sailes doe faile all faile in their true motion 41 Faith is our spirituall Sunne in Firmament Which Clouds may darken not put out her light Shee is sweâ—t Oile that giueth nutriment Vnto our Lamps vs to direct aright Shee is our strong Shield vnder which we fight Safe and secure'gainst all the powers of Hell Which though our brest-plate oft by force or slight They pierce of Righteousnesse Faiths shield doth quell Yet all Hells fiery darts and Satans force expell 42 Shee Morter is vs liuing Stones to ioyne In that great Building to the corner Stone The Pins and Ioynts which euery peece combine Into one goodly Frame By Faith alone Members on Earth and Head in heau'n is one Shee doth espouse the Bridegroome to the Bride Shee vs the earnest of his Spirit hath showne Shee sets vs at the Banquet by his side Then Loue vs to embrace her Armes doth open wide 43 Faith like is to the holy Martyr Steuen Who when before the Councell he did stand Look'd vp and saw Gods glorie great in heau'n And Iesus standing by on his right hand Shee 's like Tobiâ—â— Angell at command For to direct vs in our iourney right And free from danger both by Sea and Land Shee doth endue vs with such heau'nly light That we to Friends and Parents may restore their sight 44 Like Aduocate who not for priuate gayne Pleades for all sinners to Repentance brought Whom neither feare nor fauour can restrayne From pleading till our Pardon shee hath wrought Shee neuer leaues vs till shee hath vs brought To the most glorious happy Court of Loue Into his armes whose Blood vs dearely bought For Faith and Hope cease further there to moue Our state there is immutable without remoue 45 Faith like to Moses out of Egypt leades All Israelites that vnder bondage grone Baptiseth them that in her foote-steps treades As in red Sea Faith cleaues a Rocke of stone From which gush liuing Waters Faith alone The hidden Manna makes from heau'n descend Which who by Faith eate Bone become of Bone Flesh of his Flesh Faith doth before vs wend Through this worlds wildernesse but there she makes an end 46 Yet Faith like Moses doth from Mount behold And view from farre the blessed promis'd Land But leaues vs there vnto our Iosuah bold T' expell the Amorite with mightie hand And giue vs seisin of that blessed Land Loe then Faith to sure Knowledge is return'd Then we in state vnchangeable doe stand Not that Faith Hope as needlesse off are turn'd What Faith beleeu'd and Hope did waite for is confirm'd 47 Like when some friend doth promise thee to giue After his death a faire Inheritance Thou must beleeue and hope whilst he doth liue But when his change thy fortunes doth aduance And thou possessest this Inheritance Loe then thy first beliefe and hope dâ—crease Thou hold'st it now by good assurance So when we Heaâ—â—n possesse Faith Hope doe cease It is our owne for euer not a Farme by leaâ—e 48 Faith is as much as when we credit say Which is as sure as money in our hand If we trust one that able is to pay And to what he hath promised will stand If rightly then Gods power we vnderstand And Truth which fast like him hath euer stood We haue most firme assurance of heau'ns Land Yet least weake Faith make doubt of this as good Loe his last Testament sealed with his owne Blood 49 If with th'incredulous these cannot preuaile Who will beleeue no more than they can proue By Sense and Reason None of these shall faile Thee to a true and liuely Faith to moue Behold the Father vs hath shew'd such loue That we the Sonnes of God should called bee If Sonnes we be Coheires of heau'n aboue If we beleeue but what we taste and see To Sense in Sacraments exhibited is hee 50 With these authorities why should I sort Saints Monuments which in Worlds wildernesse By Faith obtayning here a good report Are now arriu'd at th' Hau'n of blessednesse Millions which haue and constantly professe And for this Faith land honours life doe leaue Accounting it their greatest happinesse They are worthy found not onely to beleeue In Christ but for his sake their liues goods friends to leaue 51 See Abraham in whose most holy Seede All Nations of the earth most happy are How Faith did arme him to performe a deede Against