Judgment too This Canto fullyer doth show That men must reap as they do sow Which by examples manifold Both in the bad and good is told Where all God's justice may behold Yet that nor good nor bad have here Their full rewards is here made clear Till Jesus Christ to judge appear Which that he shall is here exprest The Resurrection and the Rest Of the just too made manifest IT being reasonable that the Lord Who doth such eminent favours afford To man should give to him a holy law Requiring that of him he stand in awe Him worship and obey with thankfulness For all the love he doth to him express He will too as with men its usual Him in due time forth unto judgment call And render to him as his works shall be Rewards and punishments as ye may see All Laws and Governmens are guarded so By promising rewards and threatning woe To those that under them do live as they Those laws do either keep or disobey To what good purpose should laws order'd be If they who break them may yet escape free And not for any thing they do sustain Due punishment by either loss or pain And if th' observers thereof be neglected And nothing better be therefore respected Even so God who his laws unto man gave Observes too how men do themselves behave Whether they do submit their necks unto them Believe his sayings readily to do them Or whether they the reins to lust do give And to themselves and their corruptions live And them accordingly he will reward As they regard him or him disregard See'st thou not this discovered oftentimes While evil men who do commit great crimes Though they do think themselves to be secure Are brought most heavy judgments to endure Is not God by his righteous judgments known While wicked men are thereby overthrown In their devises witness that great flood Which overflow'd the old World and which stood Above the highest mountains when the World Which wicked was was into ruine hurl'd For those abominations which they Committed stubbornly from day to day Refusing by good Noah to be warn'd Yea me in him they set at naught and scorn'd For it is I the Wisdom and the Word Of the Almighty and eternal Lord Who by my Spirit do dwell in holy men And lead them forth with boldness to condemn And fault the Worlds great wickedness because They take no heed unto my righteous laws It was my judgment executed in Those five great Cities famous for their sin Sodom and her near neighbours overthrown By Fire and Brimstone so as ne'r was known Before or since because they cast away My counsels from them would not me obey The Word and Wisdom of my Father high Who to the sons of men do use to cry To shew them what is right and what is wrong What doth to them and what doth not belong My words those sinful Cities thrust away And after strange flesh vilely went astray Pride idleness and riotous excess Was in them and the poor they did oppress And lewdness they committed therefore I In flames of Fire from Heaven did make them fry What should I mention Egypts haughty King Who proudly my commands away did fling And with his people badly did intreat My people and did them abuse and beat How did I judge them and with plagues them break Because their bad ways they would not forsake Making them warnings to all Tyrants that In after ages me and mine should hate I Plung'd them strangely into that great flood Or Sea whose waves mean while on both sides stood Of my Elect whom I had chose to be A special lot or people unto me What should I speak of Saul and Haman and The Jewish Nation for in every Land Such monuments of judgment oft have been In whom and what befel them 't may be seen That there 's a God above whose eyes behold The proud who him contemn and are so bold To break his laws and walk in their own pride Nought can them from his powerful vengeance hide Whereas on th' other side He doth protect And shew his favour unto his Elect His worshippers all such as do him fear And to my wholesom counsels do adhere Though He be pleas'd their faith sometimes to try Them from the dross of sin to purifie And divers ways to exercise them till His gratious purpose He on them fulfil That so their vertues might more brightly shine And God more fully shew his pow'r divine In their support and in that inward might Wherewith He them indues in the Worlds fight When all the old World who from me had swerv'd Was drowned how was righteous Noe preserv'd And in an Ark was with his houshold kept From that great deluge which the wicked swept Away without escape so Righteous Lot When Sodom was consum'd was not forgot But by an Angel was deliver'd out From that strange show'r of fire which round about All things burnt up so soon as he from thence Was carry'd out And what a sure defence To Abraham Isaac and Jacob too Was the Almighty Lord when they did go Into strange Countries few and strangers how Did he defend them because they did â—ow To him and his words keep yea how did God Rebuke Kings for their sakes and with his rod So frighted them that they durst nothing do Against them which their harm might tend unto How did he help chaste Joseph and him keep In those great suff'rings and those dangers deep To which his envious brethren did him sell And by his wanton Mistress him befell Who falsly him accus'd because he did Refuse her unclean lust of God forbid To satisfie at her unchaste request Preferring a clean conscience in his brest Before the amorous kisses of a whore Which would have ruin'd him for evermore How did the Lord in him his power display And goodness too both in the time he lay In prison-house where irons pierc'd his Soul God gave him patience in that sad and foul And painful tryal and was with him so As that he favour found the Jaylour fro And when God from the prison him released Having him thereby tryed as he pleased For unto such great honour he him brought As never by him could have been forethought To make him Ruler over all the Land Of Egypt that all men might understand That though God try his friends and them prepares Thereby for mercies yet he for them cares And when they fitted are he them advances Above their foes designs and all bad chances Did he not Israel in Egypt too And in the Wilderness cause him to know To be their mighty helper and their aid Their strong Redeemer from those griefs that made Them sigh and grone and from those dismal fears Which them encompassed for may years How did he bring them out from that hard Land Of bondage by his great and mighty hand What wonders wrought he for them at the Sea And in the Wilderness what things did
doth beforehand lively here present Shewing what dreadful Horror shall surprize All who to Christ and his are Enemies And have them Persecuted scorn'd or slighted How such shall stand amazed and affrighted At that strange turn and though 't will nought avail Their former foolish sinful ways bewail And with most bitter lamentations rue That they their lusts and pleasures to pursue Should God neglect and what might have prevented Their being so unspeakably Tormented And how the Saints in their most blessed state Their dear Redeemer's praise shall celebrate With Songs of Tryumph reigning gloriously As Kings with Him to all Eternity And then from both doth strongly reinforce His former suit that we would take the course Which he perswades namely with Christ to close Unfainedly not fearing wants or foes Which fears and doubtings in us to prevent Christ to us he again doth represent As all-sufficient to preserve and guide us And all things necessary to provide us Shewing Christ's tender love and special care Which he for all his Servants will declare That they shall have no reason to repent Their choice and then gives great incouragement That though we many strong corruptions have Christ's grace shall us from those corruptions save That we o're them through him shall conquest get And also over whatsoever let May interpose And that the only thing Which Christ desires is that we be willing To give our selves wholly to him and then He will give back