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
Faith in briefe Is a right application and a sound beliefe 7 Faith is the Bucket which hangs on Hopes string Whereby the most deepe liuing Well we sound Which if the Rope hold out vs vp will bring Such liuing Water as doth there abound When Christ his sauing Graces doth propound Faith is the Hand whereby we them receaue Faith healeth vp the clensed purged wound Beginneth where Repentance doth vs leaue Who without her seekes Faith 〈◊〉 doth himselfe deceaue 8 Faith as it 's tâ—ne for credit or beliefe Is when we credit giue to God or Man Thus he with men most Faith hath that is chiefe And in his coffer hide most money can But when to God it reference hath we than It ordinary or extr'ord'nary call By this we miracles and wonders can Ordinarie Faith is hight historicall Or iustifying Faith in some but temporall 9 But this most precious Faith whereof I write And which I formerly aright define The Faith of Gods Elect is truely hight Which when one hath doth wholly ne're decline This iustifying sauing Faith doth ioyne Vs to our Head and is the instrument And meanes whereby Gods Spirit doth refine And purge our hearts from sinfull excrement This Faith doth make Gods Children bold and confident 10 This Faith though not diuided hath degrees Beginning first encrease and consummation A little Faith to greater doth encrease Till built and rooted on a sure foundation Yet neuer had this Faith so sure a station Which conscience and hels terrours haue not shaken Remember Christ our Head his bitter passion How he cry'd out as God had him forsaken When he the guilt and curse of sinne had on him taken 11 Such as the Head the Members must endure Thus in their soules they totter faint and reele Though the foundation of the Lord stand sure And firme and hath vpon it set this seale The Lord knowes who are his yet he doth deale With vs as doth the Finer with his gold Which he doth seu'n times in the furnace neale Thus tries he those whose names he hath enrold But will heape comforts in their bosomes manifold 12 In Men and Plants and 〈◊〉 three soules wee see Of Reason Growing and the 〈◊〉 So in this Christian soule 〈◊〉 Faith there bee Three qualities alike cooperatiue And as in Man all three into one 〈◊〉 So in th'Elect both Faith historicall Temporall and the true Faith are aliue And but one sauing Faith together all This Soule Mans forme this Faith 〈◊〉 Christians life we call 13 As vegetation sheweth most in Plants So in the worldlings Faith historicall Faith temporall in false Professors hants True Faith vpon th'Elect doth onely fall And as no Plant or Beast be it great or small The things that are in Man right apprehends Yet Man what is in Beasts and Plants knowes all So those two Faiths which serue to other ends Know â—â—t true 〈◊〉 Faith yet shee both comprehends 14 God Authour is and Cause efficient Of eu'ry good and perfect gift and grace His good Will moues him first But his Intent And chiefe end is the glorie of his Grace And our saluation in the second place But when He in our soules doth Faith beget Whereby Christ and his Merits we embrace A double meanes he here on worke doth set Inward and outward whereby sauing Faith we get 15 The outward is his Word and Sacrament One workes the other strengthens what is wrought The inward is Gods Spirit into vs sent Our hearts to quicken sanctifie make soft Wherein the Word may sowne be as it ought The Gospell whereupon stands Faith's foundation Though we by Law to see our sinnes are brought As the Schoole Mistris to regeneration Yet 't is the Gospell 〈◊〉 vs wise vnto saluation 16 The 〈◊〉 most what worketh by the Word Not but without 't is all sufficient But this instruction it doth vs afford That we in hearing should be diligent The Word without the Spirits enlightenment Is as good Seede sowne on vntilled ground That neuer brings forth fruit that 's excellent For without Grace Faith temporary's found And neuer doth in good and holy workes abound 17 Prayer is not the meanes Faith to obtaine But it preserues and strengthens Faith to pray For without Faith our Prayers are in vaine Yet after Faith is wrought in vs we may Pray that Faith failes vs not wherefore I say We must giue Prayer her due commendation For by her we discourse with God alway And haue with him familiar conuersation Though none can pray aright before regeneration 18 Faith 's like the Hand and Prayer like the Key Which doth th' Almighties Coffers open wide Wherein his richest Treasures lockt vp lye The Key vnprofitably hangs beside Except that Faith it take in hand to guide Likewise the Hand doth vse her strength in vaine The Barre without the Key gainst Wards to slide Both ioyn'd the Locke to open doe constrayne And vs most glorious view of heau'nly Treasures gayne 19 'T were infinite of all Faiths fruits to tell All duties towards God all charitee Towards our Neighbours done aright and well From her proceede A holy mother's shee Of Graces all that sanctifying bee Therefore 't is plaine they want her that doe striue To make good workes Faiths mother and doe flee Vnto Saints merits For were Faith aliue In them all Pietie and Charitie would thriue 20 They 〈…〉 from Rome For then a quiet conscience and a cleare A faithfull euidence to them would come Then with true inward ioy would soone appeare Holy Securitie to cast our care Vpon the Lord for if Faith iustifie We are at peace with God Loe then our feare Is turned into sweet Securitie And inward ioy doth by afflictions multiplie 21 But if this peace and ioy doe not appeare But rather terror stormes and diâ—â—idence Let 's labour yet our conscience may stand cleare Which is to doe Gods Will and shun offence Here God beholds our will not impotence And if we doe indeauour to approue Our selues to God Faith workes in vs a sence Of heau'nly Loue whereby we plainly proue That God loues first whereby we doe begin to loue 22 Behold thus eu'n a fruit of Faith is Loue For many one whose Faith is weake and faint And cannot in themselues Spirits earnest proue Nor their hearts with true inward ioy acquaint So as in true beliefe they seeme to faint Yet find within their brests this Spirit of Loue Which is to them from sinning a restraint And 't is an euidence doth surely proue Faith's seede is sowne within when as we truely loue 23 And as Faith growes eu'n so doth Loue encrease Loe first we them that are in want releeue With spirituall comfort troubled soules appease Loue makes vs if we constantly beleeue That for our brethren we our liues will leaue By this indeed we know God's charitie That did himselfe of life for vs bereaue We therefore for our brethren ought to die This great Loue in vs comes from
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
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
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
round For Mercy ouer all Gods workes doth stretch So farre beyond mans limited fraile reach As to conceaue of Gods Eternitie Or how he all doth out of nothing fetch Darknesse from Light Ioy out of Miserie From Warre true Peace high Honour from Humilitie 5 Thou God of Mercy blessed Trinitie Who first in thine owne Image didst create Man pure and good But when Hels subtiltie Had him deiected from so happy state Abandoning to endlesse Bale and Hate That riches of thy Mercy might appeare Didst for thy Mercies sake regenerate And all his score by thy Bloods price didst cleare Grant I may rightly sing and practise Mercy here 6 Which is a certayne pitifull regard Which we of others miserie conceaue Whereby our hearts are moued and prepar'd Them what we can to succour and relieue That Passion and Affection which doth grieue Mans heart to see anothers miserie Doth not vnto th' Almighties Mercy cleaue No more than Anger Hate and Iealousie As they distempers are be in the Trinitie 7 No words indeed can properly expresse Gods Mercy Anger Hate or Iealousie But as wee see their fruits wee them confesse To be in God by Anthropopathy Gods punishment of foule iniquitie We call reuenge But when he Grace doth show To those which are in woe and miserie We call that Mercy Not but we well know No passion or distemper in Gods Nature grow 8 That Mercy may the plainelyer be descri'de And we her diuerse Nature better know I her into two Currents doe diuide The Mercy God on Creatures doth bestow And that which he requires of vs below For as God is by Nature pittifull So he delights in them that Mercy shew For he by Nature is most Mercifull And therefore vnto all in Fruits most plentifull 9 Gods Nature is Eternall Infinite So is his Mercy stretched out to all Eu'n as the Sunne to Man and Beast giues light And Raine on bad and good alike doe fall But this we call Gods Mercy generall Which lasts but for a time But on the Iust He shewes his Mercy more especiall Which euerlasting is wherein we trust And whereby He to Blisse will rayse vs from the Dust. 10 But here we must haue an especiall Care Lest diff'rence of Gods Mercy we confound Not speciall euerlasting Grace to share Where he but common generall doth propound This is a firme Position true and sound That God in Vnbeliefe hath shut vp all That his great Mercy might to all abound Vnto the Wicked common generall Eternall vnto them that on him rightly call 11 God grant to Me this Mercy speciall That of Mans Mercy I may right enquire That teaching I may practise it withall The Mercy that God doth of vs require Of which a two-fold kind make one entire First towards Sinners that doe goe astray The next to Poore and those that Helpe desire First pitties Soules and leads them in right way The last supplyes their Wants that Need haue eu'ry Day 12 For as Mans soule is his most noble part Whereon his sole eternall Blisse depends So he the greatest Mercy doth impart Who to poore wandring Soules his Mercy sends He that giues to the Poore he surely lends To God that will foure-fold his gift repay But who to saue poore Soules his Mercy spends Shall sure obtayne those Crownes at that great Day Which God doth vp in store for such Soule-sauers lay 13 In men we diuers outward causes see Which them to Mercy and Compassion moue Some by remembrance of like miserie Which in themselues they formerly did proue Some Kindred Youth Acquaintance friendly Loue Learning Nobilitie to Pitie leade But none of these cause Mercy from aboue But it from Gods sole goodnesse doth proceede And not from any thing that in our Natures breede 14 Therefore as God doth on vs Mercy show For the great riches onely of his Grace So we no other cause of Mercy know Whereby our Fellow members we embrace But his sole Grace whose Mercy did deface Eu'n Works hand-writing once against vs brought No works of Mercy can in heau'n haue place In Faith and Charitie that are not wrought Then Mercies works for shew or Merit come to nought 15 None can to Mercies perfectnesse attayne But onely God whose Mercy 's ouer all No number can our miseries contayne Yet God in store hath Mercy for them all Onely in words Gods Mercy doth not fall But most in fruits and comforts doth abound As Mercy hath no measure so withall Her fruits and works all numbers doe confound Mans life a daily exercise thereof is found 16 'T is not a heauie Heart or grieued Mind Compassionate of others miseries Whereby afflicted Soules no profit find But as our Heart so our Abilities Must minister to Saints necessities They that the Heart and Hand in this disioyne Faith aud good Workes to sunder doe deuise If first our Hearts to Mercy true encline Good Words Works from thence as true Effects will shine 17 For in the heart of Man is Mercies Throne The Subiect where true Mercy doth abide All streames of Mercy that from thence doe flowne Are as the Fountaynes pure from which they slide Then like Gods Mercy they doe spread out wide First feeding Soules that pine for heau'nly Food Next for the Poore and Hungrie they prouide For all in Neede that of our helpe haue stood And like to Widdowes Oile encrease by doing good 18 Then we them truely workes of Mercy call When from vnfayned Mercy they proceede For sure it is the Heart that seasons all Which maketh mercifull in word and deede Thus we releeue the Poore that are in neede And Widdowes Orphanes Strangers entertayne We clothe the Naked and the Hungrie feede Visit the Sicke the Captiues that remayne In bonds we loose And comfort those that mourne in payne 19 Though all the Vertues of Loues Royall Court Delight to keepe sweet Mercy companie As Patience Iustice Faith Hope good Report Repentance Meeknesse Truth Ioy Chastitie Yet shee delights most in Humilitie Vnseparable Adjunct of this Peere With whom shee workes all deeds of Charitie Those which our Hearts from Sinne doe purge and cleere And those whereby the Needie we doe succour heere 20 By her is daily great prouision made For Blind Old Lame all People that are poore Not those that doe of begging make a Trade And loosely idle walke from dore to dore A worke of Mercy shee it deemes to gore Such Vagabonds their Passe with blood to seale Vnfruitfull Vermine that consume our store The Catterpillers of our Common-weale Which to maintayne base ease and lust begge lie and steale 21 But shee directed by Humilitie Into deepe stinking Dungeons will descend To visit captiu'd thralls in miserie And them instruct in wayes of Truth to wend Exhorting them their bad liues to amend If any for well-doing bound doe lie Shee for His ransome her estate will spend All Malefactors wants Shee doth supply For well shee knowes Christ did for Malefactors die 22 Shee next
