Latines from Paine doe make their deriuation Next is a new mind by interpretation Both these describe her nature wondrous right In paine and sorrow is her inchoation When shee with Flesh and powers of Hell doth fight Then followes change of mind which bringeth sweet delight 38 For shee is bred in paine brought forth in gladnesse Sorrow is ouer-night but in the morne Comes soundest ioy to chase away nights sadnesse And when we thinke that we are left forlorne Then comfort 's nigh to lift on high our horne And though a while the Worldlings vs doe deeme The off-scumme of the people and the scorne Of wicked men yet God doth vs esteeme And by this change most precious in his eyes we seâ—me 39 Thus haue all holy men in former ages By griefe and change of mind obtayn'd Gods grace This eke is shadowed in those grand Sages That tooke great paynes and care to find the place Where Christ was borne that they might see his face Who after in a dreame forwarned were Not to returne againe in their first trace Thus after trauell long great paines and care With ioy and change of mind another way they fare 40 Of all the 〈…〉 Eu'n from 〈…〉 that â—its in her Tâ—â—one To low Humilitie that keepes her 〈◊〉 Our blessed Sauiour hath vs paternes showne Onely because no sinne was euer knowne To be in him He cannot well be said For to repent of sinnes that be his owne But sure for ours a ransome deare he paid And felt the wrath of God which on vs should be laid 41 His Soule was heauie eu'n vnto the death He fear'd to drinke this cup of bitternesse God did on him such wrath and vengeance breath That he sweat drops of blood in his distresse Such horror by Gods curse did him depresse That he cry'd out as if he were forsaken Such horror doth repenting â—oules oppresse But not in so great measure are they shaken For Christ the edge of Gods displeasure off hath taken 42 This was his way to heau'n This must be ours Before we be to true Repentance brought Consider now with are the bitter stowers Whereby our Fathers haue Repentance sought Let Abram tell from natiue Countrey brought Into an vnknowne Land to be a stranger Where he indured hunger cold and drought Whom Canaâ—â—â— famine made an Egypt 〈◊〉 Where of the losse of Wife and Life he was in danger 43 Afflicted Iob modell of true Repentance How was he plagu'd without frighted within Who though he seem'd most happy in his entrance Yet his last dayes were best Dauid did sin Most desp'rately but after did begin Sadly to crie when he Gods anger found Purge me without and make me cleane within When Solomon felt his sinnes accursed wound He a whole 〈◊〉 of true Repentance did compound 44 Good 〈◊〉 chattered like a Swallow Or like a Crane and mourned like a Doue And though his sonne Manâ—sses long did wallow In much foule sinne yet bondage did him moue To true Repentance Peter more did loue His Master aâ—ter vnaduis'd denyall Thus all Gods seruants better Saints doe proue After they haue endur'd the fiery tryall Experience of Gods loue makes holy men more loyall 45 I should seeme partiall if I onely tell Of men who in this worke haue happy beene Since Women for this beare away the bell Witnesse her eyes which like two Fountaynes dreâ—ne To wash her Sauiours feete And Riâ—â—as teene When vnder sackcloth shee her life did lead Till the wish't raine from heau'n to fall was seene So long shee did defend the bodies dead That for the Gibeonites were hang'd vp by the head 46 But why seeke I for witnesses without Looke in thine heart if there thou hast not found This smart of horror thou maist iustly doubt Thy soule 's not yet vp in Lifes bundle bound Therefore vnto thy selfe with speede propound To view Gods wrath and thine owne wretchednesse Then griefe of heart and sorrow will abound Which thee vnto the brinke of hell will presse Till Faith thee raise by inward ioy to happinesse 47 Thou shalt not find her like fruit which to th' eye Was wondrous faire and pleasant to the taste Which poyson'd Adam and his Progenie Shee bitter is at first sweet at the last And when the cloud of sorrow 's ouer-past Shee brings of ioy and comfort so great store That all become new loe old things are past Shee is the Antidoâ—e that doth restore What Adam lost when he forsooke his Makers lore 48 No th'Antidâ—â—â— is Christs most precious Blood Repentance is but the preparatiue To make our soules taste this most heau'nly food Than which no other can keepe vs alâ—â—e And till Repentance out of vs doth driue In-bred corruption and all actuall sin This Balme of Gilead will not make vs thriue Oh then Repentance purge me cleane within And make my stomach fit this Manna to let in 49 The Spirit 's willing but the Flesh is weake Oh a most bitter pill is this temptation None but they that haue felt it right can spâ—ake What pangs it breedes in our regeneration Well let men-pleasers onely sing saluation Let not vaine fruitlesse hopes thine heart deceaue We must first taste the curse of our damnation Before saluation truely we conceaue As head so must the members that to it doe cleaue 50 We here must taste it or then when w'appeare At Christs Tribunall From which none can hide Himselfe but all stand forth themselues to cleare When Bookes are brought forth and are open'd wide In sight of God Christ Angels and the Bride When Satan and thy conscience thee accuse And no gold can an Aduocate prouide Oh who thinks of this day and can refuse To taste here of Christs Cup and scape the Deuils Cruse 51 Wherefore against thy selfe an Action bring And thus accuse examine iudge and trie Lest thou beest iudged of the righteous King First before Gods Tribunall prostrate lie And if he then beheld thee with his eye Confesse thy in-bred sinnes knowne and vnseene Against thy selfe pronounce vnfeignedly Damnation hell and horror when we seeme Most vile in our owne eyes God doth vs best esteeme 52 Death to all men the wages is of sin But vnto those the Heau'n of happinesse That thus on earth condemne themselues within And after bring forth fruits of Righteousnesse But to those that goe on in wickednesse Death is the Port and entrance into Hell Lord giue me here this pill of bitternesse Which may corruption from mine heart expell No wound can be so deepe but thou by grace canst heale 53 And though shee seemes like fiery two-edg'd sword That keepes from Man the way to Tree of Life Because her fiery triall is abhord And Cowards heart doth faint to see her knife Swouning away at Flesh's and Spirits strife Oh neuer yet let feare my courage quaile To hinder me from that sweet Tree of Life Better Repentance thresh me with her flaile On earth than hellish Dragon breake me
