beseeme in euery case And how to walke to win our soueraignes grace It will aduise thee as I also do To be attentiue to thy Prince behest To be obsequious also thereunto So farre as may accord with all the rest Of lawes of God of nature and of state And to attend his pleasure rare and late verse 3 In ill persist not but giue place Princes their pleasure craue verse 4 His word of power who may withstand the thing he likes to haue 3. Hast not to go forth of his sight stand not in an euil thing for he will do whatsoeuer pleaseth him If so his liking did of thee require A thing vnfit not pleasing vnto thee I would not wish thee there withall retyre Or discontent in count'nance ought to bee But yeeld with patience rather to the same For to obedience subiects ought to frame But if thy selfe by indiscretion haue Offended him persist not in thy wrong Of him it is no shame thy pardon craue For vnto Princes homage doth belong They haue the power of subiects to dispose Thy life and goods to saue or else to loose 4. Where the word of the king is there is power and who shall say vnto him what dost thou The Princes wrath is messenger of death His will a law his words are firme decrees Their instruments are readie at a breath To pull the proudest rebels on their knees Such Maiestie and power in them is found With euery frowne a loyall hart they wound Who dare vnto account his soueraigne call Who to no power in earth inferiour is Who will not at his feet all prostrate fall Who hath the power to punish his amis As deputies to God on earth they raigne And by his sword of Iustice state maintaine verse 5 Who keepes the law is free from blame the wise they times do know verse 6 The wise with iudgement chuseth time for things lest trouble grow 5. He that keepeth the commaundements shal know none euill thing and the hart of the wise shal know the time and iudgement Whose lawes the godly wise both must and will Indeuour most exactly to obserue In euery point and tittle to fulfill And wittingly in nothing much to swarue So shall he for himselfe best safety find And leaue the better name to world behind And for they hardly can discharge aright Their duetie that their natiue lawes not know And that their ignorance cannot acquight Who may and will not learne more wise to grow The wise will therefore learne their duties furst The good refraine th' euill they might and durst 6. For to euery purpose there is a time and iudgement because the miserie of man is great vpon him And as in publike causes wise men vse To guide their actions warily and well And proper times and seasons euer chuse For all they do before therewith they mell For proper times there are for euery thing Which good or ill successe with it doth bring So in their priuate life they do obserue Expediencie of that they take in hand From care whereof whilst some do rashly swarue Because true wisedome they not vnderstand They into many mischiefes headlong fall Which afterwards too late they would recall verse 7 For what knowes he what shall succeed he can not mend his fate verse 8 In life death battell sinne cannot protect the wickeds state 7. For he knowes not that which shal be for who can tell him when it shal be For it lies not no doubt in powre of man To iudge aright of sequels and euents Though by obseruance of things past we can Sometimes right neere coniecture of intents As like to haue successe as we desire But none can iudge the truth that they require It is but chance not iudgement if they hit So many errors do incounter them Those future knowledges for God are fit And none but he that priuileage can claime For as for Reuelations few are now And diuelish arts Gods word will not allow 8. Man is not Lord ouer the spirit to retaine the spirit neither hath he power in the day of death nor deliuerance in battell neither shall wickednesse deliuer the possessors thereof And how should he be able to foretell An others haps or actions can you thinke That not foresaw what to himselfe befell Nor knew his perill being at pits brinke Nor could deferre his death or destiny With all the care he did thereto apply That could not tell the place the dart should light That he in battell flong against his foe That cannot saue himselfe amidst the fight But beares the brunt perhaps of ouerthroe No wicked slight or art can sinners saue But that they sure in fine their merits haue verse 9 All these I note and find sometime mans powre his ouerthrow verse 10 These wicked die yet worse succeed the