THE SONG OF SONGS WHICH WAS SALOMONS Metaphrased in English Heroiks by way of Dialogue With certayne of the Brides Ornaments viz. Poeticall Essayes vpon a Diuine Subiect Whereunto is added a Funerall Elegie consecrate to the memorie of that euer honoured Lord IOHN late Bishop of LONDON By R. A. REVEL 21. 9. Come hither and I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs wife LONDON Printed by William Stansby 1621. TO MY MOST BELOVED AND WORTHY GOOD FRIEND Mr. HENRY KING Arch-Deacon of Colchester IT pleased you long since at my request to present this holy Song to my honourable good Lord and your most deare and louing Father Whose worthy approbation hath encouraged me to publish it intending the Dedication to his euer-honoured memorie But God hauing now taken him to himselfe and left vs to bewaile our inestimable losse it being printed before his Death I resolue not to alter the Dedication but desire you his liuing Heire to accept it in his Name praying the Lord of all Grace who hath made you Heire of his Graces and Vertues to make you Coheire with him of eternall Happinesse resting alwayes Your owne R. A. TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD IOHN LORD BISHOP OF LONDON ACcept my Lord into your Treasurie Of Wisedome Learning this deuoted Mite In Widdowes offering out of penurie Thy Lord did more than richest gifts delight Your Lordships worthy fauours did inuite Mee to this boldnesse when you first did raise My lot which in obscuritie was light In better Fortunes for to spend my dayes For which I blesse your bountie and my Maker praise As little Brookes which from the Ocean wide Receiue their Source thence watering hollow vaines Of fruitfull Earth backe to the Sea doe slide Yeelding some Drops of Tribute for their gaines Euen so a thankfull heart my Muse constraines This Tribute to your Bountie to repay And consecrate my labour and my paines Vnto your Seruice which I humbly pray Like Mite to Treasure Drop to Ocean answer may My Muse once rashly sought to enterprise To ranke thine Honour in the Court of Fame But knowing Thou such Glorie didst despise In white stone seeking a new written Name Which he knowes onely that receiues the same I chose this Song of Christ and 's Church to sing Where if mine ignorance commerit blame I doe submit it to thy censuring Who art in pardoning and giuing like a King With Spirit of Moses Iosuahs fortitude The Faith of Abram Isaacks happy peace With Dauids heart Iobs patience be indu'd With Salomons wealth and vvisdomes good increase From Samuels dealing Iustice neuer cease Be blest like Iob in his last happy broode With Pauls content be it in paine or ease Let Churches hidden Manna be thy food Thy daies and strength like Calebs happy long good Your Lordships most bounden and deuoted R. A. The Pastor to the Authour I Out of Pulpit oft haue beene thy Teacher Now in this Booke thou art to me a Preacher God grant what 's there and here deliuered May daily in our liues be practised Io. Whyte To The Authour THis Worke diuine to paint with commendation Were sure a worke of supererogation In mee yet in plaine english I say this The Booke 's the theorie the practice His. B. L. WHen I at home thy Practice doe behold Me thinks it goes beyond all contemplation But soone this Booke hath that conceit control'd And rays'd my soule to heau'nly admiration Thy skill so here thy Practice doth transcend I see there 's none so good but may amend W. B. Affinis-domesticus OF making many Bookes there is no end And too much reading wearieth the flesh But more that I to reading these intend They more my Soule and Spirit doe refresh I. A. YOu carelesse Church-men that your time mis-spend In idlenesse or worldly cogitation Learne of the Learned in the Lawes to spend Your idle time in holy Meditation Denout Ciuilians of our English Nation Besides their true discharge of publique place Giue faire example worthy imitation By learned Pen to season soules with grace Hayward in Prose our Authour here in Verse Both Doctors of another facultie Doe sacred heau'nly Mysteries reherse As if they did professe Diuinitie Goe on braue Spirits while your deuouter Lines Shame them that falsly call themselues Diuines A. Magirus Pag. 10. Stan. 1. Lin. 6. for shine râ—ade shone pag. 11. stan 2. liâ— 7. for amidst r. amisse pag. 23. stan 2. lin 6. for confesse r. confessed p. 31. stan 2. lin 2. for will r. nill p. 67. stan 3. lin 1. for fellowes r. followes p. 75. stan 1. l 2. for heau'n r. hau'n p. 111. stan 1. lin 1. for assay'd r. asâ—ail'd p. 〈◊〉 sta 2. l. 1. for within r. which in p. 123. stan 1. lin 5. for abye r. abyes pag. 135. stan 3 lin 7. for religious r. Religions p. 139. stan 3. lin 9. for imperfections r. impeâ—fection's p 140. stan 1. lin 3. for fand r. fend p. 145. stan 4. lin 8. reade so mis-spend p. 152. stan 1. l. 5. for ioynes r. ioynts pag. 187. stan 3. lin 7. for will dread r. wildred THE SONG OF SONGS WHICH WAS SALOMONS The Argument MY Muse that whilome swaid by lust of youth Did spend her strength in idle wanton toyes Now viewes her vanity with mickle ruth And as awak'd doth seeke for solid ioyes Such as pure soules to blessednesse conuoyes This is the cause why shee so much doth long His grace implor'd who in a mighty noyse Appear'd in clouen tongues to teach my tongue To sing these sacred mysteries this SALOMONS song CHAP. I. The Churches loue to Christ shee doth defend And cleere her selfe from all indignitie She cals her Spouse who shewes her how to wend They bothdelight in sweet communitie WIth kisses of thy mouth doe thou me kisse Thy loue is better vnto me then wine Thine oyntments sauour good and pleasant is A sweet perfume is that blest Name of thine Therefore the Maydes all in thy loue combine Oh draw me and we after thee will run If to thy treasures thou our hearts incline We will reioyce and in that ioy begun We will recount thy loues with all that errours shun Scorne me not Sions Nymphes though I seeme browne For I am faire and comely as a Rose I till Sunnes scorching beames on me did frowne Was like those that in Salomons tents repose My Mothers sonnes my beauty did expose To the Sunnes heate and raging me abiected So did they me a baser way dispose To keepe strange Vineyards not to be respected Whil'st mine ay me lay vnmanur'd quite neglected Oh tell me where thou whom my soule doth loue Thou feed'st thy Sheepe and rests them at noone day For why alas should I a strag'er proue And feede my flocks with them that goe astray Fairest of mayds since thou know'st not the way Tread not in steps that into errours moue But leade thou forth thy Kids to leape and play Vpon the hills the Shepheards tents
Myrrhe and Aloes dwell With all the spice most odoriferous My Loue 's a Spring of Gardens and a Well Of liuing Waters that from Lebanon fell Awake thou North winde come thou South and blow Vpon my Garden and her plants compell In plenty to my best belou'd to flow When he to eate his precious fruits doth thither goe Into my Garden now behâ—ld I come My deerest Spouse my Sister and my Loue I eate mine Hony with mine hony-combe My Myrrhe and Spice I vp together goue I drinke most pleasant wine as sweet as loue Mingled with Milke Oh Milke and Hony deere My frâ—ends of all my Wine Fruit Spices proue Oh eate and drinke I say and make good cheere Yea drinke aboundantly Oh my belou'd my deere CHAP. V. Christ doth his Church out of her slumber wake Her slouth doth turne her heart to mickle woe Shee suffers persecution for his sake And to her Maides describes from top to toe BY night I slept but ah mine heart did wake When loe I heard the voyce of Him I loue He knockt and call'd Open to me my Make My loue my vndefiled and my Doue My head is moyst with dew from Heau'n aboue The night with droppings all my locks doth fill My coate is off how should I on it proue My feete are wash'd how should I them defile Yet seeing's hand within the doore mine heart did smile To open then to my belou'd I rose And loe the Myrrhe did downe mine hands distill Sweet smelling Myrrhe which from his hand did wooze And all the handles of the locke did fill I open'd then to my belou'd at will But my beloued had himselfe withdrawne My loue was gone my heart grew faint and ill I sought him but alas I sought in vaine I call'd him but no answere gaue he me againe The Watchmen that about the Citie went Found me and smote me and they wounded mee The keepers of the Walls my vaile off rent O Daughters of Hierusalem that bee I charge you if you my beloued see To tell him how that I am sicke of loue What 's thy belou'd fairest of Maides what 's hee For whom such questions thou to vs dost moue Tell vs what 's thy belou'd other belou'ds aboue Ruddy and white is my beloued one The chiefest of ten thousand of fine gold His head is and his locks are bushy growne Blacke as a Rau'n his eyes if you behold Are like Doues eyes which by the Brookes doe fold Their feathers washt in milke and fitted neate His cheekes spice beds sweet as the Marigold His lips like Lillies moist with Myrrhe all wet His hands are like gold rings with stones of Berill set His belly is bright Iuory in-laid With Saphires blew and his faire legs whereon He stands like marble pillars vpright staid By golden sockets and like Lebanon His face and faire as Cedars thereupon His mouth behold most comely is and sweet He is the loueliest one that can be showne Thus my belou'd is knowne if you him meete O Daughters of Hierusalem him fairely greete CHAP. VI. The Church her hope doth to her Maidens cleere Her Spouse is rauisht with her glorious sight Before the Queenes and all doth her prefer And likens her vnto two Armies bright FAirest of women whither is he gone Where did he turne that we may seeke with thee Into his Garden my belou'd alone Descended is to 's beds of spicerie In his delightfull Gardens feedeth hee And gathereth Lillies beautifull and yong I my beloueds am and hee to mee Beloued onely is for him I long Behold I see him fâ—ede the Lillies faire among My Loue thou art as Tirza beautifull And as Hierusalem comely and gay And as an Host with banners terrible Thine eyes haue ouercome me Turne away Thine haire is like a flocke of Goates that stray Vpon Mount Gilead and thy teeth doe shine Like to a flocke of Ewes which make their way Vp from their washing place by euery one Are twinnes and loe amongst them barren there arâ— none Thy comely cheekes within thy locks appeare Ruddie and white like a Pomegranate side Queenes sixtie fourescore Concubines there were And Virgins without number which did ride About my Loue my vndefil'd my Bride Yet her the Mothers onely happinesse The choice of all her Mother bare beside When as the Daughters saw they praise and blesse And all the Queenes and Concubines could doe no lesse Who is 't that lookes like Morne faire as the Moone Cleare as the Sunne as banners terrible When I to view my pruned Gardens come The Valleys Fruits and budding Vines fruitfull The Pomegranate that beareth faire and full My soule vnwares me on the Chariot pight Of people vnto me most dutifull Returne returne le ts see the Shulamite Returne what will you see shee 's like two Armies bright CHAP VII The Churches comely graces are descride Shee doth professe her Faith Loue and desire And shewes how to the marriage of the Bride All things that are in heau'n and earth conspire HOw comely are thy feete within thy shooes O Princes Daughter junctures of thy thighâ— Like jewels are which cunning hands did close Thy nauell like a goblet round replyes I want no liquor and thy belly lyes Like to a heape of wheate with lillies dight Thy brests Roe twinnes like tow'r of Iuory's Thy necke thine eyes like pooles in Hesbon bright Thy nose like Lebanons tow'r that towards Damascus light Thine head 's like Carmel with thy purple haire Eu'n Kings within their galleries are bound How pleasant art thou for delights how faire Thy stature's like a Palme tree straight from ground Thy brests of grapes are like to clusters round I said I would into the Palme tree climbe And prune the boughs which there amidst I found Thy brests are like the clusters of the Vine The odor of thy nose is like sweet sops in wine Thy palate is like wines of sweetest smell Which downe the throat goe pleasantly and sweet Causing the lips that drinke thereof to tell Tales in their sleepe I my belou'd doe greet And his free loue with true affection meet Let 's to the fields and lodge in countrey cell And earely in the Vine-yards dew our feet And see if that the Vines doe prosper well And how the Grapes doe bud and Pomegranates doe swell There plentie of my brests I will thee giue Behold the Mandrake sweetly smelling ay Looke at our gates all pleâ—sant fruits doe liue Both new and old which I for thee vp lay For thee â— my belou'd against our marriage day CHAP. VIII Her vndefiled loue the Church makes knowne And doth describe the force of iealousie The Gentiles call'd by Sisters wooing showne Shee hastes her Christ to come in Maiestie OH that thou wert eu'n as my brother deere That suckt my mothers brests when I without Thee found I would thee kisse and none should heere Despise mee then I would thee
