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
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
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
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
as he shame endur'd and crosse did beare So Souldiers of our valiant Generall We with vndanted resolution dare Oppose the World Flesh Sinne and Deuils all Whose Faith stands firme in Christ what dread can him apall 14 Though spirituall Enemies doe more abound In number Malice Strength and Policy Yet by these spirituall weapons we confound Them all triumphing on them valiantly This spirituall strength growes in vs inwardly As doth the new and inward Man reuiue Which stronger growes as our corruptions die And by the Fleshes weaknesse most doth thriue And when the Body's dead preserues our Soules aliue 15 Our Soule the subiect of true Fortitude Not giu'n by Nature but infus'd by Grace The spirit of Man it is that doth include This most heroike Vertue 'T is not place Wealth and preferment or a noble Race And Breeding that doth raise so high the Mind To count all fading Obiects vaine and base And wholly be to heau'nly things inclin'd Whereby our strength aboue all earthly things we find 16 True Fortitude is home eu'n from aboue And in Loues Court is of such high regard That none couragious are but they that loue And of their valour hope for Loues reward Loue conquers all oh What can be compar'd To mightie Acts of Loue whose iealous ire Consumes all that her Grace doe not regard Oh! what is stronger than Loues hot denre None e're without her did to noble acts aspire 17 Loue Fortitude her valiant Generall In all her spirituall Battels doth employ On whom these Graces wait and follow all To fight against our spirituall Enemy Long-Suffering Patience Magnanimitie Assured Faith Hope Constancy and Peace But most of all shee loues Humilitie For as great 〈◊〉 her glorie more increase So shee inclines to Meeknesse and true Lowlinesse 18 What is 't that I haue not receau'd saith shee All help 's from God Mans strength is weake and vaine If he be for vs Who can 'gainst vs bee Oh who can to true Fortitude attaine But he that from aboue doth it obtaine Boldnesse therefore and Intimiditie Which leaues Gods glorie seeking priuate gaine Is to true Fortitude an enemie As well as Cowardize and Effeminitie 19 For as all Cowards timorous and faine Discourage Friends and hearten Enemies So foolish rash vnexpert vnacquaint With spirituall Battailes and the policies Of cruell Satan and his complicees Doe desp'rately themselues and fellowes traine Vnarm'd where Satan in close ambush lâ—es Where some are stung some poyson'd and some slaine All as his captiâ—'d Slaues in bands hee doth retaine 20 Thus those that on their owne strength doe relie And haue within them selues vaine confidence Proud Boasters oft Goliah-like defie Their Enemies but take a fall at length God onely is our Rocke of firme defence Beastly presumption 't is for to depend On fleshes arme in things of consequence But deuillish madnesse 't is for to defend Our spirituall strength and as our owne it to commend 21 This spirituall Pride of all most dangerous As bodily in them doth harbour most Who are least valiant and couragious Thus Braggadochio himselfe doth boast To be fit Leader of a mightie Hoast And Merit-mongers out of foolish Pride Will merit more than their first Father lost And lay vp store for many Soules beside Who for their money may to heau'n haue entrance wide 22 No floods of teares are able to disgrace The resolution of braue Fortitude Which like pure Diamonds adorne her face And from her all hard-heartednesse seclude Oh may mine eyes like Fountaynes bee endude With floods in Warre my panting Soule to coole 'T is Satans policie first to exclude From quenching waters the besieged Soule Then burn the town with fire when he hath stopt the Poolâ— 23 When valiant Gideon went out to fight With Midian God made a Proclamation Who dreaded or did feare the Enemies might Returne should to their People and their Nation And shall we in this spirituall dimication Hope to withstand our ghostly Enemies Except our Hearts be strengthned 'gainst tentation To fight with Powers Principalities