THat I thus Register your worthy names 'T is no dishonor for my gift's Diuine You are faire Chesters pillers and maintaines Her royalties since you doe all combine In such a perfect vnion that I find Though you seeme many yet y'haue but one mind You being at one I would your one proue Accept my seruice and giue me your loue Your Worships in Gods seruice AVGVSTINE TAYLOR TAYLORS EPISTLE to the Honorable and VVorshipfull Soâ—ieties of the well Gouerned City of West-Chester c. GOD that of nothing hath so great things made So many and so glorious may perswade The created the Creator intends Some speciall good whereto the finall ends Of euery creature leads which act discouers Nothing was made to serue it selfe but others As nothing made it selfe it must needs bee Nothing was made to serue it selfe we see A power that sends and suffers good and ill The made is subiect to the makers will The Heauens it seemes were made to serue the ayre The ayre to serue the earth the earth doth share Her store to serue the beasts and foules which feede Although to them vnknowne to serue mans neede The Sunne doth serue with light the clouds with raine The fire with heate the cooling springs remaine To serue the swelting soule all things that moue Are tokens manifest the makers loue Which both submit and serue at mans dispose The question is man being Lord of those By lycence giuen him from the onely king Let him beare rule if he bound to bring His seruice as a subiect or if hee Being seru'd by others may claime soueraigntie And onely seru'd himselfe I answere thus God did make all things good man optimus Iudu'd wrth reason onely to expresse His makers glory and 's owne holinesse But was not made to serue himselfe for God Teacheth subiection both with staffe and rod The good the staffe supports to flourish still The bad the rod corrects to punish ill Man is Gods Image and in that is showne God did make man that man shold make God knowne Gods power and prayse should euery where be spred For what 's not knowne cannot be worshipped Then ayme to do your office that you may With much content tell many a happy day On earth of grace and one in Heauen of glory Obserue the stature's in the sacred story Honor the Lord fight in his truths defence Cloath you and your in coates of innocence Euer support the good suppresse the ill This the meanes to keepe your station still Beleeue releeue and as you loue the Lord Maintaine such ministers as giue his word A perfect true construction haue a care The selfe conceipted Schismatickes that are Not pure in life but in opinion doo Not onely wrong themselues but others too Since there is but one God and that one hath But one truth to direct vs in one path That leads to endlesse blisse it fits your place To giue the Preachers of it so much grace As bounty and affection can afford As you haue grace by the incarnate word And promises of glory euer see Such honor giuen to the ministrie As God himselfe commanded and mongst all Th'Embassadors made Euangellicall Cut out rewards according to their merits And know thus much those that some gifts inherits Aboue the rest are worthy more respect Because those gifts are signes they were elect By Gods diuine decrees for we should still Farre more by heauenly then by humaine will Enter the Temple th' alter to imbrace Not with the armes of nature but of grace Truth should haue trumpets to divulge her will Not such as sounds too often but sounds shrill The Church is iniur'd by a number such As keepeth silence or else speakes too much Truth 's sicke and like to dye vnlesse she doo Find speciall friends both good and great ones too As Naomi is alone without a Ruth A sad forsaken widow such is truth Without'n true supporters be you then As you are principals mongst many men Of Dauids perfect mind when he did sing Of mercy and iustice to his Lord and King Oh imitate him with a free consent You are the Cities starres whose gouerment Commandeth millions and your houses bee The Cities schooles where all the rest should see Peace pyety bounty loue and decencie Cherish the vertuous and all goodnesse grace Looke on th' offenders but with halfe a face Banish the bad and doe the good adore Fauour not Parasites rather feede the poore Seeke for the loue of all because 't is prou'd The strongest man is he that 's best belou'd What you may do to learne do not request But striue to know what will become you best Your places are both great and worthy and Vnfit for those that doe not vnderstand Your City's free and ancient and may boast Of better Lawes then those that glory most Your orders and proceedings all are such I know no City that may speake so much Of her owne prayse so iustly there 's not any Hath had so worthy gouernours so many So generous still may faire Chester bee Blest with such heads that true prosperity And peace and plenty in your wals may dwell And that your charge you may discharge as well As Dauids worthies did in Israell Iacobs good God protect and keepe you still And make you Citizens on faire Syon Hill FINIS