leade about Eu'n to my mothers house that first mee taught I would thee cause to drinke of spiced wine And iuyce that from the Pomegranate runnes out Thy left arme vnderneath my head should line Thy right arme with embracements should my loue intwine Oh Sions daughters I you charge no lesse Stirre not to wake my loue vntill he please Who is 't that comes vp from the wildernesse Leaning on her beloued at her ease From vnder th' Apple trees I thee did raise Whereas thy mother did thee first conceaue Whereas thy mother first began thy dayes Oh let thine heart me as a Seale receaue And as a Signet on thine arme doe thou me cleaue For Loue is strong as death and Iealousie Cruell as graue her coles be brands of fire Whose raging flames consume most violently No water can asswage her direfull ire Nor any floods can drowne her hot desire No though a man all that he hath would sell And let himselfe for wages out to hire Yet house and substance all shee would refell Yea eu'n câ—ntemne No worldly thing can Loue compell Wee haue a little Sister and no moe Whose brests as yet lye in a narrow rome Tell vs What snall wee for our Sister doe When as the time of wooing her is come When as the time of wedding her is come A siluer Palace with a doore most sound Of Cedar boords wee 'le make for her alone I am a wall my brests are towers round So am I in his eyes as one that fauour found A fruitfull Vineyard had King Salomon In a most fertile place this Vineyard lay To Dressers he it farm'd that euery one For fruits thereof receiu'd should yearely pay A thousand siluer peeces at their day My Vine before me I doe dresse alone If they to thee a thousand must defray A thousand siluer peeces Salomon They for their paynes must haue two hundred euery one O thou that in the Gardens sweet dost dwell My name to thy Companions forth sound Oh cause me heare thy voyce that sounds so well And make it from the Hills and Rocks rebound Make haste then my beloued to confound Thine enemies Be like vnto the Roe And youthfull Hart that on the mountaynes bound The mountaynes whereon Myrrhe and Spices grow Make haste ô my belou'd thy glorie here to show FINIS WHen Daâ—id his Ambassadours did send Wise Abigal vnto his wife to take The Lady lowly to the ground did bend Offring to wash their feete for her Lords sake Learne here what high account we ought to make Of messengers that vs glad tidings bring Which trauell great and labour vndertake For to espouse vs to our Lord and King To be allyde vnto a Prince is no small thing They that to desert hearts send forth their voyce And make his paths streight and his wayes prepare Shall as the Bridegroomes friends with him reioyce And be inuited to his heau'nly cheare Oh how my soule is rauished to heare Herselfe inuited as a welcome ghest By come my Spouse my Loue my Doue my Deare Behold our marriage bed is richly drest And all things are prepared readie for the feast Selected Vessell blessed Paul who rapt Aboue the triple heau'n such things didst eye As here the soules of men in darknesse wrapt Cannot conceiue What didst thou there espie The Bridegroome cloth'd in loue and majestie Hasting vnto his marriage consummation Whose louely'st Bride the Wise man doth descrie With all the marriage solemne preparation The Gentiles light and glorie of the Iewish nation Then let no yokes of Oxen Farme or Wife Hinder thy comming to this marriage feast Where Water thou shalt taste and bread of Life The King will bid thee welcome as his ghest And thee inuite to Gardens neatlier drest Than that of Eden planted by Gods hand There is true happinesse and endlesse rest There glorious Angels doe by millions stand All readie at the Bridegroomes and the Brides command THE BRIDES ORNAMENTS Poëticall Essayes vpon a diuine subiect THE FIRST BOOKE Viz. of Loue Humility Repentance Faith and Hope 1. COR. 2. 2. I esteemed not to know any thing saue Iesus Christ and Him crucified LONDON Printed by W. Stansby 1621. TO HIS MOST WORTHY LEARNED AND EVER-BELOVED FRIEND Mr. IOHN ARGALL Esquire THe Authour doth his Passe-times dedicate Whom he indeauouring to imitate These Graces all doth in the practique see Which here in Theorie described bee By your owne R. A. THE BRIDES ORNAMENTS The first Booke THE CONTENTS The Porter of Loues Gate Humilitie Her Treasurer Knowledge Fortitude Generall Mercy her Chancellor Truth Secretarie Iustice chiefe Iudge Prudence directeth all Temp'rance Comptroller Repentance Marshall Bountie the Almoner Faith Hope Patrons are Patience Obedience Meeknesse Maides I call Attending Loue Ioy priuy Seale doth beare Gods word sword-bearer is Zeale Prayer chaplens there THE PROEME 1 THose sublime Wits that in high Court of Fame Doe seeke to ranke themselues by Poesie Eternizing the glorie of their name By prayse of Honour and of Cheualrie To some great Princes Court their youth apply Knights honourable actions to behold Chaste Ladies loues and Nobles courtesie Of such haue Homer Virgil Spencer told And haue thereby their names in Fames faire Court enrold 2 But had they waited on the glorious Court Of Heauenly Loue by some call'd Charitie And seene the order there and gracious Port Of this great Queene and her faire Companie Her gentle Gouernement and Maiestie This sure their most Heroicke Muse might raise As farre aboue their moderne pitch to flie As candle-light's surmounted by Sunnes rayes Or as the Creatures boasting is by Makers praise 3 Nor had their stately Muse beene rais'd more high By this employment in Loues Meditation Than their owne soules which vp to â—â—auen would flie By this delightfull heau'nly Contemplation Where they might view th' eternall Habitation Prepared for the faithfull Friends of Loue That by her Lawes frame life and conuersation As Members of one glorious Head aboue Which here vpon the Earth by it doe liue be moue 4 Long time I sought Loues Court most carefully And on her noble Actions set my mind That in her praise my Muse might soare on high I sought in vaine but could no entrance find Vntill a courteous Lady then assign'd To keepe the Court Gate hight Humilitie Well knowing what I sought lowly declin'd Assuring me I neuer could descrie Loues honourable Court but by Humilitie 5 Shee was a louely Lady cloth'd in gray Of russet wooll which her owne hands did spin Nor would expend her state in garments gay Her care was to be glorious within Yet had this Lady goodly commings in Which for Loues sake shee dealt amongst the Poore To fill their bellies shee look'd leane and thin Would stoupe to heale the meanest Lazars sore Yet when shee had done all grieu'd shee could doe no more 6 Shee soone in me espies a
dangerous sore Most dangerous because it was least seene But inwardly did fester more and more It was Ambition which eu'n from my Spleene Vnto mine heart had sent her poysonous teene To cure which sore shee med'cine streight applyes Before I came in presence of her Queene Who gaynes saith shee grace in my Soueraignes eyes By meekenesse not ambition seekes as I to rise 7 Many good med'cines did this Maid deuise Whereby shee might recure my dangerous sore As good examples words eke of the wise But none of these did yeeld me profit more Than mine owne wretchednesse which shee before Me laid that I might humbled be thereby And though my flesh first spurn'd against this lore Yet shee so gently did this salue apply That my proud heart it made stoupe to Humilitie 8 Thus humbled I was to Repentance brought Who was the Marshall wondrous graue and sage Ah! shee at first meâ—ickle sorrow wrought And shew'd how I vnworthy was to wage Or be admitted to Loues equipage Shee then my conscience forthwith did demand To bring my Sinnes and Follies on the stage Who streight-wayes did obey her great command And loe my sinnes appear'd in number like the Sand. 9 Sinnes done in secret and long since forgot Shee there exhibited plaine to bee seene And straight me to the Barre of Iustice got Accusing of high treason to her Queene Iustice was chiefe Iudge in the Law well seene Yet limited by bounds of her Commission Law was her rule not what shee did esteeme To extend Mercy shee had no permission They that haue sinn'd must be condemn'd without remission 10 But Faith and Hope two Patrons neare at hand To all distressed soules that craue their aide Aduis'd me not on mine owne workes to stand But on His merits that had fully paid The ransome of my sinnes and further said From Iustice I to Mercy might appeale This done the Court most willingly conuaid Me to the Throne of Mercy which should heale And all by Iustice done against me would repeale 11 Mercy a Princesse was of high degree And neare vnto the Queene of Loue allide Most pleasant was her countenance to see Knowledge the Treasurer sate by her side But Prudence most of all her Grace did guide The Secretarie Truth her Acts did write Shee Mercy yet with Iustice did diuide To all those Suitors that did craue their right And were by Faith and Hope taught how to plead aright 12 I had good audience at my first appearing But when Faith Hope began my suite to moue Repentance crau'd another day of hearing And shee would all my sinnes before them proue I answer'd that this let I would remoue For I confesse all against me laid And streight by Faith and Hope did plainely proue My Sauiours merits all my debts had paid Then all the Court gan cry I need not be afraid 13 Yet Mercy with her counsell would aduise Before that shee to sentence did proceed And first with Knowledge Prudence Truth deuise The same which was long time before decreed And though damnation be thy sinnes iust meed Yet seeing thou so rightly dost apply Christs merits thou from guilt of them art freed Wherefore by Faith Hope and Humilitie In Loues Court to abide thou hast free libertie 14 I thus absolu'd by Mercies gracious dome Was brought to Meekenesse and Obedience That they might me instruct ere I should come Into the Chamber of their Queenes presence And by the way I met with Patience These three sweet Ladies many precepts giue With charge the same t' obserue with diligence And all my wrongs past and to come forgiue If in this Court of Loue with honour I would liue 1â— Then Fortitude this Queenes great Generall Taught me'gainst all afflictions to stand fast For he that loueth well endureth all And Temperance enioyned me to fast And all immoderate lusts from me to cast This Temperance Comptroller of the Hall Of slender dyet is and body chast Bountie the Alm'ner next to me did call To doe good and distribute to poore Saints ' boue all 16 Then Lady Laetice that staid all this while Longing and wishing me this good successe On me began most graciously to smile And comfort after my great heauinesse Shee is of high trust and great noblenesse And keepes the priuy Signet of her Queene Which on the hearts of all shee doth impresse Absolu'd by Mercy from Lawes direfull teene Shee is call'd Inward Ioy more to be felt then seene 17 There met I Zeale without vaine superstition Who neuer without Knowledge durst come there So hot and fiery was her disposition As shee in peeces could stone tables teare Shee in graue comely habit did appeare As of the Tribe of Aaron shee were borne Gods Name dishonoured shee could not beare Her haire was all discheuelled and torne Which she had rent to hear wretches her queenes loue scorne 18 Shee was most earnest and patheticall And like Ioy did enflame mine inward parts Then Courtesie a Lady faire and tall Instructed me in her most pleasing Arts How first I should my lookes suite to mine heart And next according to mine heart should looke Vnfeignedly the head and euery part To loue who for loue my sinnes on him tooke This Ladies louing heart you might reade in her looke 19 Then came Gods Word of all the rest the Guide From whose Mouth went a sharpe two edged sword Which did from me all sinne and lust diuide And in my bleeding wounds sweet hony powr'd Last Prayer needes this fauour would afford My suite vnto Loues Highnesse to present Then falling on my knees shee did record My words and eu'n my secret hearts intent And them by Mediation to Loues presence sent 20 Thus was I to Loues glorious presence brought Which was beyond imagination great Who gently me enquired what I sought Madame said I This now I doe intreat Your Grace will giue me licence to repeat The goodly glorie I doe here behold Shee granted me I should of her entreat And all her Courtiers whereof I haue told Which by Gods grace I meane in order to vnfold 21 And that I may an order due obserue The first that comes forth is the Queene her Grace Then follow on such Ladies as her serue In their due order ranke and proper place Humilitie first leades the Vertues trace Loe next Repentance Faith and Hope haue rome These three are Ladies which doe guide our race Till we into the armes of Loue doe come But loe they leaue vs there for then their charge is done MEDITAT I. Of Heauenly Loue. 1 THose learned spirits that spend their youthful prime In writing Volumes large of wanton Loue Find in the end they lose most precious time And all their labour and though late oft proue That had their soules beene mounted vp aboue Whence they were sent to this fraâ—le house of clay They there had found the obiect of true Loue God true eternall which ne're fades away But when Loue there begins it doth endure
for ay 2 Whom as we loue ' boue all things by him wrought So all his glorious Workes in him we loue And eu'n that Word whereby to passe he brought This all in whom eu'n all doe liue bee moue The same is Authour Finisher of Loue The Sea from which all streames of Loue doe flow Which here refresh the tender plants and proue Most soueraigne medicine to the Saints below Whereby in goodnesse loue and vertue they may grow 3 And as the Brookes their tribute-streames doe send Vnto the boundlesse Ocean whence they moue So though on Saints and Poore we freely spend What we receiue yet to this Sea of Loue We must tend alwayes as the steele doth moue With Load-stone touched to the Arctique Pole All other motions violent doe proue This is the obiect of true Loue this sâ—le The Center is of Loue on which all Loue doth roll 4 Authour and Finisher Thou Word of power Center and Load-stone Obiect Sea of Loue Sweet drops of Grace vpon mine heart downe shower Attract my steely thoughts tow'rds heau'n to moue Teach me the complement of man true Loue O helpe me to expresse what I conceaue Of thine affection which thee from aboue Made to descend and all thy Glorie leaue And to the cursed Crosse for loue of man to cleaue 5 Of that dread loue by which the Trinitie Ineffably doth in it selfe delight Of Persons three making one Vnitie I dare not vndertake so high to write My Muse here onely labours to indite Of that free Loue which doth from thence descend That Loue which from the head on members light And that which from them ought againe ascend Lastly that Christian loue we each on other spend 6 But as th' eternall Godhead is but one Yet is by Persons three distinguished The Sonne is of the Father all alone The Spirit from Sonne and Father doth proceede So though a threefold kind of Loue we reade Yet is this true and heau'nly Loue but one For with that Loue from Father doth proceede Christ loueth those he chooseth for his owne And we the selfe-same loue to Head and Members showne 7 Thou that did'st in thy Fathers bosome wun Eternally begotten vncreate Let me begin where first thy Loue begun To be vnto vs manifest when Hate And Pride the Dam of mischiefe and debate Had caused those celestiall Lamps of light The Angels that kept not their first estate To be deiected from thy Palace bright Reseru'd in euerlasting chaines of darkest night 8 Then first thy free Loue did to Man appeare Whom after thine owne Image thou didst frame And blessedst him to multiply and reare Much fruit on Earth and gau'st him power to tame Thy handie workes to which he gaue a name Which they receiu'd as Vassalls of their Lord Adam then Lord of all thy workes became Each herbe fruit seede thou gau'st him for his board Thus