godly none to know 9. All this haue I seen◠and giuē mine heart to euery worke which is wrought vnder the sunne and I saw a time that man ruleth ouer man to his owne hurt How farre alas doth all our skill come short Of that great knowledge we pretend to haue My selfe haue tryed the same in euery sort Of studie to the which my selfe I gaue And yet there is no knowledge so obscure Or easie but I did the same inure Nay of the things most common in my sight Which enery man can say and witnesse true I groped at as in obscurest night And could not see the reason how it grew That men euen to themselues most ruine bring And Magistrates their owne dependants wring 10. And likewise I saw the wicked buried they returned and they that came from the holy place were yet forgotten in the citie where they had done right this also is vanitie For which the foolish world become so farre From iust dislike of their iniust oppressions That liue and dead they fear'd and praysed are And whose posterities get more possessions They flourish rather most by doing wrong As if the earth did all to them belong But such as haue led long a holy life Deserued well of world and country all Haue bene pursued in life with hate and strife And euen at home forgot when death did call O vaine affection of the vulgar sort That maketh vice and vertue but a sport verse 11 Gods patience makes the wicked ones more bold to heap vp sin verse 12 Which long deferd is plagud in fine when iust men blessed bin 11. Because sentence against an euill worke is not executed speedily therefore the hart of the children of men is fully set on them to do euill These worldlings whilst they see the day deferd Of plague and iudgement of these wicked ones They do suppose their actions haue not erd But wisely were decreed for the nonce And so grew bold in practise of the same Till all the world therewith grew out of frame These wicked ones themselues grow insolent And pride their minds in their presumpteous trade They are so farre from meaning
vplift Contend to cause the world thy name admire Thy prayses do not mortall praise require For lo alas they no way can come nye Vnto the holy hymnes thy Saints apply And Angels sing inflam'd with heauenly fire Yet shall my soule such zealous present bring As shall record my loue to heauens high king SON II. EXild be mortall cares raysd be my song To treat with stile condigne thy honor still O mighty Ioue who heauen and earth dost fill With myrror of thy power to thee belong All powers and wils of body and of mind Thou mak'st and blessest with thy prouidence Thy bountie to the needy is so kind As nought but mercieâ—and loue proceedeth thence At our right hand a readie safe defence If Satans practise once assaile vs will Thou holy motions dost in vs distill And dost illuminate our dulled sence Thou dost redeeme fro out the enemies throng The innocent whom worldlings vse to wrong SON III. VVRo out what dreame what sleepe what charmed rest Rouse I my selfe who too too long haue stayd With worldly cares and vanities dismayd And cleane forgot almost soules solace blest My greedy nature quaffed ouer much Restrained poyson potions of delight New libertie did former dyet grutch Though life the one death other show'd to sight Nature gainst grace prouoketh still this fight World to our wils doth yeeld accursed ayd Satan our senses dulles that not affrayd We worke our wracke with greedy force and might But waken me ô Lord I thee request With pleasure paine welth wo as likes thee best SON IIII. WHat is thy measure full dost thou suppose Of strength of perfectnesse of plenteous store Of frutes of faith profest that now no more Thou carest albeit thy tree true beautie lose It can not be whilst life and sap remaine That barren branch so holy plant should beare A faire greene tree of goodly leaues were vaine Vnlesse that kindly frute also there were Words are but leaues works fruits that should be there Shew that thou liu'st by charitie therefore True holinesse doth teach a righteous lore Whereby to neighbors good our thoughts we reare Vaine is our knowledge and our holy showes If in our life the fruite of loue not growes SON V. HOw can I hope for all my forward speed My fresh incounters of the riuals first My bold intent and zeale which venter dirst To runne so hard a race and long indeed To win the prize if past the greater paine I faint or do begin my speed delay Or trusting ouer much the goale to gaine Let euery leaden heele leade me the way In race of