heard a Sacred Story told Fill'd full of Wonders Wonders which unfold Such depths of Wisdom depths of Grace and Love Which none can comprehend it is above The reach of men no knowledg is so high That can conceive of it nay Angels pray Into this thing this Myst'ry is so deep It all the glorious Seraphims doth keep In holy admiration they 'r amaz'd To see how all the Attributes are rais'd In equal Glory and do sweetly shine In their own proper Sphere alike divine Here by diviner Art you all may find What was in our great God's eternal mind Before the Earth's foundation long was laid Or e're bright Sol his glorious beams display'd Respecting Man whom he foresaw would fall And bring his Soul thereby into sad thral Here may you with much ease and joy espy The great result of the blest Trinity In that eternal Council held above About the Soul the object of Christ's Love Here also here 's a proof of true affection And how to love from hence let 's take direction Who ever had or shew'd such love as he Who for his Love was nailed to the Tree But hark some do enquire they long to hear What is become of th' Soul he loves so dear Lo from the Grave he 's come he looks about He searches every place to find her out What is the fled and where in what strange Isâ—â— Of 〈◊〉 and darkness lurks she all this while Good Reader urge me not I 'le let thee hear That which may melt thy Soul into a tear Excuse my Pen for what its lines shall speak Such Marble hearts as cannot melt must break To leave off here I 'm sure it is not fit Nor would I write what you would have unwrit But since it doth upon the Soul reflect It matters not how much we do detect The folly which doth in the Sinner lie When Soveraign Grace exalted is thereby My Heart and Pen seem both to be at strife To paint unkindness forth unto the life Wilt Thou who dost the Muses aid afford Divine assistance that each pow'rful word May rend a heart at least and every line Turn Kingdoms and whole Nations into brine Of their own tears teach me O Lord the skil T' extract the spirit of grief O let my Quil Like Moses Rod make Adamants to fly That tears may gush like Rivers from each eye How can it once be thought that such a Friend Who loveth thus doth thus his love commend And in such sort so strangely condescend Should when all 's done by her contemned be Though he 's most high and she of base degree The grand design the end and reason why This Prince from Heaven came was scourg'd did die Was to redeem the Soul and so endeavour To get her love and marry her for ever As is before declar'd But will you hear How things are carry'd how they manag'd are The time is come you 'l find by what ensues That this great Lord his Suit a-fresh renews When Sacred Love runs thus with greatest force What pity is 't ought should disturb its course How can the Soul refuse to entertain A Lover which for her with shame was slain But stop again my Muse thou must give o're The Prince is come lo he is at her door Jesus Prince of Light Most precious Soul I now am come again Behold 't is I who for thee have been slain How is 't with thee hast thou not heard the news What for thy sake I suffer'd by the Jews That through a Sea of blood and sorrows great I now am come with bowels to intreat Thee to embrace the offer I present And first of all with tears do thou repent That ever thou hast entertained Sin That has to me so very bitter bin Soul Repent This is a melancholly strain It suits with such whose lives are fill'd with pain And guilty are of some notorious crime Whose glass is near run out whose precious time Draws to an end 't is good for such indeed To look about them and repent with speed But thus 't is not with me I know no sorrow I 'le wave that work I 'le wave it till to morrow To morrow I mean till some fitter season I see no cause alas I know no reason To hark to thoughts that may disturb my peace When joys abound and sweat delights increase Repent of what strange kind of voice shall I Amazed stand yet can no danger ' spy JESVS No reason why Ah Soul art still so blind Wounded from head to foot and canst thou find No ground of grief no cause to lay to heart Thy horrid guilt nor yet the bitter smart Which I indur'd for thee to prevent Severer Wrath severer punishment And dost not savour this sweet word Repent 'T is well there 's room a call a season fit There 's thousand Souls who are denied it Dar'st dar'st adventure still to live in Sin What crucifie thy dying Lord agin Were not my pangs sufficient must I bleed Afresh O must thy sinful pleasures feed Upon my torments and augment the story Of the sad passion of the Lord of Glory Is there no pity in thee what no remorse Within thy breast Seek seek a firm divorce Betwixt thy self and Sin do thy endeavour To break that league depart depart for ever Did I not suffer to dissolve the knot Between thee and all Lust and wilt thou not Regard me now but entertain my Foe What cruel unto me and thy self too I prethee Soul bethink thy self and yield And let thy Lovers for my sake be kill'd Ah let them die who if they live will be Thy death at last who have bin death to me Soul Thosâ— joys are sweet which do delight my heart Ah! how can I and sinful Objects part Must gainful Lusts and those which honour's yield At once be put to th' Sword And those be kill'd Which so much pleasure unto me afford How can it be alas it is too hard The thoughts of it's a perfect death to me Lord say no more I cannot yield to thee Jesus Ah! Didst thou know poor Soul what 't is to sin And how my Soul for it has tortur'd bin Thou wouldst revenged be on it I 'm sure And a divorcement speedily procure Or didst thou know what grief it is to me To be contemned and despis'd by thee Such churlish Answers wouldst thou not return To him whose soul fervent love do's burn To thee poor wretch and only for thy good 'T is that I seek and sought with tears of blood Once more I ask thy love I cannot leave thee Until my everlasting Arms receive thee Soul If I may have those pleasures which delight me Whose amorous glances sweetly do invite me To love them dear who stollen have my heart J am contented thou shouldst have some part Of my affection Worldly joy is sweet And I resolve to take some part of it Jesus Ungrateful Soul did I not wholly give My self for thee and shall I now receive
And then I trust thou wilt with sacred Vows Contract thy self to him become his Spouse Whose left hand 's full of Treasure in his right Are Honours great and Pleasures infinite A Prince you know dispos'd to make Election Of a Consort before he 'l place Affection Will first enquire if the Virgin be In Person Parts Estate or Pedigree Equal unto himself but if in case She be of low descent of Parents base Compar'd with his or not so noble born Or has debas'd her self or is forlorn He thinks it is below him once to place Or fix his love on her he fears disgrace But if the Lady chance to equalize him She 's not so much oblig'd to love or prize him ' Yond common bounds because saith she I am No whit inferiour unto him my name Records the noble stock from whence I came But if a Prince should chance to set his love Upon a person that has nought to move So great a Lord to make that choice then she Amazed yields with all humilitie Can do no less than humbly give consent Yield up her self with great astonishment But she who doth reject such love is acted Like one bereav'd of sense nay quite distracted Misguided Soul and is not this the case What worth 's in thee to him O! vile and base Instead of love deservest to be hated Since from thy God thou hast degenerated And yet the blessed Jesus don't despise thee But from thy loathsom dunghil fain would raise thee But to proceed I now will give to thee Of Christ's sweet Love a short Epitome 1. 'T is a first-love as soon as he past-by And saw thee in thy blood he cast his Eye Whilst thou in that sad gore didst weltring lie Nay unto thee most precious love he had Before the fabrick of this World mas made 2. It is attracting Love its nature 's such 'T is like the Loadstone hadst thou once a touch 'T would make thy Iron-heart with speed to move Nay cleave to him in bonds of purest Love 3. 'T is a free Love there 's nought at all in thee Which can deserve his favour yet does he Not grutch thee his dear Love although so great The glorious King of Kings does oft intreat Those Souls to his imbraces who contemn His proffer'd grace and still love shews to them 4. 'T is ' bounding Love like Nilus overflows All banks and bounds his Grace no limit knows 5. 'T is a delighting Love there 's nought more sweet She found it so who washt his precious feet He takes delight and sweet complacency In those he loves his heart affects his Eye He resteth in his love and who can turn His heart away or damp those flames that burn In his dear breast none ever lov'd as he Who for his Spouse was nailed to the Tree 6. It is a Victor's Love he 'l wound and kill All Enemies who do oppose his Will Where he lays Siege he 'l make the Soul to yield By love he overcomes and wins the Field His Captive Soul thou certainly must be His love is such 't will have the Victorie 7. It is abiding and Eternal Love 'T will last as long as he nought can remove His love from such on whom he casts his Eye And for whose sake alone he chose to die The love which did appear to Saints of old Did graciously this glorious Truth unfold I with an everlasting Love saith he Have set my heart upon or loved thee And therefore I have drawn thee unto me Know he who thus doth his sweet love commend To his dear Saints loves them unto the end 8. 'T is a great Love most powerful and strong Hence 't is he thinks each hour and minute long Till he imbrace thee in his Sacred Arms Where he 'l secure thee from all the harms And dangers great by Men or hellish charms Fathers although they love their Children dear Yet never did from them such love appear David lov'd Absolom yet gives consent Nay he himself decrees his banishment A Mother may forget her sucking Child As some have done although of nature mild Yet forc'd by famine cruelly have shed Their Childrens bloud and of their flesh have fed But Ah! his Love 's so free so strong so great He gives his bloud to drink his flesh for meat Unto the Soul and those who it receive Shall never die and none but such can live 9. His Love is matchless 't is without compare Who neither flesh now bloud nor life did spare The love of Women which the World esteems Most strong in sweet affection their love seems An empty shadow and not worth regard When with his Sacred Love it is compar'd The Husbands Wives and Fathers may abound Yet no such love as Christ's was ever found Abraham and Isaac both lov'd their Wives Yet neither of them sacrific'd their lives Jonathan's love to David did exceed The love of Women 't was a Love indeed But what was Jonathan â—s great love to this Ah! less than nothing when compar'd to his Christ's love exceeds all natural Love as far As bright Aurora doth the smallest Star But Oh! in vain do we compare his Love With any thing below no 't is above Comparison 't is so immense so great We cannot find it out though Man's concert Is larger than expression though profound Yet Man's conception never yet could sound The depth of Love's unfathomable bliss So great so deep so bottomless it is Betwixt his Love and ours the disproportion Is like one drop of Water to the Ocean Or as the smallest dust that 's fiercely driven To the whole Globe or like as Earth's to Heaven The Sun for clearness with his splendent face The Moon for swiftness in her Zodiack Race The Saâ—ds for nomber and the Heaven for height The Seas for depth the ponderous earth for weight Yet with more certainty and with less doubt Be weigh'd and measur'd than Christ's love founâ— out O depth O heigth O breadth O wonderous length Of this great Love O uncompared strength Of true affections Love that is Divine What 's natural love Lord when compar'd to thine Such a redundancy of Love is found Whoever dives into these depths is drown'd Ten thousand Sea ten thousand times told o're Add to these Seas ten times as many more Let all these Seas become one deep Abyss They'd all come short in depth compar'd to this The Moral Natural nor the Spiritual Man With all their Understanding never can Find out the Nature of Christ's Love alas It doth all Knowledg ' nfinitely surpass O may these Depths Heigths have pow'r to move On thee till thou art swallowed up in Love That that which cannot comprehended be By Men nor Angels may comprehend thee And thou being fill'd with it may'st sweetly lie In depths of Love unto Eternitie The Spir't with this let fly a piercing Dart Which wounded dreadfully her stubborn heart It pierc'd to th' very quick and made her smart Now now she
mourns Ah! how she weeps she crys And water runs like fountains from her â—ys Now her whole Souls dissolved into tears By Love-sick passions yet she 's fill'd with fears Lest Christ should now with angry frown deny To give her one sweet aspect of his Eye Because his love she had so long refus'd And wondrous patience shamefully abus'd Oh! now she spends whole days nights in prayer She sighs and grieves but canâ—t see Christ appear The panting Hart ne'r long'd for Water-brooks More than does she for some reviving looks From the great Prince the God of Love Grace But he at present seems to hide his face But stop my Musâ— hark how the Winds do roar All storms i' th Soul alasâ— are not yet o're No sooner did the Old-man cast his Eyes And view'd this change but in great wrath did rise For to renew the War he joins afresh With scatter'd force of Will and Lusts of th' flesh To make what strength they can with hellish spite The Devil 's with these conquer'd pow'rs unite Arm'd with despair and like to Lamps wch make The greatest blaze at going out they take Their blunt and broken Weapons in their hand Resolving Christ in her shall not command Nor she desert their cause nor break her Vows With Sin and Self and so become Christ's Spouse But now I find in vain they do resist True Grace is come the Spirit doth assist Sin World the Flesh nor Devil can long stand Before the Spirits strong and pow'rful hand See how the Spirit now doth search about To find each Sin and cursed Darling out Did you never behold in what dread sorâ— The wide-mouth'd Canon plays upon the Fort And how by whole-sail it doth batter down The shattered walls of a besieged Town Even so the Spirit with his powerful Sword Makes glorious slaughter will no Truce afford Kills all before him will no Quarter give Nor will he suffer any Lust to live The Strong-man Satan quakes good reason why A stronger's come a stronger he doth spy Is enter'd in O therefore he 's much pain'd All all is gone and he himself is chain'd The Old-man trembling likewise thinks to fly Into some lurking-corner secretly To hide himself but th' Spirit 's piercing Sight Discovers him and now with heavenly might Laid on such strokes and gave him such a wound Wch with dire vengance brought him to the ground Now the Affections's chang'd and Will doth yield Being willing made says Grace shall have the Field O happy season and thrice long'd-for hour This is the day of God's most mighty Power Upon the Soul But hark methinks I hear Most bitter sighs and groans sound in mine Ear. The Soul 's afflicted it is she doth mourn To think what sorrows for her Christ hath born She hates nay loaths her self to th' very dust And seeks to mortifie each former Lust And something more doth still perplex her mind Him whom she dearly loves she cannot find Her heart I fear will quickly burst asunder If any long time she should be prest under This heavy weight no grief like hers is there Who can alas a wounded Spirit bear She 's almost swallow'dâ— up in deep despair You next shall hear if you attention lend How she bewails the absence of her Friend Soul Ah me I faint my Spirits quite decay And yet I cannot die O who can stay My sinking Soul whilst I these sorrows feel My feeble knees under their burden reel Infâ—rnal deeps black gulphs where horror lies Open their ghastly mouths before mine Eys O wretched Soul curs'd Sin I might have been The Lamb's fair Bride and a Celestial Queen Had I imbrac'd my Lord my King my Love Who was more faithful than the Turtle Dove O had I then receiv d him in mine Arms He would have sav'd me from eternal harms But now I fear those happy days are past And I poor wretch shall into Hell be cast Bound up in fetters and eternal chains Of burning Wrath and everlasting pains O sinful Soul I who have lightly set By the blest Prince who would have paid my debt O he that would have freely quit my score Ah! Now I fear I shall ne're see him more Could I but once more hear his Sacred Voice I would make him my joy and only choice But 's Wooing-time I fear is out of date 〈…〉 but dread it is too late I mâ—lt Lord into tears whilst thou the Sun Of precious Light art hid where shall I run For Light and comfort in this dolesom hour Whilst I lie drenched in this brinish shower More would she speak but her great passion stops Her mournful speech whilst her eys stood-gates opeâ— Smote with despair so faint she scarce appears To breath or live but by her sighs and tears A Friend amidst this passion straight arriv'd Whose shining beams and lustre much reviv'd The troubl'd Soul on every side that she Cry'd out O heavenly Spirit it is thee Who with Diviner and mysterious Art Did such illustrious beams of Glory dart Which did not only tend to joy and peace But much inflam'd her heart made love increase And lo before her Eys she doth behold The Prince to stand whose Glory to unfold Is 'bove the reach of Man or Seraphim And thus had she a blessed sight of him Like as the Sun breaks forth beneath a Cloud Whose conqu'ring light cast off each envious shroud And round about his beauteous beams displays Making her Earth like Heav'n with his bright rays This glorious Aspect of his lovely Eye Which she through Faith beheld did by and by With such transports or Raptures on her seize And from her former sorrows gave her â—ase Yet could she not be fully satisfy'd Until the Marriage-knot was firmly ty'd A Promise she endeavours to procure To make Christ's Love and Pardon to her sure She to this purpose does her self address To him she loves with sweet composedness Of heart and mind tho thinking what she 'd bin She 's under fears and oft distrest again Much questioning for want of Faith how he Could e're forget past wrongs and injurie Soul Life of my life alas Lord what am I A wretched Creature who deserves to die A thousand deaths nay and a thousand more For wounding thee within without all o're In every part O this doth make me mourn It melts my heart to think what thou hast born For a vile worm But wilt thou view the wound That 's made in me Lord I am drench'd drown'd In bloud and brinish tears my wasting breath And sighing Soul will period soon in Death Unless thou seal and dost confirm to me Thy Love by promises O! shall I see Thy hand stretch'd out or shall I hear thee say Come come to me poor Soul O come away 'T is thou that wilt not bruise the broken reed Hurt not my sores nor crush the wounds that bleed O let my chilled Soul feel the warm fires Of thy sweet Voice that my dissolv'd
treacherous Band. Again as he stood tendering his Love Striving their vain Objections to remove That so they might not all be ruin'd quite And blind-fold led to shades of endless night The common Rabble in a Tumult got Threaten to kill him on the very spot With hearts more hard than stone up stones they take And throwing vow they 'l his Sepulcre make By which cruel show'r of Flints he now must die Unless through them he 's able to ' scape by Which by his mighty Power indeed he did And carefully from them himself he hid And yet all this was on no other ground But because he their wisdom did confound ' Cause he stood up the Truth to testifie And witness to his own Divinity Because he said he was sent down from Heaven From Place to Place this Prince was daily driven No sooner were his feet out of one snare But ten i' th room thereof devised were Of killing him in Jury was a talk To Galilee therefore he thought fit to walk But staid not long for to Jerusalem He quickly went to shew himself to them And though he knew his Life they daily sought Yet in the Temple openly he taught And did again his Suit of Love renew Yet would the Soul no kindness to him shew Long had he not been here but presently The Scribes and Pharisees did him espy And straight agreed their Officers to send Him without any cause to apprehend But when they came and did him see and hear Poor Souls they all most strangely smitten were With awful Reverence and trembling fear Untoucht they leave him and return again To tell their Masters Violence was vain They highly spake in his just Commendation And told his Wonders worthy Admiration Have you not brought him then the Scribes do cry No Sirs alas we see no reason why We never saw nor heard the like Who can Lay hands on such a blest and God-like Man Thus did the Prince escape their Rage that day But other Snares Apollyon still did lay CHAP. V. Shewing how the people of that Land in a base manner used John the beloved servant of Jesus the Prince of Light who for his Master's sake was barbarously murthered And how narrowly the Prince himself escaped As also shewing how he again and again tendered his indeared love to the Soul and how unkindly she denied his Suit Moreover how Vicinius a Neighbor hearing of this great News enquired of Theologus concerning the Creature this Prince in such a manner had set his affections upon The miserable and deplorable condition of the Soul discovered and laid open being infected with a loathsome Disease full of Vlcers and Running sores from head to foot naked wounded and in her blood her eyes also being put out and this the Prince knew before he came from Heaven his own Country shewing that as she was in her fallen state she was the object of his love and desire BEfore this Prince did in that Land appear His servant came his way for to prepare Such an Ambassadour he was indeed That we of him in Sacred Story read That of all those that born of Women are None was so great nor with him might compare Yet was the King of that same Land so bold As on this gracious Person to lay hold And into a vile Prison cast is he For witnessing against Iniquity Herod would marry one most near of Kin But John affirms that 't is an horrid sin For him to have his Brother Philip's Wife And for asserting this he lost his Life To please a wanton Harlots Dancing pride The Prophet's head from 's body they divide This doubtless did his Master greatly grieve To see they should him thus of John bereave His servant John whom all the people own To be a Prophet yea a mighty one Though the chief work that he was sent about Was to describe and point this Saviour out He faithful was and show'd his constant Love Told them his Prince descended from above So Great in pow'r the Latchets of his shoes He was not worthy to unty or loose The loss of such a Servant needs must be Great ground of sorrow But alas If we With care do mind what after came to pass We shall conclude with him much worse it was For Herod now like to his Predecessor Proceeds from sin to sin until no lesser A Crime he does attempt than for to kill The Prince of Light himself Thereby to fill His measure up as some before had done For seeking the dear Life of this Just one But of this Plot he had such Information As quite defeated their black Combination Ah! to and fro how was he daily hurld Whilst he abode in this ungrateful World His persecutions were so great that He Was often forced for his Life to flee To flit from Town to Town from place to place For Blood-hound like they did him daily chase From Jury to Samaria he did go And down from thence to Galilee below From Nazareth he fled to Capernaum And long he siaid not when he thither came For he was tost about continually And found no Harbor nor security Sometimes quite beyond Jordan he would get Yet even there with dangers was beset Small Rest alas he had in full three years His days were fill'd with sorrow sighs and tears Oft may we read he wept but never find He laught or was to merriment inclin'd The Prophet said with grief he was acquainted When long before he forth his Person pointed And few there were did him at all regard So blinded were their Eys their Hearts so hard He was despis'd almost by every one Rejected scornfully and trod upon And the poor Soul for Love of whom he came Expos'd him daily to the greatest shame No countenance would she to him afford Although so high a Prince so great a Lord. She bid him hold his peace his Suit desist And all 's indearing proffers did resist No more would she vouchsafe his face to see But hid her self from him continually Far from his presence with delight she rouls In filthy Puddles and in Loathsom holes Nay did combine with his most Cruel Foes To lay upon him stripes and bitter Blows To break his heart with often saying Nay Or by surprize him bloodily to slay Object But some may ask Why th' people of that Land Did rise against him thus on every hand Why should they manifest such causeless hate When he 'd not injure them at any rate But sought their peace and everlasting good 'T is pity such a Prince should be withstood Answ One Reason Sirs of this their baneful spight Was meerly ' cause he was the Prince of Light 'T was from that bitter enmity you read Between the Serpent's and the Woman's seed Another cause of the Contempt they show Is ' cause they neither him nor 's Father know But that which most of all their Hatred breeds Is his reproving of their Evil deeds Because he did expose each horrid Sin
