thy Writings do increase To largest Volumes for the Churches Peace For Christs pure Spouse and thy deare Kingdomes weale Thy Watchings Prayers Labours neuer cease Else blos'mes of Vines the Fâ—xes soone would steale Or wild Bore root vp all thy Church and Commonweale When in his large wise vnderstanding heart We for our Good such cares continuall see What secret Malice can a man peruert To deeme that in his Loue and Wisedome he Aduance will any to Authoritie But whom he eu'ry way doth able finde To care and labour for the safety Of Church and Kingdome to his care assign'd Wise Masters best discerne how Seruants are inclin'd Great Peeres appointed by this Master wise To Rule his Kingdome and adorne his Hall Of him learne Labour and braue exercise And doe not vnto idle gaming fall The Bane of Court Towne Country Church and all Oh spend the time you from emploiment spare In Tilting Hunting Armes Arts Liberall And so with Piety your minds prepare To labour in your charge and haue of heau'n a care Besides examples of your earthly King Looke on our Lord that sits in heau'n aboue Who heere on earth was alwayes labouring Now as our Head himselfe he doth approue Most carefull for his Spouse and dearâ—st Loue. See his Disciples Saints and Martyrs all How carefull and laborious they proue In Writings Preachings Counsels generall Relieuing poore in want redeeming Saints from thrall Amongst these Lights of Labour with me looke On one though little yet of wondrous might Who Dauid-like takes stones out of the Brooke The proud Goliah in the front to smite Oh how do'st thou most valiantly acquite God and his Church against Rome's railing Host And that Augean stable purgest quite Though it thee mickle care and labour cost Of this would Herâ—'les more than all his labours boast Could Sloth her selfe that sweet Delight but taste Which comes of Paines and honest exercise Her precious time strength she would not waste In Idlenesse and worldly vanities But like to nimble â—arke woâ—ld early rise Who mounting first to heau'n Deuotions sings And afterwards her businesse applyes So long as Light lends vse of eyes or wings And then in â—est enioyes fruit of her trauellingâ— Most sweet Delight at night when wearied We end the Cares and Troubles of the day When priuate publique hauing profited We down our selues with Peace and Comfort lay Not like rich Mizers to their Soules that say In this abundance lye thee downe and rest When ah Who knowes but eu'n that night away His Soule forth from his Body may be prest And he all vnawares o're taken in his nest Vnnecessary Labours worldly Cares Which on themselues not Prouidencâ— depend My Muse to them no such great fauour beares As heere amongst the Graces to commend All things created serue vnto their end For which God at the first did them ordaine And all vnto his Glory doe intend Why then should man be slothfull idle vaine So long as heere on earth he doth in health remaine He hath a minde firme valid rais'd on high Able to soare aboue the Firmament And by sweet Contemplation to descry The heau'ns swift motion Order Gouernment All things are subiect to his Regiment In squallid Slouth and ease yet downe he lyes Till thou who first didst frame his earthly tent Dost raise his mind to heau'nly exercise Which may by Care and Labour him immortalize Not aâ—xious vnprofitable cares Base off-spring of Distrust and Diffidence With present alwayes discontent and feares Vaine future wants or childrens Indigence Distrusting thus Gods gracious Prouidence Which fils with open hands the mouthes of all Whose eyes looke vp to his Beneficence And Lillies clads in colours naturall More faire than Salomons rich robes imperiall He that this all did first of nought ordaine And now it gouernes by wise Prouidence Is by his Bounty able to sustaine All those that labour with true Diligence Sure he will giue aboundant recompence To all who carefull faithfully doe heere Rely on him without least Diffidence He for his Foes did spend his bloud most deare Why then should Friends distrust his Prouidence and Careâ— Kindle thy Loue then in my frozen brest Frame in my minde a study and desire To follow thee that canst direct me best By thy command to march on or retire Awake me from Slouth's filthy durt and mire Lest darknesse me fast-sleeping apprehend From which to Light againe iâ— no retire Let me no houre vnprofitably spend Nor passe one day vnfruitfully vnto mine end That faithfull seruants blessing on him light Whom Thou so doing when thou com'st shalt find Grant whatsoeuer hower of the night My Lord and Master comes my soule and mind May to continuall watching be inclin'd But lest I labour heere too long in vaine I next will passe vnto my Port assign'd To Death the end of all my Care and Paine To graue where till the finall doome I must remaine There quiet I shall sleepe and be at rest With Kings which heere their houses fill'd with gold And Emperours which all the world possest Yet all too streight ambitious thoughts to hold There small and great free bond rich poore young old Oppressors prisoners haue like fruition Of rest All turne againe to dust and mould As small an Vrâ—â— then limits the Ambition Of Popes and Caesars as of Beggers meane condition MEDITATION 5. Of Death COme let 's shake hands we in the end must meete I haue prouided me this goodly Chainâ— Of Graces at thy comming thee to greete For thou wilt not for fauour gold or gaine Thy fatall stroke one moment heere refraine Well close mine eyes and dimme my Bodies Light These shining Gems for euer shall remaine My soule for to enlighten Oh! then smite It skils not when nor how so as my heart stands right Ah! why look'st thou so pale as thou didst feare Thee before men and Angels I forgiue I wish thee not a minute to forbeare I neuer shall the Life of Glory liue Till thou vnlock'st the doore my soule to giue Inlargement from this Prison-house of clay For which she long hath struggled and did striue Yet still the Flesh the Spirit downe doth way And fitting 't is I should my Makers leasure stay Thou earthquake-like this prison house must shake Before my Soule be loosed from her â—ands And make my Kâ—â—pers tremble all and quake Lo then a holy Angell ready stands To saue her from heâ—s-watches grizly hands And though heau'ns sudden Light my Soule amate She forward goes and nothing her withstands A ioyfull entranâ—e to most happy state Thus passe we thorow Deaths-doore in at heau'ns narrow gate Welcome as sleepe to them that right thee know And easie as a Downy-Bed of Rest But thou most gastly-terrible dost show To those that thou do'st vnawares arrest Sweet hau'n to Soules with worlds winds waues opprest A Rocke to those that swimme in sweet Delight Sweet hoast of Saints who with perfumes hath drest The Beds wherein their