soule to heauen light many a stay And fainting body doth for pleasnre thurst The world strowes golden fruits of tast accurst Which toucht with loue we lose to soules decay Then let me still runne on so haue I need For constancie stands most the soule in steed SON VI. ALl will not serue the more I would beware The more I headlong fall and drowne in sinne So farre vnlike the victorie to winne That to his building morter I prepare One thing I say an other thing I do One show of worke I haue an other deed I runne cleane from the marke I looke vnto With one hand quench the fire with'other feed One error doth a hundred errors breed If one I cut to grow do ten begin This fleshly laberinth that I am in Is of the sinnefull race of Hydras seed But yet my trauell still I will not spare Because I know God hath on me a care SON VII FAine would I bring some fruit of sauorie tast For offering of freewill and of my zeale But I do feare my weakenesse to reueale Like new wine in a crazed vessell plast The vessell yet not liquor being mine And it fild in by master of the store I hope he will not at my gift repine But if it faile will it replenish more My weakenesse I do oftentimes deplore And for reliefe to him I do appeale Yet ioy the bounty that he daind to deale And halting hast to those that go before In hope that my nay his gifts shall be grast Through loue vnto his sonne whom he imbrast SON VIII I Maruell much sometimes to see my will Contraried by my selfe with harts consent To see me crosse the course my purpose ment And yet th' euent thereof proue better still I am by nature vnto euill prone And that pursue with forward fleshly ayd Straight way my mind is chaÌ„gd by means vnknown And heart consents my former will be stayd The cause hereof and issues I haue wayd And find them strange yet bending in intent Vnto my good sometimes though ill I ment And fayld of plots my greatest wisedome layd Which doth my soule in fine with comfort fill To see Gods prouidence my purpose spill SON IX I Now begin to doubt my present state For that I feele no conflict in my mind A settled concord needs must be vnkind Twixt flesh and spright which should ech other hate They neere agree but to their common woe And that through sin which luld them both a sleepe A warfare in this bodie would I goe Lest fraud or treason in through rest should creepe The practises of Sathan are so deepe Armed with flesh and lust whom prone we find That hardly can the soule his freedome keepe But that these fiendes would him with frailty bind Vnlesse with heauenly weapons at debate With them we stand and fight both rare and late SON X. VVHen I remember with what speed in post The Iewes return'd from bondage tooke in hand Their Temple to restore and armed stand In breach of wals to build what enemies crost When I their bountie note in offering store All freely giuen and more then they could vse How true their treasures were that would no more Their workmens faith accounts whilst Kings refuse How these our latter times which we accuse Of ignorance through fraud of Balaams band Did yet powre forth the plenty of the land To holy vse which other did abuse I sorrow much to see true zeale cleane lost And pure religion shakt for sauing cost SON XI VVHat loue is this whereof the world doth tell Which they to God professe and men admire Loue hath his lawes and doth effects require Of charitie to neighbour to excell For as the members of one bodie bee Partakers of the passion others haue And speedily concurre to helpe we see Because thereby the bodies good they craue So if their loue to God they freely gaue And held him head their zeale would burne like fire To serue his Saints the needy to attire And home the stray to call the lost to saue For how can they th'inuisible God loue well WheÌ„ they neglect their neighbors neer that dwel SON XII VVHo so will serue the Lord he must bestow The whole not part of body or of mind If in his heart dislike hereof he find His soule not yet regenerate we may know Betwixt two stooles no sitting