all the Jewels which her Soveraign gave her Whilst she remained in his Love and favour Of all her goodly Vestments they bereft her And stript her naked she had nothing left her Nothing to hide her shameful nakedness But filthy Rags how loathsom you may guess Besides all this they wounded her full sore And left her sadly weltring in her Gore Expecting Death each moment she did lie A loathsom spectacle to passers by Unhelpt unpitied too by every Eye Each humane Soul that is not born again In this sad state doth certainly remain The rich the poor the wise the old the young Though ne'r so high so beautiful and strong They seem or think themselves in truth they are In as bad Case as we 've described here Vicinus Sir You have fully answer'd my Desire Yet let me be so bold as to inquire One passage more since happily I see You can informall such as ign'rant be Of these weighty Affairs blest be the Lord That so much Wisdom doth to you afford O! that there were more of you in our Land That to the Truth might always faithful stand But tell me if it mayn't too tedious prove Whether this Prince that manifests such Love Knew her sad state when he came from above Did he her filthy bad Condition know Before he came from Heaven or did show That precious kindness which his Breast retain'd Unto her even after she was stain'd May be his Eye upon the Soul was plac'd Before God's Image in her was defac'd And as consider'd so then doubtless he Might find some Cause to her so kind to be But if as she did in pollution lie And so consider'd he did cast his Eye Upon the Creature then I must declare It may astonish all that of it hear Theologue The Question you propound is very good And would t' were throughly weigh'd and understood The Answer 's easy But I greatly fear Some mind it not enough who chosen are Before the World was made he fully knew Ev'n what below would afterwards insue He knew the Creature Man would sin and fall And in sad misery himself inthral The time therefore when first he cast an Eye To be her Suiter our Security It was not when she did her Grace inherit Then one would think she might his favour merit 'T was not when she was in prosperity But when she in her Blood and filth did lie Her time of sorrow was his time of Love Her misery did bring him from above Whilst she in actual bold Rebellion lives His Grace and offer'd Pardon then he gives Vicinus Sir You have said enough I am amaz'd Strange wonderment within my Spirit 's rais'd The nature of his Love who can conceive Such Love as this no mortal Creatures have I pray go on and further now let 's know Concerning her estate her Bliss or Woe Theologue You 'l find it worse and worse and what 's behind Will strange Impressions make upon your Mind For now you 'l hear what Justice has to say What horrid Crimes he to her charge will lay And though she seems undaunted without fear Once more I 'e try if she will lend an Ear. CHAP. VI. Shewing how Theologue the Prince's Spokesman indeavour'd to obtain the love of this poor Creature for his blessed Master by whom the aggravation of the Creatures sin and misery is layed open the Soul is in debt ten thousand Talents worse than nothing Moreover shewing how the Creature was guilty of high Treason against the Soveraign Lord Jehovah is also Arraigned and condemned to be burned alive A Dialogue or discourse between the Divine Attributes Justice cryes for Execution to have the fatal blow struck Mercy steps in Justice must be satisfied Goodness and Mercy will not lose their Glory being alike esteemed by God Divine Wisdom reconciles all the other Attributes and makes them meet together in a sweet harmony the Soul being condemned to die the Prince sees no other way to obtain her for his own but by satisfying Justice and becoming Surety and yielding himself up to die for her Theologue HOW is it Soul art minded yet to leave Thy Lusts and Lovers and to Jesus cleave Dost not perceive the sad state thou art in By curs'd Apollyon and his off-spring SIN Wilt thou for evermore thy self destroy And not accept of Health wilt not enjoy One who in value doth all Worlds excel Wilt thou refuse in Paradise to dwell Dost see thy state thy bloody state oh speak My bleeding heart for thee doth greatly ake Soul You had my Answer plain enough before Forbear I pray and trouble me no more I do ' nt believe what you have said is true Such pains I never felt nor sickness knew But if my state were worse than yet I see I will not have you thus to trouble me I have all things which naturally delights me And from them you shall not deter nor fright me You know the Proverb used in our Land Each Tub shall upon its own Bottom stand Theologue Soul b'not so rash be more considerate Ponder on things before it be too late Sith what I said before no good can do More of thy wretchedness I now will show And if that fails then afterwards I 'le leave thee And o're into the hands of Justice give thee First from God's Word I have Authority To lay before thee thy great poverty Thy Soveraign Lord most highly is distasted For all the precious Treasure thou hast wasted First of his Glory thou hast him bereav'd And to rebel against him been deceiv'd Next thy whole self to him 't is thou dost owe Yea all thou either art hast or canst do Which thou hast not regarded hitherto But to thy self and not to him dost live Who did thy self at first unto thee give And from whom thou dost ev'ry thing receive Thy knowledg judgment and thy memory Th' excellent nature of each Faculty Should all have to and for him been laid out As being all his Goods Soul look about For time for Health and for the day of Grace Thou must be brought before the Judge's Face And for thy Riches and all things thou hast Which thou Imbezel'st and dost vainly wast A strict Account must at the Bar of Heaven By thee in a short time be surely given Ten Thousand Talents doth thy God demand Which thou canst neither pay nor yet withstand His dire proceedings ' cause he is most Just And thou but sinful Ashes and vile Dust Thou wilt be seiz'd and in a Prison laid Till the last Mite be satisfi'd and paid Canst thou poor Soul dost think quit the old score When thou contractst new debts still more more Would not a Friend that 's able to defray All thy vast Debts and a full Ransom pay To thy just Creditor most welcom be If such an one could be found out for thee But things yet worse I fear there are behind The truth of which most certainly thou l't find Hark trembling Soul thou to
A piece of thine nay but a little part That have deserved more than a whole heart 'T is all the heart or none do'st think it fit Sin and the Devil should have part of it Would any Lover such strange love receive To be contented that his Spouse should have Some other Suiters and to them should cleave What sayst deceived Soul why standst thou mute Disclose thy inward thoughts and grant my Suit O speak or if thy doubtful mind be bent To silence let that silence be consent If thou wilt grant me that whole heart of thine We 'l exchange hearts I 'le give thee all of mine She look'd about she mus'd she paus'd a while Whilst he on her cast forth an Heav'nly smile Sweet rays of Glory glanced from his Eye Enough to ravish all the standers-by So great a lustre from his garments shone It dazl'd all weak eyes to look upon Like as the Sun his glorious beams displays Dispersing every way his sparkling rays When in his strength splendor bright doth shine So glister'd forth his Glory all Divine Ne're such a beauty carnal eyes beheld Ah! one sweet sight of him has wholly fill'd The greatest Soul that liv'd and there is still Enough in him millions of Hearts to fill And none but Him alone can satisfie The Soul of Man the Soul-enlightned eye But stay and hear the Answer which is given By the deceived Soul O let the Heaven And Earth astonish'd stand whilst stubborn she Deny'd his Suit will not persuaded be To o'pe her door who longs to enter in To fill her Soul with joy destroy her sin Soul Strange 't is to me such beauty should be there What so amazing glorious none so fair When I no loveliness in him can see The World and outward pleasures seem to me More rare and spriteful far the better choice Such things I like but for this Lover's voice His Face and Favour I ca'nt so esteem Nor can I leave all things for love of him Therefore be gone and cease thy suit for I Have fixt my mind elswhere my heart and eye Is set on that which outward eyes can see Lord let me not be troubl'd more with thee O stay my Muse reach me an Iron Pen Tâ— engrave this on the marble hearts of men Let Sinners look within then let them read Themselves ungrateful blind and dark indeed Would not each Soul conclude this Creature were Besides her self or else deserv'd to bear The great'st contempt and pity'd be by none That bids such a dear Lover to be gone How oft has he by precious motives try'd The Soul from sin and evil to divide And make her too obdurat heart relent And take such ways as Wisdom do's invent His Passions Sighs and Tears are ready still As the officious agents of his Will To work her to a sence of her estate But she 's alas so dark and desperate That his sweet voice of so divine a strain So moving mov'd her but seems all in vain He sighs for her he knows her sad distress He asks her love but still without success Ah Sinners view your rocky hearts and then Smite on your breasts lament and read agen The glorious Lord his love 's so strange so great He knows not how to think of a retreat His soul is griev'd yet takes not her denial But makes a new Essay another Trial. Jesus Did did I love thee from Eternity And my celestial Kingdom leave for thee Did I Man's humane nature freely take Did I my bed in a poor Manger make Did I engage the cruel'st of all Foes Did I from men and Devils meet with blows Did I such kind of tortures undergoe Which men nor Angels can't conceive or know Did Wrath pursue and Justice fall on me And did I bear it all for love to thee Ah! did I sweat great drops of Sacred Blood Until the ground was sprinkled where I stood And were my feet and hands nail'd to the Tree Whilst my dear Father hid his Face from me Have I with joy delight and chearful heart Indur'd all this excessive pain and smart And out of precious love to thee I bore And must I still be kept out of thy door Shall shall I leave thee then and take my flight Into some foreign Land and let the Night Of dismal darkness be thy lot for ever Where direful Wrath all graceless souls do sever From all sweet shines of my Eternal Face That thou mayst there bewail with shame thy case When shades of frightful darkness thee do cover Thou wilt condole the loss of such a Lover Must I be gone must I my farewel take And leave thee to thy self my heart doth ake To think upon thy state when I do leave thee Far rather would I have these Arms receive thee What slight a Saviour thus a Friend indeed An early Friend a Friend who chose to bleed For thee and in thy stead that so thereby He might enjoy thee to Eternitie Farewel false Soul I bid thee now adieu Take what will follow dread what will insue Grief sorrows sickness and a troubled mind Will thee pursue until thou com'st to find A changed heart and vengeance do's allot Ruin to those thou lov'st who love thee not I 'le kill them all who have insnar'd thy heart Before from thee for ever I depart Ah! how my Soul with a tempestuous tide Of tears is overwhelm'd whilst I 'm deny'd My Suit by thee my passions overflow To see thee slight me and my passion too What tread me underfoot whilst vanity And worldly joys are Jewels in thine eye As if best good and sweet'st content lay hid In that gay fruit which is alone forbid He woo's the Soul says no he still replies He sweetly sues she wickedly denies He woos afresh she answers with disdain I cannot love but he intreats again At last he leaves her and his Suit adjourns He views the Soul and griev'd away returns He bids farewel and yet he bids it so As if he knew not how to take her No. He bids farewel but 't is as if delay Did promise better farewels than his stay He now withdraws but 't is with a design His absence might her heart the more incline To th' love and liking of him or to see What by some other means perform'd may be As Lovers often times by rules of Art Devise new ways to gain upon the heart Of such they love to bring them to their bow Like things sometimes doth Jesus also do T' incline the Sinners heart he hides his face And brings them into a distressed case He lays them on sick beds for to discover The worth and need of such a Sacred Lover Poor Sinners ponder well what you do read And mind those thoughts which woo you to take heed How you neglect slights the day of Grace Or to base lust and vain delights give place Now sickness comes Death begins to fright her And 't is no marvel if the Lord do
slight her Her drousy Conscience also now awakes Alas she startl'd much she weeps she quakes She crys out for a Christ but non's in sight And all her other Lovers fail her quite She yields she loves but with a servile heart When other Lovers slight her and depart She loves thee not Lord Christ for what thou art But what thou hast and should she spared be She 'd shew her love to Sin more than to thee No sooner the sad Soul her state laments But bowels mov'd in Jesus he relents In her afflictions he 's afflicted too And can't be long e're he 'l compassions shew He sent relief he eas'd her of her pain And rais'd her up to former health again But as 't was hinted so it came to pass The wretched Soul proves vile as ere she was Affliction will not bring to Jesus's feet Unless great Pow'r do go along with it The Soul 's like Phar'oh crys when smitten sore Then then for Christ and O'twill sin no more But when rais'd up and has sweet health restor'd It cleavs to Sin afrecsh forgets the Lord. But the affections of the Prince of Peace Abated not but rather did increase His love and patience both alike shine forth To ' stonishment of all who live on Earth And that he might obtain the Soul at last His Servants call'd and sent away in hast To recommend his love and in his stead To o'pe those precious Glories which lie hid To her and to all those who carnal be Alas they ca'nt behold they cannot see Those high perfections which in Jesus are Nor can they think his beauty is so rare Exceeding all conception all compare Dear Reader prethee mark what here insues Mind mind the Arguments this man dos use To move the Soul to tears of true contrition Fetch'd from Christ's love and from her lost condition Theologue By Jesus sent by such a Prince as he Ah! 't is a work too great too high for me What glory Lord hast thou conferr'd on those Thou do'st imploy thy secrets to disclose What! be a Spokesman for a Prince so great To represent his Love and to entreat Poor Sinners in his stead to entertain His Sacred Person Lord I 'le try again Since thou command'st me forth what may be done Thou bidst me go my duty is to run Did Abraham's Servant readily comply With his Command with great'st fidelity And shall I be unfaithful unto thee No Lord I will not do but strengthen me Prosper my way and let me have success That I with him thy Sacred Name may bless And how shall I poor nothing I rejoice To see the Soul thy Spouse thy Father's choice What next thy love 's so sweet Lord unto me Than to bring in poor Sinners unto thee CHAP. II. Shewing the evil of Sin and how compar'd HAIL precious Soul once glorious noble born But now debas'd defil'd in garments torn Nay naked quite yet mindst it not at all Thy wounds do stink and Vipers in them crawl So many sins of which thou guilty art So many Serpents cleave unto thy heart Whatâ—s Sin is 't not a frightful Cockatrice No Serpent like the Serpent called Vice And dost thou love to play with such a thing Ah fool take heed view view its poisonous sting Brute Beast by Natur 's instinct are aware Of the gilt bait and sence-beguiling snare Though it seems ne'r so sweet or ne'r so fair And art thou such a fool to hug a Snake And in thy breast such great provision make That it may harbour there both day and night Ah! Couldst thou see or hadst a little sight 'T would soon appear a very loath'd delight No evil like the evil called Sin Which thou dost love which thou tak'st pleasure in For what is Sin is 't not a deadly evil The filthy spawn and off-spring of the Devil And is thy mind on folly wholly bent What love the Devils odious excrement Shall that which is the superstuity Of naughtiness be lovely in thine Eye What dost thou value Christ and all he hath Not worth vain joys and pleasures on the Earth Has he so much esteemed thee and must Thou value him less than a cursed Lust Dost thou more good in that soul Brat espy Than is in all the glorious Trinitie That which men judge is best they strive to chuse Things of the smallest value they refuse O wretched Soul what thoughts dost thou retain Of thy dear Lord and blessed Soveraign Come view thy choice see how deprav'd thou art In judgment will affection thy whole heart Is so corrupt defiled and impure Thou canst not Christ nor Godliness indure Again what 's Sin is 't not a trait'rous Foe A Traytor unto God and Rebel too It first of all against him took up Arms And made his Angels fall by its false charms Nought is so contrary to God as that Nor more the perfect object of his hate The Devil was God's Creature good at first 'T was sin that made him hateful and accurst Sin ne'r was good its essence is impure Evil at first so now so will indure And darest thou O Soul conceal this Foe Nay hide him in thy house and also show Such deared love to him as to delight In his base company both day and night Nay sport and play and merry be with him What Gods dos hate and loath dost thou esteem Dost not O Soul deserve for this to die What greater crime what greater enmity Canst thou be guilty of or canst thou show Than thus to harbour God's most traitrous Foe The chiefest room he can always command Whilst my dear Master at thy door must stand And can't one look nor one sweet smile obtain Who is thy Saviour and thy Soveraign What 's Sin a thing that 's worser than the Devil Sin made him so sin is a thing so evil 'T is worse than Hell it dug that horrid pit 'T is sin that casts all Sinners into it No lake of Fire no Tophet had there bin For souls of Men nor Devils but through sin 'T is that which lays them there heap upon heap Sin was the cause 't was made so large and deep Sin is the fuel that augments Hell-fire Wer 't not for sin Hell-flames would soon expire And wilt thou dandle sin still on thy knee Wilt make a mock of it wilt jolly be Wilt sin and say alas I am in sport Ah! see thy folly ere thou pay'st dear for 't Is sin God's foe and is it so to thee Then part with sin break that affinitie Dissolve the knot with speed do thy endeavour Which will destroy thee otherwise for ever Nay what is Sin it is a Leprosy When Scripture so compares it may not I Call it a sickness or a loathsom sore That quite covers the Soul and spreads all o're Like to an Ulcer or infectious Biles That do corrupt that poisons and defiles The Soul afflicted and all others too That dwell with him or have with him to do Oh how
do men fly from the Pestilence And wilt not thou learn wisdom Soul from thence Sin is a plague that kills eternally All souls of men unless they swiftly fly To Jesus Christ no Med'cine will do good Nor heal this plague but this Physicians Blood What blindness is there then in thy base heart 'T is not the plague th' Physician must depart Thou shutst the door wilt not let him come in Whose purpose is to heal the plague of sin Nay what is sin 't is poison in a Cup That 's gilt without and men do drink it up Most earnestly with joy and much delight Being pleasant to the carnal appetite Sin 's sâ—cet to him whose soul is out of taste But long alas its sweetness will not last Sin 's sweet to th' flesh that dos it dearly love But to the Spirit it dos poison prove Hast hast thou suck'd this deadly poison in And dost not see thy vital parts begin To swell art poison'd Soul look look about To get an Antidote to work it out Before it is too late The poison 's strong Don't stay a day twelve hours is too long One dram of Grace mixt with repenting tears The grace of perfect love that casts out fears Mixt with that Faith which kills all unbelief Took down with speed will ease thee of thy grief Will purge thy soul and work by vomit well And all vile dregs of venom 't wil expel Unless thou vomit up each dreg be sure No hope of life one sin will Death procure Unto thy soul Repentance is not right Till sin nay every sin 's forsaken quite Not only left but as a poisonous Cup They greatly loath what e're they vomit up No evil like the evil called Sin Which thou dost love which thou tak'st pleasure in Again what 's sin it is an horrid Thief Or a Deceiver nay it is the chief Or grandest Cheater too that e're was known He has rob'd thousands nay there is but one That lives or e're has liv'd but rob'd have bin By this great Thief by this Deceiver SIN No petty Padder his ambitious Eye Doth search about he subtilly does spy Into the place where all the Jewels lie The first he seizes is the Jewel Time He 〈◊〉 robs each Soul of all their prime And chiefest days which mercy doth afford Which should be dedicated to the Lord. And more then this not one good thing they have But them of it does this curst Thief deceive Sweet Gospel Grace nay and the Gospel too And all that glory which they also do Confer on us Souls are deceiv'd hereby And yet they know it not they don't espy The way it works it 's done so secretly Sin robs the soul of its sweet Jewel Peace And in its room do's grief and anguish place Who ever doth this grievous loss sustain Can't have it made up unto him again By Treasures of all Kingdoms here on Earth No valuing it no knowing of its worth Another thing this Thief has in his Eye And lays his Fingers on then by and by Doth bear away it is the Jewel Soul A loss which mortals ever shall condole For had a man ten thousand worlds to lose The loss of them far better had he chose Than lose his soul why would you think it strange What shall a man for 's soul give in exchange There 's one rich Jewel more and 't is the chief That is aim'd at by Satan and this Thief Ah! 't is a thing more worth than all the rest How how can then the value be exprest It is a precious Stone that shines so bright It doth the heart of the great God delight He loves it dear 't is that his eye 's upon And nought he prizes like this precious Stone This Stone poor Soul he offers unto thee What sayst thou to 't canst thou no beauty see No worth in that which God accounts so rare Strange ' t is shall I the cause of it declare Sin blinds thine eyes and dos beguile thee so Thou for a Pepple lets this Jewel go This stone know thou is the Pearl of great price Let not this base Deceiver thee entice To slight dear JESVS wilt be such a fool To lose thy time thy Christ peace and thy soul Be thou more wise and more considerate Thou dost alas thy pleasures over-rate Let 's go to th' ballance prethee Soul let 's weigh The Pearl of price make hast and quickly lay Into the scales the flesh and loads of pleasure For honour all the acts of mighty Cesar And cast whole mines in too whole mines of treasure Add world to world then heap a thousand more And throw them in if thou canst find such store And see which ballance of them is too light Lo it is done and thine 's such under-weight It seems as if thy scale was empty quite Let 's take the Pearl out and then le ts put in An airy bubble now let 's weigh agin See see fond Soul thy scale aloft dos fly There 's nothing in 't 't is less than vanity What folly was 't to make the first compare What weigh the world with Christ no need is there To run that parallel thou now mayst find Thy self deceiv'd thou labour'st for the wind For sin 's compos'd of nought save subtil wiles It fawn's and flatters and betrays by smiles It 's like a Panther or a Crocodil It seems to love and promises no ill It hides its sting seems harmless as the Dove It hugs the Soul it hates when vow 's tru'st love It plays the Tyrant most by gilded pills It secretly insnares the Soul it kills Sin 's promises they all deceitful be Does promise wealth but pay us poverty Does promise honour but dos pay us shame And quite bereaves a man of his good name Does promise pleasure but does pay us sorrow Does promise Life to day pays Death to morrow No evil like to th' evil called Sin Which thou dost love which thou tak'st pleasure in Again what 's Sin a second Dalilah Which in the bosom lies does tempt and draw The Soul to yield unto its cursed ways And resteth not until it quite betrays It's Life into the proud Philistines hands Who take and bind it with base churlish bands Nay and most cruelly puts out its eyes Makes it grind in their Mill. Devils devise All this and more then this when they do get The poor deluded Soul into their net Lastly what 's Sin read thou the former Part Of this small Book O view the bitter smart Thy Saviour bore it pierc'd his very heart Think thou upon his bloudy Agony 'T is that opes best its hellish mysterie And shews the venom which in it dos lie No evil like the evil called Sin Which thou dost love and tak'st such pleasure in Had evil man's fool-hardiness extended No further than himself and there had ended 'T were not so much but O! I do espy Another is much injured thereby Ten thousand times more excellent in worth