which is in Heau'n prepar'd The Ayer without motion putrifies The standing-Poole becomes vnsauourie The hottest Fier without blowing dies The Land with thornes and weeds doth barren lie That is not exercis'd with husbandry Thy house and houshold-stuffe do soone decay Except they be emploid continually Thy lockt-vp garments are to Moth's a prey All things not vs'd like Steele by rust consume away Looke on the nimble Motions of the skie How all moue diligently to their end Looke on the Beasts that creepe the Birds that fly How they no time to Idlenesse will lend Earth though the dullest Element doth spend Her strength for all the Creatures preseruation The Creatures eu'n their bloud and life do send To man for Life's and Bodies sustentation Thus all are diligent here in their occupation Oh man though Lord of all who yet art borne To labour as the Sparkes do vpward flie To learne here of thy Vassals do not scorne But eate thy Bread in sweat continually In Labour did the Fathers liue and die To do Gods will was Christ his drinke and food Not to dispute thereof with subtilty And nice distinctions which do little good But make things easie erst now hardlier vnderstood One thing is necessary doe and liue Practice and Knowledge must goe hand in hand The gods for labours blessings here do giue Not curious knowledge They that vnderstand And yet forbeare to doe their Lords command Thereby most inexcusable become When all before the dreaded Iudge shall stand More then shall heare the finall dreadfull doome For things omitted here than things which they haue done Like Plutarchs Lamiae we are quicke of sight Abroad at home we lay aside our eyes If each his owne affaires could order right That town would soone to wealth and honour rise The street where ech his dore sweeps cleanly lies I do not here forbid all forraine care To paire of Compasses I like the wise Halfe of their thoughts at their hearts center are The other round about do for the publique care The Cynicke that he might his hate expresse To Slouth would often tumble vp and downe His Tunne to keepe himselfe from Idlenesse Base Commodus of all the Caesars knowne To be most wicked was not of his owne Nature so vile but when his youth by ease Into contempt of Businesse was growne This was the Empires fatall last disease Which lost the Caesars all their fathers did increase Oh cursed Negligence that dost confound Soules Bodies Churches Cities Families No gracious Thrift will grow vpon thy ground Thy field like wildernesse all barren lies It Soules like deadly Opium stupifies It with diseases doth our Bodies fill Puls downe our Temples which did dare the skies Layes ope the City walls to Victors will And thorow houses roofes rain-droppings makes distill Bewaile with me the ruthfull Tragedy That Slouth hath made within this holy Land I meane those Houses faire of Sanctity Which like so many Pyrami'ds did stand Erected first by holy Founders hand First raisd by Diligence now raz'd to ground By Slouth those lazie-belly-gods to brand With shame whose Idlenesse did thus confound Those Places where Gods holy Worship should abound Behold with Salomon the sluggards field Which all ore-growne with Mosse and Bushes lies Whilst Rents and Sales to him abundance yeeld He lookes not after Industries supplies Like Grasse-hopper he skipping liues and dies Or sterues if Winter bringeth Pouerty Th' industrious Ant and Bee he doth despise Oh Slouth the sinke of all iniquitie That changest men to swinish Bestiality Awake you sluggards you that powre in wine The day 's at hand when you account shall make As of your workes so of your idle time To some employment do your selues betake And sayle not alwaies on the idle Lake It is a filthy muddy standing poole No good or honest mind can pleasure take To row at ease in such a muddy hole Though there his vessel 's subiect to no winds controule Oh you whom God eu'n gods on earth doth style Withdraw not from the weight of gouernement Your shoulders nor let Ease your soules beguile Of time which should be in deuotion spent Rulers must most of all be diligent All euill cleaues on them by Idlenes Looke on all States and forraine Regiment They all corrupt by Ease and slouthfulnes But flourish and grow strong by frequenâ— Busines You heau'nly-Watchmen of whom I desire Rather to learne than teach you ought to mend Marke onely what Paul doth of you require With diligence your selues and flockes attend God made you ouerseers for that end As nought more than assiduous Exercise Of Soule and Body doth from sinnes defenâ— So nothing fills them with iniquities More than this sluggish slouth and idle vanities Elian doth of th' Egyptian Dogge report That when he drinkes he neuer standeth still By Riuers side lest poysonous beasts him hurt Who liâ— in waite him whilst he drinks to kill Oh could we see the poysoning serpent still Waiting occasion with invenom'd sting Our bones with Lust and Luxury to fill And vs by slouth and idlenesse to bring To carelesnesse of God and any holy thing That thus would wind vs from all Diligence Like lazie Sluggards onely to rely Vpon th' Almighties care anâ— Prouidence But lo the Israelites send first to spie The earthly Canaan which did typifie That heau'nly whither through this Wildernesse We must not hope to passe so easily They wanne the cities which they do possesse With paines and Diligence not slouth and idlenesse This was their way this also must be ours Priests feet the flouds of Iordane may diuide Their trumpets throw downe Iericho's proud towres But Ai will many bloudy blowes abide He little thinkes Hels force that neuer tride Th' Amalekites and Moaâ— will assay To stop thy course to Iordans fruitfull side Thou must with Diligence maintaine thy way And fight with hardy resolution night and day Lord grant I may like Paul be diligent Who wrought his owne and all the Soules to saue That with him in the ship to Caesar went And though he knew that God who to him gaue Eu'n all their liues his promise would not wauâ— Yet see he leaues not any meanes vntride Lord grant me Diligence aright to craue And Patience thy leasure to abide So nothing that I aske shall be to me denide My Muse would faine aboord but Diligence Would neuer let my Meditation end And blames me sore that I with Negligence Too briefe the story of her Praise haue pen'd But Care and Labour next I must attend Which two with Diligence go hand in hand God better lucke me in their praises send I now will driue my little Boat to land And rest that I more stoutly may to labour stand MEDITATION 4. Of Care and Labour MY freer Muse now like a Faulcon flies Who hauing stoup't a Mallard at the Brooke Remounts againe vp to the azure skies And for a second Souse at him doth looke But suddenly she hath that prey forsooke And towreth
Bodies all the night May rest till Trumpets sound awake to glorious Light To Poore thou shew'st thy honey hid'st thy sting The Rich thy Sting but noâ— thy honey see Like Iailour thou doest good and bad newes bring To Soules that in the flesh imprison'd be One must dye euer th' other shall be free Thou that dost Death to thine by dying make The Messenger of such great ioy and glee Direct my Muse in what I vndertake That I may Death discerne ere Death we ouertake What 's Death but a diuorce or separation Of Man and Wife that neuer could agree From Bed and Booâ—d and from Cohabitation The guilty Flesh payes Costs the Soule is free Yet Both ere long shall one another see Freed from foule Sinne the cause of all their strife And shall in Wedlocks Bands reioined be To loue and liue for aye like Man and Wife A holy happy quiet and eternall Life But this I of the first Death vnderstand Lord of the second neuer let me taste This is the way into the holy Land That doth into continuall darknesse cast No mortall Sense did euer see or tast The seconds anguish terrour horrour paine The first is short the second aye doth last Age Sicknesse men to dye the first constraine The Diuels in the second soules and bodies chaine This setteth willing soules from bodies free That soules in bodies holds against their will By this from Bodies weight we quited be That with such weight of sinne the soule doth fill As to the Pit infernall presse it will This takes good men away before their time Lest they be ouer-whelm'd with too much ill That seizeth on the wicked for their crime That leadeth