And by true Fortitude to treade downe iniuries 24 Wherefore the Sonne of Sirach doth compare The heart of Fooles to an high plast'red wall Which stormes of wind and winter cannot beare But shaking tottering at length doth fall Imaginations vaine his heart apall But a wise heart that is established By counsell to a strong and stately Hall With Beames and Ligaments so coupeled As it of Winds and Tempests neuer stands in dread 25 As Harts huge Hornes him profit not at all By reason of his faint and fearefull heart So Christian Armour yeelds defence as small If diffidence our Fortitude peruert And as none proudlier march than stately Hart In Summer faire of his prosperitie But if he heare a Dogge or see a Dart Doth faint for feare and flyeth cowardly So doth the Man whom God doth Fortitude denie 26 The heart of man's like Pilot in a ship Whose cunning in calme weather is vnseene But if Winds blow and Waues to Heau'n vp skip And all in danger great of drowning beene Then both his skill and courage may bee seene Then though the Sailes be rent and Ship be torne He faints not till the wished Port he win So though our Flesh here 's tortur'd and forlorne Yet by true Fortitude we to our Hau'n are borne 27 As Branches of the Palme the more opprest With burthens nearer Heau'n themselues doe raise So Fortitude in valiant Christians brest The more assaulted merits greater praise And as those Boughes are stronger found alwayes That are oppos'd to Boreas boystrous blast Than those on whom the South and West wind playes So that Mans mind doth stand most firme and fast Who hath through greatest torments and tentations past 28 Three wise men wrot King Women Wine are strong But aboue all Truth beares the Victorie Earth great Heau'n high Sunnes course is swift and long Yet Truth contaynes all in 's imensitie Earth Heau'n Sunne all obey Truth chearefully To Truth I perfect Fortitude compare Both one most perfect in the Deitie As Iustice Loue and other Vertues are God onely here to vs some sparkes of them doth share 29 Now onely of this Sparke is my discourse This Vertue Manlinesse the Grecians call For they that ran not valiantly their course The Heathen scarse accounted men at all By Latines Fortitudes originall Comes from a Body strong and valiant Mind They therefore count those most heroicall Who most in warre to valour are inclin'd Or whom most resolute 'gainst Fortunes stormes they find 30 With them a Man of warre was seldome found Able in Peace to conquer Iniurie The godly in examples doe abound Of suffering and doing valiantly Let captiu'd Lot declare how valourously From mightie Kings him Abram succoured Which shewes his strength and magnanimitie But his mind's valour when he suffered Cold Famine Banishment his owne Sonne slaughtered 31 Most Princely Iacob with God wresteled And therefore better might with men preuaile Yet
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
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
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
to our selues did liue When Iudgement onely doth to God belong Who eu'n the Kings and Iudges sits among To doe the Orphane and the Widdow right To breake delayes that Clients suites prolong Nor suffering Right to be borne downe by Might But truely first discerne and then proceede aright 28 These true effects of righteous Causes are Like God first cause of Iustice to proceed Who pulleth downe the Mightie from his chaire And sets the Meeke and Humble in his stead Loe Iustice hath a sword to make sinne bleede As well as Scepter for to rule in Peace Besides our sowing we must also weede If we expect a plentifull encrease So long as Vice growes strong the sword must neuer cease 29 Sixe seuerall Serieants waâ—â— on Iustice Throne Which shee in seuerall duties doth employ By first shee doth command things to be done By second punisheth what 's done awry The third forbids the fourth giues leaue to trie The fift exhorts last doth the right aduise All these respect haue to lifes honestie And that no hurt gainst others we deuise Lastly things that are due to euery man to size 30 But not men onely in authoritie May Subiects be of doing wrong or right But eu'n weake men in want and