THE MINDE OF THE Frontispiece TIme censures all things Darknes envies Time Light from above doth in its beautie shine Discovering sinfull plots 'cause 't is divine True Life is honoured finding out the crime Th' impartiall Judge foreshewes the horrid fate That Sinne and Death will be unfortunate Bold Ignorance doth plead with Sinne he 'll dwell Death brings At tornies for to plead his cause The Grave maker being idle blames the Lawes The Divell takes his vassall backe to hell All their defence does prove but emptie breath Sinne 's by the sinner staine Life conquers Death POEMS Occasioned by a melancholy vision Or Amelancholy vision vpon diuers Theames Enlarged Which by seuerall Arguments ensuinge is showed His gaudit musa tenearis By H. M London printed by ID for Laurance Blaike locke and are to be sould at his shopp at the suger loose next Temple barrin Fleetstreet 1639 Iohn Droes hout sculy TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE MY VERY good Lord THOMAS Earle of Winohelsee c. RIGHT HON WHen I had compos'd these unpolish'd lines and being urg'd by some of my friends to put them into the wide world to shift for themselves I thought it somewhat an unnaturall part to turne my new-borne Muse out of doores harbourlesse being unknowne lest she should be tost to and fro with some hollow blast of arrogant breath Then musing on the many undeserved favours that I have received from your Lordship which I know not how to requite I thought of presenting my home-bred Muse to your Honour being the first fruits of my poore indeavours in this kinde and as part of the testimony of my humble service in thankfulnes to your Lordship Although somewhat discouraged when I considered the greatnesse of your person together with your worth and gifts of minde meeting with learning and pietie which makes you shine as a fixed Starre in our English region And then looking backe how unworthy my plaine Muse is of your Honours acceptation But when I considered againe what small and weake indeavours such which might claime kindred with this of mine have beene accepted of great personages when they have been drawn as a clew from the bowels of love which I hope your Lordship conceives no lesse of mine And the Eagle though shee soares aloft doth not disdaine to stoope low and the Sunne that is so glorious doth not deny his spangled beams nor cloud his smiling countenance from these infereour darke bodies here below and that the noblest spirits are accompanied with the humblest mindes which I have ever found in your Lordship then my doubts vanisht as the mist before the heate so I resolved to present as here I doe these lines to your Honours protection Humbly craving your Lordships acceptation that they may beare your name So with your Honours countenance they shall passe secure Thus praying that the Lord will inrich you with spirituall blessings and that the dew of heaven may sweeten the fatnesse of the earth to you and your noble off-spring forever And remaine your Honours most humble Servant HUMPHRY MILL TO THE READER WHen first I entertained thoughts of composing a few lines for my own private use having opportunity more than enough without begging or borrowing from other occasions I did not intend that any unlesse it were some familiar friend should so much as see my melancholly Muse in her closet much lesse to see her in an open market especially in so meane a dresse it being no other but that which shee was wrapt in at her first breathing without altering matter fashion or trimming But because I kept her not so close as I might have done some which I call friends have betrayed her and prevented me in my purpose for shee was seene walking abroad without my consent Thus when I perceived that when I gave her an inch she did take an ell I sought to restraine her But ever when she was faultie in this kinde shee came not home alone but brought one or other to excuse her and to plead for her libertie and so being backt by her acquaintance which she had got in a short time shee grew bold then I conceived that if I did not give her leave shee would take it unaskt then partly for feare that she might be corrupted and partly by perswasions whether willingly or unwillingly I gave consent that shee might come and goe at her pleasure But withall charging her that shee should keepe a good decorum that I by her meanes might receive no blame I suppose it is not expected that she should goe in gaudy attire neither doe I desire that shee should take up any upon trust nor borrow much for she hath no necessitie of it I have not mounted upon Eagles wings nor pierc'd the clouds for words to advance her worth but in tearmes nearest at hand such as I am best acquainted withall and as any indifferent Reader may well understand Shee is not adorned onely with leaves but she beareth fruit too is blacke frosts hinder not or wild beasts crop not the branches before it come to maturitie or a worme ingender in the root from envious tongues to cause it to wither If she meet with any that will not afford her a good word yet let him vouchsafe her a good looke aud shee will not die in his debt wherein she failes if thou be able to judge take it in the best sense she gives occasion to use thy charitie in conception in that she sung in winter her throat might be hoarse and being the first time that she sung she would not over-straine her voice I make no question but she can answer for her selfe to give satisfaction to any reasonable man But because I have knowne her from her infancie and seene her behaviour being alwayes modest temperate sober loving and honest not apt to flatter or dissemble nor yet to hide the faults of her friends neither censorious or harsh to any but to such as doe more than deserve it I cannot but commend her and I could wish that shee were grafted upon a better stock that her fruit might be more pleasant Shee began to plucke at the wings of Time but seeing the feathers fal so fast of themselves she stept upon vanitie which shee found to be nothing but the ruines of time so staid not there then beeing cloathed in mourning weeds and in a melancholly humour with a sad tune shee sings a Tragedie of Darknesse but Light comming in she changeth her note putting on fresh garments falles in love with him and sings his praise But hee proving somewhat inconstant here could not make a match but remaines in promise for after times But Life being the thing that hath gained such report and so much desired she tunes a Comedie but finding the miseries of it breake in here upon her and that it is not the thing that it is taken for being full of changes her concords falls into discords Then shee sets her selfe against Sinne the cause of all disorders