downe to Hell by this to heau'n we clime The first hath onely power in the graue Second in Hell One vs depriues of sense By th' other sense of endlesse Paine we haue Both haue one name yet see their difference Sinne mother is of both In innocence Had Adam stood Death neuer had been knowne But second Adam hath remou'd long sence The sting of this first Death eu'n by his owne Thus from a Plague Death is to Saints a fauour growne Christ meeteth her as Esau on the way And giues a charge vnto her rougher hands No euill against Iacob to assay Thus turnes he to embracements all her Bands Death made by Sinne our mortall foe now stands Our first fast friend to bring vs vnto blesse And though awhile our carkases she brands With vile corruption aâ—d Râ—ttennesse Our soules the whilst abâ—de in ioy and happinesse All first Death gets is Rottennesse and Dust A Body onely in corruption sowne To kill seeds of Concupiscence and Lust That it more glorious after may be knowne Our earthly part thus turneth to her owne But shall againe a heau'nly body rise And as at first be with the Spirit one Which long hath liu'd in ioyous Paradise Waiting till Christ her mortall should immortalize Alas why should wee then be so afraid Heere to endure a little griefe or paine Be it on Racke or Bed so I be laid Safe in my Graue my soule thereby shall gaine Lord grant me Faith and Patience to maintaine Hels last encounter when my Soule is shaken The holy Martyrs did not so complaine Of Paine when Soule was from the body taken As when their Conscience by tentation was awaken This Death though painefull quicke dispatch doth make The second hath eternitie and paine They rightly at Death's horrour quake and shake Where griefes within more than without remaine Whose consciencâ— them more terribly doe straine Than any outward torment they endure Who sees heau'ns most incomparable gaine And can thereof by Faith himselfe secure Is certaine Death can nought but good to him procure For body fraile one like his glorious head For pleasures profits hopes and honours vaine Whereby than eas'd we are more troubled Eternall rest and freedome from all paine Wer 't thou my Soule but sentenc'd to remaine In this fraile body yet a thousand yeeres Oh! how wouldst thou of wearinesse complaine And maladies thy Flesh about her beares And seeke Death as a blessing eu'n with many teares Yea should this life last without tediousnesse Oh! Doe but thinke that as thou more do'st sinne Thou addest more vnto thy wretchednesse For Death at first by Sinne did enter in Who would not leaue these loathsome ragges to winne That glorious shining roabe of Righteousnesse Thou shalt not lose thy Body but thy Sinne Thou it againe shalt meete in happinesse Corruption shall indeede be changed not thy Flesh. As Golden Ore in Finers fier cast Is not consum'd but cleans'd from drosse and tride So substance of the body doth not waste Onely by Death is purg'd and purifide Should Soules heere in their Tabernacles ' bide With all infirmities till Day of Doome How weary would they be of rest denide And wish their Bodies sleeping in their Tombe Vntill the ioyfull Day of Resurrection come So long as heere our Bodies doe remaine They haue like Wooll one tiâ—cture naturall But Death them dyeth all in purple graine To make them Robes for Sprites Celestiall For we in heau'n like Kings and Princes all Shall reigne in new Hierusalem for ay The Graue vs like each side of Red Sea wall From cruell Egypts bondage on our way Doth to the Land of heauenly Canaan conuay As he who for ill-doing lyeth bound Trembles quakes when loosed from his bands He must before the Iudgement Seal be found To giue account for workes done by his hands But he most stout and resolutely stands Whose Conscience him of euill doth acquite So men reioyce or feare when Death commands Them to appeare before the Iudge vpright There to receiue iust doome for things done wrong or right As water-drops which fall in Fountaine pure Die not but are preseru'd incontinent So Bodies perish not but ay indure Onely resolu'd to their first Element Our spirits fly to heau'n whence they were lent As drops of raine which from the heau'ns descend Are all into the wombe of Tethys sent So Saints dead Bodies to Earths bowels tend Whence drawn vp by Sonnes heate to heau'n they re-ascend What is our Life a wind a course to death They that on Earth the longest course can gaine Runne in the end themselues quite out of breath And no more but their courses end obtaine To which they that liue fewer yeeres attaine God here to men doth life like money lend Which at our Day we must pay backe againe As without oyle the Lampe no light doth send So when our humid's spent our Life is at an end As Pilgrim with long trauell wearied Layes downe his Flesh to sleepe in darkest night But Visions houering about his head Do shew vnto his Soule most heau'nly Light And doth with Dreames his spirits so delight He wisheth oft the night would euer last So fares it with the new-deceased wight When in the graue his Body sleepeth fast And Angels haue his Soule in
they may more indulge to ease and pleasure vaine One praiseth hunger as best sawce to meat Because it cost him least yet sauour'd best And alwaies with delight did drinke and eate Because he ne're did without hunger feast Some onely liue to eate drinke and digest But we ought onely eate and drinke to liue To liue to feed is to be like a beast Who would in reason more than sense be thriue To body needfull things to Soule must plenty giue Xantippe's said once Socrates too blame For that he often made an inuitation Of greatest friends yet 's fare was still the same Auoyding alwaies costly preparation Soone he replide thus to her allegation If as they seeme they be our friends indeed They will respect our Thrift but if for fashion They make a shew let 's to our selues take heed And not spend our estate them daintily to feed These patternes are of frugall abstinence Which as you see the Heathen eu'n adore Now see the holy fathers prouidence To raise themselues to plenty being poore Noâ— Abraham Booz and a thousand more Liue vpon Tillage Grazing Husbandry And tend their flockes come cattell grasse and store Yea Kings did hereunto themselues apply To ioyne Magnificence with this Frugality Eu'n after Saul anoynted is a King He followeth the Cattell from the field And they that death to Ishbosheth did bring Came to buy Corne it seemes he Tillage held None e're did so magnificently weld A Scepter as did royall Salomon To which his Thrift such wondrous store did yeeld To his sheepe-shearing sprucest Absolon Inuites eu'n princely Dauid and his eldest sonne See how great Princes and the sonnes of Kings Are not ashamed of Frugality Priests liu'd indeed of Tythes and Offerings And therefore lookt most to Gods husbandry Paul had a trade although a Pharisie And though he to th' Apostleship attaine Yet workes he in his Trade and Mysterie His liuing with his labour here to gaine Nor will he charge the Church though bound him to maintaine Th' Apostles all were Fishermen and gain'd Their liuing by induring wet and cold Diuines thinke Ioseph blessed Iesus train'd In his owne Trade till he thrise ten yeeres told I could be yet three times as manifold This Vertue with examples to commend But I had rather be a little bold And you perswade her practice to intend One's for her praise but this is counsell for a friend Oh what a happinesse it is to liue And do much good without offence to all To eate secure those cates our ground doth giue To lie so low one can no lower fall Yet haue eu'n