the promise God vnto him sware His sonne his onely sonne not Isaack spare See Iacob with his Maker hand to hand Wrestling to get a blessing nor doth care To lose his limbs so firme his Faith may stand Loe Faith brings Iosephs bones from Nile to holy Land 52 Moses by Faith the red Sea doth diuide So stroke the Rocke that Waters gâ—shed out Calls food from Heau'n with God on Mount doth bide Full fortie dayes Loe Iosuah bold and stout Commands the Sunne to stand still while he fought Gods Battailes Loe Kings Iudges Prophets all By Faith inuincible did neuer doubt Blessings Raine Haile and Foode from heau'n to call With fire and vengeance on Gods enemies heads to fall 53 Loe Christ himselfe when he on earth did preach And mightie miracles to passe forth brought What thing did he more here vnto vs teach Than Faith By which great miracles he wrought He that had Faith neede not despaire of ought Lepers by Faith are cleans'd issues are stayd Blind see Lame walke the Deuils are cast out Her Faith so great 's growne that for crummes earst pravd That Be it as thou wilt to her by Christ is said 54 Yea after that our Sauiour did ascend And had the promis'd Comforter downe sent His Church by Faith wrought wonders that transcend Loe Peters shaddow heal'd eu'n as he went Partlets and Napkins from Paules body sent Expell'd ill spirits did Blind and Lame restore Cur'd all diseases of the patient So that th' Apostles by true Faith did more And greater miracles than Christ had done before 53 I doe beleeue the World could not contayne The Bookes if one all Monuments should write Of Saints which Clouds of witnesses remayne Of Faith's great power her glorie grace and might Which though they laid their liues downe in this fight Their glorie euer doth in Heau'n remayne Where Victors they triumph in the Lambs sight And for their losse of life and mortall payne True immortalitie and endlesse pleasure gayne 56 And though in these last times and 〈◊〉 dayes Her force and vertue seeme for to decline Yet he that feeles the comfortable rayes Of her Sunne-beames vpon his heart to shine Infallibly perceaues some power Diuine In him that World of wonder hath effected Which is both God and Man in one to ioyne For this they know and feele that are elected But Satan blinds the eyes of those that are reiected 57 Oh! What great wonders worketh Faith within When first shee rayseth by regeneration And quickneth soules that lay long dead in sin Vnto the life of
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
vertue doth not lend Eu'n so the Man whose loue doth fall away Doth straight in errour darknesse and delusions stray 19 Those that by reasons force and strength of wit Draw true Conclusiont by firme Argument First striue the Causes with th' Effects to fit Else they will hardly grant the Consequent To say I loue is not sufficient Except I shew the reason why I loue I know ô Lord thou art Omniscient But know no cause to loue mee should thee moue Onely I daily feele that which I cannot proue 20 God is Loues very Authour Life and Spring Yea God himselfe is also stiled Loue From him all Streames of Loue are issuing As from the Sea all other Waters moue He first fills all with Loue in Heau'n aboue Which Water plenteously the Vales below So God loues first before we doe him loue Loe what exceeding great loue he doth show God loues his Enemies first before they doe him know 21 The cause of all this Loue proceeds from thee Thou didst vs loue yet being Enemies Bond-slaues to Sinne and Satan but now â—ree And made thy Friends by Grace our loue doth rise From thee as from the Spring and multiplyes Growing from strength to strength till by thy Grace We workes of Loue in thee doe exercise Thy Members here for thee wee doe embrace Eu'n as ouâ— owne till we behold thy glorious Face 22 Into one Body we by Loue doe grow Into one Building we are all combin'd Loue that doth from the Head to Members flow And all the stones hath in this building ioyn'd Where eu'ry Members office is assign'd And eu'ry stone an others weight doth beare All liuely Stones the choisest of mankind All liuing Members of one Head which here By Loue in one close cemented and ioynted are 