having assistants which beares their parts and the burthen of the song with the heavenly powers and hell is forced to sing the base then being in triumph she ventures upon Death as a party with Sinne and gets the day But finding the day of execution rejourned she frames her songs of degrees for her friends to take off their hearts from those dying comforts and sets them in a way that they might not out-live their happinesse The Verses are various in kinde as the subjects are each one hath his severall I need not shew how those that are interwoven doe agree with the bases and how the couplets are entire c. For such that know the nature of them already and for such as doe not let time and experience teach them Let those that are wise affect matter more than words but chiefly that which tends to raise the soule in her flight heaven-ward which my Muse in her songs desires Now I leave her with you use her well shee hath undergone a heavie Presse to gaine your acquaintance shee will beare her owne charge she will bee constant to you her acquaintance will bring you profit if you turne her not out of doores howsoever she will speak the best or say the least of her ill usage TO THE READER GOod Readers still in silence doe passe by The faults incident to humanitie And in the inward Chamber of the heart A Lodging findes and takes all in good part These precious lines by wisedome were obtain'd From him that govern's still the starres unstain'd And now by whom he doth the truth declare Observer he of time is it not rare And in the eye of such as light doe hate Which hell hath hardned and made obstinate Emptie darknesse waites on them at noone Like Egypt dogs they 'l barke still at the Moone But where there 's grace compos'd with policy Heavens influence waiting constantly About the heart that he shall so indite Matter sweet for the soule or hand to write If instances for witnesse be produc'd The wise will conclude that time is abus'd But now the Authour of this lively booke Studently ingeniously hath forsooke The windie froth and vaine glorious sound Can have no footing here upon this ground Judgement affections in reading is desir'd No admiration but divine's requir'd Those sweet perfumes which sweetens every verse Read marke againe unto thy selfe rehearse If information of the wiles of sinrie By reading this unto thy soule comes in Instead of sleights or jeeres thy soule will praise The Lord that gifts men so in these our dayes Thus to unmaske the devils brats and sinne And shews such life that all should strive to win I have to say in truth of commendation More from experience than by relation If evidence unskill'd in poetrie Proves not a blanck in any lótterie Then here stay not but step within the doore There 's Poetrie varietie and store W. G. OF THE POEMS of his Friend I Read those lines in them a worth I spi'd I turn'd them back and found this empty side To praise the worth I had a minde unto it 'T will praise it selfe what need I then to doe it I tooke my pen no longer did contest To try my skill my love will prove the best The lines are usefull sweet and full of matter Composing words which men at randome slatter They are like darts to those that live in sinne They leave all speechlesse that have shamelesse bin And sinne it selfe is followed with such strength With all his power he 's overcome at length To all that loue truth cordials comforts sweet They doe convay to all directions meet Plaine things are rais'd the loftie levell made Things lasting priz'd those slighted that doe fade In pleasing tearmes not strange nor yet too low They beare a grace yet such that all may know And if this be thy Musestuning strings How sweet wil't be when she both tunes and sings Goe now with praise feare not to finde successe What 's here 's thine own thou hast not rob'd the press Had I but hope that I so well could doe I 'd wish that I were melancholy too P. H. To his Friend H. M. HOnour is due to him that doth advance VNdoubted truth with lively circumstance MVch of this skill this Authour hath found out PVts Sinto silence questions out of doubt HAving pursu'd the cause of desolation RAising the hearts sweetly with meditation YOur soules may see their enemies descri'd MAns wit is pliable truly sanctified IN laying siege 'gainst sinne thy Poetry LEaves it accurst in hellish destiny LEt not thy conquest die let 's know the thing SAlly forth little booke feare no deadly sting In Libri Authoris Encomion I Need not praise this Booke nor more to tell But that the matter in 't will make it sell. The worke it selfe wants nought to set it forth 'T will fast enough away through its owne worth Though some the Carver not th' Authours skill Doe more admire the pencill than the quill Such Empericks indeed may fashion it The perfecting's compact by Art and Wit Some men there are that for their worthy parts Their vertue and their skill in many Arts Deserved honour here and those that can Discerne the sequell will applaud the man And must confesse he hath deserved fame And everlasting praise but marke this same And to succeeding ages after tell The period of his life may end and well His name forgotten be but yet this know The worke remaines for ever not for show But for instruction of a civile life Abasing vice too common frequent rife Excluding it yet still in briefe refines True vertues worth eminence throughout his lines Now this to adde and so conclude my Muse Reade it then censure't for it 's meet for use THO COLLET The Arguments A Melancholly Vision Of Time with its use Of the Vanitie of the world Of the Nature of Darknesse Of the Nature of Light Of all sorts of Life Of the Condemnation of Sinne. Of the Arraignment of Death The Reprive of Sinne and Death Advise about Sinne. Instructions touching Death The Resolutions of the Muse. AN ACCIDENTALL Melancholy Vision which occasioned the Poëms ME thought I saw Time in his speedie course His sithe new ground his glasse being almost run All men did strive in vaine to breake his force Tears would not stay him til his work were done He cut downe all none could his fury shun Alas thought I he 'l take me in his way My heavie heart tooke earnest of decay Me thought all sorts me company did beare My eyes did fail my tongue grew speechlesse to My eares were stopt my breath grew short my feare Did so increase I knew not what to do But yet I heard from whence or what or who I could not tell my spirits were agast With world adue me thought I breath'd my last But yet my spirits were but in a trance For Darknesse with his mantle spread me ore With that I did