himself to us agen And with himself whatever good thing he Shall needful for our souls and bodies see This and much more our hearts for to allure The Author doth I' th' Name of Christ assure These and many other things no less Remarkable then these which to express Or over them particularly to run Were but to light up candles to the Sun Since you in Reading may them find and see More fully then if hinted here by me On which I say when I had cast mine eye Observing also how judiciously Full and compendiously he doth express Each thing me thought that I could do no less Then leave some small memorial of my love To signifie how highly I approve The Authors Labour in this following Book Although I know not how it may be took Only I 'll hope the best desiring thee Who Read'st this Book thou would'st not tired be Nor grutch thy labour though it seemeth long Lest in so doing thou thy self do'st wrong And to thy shame declare how little thou Esteem'st of Christ Whose Excellence to shew This Author much more time and pains did spend As knowing none can him enough commend By all the Words or Books that can be writ Considering also there 's enough in it To Recompence thy labour if thou hast A Spiritual heart to relish and to taste Those Spiritual dainties and that Heavenly chear Which by this Author is presented here Or if as yet thou hast not yet through grace Whil'st thou herein behold'st with open face As in a glass that Glorious Love Divine Which in this Sun of Righteousness doth shine Who courts and wooes thee here with him to wed Thou may'st I say be Metamorphosed Into that Glorious Image whence we fell And then I know such Books will please thee well And to thy soul much joy and solace bring Yea thou wilt in a feeling manner sing That Song of Loves * p. 257 compos'd by this thy Friend And from thy own experience Christ commend As far more lovely than thou can'st conceive Which wishing to thee I shall take my leave March 10. 1672. R. T. If you would know my NAME This Accrostick shews the same Reader this Book presents a Match unto thee One of great Worth who for his Bride would have thee By this his Servant earnestly doth wooe thee Eternally to dignifie and save thee Refuse not then but take him at his word The whole World can't thee such a Match afford Think not his terms propos'd too strict and hard Or that he bids thee to thy loss But know Without him thou art quite undone and marr'd Since none but he can pay what thou do'st owe Or stand thy Friend at Death and Judgment day No more will he except thou him obey By Another SIR I have read your ex'llent wooing fit And find it coucht in plain but soaring wit The truest wisdom Sir your lines unfold How to make Christ the Husband of our souls Let Momus carp let Sycophants revile At this thy plain but Heaven aspiring stile We 'll leave them as they are and wave their scorn In his good time God will exalt his Horne Jn this thy heavenly wooer thou hast shown Our Saviours mercy and his love in one Here soul thy Christ to thee proposeth Heaven Nay he doth wooe thee to 't let not sins leaven Harbour in thee t' obstruct thy way to bliss O Soul admire that Christ thy wooer is Render him thanks for this his mercy great Never refuse so glorious a seat Eternal horrour will be thy retreat On the ensuing Poem THis Author minding God's great Love to us Was thereby mov'd to represent it thus No flaring dress nor gaudy Robes here worn And yet enough to keep his Muse from scorn Not a-la-Mode yet handsome neat and spruce To gain respect and stop or dam the sluce Of that prophaness which licentious rimes Sets ope in these our sad declining times The wooing here Divine no complement Needed nor us'd by way of supplement It treats of high and heavenly misteries Brought down to suit meanest capacities The heir of all God's first begotten Son Is here commended yet when all is done That all 's too short his praises to set forth Much here 's exprest but more admire his worth Praised be God for this sweet Melody Thanks also to that Instrument whereby The Match is here advis'd well may he speed In such endeavours and at every need Find such supplies of mercy from the Lord As he hath promis'd in his Holy Word May they too profit who shall read these Songs Praise be to God to whom all praise belongs James Horne On the foregoing Commendations of the following Poem OThers affect that by some Learned men Some Doctors Students Preachers or the pen Of some great Person what they put to Press Should be commended or delight to dress It with some curious Frontispeice my mind In good men's approbation more doth find It to content that such as God believe And his instructions likewell to receive Who godliness endeavour after fleeing What ever things are therewith disagreeing Commend my studies and endeavours for Such Persons praises God doth not abhor By such he 'll be commended when by those Who to true godliness are real foes Though great and rich and learned too they be To be extolled much disdaineth he Nor did that Kingly Poet David whose Praises were great in songs who did compose The sweetest Poems unto him invite The great or Learned Persons that they might Turn in to him
O Daughter give good heed Unto those gracious words which do proceed From his most holy lips in such like wise As here doth follow do not them despise Christ Dear Soul the price of my most precious blood Which I have shed for thee and for thy good For I my self a ransom gave for all And now I to repentance do thee call Hearken to me and to my voice give ear Turn not away from me why should'st thou fear To listen unto me I am thy friend Thy Lord thy Saviour did not stick to spend My life and blood for thee and now I have Through painful cross and through the silent grave Obtain'd my Fathers Kingdom am ascended Unto the throne of glory where attended I am with millions of the heavenly Host The glorious Angels yea the Holy Ghost Immeasurably upon me doth rest And with all heavenly blessings I am blest I 'm heir of all things yea in me doth dwell All fulness of the Godhead Heaven and Hell And Earth and Seas and all things else that be Are put into subjection under me And all that I have suffer'd and sustain'd 'T was for thee and thy good all I have gain'd Thereby I gain'd for thee thee to possess Of endless joys and everlasting bless Behold me then behold me turn thine eye From other objects see what Majesty What glory and what beauty are in me What riches and what fulness and how free I am the same to all those to impart Who me imbrace and love with all their heart Behold me then dear Soul and wistly view My matchless virtues see how good how true How powerful too I am I 'm rich to all In mercy who sincerely on me call None that repair to me do I cast by But them relieve and cure their misery I 'm alsufficient able every way To make thee happy to an endless day Turn then away from empty things thine eye From lies from falshood and from vanity Which cheat thee and deprive thee of all good Oh turn to Me who for thee shed my blood Look towards me dear Soul behold and see Hath any other such things done for thee As I have done hath any condescended And stoopt so low hath any else expended And laid out so much to obtain thy love As I that came to th' earth from Heaven above And laid down all my riches and my life That I might thee redeem from all that strife 'Twixt God and thee and take thee for a Wife That I might free thee from th' infernal foe That held thee captive and fills thee with woe Can any give to thee such gifts as I Can they advance thee to like dignity Can any so inrich thee as I can Can any thee so satisfie what man Or Angel may with me compare Can or will do for thee as I will do Oh turn thee unto me my darling dear Open thine eye on me incline thine ear Give me thy heart it is thy love I seek And I deserve it I am lowly meek And merciful no one is like to Me Yet I have set my heart and love on thee See See I that am heir of all things and Have Sovereign