there Content imperiall No wickednesse can enter such a Cell Highest delights that can a Prince befall This priuate Cottage may affoord as well Where care not halfe their sorrowes vnto thee will tell To many Riâ—t from meane to great estate Is not an end but change of Misery The fault is in the Mind not in the Fate Which is the same in wealth and pouerty Who onely mind change and variety Liue ill because they still begin to liue They rightly here inioy prosperity That so much pleasure to their Bodies giue As they not for but in the Body sought to liue Happy is he who neuer saw that one With whom he would exchange his meane estate Most miserable who to that are come They things which were superfluous of late Haue now made necessary to their state Such are eu'n slaues not masters of their pleasure They loue their ills which is the hardest fate Alas there is no remedy nor measure Of Vices when as men esteeme them as a treasure No good befals a man vnder the Sunne The which his mind is not prepar'd to lose No losse more easie is to any one Than of the things he hath no need to vse He 's neuer poore who Natures rules doth chuse Nor rich that liueth by Opinion Natures desires be finite boundlesse those That false Opinion depend vpon Loathing no Sallet Hunger likes an Onion Sure he is best to whom with sparing hand God giues sufficient let him wish no more In need of things superfluous to stand Is miserable want in greatest store Excesse oppresseth many who before With little could haue liu'd and beene content These though they haue enough yet stil be poore Because they first beyond their compasse went This euill prudent Thrifâ— betimes seeke to preuent Who is not made in Husbandry to sweat May sweat in Arts or Lawes politicall 'T is fit all earne their bread before they eate Nothing is more expensiue prodigall Than to haue nothing here to doe at all Want of employment Ease and Idlenesse Haue caus'd more noble Houses here to fall Than Fortunes blasts or Enuies bitternesse Let him not liue to spend that nothing doth professe Then let him neuer liue that doth professe What 's worse than nothing basest Vsury Herein is certaine profit I confesse But alwaies with anothers misery Is this the vertue of Frugality By others losses to increase our store Then so is rapine theft and robbery Selling of Iustice which oft bring in more Than all the frugall Trades I named haue before Since Nature with so little is content Who here would vse vnlawfull Arts for gaine We are but Stewards here of what is sent If we our Talents vse aright to gaine We twice as many shall of God obtaine But if to hide them in the earth we chuse Or spend them on our Lusts and Pleasures vaine They shall be tane from vs who them abuse And giu'n to such as shall them to Gods glory vse But I so worldly Thrift haue followed That I forgotten haue to thriue in Grace And as it in the world is practised Must put her off vnto the second place For I so neere haue finished my race I must deferre this to another time God grant we may them both aright imbrace Now like good husbands knocke we off betime And be at worke to morrow in the mornings prime BEhold how Birds for morrow take no care Secure God will due food for them prepare Can woorthlesse Birds be confident of meate And is a farthing-Sparrowes Faith so great She knowes but by Gods will she cannot fall And shall Gods sonnes Christs images once call In doubt their Makers will to do then good No sure who lends them life will giue them food MEDITATION 2. Of Prouidence THe frugall Husband which I erst describ'd So soone as Titan with his glistring Beames Begilds the locks of stately Pines which hide The tops of Mountaines from his hotter gleames Walkes foorth amongst his cattell flocks teames His Land to open to Sunnes mellowing heate And feed his Herds along the siluer streames To drinke and bathe when they their fil haue eate That fat they him may feed that now prouides them meate Thus early rising as the Prouerbe sayes Brings Thrift in body in estate and mind The early riser spends in health his dayes And by his diligence doth plenty find And in the
morning better is inclin'd To Prayer and diuinest Meditation Thus in a three-fold Cord he Thrift doth wind He driueth Slouth farre from his habitation His Soule in Grace his Body 〈◊〉 by recreation For these respects the Husbands country life Transcends the Citie trades mechanicall Or showes at Court where reignâ— Ambition strife Or Merchants which on hazzard stand or fall For though Thrift in estate these oft befall And Thrift in Grace in many there we finde Yet scarce a strong sound Body 'mongst them all They want pure aire whereby the bloud 's refinde And wholesome exercise to coâ—ntry life assign'd Well as I could I rich Frugality Did late as her beseemed well array I next describe foure of her company Which alwayes with this thrifty vertue stay The first two well I name the daughters may Of Prudence Prouidence and Diligence Next two themselues from Temperance conuay Thrifts Sisters Abstinence and Continence Of these foure I would sing and first of Prouidence Oh! thou by whose most pow'rfull onely Word All was of nothing made and finished And of this All mad'st man the little Lord That by him All might well be ordered Who hayers of our head hast numbred Nor lettest the least Sparrow fall to ground But as thou hast before determined Make heauenly Wisedome in mine heart abound That I may wade not drowne in Prouidence profound There is Diuine and humane Prouidence Diuine is infinite vnlimited Transcending Reason more than Reason Sense And may to glorious Sunne be likened The Stars who thence their light haue borrowed Doth humane Prouidence resemble right Which by diuine is aye enlightened And though like Starres it oft appeareth bright Yet when the heau'nly shines it is obscured quite Then pardon Reader if my Muses eye Dazeled with glory great and splendour bright Of Prouidence diuine heere to descry Vnable is the darke obscured light Of humane as indeed I ought by right When I come to her Sister Dâ—lâ—gence I may recouer well againe my sight My Muse now rapt with heau'nly Prouidence Can not descend to highest humane excellence But that I may describe her as a Grace And linke her in the vertues golden Chaine â— her th' Almighties Scepâ—er call or Mace Which doth all Peace and Order heere maintaine The bounteous hand which al things doth sustaine Whose eyes for nourishment vp to her looke Who iust's rewards and eke the wickeds Paine Doth register for euer in a booke Thus as Gods Truth and Loue she fer a grace is tooke Thus one eternall powrefull Prouidence Heere gouernes all things being by Creation The necessary Age is wanting sense Receiue their motion by her ordination The voluntary by her moderation Are aye dispos'd and rul'd by their owne will Which will she vseth as a Mediation No man against his will doth good or ill Though without Grace we of our selues no good can wilâ— Sure Adâ—m in pure innocence was free To eate the fruit forbidden or abstaine Else iustly how could he condemned be Except he had a power to refraine But since that guâ—lt originall did staine With him all imps which from that stock proceed We still retaine freewill none dares gainesaine But it is onely vnto euill deed Grace onely by New birth a will to good doth breâ—d Schooles may dispute the Truth is plainely this As we are men we power haue to will As men corrupt we alwayes will amisse As borne againe to good we haue a will Thus Nature Freewill giues Sinne bends to ill Grace vnto Good But now I seeme to stray From Prouidence