23 My lowly Muse dares not presume to prie Into Gods holy happy Habitation Where Loue three Persons ioynes in Vnitie And makes one Godhead to mans admiration I leaue the Mysterie of th'Incarnation Where Loue doth make both God and Man in one And eke the power of Spirits regeneration Where Loue makes Man eu'n of Gods flesh and bone Thus Loue all things in Heaueâ— and Earth vnites in one 24 Such as Loues cause is such are Loues effects Holy Transcendent Supernaturall Which publique good not priuate most respects The weakest member seruice doth to all And the most Honourable doth not call The meaner base as he did him despise They all agree in one and one in all Vnto one glorious Head by loue to rise And in him workes of Loue and Grace to exercise 25 This Loue 's long suffering gentle not enuies Not striuing boasting shamelesse for her owne Bitter ill-minded ioying in iniuries But most glad to doe right when Truth is knowne Endures beleeues hopes suffers all alone Though tongues doe cease and prophecyings faile And knowledge vanish yet Loue holds her owne We know and prophecie in part as fraile But when the perfect comes th' imperfect nought auailes 26 Had I the tongues of Men and Angels and Could prophecie and knew all mysteries Had Faith to remoue Mountaynes t' vnderstand All knowledge and should all my goods out size Amongst the Poore my body should deuise Eu'n to be burn'd yet if I want this Loue It profits not this Loue which doth arise From a pure heart oh thou then that dost proue And trâ—e the hearts of Men season mine heart with Loue. 27 And euer let the Obiect of my Loue Be the true indiuiduall Trinitie The Saints on earth and Angels all aboue That still persist in their integritie I mention here the happy memorie Of thy deceased Saints and Martyrs all Which here their Loue to thee did testifie Whom thou by Loue didst first vnto thee call And dost in heau'n reward with blisse perpetuall 28 But 't is the heart from which this Loue must flow There Loue her Court keepes there 's her Royall seate 'T is not enough with wordes this Loue to show Or fayned lookes God doth the heart intreate That must bâ—â— clens'd from sinne made sweet and neate For him that standeth knocking at the dore Then open he will enter in and eate And bring with him of heau'nly foode such store As thou shalt neuer thirst nor hunger any more 29 Clense my deceitfull heart defil'd with sinne Make it a Temple for thy Spirit of Loue Fit for the King of Glorie to come in That all my words thoughts actions pure may proue As Riuers which from purest Fountaynes moue Oh since thou wert so bountifull to spend Thy precious Blood for vs thy Foes still loue And cherish vs and 'gainst all harme defend Who will die for his Foes cannot denie his Friend 30 In all that Nature hath indued with life We find desire with like to companie Againe wee see diâ—â—â—â—tions jarres and strife 'Mongst those that are of different qualitie We oft 〈◊〉 inclinations may descrie By company they either keepe or shunne They haue of manners such a sympathie I therefore shew what heau'nly Graces wonne With royall Loue which sweetly link't together runne 31 These Vertues are Loues deare Concomitants Repentance Knowledge Faith Humilitie Fortitude Iustice Prudence Temperance Meeknesse Obedience Truth Hope Curtesie These a most sacred 〈◊〉 Societie Doe on the Court of royall Loue attend These Hate expell and her base progenie Wrath Auaâ—â—â— Pride 〈◊〉 and contend Gainst Gluttoâ—e 〈…〉 which on Hate depend 32 These Impes which of this hellish Hagge are bred Begot of her by Lucifer in Hell In wayes of errour and of darknesse leade Where damned spirits in torments euer dwell And though on earth they beare away the bell Of all one day there will a reckning bee Then shall appeare who hath done ill who well The louely Bride shall ioy her Loue to see But they which follow Hate with her shall damned bee 33 Such doe ill iudge of Loue that cannot loue Nor in their hearts feele heate of liuely flame Loue is the gift of God from heau'n aboue Sent downe mans proud rebellious heart to tame And yeeld obedience to his holy Name Though scorn'd by those whose hearts are made so blind With