and to ouerjoy 〈◊〉 such like as are they who are ascended to the height to the compleate fulnes of Beatitude vvhich they desired And in this his suddaine surprise of hearts salaâ—…e hearts inexpressible comfort his spirit attentiue nay fixed on diuine â—…ontemplations hee savv as it vvere in a vision the vvord of God to come dovvne from Heauen and to proceed from the mouth of the Angell incarnating it selfe in the blessed Virgin hee savv Christ borne hee savv him adored by the Magj The three Kings he savv him dispute in the Temple hee savv him fly vvith his Mother into Egipt hee savv him baptized in IordaÌ„ he savv him with his Apostles he saw him hâ—…ale the â—…ick raise the dead and cast out Dewills and traunced extased in a Propheticall vision he savv him anointed by Magdalen savv him at his last supper vvâ—…h his Disciples savv him pray in the gardeâ—… savv him betrayed savv him scourged savv him crowned with thornes savv him adjuged to death saw him nayled on the Crosse and in seeing him breake the gates of Limbus hee vvas taken and fully possessed with that joy that vnspeakabls hearts-comfort which hee was to feele a sâ—…oone as Christ should redeeme him out of the darkenes together vvith his ancestors his forefathers and hee being sanctified in his merits hee savv him rise againe and in seeing him ascend to Heauen and to sit at the right hand of his father anevv breake forth into these vvords THE SEAVENTH PSALME OF THE PENITENCY OF DAVID Domine exaudi orationem meam auribus c. Psalme 142. LORD fauorably heare my suppliant petitions my humble prayer stitre vp thy selfe awakeÌ„ be thou moued to looke vvith the gratious eyes of thy mercie on my heart's sincere repentance which through the desert of prayers vvhich is tendred vnto thee is not vnworthy of thy gratious and fauorable audience thy trueth and thy iustice vvell weighed not according to the trueth iustice of thy Lawes vvhich condemne and inflict sharpe punishments sodainelie on sinne according to the qualitie the greatnes the hainousnes of the demerit but according to thy trueth and â—…ustice with which is ioyned that thy mercy vvhich is absolutelie and â—…olely in thee for thou being the author of the Law thou onelie through the height of thy bounâ—…ie caâ—…st forgiue the traÌ„sgressors acquit them of it There are many valued by thee iust vvho are accounted by the iudges of the world delinquents but the coÌ„trary seemeth to be in me for by the people I am deemed iust and in thy sight I know my selfe so burthened vvith trespâ—…sses that vntill I perceiue thou hast forgâ—…en me acquitted me of them I will neuer dry mine eyes they shall alwaies vvepe and I vvill neuer close vp my month I vvill alvvaies call on thee and I vvill neuer be at repose of heart vvhich imploreth it's Lord that hee Enter not into Iudgement on his seruant for to take notice of each fault trespasâ—…e on a seruant is not a vvorke vvorthy of a maister and to take animaduersion strict accounâ—…e of each our trippings our stumblings vvould be to make vs all despaire for if thou weigh the multitude of the fault we commit the vveight of them vvould be such that nothing would be found so burâ—…nsome hence vvee should be all lost and therefore forgâ—…t patcell of our trespasses let them not be brought and laid open before the Tribunall of thy most iust iudgment for that all those vvho hold themselues iust in the other life vvhen all human generation shall bee iudged thy shall not be iustified by thee Enlarge me be bountifull vnto me and make me vvorthy of the guâ—…fts of thy grace whereof by thy goodnes and thy bountie euerie man is made worthie vvho offereth the purenes and innocencie of his soule by tâ—…e meanes of a contrite heaâ—…t so shalt thou our God as it were substitute thy goodnes to my correction in reguard that it maketh for my saluation and thy glorie Nor for this cause shall thy iustice be impaired or lessened which were it not in so gâ—…eat a Majestie so greate is the presumption of mankinde that they vvould receiue as from a firme deed that the infinite benefits which they receiued of thee were due to theÌ„ by obligation whence it would follow that there were no way whereby those that are vvicked might come to amendment of themselues to correct themselues and those vvho are incorrigible vvho neuer wil be good but are peruerse and refractory who liuing haue not beleeued in thee shall in nothing be difâ—…erent from the good and those who haue recouered goodnes for as much as workes are not paid according to deserts herein it is necessary that thy justice faile not but whilst wee are in this life which is the