power and all things do command I who thee can save or destroy with ease Can make or break thee or do what I please Who happy am without thee and no need Have of thee or of ought that can proceed From thee do suit and court thee and request That thou wilt love me that thou may'st be blest It 's not to be by thee advanc'd made great Or rich or safe that I thy love intreat But 't is because I love thee and do wish Thy everlasting happiness and bliss It 's not because that thou art fair and fresh For thou art all deform'd thou art but flesh Defil'd with sin as with a Leprosie Of which unless I cure thee thou wilt die I can without thee live and happy be For I my Fathers joyful face do see Where fulness of delights I have and where Dwells neither want nor grief danger nor fear But thou poor wretch can'st not without me live It 's I alone that life to thee can give Yet I am free to give my self and all I am to thee or that as mine I call A Covenant I with thee will gladly make An everlasting Covenant thee to take And love and live with thee as mine for ever To be thy Head and Husband none shall sever 'Twixt thee and me I will thy portion be And want of good things thou shalt never see For here and for hereafter I 'll take care Of thee and as my life I did not spare Thee to redeem from Death and Hell so now I will withhold nothing from thee that thou May'st want or need I 'll wash thee from thy dirt I 'll make thee clean and handsom I 'll thee girt With robes of glory and with rich attire My righteousness and virtues thy desire I 'll fill and satisfie Thou shalt be fed With finest of the wheat with Angels bread With honey from the rock butter and oyle The choisest things of Heaven and thou the spoil Of all thine enemies shalt take and wear Them as thy Ornaments and thou shalt bear My name upon thee shalt my consort be Thou shalt in Me rejoyce and I in thee I will thee joynture in my portion great And set thee with me on my Royal seat Bring thee unto my God and Father He Will entertain imbrace and welcome thee In and with me He 'll the same love impart To thee wherewith He loves me in his heart He and all his is mine and all shall be Thine that is mine if thou'lt accept of me Minist Oh matchless match Oh peereless Prince of life That wilt accept of such a homely Wife Come then dear Soul since Christ himself will give Give him thy self too and for ever live Christ I 'll feed thee with my flesh and blood my heart And body too I will to thee impart And no good thing will I with-hold from thee But freely give 't if thou 'lt accept of me Behold I stand with patience great and wait With much long suff'ring at the clos'd up gate Of thy hard heart where I behold and see What is within and whom thou hast with thee How with thy mortal foes thou mak'st a rout Sporting thy self while me thou keepest out While I with patience stand I call and knock For entrance in but thou the door do'st lock And bolt against me Both by works and words I call and knock my very rod affords Low'd calls unto thee if thou wilt me hear And open unto me my Sister dear I 'll come in unto thee I 'll soon drive out That wicked company that rebell rout Which now oppress thee and do wound thee sore Urging thee against Me to shut thy door Yea I will soon subdue them unto thee And thou from their dominion shalt be free If thou wilt hear and open unto me I
'll come in to thee I with thee will sup I 'll spread thy Table I will fill thy cup I 'll put thee to no charge I 'll bring my meat And freely give to thee that thou may'st eat And drink abundantly of that blest wine Which will thee satisfie with joys divine Open therefore to me my Sister dear Open thy heart to me Oh taste my chear Give me thy self let me thy body have And heart also I will them bless and save It 's all I ask of thee I crave no more Give me thy self do but thou me adore Give me thy love and thy affections and Be thou but subject unto my command Cleave to me with thy heart put all thy trust In me believe in me for I am just I will not fail or leave thee But thou none Must entertain besides me I alone Challenge thy love and service and it 's fit That none besides me none from me them get I parted for thy sake with all I had To ransom thee from thy forlorn and sad Condition and I all that I again Receiv'd have of my Father not disdain Upon thee to bestow my self I gave To ransom thee my self I give to save Thee too and therefore I alone deserve That thou should'st me alone both love and serve The Devil and his works thou must forsake Thou may'st not serve him his suggestions take For truth use divinations witchcrafts charms Inchantments times observe for good or harms Consult familiar Spirits believe his lies Ask counsel of the dead Idolatries Practise or what ere crafts He doth devise He in the disobedient beareth sway Inticing them to sin and go astray From my right paths Thou must resist him and In nothing yield thy self to his command Thou must forsake this wicked World likewise Not list'ning to their counsels who despise Me and my doctrine nor associate Thy self with them who my good ways do hate It 's pomps and pastimes shows and braveries Vain customs fashions and formalities Thou may'st not dote on neither may'st thou take My gifts or Ordinances and them make Idols as is the guise of worldly men Who do despise me and my laws contemn Their Silver Gold their Riches Houses Lands Their Kings and Governors and their commands They Idolize while after them they lust And in them secretly do put their trust Prefer them before me and fear them so That in my straight ways oft they durst not go The flesh with it's desires also thou must Renounce even every sinful cursed lust Thy bruitish appetites to satisfie In Drunkenness Uncleanness Gluttony Excess of Riot Sports or rich Attire Or what else thy corruptions do desire My words thou must receive and them hold fast No Article of them thou by may'st cast But howsoere thy reason they may pose Thou in thy heart must truly with them close And firmly them retain My holy will Take heed unto that thou may'st it fulfill No Gods but Me in my sight may'st thou have However secretly for none can save Thee but the holy Trinity who all Do meet in me on none else may'st thou call Or look or trust to nor thy Conscience May'st yield to them upon any pretence No image may'st thou to thy self invent Nor may thy heart or knee thereto be bent No false imaginations of me or Devised worships for I them abhor But worship God in Me and as my Word Doth thee direct for I 'm a jealous Lord. Thou may'st not take my holy Name in vain Nor it with Blasphemies or false Oaths stain Or with a vain Profession without fruits Produced thereby such as with it suits Or blemish it with any sinful way For I 'll not such hold guiltless The seaventh day Thou must observe in me to take thy rest Who am the substance by that day exprest That I may sanctifie thee thou be blest To Father and to Mother while they live And to all thy superiours thou must give Due honour and subjection too in me Giving to Caesar what things Caesars be To all men owing nothing but to love Cheifly those loving who are from above All Murther with all Malice Envy Hate See thou avoid with all Strife and Debate Thy body keep in Chastity thou must Flee Fornication and unlawful Lust Thou must not others Wrong or from them take Ought that is theirs nor them Calumniate But yield thy self to Me and be content With Me and what I give letting no bent Of Avarice possess or stain thy mind Thou shalt in me all satisfaction find All which I certainly will work in thee If thou wilt but yield up thy self to Me. I put on thee no hard nor grievous task What I require I 'll give too if thou ask It of me and for it on me depend My Spirit to work it in thee I will send And wherein thou through weakness goest astray The vertues of my blood shall take 't away Be thou but upright and chast unto me I am and evermore will be for thee If thou refuse this offer thou must die And