this worlds god they cannot see the same This World they loue and on Lusts set their mind And neuer seeke this true and heau'nly Loue to find 34 The reason is they doe not seeke to know Gods Wisedome Mercy Bountie Goodnesse Loue And these though Preachers daily to them show And their slow vnbeleeuing hearts reproue Their hearts of flint to loue they cannot moue Ah! How can they loue God they haue not seene When as their brethren here they cannot loue To loue the Head and yet to beare a spleene Vnto the Members is a thing vnknowne vnseene 35 Should they with Paul behold the glorious sight Of th' Head whose Members they doe cause to rue They would fall downe amazed with such light And humbly prostrate with submission due Crie Lord Who art and with affection new That Head and Members would intirely loue
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
for to desire Lowly to seeme and secretly aspire Vnto a Crowne by legs with Absalâ—m Such complement let Pagan Courts admire Neuer such basenesse yet had any roome In Court of heau'nly Loue where heart and looke is one 9 For true Humilitie is vndiuided Shee alwayes lookes speakes does seemes thinks the same And though shee bee by scorners oft derided Shee 's alwayes humble like vnto her name Nor doth shee vertuous deeds to purchase fame But for themselues and for her Lords deare sake Who with her suffred much reproch and shame When he a Seruants forme did on him take And Lord of all himselfe of none account did make 10 The Sonne of God from all eternitie Most holy happy wise whose glorious Station Being pight in Heau'n thought it no robberie To be with God of equall estimation Himselfe to make here of no reputation His glorie great in highest Heau'ns to leaue And liue here in the meanest seruants fashion And when the Heau'ns did him againe receaue Her here vnto his Spouse for an ensample leaue 11 Oh! could we but this wondrous Grace conceaue And honour Loue hath done Humilitie Would it not cause vs vnto her to cleaue And her embrace with all integritie Keeping her in our hearts most carefully That from our humbled hearts as from a Well There might flow forth vnfayn'd humilitie That when we are hence summon'd by the bell We in Loues Court with ioy eternally may dwell 12 This is the finall cause of Humblenesse To gaine true Blisse and Gods eternall Loue The formall is vnfayned Lowlinesse In and without which God and Man approue The knowledge of our selues vs well may moue As the efficient cause her to embrace Thoughts manners lookes words tires materiall proue For by the words eye act attire and face A wise man may discerne what in the heart hath place 13 But now if we vnto th' effects proceede What gaynes a man by all his lowlinesse Wee see what mickle sorrow it did breede Vnto our Captayne when in great distresse Hee 's humbled to the Crosse and we no lesse By his ensample looke to vnder-goe His scoffes and scornes his gall and bitternesse If this be all Humilitie can doe Of all they are most wretched that are humbled so 14 But loe our Leader that did her embrace With such affection God doth him regard As his deare Sonne behold he doth him grace Aboue the Angels and he hath prepar'd Such ioyes for him as cannot be compar'd With glorie and with honour hath him crown'd And though a while on earth he meanely far'd All now vnto his honour doth redound At naming of his Name all knees must kisse the ground 15 And vs that in our Captaynes steps doe treade And follow him in true Humilitie He will to endlesse blisse and glorie leade And honour here with true nobilitie And as he captiue led captiuitie And did from lowest earth to heau'n ascend So from the dust and graue shall we on high Be rais'd where we in glorie shall transcend The Angels which on Head and Members must attend 16 But soft my Muse thou now dost farre transcend The subiect of thy song Humilitie Now homeward to thy selfe thy thoughts intend And view the subiect where shee doth aby The heart 's the seate of true Humilitie And in thy body seated is thine heart Both made of basest Clay thy soule from high The highest by thy nostrils did impart Which is there all in all and all in eu'ry part 17 The bodi 