bounties toward 〈◊〉 may be quit With loue and seruice I haue some such coyne Impresse thus with you names make vse of it It doth the soules of Saints together ioyne And Syons preseruation doth expresse And treats of nought but blisse and happinesse Prophane adulterous plots I do detest I ayme to please the soule and not the soyle To call and summon euery Holy ghest To the Lambs nuptialls is my pleasant toyle My Patrons glory my pen onely seekes And moues no blushes in most modest cheekes Right noble Henry I do know your brest Containes a spirit that is not cantain'd In ordinary limits Honor's best Approu'd and honor'd and her worth explain'd Being cloth'd with robes of purity most fit Lined with mercy valour grace and wit Y' are Lord of these I flatter not I know you And your good parts I honor and admire For all your loue and fauours more I owe you And what I do not do I do desire I could do for your good But I note still Imperfect acts may rise from perfect will And best deseruing Lady you haue beene The Patronesse of my yet infant pen If these more mature workes you do esteeme And countenance I 'le vrge both times and men To keepe your name aliue free from the dead So long as English shall be spoke or read My pen my sacred muse and sweetest breath Shall honor Henry and Elizabeth God guide protect direct and loue you still And send you good vntill I wish you ill Your Honors in all holy duty and Humaine loue Augustine Taylor THE ARGVMENT Thelpe Isr'els faults some good men striues But cannot make amends Iustice and truth her fall contriues Then mercy makes them friends HEare more my choice and thou shal more conceiue Go not for her I loue I would not leaue Why should we part no no it must not be And if we euer do it's long of thee No fault of mine thou ought'st to vnderstand I mildly do intreate that may command But rigour fits not Princes hatefull thing Base cruelty did ne're become a King Milde patience potency hath euer lou'd The Monarch would not Momus will be mou'd Meeke clemency with Princes euer rides Dauid's at Musicke diuellish Doeg chides So some may do and may vndoe and doth Some things at once are done and vndone both Compassion should in greatnesse beare great sway Mercy in Kings shines like the Sunne in day My mercy thou hast found It hath found thee And brought more blessings then dim eyes can see Or hearts of men conceiue not thy creation Choosing collection troublesome vocation Was all the charges I for thee disburst Thy limmes were soundest but thou trauel'd worst And left my wayes to wander in thy owne Thy heathen neighbours that haue scarcely knowne Thy beauties by report much wonder still To see so faire a creature do so ill When I saw thus thou had thy selfe forgot And other nations that I loued not Reioyce in th'disgrace I knew some paine Must be perform'd to wash thee white againe So foule was thy complection some did see That the whole peece of blacke impurity Was all Imploy'd to make thy coast sad Iob Desires to wash thy spotted sinnefull rob In his snow-water and he brings it in But 't was not that could send away thy sin So Iob mistaken his indeauours rest He 's worthy thankes good man he did his best But could not make thee better Aaron then The first and chiefe of earthly holy men Puts on his rich attire and meanes to bring A sacrifice vnto his Lord and King Prouides his alter and with reuerent feare Calues goates and pigeons he doth offer there And to make an attonement for thy good My priest and alter were both di'd in blood Actions that in some measure did perswade But there was other off'rings to be made Of better value and of greater price Good Dauid friendly brought his sacrifice And that was Isop water and with that His meaning was to wash away thy spot He did his best but 's best did not remooue Yuy sinne but onely manifest his loue Aaron and Iob and Dauid lou'd thee well Yet notwithstanding they did partly dwell At the vaine-labour their workes went to wracke They washt the Moore and he was still more blacke Angels descend and moues Bethesdas lake And yet the long-sicke man no shift could make