not That we might be Courage my hearts 't is but This wall of mud that us and heaven parts So ne'r our Center and so slow our hearts No holy efforts Let th' unfaithfull know Their valour's cowardize to that we show Laugh death i' th' face and shout at his Alarmes Imbrace him kisse him leap into his armes Hee 's a nimble messenger will quickly beare us Where unconceived endlesse joyes shall cheare us 'S th' word given Sa Sa sa sa sa brave hearts T 's this wall of mud that us and heaven parts The wicked is Gods hand there Sword his Lancet Pricks our importun'd soule and so advance it Which cu'd we as fully espy as when we see The Chirurgion breathe a veine how glad wee 'd be T'come under th'cure of such a skilfull hand Translates us with a touch to th' holy Land Feare not he bids he 's with us now see I Our soules on Angels wings surmount the skie Come let 's ascend our Thrones against our Judges Sit wth our Judge while th'gnashtheir teeth wth grudges Wee'z see them naked trembling at our sight Devest of stollen Honours borrowed might Heare them implore the Mountaines come end them But sha'nt so ward the blows our mouths shal send them They shall not scot-free scape and who can tell How soon the quiet of the Land may dwell In homes as quiet as their soules who knowes But we may get even this day of our foes Th're many cunning false strong watch malicious He 's One wise true ne'r slumbring strength propitious And shall th'e're-waking Judah's Lion wake And rouze his heart-dead-striking head hee 'le take Hee 'le touze them in his teeth like baffling whelps And shake them into Atomes None ther 's helps From his own ceasing straite dismembring paw Of all contemners of his Gospell-Law Come let the Spirits mighty rushing winde Dispell those clouds from the corrupted mind The muddy grounds of humane braines exhald By that false Lucifer at length b'unvail'd That beauteous Light of Truth at length Traditions Damn'd with the Man of Sin Sonne of Perdition Let 's cleare our passage t'immateriat joye From these materiate obstructions cloy The Subtle veines of Sin-refined soules And in the sence the Spirits sweets withholds Come le ts unstoppe the Conduit pipes of Grace From mud and trash the sullied glasse the face Of Christ that shewes let 's cleare let 's cleare our way Through Antichrists to Christ work wait praise pray Hold up prevailing hands in praying action ' Gainst Babylon and the Babylonish faction Let God arise display his glorious rayes Dispell the infernall mists obscure his praise Undraw the Curtaines intercept his face Precipitate each Judah's to his place Betrayes him with a Ceremonious kisse Their Bishopricks be others Benefice Clothe him with Purple cry haile King bow th'knee Yet spit yet smight yet naile him to the Tree Base spirits can hold and see him so blasphem'd Not take his part by who we 've been redeem'd Courage my hearts then courage to observe All 's written in his Law on no hand swerve Help us to help thee Lord against their might In thy Pavilion hide 's and let them fight I' th secret of thy presence lead thy Lambes In gentle safe conveyance from the hands Pride-cruell hands of men of bloods then damne Then damnifie men-devils if you can Die live we are the Lords are in our way Now beare the Crosse shall weare the Crown That day Nay th' Crosse is boar'n the shame despis'd and wee Are glorious in the greatest infamie The Crosse is boar'n the feare despis'd and wee May must exult i' th' daring'st jeopardie The Crosse is boar'n the griefe despis'd and we Are Crown'd with Heaven i' th' Crossing'st miserie VVHat ailes me thus this morning why so dull The flesh the flesh my life even in the flesh 'S by th'faith o' th' Son of God O were I full Of this I 'd walk I 'd run I 'd flie afresh Nor faint nor wearies God nor I I know Shall be but reap for as he 's I am so Up Eagle-wing'd faith up remount thy mount Of Prayer mount of Transfiguration Still in this vaile of Teares Still shall I count The tedious houres of this sad alteration Still buffeted Thornes still Lord perfect then Thy strength in weaknesse thy glory 's mine Amen HAd I the faith I could doe all things cu'd Turne earth to water water into ayre Aire into fire from melancholly wu'd Extract a fluent mildnesse from that reare Spirituall breathings and they wu'd soon take fire And beare my soul unto its high desire So may my faith not only goe beyond My sence but go against it and beyond Not only lead my joyes above the earth But make my sorrows vanish into mirth T 's an infant faith that must be handed on By th'worlds supports and a decrepit one That stoops unto the ground and cannot goe Without th'upholdings of these Reedes below But mine 's more ag'd and shu'd the stronger grow Int 's oldest yeares So make me Lord to goe From strength to strength I may goe all alone When but thy Hand Word Spirit help I 've none When but this help What Make a But of That Which made the world that Al-sufficient That What have I'n Heaven but Thee in all the Earth But Thee My Heaven my Earth my All what mirth Can all the world possest afford me'if Thou Art wanting But Jehovah present how Can Worlds can Hells once move m'with all their ill Who have the God that All things hath at will When thou that mad'st the Sun to shine on all Sha't make th' worlds favours round about me fall Shu'd I salute thee with a cheerefull thankes That may be mine and not
to the proportion of our holinesse as they are to his simplicitie there being nothing to bound or alter that that is unmixed free absolute hath nothing to hinder it in its perfection And for that suiting our selves to others our sympathising teares and smiles I thinke it so farre from being inconsistent with this that it cannot well consist without it for how else shall I accommodate my selfe to my friends in their present contrary extremities how weepe with them that mourne and rejoyce with then that rejoyce at the same time Nor can we finde a greater helpe and furtherance to our promoving and progresse in our Christian course then this unmooveablenesse in respect of digression But if this station of soule bee vergent to either hand better to sadnesse I meane not of harshnesse discontent or any kind of malignitie but a more solemnesse retirednesse of spirit then to jollitie slightnesse flashinesse pragmaticalnesse idlebusibodiednes c. nothing that I know arguing a man of a more emptie and worthlesse spirit By the sadnesse of the countenance the heart is made better more pondering more wary more capable of councell diligent in action againe love is more taking with ingenious then terrour with base and servile spirits Gods mercy in Christ will sooner fetch them up then all his threatnings cast these downe And indeed a Christian so farre as understanding himselfe the ground and use of his owne affections cannot but pleasure in his sorrow delight in his mourning in his brokennesse in his contrition of heart because delights in doing the will of God because he sees the hand of God working it feeles it kneading as it were subduing fashioning it to his owne mind because his affections are answerable to God's he delights in that which God delights and further knowes neither it nor ought else of worth further then subservient conducible advantagious to his love his joy his confidence in his magnifying of Christ c. so his joy must needs have a touch a tincture of greefe because he lookes on it as on all his affections as matter of dutie and obedience else wu'd they not differ from bruit beasts because bid rejoyce in the Lord alwayes againe bid to rejoyce but now he cannot so looke on it but with a sweet gratious regret to see it no more because no more pure that hath so infinit so holy a God for its object for its only object either immediatly or at least mediatly And so indeed this very griefe cannot but intend confirme consolidate his joy in an humbly-thankfull the onely comfortable and truly joyfull posture of soule to see in what a sweet and gratious temper the divine goodnesse maintaines it whose rich and abundant mercy it is that it finds any the least smatch of true and reall peace And I am perswaded that even in heaven it selfe these hints and relishes of our owne unworthinesse made worthy in Christ of such an enmitie reconciled in such a unity will much further intend and extend these inimaginable joyes Sure I am they are a heaven upon earth And this this onely is the griefe becomming a Christian that lead'st it to the purest-and-sublimed'st joyes Those feares those tremblings that keepe the soule in the humblest selfe-debasing and therefore at the highest exaltation Let no man part what God hath put together Hence all our woes what he hath jony'd we sever From one another our affections goe And all from Him and hence is all our woe VV Here now my soule Dost heare him bid theetouch the world thou may'st But with thy Head thy Hand thy Heart 's displac'd Is out of joynt if 't be a jot from Him That tries thee how thou canst be out while in The world thou seem'st I am continually with thee With him sweet Psalmist may I may I too be I 'de too refuse these miserable joyes And waite for them are mixt with no annoyes 'T is basenesse to be cozen'd I 'de better know I want then want most when I least thinke so Give me the right or none no painted grapes My stomacke 's wiser than to feed on shapes Though th' Divell play the Zeuxis and wu'd cheat Me with a neat drawne colour I have meat Of such experienc't and approved worth Attends the craving soule I 'le ne're go forth To tamper with his hooked flies his pitfall chaffe His net-alluring glasse his braine-sicke laugh Hence jiggish joyes give me the solemne sound Whose Treble's zeale humilitie the ground God makes the meane compleats the Harmony