my courage much advance 'Gainst darknesse yet the combate was so sore That I grew sadder than I was before But yet thinke I I le in defiance stand For I will never be at his command Like one destract I was o'rewhelm'd a while With griefe and care lest I should lose the day Then in comes Light and with a cheerfull smile Revives my spirits Darknesse slinkes away So on the sudden ended was the fray Light shin'd a while but what will 〈…〉 ever What 's made for time a little time 〈…〉 Then light began much like a pleasant spring My heart grew warme I had the sense of it The winters past thought I now birds dosing Why should I thus now melancholly sit Come come rejoyce I hold it very fit I was on suddain ravisht in my soule But that which follow'd did my joyes controule For life brought Care she lookt on me so strange Best things below doe prove but pleasing toyes I found his friendship subject still to change Worm-eaten pleasures breeds uncertain joyes And are like Rattles onely fit for boyes Alas said I how am I thus deceiv'd I catch at comfort and am still bereav'd Then Sin he promis'd full content to me But on such tearmes I should take his direction Feare not said he for we shall well agree But then thought I t wil breed a worse infectiō To staine my soule with horrour and dejection I gave deniall to his cursed sute And did resolve his vilenesse to confute I turn'd about and law sin was in hold Nay now thought I I le have of sin my will Seeing that he was so impudent and bold To tempt me by his promises to ill The soules of many he doth daily spill I gave my voyce against him by and by I turn'd my face and saw him sentenc'd lyc Well now thought I I hope the worst is past I will rejoyce and while my Muse doth sing I le over-looke my sorrow and fore-cast To tune my soule and strike the pleasant string But Death peept in which more ill newes did bring What must I die is all my labour lost Sin set him on seeing he by me was crost But yet resolving while I had my life To try an action so my cause was tried And Death was cast which ended all my strife But then the Divell he could not abide That sin and death should die for then his pride Would be abated so he got them quit Now farewell world I must into the pie But then at last I found another shift I slighted death and thought on heaven above I thought it best to make it still my drift To get the sense of Gods eternall love Me thought'twas brought me by the heav'nly Dove And musing of him when he was ascended And what he brought so was my Vision ended 1 COR. 7. 29. This I say Brethren the Time is short ECCLES 3. 2. There is a Time to be borne and a Time to die ECCLES 9 10. Neither doth man know his Time but as the Fishes that are taken in a not and the snare so are the Children of men snared in an evill Time when it falleth upon them suddainly EPHES. 5. 16. Redeeme the Time because the dayes are evill A DESCRIPTION OF THE NATVRE AND QUALITIE of TIME As also the abuse of it with the good use of TIME POEMS Time thou art that precious part that God doth give to man That living here may in Gods feare proceed the best he can Time's more of worth when 't is set forth in Nature sweet and kinde Than Gold being lost the man is crost that seekes to gaine or finde Time being gone sure there is none can call it backe againe It s in God hand Time cannot stand the Lord of times doth raigne When Time is past though thou make haste to o're-take it s seldome seene But if thou creepe time doth not sleepe but swift hath ever beene If thou but goe time doth not so it runnes thou runn'st 't will flye Get time before and keepe in store lest God thee time deny Thy great estate time will but hate to stay for thee therefore Time knowes not how nor God allow to differ rich from poore Time 's like wise short though fooles in 〈…〉 to make it shorter strive Poore fooles indeed that whipps with 〈…〉 time gone yet thinkes to thrive Alas aday I who is 't that may more then his day stay here What mortall can exceed his span though living now in cheere Death hath time prest that all the rest that on the earth abide Ere it belong though nere so strong the dust may under hide Uncertaine too not much adoe can make us know our time Our suddaine change should not be strange though it come in our prime When men minde not then 't is their lot to die they naught desire it Time will away it must not stay though all the world would hire it Though men do deeme and some esteeme time long yet short's the flower When men are strong it lasts not long times cream's but like an houre Long doe we grow ere we know how to use our time and then We eate and drinke and little thinke to die like other man Much time we sleepe some time we weepe some time we sport and play Some time we win most time we sin thus spend we many a day Some time we joy and vainely toy saying come lets merry be For when death comes we in our tombes this mirth shall never see Some time we dresse we take no lesse time to put off againe Sometime we walke sometime we talke these things who can refraine When strength doth faile old age is fraile and natures ruines are Though old men be we seldome see them for their soules prepare Unlesse before they had in store a stock of comfort got They cannot pray not truely say O Lord thou art my lot Not first nor last of time that 's past our time we vainely spend The creame and flower us'd by Gods power brings comfort at the end This being true I heard one rue how vile a beast am I Lost time I have what may I crave but like a beast to die O time thy price if good advice had wrought upon me then I had thee bought and for thee sought wil 't never come agen Thy front was faire adorn'd with haire but balde behinde thou art To follow thee boots not for me for griefe hath kild my heart Thou art too swift for me unthrift whether I doe goe or runne My friend also is turn'd my foe alas my thread is spunne Short is the pleasure of sinfull leasure but still the sting remaines Long lives the smart which kils my heart with never dying paines I did beleeve that on my sleeve time and Repentance fast Was pin'd and when I car'd not then they both were quickly past Then thou my friend that seest my end take heed at any rate For now in hell I goe to dwell all comforts come too