place of our race which we must runne ouer to come to thee for this cause ought wee each one the reward being certaine and eternall extending it selfe beyond the bonds of sinne alwaies to determime time to abtaine the sett downe price which is not allotted to one onelie but to all those who shall come the goale to the bounds of the race Let damnation fall on them vvho haue depised so great a gaine so great a reward which thou hâ—…st published to be run for and to be revvarded though yet for their so small so slender desert when the time coÌ„meth of each one's receiuing râ—…vvard they doe not onelie finde themselues farreâ—… of from receiuing ought of valuation ought of price ought of reward but euidentlie they perceiue that they haue â—…rayed yea that they are altogether out of their way and hence so it happeneth for that they pursued lesse worthie ends and lesie honorable O Lord and my God the effects the fruits of sinne haue reduced me haue plunged me in obscuritie in darke places euen as are they vvho are dead for time and ages My sinne Lord hath seated me in darkenes for there is no greater obscurity then that vvhich is interposed betvvâ—…ene the vvay of good and the eye of our perceiuance Hence strayed vve and lost the light which directeth vs shevveth vs the vvay the meanes to come to our true end And certaine it is that a maâ—… blinded in the night the obscuritie the darkenes of sinne parteth not yet from day from light of vertue and trueth but hauing coÌ„tracted custome and habit in the clouds the mists and foggs of vice he is best and onelie pleased vvith them and onelie hateth the Sonne the light vvhich ariseth from the bosome of vertue and liuing well on vvhich if I had contemplated my spirit had neuer proued anxious full of greiuous care and my heart would neuer haue so much alas for me been troubled coÌ„tribulated Truely if I had opened mine eyes to the light of trueth â—…hutting them from the obscurities the darkenesses of falsenes of lyes contribulations and those anxious rising taking grouÌ„d from feare of damnation had not moued my spirit to reflect on it selfe
inclined to sinne as fire to burne flaxe or vvhatsoeuer that fullie dry is as tinder and the rest the danger the alas great hazard of despaire vvhich attempteth to drovvn me in it's lake is as thou seest vvell knowest yet imminent hanging yea yet ouer me and vnhappie for me if thou doe not direct my feete by the said wayes Instruct me in the vvay dravv its lines for me demonstratiuelie by which I am to walke since I haue eleuated lifted vp my soule vnto thee my vvay ought to bee charitie simplicitie sinceritie pietie goodnes trueth pouertie and faith and when so thou shalt haue remitted my former transgressions teach me from thence forward how and in vvhat manner I may restraine my selfe courbe my selfe keepe my selfe from offending thee and sustaine be a sustentacle strength and a columne to my soule eleuated raised vp in thy seruice not now at all valuing vaine pleasures which vsuallie entice entangle yea enthrall the bodie and forsomuch as it is now fullie solicitous tenderlie vigilant in obeying thee confirme it enable it sprinkle it yea powre out on it thy fauonr that so assisted yea strengthned in it 's vpright and iust carriage in it 's vvell doing vice enter not nay come not nigh it but that it seeing it selfe in hope of its saluation it be farre more contented then it vvas in the ouer-weening delights of it's daÌ„nation that it may fly from them euen as the vvill to sinne hath left me is extinguished in me fled from me as also all the affections which I haue borne to the disports of sinne which gaue me vp a prey to it's associates and my enimies from whose hands free me ô Lord. Discharge mee of mine enimies free me from theÌ„ my Lord my God for that I vvho heretofore estranged my selfe alienated my selfe vvent farre from thee flying froÌ„ thee vntill this preseÌ„t through their alluremeÌ„ts I vvho conjured conspired against my safetie my saluation am now ô now my Lord altogether returnd to thee and from thee doe I expect my ioy my hearts gladnes and in thee solelie and onelie doe I hope confessing my sinne and my ingratitude and therfore free froÌ„ the haÌ„ds of the vvicked wretched aduersaries Dauid thy seruant and vvhen so that thou shalt haue endovved mee vvith so much abilitie so much fortitude that I may be able to defend my selfe from their assaults yet farther teach me to doe thy vvill to alleternitie instruct me to obeie thee to feare thee to serue thee for thou art my Maker and my God And for that thou hast created me conserue me in the obedience of thy