For never two but three in one agree And hence vain man thou and thy joyes so jarre Because the God of unitie's so farre From triviall pleasures Long enough may'st lay The world to thine hearts eare thinke now to play Some pretty toy but nere can'st bring 't in tune Or if thou bring'st it in 't is out as soone The thing 's now absent to the mind the mind Now to the thing when met are straite disjoyn'd Let 's outside joy be other where obtruded That at th' best but circum praecordia ludit But playes about the heart the while 't is sad I' th' mid'st of'ts joviall'st mirth give me th' joy glads I' th' mid'st of its saddest sorrowes let my Spirit Rejoyce rejoyce In Spirit I this demerits The name of mirth indeed when th' heart doth enter Into 't and it into the heart its center Secur'd from th' reach o' th' worlds disturbance while 'T is inside outside guarded from its guile It s thickest terriblest assailings if The treacherous flesh betray 't not when a whiffe O' th' ruder winds blowes the th' other cleane away This weightie watchfull inward joy shall stay Delight 's the life of nature 't cannot live But 't must have somewhat may contentment give But I 'le take none o' th' false and so of force My soule unto the true will take its course My soule unto the true hath tane its course That onely that can make me false divorse Then may it be for ever strongly bent On thee in thee may dwell I thus intent Come worlds come divels they may have never an eare May have no part in me while I am here Still busied working me out of my selfe Int ' him whom while I see I see all 's pelfe And happy sure here 's happy worke enough Still to bespeake me from this paltry stuffe Here Here 's the ground and Piller of thy blisse Thy Christ thy God thy God thy Christ ne're misse With whom while thou shalt be Hee 'le be with thee With whom it is eternall life to be T 'S the halest ablest-bodied man and at The high'st embonpoint of Athletique state Workes long'st and hardest with the least supply Of fresh repasts as he whose symmetrie Of nature-consentaneous juyces i' th' Th' abundance of their strength 's not troubled with Those oft sharpe gnawings of Hetrogeneous humors Nor over-evacuation following tumors That that 's the halest strongest Christian Best longest worke with least o'
his Soveraigne's Vice-Roy Rationall Faith faithfull reason A God-taught soule in all Consults with credits him No tell him o' th' Fathers He hath but one and that 's in heaven and he who gathers From him instructions as a guided guide Hee 'l use h'm if needs but first w'il hath ' father well tri'd By his not his by th' Father though he be as old As superannuated Pauls as bold As peremptorle as he that raskal'd Calvin As Holy as his Holinesse no reverend Calvin I 'de rather be a freemans slave be thine Then be a slave to slaves they 'le draw mee fine Directions whose selves are but th' Amanuenses Of their imperious lusts They 'le make offences Of working on a play day and none of playing Upon an holy day whose sweet'st mouth'd sayings Sic volo sic jubeo stat pro ratione voluntas Import to a discreete subaudi as What devillisher a Tyrant then a slave Hee le ride to th' devill and all the world wu'd have To beare him company but stay Sainctes Peres Or go if you will y'l ne'r meet with Sainct Pierre's Keyes nor St. Pauls Cathedrall there how e're Yee may with their attendants But whether wut be are M' incensed muse Reclaime no further forth Why flyest thou after Rookes they are not worth Thy looking on thy slightnig'st passing'st thought How came I then thus unawares transport I love thee Truth and thence it is I hate Truth hating falfehood with a perfect hare I can as well conteine my roused Spirits As bound the Ocean when thou bid'st it ferrie its Orerunning waves beyond its bounding banks What heaven-taught soule can brook these hell-learn'd pranks Sum Liber natus educatus and I can't indure be under Romes command The truth hath made me free and I am free Indeed and shall I againe in bondage be No hang 'em all an hundred thousand Jesuits And Jesuitized Buy-shops these pirckly Jebusites And Thorny Canaanites too long the'ave beene The outers of our eyes while ran us in The persecuted sides and thou great God That mak'st my flesh to tremble what period Will madnesse put to its untamed pride That dares to pierce th' omnipotent his side His eye his heart and is thy glory not As deare to thee as life what seeke they but That dreadfull glory Thy prerogative Their will must be our reason and we must live At their selfe-wir'd devotions according to Their monstrous wisedome not subordinate to Th' Creators word Behold the men are God Are b'come like one of them these od ' Cause-God uneavened soules the ' le not derive Their pollicies from him and won't he drive These Rebels out from their fooles Paradice They shan't survive our hopes and ever tice Fond soules with Coapes and Popes with Chringes Crosses * In the immediate solemne publike Worship before a promiscuous people whose Art and Heartleave them far below the subserviencie of such meanes Pipes Poppets Surplus and the Service tosses The Psalmes like Tennis balls the while they yawle Like Primmer Chits at their lessons and terribly bawle With such a mad confusion as if all Zeale lay i' th' tongue and th' eare nor need we r'call The spirits to the heart in a staid still posture To sing with grace within Still shall they foster VVinde-sucking soules with superstitious milke The while they ruffle it in their braving silke And like the childe that prides it in its new Gay sleeves how burnish swell at every view VVho dares come nigh 'em now unlesse he w'ud Be brow-beaten to the channell unlesse he stood H's due distance cap in hand And Sirra you Looke that you preach me thus and thus you 'le rue 'T else and he may believ 't by h's torvid lookes On th' Grave learn'd pious Minister whose bookes He is not worthy t' beare so sturdy and stout 'S advanced villany so pestilent devout Ther 's not a Puritan but hee 'le roote him out How strong Robustious lusty frollicke spracke Th' zeale kindled with a cup of bribing Sacke Now downe goes th' wicked houses all about The sacred Temple and that malapert Parochiall childe that dares s' unmannerly perk I'ts lolling head upon its Mothers side I'ts reverend aged Mother I can't abide Th'indecencie and disorder strike 't to th' ground That not a stone upon a stone be found VVhen forreigne and domestique Catholiques Come by and see this Massie Aedifice S' entire compleate a Masse of holy stones 'T will make 'em all turne Protestants at once But what when heare it in when see within As pretty Babes as Babie e're hath seene They 'd shake the cap from any wondring clowne And summons all the children of the towne Dim-sighted Gransiers and ye moap-ey'd dames Here 's curious spectacles to cleere your aymes Poore Soules How ridiculous your folly but yee How lamentable And cu'd I shew you the Soft pitty turnes my bowels and make you see Th'wild fury turnes your braines how glad you 'd be Your soules were rid o' th' servitude of men Your hearts were humble self-denying then They'd be th'free-schooles o' th' highest Majesty Where he wu'd sit and wu'd your Master be The humblest praying'st meditating'st soules Are those with whom he most communion holds There 's no man I call master only One Me th'truth in Him-the-only-Truth hath showne In this Light see I light light am I in this And where I a' n't more intimately into His I le get and be till I in every part Shall meet himselfe from th'interoccurring dark Deliver'd and make my sence-beshadowed faith Pellucid sence i' th' meane heare what he saith Hath promis'd hee 'le never leave his Saints untaught But into All Truth they shu'd by his Spirit be brought And when I learne of any it shall bee O' th' humblest men for most of God they see 'Ts the sight of God makes th' only kindly breach On th' heart the head doth only truly teach But when in Heaven I most of God shall see And therefore there most knowing-humble bee But since this humble knowledge is such an Heaven I le have a care how here I am deceiven Here be as truly knowing as I can So truly humble so an Heavenly man ANd art thou silenc't too sweet Lute 1640. Thou dost nor preach nor yet dispute No contraversie but consent 'S the language of my Instrument Yet what rude rufling Priest appeares To plucke Appollo by the eares Ar't thence so mute as out of heart to sing Till th' freed Evangelists fresh ditties bring Be then suspended on the willowes While th' Babilonians tauntings fill us My cunning hand forget thy skill And thou my dancing tongue be still Ther 's yet refreshing times may shew These briske suspenders Then while they howle their penitentiall Psalm My pittying thankes congratulate the Calme Then sing Why why not now or how With Him doth differ Then and Now With him my onely joy who while He is my clowded brow shall smile Serene Aspects through th' grimmest night