for ay 2 Whom as we loue ' boue all things by him wrought So all his glorious Workes in him we loue And eu'n that Word whereby to passe he brought This all in whom eu'n all doe liue bee moue The same is Authour Finisher of Loue The Sea from which all streames of Loue doe flow Which here refresh the tender plants and proue Most soueraigne medicine to the Saints below Whereby in goodnesse loue and vertue they may grow 3 And as the Brookes their tribute-streames doe send Vnto the boundlesse Ocean whence they moue So though on Saints and Poore we freely spend What we receiue yet to this Sea of Loue We must tend alwayes as the steele doth moue With Load-stone touched to the Arctique Pole All other motions violent doe proue This is the obiect of true Loue this sâ—le The Center is of Loue on which all Loue doth roll 4 Authour and Finisher Thou Word of power Center and Load-stone Obiect Sea of Loue Sweet drops of Grace vpon mine heart downe shower Attract my steely thoughts tow'rds heau'n to moue Teach me the complement of man true Loue O helpe me to expresse what I conceaue Of thine affection which thee from aboue Made to descend and all thy Glorie leaue And to the cursed Crosse for loue of man to cleaue 5 Of that dread loue by which the Trinitie Ineffably doth in it selfe delight Of Persons three making one Vnitie I dare not vndertake so high to write My Muse here onely labours to indite Of that free Loue which doth from thence descend That Loue which from the head on members light And that which from them ought againe ascend Lastly that Christian loue we each on other spend 6 But as th' eternall Godhead is but one Yet is by Persons three distinguished The Sonne is of the Father all alone The Spirit from Sonne and Father doth proceede So though a threefold kind of Loue we reade Yet is this true and heau'nly Loue but one For with that Loue from Father doth proceede Christ loueth those he chooseth for his owne And we the selfe-same loue to Head and Members showne 7 Thou that did'st in thy Fathers bosome wun Eternally begotten vncreate Let me begin where first thy Loue begun To be vnto vs manifest when Hate And Pride the Dam of mischiefe and debate Had caused those celestiall Lamps of light The Angels that kept not their first estate To be deiected from thy Palace bright Reseru'd in euerlasting chaines of darkest night 8 Then first thy free Loue did to Man appeare Whom after thine owne Image thou didst frame And blessedst him to multiply and reare Much fruit on Earth and gau'st him power to tame Thy handie workes to which he gaue a name Which they receiu'd as Vassalls of their Lord Adam then Lord of all thy workes became Each herbe fruit seede thou gau'st him for his board Thus Lord of all Hee 's onely subiect to thy Word 9 God saw that all he made was very good Yet 't was not good that Man should be alone I dare not thinke Man could alone haue stood In his integritie thou gau'st him one To be his helpe of his owne flesh and bone For whom he should Father and Mother leaue Behold now Adam with his Paragon Walke in the Garden where they haue good leaue The fruit of euery tree there growing to receaue 10 Hadst thou him set in Gardens ready planted With all vâ—â—etie of rich delight And for his care to keepe them had but granted He might take pleasure onely in their sight And foode from one to feede his appetite Nature had beene content with competence Thou gau'st him leaue of all the trees to bite Thou onely one tree from his lips didst fence To shew thy Lordship and proue his obedience 11 But loe that pride which mischiefe did conceaue First in the Court of Heau'n brings forth below And in disdaine such exc'llent Spirits must leaue Their glorious Mansions vnto one they know Was fram'd of slimy earth Behold they grow To tempt the weaker by a false pretence You shall not die saith he for God doth know What day you eate you shall be gods from thence Loe thus was all mankind made guiltie of offence 12 Adam where art What art Hid naked vile Now thou hast eate of the forbidden Tree My Wife did me a Serpent her beguile Cannot excuse thee nor thy Progenie Curst is the Serpeat for his subtiltie The Ground is curst and all that on it goes Serpents and Womans seede at enmitie The earth from whence thou cam'st thee vp must close Thy Garden 's lost thy Subiects now become thy Fâ—es. 13 O miserable Man in losse in paine Looke but from whence and whither thou dost fall Who now hath power to raise thee vp againe Breach of one Law thee guiltie makes of all Hell is thy Guerdon miserable thrall Driu'n from the presence sweet of God aboue Which thee to such a height of blisse did call The Serpents speech thou now too true dost proue And to thy cost know'st Good and Euill Hate and Loue. 14 God is most mercifull yet True and Iust His Mercy shined in thy first Creation His Law is broken now he punish must Here Loue behold beyond all expectation Will draw them both to reconciliation God becomes Man Iustice to satisfie His Death shall pay the price of our damnation No height of Verse this great Loue can desâ—ry This Sunne is too resplendent for my Muses eye 15 Most glorious God Wise Happy Vncreate Absolute Perfect Pure Omnipotent Here humbly to conuerse in meane estate And as a Malefactor to be rent To saue eu'n those that sought him to torment Captiuitie thus Captiue for to lâ—ade And giue such gifts to Men and Hell preuent Thy workes of power Lord can 〈◊〉 Creature reade But this of Loue and Mercy doth them all exceede 16 Three sorts of Loue wise Sages haue obseru'd Loue of true Friends of Kindred Coniugall Of which amongst them friendship hath deseru'd To be first rank'd this Loue surmounts them all These Starres doe rise these Starres againe doe fall But when this Sunne of heau'nly Loue doth shine Once in our hearts it is perpetuall And when it lowest seemes and to decline It then is highest rays'd and nearest to Diuine 17 This Loue 's an vndiuided Vnitie A concord that diuision will admit Diuided yet to all abundantly And doth this all into one body knit The Head that eu'n aboue in heau'n doth sit It ioyneth to the Members on the ground And all those Members in one Body knit Loue like her selfe the same is euer found Though in one Member more than other shee abound 18 As Soule of Man doth from the Head to Heart And all the Members life and motion send Being â—l in all and all in eu'ry part Eu'n so doth Loue her Power diuine extend On eu'ry part that on the Head depend And as the Members soone rot and decay To which the Soule her
leade about Eu'n to my mothers house that first mee taught I would thee cause to drinke of spiced wine And iuyce that from the Pomegranate runnes out Thy left arme vnderneath my head should line Thy right arme with embracements should my loue intwine Oh Sions daughters I you charge no lesse Stirre not to wake my loue vntill he please Who is 't that comes vp from the wildernesse Leaning on her beloued at her ease From vnder th' Apple trees I thee did raise Whereas thy mother did thee first conceaue Whereas thy mother first began thy dayes Oh let thine heart me as a Seale receaue And as a Signet on thine arme doe thou me cleaue For Loue is strong as death and Iealousie Cruell as graue her coles be brands of fire Whose raging flames consume most violently No water can asswage her direfull ire Nor any floods can drowne her hot desire No though a man all that he hath would sell And let himselfe for wages out to hire Yet house and substance all shee would refell Yea eu'n câ—ntemne No worldly thing can Loue compell Wee haue a little Sister and no moe Whose brests as yet lye in a narrow rome Tell vs What snall wee for our Sister doe When as the time of wooing her is come When as the time of wedding her is come A siluer Palace with a doore most sound Of Cedar boords wee 'le make for her alone I am a wall my brests are towers round So am I in his eyes as one that fauour found A fruitfull Vineyard had King Salomon In a most fertile place this Vineyard lay To Dressers he it farm'd that euery one For fruits thereof receiu'd should yearely pay A thousand siluer peeces at their day My Vine before me I doe dresse alone If they to thee a thousand must defray A thousand siluer peeces Salomon They for their paynes must haue two hundred euery one O thou that in the Gardens sweet dost dwell My name to thy Companions forth sound Oh cause me heare thy voyce that sounds so well And make it from the Hills and Rocks rebound Make haste then my beloued to confound Thine enemies Be like vnto the Roe And youthfull Hart that on the mountaynes bound The mountaynes whereon Myrrhe and Spices grow Make haste ô my belou'd thy glorie