Lord of all Hee 's onely subiect to thy Word 9 God saw that all he made was very good Yet 't was not good that Man should be alone I dare not thinke Man could alone haue stood In his integritie thou gau'st him one To be his helpe of his owne flesh and bone For whom he should Father and Mother leaue Behold now Adam with his Paragon Walke in the Garden where they haue good leaue The fruit of euery tree there growing to receaue 10 Hadst thou him set in Gardens ready planted With all vâ—â—etie of rich delight And for his care to keepe them had but granted He might take pleasure onely in their sight And foode from one to feede his appetite Nature had beene content with competence Thou gau'st him leaue of all the trees to bite Thou onely one tree from his lips didst fence To shew thy Lordship and proue his obedience 11 But loe that pride which mischiefe did conceaue First in the Court of Heau'n brings forth below And in disdaine such exc'llent Spirits must leaue Their glorious Mansions vnto one they know Was fram'd of slimy earth Behold they grow To tempt the weaker by a false pretence You shall not die saith he for God doth know What day you eate you shall be gods from thence Loe thus was all mankind made guiltie of offence 12 Adam where art What art Hid naked vile Now thou hast eate of the forbidden Tree My Wife did me a Serpent her beguile Cannot excuse thee nor thy Progenie Curst is the Serpeat for his subtiltie The Ground is curst and all that on it goes Serpents and Womans seede at enmitie The earth from whence thou cam'st thee vp must close Thy Garden 's lost thy Subiects now become thy Fâ—es. 13 O miserable Man in losse in paine Looke but from whence and whither thou dost fall Who now hath power to raise thee vp againe Breach of one Law thee guiltie makes of all Hell is thy Guerdon miserable thrall Driu'n from the presence sweet of God aboue Which thee to such a height of blisse did call The Serpents speech thou now too true dost proue And to thy cost know'st Good and Euill Hate and Loue. 14 God is most mercifull yet True and Iust His Mercy shined in thy first Creation His Law is broken now he punish must Here Loue behold beyond all expectation Will draw them both to reconciliation God becomes Man Iustice to satisfie His Death shall pay the price of our damnation No height of Verse this great Loue can desâ—ry This Sunne is too resplendent for my Muses eye 15 Most glorious God Wise Happy Vncreate Absolute Perfect Pure Omnipotent Here humbly to conuerse in meane estate And as a Malefactor to be rent To saue eu'n those that sought him to torment Captiuitie thus Captiue for to lâ—ade And giue such gifts to Men and Hell preuent Thy workes of power Lord can 〈◊〉 Creature reade But this of Loue and Mercy doth them all exceede 16 Three sorts of Loue wise Sages haue obseru'd Loue of true Friends of Kindred Coniugall Of which amongst them friendship hath deseru'd To be first rank'd this Loue surmounts them all These Starres doe rise these Starres againe doe fall But when this Sunne of heau'nly Loue doth shine Once in our hearts it is perpetuall And when it lowest seemes and to decline It then is highest rays'd and nearest to Diuine 17 This Loue 's an vndiuided Vnitie A concord that diuision will admit Diuided yet to all abundantly And doth this all into one body knit The Head that eu'n aboue in heau'n doth sit It ioyneth to the Members on the ground And all those Members in one Body knit Loue like her selfe the same is euer found Though in one Member more than other shee abound 18 As Soule of Man doth from the Head to Heart And all the Members life and motion send Being â—l in all and all in eu'ry part Eu'n so doth Loue her Power diuine extend On eu'ry part that on the Head depend And as the Members soone rot and decay To which the Soule her
he makes Enduring paine and hunger for our sakes Going from house to house in eu'ry place Doing of good our sinnes vpon him takes Opes wide his Armes his Church for to embrace And humbly vs intreating to accept of grace 53 It hath beene knowne that sometimes for a Friend A man would die some shorten'd haue their life With griefe for losse of Children or their kind Some for their Minions losse haue dyde with knife Iacob would serue eu'n seu'n yeares for a Wife Our Sauiour for his Foes his Bloud doth spend Vs Children to adopt layes downe his Life To saue his Spouse doth on the Crosse depend Seru'd for her fiue seu'n yeares His Loue doth neuer end 54 Behold by all these Names he doth inuite Vs to embrace his mutuall heau'nly Loue And calls vs Friend Child Sister Spouse Delight His Seruants sends vs curteously to moue To royall Banquets and sweet beds of Loue By grace adopting vs to be Coheires Eu'n with himselfe of glorie great aboue No cost or paines not his owne Blood he spares But like a Father Husband Friend for vs he cares 55 I here had ended had not holy Steuen The first of Martyrs that did testifie His Masters Resurrection of the seuen The chiefest Deacon Had he not falsely Beene next accus'd of wicked blasphemie Whose witnesses their cloth 's at Sauls feete lay And then him stone with stones whil'st he doth crie Iesu receiue my Spirit And Loue doth pray Aloud Lord to their charge this sinne doe thou not lay 56 Why seeke I out let vs within abound Towards the Saints in loue and charitie Which doth to Gods high glorious grace redound When by releeuing them in poueâ—tie They for our bountie Gods Name glorifie He that vnto the Sower giueth seede Bread to the hungrie he will multiply Vs with increase if to poore Saints in neede We giue with cheerfulnesse such gifts God likes indeede 57 Who sparingly doth sow reapes sparingly His Righteousnesse for euer shall remayne That doth disperse and giue abundantly What doe we saue if we the world should gayne And lose our Crowne which vp in Heau'n is layne Who hauing this worlds good and doth behold His brother want yet doth his hand retayne How can it be but Loue in him is cold For whereas Loue doth dwell her fruits are manifold 58 Oh! come all yee then that forget the Lord Behold his loue to Man with admiration Oh let our loue such fruits to Saints afford They may blesse God for such refocillation Mount vp my soule by heau'nly contemplation Behold him in his Maiestie aboue Behold him in his wonderfull creation In 's Wisedome and his Prouidence and proue If all these counterpoise his Bountie Mercy Loue. 59 And if his loue 's so great and wonderfull Most precious sure 's the Obiect of his loue Out of this Worlds great treasurie to cull One whom he would eternally aboue Make happy with his presence and to proue So kind a Father Him Coheire to take To his owne deare beloued Sonne to loue Him as his owne for his owne Sonnes deare sake Learne here what high account we of our soules should make 60 Why dost my Soule then grouell on the ground Since in respect of thee this World is base No thing created in the World is found Which God vouchsafed hath so much to grace His free Loue doth aduance thee to this place Requiring of thee this one complement Thou him and his againe with loue embrace For Loue fulfilleth the Commandement Command Lord what thou wilt Loue makes obedient 61 But ah my Soule Where is thy Loue thy feare How doth the World bewitch thee How possesse How are thy thoughts tane vp with worldly care Breeding of heau'nly Loue a senselâ—snesse Dost thou misdoubt Gods gracious promises Farre be such Atheisme and impietie Oh neuer let such dismall heauinesse Cleaue on my Soule through vnbeliefe to die For which Christ offred vp himselfe so louingly 62 Hast thou not oh my Soule most plainely seene That all things in this World are vanitie No true content to mortall e're hath beene But that which doth endure eternally As Primum mobile Loue doth employ All other Graces in their proper motion And as all Spheres are mou'd perpetually By the prime Mouer so Loues purest Notion Swayes all the other Vertues in their due deuotion 63 Wilt then despise his friendship kindnesse loue Wherewith thy Lord inuites thee vnto Grace And as a Father Husband Friend thee moue His Loue with like relation to embrace And all thy minde on things aboue to place Abandoning vaine wealth and worlds delight The World and all things in it are but base To ransome one poore Soule all is too light In this Gods Loue doth more then all his Power and Might 64 Oh! that I could despise Worlds vaine promotion And follow heau'nly things with all my might My whole life consecrating to deuotion Oh that I might liue euer in thy sight Where fulnesse is of ioy and pure delight Oh that mine heart were on thy Law so set To meditate thereon both day and night Thy Statutes then I neuer should forget Nor at the wickeds vaine and false preferments fret 65 Oh that my dearest Husband Father Friend His heau'nly Loue into mine heart would shower That my Loue may againe to him ascend And that I may with all my might and power Loue and defend his Members from each stower His Saints which in this wandring wildernesse In danger of the Wolues are eu'ry hower Visit the Widdowes and the Fatherlesse And walke vnspotted here in Truth and Holinesse 66 But though alas this heau'nly Loue I feele Abundant grace vpon mine heart to shower Loue of this World my soules eyes vp so seele To loue the things aboue I haue no power And though I feele sweet flashes euery hower Of heau'nly Loue I cannot loue againe The Head nor Members which in earthly Bower Most deare and precious in his sight remayne But hardly can from Enuie Hatred Pride refrayne 67 I doe confesse my debt of Loue so great I neuer able am my score to pay For if I should Gods kindnesses repeate And all his fauours in one summe conuay I might begin them earely before day But could not cast the number vp by night Accept my will and readinesse for pay Accept my sorrowfull heart and humble sprite Which made the Widdowes poore an acceptable mite 68 Let me thy loue so liuely apprehend That I may ready be with cheerefulnesse To die for thee who thy deare Blood didst spend To vindicate my soule from wretchednesse And raise me to such height of happinesse That I may gladly wish my dissolution And cast from me all wretched worldâ—inesse Prepared with a holy resolution To stand vndanted at the Worlds great deuolution 69 Frame in me such an habit of thy Loue As I for loue may seeke thee to obay More than for feare I should thine anger moue Whereby thou should'st my sinnes with vengeance pay And
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
of Pride and Ambition Faire Dame Humilitie to emulate Whose onely pietie is superstition And by pretence of friendship couers hate Cain by her did worke his brotheâ—s fate Ioab slue Abner in the time of peace In Court shee styled is a trick of State In Church and Citie shee doth so increase For Catholique and Vniuersall shee doth prease 44 Nay goe vnto the meanest beggars cell And there as proud a heart you often find As those that vnder Cedar roofes doe dwell And did his purse but answere to his mind He would despise the proudest of mankind Where shall you see more Enuie Malice Strife Than is betweene the Seruant and the Hind Where more dissembling than twixt Man and Wife The Sword is not more keene than is the bloody Knife 45 Ambition How dost thou possesse the mind Of restlesse Man whilst in an idle vaine Which thou call'st Honour thou dost nothing find But vanitie and vexation for thy paine Know'st thou not Godlinesse is greatest gaine And that the Merchant was pronounc'd most wise That sold all that he had this Pearle t' obtaine Oh would'st thou seeke to buy this merchandize Humilitie is shee can helpe thee to such prize 46 Then ô my Soule couet Humilitie Dost thou seeke Knowledge Pleasure Wealth Promotion All these shee will thee bring assuredly Shee 's like the Master-spring that first giues notion To eu'ry wheele that in the Clocke hath motion Like Salt that sauours eu'ry dish we eate Shee 's Sugar sweetning eu'ry bitter Potion Promotion Knowledge Pleasure Wealth Drinke Meat Humility's all these and yet shee is not great 47 Oh neuer let me seeke to emulate Except in Goodnesse and with more desire To follow than in hope to adequate And like a Tree low planted neare the Mire Bring forth much Fruit not Fewell for the fire With little let me euer be content Patient of miseries for my sinnes require Than I haue had farre greater punishment And farre thy smallest fauours my deserts out went 48 For I confesse that too ambitiously I hunt for worlds entisements base and vaine Which clogge my Soule so that shee cannot flie Aloft where sound ioyes euermore remaine And though I basely thinke of gold and gaine Yet Honours glitt'ring shewes so daze mine eyes That still I 'm tainted with ambitious staine And wish I might to worldly honour rise But this in me the Flesh not Spirit doth deuise 49 For shee hath learn'd that not from East or West Promotion comes The higher one is plac't The greater cares and troubles him infest And as thou more or greater Talents hast The more thou art to count for at the last Thou art a Steward here 'T is not thine owne But as thee ' boue thy fellowes God hath grac't So must thy Faith and care ' boue theirs be showne We doe expect best Crops whereas best Seede is sowne 50 These things ô God! I aske doe not denie Let me depend vpon thy Prouidence In paine and ease losse and prosperitie My selfe submit with all obedience Vnto thy Will performe with diligence Charge publique priuate Let Humilitie Be vnto me a Rocke of sure defence Against Mens malice and Worlds iniurie And where my weaknesse failes let thy good Grace supply 51 Oh thou that Lazarus from Diues gate Didst into Abrams blessed bosome raise There to enioy eternall happy state That here on earth was humbled all his dayes Direct mine humble heart in all thy wayes The meeke in iudgement thou delight'st to guide Turne all I doe vnto thy glorious praise Preserue me from Ambition Enuie Pride And though with Lazar's sores in thy Loue let me bide 52 Thou hast ô Lord proclaymed Blessednesse To all the meeke in Heart and poore in Spirit Blest are the Meeke they shall the earth possesse The Poore eu'n now Gods Kingdome doe inherit Lord I acknowledge freely my demerit It is thy Grace whereby I am liue moue Thy humbling