Of food of friends Whose modest sharp-set eye Each corner of this feasting face doth prie And every Gospel-verset in his reach As some Grace-whelming dish doth ope and teach His neighbours eyes the shape and mouth the sweet Happy happy soules that at this banquet meet T 's a doubtfull feast indeed not only ' cause We 've all that Heaven and Earth can give but ' cause VVhen we remember whence we came poore wretches Rak'd up from dunghills drawn from under hedges Blinde lame sick naked wandring here and there Th'beaten road to death and now see where we are Translate from death to life from that dark sad Disconsolate State or which is worse those mad And desperately deluding joyes to such Incircleing reallity of blisse as much Glory as our capacity can beare Angels attend us God himselfe our cheare Our Cloathing-Light we are not able t'beare 'T but doubt we 're in a dreame and fondly feare VVe've nothing ' cause so much but th'night's far spent Th'last watch th'last houre 's nigh th'day w'll prevent's Gird up your loynes trim up your Lamps along Hast tune your hearts to th'Epithalanian song Now now we see the day no more through night Our earthy houses now so swept so cleane There 's not a dust a speck a moate to dark a beame VVhile solemnize th'Espousals of the darklesse Light VVHen wu't thou come deare Lord and shew the face Shall blemish all these splendors O the fire Burnes in this breast for an allay of Grace Of Grace that feeds not damps such blest desire Some drops of love still to increase the flame And make it beare me thither whence it came VVas'e n't a reflection from the righteous Sun VVas glanced in my heart Or was it one From that light-likened Angell Then undone I am unlesse quite out the fire be blowne By th' holy Spirit But can the devill come So drest He hath a cloven foot say some Sure this he hath he cannot humble be But he can counterfeit But hee 's so bad Hee le not seeme good for nothing now what shu d'make thee Masque thy selfe in humility who had N'advantage hence Sure 't was the native hew I 'm in a Labyrinth but where 's the clew Lord if it be of thee then let it stand If not downe downe let it for ever fall T is thee I seeke in it dost thou command Mine Isaak here t is and my selfe and all O how I joy I 've such a sacrifice Whereby my God my Love unto him tries Sure many choiser splendors have I seene Yet few so choise was it my sensuall eye I sought to please fit objects they had beene But a new eye new glories did espie Through that bright Christall a farre brighter jewell That yet into this fire cast's in fewell How how I 'm wrack't love hate desire averse Sorry rejoyce feare hope angry well pleas'd Carefull not care cannot rehearse Hope t'ought not be feare 't ought there am I eas'd Diseased here well I 'le stint the strife Nere loose my Love that lost for me his Life Lord how I love thee that thou did'st not leave Me in the creatures hand alone 't is thee Thee 't is alone to whom I wish to cleave My other wish serves this if thou do'st see It cement fit to make me closer cling To thee to me deare Lord that cement bring I dare not fetch it least that I should bring For morter slime I 'le set me downe and blesse Thy name first to thy willing of the thing Then to thy time meanes manner I 'le adresse Me my way rowle on thee delight in thee Thou't doe's I my-thy hearts desire shall see How full I am what shall I doe for vent I muse th' fire 's tin'd when will the word 's burst out They doe so crowde throng presse stop they are so pent Come loaden with such matter that I doubt I must be faine to let them all alone And in ward speake what in word can't be showne Thy mercies Lord I speake it with my heart Flow in so fast I am not able t'beare The memory of them how much lesse convert My thoughts to words yet will I have a care Both I and others both in my word and deed The thankfull memory of Thy Loves may read BLest blest be thee m' inligtning sunne For now I see I 'm but a shade Blest blest I feele my life begun For now I feele my soule Thou' rt made I am not Lord but I wu'd bee I 'de not be I but I 'de be thee Not be my owne be at thy call Wu'd nothing be wu'd ha' thee all I 'd be but feet and thou shud'st walke I 'd be but tongue and thou shu'dst talke I 'd be but eye I 'd be but eare And thou shu'dst see and thou shu'dst heare What see I heare I in this field Thou thee through me do'st heare and see VVhere goe I With whom is this talk held 'T is thou through me speak'st com'st to thee Trees birds home selfe These What 's all th' world to mee Thy Spirit through them all conveighs me Thee So I All th' world is but thy instrument In which thou sit'st a playing thy-my content Most blessed God that brought'st my minde in frame Not left'st me a set-off-discord to thy name O rub me rub me I begin to fall My What love Convulsions pull and hall M'adheringly-pursuing soule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I 'M left behinde O for wings for strength to flie One drop One little No Cordiall left Hee No Balsome t' keep my heart uncleft E'ne gone I was but that a lightsome thought Whose season-bearing seed was deeply wrought I' th' secrets of my heart sprang up and brought Me an Idea o' th' Inlivening Tree Who stretcht it selfe beyond the farth'st degree O' th' spatious Heavens tendring me'ts healing leaves And ay-preserving fruit when my heart perceives I'ts feare-shrunck selfe with hopefull joyes inlarg'd Whereon m'officious spirits are discharg'd Unto their severall functions while the peace Past understanding thence doth re-increase My watchfull guard in heedy confidence To hold my peace in holding Peace's Prince HAppie's the man that knowes the cause of thing 's Unhappy then 's the man whom God not brings Acquainted with himselfe only happy hee Hath him his friend in whom he all doth see HOw good it is to waite on Thee Deare Good How good it is To bee Possest with that that I desire That 's not the thing that I require But to desire with what possest thou 'dst have me be that 's my request The world hath not the thing I would Till I can heare Thee say I should But still in aequilibrio stand Expecting thy scale-turning hand Not any thing till nothing will So false are th'weights of good and ill But thine are true Blest Truth O tell My heart what 's ill and what is well Till then I 'll leane th' contrary way Wish not to have 't ' cause wish I may So happily
may I meet with Thee For we are contrarietie The godliest heart inhabiting The sweetest soule is this a thing For its peculiar interest Or is n't of 't in Christ possest Or what to Doe what glory wu'dst Have more return'd thee by it shud'st Thou give 't then if thou shud'st detaine't What service more Or can thy Saints Find more content then when they doe Th' best service bring th' great'st glory to Thy Name Or could it want it did It make for that wu't thou forbid What soever's for thine honor or What soever's not it not abhorre Or is it not t' wax wanton ' gainst Him that it with his loves acquaints Or shall it use it as a Tipe Of that All-signified Antitipe Or is'nt there rome enough in thee To loose it in capacitie Enough for all 'ts affections were They farre more overflowing were All th'r stragling streames one channell nay mought All th' worlds be one be poured out To thee how small a drop they 'd be And can it spare a thought from thee Or wher 's else that magnetique force Can draw its hard-adhering course On after it Or where may 't meete VVith such a sympathizing sweet To bartre soule for soule to change Till each unto it selfe were strange Nor wu'd acknowledge it nor owne It further then 't was two in one Or can it find simplicitie Else where else where infinitie Or wu't thou shew thy manifold skill In passing through so nartow a quill VVith fuller incomes what 's thy will That setst this step ' gainst that while still Thou' rt going on the readiest rode Vnto th' same end of sure abode My good-thy glory What 's thy will This way or that way That 's my will It is not good to be alone VVe're one anothers not our owne 'T is very good to be alone To him that is with All-in-One But so was he to whom 't was said Then say Lord what thou wu't I 'm said My vote my vote shall counterpoise Thy casting voyce shall make the choyce T is onely good that I would have T is onely God then I would crave And yet thou sai'st whose search hath found 'T a good choice raritie hath found One onely thing there needs to be VVith or without all goods with Thee And yet how can I without 'em be Since I 'm in Thee in whom all goods be How good it is to waite on Thee Deare God! how good it is to be Drawne after thee the while thou hould'st The favour forth withdraw'st thee towl'st The soule from 't selfe to follow thee VVith whom it is so good to be And w'th what rich interest he repaies Our praying praysing waiting dayes A gratious John sage Samuel Blest Isaac Immanuel How choyce how sweet the mermies are When given in that were so farre How welcome th' presence o' the food To which the stomacke long hath stood How welcome th' absence o' the food That 's so supply'd with such a good The mercy of mercies when sent forth I' th' fullest time 's o' th' fullest worth What pleasant Musicke heares the man That keepe time with 's Creator can That 's nor before nor is behind But jumpe together mind and mind How good it is to waite on thee Deare God How good might th' world once see My joy in things unseene ' tw'ud still The endlesse motion of their will In fond desires ' twud stint their care And set their soules on edge for th' fare Wherewith my starvingst wants grow fat With thriving vigorousnesse but that 'S their misery they 'le not beleeve That we joy most when most we grieve O how I pleasure in his no When I wu'd give the world't were so I surely this conversion is My will converted into his O love th' Lord all m' soule all m' heart All m' might my strength then can I part With ought to ought but Him whose call 'S for all and 's worthy of more then all Thou sha't not have this thing what thing Can please me then There 's nought can bring M'equivalent content but that All prevalent sweet that sweetened that All m' joyes in it as it I see In Thee So not in it but Thee I then can want the world and it But Thee I can't O do'nt retreat Thou ' nd then it s here For what is it But a meete helpe in by to get More Thee so it thou 't be Wh'art all to me So mak'st m' be All f'r Thee ANd shall thy servant finde refreshment here The garden smiles while pretty Philomel Stills the sweet Ayre Yet nought I see feele