here to show FINIS WHen Daâ—id his Ambassadours did send Wise Abigal vnto his wife to take The Lady lowly to the ground did bend Offring to wash their feete for her Lords sake Learne here what high account we ought to make Of messengers that vs glad tidings bring Which trauell great and labour vndertake For to espouse vs to our Lord and King To be allyde vnto a Prince is no small thing They that to desert hearts send forth their voyce And make his paths streight and his wayes prepare Shall as the Bridegroomes friends with him reioyce And be inuited to his heau'nly cheare Oh how my soule is rauished to heare Herselfe inuited as a welcome ghest By come my Spouse my Loue my Doue my Deare Behold our marriage bed is richly drest And all things are prepared readie for the feast Selected Vessell blessed Paul who rapt Aboue the triple heau'n such things didst eye As here the soules of men in darknesse wrapt Cannot conceiue What didst thou there espie The Bridegroome cloth'd in loue and majestie Hasting vnto his marriage consummation Whose louely'st Bride the Wise man doth descrie With all the marriage solemne preparation The Gentiles light and glorie of the Iewish nation Then let no yokes of Oxen Farme or Wife Hinder thy comming to this marriage feast Where Water thou shalt taste and bread of Life The King will bid thee welcome as his ghest And thee inuite to Gardens neatlier drest Than that of Eden planted by Gods hand There is true happinesse and endlesse rest There glorious Angels doe by millions stand All readie at the Bridegroomes and the Brides command THE BRIDES ORNAMENTS Poëticall Essayes vpon a diuine subiect THE FIRST BOOKE Viz. of Loue Humility Repentance Faith and Hope 1. COR. 2. 2. I esteemed not to know any thing saue Iesus Christ and Him crucified LONDON Printed by W. Stansby 1621. TO HIS MOST WORTHY LEARNED AND EVER-BELOVED FRIEND Mr. IOHN ARGALL Esquire THe Authour doth his Passe-times dedicate Whom he indeauouring to imitate These Graces all doth in the practique see Which here in Theorie described bee By your owne R. A. THE BRIDES ORNAMENTS The first Booke THE CONTENTS The Porter of Loues Gate Humilitie Her Treasurer Knowledge Fortitude Generall Mercy her Chancellor Truth Secretarie Iustice chiefe Iudge Prudence directeth all Temp'rance Comptroller Repentance Marshall Bountie the Almoner Faith Hope Patrons are Patience Obedience Meeknesse Maides I call Attending Loue Ioy priuy Seale doth beare Gods word sword-bearer is Zeale Prayer chaplens there THE PROEME 1 THose sublime Wits that in high Court of Fame Doe seeke to ranke themselues by Poesie Eternizing the glorie of their name By prayse of Honour and of Cheualrie To some great Princes Court their youth apply Knights honourable actions to behold Chaste Ladies loues and Nobles courtesie Of such haue Homer Virgil Spencer told And haue thereby their names in Fames faire Court enrold 2 But had they waited on the glorious Court Of Heauenly Loue by some call'd Charitie And seene the order there and gracious Port Of this great Queene and her faire Companie Her gentle Gouernement and Maiestie This sure their most Heroicke Muse might raise As farre aboue their moderne pitch to flie As candle-light's surmounted by Sunnes rayes Or as the Creatures boasting is by Makers praise 3 Nor had their stately Muse beene rais'd more high By this employment in Loues Meditation Than their owne soules which vp to â—â—auen would flie By this delightfull heau'nly Contemplation Where they might view th' eternall Habitation Prepared for the faithfull Friends of Loue That by her Lawes frame life and conuersation As Members of one glorious Head aboue Which here vpon the Earth by it doe liue be moue 4 Long time I sought Loues Court most carefully And on her noble Actions set my mind That in her praise my Muse might soare on high I sought in vaine but could no entrance find Vntill a courteous Lady then assign'd To keepe the Court Gate hight Humilitie Well knowing what I sought lowly declin'd Assuring me I neuer could descrie Loues honourable Court but by Humilitie 5 Shee was a louely Lady cloth'd in gray Of russet wooll which her owne hands did spin Nor would expend her state in garments gay Her care was to be glorious within Yet had this Lady goodly commings in Which for Loues sake shee dealt amongst the Poore To fill their bellies shee look'd leane and thin Would stoupe to heale the meanest Lazars sore Yet when shee had done all grieu'd shee could doe no more 6 Shee soone in me espies a
Which lately with such spite they did pursue Then would they set their hearts on things aboue And all base worldly cares out of their mind remoue 36 Or be as 〈◊〉 Iohn and Iames affected When on the Mount their Lords Transfiguration They saw and thenceforth worldly cares reiected Desiring there to make their Habitation Or could they see the Bridegroomes preparation When clothed all in Maiestie and Loue He hastens to his marriage consummation How would they all their former thoughts reproue And striue to be ioyn'd to their Head by Faith and Loue 37 When Loue like Moses holds vp both her hands We gainst our spirituall Amalâ—c preuaile And lest shee faints like Hâ—r and Aaron stands Both Faith and Hope to stay them lest they faile These three transcendent Vertues loe can quaile All that our passage to the holy Land Oppose by force or else by flight assaile Loe two of them ten thousand can withstand The third triumphs o're Sinne and all the Deuils band 38 If when good 〈◊〉 saw Goliah slaine His loue to valiant Dauid was so great That they did as one soule from thence remayne How should we loue our Lord that did defeat Our spirituall Goliah How intreat Our Ionathâ—â— that doth his Fathers ire Appease and though he drops of blood doth sweat Will vindicate vs from eternall fire And make Coheires with him Angels this Loue admire 39 And father Iacoâ— thought it much to send His dearest Beniaâ—â—â— to Egypt land Hauing ten sonnes vpon him to attend To loose their brother Simeon then in band How doth Gods loue it selfe to vs expand Who hauing but one onely Sonne him gaue Vs to redeeme from Satans cruell hand And vs his enemies as his Sonnes to saue In whom and by whom he will grant vs all we craue 40 And as the Child that sucks his Mothers brest Is in all dutie to her euer bound For bearing him with paine and losse of rest With many troubles shee in nursing found So should our Loue vnto our Lord abound By whose Crosse we are new borne from aboue And nurs'd with Blood that floweth from his Wound His Flesh we eate his Blood we drinke and proue Flesh of his Flesh Bone of his Bone by Faith and Loue. 41 Behold here is a Sea of Mysterie Where Lambs may wade and Elephants may swim And both be drown'd except sweet Loue stand by By Faith we onely wade about the brim Of this deepe Sea by Loue vp to the chin It is a mysterie which to vnfold No speech is able 't is the heart within To which this mysterie is plainely told This secret Babes and Sucklings doe through Loue behold 42 Loue 's like to Oile that in Zarepta's Cruse By spending on the Prophet did increase Like Sunne which light doth into all infuse Yet doth thereby his light no whit decrease Like boundlesse Waters of the bounteous Seas Which faile not though on all the Flouds they spend Like Leaches skill by vse which gaynes increase Like feruent Prayer which the Cloudes transcend Yet by her daily vse in strength and growth doth mend 43 Loue 's like pure liuing Streames in Pipes which flow From some faire Conduit built vpon a Hill Which though they moisten all the Vales below And many Offices with Water fill Yet to as high a pitch remounten still As is