too enjoyes her fill Of thee and dwels in heaven still Wishing that that black storme were past OF THE LIFE OF GLORIE 81. At last the bodie thou wilt meet With triumph and with joy so sweet To welcome home thy ancient friend The bodie and the soule rejoyce That ever they made thee their choyce This joy shall never have an end 82 Now thou in heaven dost excell Thy glory there I cannot tell How to expresse the least degree The Saints above that weare thy crowne Can truly blaze thy rich renowne I wish that I were there to see 83. No death nor sorrow there doth waite There is no sin to lay a baite Nor yet the shadow of distresse There is no cause of feare for ever The Divell durst nere to indeavour For to attempt thee more or lesse 84. Thou art so full of beautie then Thou shin'st so in the soules of men Their bodies doe enjoy the same Their soules and bodies are more bright Than starres are in the clearest night All life to this doth seeme but lame 85. That 's nothing else but light divine Thou in the meanest Saint dost shine Transparently and sweetly still All Saints and Angels doe accord With thee to praise the living Lord And all of them there have their fill 86. Thou art so active too that now All things are pleasure to thee thou No stop at all haste in thy wayes Thy vigor's quicke and nimble too The worke that thou hast there to doe The living God 't is still to praise 87. Thy glory is exceeding great Otree of life who of thee eate Are no way subject to decay And all that doe enjoy thee there Their glory doth in thee appeare Most blessed evermore are they 88. The God of life doth honour give To thee himselfe doth with thee live Thy worth is farre above the skie He rules by thee and in his Love Thou shalt be blest with him above Past time to all eternitie FINIS POEMS Pleasant and Profitable THE ARRAIGNMENT Together with the condemnation of Sinne and Death OR A Discovery of the alluring sleights of Sinne. And then Tormenting For which he is accused and legally condemned So likewise Death being unsatiable he 's accus'd and condemned A Repreive beg'd by Sathan for them granted by the Lord upon condition Whereunto are added sundry Directions and Instructions for our conversations touching Sinne and Death BY H. M. London Printed by John Dawson 1639. THE ALLVRING SLEIGHTS OF SIN AND PROMISES First for the Thoughts The Argument with charge to the Muse. MUse raise thy voice arm'd with revenge to sin Disclose his plots and evidence give in Against him though he his defence do make Dasht with reply for the poore sinners sake Bring verdict in then sentenc't let him be To hell his pleaders judge to miserie The alluring nature of sinne When sinne with heavens Angels found successe And since that time on earth hath found no lesse It goes on still to bring men downe to hell Where Sathan is which once above did dwell Yet for reward doth promise much content So serpent like it doth men circumvent Sinne first begins much like a rubbing sore A little give that little cals for more Thus many littles doe rise to a summe And so insnar'd from sin then few do come Man loves his sin but sin returnes him hate Man bids a price but sin holds up its rate Man gives his hand his eye or any part All will not serve till sin hath got the heart What think'st thou me saith sin to be so base That give delight to any of that race That doth me love and tread my pleasant wayes I le give thee mirth come now fulfill my joyes If rich thou wilt then rich thou sure shalt be Or to be great I le greatnesse promise thee If to be wise thou set thy hearts desire Come follow me and men shall thee admire Name what thou wilt and thou shalt have thy minde Unto me onely loving be and kinde I le change my selfe to Angell shape to please Thy humours fond and so I will thee ease If merry thou then merry will I be If sad thou art I le seeme to greeve for thee If play thou wilt then will I make thee sport And shew my face when thou art all amort Come please thy thoughts thy thoughts are now as mine Thy thoughts are free to sin thy thoughts incline Sometimes to pride sometimes to lust and rage Sometime to scorne the best men of the age Sometime sin past let on thy thoughts long stay Sometime let present sin drive that away Sometime thy thoughts for sin to come be prest Till it come forth let thy thoughts never rest The desperate temptation of sinne to vile words And let thy words be lying proud and stout Still make thy selfe the best of all the rout Great words of slanders malice strife wrong Why art thou made but thus to use thy tongue Say what thou wilt to any never care Speake loftily to fooles they 'l thinke thee rare Draw men with words to me I le thee reward When they by meanes of thee doe me regard Plead thou for sinne but for the adverse part Sweare curse them down vex them to the hart The cursed temptation of sin to hellish practises So let thy practise answerable be To thoughts and words as thou hast learn'd of me Deny no sin no pride or want on lust Grow rich by fraud see on the world thou trust What needst thou care for rich when thou art fed Both full and fat with the deceitfull bread And for the poore what are the poore to thee Care for thy selfe poore thou in time maist be Get what thou canst returne it not againe And seeke thy ease though others are in paine And if on any goods or money spend Let be on such as such like things intend Resort to such as goe in the same way Which Sathans guard attend on every day Care not to pray good books read not nor heare Love pleasant things for back and belly cheare Detract from good men see thou honour give To those that serve me and most rudely live Shame truth in practise out of favour strike it Be still perverse and I shall ever like it And to observe these things be thou addrest What 's wanting now ere long shall be exprest The blasphemous consent of the sinner to the temptations of sinne If this be true that sinne doth promise me I le follow it and so we shall agree To please my selfe shall be my chiefest care Oppose me not I thinke no man doth dare Why should I not in sinfull thoughts delight Why should I not speake proudly in despight I le be perverse in practise say who will Turne backe thy heart in sinne take not thy fill What can I wish but pleasure and content This I shall have I need not to repent I shall be rich and great I like it well And counted wise with them 'mongst whom I