will make me such that I may withdravv myselfe from the societie companie of my enimies vvho greiue for that I perseuer not in working iniquitie conformable to their maligne most malitious and vvretched desires vvhose perfidiousnes made mee lay â—…side yea forget my obligations my duetie to thee and as if there vvere â—…ot a â—…oule in me they enticed me to place all my care in giuing ease in giuing pleasure to my bodie which being of earthlie mould ought to be despised as dust striuing by all meanes to procure an eternall habitation for an immortall soule Thy good spirit shall conduct me into the right land for thy name sake Lord thou shalt reuiue me make me liue againe in thy equitie in thy justice thy vprightnes since that the peruerse spirit a vvhile since which had drawne meto the depths of Hell is passed of is gonne is no more to be found the pure and perfect spirit of God shall giue vnto me allotte me a place a degree in the congregation in the companie of the just and shall exalt me aduance me in the regions of the liuing and in such manner through thy bountifull goodnes not for any vpright office of mine thou shalt raise me make me liue though I be a sinner which is not to be enstyled other then a proper iustice annexed vvith the clemencie of the same diuinitie and for that eueÌ„ now I am extinguished put out through such desert of my greiuous transgressions reduce me into grace enlighten me with thy grace through thy mercie in â—…o doeing it will be euen a rendring me that life vvhich sinne hath bereaued me of which so often killeth the soule as often as it trusting to it giues it vvay povver and poâ—…ession of it selfe And to be vvilling to raise it againe it is necessarie that my contrition employ it selfe by meanes of equitie vvherevvith thy most benigne and clement minde vvithout preiudicating foreiudging the reasons the grounds of iustice dost forgâ—…ue vs and returne vs againe to life Thou shalt deliuer my sonle out of tribulation anguish griefe affliction and in thy mercie thou shalt disperse myne enimies WheÌ„ so thou shalt haue restored me againe in state of thy grace Lord ô my Lord deliuer my soule froÌ„ those heart-greifes and from the passions vvher with the sting of conscience doth quell it subdue it vtterlie ouerthroweth it at all howres at all times for there is no heauie burthensome greife which may be compared in anie proportion can anie waies yea euen seeme to arriue to the height of that inexpressible sorrovv alas deeplie and inlie conceiued meditating ruminating fully of the losse of so inestimable a iewell of that excellentlie sublime that incompâ—…ehensible and perpetuall felicitie and for vvhat for his demerit his iust desert contracted on himselfe for vvhich they are punished vvith the miserable depthes of Hell and damnation But yet looke on againe Ah! behold here vvhilst wee liue in this world we are recoÌ„soled vve take courage again so soone as we doe but euen so much as reflect on thy illimited thy bouÌ„dlesse mercy and goodnes into vvhose armes my repentance hath cast mee for vvhich thou shalt disperse cast of from mee acquit me of all my transgressions through thy clemeÌ„cie euen as winter shall let fall and scatter the leaues of trees and faire weather the vvaters of the Sea with it's billowes and so shall I be free from tentations and from molestations and vexations vvhich our commoÌ„ aduersarie machinateth and alwaies vvorketh against our soule his end being to conduct it to carrie it to eternall horrid punishment to Hell Strengthen mee against all those occurrences which disturbe disquiet put my soule out of frame disperse all my enimies who euermore molest mee and afflict mee for I am thy seruant nor am I affrighted or daunted although the number of them vvho lie in waite to molest to intrap me is infinite for that thy power thy arme onelie can with it's least motioÌ„ suppresse cast downe vtterlie destroie what army soeuer what force soeuer there be So that Lord haue care regard of thy seruant defending him protecting him froÌ„ the hostilitie that his enimies moue against him vvho are enimies likewise of thee Lord. It is the office of a true Lord and Maister so much the rather if so hee be powerfull as thou art not