heare But filth but stench but screeching cries of Hell Unlesse thy spirit 's my Aire i' th' garden be And my Beloved sing his Loves to me My dearest God! my mouth wu't not thou fill 'T is opened wide this is my onely breath With this though dead I be yet live I still Without this while I live I live in death Oh how it 's kindly heatings doe resolve The chilling feares my sadder heart involve O how it 's gentle coolings doe allay My sulpsury passions how it 's cleansing gales My drowsiest dullest dumps doe cleare away Thus o're my earth flegme choller blood prevailes Dull flegme sad earth mad choller turn'd to blood That 's active chearefull sober thy spirit how good Blowe with thy southerne and thy northerne blasts Blow on my garden they will purge my flowers Well nourish them them fragrant make and cast Such gratefull odors through our amorous bowers Hee 'l quickly come and eate his pleasant fruit And at one Banquet we must have the Lute Then will he sing and gently touch my heart The many-stringed instrument I keepe Tun'd to his spirits recorder t'beare it's part And answer grace for grace thus softly creepe These warbled melodies through every veine Rapt up with raptures that I can't containe But needs must beg a kisse a stroke a glaunce A sent from those sweet lipps that glorious eye Hand gentle pretious oyntment needs must dance With all my might and if my flesh envie Me this blest pleasure and not throughout the night Let me prolong these joyes yet I 'le delight My bed shall be his bosome his left hand My pillow and his right my covering My Curtaines Angels round about me stand My Canopie shall be my God his wing But how dare I thus speake how dare how dare I not It is presumption to dispaire I did beleeve therefore I spake And now I sleepe my heart shall wake Heare him in visions of the night But when he speakes he speakes delight And were it lawfull t'speake but what I know I 'd onely in that monosyllable show The soberer world a shadowed glimpse of that Unknowne that unconceived pleasure that Sublime d'light th' God overshadowed soule inherits That knowes the sweets result from mixed spirits VVHy wu't reveale thy selfe to me and not To th' world difference such difference put Where there is none Even so my father cause T pleas'd
may have a firme superficies Hollow vaults a hard roofe The soule that takes things by the outside is like to goe away with out-side comforts that is not penetrating bottom-searching inward-looking is like to fall low for want of looking low Build then cauteously O my soule tread warily take heede of the rashnesse of fooles Esa 32.4 walke accurately circumspectly precisely keepe thy selfe close to thy God loase not thy hand thy hold the least time the least distance walke humbly love him intirely cleave to him inseperably follow him at every turne thou canst never be out of thy way while thou keepest thy way thy Christ whom thou sha't onely find in his fatheas who is who is already found of all them that seeke his face not themselves but him his holinesse his glory who of his just goodnesse and gratious wisedome to the manifestation of the power of his light of his love hath left thee among so many false lights fooles-fires in such a mist in such a night of darkenesse among so many misguiding guides like so many false voices in a wildernesse Now to know his from a strangers now to discerne is grace wisedome c. in its richest attire Resigne then thy selfe to thy Christ to thy God live by faith in all and feare not but when thou art gone out of thy selfe his spirit shall teach thee when what c. to see heare doe c. for while thou art with so farre as thou art with the Creator thou canst not want wisedome how to use the Creature so as it may bee most for his glory and that is the height of thy wisedome Certainly so long a wee are with him hee will bee with us counselling directing in all our wayes All our miscarriages ill doing and ill farings being from our departure from him our light life comfort so that not onely true faith is rationall in beleeving God beyond and against sence but true reason is faithfull in conversing with God in and thorough sence And hither I conceive lookes those places I am crucified to the world and the world to me am dead and this that I live in the very flesh incarnall sensuall things seeing hearing talking eating drinking commerce c. I live by the faith live the life of the son of God We are dead and our life is hid with Christ in God ARe dead and the spirit that raised up Jesus quickneth our mortall bodies the soule of our soules the life of our lives Senses spiritualized Whatsoever is not of faith is sinne c. Neither can there be any thing pleasing to God but what is done in him in whom onely he is well pleased but what wee doe in him we doe by faith The nature whereof were wee so happy fully to know wee should fully know our owne happinesse VVIsdome begins with ends makes first its last Not stirs a foot till wary feare forecast Vnto what good but good thence End 's but One Then doe speake thinke an act till feare hath shewne Thy faith that kinde to come from lead to God A sinfull folly ' t is Thus faith will plod Hee 's then the man that 's only wise That keepes his God before his eyes The head of wisdomes feare but there Are wisemens eyes see with their feare His Optick nerves his moving hence Derive their animall influence THings as their principles decay and thrive Th'most dying Christians are the most alive Reduce all ills to sin all sins to 'th First All goods to grace all graces unto Christ Then place thy selfe i' th' midst and thou sha't see How good 't is in a trembling joy to be VVhile every act and accident shall show Thee thee not thee ere blest thee so to know Thus shake thee from thy selfe and thou sha't finde How good 't is to enjoy anothers minde Thus shake thee from thy selfe and thou sha't see How good 't is in anothers life to be VVhile seeing whence and whether brought th' ast bin Grace shall thee humble make and faithfull sin But may this humble faith still acted be Still't wu'd from sin and sinfull sorrow free THere is nothing wherein we are more wanting then in what we thinke our selves least the grounds and principles of Christianity VVhat more commonly confessed than that we are all sinners children of wrath by nature More readily professed then that we believe in Christ that we preferthe will the glory of God above all c. and yet what is it we beleeve we do lesse What is it is more hard more excellent VVhile they are things meerely notionall and superficially swimming in the braine or at most but glide and coast upon the heart and carry it on in a way of action so far as pleases our selves and corrupt nature the devill lets us run on with the undoubted uncontraverted conceit that we know them that we believe them till they have at length brought us thither where we shall too late be forced to believe know that we believed that we knew them not But then is it that we meet with the crosse windes the stormes fluctuations temptations doubts questionings of their certainty their equity c. When they come with that weight upon the soule as to sinke into it to be received and entertained of it into its seriousest and solemnest consideration when they come with that force and power upon it as not to Herere inprimis viis to stay in the common sense fancy but to take the judgement and by that the heart and by that the whole man into their possession that they are not only on the soule but In it and it wholly given up to wholy in these things when we come to suck sweetnesse from them to live upon them to digest them throughly to gather strength from them to draw them forth to practise to make them such to our selves as they are in themselves c. certainly could wee fully understand firmely beleeve cordially affect and frequently or rather continually actuate these things what manner of men should wee be O could we experimentally know in all holinesse in all happinesse of conversation we should be Christians farre more in reallitie then wee can be in profession in substance then wee can be in shew It is as impossible for that heart to make the world know what it sindes within it selfe as it is to speake proportionably to make them know what is heaven Not the thousandth part of it selfe is that soule able to discover that hath the powerfull workings of these thoughts these meditations within it though too they be such whose very nature is to carry forth the soule in the most operative activitie The cause once knowne the cure 's halfe done the soule And why not adde the body purg'd o' this foule Distempering humourous faithlesse pride thou' rt sound Though sinne shame paine want div'ls beset thee round The man 's within and all 's in vaine without If he that 's hid in Christ will