ripe I le pluck them in their prime Sinne shall not raile nor persecute the best Death shall not fright them though that he be prest Against then they shall willing be to part From worldly pompe before he kill the heart Sinne shall not set up tyrants in high places Lest they should bring their betters to disgraces Death shall not venture on such presently That wicked men judge worthy for to die Sinne shall not take all fat aud sweet away And let men beg or starve or goe astray For want of comfort casting truth behinde Nor slight the cries of them distrest in minde Death shall not shew his face to any one In the new birth untill the worke be done Sinne shall not mocke at men that serve the Lord With upright hearts this I have still abhort'd Death shall not vexe those that are griev'd for sin With purpose for a new life to begin Sinne shall not be in painted shewes set forth To hinder truth that is so great of worth Death shall not seaze for small things on the poore Or free the rich of greater for their store Sinne never more shall turne the streame away Nor with the highest er'e shal beare the sway Death shall not touch a man without my leave Or any thing else of its life bereave Let sinne and death still under sentence dwell Till they with thee together meet in hell FINIS ROM 12. 9. Abhorre that which is evill cleave to that which is good PSALM 51. 2. Wash me from mine iniquitie and cleanse me from my sinne REV. 2. 7. To him that overcommeth I will give to eate of the Tree of Life which is in the middest of the Paradice of God Serious Directions and Instructions for our practice touching Sinne. 1. SEeing Sinne hath got reprieve againe About the world he 'l use his might To flatter men their soules to staine With filthy sinne then with great spight He 'l lay upon men heavie weights And briug their mindes to dreadfull streights 2. The best advise that I can give I readie am to shew to thee How through Gods mercie thou maist live From sinnes Dominion ever free And from the guilt that followes sinne Though Sinne and Sathan bring it in 3. Over thy heart be watchfull still Subdue the rising of the minde And bring thy soule to hate all ill That now or after thou shalt finde The bent of all thy heart let bee To serve the Lord he 'l honour thee 4. The evill motions first of all Resist before thou doe it like Thou easie maist keepe out of thrall If thou defend when sinne doth strike When he doth finde that he 's descrid'd He 'l soone desist his face to hide 5. The temper of thy nature finde And chiefly there keepe strongest guard Against what sinne thou' rt most inclin'd For 't will thy labours well reward Sin will be weake grace will be strong Sin leave thee will ere it belong 6. Occasions shun which else will draw Thee unto sinne and by degrees Thou wilt neglect or hate Gods law And plunge thy selfe in miseries For if sinne get the upper hand Then tyrant-like he 'll thee command 7. Count no sin small that thou dost know The least's enough to make thee dwell To thinke thus makes sin greater grow In the eternall pit of hell There 's no sinne small in Gods account But sinne his mercies doe surmount 8. Bethinke thy selfe what good there hath At any time come in by sin And thou shalt finde nothing but wrath It brings as now so hath it been No good but bad in sinne remaines Though seeming good 't is cursed gaines 9. Consider why God doth thee feed And cloth to sinne it is not so To thee his workes he shewes indeed Thou might'st him serve not like a foe Which of Gods blessings is a grave That giveth naught yet more doth crave 10. Acquaint thy selfe more with Gods word With all things in t there thou shalt see That sinne and sinners on record Are curst to all eternitie And that the godly have reward Though them the world did not regard 11. Love truth divine and precepts still Lay up as treasure in thy heart Thy minde with comforts ever fill They 'l ease and qualifie thy smart The best parts of Philosophy Must stoope unto divinitie 12. When sinne comes thinke it's poyson sweet He brings to take away thy life He is thy foe be so discreet To keepe at distance and at strife Against him all thy power bend If to thy felse thou good intend 13. If Sinne intreat or if 't command Or suit with humours of thy minde Tempt yet be not at any hand To fancies vaine be still unkinde If sinne doe not thee first disarme Thou need'st not feare of taking harme 14. When sinne doth so deforme the shape Of men then looke how comely they When like an Anticke or an Ape They are nay worse than beasts of prey What 's bad in others to behold Thinke worse in thee this case unfold 15. Men would with sinne share in the best Th' account at last all would avoid The sowre must goe with the rest Such men by sinne will be annoyd For when their monsters come to birth None would them father on the earth 16. There 's none in sinne desires to die Though live in sinne they doe desire 'T is best to leave sinne willingly Else sinne at last will bring its hire What 's bad at death bad now appeare What 's good at last is good now here 17. Avoid the Company that 's ill Lest they thee poyson with their breath Resort to such as love truth still Such shew thee life the bad bring death God will preserve the godly heart When wicked men shall feele sinnes smart 18. The worst with God acquaintance claime When all their friends doe them forsake In this they shew their cursed aime Not for himselfe they would him take Though he be lovely but to free Them from sinnes wages miserie 19. When they that love sinne goe to hell They leave such witnesse them behinde A dreadfull stinking noysome smell And ill examples men doe finde Their names from honour leave they free They 'r curst to all posteritie 20. See what an honour God bestowes Vpon his servants here below They daunt the world and sinne orethrowes They doe Gods will for him they know And when that they goe to their rest They leave behinde a name that 's blest 21. Let hatred rise 'gainst sinne and why Not for the shame but for Gods cause And 't was for sinne that Christ did die And so by sinne we breake Gods lawes Because 't is cursed from the Lord Let sinne by thee be still abhorr'd 22. When sinne doth seeme so Angell like Then take good heed lest he on thee His poyson spit his sting thee strike With it no plague compar'd can be The sweet meats surfeit kils the strong With meaner diet weake live long 23. Distrust thou most what most doth please Be