the Fountayne from whence first they fall Eu'n so Loues streames which from our head distill Vpon the lowest Member here of all Mount vp from whence they came with source perpetuall 44 But why seeke I by simile's t' expresse The heau'nly Nature of this glorious Queene Since Men and Angels greatest noblenesse But eu'n as shadowes to the substance beene If with her most celestiall splendour seene Let dust and ashes dare then be so bold His Maker to compare with Loues great Queene So I her heau'nly graces may vnfold And you the plainlier may her glorie great behold 45 God's vncreate eternall infinite Loue 's boundlesse sans beginning without end And as Gods Throne aboue in Heau'n is pight Yet 's Prâ—â—dence doth on meanest Worme attend So thâ—â—gh Loues habitation doth transcend Shee dwells with meanest Creature here below And â—n them her most gracious Beames doth send Gâ—d eu'n the secrets of mans heart doth know And Loue the secret things of God to Man doth show 46 The King of Heau'n for Man did on him take A Seruants forme eu'n so this heau'nly Peere Her selfe a Seruant vnto Man doth make The whole Law God for vs fulfilled heere And Loue vs from the guilt thereof doth cleare If you will grant similitudes may proue By thousands I can make it plaine appeare Loue 's like in all to God in heau'n aboue Yea Loue is God himselfe for God is called Loue. 47 As in the Frame and Microcosme of Man The Soules great power all other motions sway And the whole Frame which of the Chaos came To the prime Mouer alwayes doth obay So doe all spirituall heau'nly Vertues ay Depend vpon this gracious Queene of Loue And eu'n as Man and the whole World decay When Soule departs and Spheres doe cease to moue Eu'n so all Vertues die not quickened by Loue. 48 Two things obserue in Loue longing delight Longing to get Delight when we obtayne Loe Loue with longing doth our hearts inuite Vnto the feast where Christ shall entertayne Virgins that in their Lamps sweet Oile maintayne Those that are in the wedding Garment drest Where they with him shall euermore remayne In solemnizing of this marriage feast Where they enioy true happinesse and endlesse rest 49 As is Loues Obiect so indeed is Loue Constant delightfull happy permanent If we affection set on things aboue And treade in his steps that before vs went Delight shall euer last with true content If for this pearle of Loue we all doe pay And let no Wife Farme Oxen vs preuent From comming to the marriage at the Day Then like Loues Obiect so delight shall last for ay 50 Th' examples of this Loue are manifold In holy Men when yet the Law had place As Abram Moses Iob and Dauid bold But they haue shined more now vnder Grace Amongst those that haue seene our Sauiours face But most since he the Comforter hath sent Stones Fagots Swords Sawes Crosses they embrace As if they did their Sauiour represent Shewing by losse of their deare Blood their true intent 51 In eu'ry Age examples doe abound Of Gods loue t 'vs and ours to God againe Yea when most en'mies seeke Loue to confound Shee doth her owne most valiantly maintayne No horror death cold hunger losse or paine Saints from their Loue to Christ can separate Their Martyrdome's their Crowne their losse their gaine Their Captayne 's death Souldiers doth not amate They know this is the way in at the narrow Gate 52 Oh! let this one example serue for all For Loue a Seruants forme God on him takes To raise vp Man eu'n God receiues a fall Himselfe a Suiter poore to vs
grant that all the good I doe I may Performe it well with good and due respect Vnto thy gracious Loue which me alway In eu'ry good and perfect thing direct And not for pleasure gayne vaine glorie worlds respect 70 Set my delight on hallowing thy great Name And longing for the comming of our King Thy Will on Earth to doe eu'n as the same Thine Angels doe in Heau'n such nourishing As we haue need of daily to vs bring Forgiue our faults as we by loue forgiue Them that offend vs From the entising Of Sinne and Satan and the Flesh releeue From euill set vs free in Ioy and Loue to liue 71 O Lord I doe but aske what thou to giue More readie art than I am to receaue Thy Life thou laidst downe that my soule might liue Didst cleaue to flesh that I to thee might cleaue My Soule thou wilt not now in darknesse leaue Which to redeeme thou suffredst many a wound And Hell and Satans malice to deceaue Suffredst thy Body three dayes in the ground But rais'd vp now to Heau'n thy Loue doth more abound 72 For there thou mak'st continuall intercession For vs thy Seruants which doe wander here In this vaine World subiect to base oppression Of Satan World Flesh which about we beare Thou send'st thy Comforter our hearts to cheare That sayes Thy Grace is all-sufficient Esteeming nothing for thine Owne too deare For them which to thee bee obedient And loue and serue thee with a faithfull true intent 73 Then oh my Soule be bold and confident Though of this Loue thou haue the smallest taste He gaue it that will daily it augment Cherish it carefully let it not waste Dâ—st thou desire to loue loe loue thou hast He surely shall fulfill thy whole desire Looke all the Ages that are gone and past God neuer yet was found like Man a lyer But what he promiseth we boldly may require 74 Should I with Iob be throwne downe in the dust With Ionas drown'd in belly of a Whale With Ieremie into a Dungeon thrust Should I with Dauid walke eu'n in the vale Of cruell death with Ioseph set to sale And without cause in prison spend my dayes Should damned ghosts stand readie for to hale My Soule to Hell all this me not dismayes I know whom I haue trusted he my soule will raise 75 Should my sinnes be in number as the Sand And my forefathers sinnes my sinnes exceed In weight and number yet I firme would stand What though eternall fire be sinnes iust meed Much is forgiu'n where is much loue indeed Wherefore mine Heart and Soule shall euer praise My Maker that in me such loue doth breed That doth my Soule from hellish horror raise Aboue the Heau'ns to liue the life of Loue alwayes 76 As alwayes for thy loue so at this time I praise thee for this holy Meditation Of heau'nly Loue of all the Graces prime Which by thy grace doe worke out our saluation And pay the score and price of our damnation I alwayes will acknowledge and confesse Thy Power and Bountie in our first Creation But now mine heart vnable to expresse Thy Loue in our Redemption here with ioy doth cease 77 And pray's that whilst I Loue to others preach My selfe may not become a reprobate Like as I oft haue seene a skilfull Leach Carelesse of his owne health and fraile estate But grant that as this Song I doe relate Of heau'nly Loue it may my Soule here moue To be as true as Turtle to her Mate That neuer worldly cares my heart remoue From this most precious Pearle this true and heau'nly Loue. 78 Had I not told you wonder might how I So meane a wretch in presence came of Loue But as I said Madame Humilitie Me first directed to her Court to moue And from mine heart Ambition did remoue For from my youth I had a great desire To view th' estate and blisse of glorious Loue But oft in vaine I did thereto aspire Till Humblenesse me taught of whom I next enquire MEDITAT II. Of Humilitiâ— 1 MY boundlesse thoughts that in a restlesse mind Depriue my body oft of naturall rest And vrge my soule true happinesse to find And that once found therein to set my rest Doe often to my purer Soule suggest To seeke for pleasures honour wealth promotion But more of them I gayne the more opprest I am with worldly cares and mindes commotion So that to nothing in this World I haue deuotion 2 And yet I see all