to the Crosse for me did merit That I should be exalted to thy Loue And liue with thee in blisse eternally aboue 53 I aske that which thy blessed Martyrs had Which here haue witness'd their Humilitie And of that cup of gall to taste were glad Which first their Master swallow'd willingly Thy Grace ô Lord which thou wilt not denie For they haue found it all-sufficient Humble me how thou wilt Abilitie Yet grant in sorrow to be patient And strength with Paul in paine or ease to be content 54 Grant me thy Grace but to conceaue the end And certayne fruits of my humiliation Then shall I plainely see and apprehend That it prepares me fit for exaltation And to make sure with feare mine owne saluation Whereby I may stand firme and confident 'Gainst wicked Men Hell Deuils and damnation Who neuer shall be able to preuent Thy loue in Christ which thou on humble men hast bent 55 Now for that thing which worldlings doe deplore I yeeld to thee most heartie laud and praise That thou art pleas'd to humble me therefore On earth that thou againe to heau'n might'st raise Oh teach me Lord to number so my dayes That I my life may labour to amend Oh teach me lowlinesse in all my wayes To thinke of my beginning and mine end Prince Beggar borne alike and to their graue descend 56 And since that sweet Humilities condition I haue so learned by this Meditation That now I hate Pride Enuie and Ambition With complements base subtile machination Grant me to follow Christs humiliation Who from the Crosse to Glorie did ascend Whose suffrings make a reconciliation For those that by true Faith him apprehend And after him in lowlinesse and meeknesse wend. 57 You may remember how I earst you told That when Humilitie had clear'd the score Whereby t'ambitious Pride my heart was sold Shee led me to Repentance who before The chiefe Iudge Iustice brought and my foule sore Discouer'd to my more humiliation Till Faith and Hope at Mercies seate therefore Did pleade Christs Blood my reconciliation But this I leaue vnto another Meditation MEDITAT III. Of Repentance 1 THe Highest that created first of nought A Chaos vast and out thereof did take The Earth whereof he noblest Creature wrought Eu'n Man and made all Creatures for his sake Him first pure iust and righteous did make But since their owne inuentions they obay And in a right path set their way mistake And as blind fooles and slaues haue gone astray Nor can without the true Light find againe the way 2 For whilst they doe yet in their sinnes remaine Their Soules in errour and in darknesse bide They know not how they should be borne againe For Sinne this mysterie from them doth hide And till Humilitie their trustie Guide Shall them to wholesome true Repentance leade They misse their ayme and striuing stray more wide Repentance quickneth men in sinne cleane dead And teacheth new-borne Babes in path of Life to tread 3 Shee is the Mid-wife that with keenest knife Our Nauell cuts whereby we cleaue to
Faiths plerophorie 24 The Subiect of true Faith is a pure heart Her Obiects are Christs sufferings sanctitie Fulfilling of the Law in eu'ry part If these three by true Faith we can apply They are against all ill the remedie These are the Balme a wounded soule can heale And not the Churches store Romes trumperie These onely can to vs our Pardon seale Merits Mens fancies are these Scripture doth reueale 25 Eu'n as three ills inherent be in sin Originall vice Sinne actuall condemnation So Faith three parallel benefits le ts in Whereby effected is Iustification Christ's sufferings pay the price of our damnation His perfectest Obedience satisfies For actuall sinnes th'exquisite Sanctification Of 's humane Nature in vs all destroies Originall sinne This threefold way Faith iustifies 26 He that is able out of stones to raise Vp children vnto Abram He I say Can onely make our hearts melt at the rayes Of his Sunne beames He to a heart of clay Can turne a stony heart And though this may Seeme very hard and strange to flesh and blood Yet he that feeles his heart melt with the ray Of spirituall Grace Faith there doth proue this good By those whose hearts world blinds thâ—s is not vnderstood 27 Three qualities true Faith accompany Which shee doth vse in eu'ry worke well wrought First shee doth good not for to please Mans eye But for his sake whose blood her dearely bought Next by Gods Law each action word and thought Shee squareth For shee knowes Obedience Then Sacrifice is better by her wrought All to Gods glorie last hath reference To these we guided are by Spirit not by Sense 28 Shee 's swift to heare The holy Sacrament Of Baptisme once The Eucharist oft receaues Releeues the Poore in Prayer diligent In which shee still persists and neuer leaues Lastly shee to some lawfull Calling cleaues To be â—fore God and Man without offence If these faile in her shee herselfe deceaues Shee 's temporary and a false pretence To walke licentiously without Obedience 29 Other Companions are of Faith likewise As grieuous manifold and great tentation With these sound Faith herselfe must exercise These part not from her till soules separation For Satan prosecutes with infestation His hatred to our head continually Vpon his Members to their great vexation Besides Tentations true Faith purge and trie Preparing hearts for Grace by sweet Humilitie 30 These often come of diffident distrust When sight of sinne makes vs faint stagger reele Or when by our vnworthinesse and lust We of this precious Faith a coldnesse feele These for a while our spirituall eyes vp seele So as true inward comfort life and loue As in times past in him we cannot feele Who is our Head and hereby doth vs proue And make vs when we feele his want the more to loue 31 Behold two other Deepes on either hand On right Presumption proud on left Despaire Which like two red-Sea walls of waues doe stand And for the Faithfull a faire way prepare That through the Deepe they may eu'n drie-shod fare But loe the miscreant and presumptuous Wight They drowne in ouer-weening and much care Here God against th' Egyptians seemes to fight Out of the fiery Pillar that to Faith giues light 32 These two are like the Cities of the Plaine Gomorrha proud and Sodom base in lust On which God fire and brimstone downe did raine The first is Pharisaicall ouer-iust The other doth Gods promises distrust But Faith like little Zoar Lot doth saue Though vnbeliefe doe turne his Wife to dust These three be they that seeke Faith to depraue These three so hinder Faith shee nothing right can craue 33 Presumption proud on her owne merits stands Despaire lookes downe on her vile wretchednesse But neuer Gods great goodnesse vnderstands Nor his great power free grace and willingnesse To ease all those whose sinnes doe them oppresse But Infidelitie seekes to entise To Atheisme and all vngodlinesse And make Faith folly seeme to worldly wise Who nought beleeue but Sense and Reason must deuise 34 Despaire to great Goliah I resemble But Faith doth like to little Dauid fare At whom though Saul and all his Host doe tremble Yet all his threats bold Dauid cannot scare He that hath giu'n the Lion and the Beare Into his hands he surely doth beleeue This rayling Philistim will neuer spare But will him vnto like destruction leaue Thus off with his owne sword Dauid his head doth cleaue 35 Oft haue I seene some grieued patient Languishing of some desp'rate disease Not feâ—ling it till Natures helps were spent Then thinks his graue onely can's griefe appease Yet if he hopes of skilfull Leech some ease He him intreates to vse his vtmost skill To cure his maladie and sore disease Himselfe referring wholly to his will Till he such Balme apply that cures him of that ill 36 All men are 〈◊〉 of the disease of sinne Which till 't is past mans cure they not perceaue But when of helpe they to despaire beginne If by true Faith they vnto Christ can cleaue Their soules Physician and vnto him leaue The cure alone of his most precious Blood A plaister they to cure their sore receaue This onely is the Balme can doe them good And not Saints mâ—nts Pardons Dirges woodden Rood 37 Faith to the blind man may be well compar'd That feeles the heate but cannot see the flame Of fire which in the winter is prepar'd The tyraâ—nizing cold thereof to tame Faith Hope are like two Men one blind one lame Blind Hope weake Faith on shoulders doth sustaine Faith Hope directs her steps aright to frame Both labour top of Zions mount to gaine And both by mutuall aide their wished end attaine 38 Our hearts are like vnto the parched Land That three yeares drought endur'd in Ahabs dayes Faith like the Cloud is little as mans hand That in the end great stormes and wind doth raise And many showers abundantly displayes Loe then the Land that earst was drie and waste Abundantly her fruit and grasse repayes So Faith though small at first yet at her last Growes wondrous great poures down heau'nly showres ful fast 39 Faith is like to a graine of Mustard seede Which of all graines at sowing time is least But growes so high that Birds therein may breede Yea Fowles of th' aire therein doe make their nest Shee 's like an Oâ—en plant that winds infest Which more 't is shak'd rootes faster in the ground So more tentations haue true Faith opprest Shee stands more resolute secure and sound And as her rootes hold fast her leaues and fruit abound 40 We are on earth like Wind-mills all whose grist Are workes of Pietie and Charitie Our Faith like Sailes which if the wind be whist And aire calme doe stand vnprofitably But when tentations rise shee instantly Swayes all the inward powers by her commotion To all the workes of Loue and Pietie Loue to our Neighbours to our God deuotion But if Faiths
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
oft assay'd From her youth vp our Church vnto this day But neuer hath their subtiltie preuayl'd Church discipline to alter though I say Martin their spite and malice did bewray When he in scoffes and rayling spent his wit Not sauouring of the Spirit which should pray For Kings and those that at the Sterne doe sit And not ranke Martinisme in Rulers faces spit 49 These first as Theudas-like some great Man rose To whom great multitudes themselues combine And Iudas-like Church tribute did oppose But they are perisht And our fruitfull Vine Yet prospers still and yeelds abundant Wine Which proues it planted is by Gods owne Hand For were 't Mans policy not power Diuine Shee neuer could such furious Beasts withstand But long since had destroyed beene out of this Land 50 Was e're in Israel knowne or Iuda's coast So long peace and such plentie temporall Can any of the Nations like vs boast Deliuerances from bondage spirituall Our God who did vs out of bondage call Protects our Leaders by his power diuine 'Gainst Hell Pope Iesuites Sep'ratists and all And lest our Faith and Hope faile or decline Loe in Prince Charles new hope and all that Princely Line 51 But some may say What 's this to spirituall Hope These were deliuerances temporall But who knowes not by these Hell and the Pope Sought the destrnction of the Spirit and all Loe Faith and Hope now banisht from the stall Of Romes foule Beast for aide flyes to our Land Where Prince Priests People ioyne together all In the defence of Faith and Hope to stand And in their quarrell spend their liues their goods and land 52 Here both haue dwelt safe neare a hundred yeare Since they from Rome were banisht to this Land Where many Saints haue lost their bloods most deare Whilst constantly in their defence they stand And though for neare sixe yeares Romes cruell hand Did in this Land true Faith and Hope assaile Yet since Elizabeth did all command The Champions of true Faith did neuer faile But 'gainst close treason and force open did preuaile 53 And though we lately lost the likeliest Prince That euer liu'd Faith and Hope to defend Yet loe our Hope is more encreased since By Royall Charles whom God doth seeme to send Like Charlemaine his Church secure to shend 'Gainst Antichrist Hell Schisme and Saraceen And all from vs that would Hopes Anchre rend But here my Muse in order should begin To melt away in teares for losse of Anne our Queene 54 Most peerelesse Lady Nobles surest friend The Peoples safetie Clergies firme defence Who constantly did Faith and Hope defend 'Gainst subtile Schisme and Papists virulence Church Patronesse 'gainst the violence Of couetous Sacrilege and griping hands Who spoile Church-liuings vnder false pretence It 'gainst the thrift of true Deuotion stands That Churchmen should haue large possessions goods lands 55 But as when Death from Sonne and Father rent A carefull Mother and a faithfull Wife Isaac Rebecka brought to Sara's Tent To comfort both the Sonnes and Fathers life So we doe hope our Prince will take a Wife Into his Mothers Tent who shall begin Like her to comfort Sonne and Fathers life But soft my Muse this thread too long doth spin Now will I sing of Hope that ought to be within 56 These presidents of Gods Grace Faith Truth Loue Power Wisedome Prouidence and dealing kind With those that trust in him vs well may moue Vnto a stedfast Hope which if we find Within the secret Closet of our mind It is the earnest that to vs doth proue Here all things needfull shall be vs assign'd And we shall haue Hopes end eu'n Heau'n aboue Where Faith and Hope shall leaue vs in the armes of Loue 57 But Faith and Hope implicite generall Brings not to vs this blessed Habitation It must be inward liuely spirituall With true particular right application Of all Christs merits wrought for our saluation Else with vntemper'd morter stones we lay And build vpon vnsound and weake foundation Fie on the Clerkes that so abuse the Lay They vnderstand not what they hope beleeue or pray 58 Which thus would seale vp all in ignorance That they might seale their Pardons vnto all Thus they their state doe mightily aduance By binding or by loosing them that fall Mortall offences and sinnes veniall Differ not in their nature but their pay As sinnes abound their Markets rise and fall So wide to Heau'n they open now the way That loe the richest men with most ease enter may 59 The rellish and true taste of Faith and Hope They turne to ignorance and superstition Gods written Word that wont to be their