assistants And you that for sinne acted such a part And 'gainst my truth have tried all your art Receive your doome for this will be your hire Ye cursed goe into eternall fire Where divels dwell and monsters doe inherit The fruits of sinne there each one hath his merit There you shall stay for ever and from me No light of comfort you shall ever see In sorrow you eternitie shall spend Depart from me for now you know your end FINIS POEMS CONCERNING DEATH AN INDIGHTMENT AGAINST DEATH by LIFE being Plaintiffe With the Event and Issue thereof LONDON Printed by John Dawson 1639. OF DEATH 1 Cor. 15. 56. Death where is thy sting Hosea 13. 14. O Death I will be thy death 1 Cor. 15. 26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is Death The Argument in charge to the Muse. ADdresse thy selfe my Muse to that sad tale Of Death though grim ghastly wan pale His looke feare not for I will see thee righted Speake bold for life thou need'st not be affrighted Accuse him answer with a sharp reply His vaine defence and sentenc'd let him dye A Plea against Death Lord now I have brought Death to be arraign'd A Traitor he already is proclaim'd To be against thy sonne the life of all The world that hath been are or ever shall Remaine on earth unlesse some course in hand Be taken now to cut him from the Land O let me never beare thy name in vaine To yeeld to Death my losse he counts his gaine Now let this tyrant be by thee destroy'd That hath so long so much my peace annoy'd An examination of the case a commana to speake their mindes What wouldst thou have done to him speak thy mind What he hath done that 's il that he shal find To him I shall returne againe like measure As he did mete I le open now my treasure Of wrath and vengeance and upon him poure And he shall know what 't is life to devoure I le heare you both now life speake what of Death Thou know'st death why he stroys living breath And testimony that about the cause You can produce according to my lawes For so I le Judge and give to each his right My truth appeare shall in all peoples sight The Indightment against Death in generall When thou at first didst breath me in the soule Of man alive he was who did controule His living state but death when he for ever Might then have liv'd with doing his indeavour But fearfull Death did stare him in the face And did his glory utterly disgrace His name was fearfull and men at it bend The thoughts of Death brought forth untimely end To some the rest that liv'd the course of nature The feare of him did weaken so their stature That when he came he had not much to doe Halfe dead before for they were sinfull too And captives like he chain'd them in the grave Close prisoners none out of his hands could save A man so cruell as it doth appeare Men durst not aske he kept them so in feare He scorn'd to take a courtesie from any Nor did regard their teares though nere so many The old mans plaint he never did regard The strong mans valour with death did reward The young mans person never did respect The infants smiling ever did neglect The virgins beauty he did still defie The fathers griefe he slighteth presently The mothers weeping he did still disable Although she mist her children at the table The childe though kneeling begs life for his father Then death in fury saith he 'l have him rather The loving daughter seekes life for her mother But death lookes in and cries give me another The masters cares considers not a whit The servants paines with death so payes he it The Bridegroomes joy he turneth into sorrow The Brides delight today he spoyles tomorrow Or any one that sueth for his friend If he grieves much death brings the sooner end On him but helpes him not a jot but brings On all men death and kils all other things Thy servants Lord that were by me maintain'd In all the world yet death hath all them gain'd And while they had a being here on earth They trouble had but seldome knew what mirth Did meane yea some of them that I am sure Through feare of death a bondage did endure At home abroad or ever where they went They still did thinke his bow was ever bent No comfort in the world then did they take Of any thing that God did for them make I was to them aburthen yet they call For joy but then the King of feare spoyl'd all And fresh discō for t brought into their harts Frighting their mindes death breeds such inward smarts The thoughts of death bring out the guilt of sin Annoye without distemper all within And to this day it is his practice still With darts of death the bloud of all to spill Where as he findes me he doth hate me so His venome spits and is a cruell foe The birds the beasts the fish all that have sense A suit of death against him doth commence And he by might doth ever get the day And as his right he takes them all away The plants that live a bare life and no more Scarce men can see life in them 't is so poore Death findes it out as plainly doth appeare And kils their fruit some once some twice a yeare At last the stock to death must give a place For fruit and stocke death doth at last disgrace Nay if there were of persons or of things A world of millions more he 'd use his stings Till all were gone if thou didst not restraine His power then still like a King he 'd raigne The more he slayes the more he doth desire The lower men are he is rais'd the higher He hath confest the ruine of mans life Is that he seekes he gaines they lose so strife Hath been betwixt us ever since the first I doe perceive he for mans bloud doth thirst Till he himselfe doe die he 'l never cease To kill his name 's enough to stroy mans peace Against Death in particular What have I done that death should envie me Was I not made to quicken men by thee Why then should death a greater power have I being free to make me like a slave If I doe ill correct me with thy hand But why should Death have me at his command Death had his being at the first by sinne And as a vassall to him still hath been Sinne goes before then Death he takes his place They both conspire against mans living race For they agree in all that suits with evill And with consent doe gratifie the Devill For his device and subtill slights that he Did still invent brought all to miserie Should Death that by thee never being had And workes for sinne O this is too too bad Rule over all that goodly worke of thine To spoile it too his malice doth