The Wise and Prudent and the Courtly Spark Will they direct thee so such counsel give That thou an Hermits life on Earth shouldst live What marry one that in possession hath Not one small house or foot of Land on Earth When Wealth and Honour Dignity and Power Are offer'd to thee as a present Dower Thou may'st be deckt with Bracelets rich and rare And live on Earth free from perplexing care If thou dost look about and take advice And suffer Men nor Conscience to entice Or thee allure such a choice to make Those joys to leave and utterly forsake Which most men do nay all accounted wise Pursue amain esteem and highly prize But if thou hast a thought to change thy state Be wise and stay don't holy Writ relate He that believes doth not make hast O why Shouldst thou have thoughts to mind it presently Come pause a while be not so hot alas By inconsiderateness it comes to pass So many Souls are spoil'd and ruined Be wary then not rashly be misled Nay furthermore I 'le speak to thee again Thou mayst love him and yet mayst thou retain Respect and love to other Objects too Love thy God well but why shouldst thou let go This world with all the precious joys therein But don't mistake thou must leave off thy sin For Holiness I must tell thee is right And very pleasant in Jehovah's sight But know O Soul yet over and above Thy Soveraign Lord and Prince hath set his love So much upon thee that his gracious Eye Will overlook thy smaller vanitie Ne'r doubt but thou shalt have his favour still Though in some things thou satisfie thy will Dost think that he who came down from above And dy'd for thee will ever quite remove His dear affection from thee or e're hate And leave the Soul he bought at such a rate It is enough and happy wilt thou be If thou escap'st all gross impurity Thus the base heart be'ng inflam'd by the Devil Vndoes the Soul No Enemy's more evil Than that curst Foe we harbour in our breast Which all enlighten'd ones have oft exprest Corrupted Judgment blindly would inform her Christ having dy'd her sins can never harm her Alas saith Reason do not all men sin Nay more than this the very best have bin To blame in many things and yet esteem'd As righteous ones and as the Lord 's redeem'd If famous Men of old offenders were What needst thou be so nice what needst thou fear The glorious King is filled with compassion Besides he sees in thee great reformation Thy love to sinful lusts is but in part To what it was and thou must know thou art Plac'd in this world and therefore must comply In some respects with smaller vanity When Reason to the vicious Will gives ear How can the Vnderstanding then be clear When vile Affection thus corrupteth Reason All works and thoughts are turn'd to perfect Treason O see how blind poor Souls by Nature are How vain their thoughts how ready 〈◊〉 insnare Themselves are they with false Imaginations With earthly toys and idle speculations To learn and understand all humane Arts Most apt they are they 'l magnifie their parts How very quick and dext'rous are they when They talk of things that appertain to men But things of God are quite above their sphere Can 't them discern nor do they love to hear Of God or Christ they count that man a fool That daily goes to learn at Jesus's School Vnto the blindness of the natural mind Add this besides most evident you 'l find It doth resist the Truth 't will not receive it Nay 't is incredulous 't will not believe it Apt to believe false tales and stories vain Nay like to Eve 't will quickly entertain Suggestions of the cursed Prince o' th Night But what God says seems evil in their sight Nay more than all this treach'rous faculty Is so deprav'd St. Paul doth plain descry Much enmity to God therein to lie Vnto God's Law it will not subject be For in the mind is great malignity But I must not the Reader here detain Because that our old Friend is come again CHAP. V. Shewing how the Judgment of the Soul comes to be enlightened and the effects thereof Theologue MY patience's not yet tyr'd my bowels move With bended knees shall I now gain thy love To Jesus Christ how shall I leave thee quite When I behold such terrors which afright My trembling Soul wch soon will thee o're-take Unless thou dost with speed this Contract make Thy Judgment 't is which I would fain convince Thy danger 's great I do perceive from thence When Conscience had almost in truth persuaded Thee to repent it was straightway invaded By thy blind Understanding and dark mind From whence thou art to evil still inclin'd Thou ofen-times hadst listen'd unto me And left thy sin but they deceived thee And chang'd thy thoughts as Conscience doth relate Till thy condition 's grown most desperate Wilt thou once dare to harbour such a thought Because with bloud thy Soul by Christ was bought Thou mayest sin and take thy pleasure here And prize the world as equal nay more dear To thee than him How canst thou be so dark This to imagine Soul I prethee hark Did he not bleed and die upon the Tree Thee to redeem from all iniquitie And that to him thou shouldst espoused be Should a great Prince love a poor Virgin so As for her sake ten thousand sorrows know And be content at last when all is done Another should enjoy her for his own Oh! ope thine eyes imbrace the chiefest Good Let him be dear to thee who with his Bloud Hath thee redeem'd from Sin the chiefest ill Be not unto thy self so cruel still And void of Reason foolishly to chuse The greatest Evil and chief'st Good refuse The good in Christ with every state agrees It suits the Soul when troubles on it seize When thou art sick he 'l thy Physician be He all distempers cures Nay it is He And he alone that heals the precious Soul And with a word can make the Body whole Art dark O he can straightway make thee see Nay if born blind he can give eyes to thee If thou art weary he alone 's thy rest Or art thou sad and grievously deprest He is thy comfort and thy joy will be Like to the deep and overflowing Sea If thou an hungry art he is thy food O tast and see and thou wilt find him good The Fatling's slain and all things ready are Thou'â—t welcome too O come and do not spare But freely eat and drink his spiced Wine Wch will make glad that drooping heart of thine The Father calls the Spirit says O come And Christ doth say here 's in my heart yet room O Sinner come to me hark he doth cry O come to me poor Soul why wilt thou die Art thou in Prison he will ope the door He 'l pay thy debts and wipe off
thy breast Canst thou be ignorant how she 's possest With such a Soul-convincing beam of light That I do seem a Monster in her sight I shall not overcome her now unless I do appear to her in some new dress Time was indeed when I have been respected But now alas I greatly am suspected Of being thy great favourite nay she Affirms that I am wholly led by thee These things consider'd I must be advis'd Fear lest I should be unawares surpriz'd Apollyon Thou hit'st the case and I agree thereto Thou shalt be clothed new from top to to And I 'le transform my shape and will appear For thy assistance haste and nothing fear With specious shews of love do thou pretend Thou com'st to reason with her as a Friend Not meaning to perswade her to remove Or to withdraw in any case her love From her great Soveraign whom thou maist confess Can only her advance to happiness Yet tell her she 's too strict she 's too precise She 'l never hold it bid her to be wise Soft pace goes far an over-heated zeal Ruins the Soul and spoils the Common-weal Go bid her carry 't in her Princes sight With Saint-like sweetness bid her to delight In his presence and there demurely stand But when she 's absent let both heart and hand Be still delighted as they were before With sense-deluding Objects Furthermore Tell her he 's not so strict as to debar Her of these joys below for her 's they are Of which Paul rightly speaks this is the sum All things are yours both present and to come Thus we 'l combine and all our pow'rs unite And in this mode and curious dress incite Th' enligten'd Soul to play the Hypocrite The flesh being thus with th' pow'rs of Hell agreed The inward Foe bestirs himself with speed Vile Traytor like a Panther doth become To work about the Soul 's eternal doom A cruel Serpent in a Saint-like guize The better to trapan the long'd-for prize As Balaam once and Balak so do they Seek to find out some curst infidious way The poor unwary Soul for to betray To the last Death's dark and eternal shade Balaam advises Balak to invade God's Heritage 't was by the beauteous train Of Moabite Damsels who he thought might gain The Israelites affections and thereby Make them offend against the Majesty Of God All-mighty by whose powerful hand Jacob prevails and Moab could no wise stand Ah! see how the wise Fowler lays his snare To catch the poor enlighten'd Soul Beware And do not close thy new-inlighten'd Eyes Under the Golden clew the Panther lies The Eye-intangled Creature stands to gaze Upon the lovely Panther in a maze Till the deluded Beast doth by his stay Unwillingly become the Panther's prey Just as you see sometimes the nimble fly Dancing about the flame advance so nigh Until it 's taken and doth burn its wings Thus from it self its own destruction springs Or like two Men who running in a Race With hopes the Golden Diadem shall grace The Victor's Temples in the way doth lie A Golden Ball one of them casts his Eye Upom the same makes but a little stay To take it up the other hasts away And never turns aside to fix his Eyes On this or that but runs and wins the prize The other he the Ball espies is loth To let it lie in hopes to get them both He loses both for when he comes to try Doth â—â—nd the Golden Ball deceiv'd his Eye For when he thought to lay it up in store Finds it an Earthly Ball but gilded o're O! then he grieves but then it is too late His Eye 's the cause of his unhappy fate A fit resemblance for thus stands the case With every Soul This mortal life 's the Race A blessed Kingdom crowns the Victor's brow With endless glory but whilst here below We 're tempt by Earthly pleasures that 's the Ball Satan's the Sopister who lets it fall Now look about thee Soul thy time 's at hand Thine Enemies approach â—ay â—o they stand Ready prepared and resolv'd to try Both strength and craft to get the Victory Thy precious Lord is the eternal Prize Mind well thy Mark take heed of wanton Eyes If Pleasures thou or Honours shouldst espy Stop not to gaze run swift and pass them by Take no regard unto that painted Ball Which Satan to deceive thee has let fall The Old-man's near the flesh in a new dress And whose with him Ah! thou mayst eas'ly guess 'T is to deceive thee he appears so trim And thou mayst see the Devil plain in him The pow'rs of Hell in thee will try their skill For to insnare Affections and the Will Nay Satan has got them to take his side Thus treacherously thy heart they do divide Thus though the Soul obtains inlightned Eyes Whilst thicker darkness vanishes and flies Yet is she vex'd with sore perplexities 'Twixt two extreams and two contrary Laws Judgment is led by one Affection draws The other way she can't tell which to please She knows what 's best but strong temptations seize Upon her so that she 's at a great stand This way she goes then to the other hand Her faculties fall out they disagree O look methinks I in the Soul do see Four mighty Warriours draw into the Field To try their Valour and refuse to yield Unto each other here 's two against two Judgment with Conscience are united so That Will and the Affections do resolve The trembling Soul in Wars still to involve Will rouses up refuses to give way That his great opposites should have the day Apollyon also with him doth take part To hold his own and to beguile her heart They meet they strike blows exchange for blows Darts are let fly they with each other close The conflict's sharp 't is very hard to know Which will the other beat and overthrow Will 's hard put to 't nay had lost the day quite But that more Traytors join'd him in the Fight Th' Old-man rouses with rebellious flesh And these domestick Wars renew afresh They fight about the Soul would know who must Have th' heart and its affections Christ or Lust Satan by inward motions straight reply'd My sentence is we 'l equally divide And give alike both can't have the whole heart Christ take a piece and I the other part He 'd have the question by the Sword decided Knowing the Soul lies dead whilst 't is divided Thus 't is with many Ah! look well within Judgment convinc'd may be yet may thy sin In thy affections live and also thou Mayst not to th' pow'r of Grace and Jesus bow Thou mayst have light and speak as Balaam did Whose Eyes Jehovah so far opened That he cry'd out O happy Israel How goodly are the Tents where thou dost dwell He like to many Preachers did commend God's holy ways and wish'd that his last end Might be like his who righteously doth live And his whole heart doth unto
front y title I. Oliverâ— Scuâ— The Pirgin drest vp in her Gallantâ—â— The glorious state e'th soul doth 〈◊〉 Before the Fall Her outward Robes 〈◊〉 Her inward Beauty was beyond compaâ— But naked striâ—â— when satan did deceive her And Hells wide jaws stood readâ— to receive 〈◊〉 frout y title I. Oliver Scuâ— THE Glorious Lover A DIVINE POEM Upon the Adorable Mystery of Sinners Redemption By B. K. Author of War with the Devil Psalm 45. 1. My Heart is inditing a good matter LONDON Printed by J. D. for Christopher Hussey at the Flower-de-Luce in Little Britain 1679. The PROEM YOV Gentle Youths whose chaster Breasts do beat With pleasing Raptures Love's generous heat And Virgins kind from whose unguarded Eyes Passion oft steals your hearts by fond surprize All you who Amorous Stories gladly hear And feed your wand'ring Fancies by the Ear Those treacherous Delights a while lay by And lend attention to our History A History with Love and Wonders fill'd Such as nor Greece nor Rome could ever yield So great the Subject lofty the Design Each part is Sacred and the whole Divine If you its worth and nature well shall weigh 'T will charm your Ear your best Affections sway And in dark Minds spring an Eternal Day My Muse is rais'd beyond a vulgar flight For Cherubs boast to sing of what I write I write But 't is alas with trembling hand For who those boundless Depths can understand Those Mysteries unvail which Angels do With dread Amaze desire to look into Thou glorious Being from whose Bounty flows All good that Man or does or speaks or knows Whose Altars once mean Turtles entertain'd And from the mouths of Babes hast strength ordain'd Purge with thy Beams my over-clouded mind Direct my Pen my Intellect refine That I thy matchless Triumphs may indite And live in a due sense of what I write And you dear Sirs that shall vouchsafe to read Charity 's Mantle o're my failings spread High is my Theme but weak and short my Sight My Eyes oft dazled with Excess of Light Yet something here perhaps may please each Guest 'T is Heavenly Manna though but homely drest Paul became all to All and I would try By this Essay of mystick Poesy To win their Fancies whose harmonious Brains Are bettrr pleas'd with soft and measur'd strains A Verse may catch a wandring Soul that flies Profounder Tracts and by a blest surprize Convert Delight into a Sacrifice How many do their precious time abuse On cursed products of a wanton Muse On trifling Fables and Romances vain The poisoned froth of some infected Brain Which only tend to nourish Rampant Vice And to Prophaneness easie Youth entice Gilt o're with Wit black Venom in they take And ' midst gay Flowers hug the lurking Snake Here 's no such danger but all pure and chast A Love most fit by Saints to be imbrac'd A Love 'bove that of Women Beauty such As none can be enamour'd on too much Read then and learn to love truly by this Vntil thy Soul can sing Raptur'd in Bliss My Well-beloved's mine and I am his BOOK I. CHAP. I. The Excellencies and Perfections of the glorious King the Lord JEHOVAH discovered Shewing how he had but one Son the express Image of the Father the delight and joy of his Heart and of the glorious and eternal Design of this most High and Everlasting JEHOVAH to dispose of his Son in Marriage Moreover how the matter was propounded by the Father and whom he had chose to be the intended Spouse Shewing also how the Prince readily consented to the Proposal and of his first grand and glorious Atchievements in order to the Accomplishment of this happy Design IN the fair Regions of approachless Light Where unmixt Joys with perfect Love unite Where youth n'ere wasts nor Beauty ever fades Where no disease nor paining-grief invades There reigns and long hath reign'd a mighty King From whom all Honours and all Riches spring His vast Dominions reach from Pole to Pole No Realm nor Nation but he could controul So great his Pow'r there never yet could be An absolute Monarch in the World but he What e're seem'd good to him he freely did And nothing from his piercing Eye was hid To him the mighty Nimrods all did Bow And none durst boldly question What dost Thou Justice and Wisdom waited on his Throne And through the World his Clemency was know His Glory so Illustrious and Bright It sparkled forth and dazled Mortals sight Immense his Being for in every Land He present was and by each Soul did stand No Spies he needed for Intelligence In Foreign parts to bring him Tydings thence And vain to him was Court-dissemblers Art He saw each corner of the subtlest heart View'd acts unborn and plain discoveries wrough E're labouring Fancy once could mould a Though Beheld mens minds clearly as were their faces And uncontain'd at once did fill all Places His awful frown could make the Mountains shak And Stoutest hearts of Haughty Princes quake All things were his who did them first compose And by his wisdom doth them still dispose To serve his Friends and to destroy his Foes His Azure Throne with Holiness is spread The pure in heart alone his Court may tread No vitious Gallant Proud Imperious Vain In Court nor Kingdom will he entertain He 's th' essence of true Vertue spotless pure And no ungodly one can he endure No wicked person to him dares draw nigh Though ne're so Rich so Mighty or so High 'T is Righteousness his blessed Throne maintains Who all Injustice utterly disdains Nay Holiness doth this great Soveraigne cloath And such as weare it not his Soul doth loath But above all the Glories which did wait Upon this High and Peerless Potentate His Pity did the most transcendent prove Matchless his Power but greater still his Love Such bowels of Compassion ne're were known Nor e're such proofs of vast Affection shown His kindness beyond all that Pen can write Or Heart conceive or nimblest Brain indite This Sovereign Love our wond'rous Subject brings Our Hist'ry from those melting Ardours springs For this great King had a most lovely Son And had indeed no more save only one Who was begotten by him and brought forth E're Heav'ns blew curtains did surround the Earth Before the World's foundations yet were laid Times glass turn'd up or the Sun's course displaid This Prince was brought up with him and did lye In his dear Bosom from Eternity He was his only Joy and hearts delight Who ever did behold him in his sight And as he made his Father's heart most glad He was sole Heir to all the Father had Who freely gave all things into his Hand And made him Ruler over every Land Designing still to raise his Dignity Above each Earthly Prince or Monarchy And him intitle with a glorious Name Which none of all the Heav'nly Host dare claim What glory is there in each Seraphim Yet must they
you must know Of the black horror of this Land of Wo Whither the wretched wandring Soul was gone And whence her Lover now must fetch her home It was indeed an howling Wilderness A Region of dispair and all distress Where Dragons Wolves Lyons and ravenous Beasts Had their close Dens and Birds of Prey their Nests Besides throughout the ruinated Land A Black and fearful King had great Command Who had revolted many years before From his Liege Lord and to him since has bore Most cruel spight and curs'd malignity Assuming to himself the Soveraignty The greatst Usurper that e're being had Sylla nor Nero never were so bad For 't is well known he was th' original Syre Of Tyrants all and taught them to aspire Ambitious through the World to spread his Arms He fill'd the Earth with Blood and sad Alarms And like a ravenous Lyon rang'd about To seek his Prey and find new Conquests out Full of State-Policies and Subtil wiles Where 's Force attempts in vain his Fraud beguiles Most cruel to those Slaves he can betray And yet the Fools besotted to his sway Court their own ruine and blindly obey His Antient Lord he hated most of all And such as were his offspring great and small He was resolv'd to be reveng'd upon And them for to destroy e're he had done From whence his name was call'd Apollyon A name which doth his Nature full express And you of him thereby my further guess This greedy Dragon hungry of his prey With wide-stretcht Jawes stood waiting for the day When this dear Prince should come nay for the hour That so he might him instantly devour Oh Tyrant Love dost thou no pity take Wilt thou the PHAENIX of both worlds thus make A prey to such a Fiend who by some snare Hopes to entrap this long expected Heir And then to take Possession and alone Rule on an undisturbed Hellish Throne See how the Troops of his Infernal Power Combine this Sacred Person to devour Needs must that be a sad and dismal Land Where this damn'd Monster hath so great Comand What Prince would come from such a Mount of bliss Unto a Cave where Poysonous Serpents hiss Come from his Father's Bosom where he lay To be the Wolves and Dragons chiefest prey To leave his glorious Robes and Cloth of Gold And clothed be with Raggs and Garments old From ruling men and Devils now to be Tempted by both of them scarce ever free To leave a Paradise of all Delight And come into a Land as black as night A glorious Crown and Kingdom to forsake That he his bed might on a Dunghil make To leave a sweet and quiet Habitation To come into a rude distracted Nation Where Wars Blood and Miseries abound Where neither Truth nor Faith nor Peace is found To leave his Friends who loved him most dear To dwell with such as mortal hatred bear To him and to his blessed Father and All such as do for them most faithful stand To come so many Millions of long miles To be involv'd in Troubles and sad Broils And all this for a Creature poor and vile A Traiterous Vagabond and in Exile Yea one that still remain'd a stubborn foe â—ating both him and his blest Father too Who ponders all in extasy can't miss To cry out Oh! what manner of Love is this Sure this is Love that may our Souls amaze And to the height our wondring Spirits raise In grateful Hymns to celebrate its praise CHAP. II. Shewing what entertainment the Prince of Light meâ— with at his first arrival How there being no room for him in the Inn he was forced to lie in the Stable and make his bed in the Manger As also how he having laid aside his Glorious and Princely Robes was not known by the people of that Country and how he was wronged and abominably abused by them AWake my Muse I hear the Prince is come Go and attend him view the very Room Where he at first doth lodg see how they treat A King whose Pow'r is so exceeding great Much Rumor of his coming I am told Was spread abroad amongst them there of old And many waiting for him long'd to see What kind of King and Person he should be Oh! what provision now to entertain Him did they make my Soul 's in grevious pain To hear of this Doth not the Trumpet sound And Joy and melody sweetly abound I' th hearts of all who heard of this good News How did they carry 't to him or how use This lovely One whom Angels do adore And Glorious Seraphims fall down before Ah! how methinks should they now look about Some curious stately Structure to find out Some Prince's Palace for his Residence Or strong fair Castle for his safe Defence Don't people leap for Joy whil'st Angels sing To welcome in their long expected King Do not the Conduits through all streets combine In stead of Water wholly to run Wine Do not great Swarms of people 'bout him sly Like to some strange and glorious Prodigy What dos't thou say my Muse Art wholly mute Doth this not with thy present purpose suit Ah! yes it does but how shal't be exprest The grief that seizes on my panting Breast My heart into a trembling fit doth fall To think how he contemned was of all The Savage Monsters did this Prince reject And treat him with affronts and disrespect When he for them had taken all this pain They neither would him know nor entertain The very Inn where first he went to lie For to vouchsafe him Lodging did deny No Room alas had they but if 't were so He would be there to th' Stable he must go To 'th Stable then goes he contentedly Without the least reflection or reply The silly Ass and labouring Ox must be Companions now to Sacred Royalty Expos'd by Greater Brutes he must alas Take up with the Dull-Oxe and painful Ass Who their great Maker and Preserver was And in the Manger's forc'd to make his bed Without one Pillow to support his Head Let Heav'n astonisht Earth amazed be At this ungrateful Inhumanity Let Seas rise up in heaps and after quit Their Course these Barbarous people to affright Oh! what a mighty condescention's here What story may with this with this compare Is this the entertainment they afford And this a Palace for so great a Lord Is this their kindness to so dear a friend Do they him to a filthy Stable send Is that a Chamber suiting his Degree Or fit the Manger should allotted be For him to lay his Glorious Body in Of whom the Prophet saith he knew no Sin Whose footstool's Earth and Heaven is his Throne What ne're a better Bed for such an one That has so vast a Journey undertook And for their sakes such Glory too forsook Is this great Prince with such mean Lodging pleas'd So that he may of love-sick pains be eas'd O what a Lover's this Almighty Love How potently dost thou affections move What