To make his sorrowes cease these are but toyes Or rather types of price of better ioyes A faire oblation must amend these foule A spotlesse blood must make a spotlesse soule No other offering can disolue offence But luke warme-blood of harmeles Innocence When man had sinn'd and sinne had wrought the fall Of Adam Heuah and their seede and all Borne betweene the worlds birth and funerall God granted a Commission to these two Iustice and Truth and these should say and do And in the high Court on this high Commission These two were set and making inquisition How man that was so good became so ill And finding that he fell by his owne will Affirm'd no punishment could be too much For 's voluntary trespasse and begins To whip man willingly for willing sinnes And by decree in that high Court consents That wilfull faults with wofull punishments Shall be rewarded Is the law so sore For tasting but one apple mongst such store The smallest faults done willingly are great Sinnes done at vnawares shall pardon get Sinnes worthy pardon mournes and knowes no mirth And but begins conception after birth Sinnes worthy death are those that mourning scorne Those that are first conceiu'd and after borne When Truth and Iustice doom'd thy death for sinne Mercy came sorrowfull and sadly in Her body trembl'd and her head hung downe Vpon her backe she wore a long white gowne Her hands were lifted vp her eyes were weeping Her woes were waking and her ioyes were sleeping Her knees were bended begging thy offence They would iudge hers and with such reuerence She spoke in thy behalfe with such respect That as I liue a Tyrant would haue wept She had a palme but bore it very low And carelesly because she did not know How she should speede and humbly thus preferres Her plaint before the high Commissioners The iust Commissioners something mou'd to see So faire a Princesse beg so earnestly Another pardon sadly answer'd thus That one must die it is decreed by vs If thou canst make amends for Adams fall His faults we 'll bury at thy funerall And yet we cannot thus the man forgiue For if thou should die he cannot liue But this we 'll tollerate if thou can get A Prince to loose his life for subiects det Our God is pleas'd to Eden he shall come And thus the lost sonne may be welcome home Thinke with thy selfe speake with thy Prince and try Thy Prince must fall or man and men must dye Mercy being answer'd sate her downe and wept And being full of sorrow would haue kept Her selfe vnseene I see her stept in And
do Eu'ry attendant that belongs 〈◊〉 Your Honor either fastned by the linckes Of loue or duty wisedome 't were me thinkes And pollicy and honor to respect All loues and dutyes with such meete respect As prudence may proportion some there are Knowes you but by report that would not spare Their liues and treasures t' expresse Derbyes worth To keepe the Eagle famous in the North Pitty it were that those that loues you best Should loose their loues and be regarded least And pitty 't were that those that loues you not Should be respected and the rest forgot That peace and loue within your walles may stand Resolue like Dauid when he tooke in hand The gouernment of Israell these things He vow'd t' obserue vnto the King of Kings Mercy and iustice I will sing to thee And in my house with such integrity I doe intend to liue that men shall tell The Lord bestow'd his crowne and scepter well I will attempt no wicked thing at all The faithlesse and the froward neuer shall Possesse my smallest fauours I doe hate The proud and haughty and I 'll ruinate The slanderer the flatterer and the proud Neither my court nor kingdome hath allow'd A resting place all those that maketh ties And loues deceipt I vtterly dispise The charitable faithfull meeke and free Are onely chosen seruants vnto mee Right Noble Earle let Dauids Princely minde Lodge in your Lordly brest let all those finde Protection from your Honor that maintaine Publike and priuate Stanleys Stainlesse name Do not guild Parasits prayse it 's but a blast But guild that frame in which your name shall last Defend those that defend your Honor and Those that giue you their hearts giue them your hand Your countenance shining as it ought and may Comforts your followers as the Sunne doth day It is examin'd and 'tis vnderstood The Isles are peopl'd with more bad then good Since enemies doe spring as thicke as weedes The shrub's the saffest 't is the Cedar needes Supporting to withstand the furious winds 'T is onely my affection that me binds T' aduise my Lord although Idare not bet That super senes