nothing but the bone Is left when I had any they did feed With me it was a charitable deed But now alas I hungry am and poore What 's done is done now I can doe no more Death come away why should'st thou not be free The wormes and I will ever honour thee Death and his friends are checkt Life is urged to speake to the purpose Death thou thy friends also have spoke their mind Thou think'st thy cause is good but thou shalt find Vaine thy defence with thy corrupted crue Living by sense they nothing speake that 's true They doe not care so they have private gaine Come in by thee though all the world be slaine They helpe thee not thy cause the worse made They parties are and with thee drive a trade As for thy selfe when life doth make reply Thy shew of truth best prove is but a lye Life to the life of death the dreadfull story Speak now declare the truth shew forth my glory The Reply of Life to all the particulars against deaths defence When God did make man blessed in his kinde And all things else according to his minde When man did breake the Law of God by sinne Thou as his curse did'st presently step in God bid thee 't is true but thou run'st fast For to destroy his worke thou didst make haste But to obey Gods will or his decree Was never yet intended so by thee For Truth or Justice thou car'st not a whit And yet thou sayest thou hast a right to it Dost thou divide the world is it thy due Or any part 't were so if lyes were true Thou willing art to ruine me and still Thou seek'st about my living bloud to spill Thou dost thy worst to keepe me still from rest The worst of workes thou callest still the best Thou shamelesse art and impudent to all Thou throw'st thy darts at rich faire great small Thou bidden art but yet without commission Thou would'st destroy me crying for permission Whether good or bad it 's all one still to thee Thou car'st for none for his integrity If in Gods hand thou art why dost thon now Thus vexe and fret and wilt not me allow A being but dost labour to destroy Me still my glory thou would'st take away A tyrant if a King thou art 't is so To all thy subjects first or last a foe Thou shew'st thy selfe most curst so vile thou art Some may in feare in love none takes thy part Thou dost usurp God made thee not a King A name that 's forg'd through feare thou hast the thing Put on thee God with wrath doth arme thee then 'T is for his foes but to all other men He mercy shewes but thou no pitty hast And friends or foes thou still dost lay them waste What good by thee doth come to any one 'T was by Gods hand for thou intendest none The Saints that did so much desire thee 'T was first because from sinne they would be free And for to see the Lord and with him dwell To speake his praises and his goodnesse tell Not for thy sake thy pale and dreadfull face Frights all by nature run from thee apace Can God dost thinke finde no way else to bring His Saints to blisse but thou must use thy sting To bring them down some are in heaven blest That nere knew thee and so might all the rest If God did please thou mak'st as if beholding God were to thee in thy defence unfolding For spoyling mee that life by thee they gaine Is not thy minde that life too thou would'st staine If thou hadst power but'tis above thy reach Thou didst on earth such fearfull lectures preach 'T is well thou hast but there a time to tarry 'T is true though once in this thy minde did varie No ill report I ever made on thee And this the Judge and all the world shall see Though I am guilty if the Lord forgive My sinne what 's that to thee I still shall live What ill I doe is done through sins temptation Thou bring'st the guilt which threatens condemnation Thou ruin'st time and ages to decay Thou also bring'st by takiag me away Is 't out of love to God that thou dost so Revenge the ils no no thou art a foe To all that live it is not for Gods sake It 's still in wrath that thou dost vengeance take Thou dost accuse me of the breach of right That so my darknesse may make thine seeme light Thy selfe thou praisest that thou dost Gods will And keep'st his lawes though thou dost break them still Thou lying serpent thou doe good to me When. where was it can good of evill be I will requite thee if thou good hast showne To me thy ill to all the world is knowne Can Life by Death a being here retaine When losse of life thou countest for thy gaine 'T is true I hate thee how can I doe lesse Thou dost on me thy malice still expresse An aggravation and disproportion betwixt death and the cruellest creatures and how he hath nothing that is praise-worthy belongs to him What shall I say thou cursed viper now Set out thee or thy hatred who knowes how A cockatrice thou art of poyson'd Aspe Thou step'st then in when men for me do gaspe The Lion's meeke when he 's compar'd to thee The Dragon 's tame how wilde so ere he be The Leopards doe shew some respect to men The greedy Wolves doe prey but now and then The hungry foxes doe sleepe all the day And in the night they onely seeke their prey But thou art worse than all that here are nam'd Thou spoil'st all men and never art asham'd Both day and night all times thou goest about And mak'st thy prey of all thou findest out The Panther when he doth destroy mans life Seemeth to grieve but thou art still at strife WIth me for murther thou dost not relent But if thou misse a blow thou dost repent Beasts may be seene and so may be prevented If not with one alone they 'l be contented Thou like a Thiefe dost come men not aware All thou must have for one thou dost not care Thy shape 's unseen I cannot paint thee out Not man nor beast nor fowle nor vermine rout Can thee discover in thy native hue Or by proportion give to thee thy due If thou be strong why doe men through disease Grow weake before thou dost upon them seaze If thou be bold why dost thou slily creepe And steal on men by night when they should sleep If thou art valiant why dost thou the brother Vse as thy meanes to make him kill the other When armies rise against each other fight Though there thou art thou play'st there least in sight If thou art noble why doe hangmen still Attend on thee to execute thy will Thou dost men starve is this a noble minde No favour shew'st thou art to all unkinde If thou art great why dost not shew the same To shelter men of