perish in thy sins eternally None other Lords or lovers can thee save What ere they be or seem they ne'r so brave For they be vanities of vanities Their strength is weakness their promises lies Their words are wind and all they meditate Is from a feined love a real hate Their smoothest language is false flattery Their best imbraces are but treachery Their kisses of thee are but like to his Who sometimes me betrayed by a kiss And when he said Hail Master yet even then He me deliver'd up unto those men That sought my life to whom he had me sold For thirty pieces not of yellow Gold But whitely silver or like his who while He feined love to Abner did beguile And smite him with a Weapon on his side Under his fifth rib that thereof he died And on another time as one well verst In that accursed craft Amasa pierc't With warlike Sword to th' heart while friendlike He Saluted him and as one with him free Did with his right hand take him by his beard And kist him till his blood him all besmear'd Such are the soft imbraces of those foes To thee and Me who do my words oppose Suggesting to thee that I am austere And put upon thee more then thou can'st bear That they are thy best friends and wish thee well And many pleasing stories to thee tell As that thou art whole strong wise holy just May'st live without me may'st follow thy lust That to deny thy self of thy desire Is foolishly thine own death to conspire With me who love thee not but wish thy loss And take delight to bring thee to the cross Where like unto my self thou may'st be made A publick scorn ' mongst those that drive the trade Of robbing by the high-way-side or those Who unto Kings and Magistrates are foes Rebelling against them and their commands And seeking in their blood to wash their hands Or else amongst such Hereticks most
then they Shall shout and sing and well they may thus say Oh oh oh Hallelujah oh this day Oh oh Hallelujah Hallelujah who may Our happiness conceive oh happy state What heart can reach it what tongue it relate Minist Yea well they may as Harpers strike their string And with great triumph thus and better sing I. HAllelujah oh happy day That ever we were born Oh well are we that we do see This everlasting morn II. Oh what are we That we should be Thus lifted up on high We did not merit Thus to inherit Honour and dignity III. Blest be the Lamb That here we came Rais'd up from Death again 'T is by his blood We have this good Ever with him to reign IV. Blessed for all that did befall Be God for evermore Oh blessed be that one in three Whom ever we adore V. Who can set forth His wond'rous worth It doth all things surpass It doth exceed All that we read And all that ever was VI. Oh happy we who do him see Who all perfection is No Potentate no Monarch great Ever had joy like this VII Rivers of pleasures Beyond all measures Unto our lot doth fall No mixture is In this our bliss But it is blessing all VIII All things we have That heart can crave And more then heart can reach None ever could This joy unfold None ever could it preach IX Our joy surmounts On all accounts All that we could believe All praise is due To God most true He did us not deceive X. Oh glorious sight Oh great delight None ever did behold So rare a sight A light so bright Our glory can't be told XI All 's infinite All is delight We have no sorrow here Nothing of dark No fading spark All is most bright and clear XII All All is love All things above And all that is below We see no evil We fear no Devil Nothing but good we know XIII Nothing but joy Nought to annoy Here we are void of fear For we are sure We shall endure For ever happy here XIV Oh Majesty Oh glory high What one is like to thee We 've our desire Thee we admire To all eternity XV. Our blessedness None can express It is an ocean great All that excels For ever dwells In this most glorious seat XVI Blest be the Lord Blest be his Word Blest be his holy Spirit How happy we In this One-Three Our portion to inherit XVII Oh mighty King Everlasting Beginning thou had'st none When nothing were Then thou wast there Thou wast thy self alone XVIII In thy self blest Thou had'st thy rest Of us thou had'st no need Thou did'st possess Full happiness Thou' rt happiness indeed XIX Of thy good will It to fulfil The Worlds foundation sure By thee was lay'd Thou it up-stay'd At thy will to endure XX. The Word thou said'st All things thou mad'st Oh blessed be that Word Which did Being To every thing In thy good time afford XXI Blest be that love That did thee move Before the World was made To be the seat Of thy works great Or its foundations laid XXII To think of this Eternal bliss And it prepare for us Oh what were we That then by thee We should be car'd for thus XXIII Blest be that thought That us out sought And our great happiness We do admire The great desire Thou had'st us thus to bless XXIV Could we be dear Who nothing were Unto thy Majesty Thou did'st possess That word express Which was with thee on high XXV All things were made By him and lay'd On their foundation fast That they might stand At thy command And at thy will might last XXVI 'T was for his sake That thou did'st make Invisible Beings The Angels Thrones Dominions And all visible things XXVII That him thou might And his great height Most gloriously display And his fulness Thereby express That others know it may XXVIII But cheifly man When thou began Thou gratiously did'st view From him all which The Seas did rich And on the Earth that grew XXIX Yea the Heavens bright With all their light And all the hosts therein Thine hand did frame And gave the same To serve and honour him XXX Whom thou in thine Image divine Did'st good and upright make And from his side Did'st frame a Bride Whom he to him did take XXXI A comely pair And very fair For though they naked were They found no shame While void of blame Nor had they any fear XXXII A Sabboath day For rest had they The seventh when thou didst rest From thy works all Both great and small And therefore thou it blest XXXIII A day wherein They without sin Might with thy Majesty Have sweet converse Thy praise rehearse And view thy great glory XXXIV A Garden sweet With pleasures meet Thou put'st them in also Wherewith delight Thy will they might Learn of thee and it do XXXV Of life a Tree Was given by thee That they might live for ay A River large Which did discharge Its streams forth every way XXXVI All things that might Give them delight Thou on them didst bestow One only Tree Withheld by thee Was good and ill to know XXXVII Thou gav'st them food Was only good Not good and evil both If both they would Know thou them told Thou would'st with them be wroth XXXVIII Thou death didst threat If they would eat That so thou might'st them scar That free from ill They might live still And from death keep them far XXXIX Yet them to try Thou prov'dst them by A Serpent subtly wise Who thee did fault Them to assault And cheated them with lies XL. The Woman first The bonds did burst Wherewith thou did'st them tye Unto thee fast The Man did taste By her means both did dye XLI How happy a state Did'st thou create And set them in while they Were innocent Without intent Thy laws to disobey XLII Man then was Lord Of what thy word Created for his sake Of all things he Had leave from thee But one Tree to partake XLIII Pleasures he had To make him glad Sabboath and River too A spotless Wife A Tree of Life What should'st thou for him do XLIV How great his good How might he stood How was he bound to thee His glory much No creature's such But oh more happy we XLV Our state exceeds Beyond all needs There was a Serpent there They did aspire To be yet higher But here 's no Tempter here XLVI We are not in Danger of sin Nor need we to aspire Here 's injoyment Of all content We nothing more desire XLVII Tempted we were But before here We came to be thus blist Our tryal's past Sathan's down cast And we his snares have mist XLVIII Now we do rest For ever blest From all temptations free Our danger 's past Our joys shall last To all eternity XLIX This is the day That we did pray And wrestle to obtain From sin set free With thee to be And never part again L. Nothing we