intellexi yet I know what 's fit to boast I 'm not allow'd I 'm proud of nothing but that I 'm not proud I 'll tell some things I know and some I doubt There are some setches their best treasures out Of Derbyes Earledome thence they cloath and feast And gaines most by you and yet loues you least Trust but a few let not those that delights To steale your Eagles feather t'imp their kits Steale both your gaine and Honor. Moses sings God carn'd Israell once on Eagles wings From Pharaohs sury and so did expresse His power and loue in seas and wildernesse Those he lou'd he deliuer'd all the rest He restlesse left to learne at him it 's best And charge your Eagle as she doth respect The fauours of her Lord that she accept None neither vnder nor vpon her wings But friendly ones that 's onely those that brings Pledges of loue and duty then shall those That publicke dares nor be but priuate foes To Derbyes Honor quickly proued bee And this a pious course and pollicie Scorne all base mettle and as Salomon would Haue all his vessells made of purest gold And counted siluer base doe you like him Shut vp your Lordly brest and let none in But choycest chiefest men and looke they bee All truely furnisht with some qualitie Worthy an Earles respect for sayth the stery The Moone among the clouds looseth her glory But if sh'attended be with Starres of light Showes as she ment to make a day of night He his owne goodnesse seales and 's greatnesse saues That keepes himselfe vnstain'd with fooles and knaues Maintaine your state and those that truely loue it And all shall stumble that would steppe aboue it For too much lowlinesse and clemencie None should be blam'd yet there 's some vice we see Proceedeth from these vertues some repent Their humblenesse because it breeds contempt Vertues may be mistaken blessings vs'd Are blessings still but cursings being abus'd Your gracious clemency hath beene to all So largly show'd that my pen freely shall Record it to the times to come Who can Not tell and testifie a noble man Should be both Lambe and Lyon-like the first To match the best the last t'ore match the worst So a Lambs meekenesse and a Lyons might In great men claimes a dwelling as their right Both lodge in you and I do smell a sauor Proceed from Derby both of force and fauour Which your crest claimeth in your rights defence Th'Eagle showes power the child showes innocence Your spirit 's Princely like the Eagles and 'T is as the infants meeke but vnderstand Least childishly you construe I 'll tell thee That comprehends not his no billitie And wonder not th' art not intelligent The earth is thine the ayre 's his element He 's witty wise and valorous knowes his measure He smites not Lazarus and he sooths not Caesar The good he nourisheth and the bad he spares not The lowly he loues well for the proud he cares not Mercy did neuer find a humaine brest Allow'd her better lodging ' mongst the rest Of 's vertues Iustice sits true Princesse like She will lift vp the sword but 's loath to strike Because she knowes God list not iustice try By 's threatning Isacke when the ram did dye Bounty adornes his hand and sacred loue Guids both his words and actions the white doue Of innocence hath brought him Manna t'eate And nurst him so well he 's as good as greate If any aske in whom this wealth is stor'd I say in Derbyes Earle my louing Lord They say in Courts men longest keepe their places If they can patiently receiue disgraces And tender thankee but it were better dwell With Lot in Bela where no dangers swell Then in the fayrer plaines that lyes too low Which Iordans streames hath leaue to ouer-flow The Eagle's wise and betweene tweed and d ee Inioyes such store of happy libertie As well might please a Prince tweed speakes your fame Ribl's your seruant mercy knowes your name Commands his fruitfull shores fayre dee doth meane The treasures in or by his holy streame To tender as your due and as his duty And in a word examine but what beauty The North containes and in loue as 't is fit Both are at your dispose the North and it God that doth all things well hath order giuen To beautifie the earth as well as Heauen Veiwe the aetheriall region and there see The glorious frame of that great canopie Seemes to be nayl'd with starres and in such wise They are asign'd their places in the skies By admirable skill the Heauens expresse About each greater light millions of lesse Doe still attend by loue together knit Both to adde honor to themselues and it Men are so plac'd on earth th' earth doth afford Thousands of seruants to attend one Lord You