pouertie As when a poore man doth his Neighbour smite Or workes to man or beast the least despite To wish the least hurt is vnrighteousnesse And who workes ought by open force or slight 'Gainst Neighbours goods or credit doth no lesse Offend against the perfect Rule of Righteousnesse 31 Yea Subiects sinne against the Rule of Right When double honour vnto Rulers due They doe not tender in the peoples sight Rulers are Ministers set in Gods lieu For good of those that euill doe eschew Who seekes Authoritie for to out-face Deserue sharpe punishment in open view Though as a Man I can beare all disgrace Yet should I not endure dishonour to my place 32 Loe here I could by subiects fiue expresse Fiue seuerall degrees which Meditation Suggests to me of this pure Righteousnesse First is of God from which by deriuation The other foure haue life and sustentation Of Angels Kings and Iudges all which â—ee Authorised by Princes delegation Lastly of Subiects But the latter three Corrupted often are by Mans impuritie 33 As plants which haue sole power vegetatiue Iudge not of Beasts which motion haue and sense Nor Beasts of Men that doe in reason thriue Nor Men of Angels pure diuine Essence Nor Angels infinite Omnipotence So Subiects iudge not Iudges vprightnesse Nor Iudges Kings Nor Kings the excellence Of Angels Iustice And Angels no lesse Vnable are to iudge of Gods pure Righteousnesse 34 Thus euery Soule by right we subiect see To higher Powers for conscience not for feare The Powers that are by God ordayned bee And but by God himselfe no Powers are Who then resists the Power doth not spare Eu'n Gods owne Ordinances to resist Which is for good to those that right doe fare But for their punishment that doe persist In wickednesse nor from wrong doing doe desist 35 Wherefore we must giue eu'ry Man his due To whom Tithe Custome Honour Feare belong We ought to render them most iust and true Or else thereby Gods Ministers we wrong We must owe nought but Loue to old or yong For he that loues fulfils the whole Lawes will Abstaynes from Murder Lust Detraction Wrong In briefe commanded good forsaking ill By louing Neighbours as our selues we all fulfill 36 Of all the 〈◊〉 that attend this Shee most of all in Truth 〈◊〉 take delight Who is alli'd in Righteousnesse so neere And link'd in Loue that from each others sight They neuer part but eu'n with all their might Ioyne their 〈◊〉 seruice to their Queene t' approue Obedience Knowledge Prudence wait on Right Braue Fortitude and Zeale resolued proue To maintayne all Right doth for their great Queene of Loue. 37 Thus all the Vertues that on Loue attend Companioâ—â— are of Iustice and of Right All single and in one their forces bend Her to assist against vnlawfull might Great Enemies with her doe daily fight Ambition 〈…〉 Wrong Seeking by 〈◊〉 force and secret â—â—ight To weaken hers and make their owne part strong Yet shee the proâ—dest of them all oft layes along 38 As many as are Enemies to Peace Publique or 〈◊〉 are her Enemies For whereas Discord Warres and Strife encrease There follow Wrong Reuenge and Iniuries And though 〈◊〉 ouer-vainely dâ—e aduise Braue Spirits to bloodie warres to purchase Fame Yet who so vndertakes such enterprise Vnlesse it be for Peace in Iustice name By shedding guiltlesse blood deserues eternall blame 39 Therefore the Pirate iustly did retort Reproch of Thiefe to Grecian Monarchs shame Who the whole World sought to subdue by tort To purchase proud vaine glorie to his name Assuring him he was as much to blame To rob by Land as he on Sea to pill The Monarch wronged all for idle Fame The Pirate for his gayne did rob and kill Each 'gainst the 〈◊〉 of Right by force maintayn'd his will 40 Some great 〈◊〉 glorie like to â—ikes in Pond All other vnder Fishes to deuour That they alone inherit may the Lord And all the World subdue vnto their power As neuer thinking of their latest hower When as they came they must returne againe Why should the Highest on the Lowest lower The greatest Prince the meanest Slaue disdayne Both borne aâ—â—ke breath die and in their graue remayne 41 Besides Vice oft in Vertues shape appeares Iniustice vnder Mercies name doth goe Therefore must Iudges not be mou'd with teares