Light might love infinite 71. To Thee oh Trinity in unity Eternal happiness Eternal endless Bless That art without all change eternally 72. We sing and shout alway Hallelu-jah Praise thee we will always Throughout our endless day And sing with heigth of joy Hallelujah Hallclujah Such things but far more pure and excellent Then any humane tongue or pen can vent Or any heart of man while here alive Can by all he may hear or read contrive Conceive or think of shall those gloriously Blest persors utter when they shall their high And everlasting Kingdome have and hold For their great joys and glories can't be told They 'r far above what mortal man can speak Thine heart to apprehend them is too weak For never any since the World began Hath ever heard no nor Angel nor man Hath by the care perceiv'd or by their eye Have seen the greatness of the dignity Or brightness of the glory foreprepar'd For those who unto God give due regard Who love him and for his appearance wait None but God see 's and knows their happy state Canto VI. The Worlds Vanity Seek ye first the Kingdome of God and his righteousness c. Matth. 6.33 In the sixth Canto Christ presents In brief the former two's contents The Damneds woes Saints merriments Perswades the Soul to chase the best The Man consults with his own brest Couâ—sâ—ls the Soul the way to rest Chriâ—â—s Servant doth the same perswade The Soul inclines but is afraid To its Objection answer's made By Christ and by his Minister Christ doth himself and Name declare Gives Counsels which the safest are Renews â— is suits with earnestness With arguments the Soul doth press Him more to value the World less And by some instances 't is plain That their both ways and ends are vain Who judge this world to be the Main Chr. SEE I have set before Thee good and ill I say not chuse whither of them thou will But chuse the Life and good that thou mayst be Happy for ever and destruction flee Think on these things the doleful state of those Who do rebel against me and oppose My truth and my most equal government How dreadfull then will be their punishment Think if thou canst be able to endure So woful torments as sinners procure By sin unto themselvs think how great bless If me thou closest with thou shalt possess Accept my profer'd kindness me embrace Submit unto my Doctrine so my grace And favour thou shalt have and never know The woful plight of them that ly below Oh be perswaded now to let go all That doth pollute Thee and obey my call Follow my counsels let me have thy heart Thou shalt have mine and il'le ne're from thee part I 'le be thy friend for ever thou shalt have More happiness than thou canst think or crave Man Hast thou not heard my Soul what thy great Lord Proposeth to thee in his holy word Such things thou there hast heard wilt thou not then Unto his wholesome Counsels say Amen Consider with thy self how bad thy state In Adam was how thou deservedst hate What sinfulness unto thee yet doth cleave How good the Lord hath been who did not leave Thee in thy fallen state but such an one Hath sent forth for man even his only Son What he hath done for thee how he thee woes Unto himself that thou with him wouldst close How in his word and what it doth contain He answers the Objectors cavils vain That unto Atheism would thee fain move Shew's what will be hereafter dost approve His profer'd love Wilt thou of him accept Part with thy Idols or shall they be kept Without all doubt its best to let all goe To close with Christ who doth thee love and woo Consider with thy self if thou him slight All besides him to help thee have no might For they 'r poor sorry vanities can 't give Thee solid comfort or cause thee to live For ever or with full content while here They cannot satisfie thy soul not chear Tâ—y drooping Spirits when Death shall draw nigh And summons thee to yield thy breath and dy Alas how short and how uncertain be The lives of men as we may daily see How many dy while yet their bones are moist With marrow Even while they have much rejoyâ—'t In their firm strength while milk was in their brest How suddainly hath pale death them opprest Mini. If thou an Atheist wer 't and couldst not tell Whether in truth there be an Heaven or Hell Yet were it not far better so to think And seek for Heaven than only eat and drink Injoy this world a while and then down ly In a forgotten dark obscurity For if there be such things as thou hast heard If Heaven be never sought for Hell ne're fear'd Gods way and word despis'd his truth neglected And all his profer'd love and grace rejected Thy case must needs be sad for it doth tend Unto those miseries that never end And that there may be such things reason can't Any good warrant fancy not to grant Seeing the being of the world and all Therein with many things that do befall Evince a Deity and what so great But may be well conceiv'd as well as that This so great world a being given it had He that sees and believes this sure is mad To think impossible what e're beside Is as from him that made it testify'd Whereas if no such things should be which yet Who can suppose except that he can get All principles of Reason blotted out And wholly all those things which round about He sees so great denie to be yet then What shall he loose who them believeth when He comes to dy â— 't is but uncertain joys Which when Death comes men look upon as toys Some poor and fancâ—â—d injoyments which Do either ly without men and the pitch Of inward worth doth nought advance nor give Increase of quietness while men do live Yea oft increase disquiets fears and troubles Or if they something add within 't is bubbles Which swell a little and a while appear And then if looked for they are not there When as also they that perswaded be To chuse Gods ways and trust in him we see To live as well oft-times in outward state As they that mind this world and Gods ways hate And commonly express more inward peace When they afflicted be and when they cease Here to abide in life with joys far more Depart than they who have themselves up-bore By worldly riches honours injoyments Of pleasures or of any Earth-contents Man Sure 't is the best mysoul with him to close Who with such love and promises thee wooes Seeing such bless he gives as none besides Can give even bless that evermore abides Soul I do his promises like well and what He saith unto me they are very great It s my desire him to imbrace and take No better choise or bargain can I make But here 's a world so
thee show But if thou hast me first thou happy art When or however thou dost hence depart Yea and I pow'r have every other thing As I see good for thee to pass to bring If Husband Wife or friends or riches I Do see thee want I can thy want supply They 'r all at my dispose thy way lies fair If thou l't be rich be marryed to the heir All things are theirs who have me theirs to be They heirs of all are by vertue of me Men Angels Paul Apollo and Cevhas World life Death things that are and what to pass Shall come hereafter though 't is in my dispose And they may not take any thing of those But as I give it them even as an heir To some great Lord though under Age and bare As to his own possession yet hath all In 's Guardians dispose and he may call Or ask for what he wants but he must have His Guardians grant for that which he doth crave And may not take but what he will allow Who being wise and 's Father well doth know His Childes desires and needs and consident The Child may be of 's Fathers good intent In all he doth and that he will supply Him with what 's good in his necessity And give what he doth ask or else what he As wiser than the Child doth better see So that the child may well himself submit Unto his Fathers will judging what 's fit For him hee 'l give him and nothing deny If pleasd with him that good is in his eye