not foode to thy hunger nor vvater to thy thirst nor cloathes to thy vncloathed nakednes nor visited thee sick nor lodged thee a stranger thee a Pilgrim nor releiued thee a prisoner nor gaue any comfort to thee comfortles and afflicted But let all thine anger conuert it selfe into thy mercy what say I I firmely ackowledg that thou vvert alvvaies that thou novv art and euer wilt be mercifull and that which they giue to thee as attributes of anger is no other then a punctuall and an exact iustice in all respects prescribed fore-determined so destined by the infinity of thy goodnes for their punishments who first dye and then repent My Lord I ought to haue satisfied thy seruants hunger vvith foode vvith drinke their thirst I should haue supplyed their wants releiued their sufferaÌ„ces asvvell in cold in vveakenesses in want of repose in imprisonings as also in all their aduersities and tribulations and reflecting that I haue not donne herein my duty I finde my selfe euen to the quieâ—… vvonnded by the compunction of my penitency and by the feare that I haue deeply conceiued to be swallowed vp into the whirle poole of the bottomelesse pitt of Hell and since such is my hearts greife for my transgressions accept me a penitent let my complaints and my distressed lamentable moane makings make me worthy of pardon let it neuer come to passe that I feele what is that anger which our sinnes in offending thee operate in thee Hence thou punishest vs with thy scourges for that vve doe not chastise our selues vvith our owne inflictions in such sort as I correct my selfe euen now who am not vnlike to such a bondmon to such a slaue whose trangressions haue disquieted his maisters minde yea farre aversed it from him who being in such state in such disgrace redoubling aswell with humble sorrow as also his solicitously attentiue seruice vvith all earnestnes commandeth yea euen forcibly compelleth himselfe to vvorke in such sort that he may procure to himselfe a selfe forgetfulnes of his passed offences through the goodnes of his euen theÌ„ painfull solicitous and faithfull seruice by which hee striueth to winne in him hope of himselfe to proue a singular good seruant in time ensueing For that thy darts for that thy disdeignes and thy affrights which terrifie vvhich amate one as lightning for these haue the rayes the sprightly beames of fire of sword of sicknes of dearth of hearts-greife of death haue deeply struck me I haue raised my selfe through their scourges from the miserable sinck of sinne euen as a horse plunged in a durty heauy bogge is by the sharpe incitements of spurres released fully acquited thereof And knowing that the calamities thou inflictest on man kinde is for that thou vvouldst it should learne to forsake sinne to returne to better to liue vvell I am fully resolued that the seeming shadovved beautie of pleasure vvhich dureth much lesse is more momentary then is the continuance of a gentle and spetious flower a rose it selfe shall not depâ—…iue me the winning the possession of that eternall blessing that eternall reall good which he enjoyeth euerlastingly who taketh the course and hence well apprehendeth the vvay yea feareth and loueth God whose mercie is of so great extent as euen the sinner could wish it to be Hence the hope that reuiueth me deepely meditating on thee my Lord doth take vigour and hopeth though I am burthened with sinne to acquire through meanes of contrition eternall beatitude vvhich all those soules attaine to vvhich feruentlie desire to be invested therevvith and I confesse thy darts thy thunderbolts sensible warnings to me haue been the meanes to stirre me vp to contrition and that thou hast pleased to lay thy hands on me as the good Surgeon doth on the sick I am beyond measure comforted for I haue the same need vvhich hath a body vvhose vvounds haue not been for three dayes continuance opened the emplaisters of the first day as yet there remayning Alas in what state am I there is not the least portion of health in my bodie and for that it remaines onely in thee to cure me I am bold to haue recourse to thy goodnes and from thee doe I onelie expect my health which will so consolate me as day is made happie by the Sun and to declare my selfe yet farther my infirmities are not to be enstyled nauseousnes or loathing of foode they are not feuers are not paine of spleene but in summe there is not in me any health I am all ouer distempered yea sick to the death How so Ah! sinne vvhich euen breketh my heart hath euen thus depriued me brought me vnto this state and through the feare vvhich my considerations of thine anger draweth on me I laÌ„guish no otherwise then a maÌ„ whom human remedies cannot availe and for that my bones are 〈◊〉 vvhich are sustentacles to my body euen as are the mightie columnes the great pillers to Theaters ah poore wretch that I am so farre is it that I am at quiet that euen as yet y feare that I am not reconciled to thee I am afraid to fall into the pit of Hell through my transgressions the vnspeakable