's base the soule it doth transcend And were 't not here immur'd in house of clay Against her nature shee would re-ascend To him that gaue her Then my Soule I say Into her Makers presence would away And be accepted by his mediation Who humbled to the Crosse for her did pay His dearest blood for reconciliation For after humblenesse doth follow exaltation 18 Nay eu'n our flesh though humbled in the dust By vertue of our Sauiours Resurrection Againe shall be vnited and the iust Which haue beene humbled here by his direction Shall be deliuer'd from worlds base subiection Into the libertie and glorious light Of Gods owne Sonnes vnder whose safe protection They euer shall enioy the happy sight Of God and 's Saints which here haue humbled beene aright 19 But Humblenesse is not the onely way To bring vs to this glorious exaltation End of our hopes but first doth vs conuay To wholesome true Repentance to saluation Which is from filthy sinne the best purgation Mercy the meeke and humble man doth saue Though Iustice vs condemne to dire damnation If Faith and Hope for vs we Patrons haue Whilst Bountie grants vs all things needfull we doe craue 20 The Treasurer Knowledge who hath alwayes vow'd Her selfe true seruant to Humilitie Hath her with precious and rare gifts endow'd Yet still more meane and lowly shee will bee For well shee wots in whom the Treasuree Of Wisedome and of Knowledge all did dwell Became a seruant meane of low degree Truth often vnto her what shee knowes well That shee hath nought but what shee hath receau'd doth tell 21 Thus Meeknesse Patience true Obedience Ioy Doe alwayes with Humilitie abide Shee is most kind and curteous neuer coy Vnto the vertuous and shee opens wide Loues gate vnto the Humble but doth hide From th' enuious vaine and the ambitious wight Truth Prudence Knowledge which should be their guide Thus Humblenesse guides all to Truth and light But Pride Ambition leade to darknesse errour night 22 This Monster foule Ambition cursed Pride Who enuying Man eu'n in his first creation Did like a subtile Serpent smoothly slide In t' Edens Garden Mans sweet habitation Where by malicious subtile false perswasion He then perswaded simple Eâ—e to trie Forbidden fruits and by false application Assur'd her shee should knowledge get thereby Such knowledge gayne they that eqâ—iuocate and lie 23 Oh! had Humilitie true Knowledge brought To Eue before shee did commit this sinne Shee ne're had entertayn'd so base a thought Nor we of Pride and Satan bond-slaues bin See here the end of all that doe begin In pride and in ambition they must fall Pride first betray'd vs to the Fowlers gin But Humblenesse deliuers them from thrall That doe vnfeignedly with her for mercy call 24 What Be as gods For to be proud and poore Is a base sinne hated of God and Man Behold eu'n as Humility's the doore That leades to Happinesse eu'n so began At Pride the miserie and smart of Man Which still in him remaynes a dangerous sore For honour here a Worldling what you can His greedie thoughts will neuer count it store Ambition like to Hell and Graue still gapes for more 25 Thus Poets tell of an ambitious Snaile That golden weather-cocke on steeple high Espying from sweet Garden would assaile And for vaine glorie life would ieopardie He by fast hold and winding subtiltie Mounts slily vp the steeples highest spire Whence he the poore Bird throwes downe cruelly And doth to
Grace sanctification This second farre exceedes our first Creation To passe from darknesse to the glorious light And libertie of Heires of true saluation When loos'd from Satans bands we walke aright And with this shield of Faith 'gainst all our enemies fight 58 My ioynts doe tremble and mine heart doth quake When I Faiths wondrous workes begin to write Shee from the sleepe of sinne doth me awake Into sweet libertie and glorious light My Members that in sinne did earst delight And worldly lusts shee maketh to obay Defacing in me th' old Mans image quite Sinnes fogs and mists of errour driues away And turnes my night of griefe to ioyfull Sunne-shine day 59 Like Enoch now me thinkes with God I walke And haue with Angels happy conuersation Like Abram I with God