8 The end whereto 2. 14 The pleasures of 2. 16 The powerfull pen 2. 29 The shining face 2. 36 The chastisemnts 2. 84 The thundring voyce 1. 8 The slender Citie 1. 83 This stately stage 2. 30 Thou formest me 1. 72 Though with thy Saints 1. 40 Thou hast ô Lord 1. 86 Thankes will I 2. 22 To shun the rockes 2. 74 V   VNto thy Princely 1. 5 Voide of true life 1. 35 W   VVEre it not straunge 2. 75 Where shall I build 1. 58 Where shall I finde 2. 9 What am I else 1. 71 Whilst in this world 1. 70 Whilst with the wholesome 1. 64 Whilst in the garden 1. 51 Where so I cast about 2. 23 When thou vouchsafest 1. 55 Whilst in the vaile 1. 59 Whilst that the chosen 1. 62 Whilst that in wealth 1. 66 What strength hath 1. 95 When I begin 2. 83 When as my 2. 3 What toung or pen 2. 94 What should I render 2. 28 What present 2. 42 What wealth 2. 57 What is felicitie 2. 60 When I began 2. 87 When I with griefe 2. 95 When desolate I was 2. 79 Who so beholds 2. 43 Whilst in the plentie 1. 74 Whilst I do studie 2. 24 Why should he faint 2. 69 Why should this 2. 95 Why should I 2. 90 Within this Arke 1. 3 Within thy garden 1. 15 Within thy house 1. 68 Who so behold 2. 31 Who so could 2. 56 Who seeketh not 2. 57 Who so of perfect 2. 64 Who so would liue 2. 97 Would God 2. 5 Words may well want 2. Conclus A TABLE OF FEELING AFFECtions being the third Centenarie of Sonets  Sonet ALl will not serue 6 All men by naâ—ure 41 Alas how watchfâ—ll 86 Alas ô Lord 103 Although ô Lord 118 Amidst the daungerous dayes 05 Among the many fires 129 Among the many trials 51 As those with skill 50 As doth the fire 64 As doth the morning sunne 66 But will you know 14 Come to the counsell 22 Doth any man desire 92 Downe let vs fling 43 Exilde be mortall cares 2 Faine would I bring 2 For vs who do 74 Fro out what dreame 3 Feaâ—e is a frailtie 114 Giue all to him 13 Good wordes are praysd 70 Great are the graces 97 Heale sacred seate 102 Haue we not cause 45 He that to do no euill 27 How can I hope 5 How little comfort 24 How should I vse my time 69 How can he be 91 How could I Lord 107 I cannot chuse 76 If woe there was 32 I feele ô Lord 115 I go about 18 I list not iudge 67 If thou do feede 77 If common fame 84 If God should measure vs 89 I haue desiâ—ed 93 I maâ—uell much 8 I must commend 113 I now begin 9 In midst of plentie 23 I oftentimes 53 I often heare 93 I see sometimes 68 It is not causelesse 31 I should not seeme 33 It seemeth straunge 58 It is not rest 61 It is a thing 83 It is a custome 90 Leaue me not Lord 111 Like maister like 55 Kike as the sunne 100 Long do the wicked run 99 Me thinkes sometimes 16 My yonger thoughts 85 Might Elizeus wish 98 Not onely doth the Lord 46 Not euery action 88 Of thee and of thy prayse 1 O happie Symon of Syren 19 O that we could 54 O powerfull God 101 Our blinded natures 82 Since it hath pleased the Lord 48 Since we by Baptisme 71 Since shame of men 72 Since we are found 94 Since thus my selfe 104 Since nothing else 96 Since thou ô Lord 110 Since so simplicitie 106 Slow is our God indeed 52 Straunge are in truth 42 Sometimes cleane tired 15 Tempt me no more of feeling affections Epilogue To thee ô Lord who Introduction to Prayer The fatall haps 34 Though lawfull many things 37 The season of the yeare 40 There is great odds indeed 44 The weapons which I 60 The difference is 73 The parable of seede 75 Though long Preface to prayer The more ô Lord 112 The greatest plague 117 Tâ—ue is it sure 78 Vaine are the bragges 38 What vaâ—ne lip labour 17 What is thy measure full 4 What are our senses drownd 20 When I remember 10 What loue is this 11 Who so will serue 12 When I do see the 21 Well if I finde 25 Who toucheth pitch 26 When I looke backe 28 Who seeketh aide 30 Who sowes the seede 36 We had not need in idlenesse 47 What miracle so great 49 When I consider of 53 We may reioyce 56 Wise Moses and graue 57 Who would not craue 59 What is the cause 62 When I do heare 63 When I do seamen 65 What high presumption 79 Who sees in common 80 Who giues may take 81 We haue bene babes 87 When I behold the trauell 95 When I ô Lord 108 What trust may I 109 When I ô Lord 116 Weake are my champions 119 Why do we not 120 Where hast Preface to affections FINIS Sonnets of the Author to diuers collected by the Printer And first to the Lords of her Maiesties priuie councell To the right Hâ— and most reuerend father in God my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his grace IF Dauid did in passion iust arise When he recorded his exiled state Compar'd with happier Swallowes which deuise To build their nests so neare the Temple gate May I not mourne to see the world alate So swarme with bookes which euery where do fly Whose subiects as most base might merit hate Though curious braynes their wits therein apply When better matters buried long do ly For lacke of fauourers or protectors grace May I not take occasion thus to try My pen and craue that you the same imbrace Yes sure world knowes