monstruslie-he adlong peruersenes of vvhich doeth euen call on themselues thy justice thine anger thine implacâ—…ble wrath For that all mine iniquities and all the occurrents the causes vvhich haue induced me to transgresse thy lavves are on my head alvvaies threatning to hurt it and vtterly to spoile it I am reduced to such an exigent as that I cannot lift vp my deiected face to Heauen and by hovv much the more I endeauour to lift it vp by so much more doth it incline downeward and those things are wrought by my sinnes vvhich euenly heauy on my head as if thy vvere an immoueable lumpy vveight in so much as I yeild and bovv vnder the burthen euen as a bovv drawne by a strong arme and for that there is no vveight vvhich equalizeth the heauines of sinne to vvhich gold and lead must in vveight giue place in me there is left no health nor strength for vnder the heape of my heauy sinnes my faculties and my strength is euen spent vvith vveary somnes euen as a Pilgrim through the long vvay and roughnes of his iourney is enfeebled vvorne out and in such sorte vveake through the tediousnes of his trauaile The scarres which on my liuing body are found testimonies of the vvoundes vvhich sinne inflicted on me reliques of my foule offences are putrified a new euen as vlcers to soone skinned and hence it comes for that my contrition my truely hearts deepe sorrow vvhich I make my buckler against it's blowes hath not bin able so to defend me as that I doe not feare that my vvounds wil be opened againe vvhich through voluptuousnes I drew vpon me and that vvhich doth greiue me more and whiâ—…h vvith more inwaâ—…d sorrovv doth contristate me is that their corruption is so putrified so extremely rotten that none but good
faculties of the minde are the weapons wherewith the fallaces the enticements and snares of the world are ouercome and brought to nought herewith the aduersaries of all good I meane by aduersaries the Deuill and his fiends are troden vnder foote and vvere it not that my soule euen assured it selfe and were confident in our Lord I should be a thousand times more heauy sad lumpish then is the Pilgrim in the verie midst of a vvood where no path appeareth but I take courage and full vigour for my soule is come to another state then erst it vvas it is euen ouer ioyed for that my eyes obey me now no vanities take them vp their light is estranged from voluptuousnes in so much as now happilie it is with me I see not or at least take no notice of the poisoned baites masked with delicate and well tasted Manna which formerly allured me possessed me by mine eyes the raies of others beauties doe not now astonish do not now as vnproportionable obiects dimme my sight vvhich might vvell be termed the nets and entangling birdlime of soules I take no pleasure but in my sorrovv and my God for I take no notice I take no delight in the liuelie green of the boughes of trees nor in the flowers of the meadowes nor of the pleasant currant of a cleare faire riuer I as litle reguard the luster of gold or sparkling gleaūces glitterings of gēmes rare jevvells nor doth the sight the ouer-glorious splendor of solemnities touch me ought I gaze not on the worlds carriage be it neuer so miniard so in times liking in fashion howsoeuer for that my contrition for my sinne and the many anxieties in the vvay of vvinning grace and pardon through penitencie haue so fullie entertained my eyes vvith the vaile of repentāce that I am to them happilie blinde Whilst my soule my gratious Lord doth rise against sense doth maister it that so it is I take and receiue it from thy light and by thy raies thy irradiations thy beames my Lord hereby I rise againe I am releiued euen as a flower hanging it's head by nights cold drooping and farther so stated by the heauines of the dew at the sunn's shining on it is succoured raised vp held vp by thy prouidence by thy vertue in such māner doe thy commands sound in my tongue such force haue they on me and allies to my losse to my great vvrong haue applyed their ill endeauours against me yea and to hurt me notablie they haue dōne their vttermost but these following words of thine doe I interprete and deliuer vvith the spirit of prophecie vvhich thou hast endowed me vvith for I seeme to see euen novv the troopes of thy favourites of those on whom thou hast euen accumulated plentifullie heaped graces most aboūdant benefits armed vvith svvord fire to assaile thee vnthankfullie returning for thy most pious tender most iust helpes assistances graces rare vvorkes nought but pure ingratitude nor seeme they moued othervvise to reguard thee to appeare before thee but