doe friendly talke And wrestle by diuinest Meditation Loe rapt to the third heau'n by contemplation I there such ioy and glorie bright behold As Peter did at 's Lords Transfiguration Such glorie bright and ioy cannot be told Faith this to true Beleeuers onely doth vnfold 60 And now with 〈◊〉 Iohn Peter I could say Vpon the Mount 'T is good Lord to be here And wish our Mansions there may last for ay Where such delight and happinesse appeare Where I like Stâ—â—'n behold most plaine and cleare Heau'n open and Christ sit at Gods right hand The glorious Bridegroome longing for his Deare Hierusalem the glorie of the Land The head whose members are in number like the Sand. 61 But ah we all like 〈◊〉 fond desire To Righteous later end for to attayne But neuer for to liue like them enquire But seeke for Balaaks honours gifts and gayne But they that will with Christ in glorie raigne Must looke with him on earth to beare his Crosse. The Coward neuer Honour doth obtaine Who from his Captayne runnes for life or losse All in comparison of Christ is dung and drosse 62 Yet I alas doe oft like Fâ—â—lix fare Tremble to heare of Iustice and damnation Or thinke Paul mad And if it doth prâ—pare Mine heart fit for good tidings of saluation I am withdrawne by Worlds negotiation To put it off vnto another day I oft like Peter make great protestation To die for Christ but come I to the fray I deeply him forsweare or else I runne away 63 Yea oft when I some inward flashings feele As if Faith now were to some measure growne I straight waxe cold faint totter stagger reele As if Faith's seedes were scarcely in me sowne Or I true inward comfort ne're had knowne Nor tasted spirituall Grace yet I beleeue Lord helpe my vnbeliefe Thy power 's showne Most in my weaknesse Lord then me releeue And from Sinnes baits and Satans malice me reprieue 64 Nor would I onely wish for to obtaine The faithfuls glorie and her Garland weare But if neede be would beare my share in paine Not that I able thinke my selfe to beare Those grieuous â—orments as thy Martyrs were But let me measure like of Faith receaue My body cut broile scal'd hang saw sterue seare 'T is Gods great grace we in him may beleeue But greater for Christs sake vnto his Crosse to cleaue 65 Why then should I wish Honour Wealth Promotion Which in this World are transitorie vaine And in mine heart no roome leaue for deuotion Or godlinesse which is the greatest game He that to all things needfull would attaine Must seeke Gods Kingdome first and Righteousnesse Loe then all other things doe come amaine But ah it is my fault I must confesse To looke on present shewes and not on good successe 66 So that when of the grand Mogull I reade Great Lord of misse-beleeuing India Whose wealth and Empire farre out-strip indeede All Kings of Europe and of Africa Great China's King Châ—â— of Tartaria The least of which the grand Mogull exceede That potent Prince Sophie of Persia Great Turke Virginia's Poâ—hatan these breede In me such doubting oft I stumble at my Creede 67 Th' whole World to God compar'd than point is lesse Earth to the World to the Earth Christendome And but a Point of these Christ â—right professe Of these Professors but a Point become Beleeuers true So that the little summe Of all Christs flocke as Point is to compare With those that headlong to the Deuill runne What then All these huge troupes in errour are And thus Point onely in the true and right way fare 68 Why then doe Fooles of Vniuersâ—ll 〈◊〉 As note infallible of sound beliefe Seeing the Deuill hath the worst and most And few alas acknowledge Christ as chiefe But soft my Muse thou merit'st iust repriefe To draw in matters here of disputation Thy taske of Faith is to discourse in briefe And to erect thy thoughts by meditation Disputes are fit for Schooles not Muses recreation 69 Lord make me one of this thy little Flocke Of that small number that beleeue aright That fall not downe before a stone or stoâ—ke But being by Faith endude with heau'nly light Know they are alwayes in their Makers sight That wheresoe're we lift pure hands to pray To thee or whensoeuer by day or night To thee alike are both the night and day True Faith in