you can and will protect The cause why God and Prince did you erect To the Right Ho. Knight Sir Thomas Egerton Lord Keeper of the great Scale of England VVHat fame reports by mouth of good and wise It is not flattery to record the same The publike eccho of your prayse doth rise That you by iustice ballance iudgement frame Then may you not my pen of boldnesse blame If it present to your impartiall eye This holy worke to shield it with your name Which may among prophane in daungerly Wise Salomon childs parent true did try And Daniell false accusers fraud bewray By searching hearts affects and words whereby Ones fained loue the others guilt to way So iudge this worke and him shall it depraue So I desire you iustice prayse shall haue To the right Hon. the Lord Burghley Lord high Treasurer of England one of the most Noble order of the Garter c. IF Romaines held Sibillaes workes so deare Because they from Deuining spright did grow More precious present then receiue you here Which God on king king did on world bestow Our Sibill you our Salomon we know And so your words and workes the world doth prise To vertue you your selfe a father show Hence honor yours hence countries good doth rise
glorious beames of brightnesse doth display Suprasseth darkest nights that winter weares In frozen Zone for light some face he beares So farre and more the wise do fooles surpasse Or more then precious stones doe brickle glasse 14. For the wise mans eyes are in hâ—s head but the foole walketh in darknesse yet I know also that the same condition falleth 〈…〉 For why the wise call passed things to mind Obserue the present future doe fore-see Compare effects whereby they courses find And make their actions to best rules agree Like Eagle eyes and Linxes sights theirs bee Where fooles as blind-fold groping misse the way And vnto euery daunger are a pray Although in deede one end befalleth all The wise and foolish begger and the king All made of earth againe to dust doe fall And euery state is crossed with some thing Wisedome breedes care and folly want doth bring Wealth liues in feare and pouertie in wo Honor enuide base bloud contemn'd doth go verse 15 If so thought I then is it vaine more wisedome to aspire verse 16 All is forgot in time to come like death haue all for hire 15. TheÌ„ I thought in mine heart it befalleth vnto me as it befalleth to the foole why therefore doe I then labour to be more wise and I said in mine hart that this also is vanitie I therefore in my heart beganne to thinke If all estates some miserie must haue If wise and foolish both of one cup drinke If all by death must draw vnto the graue If wisedome may not man from daunger saue If sicknesse be the common guide to death If death the end of all that draweth breath Why then do I contend for wisedomes prayse With studious trauell why do I applie My time and spend away youthes pleasant dayes With paine and toyle why serues seueritie And temperance of life since all must die It is meere madnesse to be too precise Though fooles be vaine vaine also be the wise 16. For there shall be no remembrance of the wise nor of the foole for euer for that that now is in the dayes to come shall all be forgotten and how dieth the wise man as doth the foole Vaine in the highest point of vanitie If they suppose on earth true blisse to find As on a stage each step they tred awrie Is markt and fame defamd by slaunderous kind And their best name that they do leaue behind Is soone forgot as fooles facts also bee As we by daily proofe full well may see Alas is there no difference at all In length of dayes betwixt the fond and wise Can nought protect from death but must all fall As basest sort so those in honour rise Can man no way to lengthen life deuise Then vaine is he in them reposeth trust Whose ioyes with them so soone determine must verse 17 Then lothd I life all life bred griefe and did the mind torment verse 18 My owne workes were vnpleasing then possest by one vnment 17. Therefore I hated life for the worke that is wrought vnder the sunne is grieuous vnto me for all is vanitie vexation of the Spirit The thought whereof made me the world to hate And euery circumstance of life to blame The day of birth as day of cursed fate The length of life as heape of woe and shame The dayly looke for death as rotten frame Of natures weakest building earth doth beare Bred vp and nourished with care and feare Conceiu'd in sinne brought into world with paine With iust laments bewayling future case Who