to interpose a veile of their ignorance to the alseing eyes of thy truth vvhich shall appeare shall spring forth rise againe in the punishments prosecution of their iniquities euen as the Hydra's heads cut of appeare and the same trueth is made a lookin-glosse of men to contemplate Woe yea all woe to those transgressors who in God shall see contemplate behold clearly the full expression and liuely image of their harshnes their crueltie and of the perfidiousnes of their hearts and blessed is hee that euer hee had being vvho shall see in the truely representing glasse the faithfull loyaltie of his beliefe and confidence in our Lord. Yet farther continueth Gods word by my voices deliuery and hee hath deigned that myeares heare ◅hesoūds of his accents prompting me as followeth They vvho vvere nigh haue eslonged themselues are gonne farre from me and vvith all speede possiblie euen as a stone from a sling is flung farre from him who flingeth it hence shevving vnto me vvhat the world is that they vvere not my friends although they kindled the lampes and burnt incense vpon the holie altar their hearts are not true sound and feruentlie zealous they are not vvhere they are as euidentlie appeareth as may be clearly demonstrated for that their speech seemeth to honor me but with an ill meaning ofsuch like friends as they are whose hearts fly from me as smoke from the vvinde to make appeare their farther wretchednes their greater perfidiousnes vvhilst I taught thē vvhat is trueth they fullie endeauoured by docttines of men to empouerish weaken the vnderstandings of men to depraue them vtterlie to ouerthrow them to make good their false assertions and to peruert them who sincerelie desired to vnderstand my meaning that is to say my true intentions as flocks of sheepe and heards of beasts doe seeke for water and grasse But my glorious good Lord by vvhat deserts of mine commeth it to passe that I am allotted to speake with thy tongue vvhich maketh me continue in prophetizing And they vvho endeauoured to finde ill in me vvith more sollicitude then doth vveariesomnes seeke rest haue against me spoken their idle fancies frō their invented chimeraes windy empty vanities most false things not vvith vnlike rancour but vvith the same vvhich wicked and most vvretched men vse to speake and all day long humming like bees riuers and the vvindes and scandalizing my goodnes endeauouring to peruert others vvith dislike of my sincere trueth meditated with strange imaginarie vvaies a throusand var◅ties of deceipts against my innocencie and vvith sharpe reprehensions and vvith m◅ligne accusations molesting me daylie nightlie they more then most earne◅lie endeauoured to finde a fault in my bountie in my goodnes and euen as the wicked and peruerse they called my prayers blasphemies my examples malices and my miracles witchcrafts But I like a deafe man vvho heareth not the noyse of other pratles or brawles heard not the shrill iangling prate of the enuious vvho most injuriously most vniustlie spake despightfully of me vvho all zealous in their behalfes desired to make them know the trueth and no otherwise then if so that I had beē borne vvithout a tongue from my natiuitie or othervvise dumbe I vvas silent I was still notvvithstanding I heard their false testimonies asseuered by oathes and surpassing vvith my humilitie their pride vnder the shovver of lyes which tempestuouslie powred on my head euen as a tēpestuous shower of haile raine falleth impetuously on the ◅yles on the top of an house I seemedlike a gētle meeke lābe who with head inclined vvithout bleating suffereth himselfe to be shorne by the shepheard vvho vvhilst hee fleeceth him threatning h◅m to take avvay his life also for that the poore beast vnderstandeth not the noise the horror of his danger of his state and being he is not affrighted a jott as I am not terrified and for that I may not heare the conspiracie of calumniatiō
to suffer any to wrong to iniurie his seruants for in protecting them he salues he conserueth his owne proper honor And were it not that I deserue that thou applie thy mercie for other respect the desert the merit in acknowledgment that reallie I am thy seruant might take place and into this such like seruitude the sinne of the first man hath brought mee vvho so farre as concerneth him deserued eternall death but thy clemencie hath donne as doth a seuere vpright and iust father vvho being offeÌ„ded most greiuouslie by his sonne abstracting the loue of his flesh and blood yet pittie commiseration mercie giueth not way to him to punish him conformablie to the greatnes of his transgressions but