Such is the case between my Father and Those that me loving obey my command Or as the Wife who from the Dunghill base Nought having of her own if by the grace And special favour of some Prince shee 's took Into the bond of marriage well may look On his estate as hers especially If he a joynture hath her made whereby He hath her interessed in it all And may it thenceforth also hers well call And thence expect to be maintained too And have her wants supplyed all although Her Lord do its dispose keep in his hand And will have her depend on his command For the receipt of all supplies and not Turn out his Tenants take away their Lot Or rights therein and do here pleasure but Go to him for allowance to him put The ord'ring of her maintenance even so An interest thou shalt in mine have though I the dispose keep in my hand and thou Must come to me for what I will allow Resign thy wil up unto mine and pray Thy will be done Give me Lord day by day What needful is and there 's no cause to fear I will thy needs regard thy pray'rs I 'le hear I 'le give thee what is meet do but thou me Imbrace and follow and then thou shalt see I will be thy good Lord a husband loving That will deny thee nothing that 's behoving May'st thou not trust me seeing I did give My very lise for thee that thou might'st live And when thou wast of me most ignorant And did'st not love me I to thee did grant The knowledge of me canst thou think that I Can any thing that 's good for thee deny When thou to me art reconciled and Espoused too surely that cannot stand With my good honour Nor think thou it will Be any hindrance to Thee to fulfill My good advise and pleasure it will be A very great advantage unto thee Like as if some poor woman would have all Her wants supplyed should a rich man call Her to him and make tender to espouse her Unto him for a wife and with him house her Could her accepting him an hindrance be To the supplies of her necessitie Nay were 't not the best way them to obtain Far better than with Vagabonds and vain Poor Raskals her self to associate Thinking by them to get a good estate Even so thy seeking first my Kingdome and My righteousness will excellently stand With thy best having other wants supply'd For I am rich in grace and on thy side I then shall stand and give thee what is best For thy injoyment that thou mayst be blest I wise am too and better understand Then thou thy self dost what in Sea or Land May be best for thee and I power have too What ere I see best for thee that to do Doth not that child do better who doth take His Father to be with him and to make Choâ—se of a Hat or suir then for to go Without his Father and his own will do Especially if he be weak and childish Or led away by vain men being wildish Or have to do with cheats who will a prey Make of him and get from him what they may But hath a Father loving wise and willing To chuse the best for him and for his shilling Such is thy case here for I have more skill To know what 's for thâ— good or bad what will The consequent of this or that thing prove And as I oft have said I do thee love Whereas thou led by blind affection art In danger to run upon thine own smart And this most wicked world is false and double And where it pleasure promiseth gives trouble WISEDOME with an Inheritance is good But an Inheritance not understood Or without wisedome proves the hurt and harm Of him that hath it and of times doth charm Him into snares and troubles which undo him While into divers noysom lusts they throw him Besides all things remain in my dispose Whither thou dost with me or dost not close Thy folly may thy self indammage but It hurts not me nor possibly can put Me our of my possession thererefore I Can and may justly if thou me deny Give or deny thee what thou dost prefer Before me and my love in mine anger To be a snare and by what thou dost chuse Can punish thee because thou dost refuse My guidance and my blessing as I did The Israelites who oft times with me chid And would have meat their lusts to satisfy I gave it them and punisht them thereby And when a King they would from me extort Against my mind after the Heathen sort A King unto them in my wrath I sent To be unto them for a punishment Alas I can thee blast in thy injoyments And curse thee in thy ways and thy imployments If thou neglecting me thine heart dost set Upon the things below how them to get I can give thee a wife may make thee poor A sickly costly wife an arrant whore If thou for beauty chuse preferring that Before my grace I can give one shall hate Thee and her self to others prostitute There 's many a Crab that looks like pleasant fruit I can an husband give if one thou l't have Without me that shall prove a very knave Riches with snares vexations suits and trouble Or pleasures mixt with griefs and forrows double I can give children if thou must them have That may as Rachels bring thee to thy
vext Me with disquiet and my soul perplext That bruitish lust that dwells in me I fear Least it prevail against me and me bear Away from that subjection to thee due And cause me with much sorrow it to rue I am indeed nolluted and ore-spread As with a leprosie from heel to head Diseas'd within and full of sores without I am more vile than any menstruous clout Have need to be renew'd made white and clean And yet when all is done I am too mean To be so honoured by thee and exalted In every thing I 'm worthy to be faulted Worthy to be disdained and rejected Unworthy utterly to be respected By thy so glorious eye that puter is Then to behold and like iniquities Shouldst thou then treat me like some royal Qâ—een As if for thy consort I bred had been Oh 't is a dignity above me far I fitter am that thou shouldst me debart From coming near thee medling wih thy Name Least I pollute it and expose 't to shame As too much I have done already Oh I dont deserve to be respected so But if thy pleasure be me so to love Well mayst thou take such course as 't doth behove Tha thou may'st fit me for such dignity As thou confer'st and for thy company Which thon vouchsafest of thy wondrous grace To me who am of pedegree but base It is but meet that thou shouldst make we white And cleane that thou in me may'st take delight That thou should'st cure those sores and ulcers great Which make me ugly and for thee unmeet Yea and its wondrous grace that thou wilt take Such pains with me me whole and clean to make Oh what am I that thou should'st stoop so low To do such offices such love to show Thou rather might'st throw me out of thy sight Than so to make me meet for thy delight Who meeter am that thou should'st make me dwell Among that cursed crue that be in hell It s meet also that there a time should be For purifying before unto thee Thou dost receive me with thee to remain In those high Mansions where thou and thine reign It needful is that thou me separate From all those Idols which thy Soul doth hate And that thou should'st purge out my dtoss although A fire thou make and me into it throw I 'm thine and meet it is that thou should'st do What ever is thy pleasure Lord even so Be it as thou dost please thou art so just So kind and careful that I well may trust My soule and body with thee and yield up To take out of thy hands what ever cup Thou seest it meet to temper and to give In cleaving to thee I shall surely live Thou who hast loved me and done such things As everlasting consolation brings And gives good hope through grace wilt doubtless do Nothing unto me which may cause my woe Do with me as thou wilt for I am thine And thee to love I doe my heart incline Through thy good grace do thou incline it more Making it chast to thee thee to adore For I can nothing do that may thee serve Delight or honour as thou dost deserve I 'm thine Lord save me and me sanctify Unite my heart to thee continually Unto thee evermore make me adhaere That I thy holy Name may love and fear May lean upon thine arm thy Spirit mind So as I may his help at all times find Through thee I any