when he heard what had that wretch befel He hastned back to 'th Land of Israel But news being brought of Archilaus's Raign Soon found it needful to remove again So being warn'd of God to Galilee He turn'd aside and there at present we Shall leave him whilst we may more fully hear The great design of this his coming there Some possibly may say was 't not to take Unto himself a Kingdom and so make Himself Renowned Great and very High Above each Prince and Earthly Monarchy 〈…〉 Was 't not to take the Crowns of every King And all their Glory to the Dust to bring To set their Diadems on his own head That so the Nations might be better led Was 't not to take Revenge upon his Foes And grind to Powder all that him oppose Was it not to commence his glorious Raign That so he might the pride of Nations stain Herod t is like as you before did hear Such things might dream and it might vainly fear But wholly groundless for alas he came Not as a King to punish but a Lamb To offer up in sacrifice his Life To put an end to all tormenting strife And only gain a poor but long'd-for Wife His sole design I told you it was Love 'T was that alone which brought him from above These hardships and these pains to undergo And many more which yet we have to show For these are nothing in comparison Of those which must be told eâ—re we have done He in those parts had been but thirty year And little had he don that we can heâ—r About obtaining of the Creatures love But gloriously did then the matter move Unto the Soul who little did it mind For she alas was otherwise inclinâ—d For the Black King that had usurp'd that Land An Ill shapt Bastard had of proud command Whom having drest up in a much Gallantry He did appear so pleasant in her Eye That he before had her affections won And in her heart established his Throne Though he design'd no less than to betray And murder her in an infidious way Of which the silly Soul was not aware But fondly blind could not discern the snare Too like alas to many now a dayes Whom fawning words and flattery betrays This Imp of Darkness and first-born of Hell Transform'd by Witchcraâ—â— and a cursed Spell Like a brisk gawdy Gallant now appears And still false locks and borrowed Garments wears Then boldly sets upon her and with strong And sweet lip'd Rhetorick of a Courtly tongue Salutes her Ears and doth each way discover The Amorous Language of a wanton Lover He smiles he toyes and now and then le ts fly Imperious glances from his lustful Eye Adorns her Orient Neck with Penly charms And with rich Bracelets decks her Ivory Arms Boasts the extent of his Imperial Power And offers Wealth and worldly pleasure to her Jocund he seem'd and full of sprightly Mirth And the poor Soul never inquir'd his Birth She lik'd his Face but dream't not of the Dart Wherewith he waited to transfix her Heart There is no foe to such a Dalilaw As pretends love yet ready is to draw The Poysonous Spear and with a treacherous kiss Bereaves the Soul of everlasting Bliss If you would know this treacherous Monster 's name As you before have heard from whence he came 'T is he by whom thousands deceiv'd have bin Heav'ns foe and Satan's cursed Off-spring SIN A violater of all Righteous Laws And one that still to all Uncleaness draws Author of Whored omes Perjuries Disorders Thefts Rapines Blood Idolatries and Murders From whom all Plagues and all Diseases flow And Death it self to him his be'ng doth ow. This Monster of Pollution the undone Poor Soul too long had been enamour'd on And by the Craft his Sire Apollyon lent Doubted not to obtain her full Consent But when Apollyon saw this Prince of Peace His wrathfull spight against him did encrease So brave a Rival he could not endure But sought all means his Ruine to procure Shall I saith he thus lose my hop'd-for prey See my Designs all blasted in one day Which I have carried on from Age to Age With deepest Policy and fiercest Rage My utmost Stratagems I first will try And rather on the very Spot I le dye Thus Hellishly resolv'd he does prepare Straight to commence the bold and Impious War And now the sharp Encounter does begin A Fight so fierce no eye had ever seen Nor shall hereafter ere behold agen But first be pleas'd to take a prospect here Of the two Combatants as they appear The first a Person of Celestial Race Lovely his shape ineffable his Face The frown with which he struck the trembling Fiend All smiles of humane Beauty did transcend His head 's with Glory arm'd and his strong hand No power of Earth or Hell can long withstand He heads the mighty Hosts in Heav'n above And all on Earth who do Jehovah love His Camp 's so great they many millions are With whom no one for Courage may compare They are all chosen men and cloath'd in white Ah! to behold them what a lovely sight Is it And yet more grave and lovely far To joyn and make one in this Holy War The other was a King of Courage bold But very grim and ghastly to behold Great was his power yet his garb did show Sad Symptoms of a former overthrow But now recruited with a numerous Train Arm'd with dispair he tempts his fate again Under his Banner the black Regiments fight And all the Wicked Troops which hate the light His Voluntiers are spread from North to South And flaming Sulphur belches from his Mouth Such was the grand Importance of their sight It did all eyes on Earth and Heaven invite To be spectators and attention lend So much did ne're on any Field depend No not Pharsalia's Plains where Caesar fought And the Worlds Empire at one conquest caught Alas the Issue of that famous Fray May not compare with this more fatal Day Should the Black monstrous Tyrant Prince prevail The Hearts and hopes of all man-kind must fail But above all she who caus'd their contest Would be more miserable than all the rest Shee she poor soul for ever were undone And never would have help from any one T was for Her sake alone the War begun Some fabulous Writers tell a wonderous story And give I know not what St. George the Glory Of rescuing bravely a distressed Maid From a strange Dragon by his Generous aid This I am sure our blessed Captain fought With a fierce Dragon and Salvation wrought For her who else had been devoured quite By that Old Serpents subtility and spight But now t is time their Combate to display Behold the Warriers ready in Array Apollyon well stor'd with crafty wit Long time had waited for a season fit That so he might some great advantage get And knowing well the Prince of Light had fasted Ful forty days then presently he hasted To give him
Battle and a Challenge makes Which no less cheerfully Christ undertakes The King of Darkness the first onset gave Thinking his foe to startle or out-brave He flung at him a very cruel Dart And aym'd to hit him just upon the Heart He 'd have him doubt or question if t were so Whether he were the Son of God or no But the blest Lord did use his Sword so well That down the others weapons straight way fell It made him reel and forc'd him back to stand And beat his Lance at once out of his hand At which this disappointed wrathful King Doth gnash his threatning teeth and shews his sting Is mad and foams and fain the Dog would bite He swells like to a Toad enough to fright A mortal man on him to cast an eye And then breaks out with sad and hideous cry Apollyon King of Darkness Shall I be foiled thus or thus give o're Whom never any could yet stand before Have not the Mighty fallen by my hand Enforc'd to yeild to me in every Land Whole Kingdoms Sir have trucled to my pow'r If once I 'm mov'd Millions I can devour Nay with one stroke thou very well dost know I all the World at once did overthrow My very Name is frightful unto all Who trembling fly if I upon them fall My voyce is like unto a mighty Thunder And with a word I keep the Nations under See how they faint and shrink and shreek for fear If of my coming once they do but hear They quiver all and like a Leaf do shake And dare not stand when I approaches make Besides all this much more I have to boast Which of the Champions of thy Earthly Host Have I not overcome and put to flight None ever able were with me to fight Noah that Servant Holy Just of thine I did o'recome by 'th juce of his own Vine And Righteous Lot I next may reckon up A Trophy unto my victorious Cup Whereby he into Incest fell two Times And these thou know'st are no Inferiour Crimes Thy Jacob too though he could wrestle well Yet by my Arm most grievously he fell And so likewise did his most Zealous Mother By Lies I made him to supplant his Brother Joseph for thee although he was sincere I quickly taught by Pharoah's Life to swear And Judah from whose Loins thou dost proceed I worsted much do but the Story read Moses himself thy Captain Generall By me receiv'd a shrew'd and dismal fall Although so meek when I did him engage I mov'd him into passion and great rage By which I did so vex his troubl'd mind That he could not the Land of Promise find Sampson was very strong I know yet he Was overcome by Dalilah and me And David though a King and most devout Sustain'd by me almost a total Rout Although he slew a Lyon and a Bear And my Goliah likewise would not spare But with his sling that Champion did destroy Who did the Camp of Israel annoy For all these mighty Acts when once I came To try his strength I brought him unto shame The people numbred and his God forsaken By Adult'ry and Murder over-taken And Solomon a mighty King and wise Did I by force and subtilety surprize I planted for him such a curious Net As soon Intangled his unwary feet Strange Womens charms withdrew his heart from thee To doting Lust and curs'd Idolatrie The time would fail me should I number all The Noble Worthies I have caus'd to fall Ne're any yet upon the Earth did dwell But by my conquering sword they vanquisht fell And thinkst thou Man that I to thee will yield When slesht with Vict'ories basely quit the Field Mistake not thus I le have the other blow I want no strength nor Courage thou shalt know Prince of Light Thy pride Apollyon and thy Hellish Rage Long since thy utter Downfal did presage Vain are thy Boasts these Rants no good will doe I know thou art a cowardly bragging Foe Forbear with Lies my Servants to condemn 'T were only foils not falls thou gavest them Lurking in Secret thou didst treacherously At unawares sometimes upon them fly But rallying straight they did renew the Fight Quencht all thy Darts and soon put thee to slight And now beyond thy reach in full renown For their reward enjoy an endless Crown And though on some thou hast prevail'd too far With me thou art unable to wage War 'T is for their sakes that forth my wrath is spread Thou bruisdst their Heels but I will bruise thy Head Apollyon Stop there I pray let 's try the other Bout And see if thou canst me so quickly rout I am resolv'd my utmost force to try For all my hopes I find at Stake do ly E're I 'le be baffled thus and lose my Prey Upon thy back still sharper Strokes I 'le lay Prince of Light What is the Cause thou art so furious now And thus on me dost bend thy Brazen brow What is thy fear why dost thou rage or why Dost tremble thus and look so gashfully Why doth thy fading Colour come and go Speak Hellish Fiend what I command thee do Apollyon Great Reason's for't I partly understand The Cause why thou art come into this Land And having found what thy intentions are Needs must the same me terrify and scare I do perceive what did thee chiefly move To leave the Glory which thou hadst above 'T was love that thou didst to a Creature bear Which unto me in truth is very dear And I will make my glistering Spear to bend E're I to thee in this will condescend Before I will her lose I 'le tear and roar And all Infernal Pow'rs I will Implore That I Assistance of them may obtain Against a Foe I do so much disdain Prince of Light But why should this stir up thy hellish rage If I in love am moved to engage The precious Soul and her betroth to me What wrong can that vile monster do to thee Thy horrid pride hath wrought thy overthrow And thou wouldst fain have her be damned too But know this Match in Heav'n's made thy hand Can not prevent nor break this Sacred Band. Apollyon She 's preingag'd to one whom I do Love And I concern'd am for 't was I did move The question to her did first the Contract make And I 'm resolv'd she never shall it break The party too is my own offspring dear And I to him most true Affections bear And reason there is for 't 't was he alone Founded my Kingdom and first rais'd my Throne 'T is he who every where doth for me stand Yea and maintains my Cause in every Land My Subjects he brings in both great and small Without his Aid soon would my Kingdom fall And if this contract should be broke I see But little Service more can he do me Blame me not therefore if I grow inrag'd And thus in furious battel am engag'd Prince of Light Thou canst not hide from me
thy curst design Most horrid hatred is that love of thine Thou seek'st her life her blood nought else will do But her most desperate final overthrow I likewise see how the sad game is laid How she by treacherous Loves to Sin 's betraid But I that League resolve to break asunder Dissolve your Charms quickly bring thee under Although I know thou art a Son of Thunder I 'le spoyl all your designs and make appear That only I that Soul do love most dear I 'le spill my dearest blood upon the Ground But your Infernal Plots I will confound I am her friend and will so faithful prove That all shall say I 'm worthy of her love My Life is in my hand I le lay it down E're she shall miss of the Eternal Crown Thou damned art and wouldst I fully know Bring her into the same eternal wo But know vile Fiend 't is more than thou canst do Unless thou can'st this day prevail o're me Those dreadful Torments she shall never see At this Apollyon's parched Lips did quiver These words like darts struck through his heart and liver He gnaw'd his very tongue for pain and wo And stampt and foam'd and knew not what to do Till e're a while like to a Lyon bold Upon his Spear he furiously takes hold And doth the second time the Lord engage With greater violence and fiercer rage As when loud Thunder roars and rends the Skie Or murdering Cannons let their Bullets fly So did he cause as 't were the Earth to quake When he at him the second time did make And by the force of his permitted power Snatches him up as if he would devour Him like the prey which hungry Lyons eat But not prevailing down he did him set Upon a Pinacle 'o th Temple high And then again upon him does let fly But finding he no hurt to him could do He strives him headlong down from thence to throw Pretending if he were so great an one His foot could not be dasht against a Stone But then our Prince did draw his Sword again Not doubting in the least he should obtain Another victory against this foe And did indeed give him so great a blow That he fell down being forced to give ore And shamefully retreated as before Now would one think the Battel quite were done And time for the black Prince away to run But he reviv'd and did fresh Courage take As men would do when all doth ly at stake And a third Battel was resolv'd to see What ere the fatal Consequence might be Apollyon now to his last shift was driven Almost of all his Magazine bereaven But one poor Weapon more he had to try If worsted there resolved was to fly And here indeed God suffer'd him once more To take him up as he had done before Ah! t was a sight most dismal to behold What foe was e're thus impudently bold That so was bafled forced to retreat And found his Enemie too wise and great A thousand times for him yet would essay By force of Arms to carry him away Don't Heaven and Earth and all amazed stand To see the Prince of Light in Satan's hand Or rather in his Arms carry'd on high As if he would have kill'd him secretly But on a mighty Mountain him he set Hoping he might some great advantage get A cunning Stratagem he did devise Thinking thereby our Saviour to surprize And him 'orecome by subtile Policy And that was to present unto his Eye The Glory of this World the only Snare By which poor Mortals often ruin'd are This Hellish Prince is full of Craft and Wiles And with 's inventions all the World beguiles From him the Politick Achitophel And our more modern famous Machiavel With other States-men learn't their puzling Arts To plague the World that Science he imparts To imbroil Nat'ions and cheat honest Hearts Sly Stratagems in War most wise men know Have oft prevail'd where Force no good could do The Walls sometimes of Castles down do fall When n'ere a Bullet hath been shot at all Unless discharged from a Silver Gun Thousands alas this way have been undone Strong Citties Gates we know have open'd been With Golden Keyes and Enemies let in Which force nor strength could ne're have made to fly Nor been broke down by fiercest Battery The Maxime's true which frequently we read That Policy doth very far exceed The Strength and pow'r of great haughty Kings And to subjection mighty Nations brings But all the Strength nor Craft nor power either Which Satan hath with all his fiends together Could with this Glorious Lord prevail i' th least Who hath the strength of Heaven to assist And was himself Omnipotent in power Doth Satan think he can a God devour Can fading Glories of vile Earth intice Or break his purpose off when Paradise Could not upon him any Influence have To turn his love from her he came to save How soon deep Policy is overthrown And crafty fraud to foolish madness come Art thou Apollyon such a wretched Sot Hast thou no other Bait nor weapon got Is this thy wit and can'st thou do no more Than give him that which was his own before How prodigal thou seem'st wilt thou bestow At once on him all Kingdomes here below What then will all thy flattered Subjects do If thus thou rashly giv'st them all away What wilt thou do thy self another day What! is poor Soul worth more than all the world That all thou hast shall thus away be hurld Rather then thou of Soul would'st be bereav'd 'T is time for her to see she ben't deceiv'd What! all the Kingdoms of the world Pray who Did give them all or any unto you Ah! what a Traytor 's here Is 't not a shame Before thy Soveraign's face to make a Claim Unto those Kingdoms where thou hast no right Thou know'st they do belong to 'th Prince of light Thine if thou call'st them 't is by Usurpation No other right hast thou to any Nation But we discourse too long behold a sight Apollyon rallies all his scattered might Now nothing else than a full Conquest will The haughty Wretch his wild Ambition fill How fain would he Majestick Steps have trod And worship'd be nay worship'd by a God But the wise Prince of Light doth straight advance To check his bold and vain Extravagance Declares his pow'r and shakes the awfull Rod Thou shalt not what tempt who the Lord thy God This well-plac'd stroak did Satan quite confound He cannot stay yet 's loth to quit the ground But seeing that he needs must now be gone Looks back and grins and howling thus goes on Apollyon Although I find thou art for me too strong Yet I 'le revenged be for all the wrong I have sustain'd either on thee or thine For which the powers of Hell shall all combine T' engage thee in another sort of Fight Although at present I am bafled quite Moreover this I further have to say So
long as thou dost in this Country stay Be sure of troubles thou shalt have thy fill I 'le sett my Servants on thee and they will By help from me add sorrows to thy dayes Strew all thy Paths with Throns and cross thy ways I 'le render thee as odious as I can That thou mayst be disown'd by every man What I and all Infernal Powers can do To make thee miserable or o'rethrow The great Design which thou art come about We are resolved now to work it out And though thou thinkst this Soul for to obtain I tell thee now I have her in my Chain And doubt not but I there shall hold her fast Till tired out thy love be over-past Nay let me tell thee further in thine Ear She unto thee doth perfect hatred bear Thee nor thy Portion doth she like at all Although for her thou dost thy self inthrall And into Troubles and afflictions bring What wise man ever would do such a thing What love where thou no love art like to have Tho thou the same a thousand times shouldst Crave If this proves not most true then me you shall The Father of Lies hereafter Justly call Boast not this Conquest though I go my way I 'le meet the better Arm'd another day A hideous Clapy of Thunder then was heard And streight the cursed Spirit disappeard CHAP. IIII. Shewing what joy there was in Heaven amongst the Angels upon the great Victory obtained over the black King Shewing also how affectionately in a sweet heavenly manner the Prince of light after this saluted the Soul he came to save for whose sake he had passed throw all these sorrows And how the ungrateful blind deluded wretch slighted and dispised him in her Heart choosing rather to hearken to and side with Apollyon King of Darkness and to entertain the Monster of pollution sensual Lusts than to become a Spouse to so glorious a Prince pretending she knew him not neither would she believe he was the son of God the blessed and eternal Potentate demanding signs of him Shewing upon this what strange and wonderful Miracles he wrought amongst the people who notwithstanding all went about to kill him And how he was forc'd to fly from one Country to another to preserve his life And what hardships and difficulties he passed through for love he bore to the poor Creature NO sooner had this Overthrow been given But Troops of Angels did descend from Heaven Unto this Prince with great Congratulation Yeilding to him all humble Adoration Ah! how the glorious Seraphims did sing Bringing fresh Bayes of Triumph to their King They come to serve him as was just and right Because his En'emy he hath put to flight Let Heaven rejoyce and Earth resound his praise For victory or'e him who did always Disturb the Earth and whom none could withstand Such was his strength and force in ev'ry Land Now might one hope the Prince from trouble 's freed And quickly will in his Affairs succeed Wherein he hath such great obstructions met Since first his feet upon the Earth were set Kindly he now doth the poor Soul salute And with such fervency begins his suit And in such sort he did himself declare That none in Woing could with him compare No Orator on Earth like him could speak So powerfully and sweet enough to break And melt a breast of Steel or heart of Stone If well his words be weigh'd and thought upon He to this purpose doth salute her Ears Some times with sighs sometimes with bitter tears Prince of Light Look unto me dear Soul behold 't is I Who lov'd thee deeply from Eternity Who at at thy doors do stand oh let me in And do not harken to that Monster SIN Refuse me not because my thoughts descend Below themselves so far to recommend My dearest Love to thee although that I No Beauty can at all in thee espy I love not as your Earthly Lovers doe 'T is Beauty that engages them to woo Or the great Portion or the Vertuous mind There 's none of these in thee that I can find Yet my Affections burn and Love 's so much No mortal ever did experience such Why dost thou frown Ah doth thy hardned Brow Not made at first to wrinkle wrinkle now I am a Person of no mean Degree Although my heart is fixt and set on thee My Father who hath sent me is most high He rules above and all beneath the Sky All Kingdoms of this World they are his own Whether inhabited or yet unknown To this great Monarch Soul I am most dear What ere he has is mine I am his Heir His choice Delight his Joy and only Son Moreover He and I am only one My Father is in me in him am I And was with him from all Eternity There 's many Mansions in his House and there Of all Delight thou shalt enjoy thy share I 'le raise thee unto Honour and Renown And arch thy Temples with a radiant Crown In Robes of State I 'le clothe thee every day All glorious within shall thy Array Be wrought of finest needle-work so bright As shall transcend and dazle mortals sight Then clear thine Eyes and purifie thy Mind Accept my Love and to thy self be kind All these Advantages thou sure shalt find But oh such stubborn dulness who can bear This Soul seem'd not to mind or lend an Eare To any thing the Lord did thus declare But lay like one a sleep or rather dead Being by other Lovers falsely led She rather entertains him with a scoff And frames slight Answers for to put him off Would not believe he was of such descent His sighs nor Tears could move her to relent But joyns in League with other bitter Foes Who did contemptuously his Grace oppose Signes they demand and tokens to be given To make it known that he was sent from Heaven He graciously to this did condescend That from Reproach he might himself defend To manifest he no Deceiver was Strange things in sight of all he brought to pass The Miracles he wrought did all amaze And highest wonder in the People raise The Lame and Impotent he made to walk The Blind he caus'd to see the Dumb to talk Nay such as were born blind he made to see Which never any did nor could but he His Love was such he daily went about To find the Sick and the Distressed out All kind of sad Diseases he did heal No Friend like him unto the Common-weal The Feaver Phrensy and the Leprosy Were all remov'd by him most speedily Yea Bloody-fluxes too by him were cur'd When all the Doctors could no help afford Though all they had were on Physicians spent Yet whole by him they all were gratis sent 'T was meer Compassion Bowels and sweet Love And not Reward did this Physician move By these bless'd deeds he soon obtain'd a Name And all the Country Eccho'd with his Fame So that vast multitudes did daily croud After Him and implore his Help