the cause is tri'd 11. My generall advice is this Remember death must seaze on all Thinke and prepare O doe not misse Thy selfe against when death doth call In expectation daily die And willing be in dust to Iye 12. In doubtfull things men use to feare On certaine things men doe resolve What doth more plaine than this appeare That death must all ere long dissolve Why should a man whose time is short Jest at mens death with sinfull sport 13. Repent of sinne the sting of death There 's no such thing as many deeme In't though that he do stop thy breath Thou maist be great in Gods esteeme Hold in with Christ then sweetly sing O cruell death where is thy sting 14. Death to the best a gaine indeed Is they doe change this place of strife Though in the grave wormes on them feed Yet they shall have eternall life They doe but mellow in the dust Till God new mould and make them just 15. Have still thy heart on heaven set And keepe Gods love fresh in thy heart Though Death doe catch thee in his net 'T will not be fired out by art Love stronger doth than death appeare Such love will free thee from deaths feare 16. Let wicked men so tremble still At thoughts of death that they may leave Their sinnes let sorrow their hearts fill Ere death doth them of life bereave That they may learne to hate their sin And may a new life once begin 17. It 's best for those that live at full To set the worst before their eyes And rouse themselves for such are dull And have regard to poore mens cries You 'd best give bread while here you dwell Lest you your water beg in hell 18. Learne to know want in midst of wealth And die to riches while you live And thinke of sicknesse in your health Doe not content to humours give Life will not be so strange to these If thou from earth dyest by degrees 19. The foolish must know though 't is bad That death will take them all away Then are not such men worse than mad That drive off all untill that day Till they doe see needs they must die And they despairing quaking lie 20. Beat downe conceit and thinke thou art A foole indeed then thou maist learne To know the turnings of thy heart And maist true wisedome then discerne That thou maist then receive at last Eternall life when this is past 21. Let tender hearted men beleeve Their grace is true though 't is not strong Let not the thoughts of death them greeve They shall be freed ere it be long Gods strength is thine which will prevaile Against all feares that thee assaile 22. Those that be strong yet be falne downe And feares of death oppresse them so That they have lost their great renowne And God himselfe seemes like a foe Strengthen your hearts and feeble hands Rescue your selves from feare and bands 23. If you be cowards you will shame The cause your selves and others will Be fearfull when they heare the name Of death such frailties shew the ill Vse well the gifts that God doth give That though death comes your joy may live 24. And ever after have a care Of falling from your stedfastnesse You need not then to feare the snare Of death but heavens happinesse Will tend on you and you shall see The glorie of eternitie 25. Those that would leave a happie seed Behinde them when death throwes his dart Must pray and labour still indeed That God with grace may fill the heart That they may live to God below When they above Gods praises shew 26. And they that long to see the peace Of Sion ere they 'd leave their life Let them not grutch their lives to cease For death will free them from all strife In heaven they at last shall see Their freedome with felicity 27. Some willing are to die when they Are vext or want their wils in things They thinke they have no score to pay Though death them endlesse torment brings They ignorant of death remaine Till second death bring such their gaine 28. Some desperate persons that doe kill Themselves they seeke for 't which they finde The curse of God their soules shall fill The effect will not please well the minde The first fruits of hell may suffice To reape the crop such fooles devise 29. Some of a better making doe Sometimes in passion wish to die Such in distresse are foolish too And fret disdaining miserie But when God chides them quickly they Were sorry that they went astray 30. Those that are Gods the truth so grace Confesse they will unto the death They willing are to give the place To tyrants and to lose their breath Before they will deny Gods name They 'l give themselves to burning flame 31. Such that have peace with God above Do draw from earth their hearts content And with their sins are out of love And to all good their hearts are bent Their blessed'st life doth then begin When death doth set them free from sinne 32. But yet if God would have them stay A while on earth they willing are To doe his will their soules each day Confirme how ere the bodie fare When the body growes towards earth The soule brings forth immortall birth 33. The wicked still are in extreames They would not die if God should call They of this world have then such dreames Of joy which they 'l not part withall They 'r so be witcht to pleasure here There 's nothing else but death they feare 34. And others that God bids to save The lives of others and their owne They 'r brought untimely to their grave And by themselves are overthrowne Such feare not death but downe to hell They headlong rush and there doe dwell 35. I cannot chuse but I must chide Those that in sullen fits would die The worlds disgrace cannot abide For trouble that upon them lie They must of this with teares repent Or else of God they shall be shent 36. Can any suffering be too much For God his cause or glory when They shall have a reward with such In heaven these are blessed men That never share in troubles more They now rejoyce though sad before 37. Such as are willing for to yeeld Their lives to death for Christ his sake By Death they conquer in the field In losing life a better take They leave a dread upon all those That unto God and them are foes 38. Who would not willing be to part With earth for heaven when they have Got peace with God by gratious art And knowing God their soules will save For heaven let all those be prest That fitted are thus for their rest 39. Yet let not any grudge to stay Till they have done the worke that he Hath set them to spending their day In good while they here present be Returning still their pay therefore Worke now then thou need'st work no more 40. The more men do or suffer