thing may do 〈◊〉 But in my self have only cause of 〈◊〉 No fears shall 〈…〉 pleasures me 〈◊〉 If thou dost hold me and 〈…〉 And cure It s meeâ— I 〈◊〉 thee and I Desire I may my self thereto apply My Cross up taking 〈◊〉 Dear 〈…〉 How thrald I am furthe then thou 〈…〉 How I the least good thing 〈◊〉 not perform Nor stand upright against the mild â—â—â—storm Of troule that untâ—â— my lot may fall I need that thou should'st be my ALL in ALL. I 'm poor and blind naked and wreteched and My heart 's dece 〈◊〉 will not to thee stand Unless thou me 〈◊〉 and keepest so In thy strong 〈◊〉 as not to let me go Unless thou purge out my hypocrisy Make me sincere give me a single eye Unless thou be my strength my goodness and Dost hold me to thee by thy mighty hand But seeing thou appointed art dear Lord To look to and thy saving help afford To those that come to thee and on thee trust And thou art loving faithful kind and just And all-sufficient for me I resign My self unto thee I am wholly thine Thou wiser art than I thou knowest best What to my good pertainâ— and thou art blest Dear Lord thy will be done in every thing Take thine own course me unto thee to bring Only do not me in thy wrath chastise But let my soul find favour in thine eyes Yea thou so good art and so gracious too That thou all things wilt for my profit do Oh cause thy face upon my soul to shine And my heart unto thee allways incline Oh kiss me with the kisses of thy mouth Oh bliss me with the blessings of thy truth Inspire my heart with thy good spirit and breath The breath of life into me things beneath Cause me for to despise the things above To seek and to affect and thee to love Let me thy love tast better 't is than wine It s full of comfort courage life divine 'T will chear the hearâ— 't will make the lips of chose Who tast it talkative free to disclose Thy heavenly vertues let me thereof tast Forgiving all my mis-demeanours past My undue loves which unto other things And persons I have born which to me brings Both grief and fear when thereupon I think Least they should make me in thy nostrils stinâ—â— And cause thee to abhor me oh forgive All forepast follies and that I may live Let me injoy thy loves and tast how sweet And ravishing they be oh let me meet With them with them be filled that I may In thee delight my self and on thee stay And fix my soul no other pleasures so Affecting as from thine to them to go Thine ointments wherewith thou anointed art And unto those that love thee dost impart Most odoriferous are oh they do smell Unto the upright hearted wondrous well Let me them find and smell thy precious Name An ointment poured forth is that good fame And great renown thou hast oh 't is most sweet And spread abroad that we with it may meet And therefore thee the Virgins Chast do love Thy Name their hearts desires to thee doth move Oh make me know it and its sweetness find That it may draw me with a single mind Unto thee Draw me Draw me we will run After thee though I somewhat have begun Towards thee to incline my mind doth stick Yet to my Idols so as t is not quick Enough towards thee oh let that sweet sent Of thy good ointments thy Name excellent More strongly draw me oh
to seek to know him bend Our thoughts to him and keep him in our mind With greatest earnestness his praises view To think on him bid all things else adieu LXIII Love God with all thy heart as him we know Let our affections close with and embrace Him freely fully all things high and low To the injoyment of him must give place Resign our wills to him on him rely Joy and delight we in his Majesty LXIV Seek his approvement fellowship and grace Joy in his word and service and adhere Firmely unto him seek his strength and face Above all things and the loss thereof fear Yea love the places whereon be his name His paths posts statutes and frequent the same LXV Love God with all thy soul the life and might Which soul united with the body gives To put forth all our strength it is but right Seeking and serving him who ever lives Remiss and slothful seeking him implies That our love to him 's cold and cold love dies LXVI Yea yet again we may be thrice put on To love the Lord because a Trinity There is in him He 's three though yet but one As Scriptures do expresly testifie Love God the Father Son and holy Spirit For each of them thy fervent'st love do merit LXVII For each and All are love in one and have Joyntly and severally their love exprest To us poor mortals that they might us save And that our miseries might be redrest In love the Father sent the Son unto us In love the Son came and the Spirit doth wooe us LXVIII In love the Father his Son yielded up To be made flesh and poor despis'd and dye 'T was He that gave to him that bitter cup Which wrung his Soul with many an agony In love to us he rais'd him up again And hath exalted him on high to reign LXIX In love to us the Son our flesh and blood Did at the Father's just appointment take And in our room and stead as surety stood And by his dying did atonement make And rose and off'red up himself on high Living to plead for us continually LXX In love to us he sent the holy Ghost And gifts did give to men as he thought good That so by them his Name in ev'ry coast Might be proclaim'd and his grace understood And unto those who do his grace retain He 'll come in glory and raise them to raign LXXI In love to us the Holy Ghost comes forth In Christ his Name and doth his truth make known Shewing the things of Christ and their great worth Wooing us to him that we might him own Waiting with patience for our turning in Ready to wash and cleanse us from our sin LXXII He guids us into truth he gives support Strengthneth in services and sufferings Unto our fainting Spirits he gives comfort Yea he all life and blessings to us brings Will raise us up from death and grave and give In glorious bodies us with Christ to live LXXIII Love Love Love God therefore intensively Who was and is and who is yet to come Love every person in the Trinity Oh that he had in my heart all the room Thus in the first place love to God is due But let us now a second Object view LXXIV Love secondly our Neighbour for the Text That bids us first of all to love the Lord Tells us the second precept which is next Is love our Neighbours and we in God's Word Good reason for it find because they are Our brethren though with God they can't compare LXXV All men are sprung from out one common stock Branches of the same root made of one blood Rais'd from one common mold chips of one block Fram'd by one hand capable of one good We had at first the same original And must at last into the same dust fall LXXVI Indeed there is in us such backwardness To love our Neighbours that this thrice repeated Word Love may be apply'd with earnestness That our cold hearts to love them may be heated God we so little love our selves so wrong That Neighbours get not what to them belong LXXVII 'T would be as good for them happy to be And to be miserable full as sad As to be happy will be good for thee And to be miserable for thee 's bad Seek to promote their good prevent their wooe Do to them as thou wouldst be done unto LXXVIII Especially fince it is God's good will And precept that thy Neighbour thou should'st love And that he might thee move it to fulfill His own example gives thee from above He hath both loved thee and others too As he hath done to thee to others do LXXIX God's love to thee obliges thee again Readily what he bids thee to obey To Love thy Neighbour then do not disdain Whatever lust of thine thereto say nay Though of thy love unworthy he doth seem Worthy of thine obedience God esteem LXXX But who 's our Neighbour surely every man Distinct from us at least till fil'd with evil Any we find that clearly see we can That they are thereby made one with the Devil For they that are God's enemies so far Out of our loves we lawfully may bar LXXXI But for all others they should loved be Whither they be our friends our foes or strangers Their