Of Sinners in calamitie and woe Rulers in Discipline may Mercy show And Meeknesse so they leaue not loosely light The raynes vnto Offenders ill to doe Whom Feare not Loue from doing hurt doth fright For hope of pardon doth lewd minds to sinne inuite 42 The Iudges then that such Offenders free To Iniurie betray the Innocent Three kinds of doing Almes some say there bee First to releeue the poore and impotent Next to remit all wrong vnto vs meant The last is Malefactors to represse Who so deferres deserued punishment Vpon Offenders 'gainst Gods Righteousnesse To anger doe prouoke his patient genâ—lenesse 43 Therefore let Iudges Grace and 〈◊〉 show In pardoning their priuate iniuries But for offences publique let them know They there eu'n Gods owne Iudgement exercise The ancient Romanes wisely did deuise To punish facile Iudges with that payne Which Law against Offenders did deuise Thus wisely foolish pitty to restrayne For that seuere vprightnesse Peace did best maintayne 44 For surely 〈…〉 Then fayned Mercy Pity Conscience Grace Who all their wrong entitle Iust and Right And the right 〈…〉 of Law deface Whereby each Man ought to direct his pâ—ce From which to stray is foule iniquitie I grant that Conscience may rule in some case But not against the Law whose equitie If not against Gods Word hath good authoritie 45 For as in euâ—ry Towne and common Mart There is
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
goe twaine Strike her on one shee turnes the other Eare All wrongs done to her selfe shee can sustaine But none done to her Neighbours shee can beare If shee to lâ—ue her selfe commanded were Shee euill would resist with ill againe But loe her Lord resistance did forbeare When he was scoffed scourged beaten slaine And open'd not his Mouth to curse or to complaine 18 Afflictions are her Obiects which we find Diuers as they in diuers Subiects rest Afflictions of the Body and the Mind Which Mind and Body dang'rously infest Against these Patience is alwayes prest And them as well-come Friends doth entertaine More crosses shee endures more shee is blest And knowes through anguish trouble griefe and paine Her ayme eternall rest shee in the end shall gaine 19 Thus Heauinesse and Sorrow proue her Heart How willingly how long shee will abide How lowly humbly shee endureth smart How void shee is of Haâ—tinesse and Pride Anger Reuenge selfe Loue and Enuies gride If minds afflictions shee could not withstand How could shee beare such as her Flesh betide Plagues Torments Labours Paynes Diseases and Death Fastings Watchings Prisons Cold and Yron band 20 Most sweet 〈◊〉 and most welcome Ghest To eu'ry payre combin'd in Amitie The chiefe Maintayner of each ioyous feast Begun in Wedlocke Friendship Charitie Sweet Patronesse of each Societie Continuing all that Loue begins in Peace Most sacred Twin with sweet Humilitie For as one growes the other doth encrease And to attend on Loue and Mercy neuer cease 21 What doth the Loue twixt Husband and the Wife Than Patience more fast and firme maintayne Who keepes true Friends from discord iarre and strife And Children in their Parents loue retayne Shee Masters fauour doth to Seruants gayne And tells them they a Master haue aboue Who God most patient doth ay remayne Though they to wrath him eu'ry day doe moue Thus Patience preserues all Peace begun by Loue. 22 None can ascend to glorious Court of Loue But he must clime by Patience beare with payne Without this Patience all the Vertues proue False shewes which doe no substance true retayne What Loue Faith Hope What Grace did ere remaynâ— Constant without this gift of Patience Therefore shee is the Glorie of Loues trayne The Vertues all attend her Excellence And shee againe attends them all with Recompence 23 Those most Heroike Vertues Fortitude Prudence Ioy Iustice Bountie and the rest What are they if you Patience exclude But eu'n so many torments to molest Mans Soule if with affliction once distrest Zeale without Patience doth like Furie spurne Eu'n heau'nly Knowledge doth our minds infest Repentance like Hell fire doth Conscience burne Wer 't not for Patience all would to Confusion turne 24 As Christ is Authour of true Patience So of Impatience Satan and