thought rul'd in Thy princely mind thou cou'dst not cou'dst not sinne 'T is death to such a one to sinnne Nay death thou d'st runne to death to free thee from this death Live like thy selfe then Christian act act act Set keepe thy faith on worke in every fact In vain 's the power that 's not produc'd to act Where what is had 's not us'd what 's had is lack't O Leave me not my head O stint the strife Canst pull my head off Canst see me so to flutter Bustle and struggle So labour for my life Do'st pleasure in my paine or hear'st me utter ' Blasphemous word yet with the tender Fowle Or quiet lambe I de faine retaine my soule My soule Thou art 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 31.24 Hold fast and now I 'm ' ready die Canst see me gripe and graspe the cloathes my heart Not strength yet Canst heare me say I die I die griev'd nothing but with Thee to part Deare friend dear'st husband and yet thou my death What shall our children doe too O give breath Breath still blest spirit and while I am alive I le have a care to see thy graces thrive VVHat sweet repasts when God and hunger meet And stay the hungry soule whose hunger's sweet How sweet the draughts when God and thirstings meet And stay not quench their thirsts whose thirst's so sweet I here 's the soule shall eate drinke once for all When want of praise no more for prayer shall Oh cu'd I praise what need I pray But I shall praise shall praise for aye That 's m' onely worke both here and there What is no praise can be no prayer I 'M dull I 'm dull with this my clod O breath these earth-rejecting veines and make Them full with praise of purer worth I 'm full I 'm full of Thee my God O breath my blessing-turgent veines and make Them run them spring Thy prayses forth Winde up my soule to those Seraphique straines Wherewith that noble Quire entertaines Their farre-above all praise-exalted Maker That joyes in this that thou art his partaker Whose joy 's his glory glory will will thine Thine his will-pleased joy his glory thine Who onely happy will not happy be Unlesse thee as himselfe hee happy see I tremble and this shaking gives a grace Unto my singing voice VVhat This my place I tremble and this shaking opes my pores And thrusts my sluggish humors out of doores I tremble and this shaking makes me catch My God more fast in h's faster foulds doth catch I tremble and this shaking cleares my wings Rouses my spirits up the speedier brings To sit among the gods t' exalt the name That deignes to Christian creatures by the same To sit among the gods to give receive Eternall blessings thus to interweave My joy inseparably with his glory Be all my pleasures hushed with this story Admire Let this still musicke still my griefe Till sence supply what 's wanting in beleefe For carnall sence is not so farre below My faith but spirituall may overflow To powre out mutuall blessings and to be Most blessed by my blessing so to see It is more blest to give then to receive Honor'd by him all honour with him leave To power out mutuall blessings whilst I lie Drown'd in the fountaine where no sooner I Cry blessed but my blessing strait redounds With millions to my brest and heaven resounds With Echoed praises of those beautious creatures Are all in love with one anothers features Spirits spiritualiz'd rarifide to such Sublim'd simplicitie there 's not so much As th' smallest specke of dust the Atom'st moate With 'ts interpos'd obscurity to floate Betwixt their light and beautie God and them Their every-way-surrounding glorious stem I tremble and this shaking gives a grace Unto my singing voyce is this my place I heare eternitie speake and say I love Thee as my selfe whom no affections move I 'le be thy crowne of everlasting glory While thou sha't banquet on the endlesse story Of all my councells and survey the depths Highth breadths lengths of my er'st-untracted steps While thou sha't heare my thwarting feet agree I' th' perfect'st set o' th' pleasant'st melodie While still perfused i' the richest savours Th' art fed with kisses e're refreshing favours Still lost in admiration of thy blisse Thou't finde so blessed ' cause s'admir'd it is Well if the master of the feast shall say Friend sit up here shall I dare disobey God knowes no compl'ments hee 's sinceritie A word 's enough where all 's realitie Mount mount my soule and keepe upon the winge Jehovah see and Hallelujah sing O How my soule 's inheaven'd in the sound That descants on so beautifull a ground See eye love heart sing glory and all accord To make my life the musicke of my Lord. Rejoyce my spirits and all my thoughts within Ride triumph with the speedie Cherubim While death and hell attend my conquering Carre Whose glory duskes the brightest glizning Starre The brightest Sun in all his Summers pride 'S a cloud of darkenesse when together ey'd Thankes thankes my soule for when my soule sings thanks Then onely then my joy 'ore flowes its bankes Praise praise my spirit for while my spirit sings praise Then onely then I weare the crowning bayes Blesse blesse my heart for when my heart sings blesse Then onely then my heart feeles blessednesse Heart soule spirit spirit heart soule zeale fire Breake breath burne blaze and in his brest expire Earth hold me not O pinnion me no more When shall I be whence I shall be no more Still hold me earth for heaven wu'd be no heaven Shu'd not my will keepe time and fall in eaven With his O could I blesse thee here here were My heaven but want both heart and art how ere Can 't hold while some want matter for their words I words f'r Immatteriatnesse yet like the tender Birds That in the silent shadow sit forlorne Bill dresse their feathers by the dawning morne Stand perking pearing in the blooming Sunne And teach their light-delighted tongues to run Their chirping welcomes to its glorious raies So doe I strive to chatter forth Thy praise Praise praise him soule I le never cease to praise And when I cry I le cry I cannot praise Why sorry but for sinne t is folly why For sinne but that unthankfull praiselesse I Praise my petitions praise him my confessions Praise deprecations praise him intercessions And if my tongue cease praise in griefes and feares I le make my tongue recant in praysing teares In every thing give thankes for 't is his will That gives me cause to sing 't is well 't is ill O praise praise praise let me no longer live Then doe my masters businesse prayses give Nay life is praise for then I truly live When joy then truly joy when praises give The life is best 's most like the life above Hence I so much Psalme-singing tempers love The man is best comes nearest to
his End Hence I so God-commending men commend And shud I knit a series of the long'st The sad'st complaints combined with the strong'st Pressingst agr'vations that might wring them close And hard on th' soule yet praysing love breaks loose Through all and makes me sing agen and agen Blest be the Lord for evermore Amen Then shud'st with-draw thee and I grow feeble weake Yet let my heart have strength enough to speake Thy praises O give me strength enough To blesse my strength and I have strength enough Shud my thanksgiving-force decline decay Unto the low'st still may I see and say Thou hast a Seed a Generation they ' L be ever speaking of thy praise I 'le lay My heart unto their mouth and while they play Their heaven-learned descantings I 'le play The plain-song of a broken contrite heart I' th' eares of Heaven plaies the pleasant'st part Th' still soft sweet Musicke inward-sounding drone W'thout which the lowd'st high'st nimblest tongu'd is none Is worse then none a groundlesse frantick din A selfe-exalting God-assaulting sinne Provokes his mocked patience while the zeale 'S not pitch't by humilitie 't doth but squeak and squeale But thine cannot be overwound for they While at the highest with the lowest play Rise humbled soule and praise him in the high'st To which thou art advanced in thy Christ O praise praise praise let me not praises give But give my selfe to praises praising live Die sinke ore-whelm'd swallow'd up lost found Upon the shore of ever-praysing ground O how my soule 's aflote and smoothly glides Unto the harbour where my blisse abides And what a calme serenitie befriends The plimmed sayles thy spirit swiftly sends Fleeting along with speedy nimblenesse To th' pleasant Haven of their happinesse O praise praise him for he is worthy praise That was before and is beyond all dayes Praise him wh ' in heaven and earth doth what he will And whatsoe'r he will not doe is ill O praise praise him for he is worthy praise Cou'd th' mightie Fabrick o' th' creation raise From nothing with a word and governe it Consisting of a kind of infinite Varietie of individualls in such measure Weight number as that in all hee 'd take his pleasure In such a wide a vaste disparitie Of motions a perfect contrarietie So full so sweet so choise a consort plaid All honour glory power to him that made All for his pleasure And was I made to be Thy pleasure mightie God what cou'dst thou see To please thy selfe besides thy selfe in me O scrue me up to that celestiall tone VVhereby thy highest-raised Saints are knowne To blesse thee for thy selfe though bath'd in blood How e're I be to sing yet thou art good Yet thou art good how e're I be or doe Doe I or no thy workes thy praises shew Still thou art good art good shu'd all the world But like a tinie-tennis ball be twirld Toss'd topsie turvey whirled up and downe Untill 't were worne to mammocks still the crowne 'S as fast upon thy head as ever still renowne As due to thee as ever all th' creatures still Make musicke even the wicked'st though ' gainst their will Sunn Moone Stars Heavens Floods Earth Fire Snow Harle Winde Praise him for praise is to fulfill his mind Deepes Dragons Mountains Dales Beast Birds Trees Hills Praise him for praise is to fulfill his wills Men Angels all his Hosts one breath conspire To praise for praise doth all he doth require My gentle Lute with thy soft touches praise Praise him my sollemne-sounding vyoll praise My spirit-exciting dance my nimble song Praise B't stay my longer-exercised tongue M' out-run my heart but most in running long Run run then heart and overtake my tongue Run run apace redeeme thy thankelesse yeares And bathe their memory in thy blessing teares Run run apace for thou hast more to say Then all the tongues of men and Angels may Run run apace eternitie is at hand VVhen stinting time no more shall praise withstand Time nay my selfe for what-so e're I doe I may make that sing thankfull praises too My meate my drinke my talke my worke my sleepe May all in this Commune Concord keepe An uniforme well-order'd conversation