diuine to mans freewill But this as needfull shew I by the way How Prouidence doth voluntary agents sway Her Nature yet more plaine to vnderstand We must conceiue the worlds great Marischall As he made all things by his mighty hand So he for euer them disposeth all By Prouidence not onely generall By which the Spheres in their due motions ride And Summer and the winter seasons fall But as he by his speciall doth guide And orders euery thing that doth on earth betide And this we call diuine Necessitie Free from Coaction which doth all dispose To proper ends yet with free liberty Of Will the things we doe to leaue or choose Thus in respect of God that future knowes As present all effects are necessary And in respect of second causes those To vs contingent are Last voluntary As they respect mans will and motion arbitrary God wonders sees in Moses weeping face When Pharao's Daughter him in Arke doth finde As she by chance did wash her in that place And 's mother for his nurse by chance assign'd And when to leaue the Court hee was inclin'd His Brethrens â—â—uell bondages to see He went forth with a free and willing mind Lo thus in this example all the three Diuine foresight man's will and Chance in one agree And therefore when of Fortune you do reade With reference to man it vnderstand Who most to the euent of things take heed Not to the Cause Gods most Almighty hand Else Chance and Prouidence can neuer stand Together in th' Almighties gouernment Who being Cause of all he doth command Them orders all vnto a sure euent Though farre aboue mans limited intendemenâ— Of things indeed which seeme by chance to be The Order Cause Necessity and end Are hid in Gods close Counsell and Decree We onely able are to apprehend By the euent how God doth them intend Thus Clerk's a threefold working doe obserue Of Prouidence which far their reach transcend And yet they all to one same end doe serue To shew Gods glory and his creatures to preserue Thus meanes and second causes she doth vse Oft workes without by power immediate And oft to worke against meanes she doth chuse Two last men call Necessity or Fate Because the Cause they can not calculate Oh richest Wisedome Knowledge without bound Of the Almighty without time or Date Thy Iudgements no man able is to â—ound Beyond all mens conceit thy counsels are profound Like this is that Philosophers assigne To Counsell Nature Chance and Prouidence By Counsell they meant Will and Reasons line By Nature force of heau'nly influence By Chance when they below beheld euents But not their Cause Last when some Grace did fall Past Natures Chance and Counsels euidence That Speciall Prouidence diuine they call Not but they vnderstood she had her â—and in all Sweet fruit of Prouidence to be perswaded That all below is ordered by Gods hand Nothing by Chance Thus when we are inuaded By Foes Death Hell we most vndanted stand We God prime cause of all things vnderstand Respecting yet inferiour in their place Which alwayes wait vpon the first 's command And all are to the glory of his grace Whereby God his elect doth aye in loue embrace Oh what inestimable quietnesse From hence ariseth to a godly minde Though euils without number him oppresse Which like so many Deaths he then doth finde Knowing not how his wretched selfe to winde From
Cruelty which him fast followeth And doth so fast with cords and fetters binde That eu'ry minute threateneth his Death And scarcely suffers him to draw his languid breath Yet if this Light of heau'nly Prouidence Shines to his Soule then all Anxiety Feare Care Distrust are banisht quite froÌ„ thence And he releeu'd in all extremity Then knowes he that one gracious Maiesty Heere by his power so directeth all By wisedome rules and by his Bonity Disposeth so that nothing euer shall But for Gods glory and his owne good him befall To fleshes obloquy some giuing way Confesse the highest Powers gouerne all But that with mortals heere they vse to play As we at hazzard tosse a Tennis-ball Some all would haue by Chance and Fortune fall Some others grant that God doth all incline But that mans wit and will must worke withall These men with God in gouernment doe ioyne And his most constant purpose to mans will confine Some to excuse God grant that Power diuine Permitteth euill but not with his will And suffreth Satan heere to blind the eyne Of Reprobates but no wayes ill doth will But sure God willingly permitteth ill Since by his power he goodnesse able is To draw from ill his purpose to fulfill For thus did Pharaoh wilfully amisse Yet God turnes all to 's glory and his chosens blisse As Sunnes pure beames exhale from filthy Oose Foule vapours which no whit the Sunne defile So doth Gods Prouidence of ill dispose Yet of no euill he partakes the while And as not in Sunnes Beames but in the soyle The matter of thâ— vapour doth consist So in mans heart is Bitternesse and bile And not in God who euill doth resist Or turnes such euill into Goodnesse as he list Thus Kings Priests Rulers Elders all combin'd Against the Lord and his anointed Sonne And Pilatâ— Herod Iewes and Gentiles ioynd To doe what God decreed to be done But they ment wickedly eu'n euery one The people a vaine thing imagined To crucifie the Lord of Life they runne But God we see thereby hath quickened The members all whereof he is the glorious head As when we see faire Phoebus gentle beames Vnited in a burning glasse enflame We vse not to accuse Sunnes gracious gleames For such offence but Burning-glasse doe blame Wherin without the Sunne 's nor heat nor flame So when we see the wicked man abuse The fairest gifts of Nature to his shame The Author of them we must not accuse But wilfull man that doth them heere vnduly vse Good Powerfull Wise Disposer of all things So wâ—se thou all Disorders ordrest right So good thy Goodnâ—s good from euill brings So pow'rfull all subsist vpon thy might How should an ignorant weake wicked wight Conceiue thy Wisedome Power and Prouidence Much lesse by Simile it more inlight It farre surpasseth mine intelligence Things knowne I doe admire the rest I reuerence But I by Prouidence diuine am led To passe the bounds of fâ—ugall meditation Pardon great Clarkes that I haue meddled To taste a mysterie by Contemplation Worthy your argument and disputation I was desirous to resolue my minde In this high point of heau'nly moderation Wherein most wondrous comfort I doe find To see how things on earth are first in heau'n design'd Who can suppose this world so perfect rare Not gouern'd by one pow'rfull prouidence Since all which without moderatâ—urs are Consisting of the foure first elements Can not continue Houses â—enements Without a tenant ruine and decay Vnpruned Vines doe loose their excellence Mans Body failes when soule doth passe away So would this Vniuerse should God forbeare a day As members of a man aright do moue First by his vnderstanding and his will So doth this Vniuerse by God aboue And all concord his pleasure to fulfill Who duely wait on Prouidence he will Make happy heere and blessed euermore Not that he doth the carelesse idle fill With blessings temporall or heau'nly store Who will not row on Sea shall neuer come a-shore It is a dangerous and impious thing Thus to dispute with Prouidence diuine Mine arme nor good nor bad to passe can bring All 's done by the Almighties firme designe The written Word must be our square and line Gods secret purpose and reuealed Will Confound not by a vaine conceit of thine Thus Theeues may blamelesse true men rob and kill And say they but Gods secret purposes fulfill For Prouidence doth not