Things that being haue Vnto their Bene esse doe intend Their Summum bonum 't is that all doe craue First sought for though they last it apprehend Loue is that good I seeke to apprehend As all Things being to their end doe moue But none but by Humilitie can wend Into Loues Court without her none can proue What is the end and finishing of all true Loue. 3 Therefore I sing next of Humilitie The lowly Porter of high Loues Court gate Who brought me first Loues glorious Court to see And all her Courtiers as I told of late Humilitie the poorest beggars Mate Yet equall to the highest Peere of Loue And by her vs'd in all affaires of State Humilitie which doth so gracious proue To all good Men on earth and Angels pure aboue 4 God! second Person in the Trinitie Whose being is immortall vncreate Who in the dayes of thy Humilitie Didst here conuerse with Men in meane estate That we thy lowlinesse might imitate Direct my Muse most liuely to expresse Humilitie that opens wide Loues gate To those that doe confesse their wretchednesse But shuts close 'gainst all proud and vaine ambitious ghests 5 Humilitie that vertue is whereby We vile and lowly seeme in our owne eyes Despising our owne worth and dignitie Since of our selues we nothing haue to prise The first and certayne step whereby we rise And climbe the Hill of Ioy and Happinesse Stranger to fooles companion of the wise Of Folly Pride of Grace comes humblenesse One head-long leades to Hell the other vnto Blesse 6 This modest Lady Humblenesse of Spirit Her selfe vnwise and ignorant doth deeme And neuer thinkes shee able is to merit In Loues high Court to be in such esteeme Shee farre inferiour to her selfe doth seeme And neuer thinkes shee Knowledge can attayne Disgrace or losse shee sweetly doth redeeme With Humblenesse and holds it greatest gayne Her Peace not Place true Loue not Glorie to maintayne 7 Most fruitfull Lady like the fertile Vine Which euermore when shee most fruit doth beare Her goodliest branches lowliest doth decline And as the fairest clusters doe appeare Hid vnder leaues eu'n so this gracious Peeâ—e Couers all Vertues vnder lowlinesse Of Fortunes stormes shee neuer stands in feare Nor troubled is with want or with distresse For shee hath learn'd to be content in paine or ease 8 Inward and outward's this Humilitie In words and actions lookes thoughts and attire The inward by the outward we descrie It is hypocrisie
but Hope keepes Faith aliue 14 When Faith beleeues Hope hopes gainst Sense and Reason Gods Promise is her soundest Argument His leisure to attend is her best season Though Faith beleeue ' boue Hope yet shee 's content To hope Present to her are things absent Shee neuer faints but holds out to the end Shee to encrease and grow is diligent Shee 's pure and cleane No shame doth her attend By Patience and Experience shee doth daily mend 15 Faith 's like Elias that by God was sent Elisha to anoint him to succeede Hope like Elisha waits most diligent And leaues her not till fiery Charets leade Faith vp to Heau'n Then Hope stayes in her stead Loe then Faiths Spirit on Hope is doubled found And though by Faith our Soules on Heau'n now feede Hope still sustaynes our Bodies on the ground And waits till all that Faith beleeues shee true haue found 16 Yea after that our bodies turne to dust It seemes that Hope still with our soules remaine What else doth meane the crying of the Iust Which for Gods Word lie vnder th' Altar slaine How long wilt thou Lord to auenge refraine Our blood on those that on the earth it spilled To whom this answere is return'd againe They should rest till the number was fulfilled Of those which for the Word as they were should be killed 17 Hope's subiect is each heart that Christ hath knowne And where in glorie he vouchsafes to dwell Shee best by Obiects is conceau'd and showne For as they doe transcend Hope doth excell All Gods good Promises which one can tell Her Obiects are which if one right would reade He must begin with that when Adam fell Gods Promise to the Woman that her seede Though Serpent bruis'd his heele should breake the Serpents head 18 Like this was that promise to Abraham All Nations should be blessed in his seede And him that King of Israel became God promis'd one should ne're want of his breede To sway great Iuda's Scepter in his stead Till Shilo came who was his Lord and Sonne Sonne as his flesh did from his Loynes proceede Lord as the God-head in the flesh did won Thus he was Dauids Christ Sonne Lord and yet but one 19 Loe God perform'd all his good Promises In Christ his sufferings birth and exaltation All tending to bring wretched Man to blisse But now behold new tidings of saluation The Gospell shewes our reconciliation Is finished as after shall be showne When all in Heau'n and Earth haue restauration What we beleeue and hope shall then be knowne Hope then shall reape in ioy what shee in teares hath sowne 20 For as the promises that God had swâ—re In Christs first comming were accomplished Eu'n so all those that in the Gospell are In 's second comming shall be finished And since that Good to Adam promised Was full foure thousand yeares ere consummation Why then should Hope that 's thus experienced Faint in lesse then two thousands expectation Nearer than when we first beleeu'd is our saluation 21 Oh! had I here Hopes wondrous memorie Then should I able be soone to make knowne All 's Promises which God cannot denie Eu'ry of which Hope doth account her owne Behold in briefe them all vnto thee showne All Faith beleeues And what doth he distrust In whom this little seede of Faith is sowne All these I say Hope doth together thrust And in them puts assured confidence and trust 22 Therefore these Vertues alwayes her attend Assurance Confidence and Patience With Perseuerance alwayes to the end And of Gods faithfulnesse Experience These and the like are her most sure defence 'Gainst troubles sâ—â—ffes her weaknesse long delay Of many Promises which made long since Are not accomplished vnto this day And when shee 's like to faint these her refresh alway 23 They that would make faithlesse vncertaintie So necessary to attend Hopes trayne And on coniect'rall probabilitie Lay Hopes foundation They demonstrate playne True Faith and Hope did ne're in them remayne And though like Faith Hope sometimes waâ—er may As who can to a perfectnesse attayne Yet Hope encreasing Doubting doth decay Vncertaintie and Hope together cannot stay 24 No more than in the Water cold and heate For as the heate all coldnesse doth expell So Hope all doubting out of vs doth beate I grant that as in luke-warme Water dwell Both heate and cold so in the hollow Cell Of vnsound luke-warme Libertines false mind Vncertaintie and wau'ring Hope doe dwell But this no true and stedfast Hope we find Else true and feigned Hope would differ in their kind 25 Though Hope hath many an open Enemie None wrong her more than her familiar Friends As Merits Doubtings false Securitie In ciuill honest dealing who depends On these quick-sands more danger him attends Than if he split on Rocke of fierce Despaire Or to distrust Gods promises intends Because so long a finishing they are Ciuill Defection hazards more than open Warre 26 Oh! who can point out all the subtilties Satan doth vse this Lady to depose How he all worldly Obiects doth deuise That shee may in them confidence repose And thereby may her heau'nly Obiect lose Who are more miserable Satan sayes Than those on things to come their Hopes repose And who liue longer and more ioyfull dayes Than they whose Hope on wealth and Princes fauours stayes 27 As Iewes two Theeues did hang on either hand When as they