good we should indeavour joy to see Defend and seek to rescue them from dangers Grieve for their harms and do what in us lies Their happiness to further any wise LXXXII Me thinks three sorts of Neighbours I espy God's friends our own and they that neither be Respectively to whom this trinity Of love-commands again apply may we Love those that love God love friends and allies Love other men strangers or enemies LXXXIII Love those that love God for they 'r worthy love In that they do the thing that 's good and right They are God's friends he loves them that may move Thee therefore in them to take much delight They love not God who do not love his friends And they are faulty who e'r them commends LXXXIV For in asmuch as any loves God He God's image in him in some measure bears They are Christ's vertues which in him we see God's and Christ's liv'ries he upon him wears And he that loves not God as seen in 's brother Loves not but hates God howe'r he it smother LXXXV If God thou lov'st and seek'st desirously Acquaintance with he with his people dwels In cleaving to their heavenly company Thou shalt meet with him as the Scripture tells If thou hast no desire his face to know Thou lov'st him not what face so e'r thou show LXXXVI Amongst all men they the first place should have In our affections because God's in them They 'r nearest to him what they of him crave He 'll give for he their pray'rs will not contemn They then who him neglect and them despise He needs must take to be his enemies LXXXVII They be Christ's favourites he doth them own As his dear
to kill CXII Some men their praise with men and reputation With fools so love that so they may them get They 'll shape their manners into any fashion And faith and conscience too to sale they 'll set Turning their backs on all that God prescribes Rather then bear therefore some taunts or jibes CXIII Some for their honour so ambitious are That rather then they 'll loose a cap or knee They 'll fret and sume yea for it they don't care A Mans or Nations ruine if they see Because unto proud Haman Mordecay Would not bow down he all the Jews would slay CXIV Some men for their inriching are so set That so they may but their estates increase Though by oppressing others they it get By lying cheating breaking of the peace They matter not nay they 'll for money sell Both God and Heaven and give themselves to Hell CXV Some men their own delights their pleasures ease So love and value that they matter not For God or men so they themselves may please And have their belly-chear punk pipe and pot Give them their hawks hounds pastimes sports plays They matter not what God's laws or Man's says CXVI Some folks their forms and handsomeness so prize That all their care is wholly thereon set How they some pretty fashion may devise Their hair trim or their cloths i' th' new cut get Yea so thy be but fashionably fine Their souls may perish and the poor may pine CXVII Some men their own inventions so set by Or their own fancies in Religion That of true godliness the heart may dye So be their ceremonies go but on Let others rack their conscience let them kill Their bodies loose their souls they 'll have their will CXVIII Nay many who do honest men appear And from gross acts of wickedness are free Who by no means will lye be drunk steal swear Yet their own things so mind from God they flee Their Oxen Farmes Trades Merchandise or Wives God of their Love Heaven of their Souls deprives CXIX But this unto mens selves is no right love But hatred rather it may well be stil'd Beause their hearts from God it doth remove And their souls are thereby of life beguil'd A man's soul is himself who that neglects Himself doth hate what ever he respects CXX It 's something else that men do love indeed In this false self love it 's a self of sin Which did from Sathan at the first proceed And at this motion Adam first let in Sin so in man dwells and 's with him so one That is as a man's self is oft spoke on CXXI Thence we are bid our members on the Earth To mortifie when he that bids us so Uncleanness fornication lawless mirth Therein forbids and what may us undo It 's this indeed that man so likes and loves And it 's the love of this that God reproves CXXII The true love to our selves it is imply'd In that which God requires of us as that The Lord we seek love serve his will abide With patience love our neighbours all ill hate Himself he truly loves who doth indeavour For what his soul will happy make for ever CXXIII He that regardeth not God's holy Word To hear and learn and carefully obey Who seeketh not to know and have the Lord His Father friend his comfort help and stay Who hates his neighbours and doth love his lust Loves not himself but 's to himself unjust CXXIV He that doth truly love himself doth take The course that tends directly to his good Doth seek to know it doth inquiry make For it not resting till 't is understood Above his sense and body loves his soul And whatsoere would harme it doth controule CXXV Who loves himself indeed doth hate all sin In love to Christ his lust he will deny Will walk in all good ways the World to win Would not offend God or men injury Commits himself to God on him doth stay And from his holy fear turns not away CXXVI Thus if this posie thou do'st understand Thou mayst do well to bear it in thy mind Yea did'st thou wear it then upon thine hand And practise it thou thence much good might'st find Love not thy lusts the world or worldly pelf But love God love thy neighbour love thy self CXXVII But if God thou neglect'st to love and for True love to others and thy self do'st place Some blind affections to their friendship or Their proper stature fair or comely face Which being of the flesh though green and fair They now do seem but grass and flowers are CXXVIII Or if thou thine own wit and parts adoring Thy will thy pleasures beauty strength or ways Or with thine own invention go'st a whoring Or dot'st on thine own honour name or praise Or any like affection in the stead Of true love placing do'st this posie read CXXIX Then thou this posie do'st not well apply Nor need'st such iterations to incite Thy love but rather need'st that to deny Then to foment because thy love 's not right Love not love not love not well may we say When ours or other mens affections stray CXXX Love not the World nor things thereof so saith The holy Ghost from fleshly lusts abstain They fight against our souls lead from the faith Deprive us of all good and make us vain Lord all unlawful love purge out of me And make me love my self my neighbours Thee Another POSIE O. M. W. R. God first doth try then satisfie I. HOW wondrous are God's ways He is most worthy praise His counsels all are very deeply laid The fool can't in his mind His methods see or find Who of his judgments may not be afraid Through Seas and Wilderness his ways lie Yet when he hath try'd he doth satisfie II. His works are so i' th' dark To us who can them mark Till he doth bring them forth unto the light Though he i' th' dark begin Yet doth he never lin Till by his lustre he dispel the night Then they who fear'd and sorrow'd may espy How much they err'd and praise him heartily III. This is that way of God With all his Saints oft trod As at the first light out of darkness sprung So through much darkness he Hath made his people see The light of life where-through thy oft have sung Christ fills his vessels first with water and Then waters turns to wine by his command IV. And this he doth that so He might make us forgo Those lusts and Idols whereunto we cleave And those sins mortifie Which else would make us dye He proves whether for him we them will leave And may we not when try'd as dross be found God will us save and our joys shall abound V. God tryed Abraham When out of Vr he came From 's kindred and his country made to go But yet he did him save And better lands he gave Then that was which he call'd brought him fro An heavenly country he before him set Which caus'd his