vs mortals tend As mothers infants newly brought to light Which haue no strength themselues then to defend 'Gainst ayers iniuries or forreine might But as the Father that his Sonne hath dight With strength and weapons 'gainst his enemies Directeth him to order them aright And to defend himselfe from iniuries Religion neuer negligent and idle lyes They that are godly and religious With Prouidence sweet Diligence do ioyne God that without our selues hath fashion'd vs Without thy selfe saues neither thee nor thine And therefore prudent men prouide in time Against all future want that happen may When therefore we for morrow do designe Things necessary none can iustly say Or iudge vs too much carefull for the following day The Lord of all did needfull things prouide Therefore the bagge false Iudas carried The Loaues and Fishes which he did diuide Amongst fiue thousand which him followed Th' Apostles carri'd for their dayly bread Paul temp'rall Almes prouideth for his Nation Where he the spirituall had published Ioseph from Nâ—le comes to make preparation To saue aliue old Iacob and his generation Of these learne to prouide things necessary Of Beasts to shunne and to auoid all ill Who neere things hurtfull to them do not tarry Nor nigh vnto those places trauell will Where they into a Ditch haue lately fill The Bird escapt eschewes the Fowlers gin Nor will be tempted more with all his skill The fish that finds the hooke the bait within Thence to prouide against such danger doth begin Things past for future are sound documents He that is wise the euill doth foresee And hides himselfe from many nocuments Which can not by the foole auoided be Most admirable vertuous wise is he That things foreseeing wisely can prouide Nothing on earth without a cause we see Though them the highest Wisdome so doth hide They can not by our feeble reason be descride The World may be compared to a Stage We mortals to spectators they that stay Without to see her antique equipage Doe truely as they ought behold the play The curious that about the Stage do stray And pry into the secret tyring roome Are by Stage-keepers often driu'n away All must not into Natures secrets come Although she many Mysteries reueale to some How dares proud man inquire so curiously Of Gods â—id counsels and his secret will The Bethshemites into the Arke did pry And God with sudden vengeance them doth kill Prouide thee good things and auoid the ill So maist thou many liue and happy dayes Presume not to be wise aboue thy skill By Gods reuealed will
guide all thy wayes His secret Counsels search not but admire and praise And yet because God all doth here dispose Thou like a senslesse Idol must not stand God gaue thee not for nought eares eyes hands nose A will to do a wit to vnderstand Employ these alwayes by his iust command The whole successe leaue to his Prouidence Acknowledge all good blessings from his hand And labour with all care and diligence To thriue in Goodnesse Grace and all Intelligencâ— But aboue all from murmuring refraine Or magnifying flâ—shes arme or might So axe may boast that it along hath laine The Cedars and the Plane may claime as right That by it's worke thy roofe so faire was dight So may the rod of Moses bragge and boast It all the Wonders did in Pharaoâ—s sight The Asses Iaw-bone that it slue an host But most the house when Samson pulled downe the post On whom we ought to cast eu'n all our care To him we must ascribe the Praise of all In his hand both our Soules and Bodies are By Power of his Breath we stand and fall From him all was is now and euer shall Of all the things done vnderneath the Sunne The Wiseman sought a reason naturall But was as blind as when he first begunne Though first he thought he could discouer any one Gods counsels shall for euermore indure His thoughts stand firme in eu'ry generation Our hearts he fashions and conceiueth sure Our workes and secretest imagination Who to the Rau'ns giues food and sustentation So gouernes all they nothing here shall need That wait on him with patient expectation With temporall and heau'nly he doth feed All those that craue aright of him spirituall â—eed In number measure weight he doth dispose Of all things He preserues both man and beast When care and paines may saue thee from thy foes Vse diligence to God commit the rest And when thou art so mightily distrest Thou canst no helpe in arme of flesâ— behold Vpon his prouidence that made thee rest That in thy mothers wombe thy members told And in his Booke hath eu'ry one of them inrold Good counsell gaue that Heathen Haue a care Vnto thy selfe most of thyselfe take heed He meant Lusts and Corruptions which are Within vs which to vs most danger breed With others we deale warily indeed Lest they deceiue vs by their subtilty But our owne vile affections little heed Although we haue no greater enemy Thus we escape Gaths sword and on our owne do diâ— The Iewes may with their Oratour conspire Pauls ruine nothing shall to him befall But to aduance his Crowne and Gospell hier So as his bonds in Caesars Iudgement hall Are manifest and famous 'mongst them all To the Elect and those that truly loue Nothing but for the best shall euer fall This by examples thousand I could proue Happy who finds it written in his heart by loue The Lyons want and hunger may endure Who seâ—kes the Lord wants nothing that is good The Angel of the Lord him keepes secure From his owne lusts hels fury wickeds mood This of the weakest may be vnderstood If ought here passeth thine intelligence Sucke thou the milke and leaue the stronger food Here ends my song of heau'nly Prouidence Next followes her attendant humane Diligence MEDITATION 3. Of Diligence WHo with a prudent heart and godly minde Wil take a view how things are wrought below In all effects shall good and euill find As cause is good or ill from whence they flow Thus God first Cause of all thy actions know As they be good thy selfe as they be ill Which doth Gods pow'r and goodnesse greater show In vsing heere mans vile corrupted will As second cause his sound good purpose to fulfill All euill then comes from mans vicious will Not moou'd thereto by meere necessity As senselesse Agents are to good or ill But giues consent thereto most willingly By Natures Light we good from ill descry But this vs onely leaues without excuse When seeing better we the worst doe try And thus God of mans malice makes good vse And he is iustly punished for his abuse Oh mans peruersenesse grant him least freewill And he becomes vaine proud and insolent Dâ—ny him any power to doe or will And he growes lazy slothfull negligent First kinde are meritorious impudent And merit for themselues and others will The other Epicure-like take content In pleasure eating drinking of their fill Or in an idle melanâ—â—â—lique sitting still But Diligence the Grace I next propound For this last euill is best remedy This Viper which most dang'rously doth wound Our soules with senselesse spirituall Lethargy And brings too aspish-lazy Accidy Most perilous because we feele least harme Oh this is Satans subtillest Lullaby Our soules with stupid lazinesse to charme And then of spirituall armes and weapons to disarme Thou that hast promis'd endlesse happinesse To all which at thy comming thou dost-find Intent vnto their Masters businesse And diligent in body and in minde Make all my Soules and Bodies powr's inclind To Diligence whilst I her praises write Vnloose the chaines the fetters strong vnbind Of Sloth and Dulnesse which to blackest night Leade blindfold drowsie soules that take therein delight