He would such equal works have made appears None should have cry'd The singer of God is here But now as Moses did this way confute His faithless foes who did with him dispute By greater deeds and all their Arts o're-throw The self-same thing did JESVS also do The strongest Arguments he then did use For to convince the unbelieving Jews Were the great Signs wonders which he wrought And did this way refell what e're they thought Against his Person or his Doctrine either And they thereby were silenc'd all together My works saith he to me do witness give And for their sake you ought me to believe For if that I such mighty works do'nt do As none e're did or can pretend unto Believe me not but if they witness give How unexcusable then will they you leave He also had a witness from Great John Besides his works which were divinely done And God himself from Heaven witness bore So great a Witness ne're was heard before The written Word likewise this Truth did tell If they the same would have consider'd well And therefore search the Scriptures Sirs saith he For they are those which testifie of me Thus every way you see the proofs are plain He was the true Messias you have slain Therefore repent you unbelieving Jews With fained scandals longer don't abuseâ— Your blessed Lord nor 's Gospel more refuse The dangerous troubles of the Prince of Light The scandals that he met with and the spight The hatred by that Soul unto him shown Whom he design'd the Consort of his Throne Her weak pretences for this causeless scorn And with what wond'rous patience it was born How she receiv'd him with a scornful Brow We have in part set forth and also how By mighty Signs and Wonders he did prove Both his divine Ascent and matchless Love But now the Reader with attentive Ear And longing mind desires 't is like to hear How the poor blinded Soul behav'd her now Does she not straight unto his Scepter bow Doth she not yield and readily consent To close with him and heartily repent She ever did his precious Love abuse And such a Proffer wilfully refuse He ample proof and witness now hath given That he was sent down to her out of Heaven His Noble Birth and Sovereign Dignity Sure now she can't nay dares not to deny What can she further say I pray what more Hath she to urge to keep him out o' th Door Or has he left her and will come no more What Prince would ever put up so much wrong Or wait upon a stubborn Soul so long Or who would ever make another tryal That has so often had such flat denyal Ah no! he can't his Love 's so great and strong He hopes still to obtain her Love e're long See how with tears and sighs and melting heart He woos intreats and doth his Love impart As one resolv'd he 'l no denial have True Lovers press their suit ev'n to the Grave Prince of Light 'T is not Ungratefulness which yet can change My purpose or my heart from thee estrange My strong Affections on thee are so fixt That nought has them remov'd or come betwixt My Soul and thine but had'I lov'd thy face And that alone my kindness had giv'n place My slighted suit should long e're this have ended And never more on thee had I attended Or did I love thee for thine Heav'nly Eye I then might court Angelick Majesty Or if the smoothness of thy Whiter Brow Could charm mine eyes or mine affections bow To outward Objects pollisht Marble might Have given as much content as much delight No no 't is neither brow nor lip nor eye Nor any outward thing I can espy That has or could surprize my tender heart I know thy Nature who and what thou art Nor is it Vertue a homely Case Wherein lies hid much rich and precious grace Together rarely mixt whose worth doth make Me love the Casket for the Jewels sake 'T is none of this My eye doth pierce within But nothing there can I behold but Sin The reason of my Passion wholly lies Within my Self from whence it first did rise And though thou canst not it at present see Thou shalt if thou wilt hearken unto me O come poor Soul and give me but thy heart And unto thee choice Love I will impart I come to call thee and do call again O shall I not of thee my Suit obtain Dost not perceive what I for thee endure And may not all this thy Love to me procure The Soul seem'd not at all to mind this Friend Nor would she yet to him attention lend She could not in him any beauty see Nor did she know her own sad misery She bid him then depart and said to all He had no form nor comeliness And shall I ' gainst my fancy foolishly admire Where I no beauty see to tempt desire Whilst he was thus extending forth his Love And studying all obstructions to remove That so he might the Souls affections get Behold his Enemies with malice set Themselves against him with such horrid rage It seems no less than 's ruin to presage Ah! for this Prince methinks my heart doth ake To see what head against him they do make But that which doth the greatest trouble bring Is to see th' Soul combine against the King Did ever creature deal thus by a Lover Or ever such inhumaneness discover What hurt did this dear Prince unto her do That she would seek his utter overthrow Is this to recompence his fervent Love What will she now a Traitor to him prove If she his Love will not accept must she Expose him thus to shame and misery Is love to Sin and filthy Lust so sweet That Jesus must be trodden under feet Because he would that Contract break asunder This surely is Earth's shame and Heavens wonder What he that went about still doing good And in the gap of danger always stood Them to Defend from Ruin ah shall he The object of their Rage and Malice be He that to them no harm did do or think And yet must he this bitter potion drink Ah precious Lord how doth my spirit grieve To think what wrong from them thou didst receive So strange their malice and so fierce their spight That if God's Word did not the same recite Who thereunto would any Credence give Or the Relation of their Deeds believe But how was he expos'd what did they do 'T is that say some that we would have you show Their hearts were fill'd with wrath up they rise And thrust him out o' th City then devise To get him up to th'brow of a great Hill And cast him headlong down from thence they will Break all his bones and kill him out o' th way This they designed Holy Authors say Not that their Cruelty performed was For through the midst of them he free did pass His Pow'r Divine did his Protector stand And rescued him from all this
Yea and ript up their filthiness within Through each Religious Mask and trim disguise Their canker'd Breasts lay open to his Eys He knew their Hearts them he would not spare And thence to him such Malice they did bear But 't was Apollyon whose deceit and Lies Abroad amongst the people did devise Most of these Troubles which on him did rise No stone that Monster left unturn'd that he Might bring this Soveraign Prince to misery Though all in vain For he miscounts his sum Alas the fatal hour 's not yet come Christ still persists the stubborn Soul to woo Intreats her not her self thus to undo He is not gone behold he 's at her door And patiently Admission doth implore He knocks he calls and doth his Suit renew Until the Heavens his gracious Head bedew Until his Locks with drops o' th Night are wet And yet from her can no kind Answer get Oh! hark I pray unto his melting words Enough to pierce ones heart like sharpest swords Prince of Light Soul Harken to me or thou art undone I cannot leave thee thus nor yet be gone I see thy state thy state I pity too Thy treacherous Lovers seek thine overthrow It is in vain for me to ask thy Love Until thou breakst with them and dost remove Thy Heart from those that thy Affections have Who to vile Lusts thy Faculties inslave What dost thou think I can have in mine Eye What self-advantage will accrew thereby What gain I if thou grantest my request All that I beg's thy greatest Interest I ever happy was and so shall be Although at present thus distrest for Thee How can'st thou cruel Soul thus let me stand Barr'd out of Doors whilst others do command The choicest Room within thy yielding Breast Lodgings too good for such destructive Guests Believe me poisonous Toads and Serpents lurk Within thine Arms which will thy ruin work Those Lovers which thou keep'st so close within Are Murderers Trust not that Monster SIN Nor any of his Hellish Company For though no harm thou dost at present spy But wantonly presum'st to sport and play And canst not see the fatal snares they lay Soul o'pe the Door and I 'le discover all The secret Plots devised for thy fall Or push the Window back let in some light And I will shew thee a most dismal sight Thy self I 'le shew thee which couldst thou behold thou 'dst see thou art undone betray'd and sold To slavery from whence there 's no Redemption Torments from wch ther 's not the least exemption Then wake look now behold thy wretched plight Or straight thou r't seized with eternal Night The Soul is deaf or certainly she 's dead Or by some pow'rful Magick Charms misled For she no Answer in the least doth give Sad 't is with them whom Satan doth deceive How blind are Creatures in their natural state Oh! how insensible and desperate They sleep securely and will never hear Till direful Thunder bore their stupid Ear Boldly they frollick on Hell's smoaky Brink And never on its gaping dangers think Till swallow'd down to endless flames they sink But silence now Here comes a Reverend Friend A Servant to the Prince pray Sirs attend He 's sent about the Business that 's depending Oh! that it might obtain an happy ending He is a man his Master loves most dear And he to him doth like Affection bear His int'rest he will now be sure t' improve That all obstructions he may quite remove Which in the way of the poor Soul doth lie For whose sad state lo tears stand in his Eye His Heart is full his Spirit greatly griev'd To think how she by crafty Sin 's deceiv'd And seeing what his glorious Master bears His Soulâ—s almost dissolved into Tears Theologue I from the Great and mighty Prince am sent To see vile Soul If thou wilt yet repent And o'pe thy Eyes to view what thou hast done In piercing the dear heart of such an one As is that Soveraign Lord thou dost abuse And all his offers shamefully refuse Two things consider throughly first of all Thy sad and wretched state under the Fall Which thou receivedst many years ago When Eden's Groves bewail'd thine overthrow Ah! Didst thou know thy lost undone Condition Sure it must move thee unto great Contrition 'T would make thee roar and mightily condole Thy woful state O! thou condemned Soul The second thing is this O! mind with speed The worth of him whose Soul for thee doth bleed Didst thou but know his Dignity and Birth Soon wouldst thou say none's like him upon Earth Nor is this all for further I declare No other help thou hast far off or near 'T is he who is thy choice and only Friend Reject him still and sad will be thine end Shall he such grief and sorrow undergo And unto him wilt thou no kindness show Would he thy guilty Soul from Treason free By making of a marriage-League with thee Shall not his Love nor thy distressed Case Court thee in prudence to his safe Embrace Will nothing work upon thee to Relent Nor be a means to bring thee to Repent I pray thee Soul these things lay to thy heart And unto me thy true Resolve impart Soul What mean you thus to vex and grieve my mind My Heartâ—s to other Lovers more inclin'd It lies not in your power to command Against my will and well I understand What 's best for me I am for present case He suits not my Conditions doth not please My curious fancy Iâ—le content mine Eye Will you the liberty of Choice deny You must indeed have some mysterious Arts To change the secret sympathies of Hearts If that you ever make me to comply So as to loath the Jewel of mine Eye What! force Affection who can violate The Law of Nature weigh my present state Can Earth forget her burthen and ascend Or yet can Flames aspiring downward bend For if Fire should descend and Earth aspire Earth were no longer Earth nor Fire Fire Even so dear Sir I find it is with me Consenting I no more my self shall be As Love is free so are its bonds as strong As Death to break them is a grievous wrong Can the kind Heavens do a damage greater Than to destroy and ruin their poor Creature Or shall I think the Righteous God will fill me With such strange Joys which if enjoy'd will kil me Can I believe things 'bove my sense and reason And ignorant be when guilty of high Treason How can I think my self a Criminal When of the fact I nothing know at all My present state is good I know no cause To blame my self for breach of unknown Laws Why shall injurious Friends such things alot To have me place my Heart where I love not And break the League with those I love so dear These hardships are too great for me to bear Those Joys therefore in which I have delighted Shall not for fancied sweetness e're be slighted He whom
you call The glorious Prince of Light Is not a person lovely in my sight He 's not so modish pleasant Debonair As those brisk Gallants whom my Fancy share I must have other Eys wherewith to see Before he can be countenanc'd by me This said away the foolish Soul doth â—ly Will hear no more but with a scornful Eye Neglects her Bliss Deaths dark paths doth trace Rather than saving Truths of Life imbrace Who being gone a Neighbour does appear That would be glad fully her Case to hear And that he clearly might have it exprest He thus himself to Theologue Addrest Vicinus Grave Sir Since in your Reverend face I read All works which do from Curtesy proceed I am emboldned to desire of you Some satisfaction in a point or two I late have heard some Rumours of such News As puts my wondring spirits to a muse 'T is of a Prince unparallel'd for Love That took a Journey down from Heav'n above To seek himself a Spouse and as I hear She unto him will no Affection bear Though for Descent Riches and Beauty too Never the like did mortal Creatures know This Soul-amazing Sense-bereaving story Has fill'd my ravisht Ears What matchless Glory Is his whose Love is far beyond Expression And what Creature is this must have possession Of such a glorious Heart Sure she 's no less Than one of High Descent some Emperess Or Virgin Queen at least whose Beauty 's rare Mixt with choice Vertue both beyond compare The total sum doubtless of every Grace Makes a composure in her Heav'nly Face And there all true Perfection is united To make one Phoenix that has thus invited This mighty Prince to do her so much Honour As seek her Love and set his Heart upon her To sue so earnestly and undertake Mighty Atchievements only for her sake For to encounter with a wrathful Foe That sought an universal overthrow Of mortal Creatures and in every Land Subjected all unto his proud Command The strangeness of it sets me all on fire And kindles in my heart a strange desire Impatient of delay till you discover The Creature that has got so rare a Lover Theologue To put a period to thy Admiration Come let thy Wonder-smitten Cogitation Now give attention and I soon will show The truth of what thou dost desire to know The Creature whom this mighty Prince doth grace With Love lives very near unto this place We all do her as our next Neighbour own Much is she talkt of yet but seldom known You sure have heard before she was by Birth Of high descent the splendor of the Earth Unblemisht Beauty neither spot nor stain Whilst in her Virgin state she did remain To speak her pedigree in Truth she springs From no less Root than from the King of Kings Whom Scriptures call The Father of all Spirits And none but he that Blessed Name inherits From him she did at first derive her Name And Heaven and Earth eccho'd her glorious Fame Fair Cynthia Illustrious Queen of Night With all her borrowed Rays ne're shone so bright The King 's true Image in her face did shine No Glory like to Glory that 's Divine But that which doth the greatest Wonder raise And may the quick'st profoundest Wits amaze Is the sad change and miserable state She 's in since first she did degenerate Her Lustre tarnisht and her Beauty faded Filth and Corruption every part invaded Oh! it was then on her this Prince did look When of her God and guide she was forsook For though she was indeed thus nobly born Her Blood is tainted and her state forlorn She that in splendor once appear'd so bright Is now deform'd and blacker than the Night Foul putrifaction doth her Beauty cover She 's full of Ulcers and defil'd all over Th' infection spreads it self in every part Her eyes her hands her head but most her heart Her feet whose loyal steps she once divided To follow the great God have so backslided That they most swiftly from him run astray In every sinful and forbidden way Her Arms are filled with unchast Embraces She 's stain'd her Beauty and lost all her Graces Her Breath once sweeter than Arabian Spices Whose rare Perfumes make Houses Paradises Offensive is to all that come but near her Her Tongue is so unclean God loaths to hear her Which was her Glory in her youthful days When she with joy sung forth his blessed Praise But that which may sound stranger in thine Ear And seem indeed too hard for Love to bear Is her Adult'ries her unchast delights Her Amorous Kisses wherewith she invites Her wanton Lovers nothing else can prove So much distastful to unspotted Love As when the Embers of Lusts raging fires Burn in the Bosom of unchast desires Vicinus But stay Dear Sir What Lover is 't would kiss A Creature loathsom and so vile as this And how came she into so sad a Case That once adorned was with so much Grace Theologue If you kind Neighbour please to lend an Ear These things in order I will fully clear Her Lovers are more loathsom far than she With whom she 's joyned in Affinity From them she took the foul disease at first And ever since remains vile and accurst The Serpent did beguile her with such fruit As did her Vitals poison and pollute Not that the fruit in ' moral sense was evil But ' cause she took it tempted by the Devil After on pain of Death it was forbid Ah! t' was from hence it so much mischief did Besides she 's guilty of another Deed She 's made a League with one that did proceed From Hell's black Region where her wanton Eye Could see no Object but Deformity A Contract she has made I say with one Begot by proud but curs'd Apollyon Monstrous by Nature and as vile by Name Ah! she has chosen him unto her shame His nature 's poisonous his very Breath Is so infectious that it threatens Death To every one to whom he is united Yet with this Monster is her heart delighted Who to my Prince is a most desperate Foe And to speak plain the cause of all his woe Since first the Soul was with base Lust acquainted From Top to Toe all over is she tainted She that was once so rare a comely Creature Sin has not left her now one lovely Feature The Splendid Beauty of the whole Creation Is thus become a meer Abomination For since her self to Lust she prostituted Her inward Faculties are so polluted That she 's become unto Jehovah's Eye The truest pourtraict of Deformity She that sometimes no Evil understood Is now become an Enemy to Good For this vile Monster by Apollyon's pow'r Did not only corrupt the Soul all ov'r But very cruel they did further prove Whilst they pretended kindnesses and Love For they most wickedly put out her Eyes She might not see her own Deformities And being thus both blinded and defil'd Was also rob'd and treacherously spoil'd Of