his brood First shew'd in Garden in Mans innocence Whilst he in Makers Grace and Fauour stood For when the Serpents base impatient mood Mans glorie in Gods Image could not beare He them seduc'd to eate forbidden food Whereby our Blessings chang'd to Curses were Till Patience in the Garden vs againe did cleare 25 Since this these two doe worke by contrarie By Patience we our Soules possessen here And we them lose by our Impatiency One heares sound Doctrine th' other stops her eare One suffers all the other nought will beare For Loue Christ Godlinesse or Honestie By Patience more than Conquerors we are Impatience makes vs cowardly to flie True Patience brings all Grace all Vice Impatiencie 26 There 's an extreme besides Impatience Because by Vertue clok'd most dangerous Which is a light Râ—gard and stupid Sense Not feeling crosses which God layes on vs Such as doe vant themselues so valourous That by Gods punishments they set most light Plague Famine Sword Fire Wiues and Childrens losse Nor will be scourged when the Lord doth smite But scorne his chastenings all which doth his wrath incite 27 Such neuer looke at God who these doth send Nor on their sinnes the Cause of all our smart Nor on the End that they their liues might mend But with rebellious will and stubborne heart Gods Father-like chastisements doe peruert Whereby they doe themselues the fruit denie Of Gods corrections which should them conuert Like Beasts and Blocks they vnder burthens lie Referring all to Heathen Fate and Dâ—stinie 28 These the Almighties Patience prouoke Like Pharaoh Iudgements on their heads to send And turne his scourging stripes to fatall stroke Bringing a fearefull and a desperate end Of two extremes from this Lord me defend Oh rather let me fainting take a fall Then as incorrigible thee offend Which is most wicked dang'rous sinne of all Into the first thy Saints the last the Deuils fall 29 This Heath'nish blockish base impatience Which is a froward dull Stupiditie Doth like to Opium amase the Sense And makes Men as dead drunke all senselesse lie Ah how can he his Armes or Legs emply Like Christian Souldier valiantly to fight Gods Battailes whom such Drugs doe stupifie Or how can he of Christs Cup taste aright That doth in such dead cursed drunkennesse delight 30 This World 's the Field where all Saints Souldiers are Assaulted daily by Gods Enemies Who therefore must by Christian Paâ—ience beare Payne Hunger Cold all incommodities Wayting for Victuall Ease and new supplies They constantly must hold out to the End One bearing with others infirmities To faint or flie before the Battaile end Is worse than if to fight they neuer did intend 31 Loue is the Mother Patience the Nurse Of eu'ry linke and band of Amitie And though Hate and Impatience ban and curse Seeking to choke all good Societie Yet Patience nurseth all in Charitie Her sincere Milke is patiently to beare And suffer wrong and harme most willingly Ah but for Patience Malice all would teare Kings Husbands Fathers â—ould their Subiects Wiues Sonnes spare 32 Nothing her Nature better can expresse Than her to Bootes and greaues of brasse compare Which doe the Feete and Legs of Souldiers dresse That in the fore-front of the Battaile are Thus shod on Speares Pricks Goades Pikes treade we dare Losse Shame Crosse Fire Griefe Sword and Banishment Which would o'rethrow vs if our Legs were bare But Patience armes them with such hardiment They passe them ouer all with courage and content 33 As Temples Arches built by cunning hand Of Artist skilfull in Geometrie More weight on them is laid more firme doe stand So Patience more opprest most sure doth lie No Stormes Wind Weather can our House destrie Erected on such sure and fast foundation Afflictions doe ioynts more strongly tie And knit most firme by patient sustentation For more shee suffers here more is her consolation 34 And as the soundnesse of a firme foundation Is best discern'd when most weight on is laid And Faith vnfeign'd best tryed by temptation Mercy most seene when Poore doe want our aid So Patience is most gloriously displaid By Crosses Paynes Disgrace Indignities Which without her our Soules
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