Vigilance Industry and Diligence So like indeed one to another are My plainer Muse scarse sees a difference And therefore all will but as one declare Our soules and bodies powers they prepare In eu'ry noble Vertue to transcend Nothing on earth that 's admirable rare Without these can be brought to perfect end On these do honest care and labour aye attend For godly iust and necessary cares Are parts substantiall of Diligence And as she for the future thus prepares Hauing to Truth and Iustice reference She is a Grace of wondrous excellence But if she spring from Enuy emulation Ambition Feare or other base pretence She is a curious base abomination The busie vice that author is of desolation Industry best agreeth to the mind In which she frames a quicke Dexterity In Arts and Sciences the right to find And they that know her wondrous energy In Phisicke Law and in Diuinity Know that she tends the neerest to perfection And is to humane imbecillity Most sound defence secure and safe protection 'Gainst Satans Malice their owne Lusts worlds iâ—fectioâ— We well Dame Nature may the Mother name Of noble Industry and Diligence Yet oft we see their wondrous force doth tame Things against Nature without violence All other Vertues glorious excellence Which we in Heroes iustly do admire Haue their Beginning and Perfection thence Where Industry and Diligence conspire Wants nothing that we can in mortall man desire For as she many euill things amends So is she of all good the consummation Most dissolute base manners she commends Soone vnto honest thrifty reformation An infirme body by exercitation And Diligence becommeth strong and sound She frees old-Age from grieuous molestation Of painefull sharpe Diseases that abound Fields of the diligent are fruitfull
at a Heron in the Ayre So though at first my Muse had vndertooke Faire Absâ—inence yet seeing Thrift doth pray her To sing of Care and Labour next I will obay her This Booke indeed I wholly did intend Vnto the honour of Frugâ—lity And morall vertues that her Grace attend But so my Muse doth loue her libertie And at the fairest is so vsde to flie She will not leaue her heau'nly Meditation For any Flower of Humanity Her food diuine of holy Contemplation For any earthly Good Content or Delectation I grant indeed that morall Meditation May much amend our manners and our mind But no such pleasing taste and sustentation As in diuine the soule of man can find And therefore though I often am inclin'd The Praise of morall Vertues here to sing My freer Muse that will not be confin'd Runs straight on 〈…〉 string Else I in others 〈…〉 not meddeling And yet I hope no wiser Clerkes will blame My boldnesse here to taste by meditation The Mysteries whose knowledge they proclaime To vs as necessary for Saluation Thereby to square our Liues and Conuersation And though indeed my Writings I intend For others minds and manners reformation Yet if hereby I may mine owne amend I haue attained more then halfe my wished end It is no part of holy Contemplation To seeke reuenge for vndeserued wrong Meeknesse and Patiences meditation Haue taught my Muse to sing another song God send me more Wit them a better Tong. Now Thou that Adam in his vprightnesse To shew that Labour doth to man belong Didst place in Eden it to plant and dresse Helpe me the praise of Care and Labour to expresse Care 's an attent intention of the mind To any thing that 's needfull to be done Which good and honest for our selues we find And may vnto the publike profit come Labour puts Care in execution And is our minds and bodies Enargy In any businesse by Care begun For when to Businesse we do apply Our selues we call that Labour Paines and Industry Care comes from Wits chiefe Vigor Strength and Light And ready watchfull euermore doth stand Labour the Bodies Faculty is hight Which doth performe the thing we haue in hand Where these two powr's of action do band We Actors and Directors call them may One doth what worke the other doth command For as the Body doth the Soule obay So Labour is to noble Care obedient ay Lâ—bour and Care simply considered Nor good nor ill are but indifferent And not amongst those Vertues numbered Which in the Court of Loue are eminent But for they nothing that is excellent Can without Care and Labours helpe attaine All in their Company take great content And honour much amongst Loues royall traine And glad is she that can their best acquaintance gaine Care 's like an old experienc't Generall Too weake to fight yet orders all the Hoste Labour is lusty valiant young and tall And strikes where foes he may indanger most Care hath an eye about to euery Coast With all aduantages to win the day And though more sweat and blood it Labour cost Yet which deserueth best 't is hard to say Neither had wonne the field had one but beene away When Iupiter an Hercules would frame Three nights at once he with Alâ—mena lay Thus to beget one that should Monsters tame Men lost to lengthen out the night a day Besides the pangs of Birth her so dismay It little fail'd but she had borne her last By witty Fictions Poets thus bewray How it Ioues ordinary strength surpast A true Idâ—a of high Labour here to cast And thus they make Ioue Hercules his Sire Who must on earth all Labours vndertake And clense worlds Stables from impurest mire And Ioue of him a mighty god should make To tell what for immortall Honors sake He did were too long for a Meditation He made the yron-gates of Hell to quake And Atlas-like bare vp the worlds foundation What can be more for Care and Labours commendation He was not fostred in his younger yeeres With Pleasures wanton Ease and Idlenesse But fought with Lyons Tygres Goats and Beares Lust Rapine Tyranny Vnrighteousnesse No high thing is attain'd by Slouthfulnesse Then spake great Alexander like a King By calling seruile Slouth and Lazinesse But Care and Labour highly honouring Which in small time to him worlds Monarchy did bring No good thing without Care and Laboâ—r growes With them is Thrift without a barren Soile Labour increaseth strength and who her knowes Doth passe through hardest iourneys without toile Labour our fiercenesâ—e naturall may spoile But raiseth Vertue Labour doth restore Those that are fall'n things hardest reconcile She Vertue by employment furthers more In all aâ—chieuements Captaine Labour goes before And Pleasure followes for obserue these two Delight and Labour though much differing In nature yet they link't together go Delight I say still Labour following For things we labour most to passe to bring We ioy in more then those which vs befall By Chance and without Paines and labouring That conquest is moâ—â— glorious of all Which hath indanger'd most the Hâ—ste and Generall No solace without Labour no man gaines The Hony without danger of the Sting He that will haue the Kernell must take paines To breake the shell who sweetest Rose in Spring Will gather feares not Bushes prickeling But he that in his bosome hides his hand Whom honor profit feare nor shame can bring To action but doth all day idle stand He hates all Vertue and is hated by their Band. The Roots of Arts are bitter but they beare The sweetest fruits we can no Good obtaine But by hard Labour Thus if we prepare Vs quiet Peace what happinesse we gaine The Minds and Bodies rest them fits againe For Cares and Labours new as Bow vnbent Or Lute-string loosed to a lower straine That it may be vp to a higher pent And that the Bow may shoot the stronger newly bent God here hath placed on our either hand Commodities and Discommodities These neere those far Labor 'twixt both doth stand To these a way prone and precipite lies Who comes to those great difficulties tries Which they by Labour onely ouercome Labour which wise mens wishes here supplies And doth to them the trustiest Guide become Eu'n from their infancie vnto their resting Tombe Worse than the vilest Infidell is he That will not care nor labour for his owne How many goods and benefits there be To men on earth by Care and Labour knowne So many ills by Carelesnesse are sowne Base Carelesnesse and Slouth But I before In Diligence their Pedigree haue showne I sing the vertue of the vice no more She to my Muse yeelds matter most abundant store For Care and Labour is the very â—orne Of Amalthea and all plenteous store She brings good-husbands store of grasse and corne And plentifully feeds the hungry poore She makes the Shepherds lambes grow great and more She is the stay of Trades and Merchandize As good on