knowâ— Good You shall become as Gods and I pray when 'T is so what fear you who can punish then Your wisdom may the threatned Death evade And with an equal pow'r Heav'ns pow'r upbraid Thus spake the Tempter and thou straight didst yield And treacherously to him didst quit the field Forthwith the fatal Fruit with impious hand Thou pluckst and eatst against thy God's command Branding thy self and thy posterity With Treasons Guilt and endless misery And here vile Soul I cannot chuse but tell Thee one thing more that will increase thy Hell The Devil had no power to compell Thee to have tasted this his poisonous Feast But wilfully thou hast God's Law transgrest For though thou hadst a pow'rful Sword to weild Tempted to Lust thou cowardly didst yield Thou to thy self dost thy destruction owe And this doth greatly aggravate thy woe If want of strength or weapons if oppression Do force a Man to give up his possession He is excus'd and his unhappy fall Condol'd lamented and bewail'd of all But he deserveth neither love nor pity That unconstrain'd surrenders up a City When he has pow'r to make strong opposition Furnisht with Arms and warlike Ammunition Yet at one slender Summons yields his Fort The mis'ries he sustains in such a sort Reflect upon himself and do redouble His conscious Anguish self-accusing Trouble Just as the Southern Sun with burning beams Reflecting from a Wall with fierce extreams Above its natural strength or wonted course Scorches and burns with a far greater force So do those Flames first kindled with desire Grow dangerous and prove the stronger fire The wounds receiv'd from self-confounding Arms Have ever done poor Souls the greatest harms There 's yet another Circumstance behind That aggravates thy smart which prethee mind When once thy fearful Torments are begun Thy fatal Glass will never cease to run Years fill'd with months and months with weeks retire Weeks fill'd with days days with hours expire And hours in nimble minutes swiftly fly Unto their End But in Eternity There is no End nor will thy woes diminish Although years moneths weeks and hours finish The toilsome Day when once it does expire All Creature here to pleasing rest retire Slaves Bondmen Prisoners Captives all have ease No Drudgery so great but then doth cease Each bustling Day ends in a Night of peace But thou must look to be with pains opprest Where mid-day torments find no night of Rest Death puts a period to the greatest grief I' th silent Grave the weary find relief But wish't-for Death from thee shall fly away Eternity's a never-ending Day Where th' angry mouth of Justice loud doth cry Here must thou ever ever ever lie How miserable ah how sad's thine end When thou in vain shalt court Death for thy friend Men now do fly from Death whilst Death pursues But then shall seek to Death who will refuse At their Request such favour to afford As frees them from that Breath giv'n by the Lord. Death knows no pity Nay observe it well â—Tis Death that opens wide the Gates of Hell Where thou must be tormented with the Devils As the just punishment of all thy evils Distressed Soul oh unto what shall I Compare thy caseless endless misery In various Volumes of the World's Records Strange Tortures we may find exprest by words But Oh! so great so fore is thy distress As flesh can't bear 't so words can't it express Devils rejoyce and welcom in the Day That crown'd their Conquests with so rich a prey To see thee thus quite buried in thy spoils Berest of Earthly joys and Heav'nly smiles And I do fear th' incensed God above With direful Wrath will quickly thee remove Into that place But hark methinks I hear Some dreadful noise see how the Mountains tear And rending Hills do into pieces fly Whilst Thunder bellows through the troubled sky The Stars and Planets in confusion hurl'd Have banisht Natures order from the World See how the melting Orbs of Heaven sweat Like Parchment parch'd shrivel'd up with heat Swift Lightning flashes through the Air appear And now O hark the dreadful Trump I hear It sounds exceeding loud enough to make The Dead from their deep silent Graves awake And stoutest Sinners stubborn hearts to quake Ah! 't is Mount Sinai God himself is come Now to convince thee of thy final Doom The Law and Justice will thee now Arraign Poor Soul for thee my Soul 's in bitter pain From them be sure no Mercy thou wilt meet Although thou shouldst turn Suppli'nt at their feet Their method is so rigid so severe The Guilty by no means they ever spare Awake awake poor Soul and look about Jehovah doth command the Sinner out And active Justice having seiz'd her fast Doth hale her to the Judgment-seat in hast Justice Most Soveraign Lord who dares i' th least gainsay What thou commandst thy Word I must obey Lo here I bring this wretched Prisoner forth Unto thy Bar who mad'st both Heaven and Earth See! with what dread the trembling wretch doth stand To know thy Sacred Pleasure Command Jehovah Justice What is her Fact her Crimes declare I patiently will now the matter hear Justice Then will I legally my Lord proceed And presently her black Indictment reade Come forth thou Conscious wretch and hear thy Crimes In wicked deeds thou didst begin betimes By th' name of Soul thou standst indicted here Being without true Grace and godly fear Most treacherously in Eden long ago Didst then and there with God's most horrid Foe Conspire against his Soveraign Majesty To the dethroning of him privily Then setst thou up a Traitor in his place And traiterously his Image didst deface And ever since hast in Rebellion stood Pursuing Evil and forsaking Good For Treason Murder Theft thou standst Indicted These Crimes were all in thy first fact united Nay more then this yet worser is thy Cause Thou art Arraign'd for breach of all those Laws Which in thy Nature God at first ingrav'd The same thou hast in every point deprav'd This Royal Law much hast thou violated And every Day thy Crimes are aggravated That Spirit 's still in thee which was at first When God did thee out of his Garden thrust Thou sid'st with Satan and dost him obey Not minding what or God or good men say All Evil Rebels in thy House remain And nobly there thou dost them entertain Whilst God thou hat'st his proffer'd Love refuse And precious Patience daily dost abuse Therefore my Lord she worthy is of Death As ever any that on Earth drew Breath Jehovah Soul What dost say hold up thy guilty head Thou unto this Indictment now must plead Guilty or not Guilty I charge thee speak Lest Justice doth severer Courses take Soul I dare not say I am not Guilty Lord Of some of these foul Crimes which I have heard Read in my Charge 't is vain for to deny My Conscience makes me Guilty Guilty cry Thy Law is
and jointly satisfy To save her now from the infernal pit I have a Ransom found a Ransom fit Divine Justice I cannot hold I 'le strike the fatal Blow Hell she deserves with vengeance let her go Unto the place appointed for all them Who do God's holy Laws and Grace contemn Jesus Prince of Light O who is this What Traitor 's at the Bar That is condemn'd and Justice wo'nt defer The Execution speak hold up thy head Hast any thing to say What canst thou plead Methinks methinks I should this Creature know Ah! Soul is 't thee What shall I for thee do I told thee what thy state would be i' th end When first my Love to thee I did commend Soul Speak 't is I why dost thou not look up I 'm sorely griev'd to think upon the Cup That is prepar'd for thee What dost thou say Shall I step in that Justice may delay To strike the stroke for then too late 't will be To show my Love and pity unto thee Hast any kindness for me in thine Heart I doubt that still thou the same Creature art Thou wast before and hast no love at all Why speakst thou not shall vengeance on thee fall Ah! how can I see Execution done And Tears not from mine Eyes like Rivers run Divine Justice Lord be n't concern'd she is thy bitter Foe Oh let me therefore freely strike the blow There 's nought in her but Sin and poisonous Evil To God a Foe and Friend unto the Devil JESVS I know not how to let this stroke be given For I am come on purpose down from Heaven To make Atonement and to satisfy For all her sins and foul Iniquity Though she to me doth no affection bear Yet her I pity and do love most dear Justice Blest JESVS hold 't is my just Master's sense Abused Mercy must have recompence There is no other way but she must die Unless thou wilt be her Securitie If in her stead thy life thou wilt give up Then mayst thou save her from this bitter Cup. The price which thou on that account wilt pay Will make a Compensation and defray All her vast Debts yea plenarily God's wrath appease and Justice satisfy What must be done Who is 't the stroke must bear Is 't not most fit such should who guilty are I cannot hold my hand nor longer stay Law must be satisfy'd what dost thou say Thou wretched Soul behold the knife and spear Can'st thou dost think God's fearful vengeance bear Now Soul look to thy self this Spear I 'le run Into thy Bowels ere I it return JESVS Stay Justice stay withold thy furious Dart And let its glitt'ring point first pierce my Heart Her guilty state aloud calls for relief It wounds my Soul and fills my Heart with grief My Bowels yearn my inward parts do move Now now 's the time to show her my great Love Let Law and Justice be suffic'd in me 'T is I will die to set the Sinner free Behold me Soul my life shall go for thine I will redeem thee with this Blood of mine Although most Precious Sacred and Divine CHAP. VII Shewing what Consultations there were amongst the infernal Spirits to bring Jesus Prince of Light under the power of Death a Council called in Hell the Princes of the fallen Angels in a deep combination against him for fear their Kingdom should fall and the poor Creature be delivered The grand Counsel of Old Satan is taken He enters into Judas Judas's sin discovered Jesus is apprehended A terrible battel or Christ's Agony before his Passion Sin and Wrath combine together shewing the Prince's Conquests over them both Seven aggravations of Christ's sorrows in the Garden and a Dialogue between the Devil King of Darkness and Death the King of Terrors HEre let 's a while reflect with careful heed What! doth the guiltless for the guilty bleed This may astonish all here 's Love indeed Do Mortals ever greater love extend Then to lay down their lives for a dear Friend But for a Prince a mighty Prince to die Not for a Friend but for an Enemy Convicted and condemn'd for horrid Treason Thus to step in at that most Critick season When just the fatal blow was to be given This Love 's above our Reach higher than Heaven Deeper than Ocean Seas so Infinite As well deserves our wonder day and night What Was the Father free his Son to give His dear and only Son that she might live And doth the Son i' th midst of Enemies Yield up himself to be a Sacrifice Yet who can be so bold to lay their Hands Upon this Prince that Heaven Earth commands How shall this thing be now accomplished And by what means shall his dear Blood be shed Let 's now inquire who is 't that will consent To be the grand and chiefest Instrument To execute this precious spotless Lamb Who for this purpose down from Heav'n came Has he on Earth any such spightful Foe As dare's attempt this ' mazing thing to do You heard before he daily was beset And with what Enemies he often met But now his hour is drawing very near Great Consultations ' mongst his Foes there were How they might take his blessed Life away Who seem'd himself impatient of delay He long'd until his work were finished Which could not be until his blood were shed And though he had most raging Enemies Yet knew they not what project to devise To bring this bloody traiterous deed to pass Which long before by them designed was Until Apollyon finding by his Art The dire Intentions harbour'd in their Heart Doth rouse them up and first the matter start To the Infernal powers to wake them â—l A second time upon this Prince to fall Then Belzebub Satan and Lucifer Consult afresh how to renew the War And to this purpose wee 'l suppose they spake Apollyon Shake off your fears and speedily let 's make The strongest Head that possibly we can Against this strong this Devil-amazing man Now now 's the day let 's bring him to Death's sting And then with shouts of Triumph we may sing For over Death 't is we the power have And we may sure secure him in the Grave 'T is he alone who frights us in our station And puts us all into great Consternation Our Kingdom by this means is like to fall And we thereby be ruin'd great and small I have engag'd him once but could not stand I know his strength he has a pow'rful Hand Belzebub My Sentence is for War this Enterprize Well managed will make our Kingdom rise And re-inthrone us in our Antient Skies To a great Height and flourish as before When he is down we 'l let him rise no more Can we but once deprive him of his Life 'T will put an end to all our fears and strife Lucifer Dominions Pow'rs and Principalities You all in danger are awake and rise From off your Seats and lazy Beds of Down Sleep you secure or
still encreases ours decays Words without Actions are but faint delays The rarest Wit amongst us must look out With wariness to bring this thing about I 'le tell you what I newly have contriv'd Let my Lord Lucifer the King of Pride Make one amongst their Rulers in the Seat Of seeming Justice Tell them they are Great And Prudent men yea Learned ones likewise And in their Breasts alone true Wisdom lies Yea tell them that the Soveraign Lord of Heaven To them the name of Gods on Earth hath given Tell them both God and men have though it fit That they like Gods should in this Grandeur sit And answerable to this lofty station The people have them in great veneration Thus when h' has put their Honours in a Heat And swell'd them up with Pride and self-conceit Tell them 't is much below their high Degree That such a low inferiour Man as he Should be their Prince or 〈◊〉 them bear sway Who rather ought their 〈◊〉 to obey Then when the uncontrouled â—reath of Fame Has spread abroad the Glory of his Name And fill'd each Eye and Ear with Admiration Giving to him Applause and Veneration Then let our envious Friend once more take's place And sit as pale as Death in every Face And let him tell them if they do not take Some speedy course their Honours lie at stake He grows so famous in the peoples Eyes They shortly will their Soveraignty despise Satan Nay I can tell them yet another thing The people seek by force to make him King Which if the Roman Pow'r should understand They 'd quickly come and take away their Land This sure will work or other ways I 'le find Good Mariners can sail with every wind Thus these Infernals seeking to prevent Their future but deserved punishment Far swifter than the lofty Eagle flies Did set upon their Hellish enterprize The King of Pride threw forth his poisonous Darts Which did not miss to pierce the yielding Hearts Of those that sat at Stern who should delight To do the thing that 's equal just and right But disregarding great Jehovah's Laws They sought poor Souls for popular Applause Puft up with Pride and swoln with vain Ambition That Tympany of th' Soul They had suspition That if the Prince of Light were once affected They by the people soon should be rejected For first they saw his Miracles were great His Vertues rendred him still more compleat And made him so illustriously to shine He gain'd the Appellation of Divine Nay furthermore they heard now some did sing Hosanna in the Highest to the King Of Israel the fragrant Flower of Jess The Root of David Oh! who can express The depth of Envy which in them did burn With-raging flames almost at every turn Close Consultation in their Courts appears And i' th mean while strange Rumors fill their Ears The Miracles which he before had wrought Into the minds of people fresh are brought Those wond'rous things did much encrease the strife He rass'd said some the Dead again to Life Gave sight unto the Blind who from their Birth Had never seen the Light that guilds the Earth The Dumb the Deaf the Lepers and the Lame In all Distempers whosoever came Had perfect Cure in every Disease Nay he could hush the Winds and calm the Seas Could dispossess the black Infernal Rout And cast whole Legions of fierce Devils out Of five mean Barly loavs and two small Fishes He made above five thousand plenteous Dishes Thus many talkt what he before had done Grieving to think what now was coming on His gracious words and vertuous Life commended Him to the Multitude but much offended Th' inraged Rulers yet his Innocence Was still so sure a Guard and strong defence That they could not their wicked ends obtain Yet from their malice would they not refrain How often did they in clandestine way Endeavour their blood-thirsty hands to lay Upon this Sacred Prince yet still through fear The people would rise up they did forbear Sometimes they thought to trap him in his words That Law Justice then might draw their Swords And cut him off And then again devise Another course charg'd him with Blasphemies Against the God of Heaven by which way They surely thought they might his Life betray But never could they over him get pow'r Untill his time were come Now now 's their hour The work must needs be carried on with speed When Heaven and Hell about it are agreed Though different ends in these great Agents are Yet in the thing they both consenting were That Christ should be of his dear Life depriv'd Though Hell alone the guilty Act contriv'd Yet God indeed from all Eternitie Knowing what rage and curs'd malignity Would be in their base Hearts resolved then He would permit and suffer these vile men To bring his Purpose and Decree to pass Which for our Good and his own Glory was CHAP. VIII Shewing how the Lord Jesus died in the Sinner's stead Such was his love and yet the Soul an Enemy at that time to him and hated him A full discovery of Christ's bloody Passion enough to make a heart of stone to melt The Prince gives up the ghost Death the King of Terrors insults over Jesus Prince of Light Death is threatned with Death shewing also what fear there was amongst the Devils lest the Prince should rise again and overcome Death A second Council held in Hell the Devils tremble Death subdued Heathen Oracles cease The Devil 's destroyed upon the Prince's resurrection and put to open shame Joy in Heaven Angels sing Saints rejoyce The end of the First Part. BUT to proceed Will you lift up your Eyes And view the Rage of Hellish Enemies The final troubles of the Prince of Light Are coming on Behold a frightful sight A multitude with Clubs and Swords and Spears About his Sacred Person now appears This wretched Rabble's come on a design Which wounds and breaks this stony heart of mine To think upon 't behold they are conducted By the grand Traitor and by him instructed How to proceed on this great Enterprise Which he by Hellish power did devise Arm'd as you heard they seiz'd on him as if He had indeed been some notorious Thief Fond men If you this Prince's Nature knew Your Weapons are too many or too few As Man so meek you need no rescue fear As God so strong he can in pieces tear A thousand Troops that should approach him near Of which a present Instance did appear Some little rays of his dread Deitie He caused to break forth and suddenly They stagger'd and fell backwards on the ground That they might see he quickly could confound Them utterly and lay them at his feet But that he saw it better to submit Unto his Father's Will and take the Cup Which was prepared for him to drink up But they recov'ring strength got up again Regardless of all dread and now amain Resume their purpose and with wicked hands
For the great God who form'd the Heav'n Earth Doth look upon himself as wrong'd thereby For he that sins doth little less than fly I' th very face of his blest Majesty And when the Son of Glory hither came O how was he exposed unto shame It brought his Sacred Person in disgrace When Sinners vile spat in his Heavn'ly face They taunt him with base terms and being bound They scourged him he bled but the worst wound Was in his Soul occasioned by Sin And thou thereby woundst him most sore agin O wilt thou paddle in the pure stream Of precious Bloud contemn it O extream And hideous Monster dost thou hug the Knife Which wounded him yea took away his Life And will let out thy blood though now it be Delighted in and loved much by thee Of Wonders strange and Prodigies that are Amazing unto all who of them bear None can come nigh or be compar'd to this A Prodigie of Prodigies it is Of Love and Lover ne'r the like was known Nor was the like Ingratitude e're shown The one doth love beyond all admiration And suffer'd things beyond humane relation And he a King but she a filthy brute A beggar vile and yet denies his Suit Question From whence is it O why will she not close With this great Lord how can she still oppose His oft-repeated proffers how not yet Yield unto him pray what 's the cause of it Answer 'T is not in her own power to dispose Her self in marriage also here are those Who dwell with her and her Relations be Who spoil the match or the affinitie Which otherwise in all appearance might Be throughly made with Jesus Prince of Light Two proud Relations loftily stand off Who urge her to reject him with a scoff The one is Will a very churlish piece Who all along for Sin and Satan is The other's Judgment once most grave and wise But now with Will both cursed Enemies To God and Christ true Piety oppose And lead the Soul with evil ways to close 'T is they who must dispose of her if she E're yield to Christ his dearest Spouse to be But Sin has so by craft corrupted them And drawn them to its party they contemn This glorious Lover and will not consent The Soul should yield to him or should repent And so break off with other Lovers who She yet doth love and loth is to for-go Besides them in her house doth also dwell An Enemy call'd Old-man known full well To be a grand and horrid Instrument To keep the Soul from granting her consent O! he 's the cause of all the inward strife And hates the thoughts she should become his Wife And will prevent it if he can find out Meet ways and means to bring the same about Nay such a Foe this Old-man is indeed That till he 's slain by th' Spirit or does bleed Or weakned in his power ne'r will she With the Lord Christ firmly united be Slight wounds wo'nt do he must be slain out-right Such is his rage his subtilty and spite Against this happy match till he 's near dead It cannot be in truth accomplished Therefore expect to hear of his black doom Before the sweet espousal Day doth come There 's also yet another Inmate I Perceive dwells in her house which by and by You 'l hear much of who all her secrets knows And can her very inward thoughts disclose His name is Conscience whose Power 's so great That in her house he hath a Regal Seat These three Allies by Old-man so corrupted Have all along the business interrupted They naturally are opposite to Grace And are far more inclined to give place To sensual Objects and the Prince o' th Night And so betray the Soul for want of light Into their hands of whom you heard before Who secretly design for ever-more To take away her life and quite undo her Whilst flatteringly they promise peace unto her The Soul 's deprav'd and captivated so It chuses Evil and lets Jesus go The chiefest good and takes the chiefest evil Being by nature acted by the Devil This well consider'd may the cause discover Why she denies to entertain this Lover The Soul is dead and cannot see nor hear 'T is sensless as a stone a stone can bear The greatest weight and neither break nor melt Souls dead to God ne'r love-sick passions felt Unto this day nor can they love until They are convinc'd of sin and all the ill They have committed ' gainst his holy Will Being sensible hereof then with strong cryes They fly to God for salve to o'pe their Eys The Eys affect the Heart when thou canst see Christ will be dear and not till then to thee The Conscience first is always wrought upon Which never is effectually done But by the Spirits Pow'r and operation Which sets it equally against transgression But lest I should be tedious I 'le forbear Craving attention to what follows here CHAP. III. Shewing Christ's Heavenly and admirable Beauty Riches Bounty Power and Wisdom Theologue WILT thou be cruel to so dear a Friend Upon thy self 't will fall poor Soul i th' end Did not Rebeckâ— yiel'd and chuse to go With Abram's servant and wilt thou say no What was an Isaac unto him whom I Desire thee to fix thy tender Eye Upon was Isaac fair and wealthy too Or was he great Ah Soul will such things do If beauty wealth or honour thou dost prize I do present one now before thine Eys That is the Object this alone is he None none like him did ever mortals see He is all fair in him 's not one ill feature Ten thousand times more fair than any Creature That lives or ever lived on the Earth His Beauty so amazingly shines forth Angelick Nature is enamor'd so They love him dearly and admire him too His Head is like unto the purest Gold His curled Tresses lovely to behold And such a brightness sparkles from his Eys As when Aurora gilds the Morning skies And though so bright yet lovely like the Doves Charming all hearts where râ—â—is diviner Loves Look on his beauteous Cheeks and thou 'lt espy The Rose of Sharon deckt in Royaltie His smiling Lips his speech and words so sweet That all delights and joy in them do meet Which tends at once to ravish ear and sight And to a kiss all heavenly Souls invite The Image of his Father 's in his face His inward parts excel he 's full of grace If Heaven and Earth can make a rare Complexion Without a spot or the least imperfection Here here it is it in this Prince doth shine He 's altogether lovely all Divine 1. His Beauty is so much desirable No Souls that see it any ways are able For to withstand the influ'nce of the same They 'r so enamour'd with it they proclaim There 's none like him in Earth nor Heav'n above It draws their hearts and makes them fall in love Immediately so that they cannot stay From