scope Must now giue place to humane vaine Tradition Their inward Hope is honour wealth ambition And how they may all earthly Kingdomes sway Emp'rours and Kings to them must yeeld submission Else they their Subiects licence them to slay Thus Peters keyes like swords cut all out of their way 60 How doe these foule flagitious crying sinnes Transport my Muse from holy Meditation Which erst in Hope aboue the Seraphins Tooke sweet delight in heau'nly Contemplation Hath shee too long staid in this deuaition Loe now shee doth to Hope returne againe To heau'nly Hope and glorious expectation Which firme and stedfast euer shall remayne Till her in Loues high Court her Sauiour entertayne 61 See here how graciously our God doth deale With his in sending them such enemies Else would Worlds vaine entising pleasures steale Away our hearts to all impieties Such trialls doe the Vertues exercise Of all that set on God their confidence The greater ills that wicked men deuise The faster we doe cleaue to our defence So Hope becomes most firme by such experience 62 And therefore I might better here complayne Of too much Ease Peace and Securitie Luke-warmenesse hollow Dealing these doe trayne More soules to Hell than Popes hostilitie Loe Satan not by force but subtiltie Made our first Parents guiltie of transgression Whom Priests and Iesuites follow cunningly In plotting by auricular Confession Against States Treason and against poore Saints oppressionâ— 63 O let me wish here more than I can hope All Enuie Malice Au'rice laid aside We would make Heau'n the Obiect of our Hope And Faith and Truth may euer be our Guide Thus from Gods Statutes we shall neuer slide Thus We Pope Sep'ratist shall meete in one Whom Truth doth ioyne no Power can diuide Oh! why should Flesh of Flesh and Bone of Bone Differ where God and Christ Faith Baptisme Hope is one 64 Would our owne willing be but to confesse Their errour and returne vnto the right Aband'ning wilfull peeuish singlenesse And censuring things whereof they haue no light Oh would they striue with all their force and might To hold Spirits Vnitie in bond of Peace And not thus with indifferent things to fight Touch taste not handle not which doe encrease Schismes and Diuisions which are Enemies to Peace 65 So long and hot hath beene this
of Weights and Measures but one sâ—ze And Standard which true right to all doth part And Weight and Measure iustly doth comprise Eu'n so in this Worlds Market men deuise One Law to mete out eu'ry Man his due And by that Law the Iudges ought assise All their Decrees and Iudgements iust and trew And not in stead of Lawes to â—roach Opinions new 46 But as in Man we soule and body find So Lawes consist of Letter and true Sense And as the body place giues to the mind So the Lawes Letter with Obedience To the true Sense and Soule of Law consents Who Letter of the Law seeke to maintayne And leaue her mind and meanings excellence Are like them that their bodies good to gayne Both Soule and Body hazard to eternall payne 47 Some Painters Iustice without eyes describe That shee might know no Man in doing right Some without hands that shee may take no Bribe Some without pockets that may gifts inuite For gifts of wisest men doe blind the sight And words eu'n of the Righteous doe peruert Making them wrest the Law and take delight In base rewards which doe corrupt the Heart Which being once amisse doth all the rest diuert 48 But vaine it is to thinke by likelinesse Of earthly things to type out things Diuine Since none her heau'nly Nature can expresse But who the God-head can aright define O let the Sunne of Righteousnesse then shine Vpon my blinded heart with his bright rayes Which may direct my Muse aright to line And leuell out this heau'nly Ladies wayes That searching I may learne and follow Right all wayes 49 No earthly subiect now my Muse contaynes Behold of Righteousnesse Diuine I sing That Righteous Iudge that searcheth Heart and Reynes Most gracious God and yet most righteous King Who on his owne deare righteous Sonne did bring The bitter cup of wrath and indignation Due to Mankind for their dire trespassing Thus satisfying Iustice by his Passion And shewing wondrous Loue in working Mans saluation 50 This Righteousnesse in vs may be defin'd A sanctifying holy Qualitie By Gods owne Spirit vpon our Hearts consign'd To shew to Gods Law true conformitie And square our words and actions all thereby Loe thus we giue to euery one their due To God and Man for by Gods Law we trie And vnderstand what to them both is due So that conformitie thereto is Iustice true 51 To this most perfect Iustice can attayne None but our Head surnamed THAT IVST ONâ— Indeed God made Man righteous and againe In Heau'n we iust and perfect shall become But amongst Men so righteous there are none Yet reade we of a two-fold Vprightnesse One Legall which the Law to vs hath showne The other which the Gospell doth expresse Where Grace acâ—epts our will by Faith for Righteousnesse 52 The Law requires perfect Obedience Eu'n in that Man that seekes to liue thereby The Gospell Faith and a good Conscience By Faith Christs Righteousnesse especially Imputed is which rightly we apply That of the Conscience doth the whole Man frame Willing in all things to liue honestly This of Gods Spirit a powerfull worke I name And none but the regenerate obtayne the same 53 For Righteousnesse that thus from Faith doth runne Let me referre you to that Meditation Which I of Faith haue formerly begunne Whereas Christs Merits ours by Imputation Stand before God for our Iustification And thus Christ is of the whole Law the end For what the Law exacts for our Saluation Christ hath fulfilled for vs as a Friend And by the Gospell to Beleeuers doth extend 54 The Righteousnesse of a good Conscience In two things doth consist especially First to abstayne from ill with diligence Next to doe good willing and constantly To doe good and auoid iniquitie Are two essentiall parts of Righteousnesse Except they both concurre they both doe die Loe thus old Zaâ—hary and Elizabesse Were righteous before God and walkt with men blamelesse 55 We Righteousnesse of Faith from Christ receaue That of the Conscience is a worke of Grace The Righteousnesse of Faith will not there cleaue Where Righteousnesse of Conscience hath not place This right of Conscience rightly we embrace When true Repentance working change of mind Doth the old Man of sinne in vs deface With resolute purpose in a holy kind Henceforth to frame our liues as Gods Law hath assign'd 56 If thus the mind be truely altered And change of resolution throughly wrought Then the whole Man is fitly furnished To put Faiths Righteousnesse on as he ought Without true change of mind we soone are brought Like Dogge vnto his vomit to retire By sinne corrupted Nature's easily caught Againe like Sow to wallow in the mire High God doth first this inward Righteousnesse require 57 Thus by true Faith and a good Conscience With true Repentance we our selues doe presse And arme to proofe for sure and firme defence With brest-plate spirituall of Righteousnesse Which gards vs from all mortall sinfulnesse For as the brest-plate hides each vitall part So that no mortall wound can them oppresse Eu'n so this Righteousnesse defends the Heart And Conscience that no mortall sinne can thorough dart 58 Thus strongly arm'd we most assured stand Of our effectuall calling and saluation For as we God most righteous vnderstand So know we that the righteous Generation Are borne of him which brings true exultation Cladding our Names with happy memorie Makes much for true religious confirmation Doth it with Infidels much dignifie Who seeing our good workes our Maker glorifie 59 As are the windings of slie Errours trayne So are the â—y-paths of Iniquitie Yet in two Heads we may them all contayne To Neighbours wrong to God impietie Here I some ouer-iust Ones passe not by Such as must haue all Bowes by their owne bent Who by pretence of Christian libertie Allow nought but what their owne braines inuent Correctors curious of things indifferent 60 Two other Gulfes here I will onely sound One is of Pharisaicall Righteousnesse The other with false Libertines is found Who doe abuse Gods grace to wantonnesse The last Faith onely with their tongue professe But let their conscience wind at libertie The other make great boast of Vprightnesse And Merits trusting to be sau'd thereby Both put asunder those God doth together tie 61 Thus Hymeneus did and Alexander Who first did put away good Conscience And then in Schismes and Heresies did wander Till they made shipwracke of Faiths firme defence Thus some giu'n ouer to a reprobate sense Doe fall to senselesse base Idolatrie Putting in stocks and stones their confidence And in the mysterie of Iniquitie Who boasts himselfe to haue of Heau'n and Hell the Key 62 Not but Christ's immense Coate of Righteousnesse Sufficient is to cloath all that beleeue But we our Faith by good workes must expresse If of his Fulnesse we hope to receaue Yet let Presumption no Man so deceaue The rags of his inherent Righteousnesse With Christs in our Redemption for to weaue
sore against the Truth doe tyrannize The ancient Fathers Truths antiquities That like Iohn Baptist beare to her record They doe behead or else them circumcise None scapes their Index but Gods holy Word And that must be translated with their Church t' accord 32 But Errour striueth not more to deface Our Truth of Iudgement than Iniquitie And proud prophanenesse seeketh to disgrace True Dealing Speech and Hearts sinceritie Them branding with foule Follies infamie As none could liue but those that can dissemble Reproching them for Truth and Puritie That seeke hereby their pure Head to resemble When eu'n in Gods pure sight the purest Angels tremble 33 Not that I goe about here to defend Those feigned pure Ones that most wickedly Much Truth and Puritie in words pretend But in their Actions deale dishonestly Nor those that like the boasting Pharisie Call to their brother farther off to stand Which soone discerne a Mote in Brothers eye But eu'n Beames in their owne not vnderstand These for some false pretended Spots leaue Church and Land 34 Such rau'ning Wolues oft in long clothing goe And therefore hard by outward shewes to find We best them by their fruits may learne and know 'T is dangerous to censure in this kind For those that haue a true pure Heart and Mind Make shew thereof as they that doe dissemble Therefore till all their Actions false I find To iudge them Hypocrites mine heart doth tremble Lest to the Wicked I the Righteous should resemble 35 For dealing true's like Touch-stone which doth trie The baser Mettall from the purest Gold Discernes a true Heart from Hypocrisie And fayned Puritie doth soone vnfold And as by Touch-stones touch is easily told What is pure Gold from what is gilt for show Although the Gilt's more glorious to behold So Truth of Heart by Truth of Words we know And by the Actions which from them doe daily flow 36 Truth 's like the Treasure whâ—ch the Huâ—bandman As he was digging in the Field did sound Which he keepes close and sells all that he can And with the Money goes and buyes the Ground Shee 's like the precious Pearle the Merchant found And then sold all this Gemme for to obtayne The wise Man heau'nly Counsell doth propound That wills vs vse all meanes her to obtayne And buy the Truth with losse of honour pleasure gayne 37 Truth is like Salt that seasons eu'ry thing And makes it sauoury to God and Man Preserues our Soules from Breath putrifying Of busie Flies that labour what they can To breede corruption in the inward Man Shee leauens all the whole Lumps preparation The Soule and Body Flower and the Bran Affection Reason Will Communication Heart Mind Opinion Iudgement Life and Conuersation 38 As precious Ointment powr'd on Aarons head Ran downe vpon his Beard and did not stay Till all the Skirts it of his clothing spread So sacred Truth her vigour doth display From head whereas our Iudgement makes her stay Vnto the Beard and Tongue where speech haue place Then to the Heart and Hands shee holds her way From whence our Actions all haue life and grace Thus to the Skirts of our long clothing Truth doth trace 39 Gods Truth compares her to a Belt or Zone Which Souldiers vse for strength and ornament Whose golden Studs most gloriously shone And ioyne the Armour in faire complementâ— Loe whilst this Girdle is about vs pent Christians whole Armour hangs on fast and sure But if this Girdle from our Loynes be rent Off falls our Armes and Satan or Worlds lure Then wounds vs desperately or makes vs sleepe secure 40 Diuinest 〈◊〉 thou didst shadow well In Legend of true Loue and Chastitie By girdle faire of fairest Florimell This sacred Belt of Truth and Veritie Which none on looser Ladies loynes could tie Yet their faire Limbs that had liâ—'d true and chaste It did adorne most rich and gloriously And was most fitting for their slender waste But they Vngirt vnblest were that had beene vnchaste 41 For as the girdle doth inclose around Mans body where our soules high powers doe dwell Wherein as good or euill doe abound Eu'n all our actions flow thence ill or well So Truth about our soules keepes Centinell And eu'ry act we doe shee doth make knowne To that iust Iudge from whom we can conceale Not eu'n the secret thoughts that in vs growne For nought so close or secret is to Truth vnknowne 42 Thus Touch-stone Treasure Pearle Salt Leauen Zone Doe all fall short with faire Truth to compare For Truth in all 's compar'd to God alone And none but God her glorie can declare Who for Truths sake his owne Sonne did not spare But offerd him false man to reconcile That Truth and Mercy might meete and prepare Strict Iustice on poore wretched Man to smile Whom Satan with false lyes and errour did beguile 43 What doth the Word of Truth to vs commend More than this inward Truth and Singlenesse Abram for this is styl'd by God a Friend And Iob 〈◊〉 of Truth and Perfectnesse If I should here the Readers patience presse With all examples therein to be found Surely my Verses should be numberlesse Wherefore a few I for the Truth propound That you like men of Berâ—a may the Scripture found 44 Where you shall fiâ—d of Truth examples store Eu'n Christ himselfe for Truth was crucifide Baptist beheaded Paul endured more For Truth than the Apostles all beside When Peter had the Lord of Truth denide He went out and did weepe more bitterly Than when his Master to him signifide By girding him what death he ought to die Whereby he should the Truth of God much glorifie 45 And this hath made the Martyrs of all Ages Till death their Truth of Iudgement to maintayne Sealing with blood the Truth of sacred pages And whilst they here endur'd most cruell payne They ioyfull were in hope of glorious gayne Yea many haue embraced losse and shame In singlenesse of heart Truth to maintayne But what though here they doe endure some blame The true in heart shall gayne an euerlasting name 46 Dauid a man call'd after Gods owne heart For inward Truth and Singlenesse within No beautie eloquence or outward part Can so commend a man For Truth doth winne The loue of God and Man But that foule sinne Of lying Lips and a deceitfull Heart Is an abomination vnto him In eu'ry triall Truth maintaynes her part But all dissemblers Adam-like aside doe start 47 Loe many Daughters haue done vertuously But glorious Truth doth farre surmount them all Yet if I onely sing of Veritie And labour not to practise it at all But from my Loynes her Girdle loosen shall It had beene better I had neuer knowne The way of Truth than afterwards to fall And leaue the Light that vnto me was showne Choking those seeds of Grace the Spirit of Truth had sowne 48 But ah the Deuill and his Instruments Continually doe seeke our Truth to spoile And by feare force and Worlds