crucifi'd the Lord of Life So two extremes on either side Hope stands And both of them haue each with other strife On left hand stands Despaire with bloody knife On right Presumption bold doth ouer-weene Hope oftentimes may saue Despaires life Presumption railes and thinketh in her spleene If Hope could others saue shee â—ould endure such teene 28 Hope is like Iacob that went out but poore But free from danger vnto 〈◊〉 Land But when he doth returne with Wiâ—es and store Laban pursues behind Esau with band Of full foure hundred doth before him stand But Angels as Companions him attend And eu'n with God he wrestles hand to hand Who doth from churlish Laban him defend Nor suffers cruell Esau Iacob to offend 29 So when our Hope alas is faint and poore It forward walkes most free from all tentation But when it gets some strength Despaire before Behind Presumption seekes our supplantation Loe then Gods promises of our saluation Like Angels are to comfort vs at hand We wrestle with the Spirit by supplication Whereby we are inabled to withstand Despaire Presumption proud and all the Deuils band 30 Men in this World are like to ships at Sea Which stormes haue beaten and tâ—e waues haue tost That when they come to harbour in the Lea Cast Anchre out where if they find the coast Consist of quick-sands all their labour 's lost Loe then Hopes Anchre there can get no hold So they with stormes and waues againe are tost But if they find firme Land they then grow bold No wind stormes waues
can beate them from their Anchre-hold 31 Faith as the Sunne and Hope is as the Moone In Heau'n both glorious Lamps this World to light So in mans soule Faith Hope like two lights shone Their little world towards blisse to guide aright As Moone doth borrow from Sunnes glorious light So Hope from Faith And as when Sunne to shine On Moone forbeares shee 's scarce discern'd by sight So when Hope wants Faiths glorious light Diuine Shee wanes like Moone and all her beautie doth dec'line 32 Hope signifies a constant expectation Of some good thing to come from such a one Of whose Loue Pow're and Truth a firme perswasion We haue that all we wait for shall be done Loe first Hope onely is of things to come It is no Hope to hope for things we see Next in her selfe Hope confidence hath none Last all our hope and refuge is to flee Vnto Gods grace pow're wisdome Truth which certaine bee 33 Here in examples may my Muse transcend For whatsoeuer things are writ of old Are for our learning and instruction pend That we through Patience comfort may behold In Scriptures And haue Hope for to lay hold On all Gods Promises and Dealing kind By him shew'd to our forefathers of old And those which to our owne times are assign'd Last of all those which we within our selues doe find 34 These three may breede in vs experience Experience Hope Hope maketh not asham'd Loe first th'examples all haue reference To Hope which I in Faiths discourse haue nam'd Kings Prophets Iudges Martyrs all enflam'd With Loue in Hope and Faith most firme doe stand Without the one the other may be blam'd Both able are Hels malice to withstand For if one faints the other lends her helping hand 35 This generall briefe narration shall serue For all Hope 's noble famous acts of old Now if you will be pleased to obserue Whilst I th'examples of our times vnfold And those which our forefathers haue vs told God neuer hath so deâ—lt with any Nation In giuing temporall blessings manifold In our deliuerances ' boue expectation Lastly in yeelding vs such meanes for our saluation 36 He sets vs in a blessed Land where flow Hony and Milke and all good things abound The Plough-man reapes the Crop which he doth sow Here Peace and Plentie eu'ry where are found Here dreadfull trump of warre doth neuer sound No leading here into captiuitie Here no complayning in our streets is found Here 's health of body with prosperitie And all these lasted haue beyond mans memorie 37 I hope here is for vs sufficient ground To trust in God for all things temporall How many plots hath Hell and Rome out found Vs to betray to bondage spirituall Yet God hath vs deliuer'd out of all Besides that secret cruell trayt'rous broode Priests that themselues Catholique Champions call Shee hath prouok'd to make her quarrell good Great Kings to open warre and shedding innocent blood 38 Witnesse th'Armada huge of Eightie eight Which bâ—eathed nought but cruell desolation And was inuincible in Mans conceit Whom nought could satisfie but th'extirpation Of Protestants and all the English Nation Home-treason forraine warre vs to betray To Popish cursed hellish machination Nought could this Pharaâ—hs crueltie allay Till Death Hell and Destruction swept them all away 39 This quail'd the spite of Egypt but of Rome Though pow'r grow weake her spite growes yet more strong When force and open warre doe vaine become Shee seekes by treason to maintayne her wrong Loe Iesuites and Seminaries throng In Court Church Citie and in euery Place To sow seedes of Sedition vs among To bring Prince Counsell Prelate in disgrace To credit Superstition and the Truth out-face 40 How many were their plots of cursed Treason Deuis'd against our late dread Soueraigne Queene Impatient to expect the time and season When shee should hence goe and no more be seene That time they look'd to wreake their spitefull teene On opposites of Popes Supremacy Oh! this a bloody day had surely beene Had not the Lord vs succour'd from on high And whence we hop'd for least did vs most helpe supply 41 Loe whilst shee liu'd shee seem'd a weake defence A Woman to defend so great a Nation From secret treasons open violence Fill'd all the World with ioy and admiration But when by her most happy commutation Shee leaues this Earth Behold that prouidence Which made this weake Sexe strong for our saluation Brings in a stronger and more sure defence With Gladnesse Plentie Peace without all violence 42 Oh! that my Muse were able here to flie The high pitch of my Soueraignes commendation Who Solomon-like in all his Royaltie Brought Peace and Plentie to this happy Nation At whose most blessed glad Inauguration No Shimei barkes nor Sheba lifts his hand But all him meete with ioyfull salutation God saue King IAMES sole Monarch of our Land And set thy seate as fast as our late Queenes did stand 43 This was a gracious worke of Prouidence A thing vnparallel'd before not seene But can this stop the Dragons virulence No it encreaseth more his spite and teene For the same cause he hated our late Queene He doth Faith's great Defender now infest But against Loue Faith Hope is all his spleene And all that will not fall downe to the Beast With those that Antichristian supremacy detest 44 Many a cursed plot and cruell treason Hath beene attempted 'gainst our gracious King Before and since the happy time and season God him in peace to rule this Land did bring But neuer yet was hammer'd such a thing By Pope Turke Iesuite or in Hell below As was the powder plots fierce lightening Which in one instant all should ouerthrow King Counsell Nobles Citie Commons Priests vp blow 45 Oh barbarous wretches cruell instruments Of Death and Ruine to their natiue Nation What heart of steele or flint that not relents To apprehend the dreadfull desolation Besides of men of that faire habitation Those seates of Iustice Houses for deuotion Great Brittaines glorie Strangers admiration Shame is reward Gods wrath the bitter potion Of all that had their heads in this most hellish motion 46 But leaue them to their punishment and shame Behold a worke no older than the yeare Wherein Gods Loue to vs blest be his Name No lesse than in the former doth appeare I meane our Soueraignes sicknesse who was neere To the last act of all mortalitie But when all physicke fayl'd God did him cheere His health restoring with prosperitie And adding length of dayes to him that look'd to die 47 Nor onely doth this Antichristian Bore Seeke to roote vp the Vine of Gods right Hand But there be Foxes little Foxes store Which 'gainst her bloming Grapes in ambush stand Those that against Church gouernement doe band Churches illit'rate Vermine who disclose Their enuie to the Prelates of our Land When against their Succession they oppose Tithes Prayers Order Titles Ceremonies Clothes 48 These humorous Nouellists haue