Close to the rule that leades unto salvation I here is praise indeede in Deede to praise And make my life to sing away my dayes So match my living that my praysings mayn't Be Pearles on Swine but Jewells on a Saint So match my living that my praysings may Be starres on Azure and turne night to day And light the world to those supreme ascents VVhere dwells the Eternall Substance of contens Here shall I safely ever sit and sing My soule rejoyceth In my Saviour King O what a twitch this In doth give my spirit And screws it up farre farre beyond my spirit My soule 's In God In God my Saviour My soule is safe and feares not the behaviour Of this nor th' other world My soule 's at ease In God my Saviour my soule doth please It selfe In him my pleasures meet in one My joy is full my joy is overflowne And knowes no bounds while thus my diving soule Inviron'd with infinitie doth rowle Me all In all and I am in my God As In my Element while they are odde And Hetrogeneous that are in not of Leave breath have being in him and yet are off Stand at th' farth'st distance deadliest defiance Are breathlesse livelesse have no welbeing ' cause no alliance O who w'd not love thee feare thee praise thee Lord Whose just-wise-holy wayes such marv'ls afford Who can but loose himselfe in blest blessing wonder I' th' All-container So nigh so farre asunder As creatures in but not as not renew'd Degenerate peccant humors that are spew'd From 's mouth Are rather On then In but we Are heart in heart unto eternitie Not as the water in the vessell but As water turn'd to th' wine wherein 't is put So are we one in one right blessed turne That gives such strength life spirits while Thou't runne As unallay'd to thousand generations Made happie in this iminutable mutation Change change apace my soule power out thy selfe The best is last when thou art all himselfe Though not all of himselfe whose infinite sweet In every point of timelesse time And boundlesse bounds doth meet Himselfe made Thine â—remble and this shaking makes me catch â—ly hold more fast in h's faster foulds doth catch â—e what am I thou shudst vouchsafe to heare â—y prayses mine but for to give an eare Oh! that 's to give thine heart thine hand thine all VVho hast no part more or lesse principall Who hast no part at all but wholly art â—h ' possession o' th' selfe-dispossed heart â—ine cud'st n't have made a child of any stone To bed thy bosome but must I be one 〈◊〉 stonier I rebel'd against thy grace And spat my venom in thy sacred face VVhat saw'st in me to have me in thy thoughts Of life the worlds foundation
command them off is indeede to command a mans selfe the most noble conquest And surely this magnanimitie this inlargeing this heighthning heate and vigour of heart is conveyed in equally with those beames of divine illumination Which wonderfully marvellous light which kingdome of Heaven first entering into us and wee into it at our first entrance on Mount Sion workes thus diffusively on the understanding-the-heart-the whole All things are as they are compared to God but him in the face of Christ I see the onely good and therefore as contraries illulustrate each other whom have I in earth in Heaven but Thee I see nothing in the whole creation in its best and setledest state but a blacke and horrid Caos of vanitie of deformitie farther then it partakes of him farther then I can espie in it the scatterings of the divine Raies And surely the men of the world comparing themselves with themselves and the things with the things of the world are not wise Rectum est index sui obliqui The light of the manifestation of it selfe and darkenesse He then that doth truth commeth to this light to see whether his workes be of God T 's the shining Sunne discovers those motes of sinne Those subtler mists of fleshie steames betweene Our spirit our light our life and us those beames Of shadowing lusts that darke our lightfull beames Still shine lo'd Sunne discovering still dispell And in dispelling discover our heart-bred hell Those uncouth Cells those shades of dismall death Those haunts of horrid Fiends whose mickle skeath Of mortall wounds hous'd in a golden sheath Of minion comforts steale away the breath With fatall kisses whilst th' guile-favouring night Maskes their infernall shapes till th' friendly light Of faithfull truth appeare and put to flight Their wilely force b' its wisely succouring might Thus more commended it my triumph more Increast such enemies so triumphed o're Thus the sincere heart brings himselfe and all the world to this all-revealing Sunne to see what they have of him in whom hee hath approved the onely and onely fincere-making excellencies by that single eye of faith that singles him out as its onely object as desiring to see nothing but him at least mediately if not immediately And though this latter is the way wherein the earnestly heartie desires of the soule run after the full and uninterrupted in oyment of God yet in regard of the frailtie of the flesh the weakenesse slendernesse imbecilitie of the intermediate spirits that are as the ties and ligaments betwixt the foule and the body and could not long conteine themselves without being utterly dissolved shud they be unintermittedly bent and held up to that extensive intensivenesse whereunto they are wrought by those great and glorious thoughts of those savoury and cordiall apprehensions which in the Lord Christ they have and without him they cannot have of that simple and infinite good which not onely carry forth the soule in a glad venture but transport it in an eager pursuit of this happy dissolution yet bethinking it self that there may be a selfe-seeking in this selfe-loosing that it is to live to others not it selfe to doe not receive it is willingly forced with a kind of unpleasant pleasantnesse to further entertaine its faith in naturall sense least it should wholly vanish into supernaturall So may our soules O Lord be incessantly continually devoted to thy feare so may they be devout even in all their earthly affaires may se devovere vow themselves from themselves and pay their vowes continually So may they ever live in thy fight in thy light that they may never depart from thy feare that they may never more give the lie to their professed knowledge fellowship with the light by walking in the wayes of darknes but shew forth the glory of their father in Heaven by the reflection of their serene sincere light some conversation on earth And certainly could we stand with this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this stretching forth of the head in an earnest looking on him and longing for him wee shu'd have such an assuence of light and life breake in upon our soules and shine on our wayes that we shu'd walke up and downe like starres shot from Heaven till having dazled the eyes of the world into an envious astonishment wee shu'd remount for ever fixed in our highest spheare Now according as our aspect is on Him so is it also to others if that but oblique this but dimme and obscure but if that perpendicular this lively and glorious O that wee were more excellently skilled in these holy optickes we cu'd not but be in Theologie and therefore in Ethicks Oeconomicks c. And cu'd we but live soberly righteously and godlily upon as we ran not but cannot chuse but upon the sight of God avant then false lights false comforts for ever then he that shall come will come and will not tarry for the Lord is certainly waiting to bee gratious to that soule that is thus stedfastly waiting to be guided by him This indeed being the product the effect of the sense of that Neither know I any such if any other sincere and constant seeking as that when I thought of an absent God I was troubled and refused to be comforted by any thing but himselfe as knowing nothing else true comfort Neither can there be such seeking but from a true and lively saith not such a waiting but from a sincere-and-fervent love therefore not unlikely the Apostle thus intimating the nature of these graces translates those passages of Esaiah 11.10 with Rom. 15.12 1 Cor. 2.9 with Isa 64.4 seeke trust waite love Seeking faith and waiting love Here is that great Art of a Christian to be seeking still seeking the face of God I have set the Lord Alwayes before my face therefore c. Seeke yee the Lord and seeke his face Evermore I am Continually With thee Be in the feare of the Lord all the day long Here is that great difference of sinceritie and hypocrisie Will the hypocrite pray alwayes Will he seeke God in prosperitie as well as in adversitie At mid day in his businesse all the day long hourely and minutely as well as morning evening and at the solemne assembly Will he live the life of faith in the flesh in all sensuall things is he crucified to the world and the world to him Is he dead and this that even his mortall body lives is it by the quickning of the spirit doth hee walke up and downe the world as a man that hath neither life nor soule but onely as inlivened as animated hence is he ever lifting up his face to God that that flood of light and life that thence with such mighty incomes flowes in upon the soule might beare downe before it every thought that exalts it selfe against the kingdome of the Lord Christ c. that wholy given over to the power sway and guidance of it wholly casting it selfe into its imbracings while it