following him one minute of a day The Flock is left the Herd and fishing Net As soon as e're the Soul its Eye doth set Upon his face or of it takes a view They 'l cleave to him whatever doth insue 2. Christ is the Spring or the Original Of earthly beauty and Celestial That Beauty which in glorious Angels shine Or is in Creatures natural or Divine It flows from him O it is he doth grace The mind with glorious Beauty as the face 3. Christ's Beauty 's chast most pure and without snares Not like to other's which oft unawares Like Josephs most treacherously betrays Poor wanton Souls and leads them to the pit Before they are aware or think of it Here may'st thou look and love and take thy 〈◊〉 Yea every one who hath a heart a will Whose sweetness ne'r will glut furfeit or 〈◊〉 4. His Beauty 's real 't is no glistering 〈◊〉 That suits vain Sinners this affects the Saint The painted face pleases the carnal â—yâ— But none but Saints through faith can this espy That 's a vain show but this a precious thing In sight of which Celestial joy doth spring 5. This Beauty fills and fully satisfies The hearts of all who have enlightned Eyes He that sees Christ doth say Lord now I have What e're I longâ—d to see no more I crave I have enough my heart and I are fill'd Which was not so before whilst I behold Things with a sensual heart and outward eye There 's nothing here save Christ can satisfie That precious Soul which lieth in thy breast Reject him and ne'r look for peace nor rest 6. Christ's Beautyâ—s hidden 't is so 〈◊〉 No glimmerings of it can appear at all To carnal Souls This is the cause why he Is thus deny'd and slighted still by thee 7. There 's one thing more which I'lâ— to thee impart Touching Christ's Beauty by diviner 〈◊〉 He doth transmit his beauty unto those Who are deform'd as soon as e're they close With him in truth in a contract of love He all their homely features doth remove Oh! he can make those lovely very fair Who ne'r so filthy ne'r so ugly are 8. This Beauty fadeth not 't will not decay 'T will be as rare to morrow as to day Not like to that which as a fading flower Ev'n now shines bright but wither'd in an hour Riches of Christ Or is thy heart on Riches set know then Christ is more rich than all the sons of Men. The Father hath to him all fulness given In Earth beneath and all that is in Heaven All Kingdoms of the world they are his own Whether inhabited or yet unknown He 's heir of all things and the time is near When he will make his Right most plain appear All Potentates his Tenants are at will And such who wast his goods or govern ill Account must give to him and then will find What 't is to bear to him a treach'rous mind Christ's glorious Riches are discovered Yet further unto thee for all are fed By him alone that on the Earth â—'reliv'd Both food and clothes they all from him receiv'd And still receive 't is at his proper charge They are maintain'd as might be shew'n at large I 'le only give a hint or two at things His Treasures far surmount all Earthly Kings He has paid all the debts of every one That clos'd with him O do but think upon This very thing and wisely then account To what a sum this payment will amount Suppose each Soul ten thousand Talents were In debt to God some little time we 'l spare To cast it up 'T is done and lo 't is found Eighteen hundred sev'nty five thousand pound And less than that what sinners ow'd that 's clear'd As often-times I doubt not you have hear'd What did they altogether think you owe Who 's able to account it who can show The quantity of that great debt which he Paid at one single payment on the Tree The quality too of his Riches are So great in worth O so transcendent rare Their Nature Men nor Angels can declare No other Coin would with God's Justice go To satisfie for debts which Sinners owe. Nay the whole World nor yet ten thousand more Could not discount one farthing of that score But had Christ's worth and Riches only bin Sufficient to discharge from debts of Sin And had he not more Treasure to bestow On such who do believe or truly do Cleave unto him it might be thought to be A lessening of his vast Treasurie But 't is not so for he enriches all Who are discharged from sin's bitter thral None comes to him nor ever came but they Receive besides such sums that very day They are espous'd that holy Truth relates Theyâ—r made more rich than earthly Potentates A golden Chain about their necks he places And them with Rings and precious Jewels graces And clothes them also in rich Robes of state Whose sparkling glory far exceeds the plate Of beaten Gold nay Ophir's Treasury And all the Wealth which in both Indies lie Must not compared be alas they can't Equal in worth the Robes of one poor Saint He Heirs also doth make them every one Of a most glorious Kingdom and a Crown He doth assure them that they shall obtain And when they come to age for ever raign With him triumphantly and tread down those Who were their Enemies or did oppose Their rising up to such great Dignity Or treated them on Earth with cruelty He 's rich in every thing no good is found No wealth nor worth but all in Christ abound Few in all kind of Riches do exceed But there 's in him whatever Sinners need Caâ—t but a look O view this Treasury Riches of Life Love Pardon all dos lie Laid up in Christ in him t is hid for those Who do with him in true affection close These Riches do enrich the Soul of Man Which earthly Riches never did nor can Nay prethee hark to me I 'le tell thee more Although Christ has paid off our former score He hanâ—t consum'd one farthing of his store Though he has made some millions rich and high He hath with him such a redundancy Of glorious Riches that let come who will Their Treasuries with substance he can fill The Sun is not more full of precious Light Whose sparkling rays do dazle mortals sight Nor is the great the vast and mighty Sea More fill'd with water than in truth is he With Grace and Riches yea of every kind Which if thou close with him and dost not find To be a truth Soul then let me obtain Reproach from all yea an eternal shame Christ's Riches are so great St. Paul knew well No tongue could set them forth no Angels tell Th' nature of them they unsearchable be Men may find out the bottom of the Sea As soon as they can learn or comprehend How rich Christ is who is thy dearest Friend Nay more than this his Riches are so
o're the Grave And from them all he able is to save If thou wilt but consent grant his request Thou never more by Foes shalt be distrest Ah Soul is 't not a very glorious thing Daily to be thus courted by a King And such a King shall Jesus woo in vain Shall such a Prince not thy sweet love obtain The Wisdome of Christ What say'st to Wisdom from whose Odour springs That wch makes glorious inferiour Men as Kings This spreads the sweet perfume of Solomon's fame 'T was this that rais'd his most illustrious Name The noise of Wisdome made so great report 'T was heard as far as Sheba's Princely Court It made the Lady's Charriot-wheels to run Most swift like to the new-rais'd Eastern Sun Mâ—unting aloft and vanquishing black Clouds She hasts away and through obstructions crouds Defying danger she 's resolv'd to see What Fame reports touching this Prodigie The emulous Queen 's arriv'd she stands amaz'd She lessens wonders and be'ng over-daz'd With this great Beam she breaks forth could not hold But must express that what to her was told In her own Country was in no wisâ— nigh Half what she found did in his Wisdom lie What 's Riches Bounty Honour Beauty rare Unless true Wisdom also do dwell there If Wisdom may a person recommend Christ is all Wisdom Shall I now descend Into particulars wilt lend an Ear Whilst I endeavour to make it more clear Alas I stand amaz'd Can Infinite Perfections be exprest what shall I write He 's wise all-wise only wise shall I speak Wisdom it self i' th' abstract Can I take Upon me then to ope this Mystery When in him doth all depths of Wisdom lie The Wisemans wisdome if 't compar'd might be Was like a drop of Water to the Sea Nay far a greater disproportion's there Should we Christ's wisdom once with his compare 'T was he which did to Solomon impart That wisdom and that understanding heart 'T is he which makes all good men grave and wise To hate all evil and true Vertue prize He to our Fathers doth right knowledg give And 't is by him all pious Judges live Th' infinite wisdome of th' Eternal One Shines forth in him nay 't is in him alone All is laid up he is God's Treasury Where Wisdom and true Knowledg both do lie He knows all things and persons here below Nay perfectly does he the Father know And all Decrees and Counsels which of old Have been and their events he can unfold He knows each glorious purpose and design In him alone do all Perfections shine The frames the thoughts the ways the fears the wants Temptations burdens the grief of Saints Most perfectly he knows and quickly can Save and deâ—end from th' greatest rage of Man For Counsel and wise conduct he exceeds And in the midst of paths of Judgment leads The crafty Counsel of Achitophel He can defeat though laid as deep as Hell He over-turns the wisdome of the wise Confounds their plots and shews what folly lies In their grand Councils making them to know Their purposes can't stand if he says no. He orders things that no design shall take Further than 't will for his own Glory make None like to Christ he is without compare He 's wise as well as wealthy great and fair What 's thy opinion Soul canst not espy All Glory hid in his blest Majesty What hinders then but that without delay Triumph may celebrate th' espousal day CHAP. IV. Shewing how the Conscience of the Sinner comes to be effectually awakened together with the effects thereof THIS being said with bowels of Affection Tho often mixt with gall of sharp detection Her former stubbornness being all laid o'pe Yet this nor that nor nothing gave much hope He should prevail which put him in a maze And did his voice and spirits higher raise He still went on with sweet commiseration Yet was his pity mixt with some small passion And to this purpose did this good man speak Not knowing how his last farewel to take Theologue Poor stupified Soul Alas alas What is the cause whence doth it come to pass Thou art so sensless why dost thou despise All those Soul-melting tears those sighs and crys What is thy heart more harder than the Rocks That thou canst bear these oft repeated knocks And never break at all O strange O strange Thy heart poor Soul isâ—t harder than a stone That feeble drops of water fall upon And makes impression What shall stones relent And yield themselves and as it were consent These frequent droppings should impression make And showers move thee not Awake awake Before the dreadful Message I impart Shall rouse thy hard and sin-congealed heart Thy night comes on thy Sun 's a going down Thy seeming favourites begin to frown So all thy pleasures with their wanton charms Are flying from thee Death spreads forth his Arms To take thee hence unto another place Canst thou poor wretch this ghastly King imbrace What will become of all thy wealth and pleasure Behold alas Death 's come to make a seisure Upon thy poor deceived Soul this night Then all thy joys and empty vain delight Will vanish like the smoke and thou shalt be Cast iuto Prison for Eternitie Where thou shalt evermore bewail thy loss In changing Gold for that that 's worse than dross Shall Beauty Wealth or Honour make thee yield Much more that Wisdom wherewith Christ is fill'd Shall Love and Patience be so ill rewarded By thee by whom he should be most regarded And sensual Objects harbour'd in thy heart Then wilt thou hear what further I 'le impart Soul now thou must be anathematiz'd And when Christ comes how wilt thou be surpriz'd For those that love not Jesus are accurst And when he doth appear for ever must That fearful doom and sentence then receive O may the thoughts of this cause thee to cleave To him with speed before this day is gone I le now break off adieu this think upon Poor drousy wretch let sin no more deceive thee Give me thine Answer now before I leave thee O may these Soul-confounding terrors break Thy stony-heart and make thy Conscience speak Eternal God do thou thy Spirit send 'T is he which must the Soul in pieces rend The work 's too hard for weakness Alas I Shall not prevail if help thou dost deny Speak to her heart set home the Word with Pow'r Shall this be the good day the happy hour Her Conscience touch O wound her let her see What 't is to be a Captive unto thee Open her Eyes blest Spirit thou canst do it Sad is her state O come and let her know it Let not my pains nor labour quite be lost For dear she has my Master Jesus cost Thou canst effectually change her bad mind Which unto sensual Objects is inclin'd O shed and scatter precious Love abroad And unto her some of that grace afford Moral persuasions barely ne're will bring The Soul to love
all thy score If thou a Widow or an Orphan be Husband and Father both he 'l be to thee A Husband that does live yea live for ever Match here poor Soul where Death can part you never Or art thou weak canst not go alone He is thy strength O thou mayst lean upon His mighty Arm for that is thy support Art thou beleaguer'd he 's thy Royal Fort. In times of danger and of trouble great Unto his holy Name do thou retreat Which is a Tower strong to all that fly With care and speed from all iniquity Under his wings he 'l hide his purchas'd One Till these calamities are past and gone Or art thou dying and dost fear the grave He is thy life from Death he will thee save They cannot die who such a Husband have Or art a Sinner he 's thy Righteousness He 's more than I can any ways express The good in Christ is so exceeding sweet None understand until they tast of it He is a Good which none can comprehend He is a Good which doth all others send The chiefest Good good of himself alone When carnal joys and pleasures all are gone That 's not the good that fills not the desire That can't be chief if there be yet a higher God is so good noughts good if him we want Small things with him will satisfie a Saintâ— He is so good that nought can bitter make him Unto that Soul who chearfully does take him And his sweet love and precious grace enjoys Yet this rare Good ne'r gluts nor sweetness cloys The best of earthly sweets which fools do prize By sin and sickness doth much bitter rise They loath them straight and can't abide to hear Of that which lately they esteem'd so dear That that 's the Good on which thou shouldst depend That is desired for no other end Than for it self O tast of him and try And thou 'lt be filled to Eternity That 's not the Good which suddenly doth leave us That 's not the Good of which Death can bereave us Christ is a Good that 's lasting and abides All other Good alas will fail besides Make him thy choice dear Soul O do but try How sweet it is in Jesu's Arms to lie Make him thy joy and thou 'lt see cause to sing Whatever days or change may on thee bring Soul Sad times alas here is a sudden change Nought can I hear of now but rumors strange Of Wars and Tumults with perplexity Which do encrease and swell most vehemently Within the regions of my inward man Which causes tears and makes my face look wan Cross workings in me clearly I discover I am distrest about this glorious Lover The counsel which my heart did lately give I cannot take I dare not it receive Great slaughters there will be in my small Isle For without bloud be sure this fearful broil Will never cease which side now shall I take I tremble much yea all my bones do shake Some of my sins which I have loved dear Are forc'd to fly and others can't appear Lest Conscience should upon them fall for he Crys out Kill all let not one spared be Nay Judgment too is all-most at a stand Which doth amuse me much o' th other hand Yet Will and Old-man are resolv'dly bent To hinder me from granting my consent Yet if I could but have some glimm'ring sight Of this great Prince I know not but it might Work strange effects in me for I do find My Eyes are out my Understanding blind Lord pity me for I a wretch have bin To slight thee thus and love my cursed sin Thus whilst God's Word was preacht and she also Began to cry I did observe and lo A Friend was sent from the blest Prince of Light The glory of whose Face did shine so bright That none were able to behold for he Seem'd not infer'our to the Majesty Of the great God and his eternal Son For they in Essence are all three but one His Power 's great and Glory is his merit His nature 's like his Name most holy Spirit Who to the Soul did presently draw near And toucht her heart and then unstopt her ear And from him shone such glorious rays of light Some scales flew off and she recover'd sight Which straitway did her judgment rectifie Who to this purpose did himself apply Unto the Soul whom he had led astray I must confess my faults to thee this day Judgment For want of light false judgment I have given And treacherously conspired against Heaven And ' gainst thy life and happiness have I Been drawn into a vile conspiracy Of th' highest nature for I did consent With thy base Foes who hellishly are bent To tear thee into pieces quite undo thee Whilst smilingly they proffer pleasures to thee And now though not t' extenuate my sin I 'le tell thee how I have been drawen in Thy heart 's corrupted and from it proceeds The cursed Old-man with his evil deeds They with Apollyon jointly did unite To draw a Curtain 'twixt me and the light And thus though I sometimes was half inclin'd To judge for God they bâ—sely kept me blind T hey've me corrupted with thy wilful Will Who I do fear remains most stubborn still Which if 't be so and he 's not made to bend Conclude the match thou canst not wth thy friend And I poor I can't make him condescend Some higer Power 't is must make him yield Or he 'l stand out and never quit the Field For he 's a churlish piece and thou wilt find To what is evil he is most enclin'd But hath no will at all to what is right A very Traytor to the Prince of Light But as for me my thoughts are clearly now Thou oughtst forthwith to yield and meekly bow To the great King thy miâ—hty Lord and Lover And more then this to thee I must discover Now now I know thy Soveraign Lord will pry Into thy very heart his piercing Eye Will find that 〈◊〉 amongst the Company Who wants the Wedding-garment and will sever That unprepared man in Wrath for ever From his sweet presence Soul his Word doth shew Nothing will serve but universal new He is a jealous God will not endure To see thee only counterfeited pure O now I see he will not take a part But claims both ears eyes hands yea the whole heart Now now I see 't is pure simplicity That is alone accepted in his Eye That sin which has been like to a right hand For profit sweet thou must at his command Cut straight-way off Nay Soul look thou about For Right-eye sins must all be pulled out Though they for pleasure have to thee bin dear Yet must they have no room nor favour here Of every sin thou must thy self deny One sin will damn thee to Eternity If thou to it dost any love retain Nay hark to me Soul listen once again The Law must also unto thee be dead And thou to it or
And no good thing from us will he deny But hark What saith the Flesh O Soul saith she In this give ear and harken unto me 'T is not unlawful here to lay up Treasure Provided thou therein tak'st no great pleasure The World thou seest disdains those wch are poor And if thou 'rt Rich thouâ—lt be ador'd the more Nay if thou once arrivest at the pitch Of being by the World accounted Rich Thy words will far the greater influence have And may'st thereby perchance more rich ones save Besides all this when Rich thou mayest feed With thy abundance such who suffer need And this also will take thee off from care Which is to some a most perplexing snare And thou for God may'st the more hours spare If thou art poor and of strict conversation That will not be a fit Accommodation To draw men by for some thereby are frighted Who might by temporizing be invited Accommodate thy selâ— to all become All things to all men that thou mayst gain some These subtil Covers doth the Flesh devise To hide those sins which in the bosom lies And by this crafty course perhaps a while The poor unwary Soul it may beguile And if Apollyon sees the Creature yield In this respect he 's Victor in the Field He glory's in the Conquest he has gain'd As if a Diadem he had obtain'd But now behold here comes her former Friend ' Christ's precious Love this once to recommend True Ministers are filled with compassion As their long patience's worth all commendation The preciousness now of the Soul you 'l hear And how things go within he will declare He 'l call her Conscience to examination For Conscience 't is must give a full Relation Of all false Covers Nay and will reveal Those secret Lusts the Flesh seems to conceal Theologue Conscience thou knowst and privy art to all The secret strivings and the words let fall To bring the Soul to join in bonds of love With Jesus Christ and finally remove Her heart from sin yea from the smallest evil One sin belov'd will send her to the Devil Speak therefore now her inward parts reveal What faith hath she what love and O what zeal What indignation care and what desire Is she inflamed is she all on fire In love to him who out of love did die Her to espouse and save Eternally Conscience She loves but who she sighs Sir shall I speak She 's doubtfull still she knows not which to take Some kind of love some faint desires do rise Within her breast but then the Enemies Immediately such great disturbance cause That she 's amaz'd and put into a pause Although she dos love Christ I must confess Some secret sin is favour'd ner'theless She wants some glorious Rays her eyes are dim She never yet had a true sight of him I must speak all e'en the whole truth impart Alas she has new Objects in her heart Her love is treach'rous her affections burn Chiefly to self loves Christ to serve her turn And such a Legalist she 's become now To her own drag she blindfoldly do's vow To offer Incense in her seeming grace She glory 's much nay sets it in the place Of Jesus Christ and on that Idol pores This is the Object now she most adores Theologue Wilt thou expose thy self to scoff and shame And bring a blot for ever on thy name A Monster thou in Nature wilt appear To all who of thy faults and folly hear Canst be so vile so impudent and base Disloval Soul how canst thou still give place To Jesus's Foes and up an Idol set What offer sacrifice to thy own Net I stand amaâ—'d â— what guilt is on thy head Remember that black Bill what crimes are spread Before thine Eyes already But now further 〈◊〉 to charge thee with another Murther Committed on a spotless Man nay worse Thou letst him be betrayed to the Curse Of a most shameful Death nay what exceeds His hands feet sides die and his Soul still bleeds And what is worst of all he is God's Son On whom this bloody Tragedy was done Thy Friend O Soul who came down from above To sue to thee for kindnesses and love And yet doth he whose blood thy hands have shed Sue unto thee nay his deep wounds do plead For mercy and he 's able to forgive He 's God as well as Man dead yet doth live What Object is 't thou hast got in thine eye Dost think the Law can help thee make hast fly For 't is by that thou stand'st condemn'd to die Seek a Divorcement stand'st thou still in doubt 'Twixt Law Grace strange canst thou not find out What Judgment told thee sure thou knowest better It is severe O! 't is a killing Letter 'T is time to leave that Husband and for-go All hopes from him who seeks thy overthrow Christ has fulfill'd it he alone has life And if thou once art his espoused Wife Thou wilt receive a full discharge from all Those Debts those Deaths and dangers wch inthral The Souls of those whose blind deceived breast Seeks to self-righteousness for peace and rest Thou canst not Soul become a Virgin Spouse Until thou art divorced from all vows To that nay to Relations though they 're dear Must thou the lesser love and kindness bear Thy Fathers house and all thou must forsake If thou this happy Contract e're dost make Yield thy whole heart to Christ bend to his feet In pure simplicity there 's ground for it For he that lay within a Virgins Womb And who was buried in a Virgin-Tomb He that alone did lead a Virgin-Life Must have a chast and holy Virgin-Wife Needst thou more motives still what shall I say What shall I speak to move thee I will lay The nature of the Soul unto thy view Wouldst know its worth read then what dos ensue First 'T is capable such is its nature State On Great Jehovah's Pow'r to contemplate It searches prys and nicely looks about On Nature's frame and finds the former out David's amaz'd when he doth cast his Eye On all the glorious things beneath the skie He looked up and down above and under And stood astonish'd seeing cause of Wonder And then reflecting his own frame did see Nature's great Volume blest Epitome Fearfully am I made how canst tell His Answer is My Soul knows it full well We should have known no more of Earth or Heav'n Than the brutâ— beasts had not Jehovah given This precious Soul to us O then be wise And it secure as the chiefest Prize Secondly Nay more then this the Scripture makes relation 'T is capable of glorious Inspiration There is in Man a Soul a Spirit do's live And move in him to which the Lord doth give By Inspiration Wisdom Knowledg Fear That fools know more than the Philosopher The Soul's God's Candle a light of acceptation But from himself must come its Information Shall not this Candle pray you lighted be O let God's Spirit