depriuing him of his paternall inheritance by no meanes vvill he giue way that he be at all about him except onelie in the nature of seruaÌ„ts vvho necessarily must labour for their liuings vvith industrie much paine and sweat through continuall toyle Whence he vvho is iustlie punished through his fathers wrath remaineth in such a meane estare in such a low condition of life vntill such time that mercie time ouer coming disdeigne returneth him againe through his fauour into his first vvell being Lord I through my old former disobedience am become of a free man a â—…laue and I shal be like to the Sonne that hath prouoked his fathers vvrach against him hence it is expedient that I passe my daies in this state sweating labouring to appease thee vntill thy Sonne come to release me from the yoke of neck and soale vvhich the seruitude into vvhich human kinde is fallen into through the first transgression of thy commandement hath contracted Then vvee receiued againe into our first happines thou vvilt not receiue vs not account vs theÌ„ aliens straÌ„gers not slaues or bondmen but being made by thee Citizens of thy glorious Kingdome and Empire of HeaueÌ„ thou vvilt receiue vs through thy grace as sonnes of adoption The end of the seauenth Psalme THE EPILOGVE To the Seauen Psalmes of the penitency of David AFTER that attractâ—…ue loue of vvinning heavenly glory and the terrible feare of horrid punihment had moued Dauid in Seauen Psalmeâ—… to be waile his transgressions the hope of reward and the comfort of hearts-ioy inwardly conceiued for the fruites vvhich hee vvas hence to reape to gaine to vvinne thanked be his penitency he suddainely raised himselfe from the ground and standing bolt vpright on his feete first taking vp his harpe and placing it vnder his left arme novv armed with courage as 〈◊〉 man freed set at full liberty hee vvas so strangely enlightned that hâ—…e heard with the eares of his minde all the Psalmes vvhich hee had with teares sung rehearsed recorded and rarely warâ—…led by the Angells and being thus seriously attentiue to the harmony of their notes vvhich were deliuered by the Angelicall tongues voiced with an incomprehensible and vnspeakeable swetnes in an instant he found himselfe eased discharged of the burthen that his trespasses had laid on him hereby perceiuing that God had receiued him through his mercy into the bosome of that grace which hâ—…e so fervently implored he retired himselfe issued out of the tombe made hot by his â—…ighes and moist by his teares No sooner came hee to the light but that the aire it selfe seemed to cleare vp in the cheerefull splendor of his countenance vvhich though it were pale through fasting and obscure muddy svvarthy cloudy through his penitency his eyes seeming as it vvere without motion through his teares his spirits not vvithstanding vvere so purified by hauing entertained the grace of God vvhich made pure his soule with the selfe-same resplendeÌ„t light that the Angells aâ—…â—…luminated vvithall that his face seemed the face of Moyses glistering bright with that diuinity which God had thereon impressed vvhen as his magnificent his most high mighty majesty vvithin a Cloud of fire vvhose fllames hee composed of the streaming fulgore of the Sun and of the heate of the starres yet vouchsafed not to speake but gaue vvay granted that hee might behold those his most sacred and holy shoulders wherewith hee holdeth vp the Heauens all the Hemispheares Now Dauid inflamed with the holy Ghost vvith which our Lord had infused him for his repentance â—…eturned to instruct and correct his people who moued by the exaÌ„ple of their good King all their endeauours their workes turned to make themselues perfect in the â—…ight of him their God But vvhat fortunate ages vvhat blessed times vvould happily fall vnto their shares who so should be crovvned vvith such happines as is to liue vnder the lawes of those Princes vvho laying aside the height of minde and the pride of their Kingdomes coÌ„fesse the transgressions which they commit to the prejudice of men yea to the dishonor of God Trueâ—…y people would be more blessed then are they miserable if so that they vvho raigne I say not lameâ—… their cruelty injust homicides and adulteries with the same feruour of minde which David did his but if so that they no othervvise then if God were not or being haâ—… no power ouer their pride at least vvould not glory in their adulteries in their mâ—…thers and in their impieties vvhich daâ—… they greiâ—…ously and hainously offend 〈◊〉 vvith open deâ—…ng of him vvho first 〈◊〉 last punisheth or revvardeth each one The end of the Epilogue