as he shame endur'd and crosse did beare So Souldiers of our valiant Generall We with vndanted resolution dare Oppose the World Flesh Sinne and Deuils all Whose Faith stands firme in Christ what dread can him apall 14 Though spirituall Enemies doe more abound In number Malice Strength and Policy Yet by these spirituall weapons we confound Them all triumphing on them valiantly This spirituall strength growes in vs inwardly As doth the new and inward Man reuiue Which stronger growes as our corruptions die And by the Fleshes weaknesse most doth thriue And when the Body's dead preserues our Soules aliue 15 Our Soule the subiect of true Fortitude Not giu'n by Nature but infus'd by Grace The spirit of Man it is that doth include This most heroike Vertue 'T is not place Wealth and preferment or a noble Race And Breeding that doth raise so high the Mind To count all fading Obiects vaine and base And wholly be to heau'nly things inclin'd Whereby our strength aboue all earthly things we find 16 True Fortitude is home eu'n from aboue And in Loues Court is of such high regard That none couragious are but they that loue And of their valour hope for Loues reward Loue conquers all oh What can be compar'd To mightie Acts of Loue whose iealous ire Consumes all that her Grace doe not regard Oh! what is stronger than Loues hot denre None e're without her did to noble acts aspire 17 Loue Fortitude her valiant Generall In all her spirituall Battels doth employ On whom these Graces wait and follow all To fight against our spirituall Enemy Long-Suffering Patience Magnanimitie Assured Faith Hope Constancy and Peace But most of all shee loues Humilitie For as great 〈◊〉 her glorie more increase So shee inclines to Meeknesse and true Lowlinesse 18 What is 't that I haue not receau'd saith shee All help 's from God Mans strength is weake and vaine If he be for vs Who can 'gainst vs bee Oh who can to true Fortitude attaine But he that from aboue doth it obtaine Boldnesse therefore and Intimiditie Which leaues Gods glorie seeking priuate gaine Is to true Fortitude an enemie As well as Cowardize and Effeminitie 19 For as all Cowards timorous and faine Discourage Friends and hearten Enemies So foolish rash vnexpert vnacquaint With spirituall Battailes and the policies Of cruell Satan and his complicees Doe desp'rately themselues and fellowes traine Vnarm'd where Satan in close ambush lâ—es Where some are stung some poyson'd and some slaine All as his captiâ—'d Slaues in bands hee doth retaine 20 Thus those that on their owne strength doe relie And haue within them selues vaine confidence Proud Boasters oft Goliah-like defie Their Enemies but take a fall at length God onely is our Rocke of firme defence Beastly presumption 't is for to depend On fleshes arme in things of consequence But deuillish madnesse 't is for to defend Our spirituall strength and as our owne it to commend 21 This spirituall Pride of all most dangerous As bodily in them doth harbour most Who are least valiant and couragious Thus Braggadochio himselfe doth boast To be fit Leader of a mightie Hoast And Merit-mongers out of foolish Pride Will merit more than their first Father lost And lay vp store for many Soules beside Who for their money may to heau'n haue entrance wide 22 No floods of teares are able to disgrace The resolution of braue Fortitude Which like pure Diamonds adorne her face And from her all hard-heartednesse seclude Oh may mine eyes like Fountaynes bee endude With floods in Warre my panting Soule to coole 'T is Satans policie first to exclude From quenching waters the besieged Soule Then burn the town with fire when he hath stopt the Poolâ— 23 When valiant Gideon went out to fight With Midian God made a Proclamation Who dreaded or did feare the Enemies might Returne should to their People and their Nation And shall we in this spirituall dimication Hope to withstand our ghostly Enemies Except our Hearts be strengthned 'gainst tentation To fight with Powers Principalities And by true Fortitude to treade downe iniuries 24 Wherefore the Sonne of Sirach doth compare The heart of Fooles to an high plast'red wall Which stormes of wind and winter cannot beare But shaking tottering at length doth fall Imaginations vaine his heart apall But a wise heart that is established By counsell to a strong and stately Hall With Beames and Ligaments so coupeled As it of Winds and Tempests neuer stands in dread 25 As Harts huge Hornes him profit not at all By reason of his faint and fearefull heart So Christian Armour yeelds defence as small If diffidence our Fortitude peruert And as none proudlier march than stately Hart In Summer faire of his prosperitie But if he heare a Dogge or see a Dart Doth faint for feare and flyeth cowardly So doth the Man whom God doth Fortitude denie 26 The heart of man's like Pilot in a ship Whose cunning in calme weather is vnseene But if Winds blow and Waues to Heau'n vp skip And all in danger great of drowning beene Then both his skill and courage may bee seene Then though the Sailes be rent and Ship be torne He faints not till the wished Port he win So though our Flesh here 's tortur'd and forlorne Yet by true Fortitude we to our Hau'n are borne 27 As Branches of the Palme the more opprest With burthens nearer Heau'n themselues doe raise So Fortitude in valiant Christians brest The more assaulted merits greater praise And as those Boughes are stronger found alwayes That are oppos'd to Boreas boystrous blast Than those on whom the South and West wind playes So that Mans mind doth stand most firme and fast Who hath through greatest torments and tentations past 28 Three wise men wrot King Women Wine are strong But aboue all Truth beares the Victorie Earth great Heau'n high Sunnes course is swift and long Yet Truth contaynes all in 's imensitie Earth Heau'n Sunne all obey Truth chearefully To Truth I perfect Fortitude compare Both one most perfect in the Deitie As Iustice Loue and other Vertues are God onely here to vs some sparkes of them doth share 29 Now onely of this Sparke is my discourse This Vertue Manlinesse the Grecians call For they that ran not valiantly their course The Heathen scarse accounted men at all By Latines Fortitudes originall Comes from a Body strong and valiant Mind They therefore count those most heroicall Who most in warre to valour are inclin'd Or whom most resolute 'gainst Fortunes stormes they find 30 With them a Man of warre was seldome found Able in Peace to conquer Iniurie The godly in examples doe abound Of suffering and doing valiantly Let captiu'd Lot declare how valourously From mightie Kings him Abram succoured Which shewes his strength and magnanimitie But his mind's valour when he suffered Cold Famine Banishment his owne Sonne slaughtered 31 Most Princely Iacob with God wresteled And therefore better might with men preuaile Yet