said To be a worke of Mercy For as hee That most affects his Sonne is not afraid To scourge him oft for his impietie Eu'n so our gracious God to whom wee bee Than Sonne vnto his Father farre more deare Doth oft chastise to purge and purifie Vs from sinnes guilt whereby we may appeare Before him perfect pure and liue more holy here 40 For Mercy doth like skilfull Surgeon deale That hath for eu'ry sore a remedy If gentle drawing Plasterâ— cannot heale The wound because it festreth inwardly He sharper corraâ—iues must then apply And as he oft cuts off some member dead Or rotten lest the rest should putrifie So Mercy wicked Members off doth shred Lest they should noysome proue to body and the head 41 Mercy is like the glorious Cherubins Which in the holiest place their wings extend And vnder their broad spreading golden â—ins Arke Mercy â—eate Rod Manna comprehend So glorious Mercy doth her Grace forth send By ruling workes of Mercy poores defence The Arke Gods Statutes doth to vs commend The Rod his Pow'r Manna his Prouidence Mercy them all contaynes in wings circumference 42 Eu'n as one totall summe it selfe extends To all the Credits in the Merchants Bill So Mercy doth all Vertues comprehend And Men of Mercy with all Graces fill And as from foule corrupt depraued will All wickednesse abundantly doth flow So from a Heart of Mercy doth distill All Graces that in Loues faire Garden grow Mercy 's the summe of all I doe or wish to know 43 But all in vaine I seeke by Simiâ—e To shew the nature of this Grace Diuine Since earthly things to Her all shadowes be Thy Mercy Lord no where so cleare doth shine As sending of that blessed Sonne of thine Vnspotted Lambe slaine from Eternitie To saue all that their hearts to him incline From Hell Death Bale and endlesse Miserie This Mercy is without all like or paritie 44 Here will I striue to cleare the difference That I of Loue and Mercy doe conceiue To other each haue so neare reference That we one for another oft receiue Gods Loue vpon th'Elect doth onely cleaue Mercy on them in Miserie that lie Till Satan our first Parents did deceiue God them embrac'd in Loue and Charitie No Mercy needed them that felt no Miserie 45 Gods Loue doth most in our Creation shine In our Election and Predestination But his great Mercy seemes to draw her line From our Redemption and Iustification Not that I hence exclude Loues operation For Loue is as the Prince and Soueraigne Of all the Graces needfull to saluation And Mercy is the chiefest of her traine And seemes in Mans Redemption like her Queene to raigne 46 As that great Peere that in his Princes grace For Vertue and for Learning high doth stand And next to him obtaynes the second place And chiefest gouernement of all the Land In Court of Mercy doth eu'n counter-mand Acts that are sped in Iustice highest Plee So Mercy here who is Queene Loues right lâ—nd Doth vs from sentence of damnation free Which Iustice doth pronounce A hard but â—ust Decree 47 But as this Peere deriues authoritie From Prince by whom all Regiment doth moue So speciall sauing Mercy doth relie And first proceed from Gods eternall Loue. O deepe rich wisedome of our God aboue Vnsearchable thy Iudgements and thy Wayes Past finding out more hard the more we proue Most glorious Sunne of Loue which wide displayes Thy beames of Mercy bright like Phoebus golden rayes 48 But ah such knowledge soareth â—arre aboue The reach of my weake Muses waxen wing I now Mans Mercy and his heau'nly Loue Seeke to compare for their discoueringâ— Where heau'nly Loue sends her sweet lightening Shee doth of thing belou'd like Loue require But when we Mercy shew to any thing We seldome Mercy of that thing desire Mercy stil downward goes Loue most what mounteth higher 49 Mercy doth most in Miserie consist Loue reacheth Heau'n with her high mounting wing And Head and Members all in one doth twist But downe againe I my discourse must bring To Mercy which from Heart hath life and â—pring Whence shee receiueth her denomination For Misericordia whereof now I sing Is one with Mercy and is by translation A miserable Heart or piteous inclination 50 And though indeed no Miserie can fall Vpon th' eternall Being blest for ay Yet he that bare the Miserie of all And hath before vs lin'd out Mercies way His part in Miserie for vs did play When as he saw or heard of Miseries He to compassion moued was streight-way And to them ministred best remedies And oft with teares bewayled our infirmities 51 Hierusalem Oh poore Hierusalem His Heart full sad his Eyes eu'n flowing teares How oft would I you gather as a Hen Her Chickens vnder her warme wings vpreares Not inward grones and weeping he forbeares When Iewes and Mary Lazarus bemone Vpon the Crosse all Miseries he beares And cryes out for our woes not for his owne Such cryes were neuer heard Such Mercy neuer knowne 52 As our high Priest all our inâ—â—rmities Excepting sinne he in his Body bare Whereby he learn'd to know our Miseries And to releeue them that in anguish fare He now his Blood and Body doth not spare But deales it out in blessed Sacrament For Meate and Drinke to those that grafted are Into his Body by sweet couplement Sound Meate and Drinke for Soules and Bodies nourishmentâ— 53 As Ointment sweet that powr'd on Aarons head Ran downe and did perfume his garments all So this sweet Oile of Mercy doth dispread From Christ our Head and on his Members fall If I should here to your remembrance call The Names of all whose Mercies did abound I might as well here make memoriall Of all Saints Names that Bookes of Life propound Who shew'd true Mercy here in Heau'n haue Mercy found 54 Noe Abramâ— Lot Iob Isaac Israel With all the righteous Men before the Flood Good Ioseph Moses Iosuaâ— Samuel All Kings Priests Prophets Iudges that were good Behold it was sweet Israels Singers food To chant Gods Mercy earely and at night Apostles Martyrs that for Truth haue stood In workes of Mercy set their whole delight In preaching Faith Hope Loue in Almes and doing right 55 No Father on his Child more pitie takes Then doth our heau'nly Father shew compassion On vs and loues our Children for our sakes Which lasteth to the thousand Generation Oh! had he not it showne on this our Nation We had long since consumed beene with fire And brought like Sodom vnto desolation These wicked dang'rous times when sinnes conspire To draw on vs Gods vengeance and eternall ire 56 But why seeke I outward Aâ—thorities If we stand right we in our hearts shall find Of heau'nly Mercy such testimonies That all Soules Bodies Powers will be inclin'd To magnifie Gods Mercies wondrous kind That like his Truth for euer doe endure Which hath all outward needfull things assign'd And giu'n vs earnest which doth vs secure
That Mercy â—â—re began shall stand for euer sure 57 And that we may the eas'lier apprehend And taste Gods Mercy He it maketh knowne To vs familiarly And doth commend It to vs by examples of our owne As Father hath to Child his Mercy showne As Mother 〈◊〉 of her owne wombe doth loue As Birds their young-ones feede till they be flowne So mercifull the Lord to vs will proue And though all these should faile God will not faile aboue 58 This also serueth for our imitation That like our God we Mercy here should show And as he tenders vs with sweet compassion We should his Members here in Mercy know It equall is we pitifull should grow And Mercy shew where Mercy we receaue He is to Mercy swift to Anger slow Most mercifull to them that to him cleaâ—e And kind where Ignorance not Malice doth deceaue 59 But ah so carelesly we Mercy show And succour those that are in miserie That we by all meanes doe auoid to know Their wants that are in woe and pouertie When as indeed to see calamitie Of others doth Mans heart to pitie moue We swimme in Plentie and Prosperitie Regarding not what hardnesse others proue And farre the sight or thought of wretchednesse remoue 60 Our Captayne did not thus that went before But in much anguish paine and tribulation Conuerted Soules heal'd Sicke releeu'd the Poore Himselfe without a house for habitation In workes of Mercy was his conuersation What Member suff'red and he did not grone Where saw he want and shewed not compassion What did our Head this by himselfe alone No His Apostles all with him in this haue gone 61 Oh that we would in this Him imitate And Mercy eu'n with open Armes embrace With our whole heart strength substance and estate Aide and releeue the Poore in wretched case 'T is not a pitious heart that makes men base For they that are most valiant noble wise Most readie are Mercy to shew and Grace When Cruelty's the badge of Cowardize Good Kings rule all by loue Vsurpers tyranâ—ze 62 In stead of Mercies bowels kindnesse loue We put on Worldlinesse Securitie And off from vs the euill day remoue Liuing in pleasure ease and vanitie Banishing farre the Poores calamitie As Enemies to profit thrift and rest And when we smitten are we will not crie As if no griefe or pitie ought inâ—eâ—t Or harbour in a hardie valiant noble brest 63 Yet the most Mightie that doth â—it on high Of Valour and Nobilitie the Spring Delights to see and helpe our miserie That we might take delight in piâ—ying Thus God by his example would vs bring To Mercy and considering the Poore He Mercy before Iudgement here doth sing Wherein than Sacrifice he ioyeth more That as we doe receiue we might againe restore 64 And since 't is not in outward workes alone But inward Bowels that God doth delight Though by the one the other is best knowne We often should desire to haue a sight Of poore Mens wretchednesse and pitious plight Which our hard Hearts might to compassion moue And yeeld them remedie with all our might What neede hath God of Mercy or of Loue But by poore Members here our Mercy he doth proue 65 For though God's able by his onely Word To succour all that are in Miserie And in abundance daily Bread afford To those that are in want and pouertie Yet more to show his Liberalitie And that his wondrous Bountie might appeare Vs for his Stewards he doth dignifie And good Dispensers of his bounteous cheere Happy is he whose Lord him findeth faithfull heere 66 Lord of those faithfull Stewards make me one Yet for no hope of Merit or Desert But for the Glorie of thy Grace alone And riches of thy Loue who Authour art Of eu'ry Grace that commeth from the Heart With temporall afflictions exercise Me that I may escape eternall smart And learne by griefes and mine infirmities To succour all that are in woe and miseries 67 Though Mercy God againe doe not desire Towards himselfe as he doth Loue for Loue Yet to his Members all he doth require We should most bountifull and gracious proue That our Affections inward should vs moue Like heau'nly Father mercifull to bee Our Brothers garment pawn'd we must remoue From vs before the Sunne be set lest hee Doe crie to God that pities all in miserie 68 No Man so poore but he may Mercy show And succour those that are in miserie For though his worldly substance ebbe so low He seemes to liue in want and penurie Yet may he lend Diuine sweet remedie To those that doe in Hell and Darknesse sit And heau'nly comforts to their Soule apply Whom Conscience throwes into th' infernall Pit More Mercy from Hels jawes than earthly cords to quit 69 Doe but conceiue what Mercy may be found With mercifullest Man that ere did liue And we may know farre greater doth abound With God who 's not more willing to releeue Than able all things needfull vs to giue Besides in Mercy he doth take delight Most readie their Offences to forgiue That doe relie vpon his Truth and Might And on his gracious Prouidence doe rest aright 70 And therefore thou this life appointest here For Mercy but in Life that is to come Thou as an vpright Iudge wilt then appeare And render eu'ry Man as he hath done Oh should'st thou here with Iudgement haue begun We all had beene the Vessels of damnation And but for Mercy we had long agone Beene swallowed vp of Hell and Desperation Thy Mercy that begun must finish our Saluation 71 So eu'n the Iust no cause to boast shall find By Mercy all must be deliuered Thy Iudgements iust for thy forbearance kind By Reprobates shall be acknowledged How can his Grace sufficiently be read Who good by Nature Iust Eternall Wise Thus sinfull mortall base flesh honoured And to such height of Glorie makes to rise As Angels wonder to behold such Mysteries 72 What Pen of Praise is able to commend The wondrous gracious Force and Energie Of Mercy which eu'n God made to descend From his great Glorie Ioy Felicitie The God of Wisedome Power and Maiestie To shew such Grace on Wretches vile below To haue compassion on Mans miserie Base corruptible Dust which here doth grow Swift to reuenge and wrath but to compassion slow 73 Nothing but thine owne goodnesse could thee moue On Man to shew such Mercy and Compassion Thou art most glorious he most base doth proue Thou iust he sinfull by his deprauation Thou Lord of blisse he Heâ—re of dire damnation Oh Lord as thy sole goodnesse thee did moue To pay our price of Reconciliation And vs exalt from Earth to Heau'n aboue So let thy goodnesse cause thee alwayes vs to loue 74 How should my Muse of Mercy make an end Which like thy Truth and Loue endures for ay And most abundant comforts here doth send To all but most to those that in right way Sincerely walke and doe thy Hests