Christ to God our prayers preseâ—teth ay 70 Grant that by Faith I may a heart obtaine Chams Moguls China's glorie to despise With all Worlds pompe wealth honour lustre vaine By Faith so clearely open thou mine eyes To see thy Sunne of Righteousnesse arise That glorious Sunne whose beames doe neuer fall Vpon the proud ambitious worldly-wise But on the meeke obedient that with Paul Doe not consult with flesh and blood when thou dost call 71 Lord thou hast promised thou wilt not quench The smoking flaxe nor breake the bruised Reede Thou mak'st a weake Faith grow from strength to strength Vnto her fulnesse and ripe age indeede Thou plant'st and watrest so this little seede That it doth grow to infiniâ—e increase Like the fiue Loâ—ues that did fiue thousand feede Yet did into twelue baskets-full encrease By vsing grace and vertue grow and not decrease 72 Who then soe're he be that doth beleeue Perish shall not but haue eternall Life The calling and the gifts which God doth giue Without Repentance are The Bridegroomes Wife Is lou'd for euer Neuer any strife Can separate Christs loue He that can free Vs from the fiery Furnace Saue our life From Lyons hungrie iawes We know that he Is wise and better knowes what 's good for vs than we 73 And now by Faith I dare my Maker call Father Christ brother Heau'n my Inheritance The Angels mine attendants lest I fall Behold I dare my shield of Faith aduance Against Despaire the Deuils keenest lance Death Angels Life Powers Principalities Things present Things hereafter for to chance Height depth no Creature 's able to deuise To turne from me Gods loue which doth in Christ arise 74 What shall we say if God be on our side Who can against vs be If he not spare His owne
allurements Our Soules of this rich Iewell to beguile Loe Romanists adulterate and defile Eu'n Truths pure Fountaynes and sweet liuely Spring And Worldlings true sinceritie doe soile With odious name of false dissembling And eu'n with basest termes Gods Priests dishonouring 49 Ah now we with the fashion all doe run As Buildings Wares Apparell are for show So is Religion and Deuotion Where is most pompe and glorie thither flow The greatest multitude From whence doth grow To such a height the name of Poperie Yea many of vs seeke for praise to know But leaue true practise in sinceritie When not to know but doe Gods will is charitie 50 Fashion and Custome now so tyrannize As comely honest Truth they doe out-face If it the Fashion be vs to disguise It as a comely Custome we embrace That which Paul thought a Womans foule disgrace Like Man to haue her head vncouer'd shorne Amongst our Women holds a goodly grace Like vnto mens their garments now be worne As they in Truth the frailtie of their Sexe did scorne 51 But I could wish with all our power and might As in Gods presence pure we all did stand We would goe thinke know speake and practise right In Truth of Iudgement with Tongue Heart and Hand This God did vnto Abraham command To walke before him and to be vpright Walking before God makes vs vpright stand Vprightnesse shewes we walke as in Gods sight Who thinks God him beholds how dares he doe vnright 52 Let me here tell you how a holy Man A Harlot did diuert from filthy quest Who by her comely feature many wan To leaue their owne and foile her filthy nest Himselfe in habit of a Gallant drest Agreed and paid desir'd a secret rome Shee him vnto a Chamber streight addrest So close that therein not the least light shone But ah said he Gods eye vs here may see alone 53 Alas said shee no place can be so close That can vs hide from Gods all-seeing Eye Dost thou beleeue saith he God sees thy grosse Thy beastly foule sinne of adulterie And fear'st not lest his furie should destroy Eu'n whilst in this presumptuous sinne thou art And thee condemne to Hell eternally My Authour saith hereby he did conuert Her wicked life to Truth and Singlenesse of Heart 54 Though many imperfections we doe feele And our corruptions downe so sore vs presse That Vice into our Hearts doth often steale And vnawares deceaue with sinfulnesse Yet if by sorrow true and humblenesse We purge our Hearts of what is entred in And after seeke by carefull