Abraâ—ams-bosome plac't As Starres of heau'n which first in East do shine Arise till their Meridian they haue past But do from thence as fast againe decline Till they into the Westerne Seas are cast Eu'n so vaine Mortals here are all in hast Till they their highest pitch of strength attaine But that once got they fall againe as fast And downeward to the graue descend amaine Some here a shorter some a longer course obtaine And as hee 's happiest whom the swiftest wind Brings soonest to the Port and hau'n of rest So 's he that soonest in the graue doth find Harbour against worlds stormes which him infest Death doth but like his brother Sleepe arrest The weary wight where he a longer night Himselfe in graue than in his bed may rest And yet no longer than till Christ our Light Awakes vs to enioy for ay his glorious sight To all that labour pleasing is the end The Traueller inquireth for his Inne The hired Seruant when his Yeere doth end The Husband when his Haruest doth beginne Merchant of his Aduentures comming in The Woman when her ninth Month doth expire So Saints of Death haue euer mindfull bin For where 's our Treasure there 's our hearts desire And where our Crowne is laid our eyes do ay aspire Therefore the dying Saints like Swans do sing Foreseeing that they in the graue should rest From Labours and be freed from the sting Of Sinne which here their liues did most infest Why should we with Deaths feare be so distrest When as the Lord of Life himselfe did die That we from sting of Death might be releast Eu'n Sinne the Cause of all our Misery And made Death our first step to true Felicity The truth hereof the sacred Pages seale When that which commonly we dying call They call it sleeping For Christ did repeale The Act of dying by his Funerall Thus Patriarchs Prophets Kings Apostles 〈◊〉 Lie sleeping till the finall Resurrection From Adâ—m to the Iudgement generall All to this faâ—all Lord must yeeld subiection And sleepe sâ—cure and sound vnder his safe protection The Wiseman therefore better doth commend The Day of Death then of Natiuity By that our paine and labours haue an end This the Beginning is of Misery The Lord of Life who Life and Death did try Proclaimeth endlesse Blessednesse to those With rest from labour in the Lord that die Blessed whom he to liue in him hath chose But till their Death from Labour they haue no repose See but how wiser Heathens entertaine This fatall stroke this last necesâ—ity How they on Birth-dayes lowd lament and plaine At Funerals make mirth and melody For that begins this ends all misery No man say they that doth not Death despise Can here on earth enioy true Liberty They onely saw an end of miseries But lo heau'n stands wide open vnto Christians eyes Ah why should Painters limme Death with a dart Time with a Syth before him cuts all downe Death doth but lance and play the Surgeons part Time fells the Corne that 's ready to be mowne Alas what Cruelty hath Death vs showne Thou art but as a Seruant vnto time To gather Fruits which he saith ripe be growne In Wine-presse thou but treadeâ—t out the wine To barrell vp in Tombâ—s that there it may refine As we greene Fruites more difficultly pull Than those we find hang ripe vpon the tree So youthfull Sprites of heate and vigor full More hardly die than they that aged be This is the greatest difference we see Betweene their courses that are short and long Both goe the broad way of Mortality Death like a mighty wind here layes along As weake and hollow Elâ—nes so Cedars stout and strong Who is so strong whom she hath not cast downe Looke all the generations gone and past Their ancient Monuments by Bookes are knowne In Graâ—e their Bodies all to dust do waste The Iewes long-life more eagerly imbrac't As 't was a type of endlesse happinesse But since Christ in his youth of Death did taste All Substances fulfill'd their Figures cease Now happiest he whom Death the soonest doth release Happy though clouds of stones thy head infold Like Steph'ns so open heau'ns shew pure cleare And though a Trance like Pauls so fast thee hold That whether thou without the Body were Or in the Body thou canst not declare Though thus Death doth like sleepe they flesh arrest The ioyes of heau'n shall to thy Soule appeare Not to be vttered Lo they are best By Negatiues not by Affirmatiues exprest No eye hath seene no eare hath euer heard No heart conceiue no tongue that can recite The ioyes th' Almighty hath in heau'n prepar'd For them that here do liue and die aright Oh enter Soule into thy Lords delight This ioy thou canst not in thy selfe containe For thou art bounded that is infinite Who enters shall for euer there remaine And for these finite Cares Ioy infinite obtaine Oh! who can know this Death and be afraid Although amongst the pots thou lie a time Thou like a siluer Doue shalt be arraid With golden feathers which like heau'n shall shine But ah Thus with my selfe I do diuine Without least perill by free Speculation But should Death seize on this my brittle Shrine And offer me to act my Meditation How should I tremble at my houses desolation That which is now familiar to my thought Will bring me then Amazement Horror Feare Alas this battel 's not so easily fought Except Iehouah on our side appeare Didst thinke Death would with Complement forbeare And onely thee delight with Meditation No he will try what courage thou dost beare And seize vpon thy Fleshes habitation It laying waste till all in Christ haue restauration Then as I feele this outward man decay Grant I may strong and stronger grow within And by a constant daily dying may Be arm'd against this strong man enter in That though he seize vpon this man of sinne My inward man may like the siluer Doue That newly hath escap't the Fowlers ginne Fly to her Lord and Sauiour aboue And be embraced in his blessed armes of Loue. Oh! there I shall inioy eternall rest And happy Peace which here I craue and misse And wander further more and more distrest What if some little paine in passage is Which makes fraile flesh to feare Deaths pallid kisse That paine 's well borne that endlesse ease doth gaine And from Sinnes cruell slauery dismisse Sleepe after Toyle faire-weather after raine Peace after Warre ease is most pleasing after paine We all are wanderers weary of our way And hasting to the Graue our certaine home This world 's the Flood which doth our passage stay Till Charons boat to weft vs ouer come Who Life did limit by eternall Doome And times for all things hath established Appoints each Centinel vnto his roome And so the termes of Life hath limited None may depart but by their Captaine licensed Nefarious wretch who with flagitious hand Dares violate