lies drown'd as it were in a Sea of loves and sweetnesses in a blessed astonishment and stupefaction it is elevated in the highest advancement of life and spirits in the Lord of life and glory that descended and ascended to draw up with him all that adheres to him O were the soule wound up to this pitch and watched at it and wound up againe if never so little slipt downe how might we live O still still let us be in this blessed vision of God with more continued intentivenesse contracting thence or rather dilating those Coexistant inherent essentiall which we call attributed species Then others beholding the stedfastnesse of our faith could not but there see more of that radiant image in its deputed Majestie the ball of the sensuall eye not more naturally expressing the Idea of the directly opposite and neighbouring visage then this of the spirituall of faith doth that of God And certainly no sence doth furnish us with more and more cleare conceptions of God then the sight being for its ready commence with the soule for its extention and intention the properest most conducible and advantagious of all being the most spatious farthest reaching pure simple active and therefore most apprehensive and next to that the hearing being the lesse grosse and earthly of all the rest But to keepe to that As the Sunne conveyeth heate and activitie inseperably with and proportionably to its light so is the truth loved and done so farre and onely so farre as it is seene The actions are spurious and illigitimate that are not conceived in the heart and begotten by the eye it will be our wisedome then so truly to informe the latter at we desire the well and right forming and performing of the other Let us looke on him then by no other Organ then faith thorough no other medium then Christ at no other distance then the mearest approaches even to such an unitie that wee see our selves in him and him in us When with the wicked wee put God farre from us and see the world draw nigh us then seemes he little and this great but when we draw neere to him what a pointile what an atome what a nothing it seemes nay it is And as the medium is ever the fame so is the Organ then best when most refined abstracted metaphysicall subtilized sublimed and sence-rarified cause then most proportionable and sutable to the simplicitie and puritie of the object it intends and therefore consequently to the extensivenesse and infinitie of it God being simply infinite and infinitely simple And therefore as wisedome consists in the clearenesse and quicknesse so in the inlargednesse of the understanding but since that knowledge that light in every thing wee draw from him is the onely true wisedome wee are then wisest when our understandings are most clarified by him most acted on him And surely this clarifying of our faith is according to the intimatenesse of our humbly bold accesse unto him the nature of this Sunne being to give light to the blind and that more or lesse according as we are more off or apply our selves nearer to Him And surely while we thus see God in the holiest of holies all the kingdomes of the earth in their freshest and heart-stealingest lovelinesse and that set forth in the most rich and glorious accoutrements will lie at our feete as a dead and rotten carkasle so farre shall we be from committing folly with it so farre that though then too our spirits be at the liveliest as they cannot but be yet because wee nay therefore because we be as crucified as dead to it as it is to us Such power hath this sight to fill the heart with love this love to hold the soule close to God from any thing that would part it from him and to carry it forth in all readinesse of obedience with him When contrarily while we are looking on the world without God we are but looking on so many lying vanities that dead the heart to reall and full contentments withholding it from God and setting the hand on worke in the wayes of sinne which still estrange the soule from Him and keep Him at a distance from the soule that more deading the heart that c. so the soule running on in a round of wickednesse if God not gratiously breake in and hinder its course Which when he doth his presence makes grace to grow by the interchangeable officiousnesse of all its undivided parts The sight of God inflaming the affections they inciting to actions these againe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stirring up the fire in more fervent flames they giving in greater light that discovering more beautie that kindling more fire that animating to more action this againe c. so truely infinitely infinitely infinitely sweet is the comfort of the God-conversing soule The soule that hath received the truth in the love thereof and he that loves mee keepes my Commandements he that doth my will shall know my will he that hath my Commandements as his possession riches c. and keepes them as his greatest joy comfort life he it is that loves me and to him will I manifest my selfe Now this manifestation againe fills the heart with more operative and effectuall love this againe c. Thus Faith worketh by love the fulfilling of the Law the end of the Commandement out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfained the sinceritie whereof must needs be according to the sight it hath of God according to the lovelinesse worth chooseablenesse that it seeth in him Faith then I take to be by what of light in this night of blindnesse and darkenesse I can see such a light as shining on the intentively beholding soule through the face of Christ hath that influence and attractive power with it to draw it up and make it cleave and adhaere with all its might and strength to God to lift up the heart to and make it goe along with him in all his wayes While like the Helitrophion it turnes and winds shuts and opens with the motion of the Sunne of righteousnesse And this light thus influenced thus working how ever clouded and obscured to a Christians selfe to be wisedome unto salvation that effectuall knowledge of God his Christ comming into and received of the soule that is life eternall already taken hold of and ere long fully prossessed or thus Faith is a promise-lighted seeking light Burnes with pure fervent love whose active might In every radiant precept shining bright Reflects its glory to the Father-Light Thus these three-one obedience-faith-and love Unite my soule to those Thee-One Above John 11.5.7 A seeking Isaiah 11.10 with Romans 15.13 Satisfying John 5.44 with John 14.1 Faith John 1.4.19 a sincere Phil. 1.10 Matth. 6.22 Eph. 6.24 Fervent Cant. 8.6.7 love John 14.15 an universall Psal 119.6 Jam. 2.10 Ephe. 4.23 Matth. 5.10 Constant Cor. 1.15.58 Obedience So that grace is faith understanding faith affecting faith acting
And must needs because whatsoever is not of faith is sinne Neither indeed can I wonder how feare hath lead me to faith but shud certainly take my selfe to be seduced if it did not All graces how distant soever seeming being of the same company going the same way so that he that is with one must needs be with all And questionlesse all are wrought in the soule together and grow together how ever in the minoritie of our Christianitie God may teach us methodo analytica may as it were parcell them forth into severall lessons till our capacities are more widened and strengthned for the fuller and compleater apprehension of them according as wee grow in our manhood in Christ Jesus And hence is it that so often in Scripture a Christian is caracterised by one onely But especially by faith and feare that in the old this in the new Testament one in Christ more darkly shadowed out the other in Him more evidently revealed but both in Him according to the manifold wisedome of God in Him by whom Hee hath reconciled all things the severall kinds of actings of the soule as well as severall soules to one another and all to himselfe So that what they said of their vertues that there was cognatio quaedam arcta necessitas betweene them I am sure holdeth most true of graces betwixt whom there is cognatio certa necessitas perquam arctissima All of the noblest and familiarest consanguinitie being all of the blood of Christ Or conceive them as so many linkes of a Bracelet the love token of the soule from its Christ lincked together in an invielable concatination you cannot breake off one but the whole figure and forme of the worke as it is said of the Commandements whereby these are framed as it were and cast is broken And indeed there is nothing of Christ in the soule but it is Christ Christ formed in you You have not so learned Christ We preach Christ c. the whole sum of the Gospell-Law and Law-giving Gospell and consequently the whole worke of grace being onely Christ So that we cannot so much as thinke the least good thought of our selves What we doe what we have what we are of good we doe we have we are not but it is God the spirit of Christ that dwells in us and so indeed ours so we as Christians as outed of our selves as inned in God pertakers of the divine Nature c. whose being in us habitually whose acting in us imminently or transiently is all our grace Now the spirit of God is indivisible and therefore are all our graces homogeneous harmonious have a gracefull symetrie analogie proportion to one another make but one systeme joynt frame and body of Christianitie how different so ever how discrepant soever the parts the members seeme they are gracefull to usefull to each other Are like so many faculties of the same soule in innocency before by our fall they were like a watch dashed against troubling and stopping the course of one another Which mended againe by their maker though like severall wheeles they seeme to move not onely diversly but contrarily yet are they all moved by one spring and further the due motion of each other and all tend to the same end the promoveing of the same gnomen in promoting of the glory of their God and setting forth the praise of that never-sufficiently admired workemanship And though there may be some hamerings and knocking 's in setting the minde in frame some paines in the new birth some harshnesse