watchfulnesse Them to preserue hereafter from like sinne We may grow to some perfectnesse of Truth within 55 But I confesse that though with all my might I labour for true puritie of mind And would doe nothing but as in the sight Of God and Angels and of all Mankind Yet often my deceitfull heart I find Tempting me secretly such things to doe Which I should not dare venture in that kind If some Man present were the same to know Yet Truth the closest of them all to God doth show 56 What shall manâ— presence make me true and iust And shall not Gods that â—ees my secret thought To whom for all one day account I must And be rewarded as I here haue wrought Shall not his presence me deterre from ought That may offend his sacred Maiestie The Sonne of Truth whose blood me dearely bought And grieue the holy Spirit of Truth whereby Seal'd and redeem'd I am from Hels captiuitie 57 Oh thou that Truth requir'st in inward parts Vs secretly mak'st Wisedome vnderstand Renewing Spirits aright and clensing Hearts By whom in Truth and Righteousnesse we stand My way direct right to the holy Land Through Deserts wide of this Worlds wildernesse Feede me with heau'nly Manna from thine Hand With water from a Rocke my soule refresh And thorough Iordanes flood conduct to endlesse blesse 58 The humble thou hast promised to guide And to direct his path aright for ay Who seeke vnfeignedly in Truth t' abide Thou neuer sufferest to goe astray Oh then direct my goings in thy way My iudgement heart hand tongue in Veritie Thou readier art to heare then I to pray Then grant me Loue Faith Hope Humilitie And season eu'ry Grace with Hearts sinceritie 59 God is my Shepheard How then can I stray He is my Light Truth and my righteous Guide His rod and staffe my slipperie feete doth stay Lest they at any time doe slip aside His Truth and Mercy euermore abide Though Wine and Women and the King are strong I nothing feare if Truth be on my side Thy Truth and Mercy shall my dayes prolong Of thy great Truth and Mercy euer be my song 60 Oh let thy Word of Truth my Iudgement sway Thy Spirit of Truth mine inward Man inlight Incline mine Heart to learne will to obay And on thy Truth set thou my whole delight On it to meditate both day and night That whether I eate sleepe walke watch or pray I may remember I am in thy sight So shall I conscience make of euery way And be most carefull what I aske doe thinke or say 61 But ah dread Mercy I too long forbeare To tune my Dittie to thy sacred praise Who wert so gracious vnto me whileare When I appeal'd from Iustice stricter Sayes Vnto thy Throne of Grace where though my wayes Were all discouer'd by thy gracious dome I was absolu'd But next I will thee praise Now I with Truth and Righteousnesse haue done For none without these two to Mercies grace can come MEDITAT III. Of Mercy 1 IF any mightie Monarch chance enquire Why I sweet Mercies seate doe place so high Since shee the lowliest Cell doth most desire Her selfe delighting sole in miserie The onely Object of her pitying eye He hence for greatnesse may this lesson gaine That as he growes in Pow'r and Maiestie To Poore he ought the greater Mercy daine Thus imitating him by whom eu'n Princes raigne 2 For though this Dame be of such wondrous grace So neare in fauour to the Queene of Loue That next to her sâ—ee gaynes the soueraigne place Both here below and in the Heau'n aboue Yea though to heau'nly Loue so like shee proue That scarse the one from th' other can be knowne Though to be mercifull and truely Loue Doe differ much as after shall be showne Yet her great bounty 's not to meanest wretch vnknowne 3 For as the Sunne from highest firmament Vouchsafes on good and bad alike to shine And clouds of Heau'n doe raine indifferent On fertile Land and on the barren Mine So vnto all shee offers Grace Diuine But as the Cause is not in Sunne nor Raine But in the Soile why it doth fruitlesse line So sinne 's the cause some cannot Grace retaine Which shines and waters bad and barren hearts in vaine 4 A depth all bottomlesse I now doe sound A height which higher than the Heau'ns doth reach So wide as nothing it can compasse
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