by Gods helpe thou shalt against them all preuaile 51 So by this mightie Power we shall at length Be Victors though Sinne seeme vs here to foile Lord grant me this spirituall Pow'r and Strength That though my Body suffer here a while And like a Coward oft doth take the foile I may with courage so my Soule defend No Power me of spirituall Armes despoile Lord grant I practise may what I commend So I with prayse my Booke and Meditation end 52 Thus as one of the Bridegromes meanest Friends I to adorne the Bride doe offer here These Ornaments The gift no worth commends But He to whom the Widdowes mite was deare Because shee all her substance offred there Will well accept of this poore Offering That when I shall at that great day appeare Before the Iudge to giue my reckoning This time may be allow'd me for Gods honouring FINIS The third Booke consisting of fiue MEDITATIONS viz. 1. Knowledge 2. Zeale 3. Temperance 4. Bountie and 5. Ioy. And The fourth Booke of viz. 1. Prudence 2. Obedieâ—ce and 3. Meekenesse 4. Gods Word and 5. Prayer Were Likewise intended by the Authour at this time for the Presse But the euer-lamented losse of his most honored Lord which hath changed all his Ioyes into Sorrowes and Songs to Lamentations hath beene the cause of deferring their publishing A FVNERALL ELEGIE Consecrated to the memorie of his euer-honoured Lord IOHN KING Late Lord Bishop of London LEt others call their Muse to helpe them mourne And books of Tragique Scenes and Stories turne My Heart abundant matter shall indite If but the halfe I of my sorrow write Were it a priuate losse of mine alone I could it smother with a priuate grone But ah I ring my Fathers Fathers knell The Charet and Horsemen of Israel Happy Elisha when the fiery Horse And Charets thee did from thy Master force Whilst he in Whirlewind vp to Heauen ascends His Spirit doubled downe on thee descends But ah I haue no Spirit but to mourne And wash with teares this sacred Fathers Vrne His 〈◊〉 is not left me to diuide Mine Eyes from Teares as Iordanes floods were dride Yet had I but his Spirit here to tell How stoutly he opposed Iezabel And all her Baalling superstitious crew Of Prophets and their Idols ouerthrew How firmely he in his Religion stood Readie till Death to seale it with his blood Without least Bastard thought to change that Truth Which was in him firme rooted from his youth I then might iusâ—ly hope my feeble Verse Had done full right vnto thy wronged Herse For I should muzzell those that wrong thy fame And die them like their whoare scarlet in shame Should force into their face that modest blood That left them ere since they left Truth and Good Yet why should I thinke much that Calumnie Labours to cloud thy Names bright memorie Since that Iust One thy Sauiour after Death Could not auoid Slanders envenom'd breath And if thy Lord and Masters fate were such Let not thy Ashes grieue to beare as much Oh sacred Spirit enclos'd in frailest mold Of britle Clay when I did thee behold Praying Elias-like thou couldst constrayne The Heau'ns to water all the Earth with rayne And when thy zealous tongue touch'd with the flame Which Seraphin had from the Altar taâ—ne Thou like to Paul or Peter didst diuine Three thousand Soules conuerting at a time When thou didst sit on Iustice sacred Throne Thy Prudence shin'd like that of Solomon And Samuel-like so equall didst diuide Thou often gau'st content to either side Like Aristotles thy Schole Disputations Thy Speeches Tullies eloquent Orations Thy Lectures all Ideas most diuine Where Arts like Starres in Firmament doe shine Did â— behold thee in thy Familie Thy House a Temple of the Deitie Thou Dauid-like didst to th' Almightie sweare No wicked riotous Person should come there You worthy Tribe of Leui when you want And find your shorne allowance all too scant His 〈◊〉 which refresht you often blisse And gaue you Liuengs free as they were his You Poore lament whom he so often fed Not with his Doctrine onely but his Bread And Strangers when you want his losse lament Who vnto you such large allowance sent One and the same Rule in things Temporall He did obserue as in Spirituall Who so on Earth doth plentifully sow May well expect a like increase to mow Most happy Man if Vertue Honour Right Or any worldly Blisse make happy wight Home and abroad honour'd belou'd and fear'd Him Grace and Learning vnto all endear'd But oh what Mortall stands so sure and fast That here may be call'd happy till his last To whom the People erst Hosanna cride When he in triumph doth through Sion ride Ere many dayes was on the Crosse so shaken As if he fear'd himselfe of God forsaken So when this Saint like Paul the â—ged sung To build vp Sions ruines with his Tongue The rauish'd Hearers with thy message strooke Sate as they had no powr's but Eare and Looke Both which did yeeld thy Worth such loud applause As if an Angels Trump had lent thee voyce I thinke their strict attention did fore-see They neuer more should heare so much from thee A Swan-like Dittie for it was his last For ere the Sunne had round his circuit past He that for Sions building vp did pray Did in his owne fraile Temple feele decay My Soule eu'n trembles but thy groanes to heare Alas how couldst thou them with Patience beare Afflictions which would breake a brasen Wall And hardest Milstone grin'd to powder small But Hee in Heau'n that heard thee groane and weepe And all thy teares did in his Bottle keepe When it was full doth take of thee compassion And freed thee from thy paynes and bitter passion Eu'n on that Day whereon we celebrate His Passion whom thou liu'dst to imitate Loe God doth millions of his Angels send Thy sorrowes here with heau'nly Ioyes to end Shall we bewaile thy happy commutation Now chang'd from Earth to heau'nly Habitation Where as thy Ioyes the Angels farre surpast Which neuer of thy Miseries did taste For there thou dost that Psalme of comfort ring Which none but Saints afflicted here can sing That Ioy which neuer had in Heau'n beene knowne But by those Saints that vnder crosses groane That Ioy which feeles God comfort vs againe After he hath vs plagu'd on Earth with paine And for a few yeares of aduersitie Rewards in Heau'n with Ioyes eternitie Which giues for Sorrow Ioy for Labour Rest A Hau'n to vs whom Shipwracke erst distrest From Danger Safetie Light vnto the eye Long blind in Dungeons obscuritie Life after Death doth make our liues more sweet Who here Christs plentifull afflictions meet Shall haue in him a plenteous consolation Then let vs all that wait for like saluation In Body like this Saint the dying beare Of 's dying Lord and let him neuer feare But his Lords life shall be made manifest In Him when He our Labour turnes to Rest. But more my Muse is as vnfit to write As are my sorrowes stupid to endite Onely Shee thus the publique losse bemones And what Shee wants in words supplyes with grones Act. 2. 3. Church Christ. Church Christ. Church Church Christ. Church Christ. Church Church Christ. Church Christ. Christ. Christ. Church Christ. Church Christ. Church Daugh. Church Daugh. Church Christ. Christ. Apples †Church Christ. Church Christ. Church Christ. Church a 1. Sam. 2â— 39. 40. b 1. Sam. 18. 18. c Mark 1. 3. d Iohn 3. 29. * Matth. 22. 9. f Can. 2. 14. 3. 7. g Caâ— 5. 1 2. h 2. Cor. 12. 1 2 3 4. i Matth. 22. 2 3 4. k Caâ— 7. 1 2 c. l Luk. 2. 32. m Luk. 14. 17 18 c. n Apoc. 22. 1 2. o Can. 5. 1. p Can. 4. 12. 6. 2. q Apoc. 21. 4. * Apoc. 5. 11. Quaere Iâ—dg 9. 8. * Pâ—nitentia * 〈◊〉 †Christs †Strength †Strength * Presumption a Infidelitie b Despaire †Heart †Iesus †By reason ¶ By sense * Reuel 6. 10. 11. †Mens merits * Separatists * 〈…〉 Truth of Iudgement Truth of Heart Truth of Speech Truth of Action †Potaâ—iana 3. Esdr. 4. * 〈◊〉 Gen. 32. 33. * Woman-Man * Cutter