accounted worthy for Christs sake To suffer scourging prison shame despite Which did them way to Crownes and Glorie make More happy 't is to suffer at a stake For Truth than end our dayes in ease and rest Paul for a wondrous fauour did it take That he not onely to beleeue was blest But that he suffered more for Christ than all the rest 53 The abiect and off-scowring of the World A gasing stocke to Angels and to Men Perill on Land on Seas with Tempest whirld Perill of Beasts and of false Bretheren Mock'd scourg'd bound stock'd cold hungrie naked thin Last Satans buffetting spirituall I here should tyre my Reader and my Pen If I his crosses all to mind should call Yet he with constant Patience conquered them all 54 So they that truely loue will ought endure For his sake onely they so truely loue Lord grant me Loue for then I may be sure In all afflictions patient to proue No power of Men or Hell their soules can moue That build vpon so good and strong foundation Temptation may vs shake but not remoue From Loue the ground and pillar of saluation Loue is the Cause of ours as of our Sauiours passion 55 This seasons all afflictions crosses payne Makes Death our Gate to Heau'n the Graue our rest This makes our Patience perfect and doth gayue Vs Heau'n as sure as if we were possest The God of Patience be euer blest The End and Authour of my Meditation And grant I constantly may euer rest Vpon his Loue in Christ my sure foundation Whose Patience paid my price of Reconciliation 56 Thus of true Patience hauing laid the ground I thereon Christian Fortitude will raise For neuer any valour true and sound Can well abide but where true Patience stayes No perill payne or shame that soule dismayes Where these two Vertues doe themselues combine Both ioyfull make vs walke through dreadfull wayes And like two Sunnes in Firmament doe shine Most glorious Fortitude but Patience most Diuine MEDITAT V. Of Fortitude 1 AL valiant Captaynes of the sacred Hoast Of Loues high Queene that fight 'gainst Hate and Hell Christs Souldiers muster vp from eu'ry coast And them to stand in complete Armes compell That Satans fiery darts they may repell But as in worldly Battaâ—les Armes are vaine If Cowards hearts doe faint or courage quell So in this spirituall Warfare all are slaine That with true Fortitude this fight cannot maintayne 2 I therefore her Loues valiant Generall And chiefe Commandresse of her Forces name For that the most braue Sp'rits heroicall Haue alwayes beene most honour'd by the same Amongst the Heathen men that sought vaine Fame This Vertue was in such great estimation Of heau'nly Seede they thought their Heros came Expecting not from humane propagation Such worth except the Gods concurr'd in Generation 3 And therefore those whose valour did transcend The ordinarie reach of humane Race By Pedigrees are lin'd out to descend From Ioues or some great Deities embrace Thus in a mist they seeme the Truth to trace For Vertues all but chiefly Fortitude Are not begotten but infus'd by Grace And in Kings hearts in larger amplitude As they it more doe neede than common multitude 4 For as small Waters faire and goodly seeme When little Channels doe their course maintayne Yet would a Man them scarsely Waters deeme If they ran drissing in some Riuer mayne Eu'n so a Subiects heart that doth contayne True Fortitude but in a measure small Great glorie to himselfe thereby may gayne But if in Princes heart the same should fall It scarsely would be counted Fortitude at all 5 Wherefore the Hearts of Kings are said to bee Like mightie Riuers in th' Almighties hand From which as from a little Ocean hee Disposeth Water ouer all the Land His Nobles which him round like Brookes doe stand Refresh and water eu'ry Dale and Plaine As from their Soueraigne they haue command But all their Waters haue from Ocean maine Where all their Tribute must reâ—urne with praise againe 6 And therefore since I find it all but vaine To seeke for any good and perfect Grace But from the bountie of my Soueraigne I here beseech th' Almightie guide my trace In finding out this Vertues royal Race That I her wondrous Glorie may expresse So here as all may striue her to embrace As th' onely strength of humane happinesse Till with Loues gracious Trayne shee bring vs vnto blesse 7 Thus strong in God and Power of his might â— Fâ—rtitude doe truely first explaine To be a strength of mind or valiant Sprite Whereby couragiously we doe sustaine Hard things for Vertues sake and not for gaine Betwixt Bâ—olâ—nesse and Feare a moderation True Fortitude doth from base Feare retaine Meeknesse from murmuring at Gods castigation And Patience mitigates the know of our passion 8 Patience is past and Meeknesse comes behind I therefore Fortitude here twofold name One of the Body th' other of the Mind This Fortitude of Body is the same We common haue with Beasts both wild and tame Encreast by feeding strength good constitution In stout sustayning is her greatest fame Next in on-setting with braue resolution This helps in Warre but minds it best in persecution 9 I twofold likewise call that of the Mind One true the other that which men doe fayne When for false ends we nobly are enclin'd Or when these Causes following constrayne Passion Experience Ignorance Art Gayne Passion of Feare of Fuâ—ie Hope and Anger By these we mightie things doe oft darraigne Experience Art make vs to dread no danger By Ignorance and for Gayne we boldly Life endanger 10 For feare of danger and t' auoid disgrace The Coward faint will like a Dragon fight Who can withstand the furie of the Base Experience Art preuaile oft against might And Ignorance of danger doth incite The fearefull great atchieuements to aduenter Custome of winning makes vs oft in spite Of Fate and Fortune into Battles enter By Sea for hope of gayne some to the Indies venter 11 But Fortitude which doth prepare the Mind For God and Goodnesse chearefully to die Is that braue Vertue formerly defin'd Which Death nor Hell it selfe can terrifie By this we onely on the Lord relie And strong in God and Power of his might Put on our armes to fight most valiantly Faith Hope and Truth with Patience Iustice Right And with the spirituall Sword vndantedly doe fight 12 Though of our selues we no more able are These mightie Armes to weare and wâ—ild aright Than little Dauid was King Sauls to beare When he Goliah met in single fight Yet if Gods power we consider right And set by all the worldly strength we haue Relying on his prouidence and might As Dauid we may say with courage braue Who me from Beare and Lyon from all harme shall saue 13 For from the Lord is all sufficiency Our Enemies in Christ we nothing feare But fight Gods Battailes most couragiously In whom we able to doe all things are And
obay Lord grant that as I of sweet Mercy sing Her in my heart deed word I practise may Not for vaine praise or any outward thing But for thy Mercy sake my good and gracious King 75 Next Loues great Generall braue Fortitude Should enter Lists to shew her wondrous might But Rashnesse 't is not Valour to include A Christian Souldier in such dang'rous fight Till all his Armour be about him dight His vpper parts I armed haue elsewhere With Girdle Brest-plate Shield and Helmet bright But Feete and Legs I naked left and bare Now Patience them shall arme as you shall after heare MEDITAT IIII. Of Patience 1 WEll hath our valiant Guide Mans life compar'd Vnto a warfare where we alwayes stand In complete Armour readie and prepar'd The force of cruell Foe-men to withstand Where Satan World and Flesh together band By open force and treason to subdue And leade vs captiue by their mightie hand And all vnarm'd or out of order due They fetter'd dragge to Hell with cursed damned crue 2 Which to auoid he wills vs to be strong In God and in the Power of his Might And the whole Armour that doth here belong To Christian Souldiers on our Soules to dight For here with Flesh and Blood we doe not fight But Empires Powers Principalities The worldly Gouernours of darkest night Sublime spirituall subtile Enemies Which to resist he ghostly Armour doth deuise 3 The Belt of Truth Brest-plate of Righteousnesse Faiths Shield and Hope the Helmet of saluation Sword of the Spirit Prayers feruentnesse Feete shod in Peaces Gospels preparation These be the Weapons of our Militation Of Helmet Brest-plate Shield and Girdle wee Alreadie haue conceau'd a Meditation These foure the vpper parts arme to the knee But Patience Legs whâ—reon the rest supported bee 4 For so the Learned seeme to giue the Sense This preparation of the Gospels Peace To be the brasen Bootes of Patience Which doth defend from Thornes and Stones disease Our Legs and Feete And where the Belt doth cease These Bootes of Patience Armour doe supply By which in complete Armour we doe prease And stand vndanted 'gainst our Enemie This Vertue is the next my Muse seekes to descrie 5 Which well is call'd the Gospels preparation For neuer any Patience true and sound Can be but by the Gospels mediation The Heathen built not on this certayne ground And therefore this true Patience neuer found Which but by Peace of Conscience none attayne This Peace the Gospell onely doth propound By reconcilement of the Lambe Christ sâ—aine Without this Peace of Conscience Patience all is vaine 6 Thou glorious God of Peace and Patience Who sent'st thine onely Sonne our sinnes to beare And by his Suffring and Obedience Vpon the Crosse from guilt of sinne to cleare All those to whom his Crosse is sweet and deare Direct my Muse this Grace aright to reade That knowing I may neuer once forbeare To practise Patience in thought word deede But to the end my Life in Peace and Patience leade 7 Which is a gift of God whereby weare Inabled willingly and constantly All crosses that God layes on vs to beare For Goodnesse Godlinesse and Honestie Impatience 't is to beare vnwillingly And but an idle feigned false pretence To boast of Vertue without Constancie Her parts be foure of which some difference May seeme at first yet all make but one Patience 8 The first part is from Anger to abstayne The second is a constant Expectation The third is to the end Right to remayne The last consists in willing Sustentation Of all afflictions here and castigation But Man to these foure parts we onely tie For the last part which doth consist in Passionâ— Vnto th' eternall Being comes not nigh Who 's free from all Affliction and Calamitie 9 Yet is he rightly call'd the Patient God And doth in first three named parts transcend First farre from Anger when he spares his Rod He doth expect and wait till we amend And last abides the same vnto the end He fruitfull Times and Seasons of the Yeare Vnto the good and bad alike doth send Most patiently doth with our Follies beare And where he 'gins to loue he neuer doth forbeare 10 Thus Mercy Zeale Repentance may be said Inexplicably in God to bee Zealous yet not offended or dismaid Most Mercifull yet griefe did neuer see Repenting yet without remorse is hee Most Patient yet without least payne or passion Of Vertues parts which are of Frailtee And Weaknesse God hath no participation Yet want they not in Man their vse and commendation 11 As is the Cause and End of Patience So we her true or counterfet esteeme The Cause and End doe make the difference If we for Fancy Glorie Lust Wealth seeme To beare with Patience Hunger Payne Cold Teene This suffring missing her true Cause and End As falsely feigned counterfet we deeme But if for doing well or to defend The Truth we suffer this our Patience doth commend 12 The greedie 〈…〉 For Lust some doe endure 〈◊〉 basest shame The Souldier spends his blood for glorie vaine Th' Ambitious venture all to purchase Fame Loe there we carnall Ends and Causes name True Patience causes honest are and iust When for ill-doing we doe suffer blame Take paine for Glorie Honour Gayne or Lust Rewards like to the Cause and End expect we must 13 But true immediate ground of Patience Is the sweet Gospell as I said of Peace For Man deepe plung'd in sinne and foule offence No Creature could Gods wrâ—â—h but Christ appease In stead of Loue Gods wrath on Man did seise Till Christ concludes our Reconciliation And vs of our offences doth release Of which the Gospell is th' Aâ—â—unciation Therefore is Patience call'd the Gospels preparation 14 And therefore as her Cause and End is Peace So all her works to inward Peace doe tend Which in the inward Man doth most increase When outward Warres seeme most him to offâ—nd Shee doth oâ—r Soules most valiantly defend By patient bearing crosses paine and shame Which shee with Patience suffers to the end Except they crosse the Glorie of Gods Name Or Neighbours good which to endure deserueth blame 15 One euill is of Sinne and one of Payne That ill of Sinne this Dame cannot abide But that of Punishment shee counteth gayne Gods holy Name blasphem'd or Truth deni'd Or wicked Men Gods holy Saints deride Is no true Patience patiently to heare But on our selues when crosses doe betide Then Patience true doth patiently forbeare For shee her owne not others wrongs delights to beare 16 If one will take her Coâ—te iniurioâ—â—ly Shee suffereth such losse with Patience But if of Faith Loue Truth or Honestie One would depriue her that is such offence As cannot stand right with her Conscience Shee priuate wrongs most willingly doth hide But faults admitteth vnder no pretence Shee can endure Men should her selfe deride But her Profession scorn'd shee no wayes can abide 17 Compell her to a mile shee will