in the tuning of the soule yet they do all tend to the compleating of that inconceiveable harmony Though God often times specially in the more powerfull times of the Gospell brings forth Christ formed as it were without any paine tunes the heart as it were with one touch and sets up the whole and joynt frame of the temple without scarse any the least sound of the hammer And as a wheele not onely by but in its going downe is Ipso facto going up so those graces that seeme onely to cast downe the soule doe not onely afterward but in the very doing of it raise it up as humilitie feare griefe c. which so farre as divine and as I may say Gospell-proofe are still raysing up the soule in the greater assurance magnanimitie joy and these as it were still casting it downe and that againe raysing it up c. As there is nothing that more humbles the soule then heavenly mindednesse so is there nothing that more sublimes it then humilitie as there is nothing that strikes the soule with a deeper awe then the assurance of the eternall love so in the feare of Jehovah is the strongest confidence as it is an unsound and vaine joy that hath no acquaintance with sorrow so is it a sinfull and death-working sorrow that reares not up the soule to more livelmesse and joy c. And thus we progresse on our speedy round While grace helpes grace to rid away the ground Not grace and grace but one promoveing wheele Whose apprehension-parted particles feele Their one selfe equally-proficients while We are one Christ converts us from this soyle In never-resting firie circles till In perfect motion on our holy hill Thus while the world runs roundly downe to Hell We roundly up to th' Heavenly Domicill Christ I see I fall I fall in love for love I die this death 's my life this life 's my worke this worke 's my life this life 's my light this lively light 's my death this death 's my fall my rise to come to flie unto my light love life my Christ Happy happy soule in truth whom the sight of God the beautie of truth of holinesse shining through the face of Christ as a mutuall perspective of reciprocall delight keepes in an humble-meeke-peaceable-lovefull-fearing-joying-strongly-confident every-way gratious posture And hither I suppose lookes that of James the meekenesse of wisedome not onely cause they as all graces convene in one bundle of life in one poesie of heavenly fragrancies nor of the proficiencie of wisedome by meekenesse in that the humble he will teach nor from the nature of it in that the wisedome from above is first pure and thence peaceable gentle easie to be intreated c. as in pure cleane sweet-juiced bodies free from the repugnancie of sower cholericke hetrogeneous humors but because the first rise of this so especially blessed grace is from wisedome from the knowledge of God and our selves And hither that unite my heart to feare thy name as touched before And that fearefull in praises the same discovery that presents me God praise worthy for his great goodnesse presenting me him feare-worthy for his good greatnesse Hither that now I have seene thee with the seeing of the eye I abharre my selfe in dust and ashes the soule might heare else long enough though indeed too faith comes by hearing yet so as it is made an effectuall meanes to open the eyes And
knoweth that hath God for his God Faile then heart and strength yet shall the strength of our heart faile never Shall be with us in the fire and in the water bee an Arke to his Noah a Zoar to his Lot Et pater mater dosunt nec restat amious Nec manet ulla domus noc manet ulla salus Tot haud habere sentias necem mala Omnia quae multis dantur tibi nulla sed ipsum Quod vel perpaucis reddidit ille Deus Hic instar omnium fit atque praevalet MY neare and deare friend in the Lord Jesus I cannot but according to your desire acquaint you with present passages and passages I may well say for all these things are but passing shadowes nothing Were we in our own place we might look down upon them as little fleeting vapoury clouds without raine Or else see our selves so far above them in this third region as wee need not feare the storme It is unworthy the thought of a Christian that hath already laid hold of eternall life to shrink at the appearing losse of a mortall But we are men But God is God And he is our own God the God of our salvation c. O that we could that we alwayes could see our selves so partakers of the divine nature so filled with all the fulnesse of God that we could look upon life and death principalities powers c. as things given in unto us and all as things under our feet at our command for so they are to him that beleeves for all are ours and we are Christs and Christ is Gods Our faith must fall before we and our God before our faith For it is founded on that rock that living stone that is the life of all the building Let us stand therefore having taken us unto the whole armour of God for what can the man doe that comes after the devill And surely little nay no cause have we to feare in adversity that can stand in prosperity That soule and only that soule that in this estate can follow God fully be so satisfied with the hourely minutely presence of God that in all things it crosses it selfe of its own will as not enduring the least estrangement from him certainly in the other the mercies of God shall so follow him so shall he delight himselfe continually in him as that in all things hee will crosse men and devils of their wills against him and so over-powre him with the light of his countenance without which he was dead in the dearest injoyments and with which he lives in the deadliest confusions as shall make them gnash their teeth to see such a divine reflect from that light unspeakable and glorious whereby he shall be able to laugh death and destruction in the face But shall we not feare not grieve He is no true Christian that doth not Shall the Lion roare and we not tremble Yet must we be confident in this feare and joy in this sorrow And indeed the feare of God is strength Prov. 14.26 Psal 112.1 with ver 7. and 8. And by the humility of our heart is our trust in the Lord Prov. 28.25 But audaciousnesse and pride will shrinke in the wetting Neither will James his joy 1.2 hold good without Pauls sorrow 2 Cor. 7.7 Nor his sorrow without his joy It is not the excesse of feare and griefe but the defect of confidence and joy that hurts us Our own weaknesse can never too much fright us Our own and others sins grieve us Neither will it be found so proper and soveraign a salve to those happily languishing consciences to tell them they are too much dejected cast down sorrowfull but rather they have too little lifted up Christ in their hearts and their hearts in Christ It is impossible to think too basely of our selves and if there may be degrees in impossibility more impossible to think too highly of Him When we are led back by any particular sin to the Originall source of all as wee must if we mean to know it to any purpose and see the horrid shape of it and become sensible of the malignity the universality the inherencie of it c. with all those infinite as to us actuall breakings out of rebellion from it or rather the divers kinde of breaking out of one continued unintermitting act now while the soule is thus taking a bottome-and through-searching view of it selfe by a beame of the divine Light and Love shed abroad in its heart without which it could make no through no true discovery of it and thereupon throwes it selfe below the lowest hell in a sensible self-condemning while it is still held up by the hand of faith in an unspeakably blessed distraction now to see this Sun of Righteousnesse still rising and rising with its infinite-surpassing infinitenesse of glory splendor lovelinesse upon the lighttransformed soule lying under the gracious droppings of its healing wings O how sweet is that healing How how glorious that Sun But the seeing the feeling soul where is it How high how low How lost between both Be then as sorrowfull my soule as may be thou canst not be enough for sin As joyfull as may be thou canst not be enough for grace Abate not of that sorrow but increase this joy Goe as low as thou canst but bee sure thou risest higher by it To be so dejected and cast down as not to be heightned raised by it in the admiration the love the life of thy Saviour is indeed to have proud and haughty thoughts of thy selfe and low and undervaluing of thy Christ Never feare thy livelinesse and cheerfulnesse so far as duely objected on him Nor lessen so much thy love to the creature as augment it to Him thy Creator Affect with the strongest and heartiest indearement any thing beside him and yet abhorre it with the most detesting and abominating hatred for him There is nothing that I set my eye on that I wu'd not love as proceeding from him as subsisting in him But so far as degenerate from him as comming in competition with him the indignation wherewith it affects me is inutterable Thus shall Cesar best have his due and God his Himself and what is subordinate to him God takes away no affection no nor the intensivenesse of it but onely its obliquitie to the object Nay I am perswaded that all worldly feare all worldly sorrow fall farre short of spirituall the one being from a displeasing world which is finite the other from a displeased God who is infinite But how great then is that consident joy to which this fearing griefe is but a set off For these to overcome the soule and them for Christ to come and overcome that conquest what a triumph will there be Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisedome and knowledge of God c. And blessed ever blessed be our God that we are not of them from whom hee hath hid the mistery of godlinesse strength made