Soul inlighten thee Thirdly Nay once again it 's Nature to declare 'T will sweet Impressions take God's Image bear It bore it once O then how did it shine A glorious shadow of him who 's Divine But now 't is blurr'd and soil'd by filthy dust O 't is defac'd and spoil'd by means of Lust But he who stamp'd it there at first can make It once again a new Impression take He can wash off the soil refine the Ore And make it shine fairer than heretofore O what a glorious thing how rare 't will be When God renews his Image once in thee Lose not the Soul the wax for nought can bear This Image then nor can that loss repair Fourthly The Soul 's glorious Piece wherein doth lie So great an Excellence as doth out-vy All outward Glory for 't is only she That 's capable of so great Dignitie To be espoused to the Glorious Three Strange condescention an amazing thing What joy and ravishment from hence may spring Up unto thee when into 't thou dost pry Will the high God take sweet complacency In such a one What doth he please to chuse Thee for his dear Consort make thee his Spouse May'st thou in Christ's dear Arms and Bosom lie Ah! is the Soul the Jewel of his Eye Can any joy and sweetness be like this Can worldly Comforts raise thee to such bliss What is thy Soul capable of such Union And doth there flow from thence such rare Communion Admire it is not one kiss worth more Than all the Riches of the Eastern shore O! lose not then thy Soul Ah! who would miss Of this sweet Union and Eternal Bliss Fifthly It 's nature worth and rare transcendency Appears in that great iâ—congruity And weakness of all Creatures to suffice it And from this ground great cause hast thou to prize it Nothing but God himself can satisfie That precious Soul which in thy breast do's lie The Universâ—s too little th' whole Creation Will not appease its longing expectation How vast's the Deeps how lotty the desires Of Man's poor Soul above all bounds aspires It seeks it prys and views all kind of Treasure And still it craves its wishes know no measure It walks again it rambles O it flies And ransacks all the secret Treasuries Of Art and Nature hurried nay 't is driven To and fro being restless till to Heaven It casts a look and Jesus does espy And then full soon with greatest joy doth cry O there 's the Pearl I must have him or die Thou must expect no peace there 's nought can still it Nor give it rest till God himself do's fill it Hark to its sighs do not befool and cheat it Nor of its wishings baffle and defeat it For nothing but that God that made it can Suffice the Soul the precious Soul of Man Sixthly What thinkst thou of that price that price of blood Which Christ laid down does it not cry aloud O precious is the Soul it cost full dear Doth not this noise sound always in thine Ear Seventhly Don't Satan's rage his enmity and wrath Against the Soul shew forth its precious worth Take pleasures here and Coffers fill with Coin The Shop with Wares Cellars with rich Wine Let him but have the Soul he does not care Take what you please besides and do not spare He rages when one Soul escapes his paws Ah! that 's the Prize his black and bloody jaws Are open for These Demons grin and swell With venom great and Councils hold in Hell As hath been hinted that by craft they may Catch the poor Soul and this Pearl bear away That that 's the Morsel that 's their only prey Eighthly Its blest Infusion and God's constant care For food and Ornaments which he does spare For to adorn her on th' espousal day Fully declares this Truth therefore we may Amazed stand and wondring all ways cry O precious Soul thy worth and exc'llency Is very great who can it comprehend It 's that which does oft-times to Christ ascend In strong desires and longings O! 't will pry Into all places for his Company She in his sight rejoyces and is glad But when once gone she sighs she mourns is sad All other joy 's but meer perplexity Without his love 't will swoun'd away nay die Nothing but Grace Heaven's off-spring can revive it And nought but sighs of Jesus can â—nlive it These things considered may make thee see Its worth nay more how also 't is with thee Ninthly How shall we prize the Soul what rate shall we Upon her set O what against her weigh Come bring the ballance and now let us try What further worth or preciousness doth lie In the fair Soul 't is done all Golden Ore Of both the Indies are i th' seales yet more We still do want more Riches pray put in All precious Stones and Pearls now weigh agin Alas the ballance flies here yet wants weight The Soul out-viâ—s them all Lord here 's a sight Th' whole world at once is in yet 't is too light Add world to world and heap ten thousand more Were there so many could you find such store Yet would the Soul in worth exceed them far Nay I might multiply and yet not eâ—r Oh! then take heed thou dost not chaffer so To get the World and in exchange let go This precious Soul nor let it be thought strange What shall a Man for 's Soul give in exchange Tenthly She is Immortal O she cannot die Though 't was not so from all Eternity She was created but in such a state Man can't her kill nor hâ—r annihilate Her Beings such hâ—r Life shall still remain Although the body die in bliss or pain Then hast then not good ground to watch ward With wary eye and set a constant guard Upon the portals of the treach'rous heart Lest of this Jewel thou decâ—ived art What Man to gain a shilling would let go A Pearl of such great price and value who Would think that Men accounted grave and wise â—or toys and trifles should their Souls despise Many I fear there be who day by day To gain a Grâ—â—at unjustly givâ—t away Whilst others prostitute it to their lust Nay do by it as by a bone or crust That 's cast unto the Dog for him to knaw This Dog 's the Devil whose wide stretchtâ—out jaw Stand gaping for 't his Eyes are upon all Knowing when e're they sin they let it fall O then take heed and if this Dog should fawn Or wag his Tail let not so sweet a pawn Of future Glory be contemn'd or lost Think think from whence it came what it cost CHAP. VII Christ's Love Epitomiz'd the Old-man wounded Will made willing shewing also the nature of the Soul's Espoâ—sal to Christ IF all that hath been said yet will not move thee To close with Christ I once again will prove thee By making of a brief or short collection Of his sweet Love and wonderful Affection
desires May turn a soveraign Balsam to make whole Those wounds my sins have made in thy dear Soul Ah! wilt thou let me swoun'd away and die Whilst thou standst looking on Lord cast an eye On me for whom thou on the Cross didst bleed Some comfort Lord now in my greatest need No Corrosives some Cordial Spir'ts or I For ever perish must Lord hear my cry Jesus Afflicted Soul the purchase of my Bloud Come hear come hear a consolating Word Shall I who have through sore Afflictions past For love of thee refuse thee now at last No no! I cannot Soul I cannot bear Such piercing moans that wounds my tender Ear Now will I magnifie my Pow'r and rise To scatter thy malicious Enemies I 'le thee enlighten with my glorious Rays And make thee happy happy all thy days Who will betroth or give this Soul to me Let 's Celebrate with great'st Solemnity And glorious Triump the espousal Day Come come my Dear let us no longer stay The Father 'T is in my Pow'r 't is I I give her thee As th' fruit of my own Choice Love and Decree CHAP. VIII The mutual and blessed Contract between Christ and the Sinner Jesus GIVE me thy heart then Soul I do betroth Thee unto me that no approaching Wrath May any ways be hurtful unto thee In Righteousness I thee betroth to me In Judgment also thou betrothed art And all I have to thee I do impart In faithfulness and tender mercy so That thou thy Lord thy Friend God shalt know I do betroth thee unto me for ever And neither Death Nor Earth nor Hell shall sâ—ver Thy Soul from me If thou wilt pay thy vows I will be thine and thou shalt be my Spouse I take thee now for better and for worse Give me thy hand let 's jointly both of us With mutual love tie the conjugal Knot Which on my part shall never be forgot My Covenant with thee is seal'd by bloud 〈…〉 than the Oath at Nâ—ah â—s â—lood 〈◊〉 my folded 〈◊〉 I now do take thee 〈…〉 that I never will forsake thee â—spandâ— cast behind my back and I Will 〈…〉 future inâ—â—â—mitie The Sinners closing with Christ Soul Upon my bended knees I do this day Accept of thee my Lord my Life my Way By whom alone poor Sinners have access Unto the Father nay and do confess Declare pronounce i' th' sight of God that I Do enter now with all simplicity Into a Contract with thee make my Vows That I will be to thee a faithful Spouse O blessed Jesus I 'm as one undone A naked vile loathsom and guilty one Unworthy far to wash the very feet Of th' Servants of my Lord O how is it That thou the glorious Prince shouldst ever chuse Such an unworthy Worm to be thy Spouse O what 's thy Love O Grace beyond expression Doth the great God on me place his affection But sith 't is so this I engage to do I 'le leave all for thy sake and with thee go And in all things own thee alone as Head And Husband dear by whom I will be led And in all states and times will thee obey What ever comes unto my dying-day I take thee as my Prophet Priest and King And my own worthiness in every thing I do renounce and further vow that I Upon thy Bloud and Righteousness will lie On that and that alone will I depend By Faith always until my life shall end I covenant with thee and so I take thee And whatsoe'r falls out I 'le ne'r forsake thee But run all hazards in this dolesom day And never from thy holy ways will stray All this and more I promise shall be done But in thy strength Lord in thy strength alone Th' Solemnity thus ended presently The glorious Prince the Bridegroom casts his Eye Upon the Soul and bound up all her sores Nay healed them and cancellâ—d all her scores But be'ng her self defil'd she soon espy'd A precious Fountain flowing from his side A Fountain for uncleanness to wash in In which she bath'd and wash'd away her sin Then gloriously by him she was array'd With Robes imbroid'red very richly laid With Gold and Diamonds that she did seem Like an adorned Heav'nly Seraphim One Vâ—sture was especially most rare Without a seam much like what he did wear It is the Wedding Robe both clean and white Whose lustre far exceeds the Morning-light And other garments also which she wore Curiously wrought with Silk and spangl do're With stars of Gold or Pearl of precious Stone Enough to dazle all to look upon Which be'ng made up of every precious Grace Did cause a splendent Beauty in her Face That whilst he did behold her could discry His Father's Image clearly in her Eye Which did so please him that he now admires And after this her Beauty much desires O see the change she which was once so foul Is now become a sweet and lovely Soul Her beauty far 〈◊〉 what it had been In ancient days 〈…〉 Eye hath seen So sweet a 〈◊〉 no such Virgin Queen Yet all her Beauty â—ow's but spots and stains To what it will be when her Saviour raigns O hear the melody Angels rejoice Whilst she triumphs in thâ—â— most happy choice Who would not then all Earthly Glories slight To gain a minutes taste of such delight No sooner did Apollyon cast his Eyes On what was done but furiously did ' rise To damp her joy or cause her mirth to cease And by some stratagams to spoil her peace He first stirs up the Old-man's broken force For to estrange her if he can't divorce Her from her Friend yet raises inward strife How to deprive her of those joys of life Which do abound in Lovers every way Betwixt th' espousal and the Marriage-day A thousand tricks contriv'd before had he How to delay or spoil th' Affinitie But if he can't rob us of inward joy Our name or goods or life he will destroy For failing in the first he stirs up Foes To lay upon her persecuting blows He that will follow Christ must look each day To have his worldly comforts took away Besides the Old-man being not yet slain Great troubles in her mind there rose again But her dear Friend so faithful is that he Will never leave her in Adversitie And to the end her joy may more abound A way by him immediately is found To free her from the Old-man's hellish spite He must be crucify'd but first they cite Him to the Bar to hear what he can say Why now his life should not be took away But hear before that 's done how the blest Lover Doth his dread threats and awful frowns discover Against the Foâ—s of her he loves so well Who e're they be Men Lusts or Fiends of Hell He reads his great Commission lets them know He in a moment can them overthrow The dread Power and awful frowns of Jesus Prince oâ— Peace over his Saints Enemies When Man transgress'd 't was I
Eternal I Give forth the Sentence Thou shalt surely die 'T was I that curs'd the Serpent who remains Unto this day and shall in lasting Chains When Cain did shed his righteous Brother's bloud I sentenc'd Cain 't was I that brought the â—lood Upon the Earth By me the World was drowned Proud Babels Language was by me confounded I am Jehovah's everlasting Word Who in my hand do bear th' two-edg'd Sword 'T was I and only I that did Command The dismal darkness in the Egyptians Land 'T was at my Word the Seas divide in twain And made an even passage through the Main At my Command Pharaoh and all his Host Were utterly within the Red-Sea lost 'T was I that made Belshazzâ—rs joints to quake And all his Nobles tremble when I spake 'T was I that made the Persian Monarchs great And threw them with the Grecians from their Seat I say the Word and Nations are distress'd I spake again and the whole World 's at rest Let all Men stand in fear and dread of me I was the first and I the last will be All knees shall bow to me when I reprove And at my Voice the Mountains shall remove The Earth shall be dissolved at my Threat And Elements shall melt with fervent heat My Word confines the Earth the Seas the Wind I am the great Jehovah unconfin'd 'T is I divide between the joints and Marrow No place so close no cranny is so narrow But like the Sun 's bright beams I enter in Discovering to each heâ—rt the darling Sin That lodges in the Soul 'T is I alone Who by my piercings make them sigh and groâ—n If from true sense and sorrow they complain I graciously bind up those wounds again 'T is I that save the humble and contrite And do condemn the formal Hypocrite My circuit's large I coast the World about No place nor secret but I find it out All Nations of the World I rule at pleasure To my Dominion's neither bound nor measure Therefore dear Soul chear up and do not fear I 'le confound all thy Foes both far and near And now I do command to bring to th' Bar That inward Foe Old-man I wo'nt defer His Tryal lâ—nger his Indictments read And he had leave and liberty to plead And on his Trial he deny'd the Fact But Conscience swears she took him in the act And other witness too but to be brief All prove him the Soul's Foe nay and the chief And only cause of all the horrid Treason Acted against the Lord unto this season He was deny'd to speak the Proofs being clear You shall therefore his fatal Sentence hear Come thou base Traytor impure Mass of Sin That Villain-like dost seek revenge agin Upon the Soul and striv'st to raise up strife Nay thirsts again to take away her life Hear hear thy Sentence Old-man thou must die I can no pity shew nor mind thy cry Thy Age away 't is pity thou hast bin Spared so long when guilty of such Sin Soul thou must see to bring him in subjection With every evil lust and vile affection This heap of Sin thou must strive to destroy That so thou maist all perfect peace enjoy Under the strictest bonds let him abide Till he is slain or throughly crucify'd The Old-man being sentenc'd and confin'd The Soul is consolated in her mind Affection Judgment Will do all rejoyce And are united now O happy choice Ah! she admires the excellence and worth Of her Beloved that she sets him forth As one that 's ravish'd in the contemplation Of his great Glory and her exaltation In this her sacred choice and this so raises Her ravish'd senses that Angelick praises She thinks too low O now she doth discover And not till now th' affections of a Lover There 's nothing now so tedious as delay Betwixt the ' spousal and the Marriage-day Her former joys in which she much delighted She treads them under-foot they are quite slighted Nay altogether loathsom in her Eye Compared with his sacred Company Unto the place where he appoints to meet her Thither she runs with speed there 's nothing sweeter Nay there is nothing sweet nothing is dear Or pleasant to her if he be not there O! saith the Love-sick Soul in such a case May I but have one kiss one sweet Imbrace O how would it rejoyce this heart of mine His Love is better than the choisest Wine His Name is like an Ointment poured forth And no such Odour e're enrich'd the Earth The Eastern Gums Arabian Spices rare Do not perfume noâ— so enrich the Air As the Eternal 〈◊〉 renowned Fame Of his most preciâ—â—s and most glorious Name Perfumes my Soul 〈◊〉 elevates my voice Whilst gladness fills my heart O happy choice My sacred Friend my Life my Lord and King Doth me into his secret Chambers bring Although ten thousand fall on either hand My Soul in saâ—ety evermore shall stand Tell me my Lord tell me my dearest Love Where thou dost feed whither the Flocks remove And where they rest an Noon in soultry gleams Bring me into those Shades where silver streams Of living Waters flow most calm and still There there I 'le shelter there I 'le drink my fill The Fountains ope O see it runs most clear Green Pastures by a â—â—odg is also near To hide in â—afety and to saâ—e from fear Of scotching heat â—â—der this shade I 'le rest My Love shall be inclosed in my breast My heart shaâ—l be 〈◊〉 lodging-place for ever Nothing shal me from my Beloved â—ever The terrors of the Night shall never harm me He saves from heat in â—rosts his love doth warm me You Virgins who yet never felt the smart Of Love's soul-piercing and heart-wounding Daâ—t If all these sacred Raptures you admire Know Virgins know that this Celestial 〈◊〉 That 's kindlâ—d in my breast comes from 〈◊〉 And sets my Soul into this frame of Love O he that has endured so much pain To gain my Love is worthy to obtain Ten thousand times more love than his poor Spouse Is able to bestow yet shall my Vows Be daily paid to him in whose sweet breast My love-sick Soul shall find eternal rest Know know I ne'r obtain'd true peace beforâ— My soul cast 〈◊〉 on this sacred shore All earthâ—y pleasures are but seeming miâ—th His presence is a Heaven upon Earth How heavy O how bitter was the Cross Once unto me to think upon the loss Or temporal comfâ—rts made me to complain But noâ— I 〈…〉 my gain Terrestrial joys as dross to me appear My joy 's in Heaven O my treasure 's there Had I all Riches of both th' India's shore At my command ten thousand times told o're My soul would loath them they should be abhor'd Being worse than dung compared to my Lord. O may these Sun-beams never cease to shine By which I see that my Beloved's mine He is my flesh and bone therefore will I Rejoyce the more in this Affinity He is my
All my soul 's to him united As Jonathaen's to David who delighted So much in him that in his greatest trouble Dear Jonathan did his affections double When David was in great distress and fear Then did his love and loyalty appear So when my dear Beloved is distrest My love to him shall chiefly be exprest But why said I distrest What can my Lord Who hath consuming power in his Word Be touch'd by Mortals what can he be harm'd Who with all strength of Heaven and Earth is arm'd No no I must recall that lavish strain No hand can touch him he cannot sustain The smallest injury from th' greatest Pow'r For in a breath he can his Foes devour But now methinks I presently espy Upon the Earth the Apple of his Eye Which are his servants nay his members dear Which wicked men do oft oppress O there My Lord 's distrest for if his Children smart O that doth pierce and wound his tender heart If cold or nakedness afflicts their souls He sympathizes and their state condoles It sick they be or if by cruel hands They are in Prison cast and under bands And there with hunger and with thirst opprest He feels their grief he is in them distrest What wrong soever they on Earth receive 'T is done to him for which my soul doth grieve To see th' afflictions of his servants here This is the fruit true loyal Love does bear Her sorrows are his woes for they alone Being his members are my flesh and bone And all make but one Body he 's the Head From whence all flows 't is he alone has shed His love abroad in this my love-sick â—eart Whereby I feel when any members smart My bowels move and tender heart does bleed VVhich makes me for his sake supply their â—eed Thus for my Christ and for his Children's sake I 'le suffer any thing yea I do take My life and goods and all into my hands To be disposed of as he commands But know for certain evermore that I For aid and help on him alone rely These pleasant Fruits O these delight the King And hereby 't is that we do honour bring Unto his Name all souls of the new birth VVho are sincere this precious fruit bring â—orth â—et not these things seem strange because to few Do bear such â—ruit believe the Maxim's true That as the Sun doth by its warm reflection Upon the Earth produce a resurrection Of all those Seeds which in the Earth do 〈◊〉 Hid for a time in dark obscurity Ev'n so the Sun of Righteousness doth shine Into this cold and barren heart of mine The precious seeds that have been scattered there Take root and blossom nay their branches bear Sweet fruit being the product of those Rays VVhich that bright Sun into my soul displays 'T is precious and most lovely in his Eye Both 〈◊〉 it Beauty and Veracity You Viâ—gâ—â—â— all who are by Love invited Into his 〈◊〉 where he is delighted With all his pleasant Fruits come come and see â—ow choice fâ—ir sweet and 〈…〉 they â—e One cluster â—ere's presented to thy view That thou mayst sâ—e and then believe 't is true Theâ—e be 〈…〉 which I 〈◊〉 nâ—w 〈◊〉 â—â—ve Joy and Peace â—ong 〈◊〉 Holiness â—aith Goodness Temperaâ—â—â— aâ—d Charity â—hese are the products 〈◊〉 th' Aâ—â—inity That 's made between me and my dearest Friend Nay moâ—e than these Eternal 〈◊〉 i' th' end But iâ— through sin thou canst not cast thine Eye On these 〈◊〉 Fruits then know assuredly VVhen th' Vintage comes and thou beginst to crave For one small taste one taste thou canst not have The â—ruitful Soul it is the King will â—â—own VVith th' Diadâ—m of Glory and Renown O let theâ—e things the Soul's affections raise In grateful Songs to celebrate the Praise Of great Jehovah who is King of Kings VVhâ—se glorious Praise the heav'nly Quire sings â—hen let us sing on Earth a Song like this 〈…〉 and I am his An Hyâ—â— of Praise to the Sacred Bridegroom PRaise in the Highest Joy betide The sacred Bridegroom and his Bride Who doth in spendor shine Let Heaven above be fill'd with Songs In Earth beneath let all Mens Tongues sing forth his Praise Divine 〈◊〉 sullen Man refuse to speak 〈◊〉 Rocks and Stones their silence break for Heaven and Earth combinâ— To tie that sacred Bridal Knot O let it never be forgot the Contract is Divine You holy Seraphims above Who do admire Jesus's Love O hast away and come With Men on Earth your joys divide Earth ne'r produc'd so fair a Bride nor Heaven a Bridegroom Another 'T is not the gracious lofty strain Nor record of great Hector's glory Nor all the conquering mighty Train Whose Acts have left the World a story Nor yet great Cesar's swelling fame Who only look'd and overcame Nor one nor all those Worthy Ninâ— Nor Alexander's great Renown Whose deeds were thought almost Divine When Vic'tries did his Temples crown But 't is the Lord that Holy One Whose Praises I will sing alone My Heart and Tongue shall both rejoyce Wâ—ilâ—t Aâ—gâ—ls all in Consort sing Aloâ—d with a melodious voice The praises of sweet â—ion's King O 't is his praise that Holy One I am resolv'd to sing alone My Heart indites whilst I proclaim The Praises of the God of Wonder My lips still magnifie his Name Whose Voice is like a mighty Thunder I 'le praise his Name and him alone Who is the glorious Three in One. Whose feet are like to burning Brass Whose Eyes like to a flaming Fire Who bringeth mighty things to pass 'T is him I dread and do admire Iâ—le magnifie his Name alone Who is the glorious Three in One. My Heart and Pen shall both express The Praises of great Juda's â—ion The sweet and fragrant Flower of Jess The holy I 〈◊〉 the King of Zion To him that sitteth on the Throne Be everlasting praise alone Whose Head is whiter than the Snow That 's driven by the Eastern Wind Whose Visage like a flame doth show 〈◊〉 all yet unconfin'd For ever prais'd be Him â—â—one Who is the glorious Three in One. I 'le praise his Name who hath revealâ—d To me his everlasting Love Who with his stripes my Soul hath heal'd Whose Foot-stool's here his Throne above Let Trumps of Praise be loudly blown To magnifie his Name alone This sacred Subject of my Verse Though I poor silly Mortal should Neglect his Praises to rehearse The ragged Rocks and Mountains would Make his deserâ—ed Praises known Who is the glorious Three in One. You twinkling Stars that Day and Night Do your appointed Circuit run Sweet Cynthia in her monthly flight Also the bright and flaming Sun Throughout the Vniverse make known The Praises of the Holy One. Let every Saint on Earth rejoyce Whom Christ hath chosen let him sing Whilst I to him lift up my Voice To sound the Praises of my King For He it is and He alone Hath made me his Beloved one FINIS There will be suddenly Publish'd another Treatise of this Author's intituled Zion in Distress or The Groans of the true Protestant Church * Sat. 6. Cessant oracula Delphis †Excessere omnes Adytis Arisque relictis Dit quibus Imperium hoc steter â—t c.