impotent doth hopelesse still remaine If pitie in the parents had not place Or foster mothers did him not embrace Whose youth sharpe tutors age the lawes restraine Whose vexed soule still carkes and cares in vaine 18. I hated also all my labor wherin I had trauelled vnder the Sunne which I shall leaue to the man that shall be after me Yea though my selfe was free from sundry things By reason of the greatnesse of my state With which the meaner sort full often wrings As want and suffering stroke of mighties hate Yet I my cares had in an other rate And far more forcible in me they were For prosperous states doe worst afflictions beare As feare of chaunge care of the common good Desire to eternize my name on earth Yet nothing more me thought my ioy withstood Then that I traueld for an others mirth For whom my fruits were gathred ere his birth Which made me all my workes of most desert Hate and disdaine euen from the very heart verse 19 Vnknowne if fond or wise who yet shall all enioy leaue verse 20 Which as most vain made me abhor my works which me deceaue 19. And who knoweth whether he shall be wise or foolish yet shal he haue rule euer all my labour wherein I haue trauelled wherein I haue shewed my selfe wise vnder the sun This is also vanitie For what knew I who should to me succeed In vse of all the wealth and pompe I left An infant of mine owne and proper breed Or else a stranger creeping in by theft I knew how easly crownes might be bereft If kings were Orphanes lacking yeares or wit Ne knew I if my child for rule were fit The proofe he yeelds and sentence God did giue Prognosticateth little good at all Yet as vnto mine heire in whom I liue I giue what wast he may and feare he shall The fruit euen of my wisest trauels all So that the world which witnessed my paine May hap record my trauels meerely vaine 20. Therefore I went about to make mine hart abhorre all the labour wherein I had trauelled vnder the Sunne This made me oft aide reason to contend With my affections and my pleased sence And gainst my selfe my selfe my wits to bend The loue of all my workes expulsing thence And taking on me truths sincere defence Said perturbations which affections guyde Should not giue iudgement where her cause is tryde I made my mind confesse the studie vaine Which was imployd on transitory thing I made my body graunt too great the paine Bestowd on any pleasure life doth bring My senses to conclude there was a sting And bitter tast attended on delight And so resolu'd worlds loue to banish quight verse 21 One toyles to get with right and skill a stocke for one most vaine verse 22 And no reward himselfe doth find for all his trauell ' and paine 21. For there is a man whose trauell is in wisedome and in knowledge in equitie yet to a man that hath not trauelled herein shall he giue 〈◊〉 portion this 〈◊〉 vanitie and a great 〈◊〉 For could there be a greater griefe beâ—ide Or iuster cause to make a man repent The paines and perils that he did abide In honest trade to purchase his intent Whereto his wits and diligence was bent Then for to thinke he doth for others toyle Manures the ground where others reape the soyle Who buildeth but in hope to dwell therein Who planteh but in hope
how much more may we find in the direction of our sâ—ules to the proper hauen of their habitation euen to heauen a multitude of aduersaries lying in the way to hinder out tâ—auell to that Promised land how many afflictions of the minde frailties of the flesh bayts of the world and snares of Satan are bent against vs to slacken if not cleane to diuert our due course thitherwardes in such sort as if God of his infinite mercie and prouidence did not oftentimes preuent and stop our willes and powers and bridle the malice of these aduersaries we should all assuredly perish by the way But now such is his fatherly care and loue to vs in Christ that he hath left vs a direction ready way of safetie in the midst of all assaults or afflictions how perillous soeuer euen praier which being formed according to the rules prescribed vnto vs by his Sonne and with feruencie of faith offered vp vnto him are of power to penetrate the heauens purchase our safetie pay our debts and procure vs peace of heart in the midst of all earthly perils yea knowing our coldnesse herein and feare of our owne guilt deterring vs from his presence he doth not onely licence vs to this boldnesse but allurâ—th vs by many sensible blessings felt in our owne consciences and calleth vs by a supernaturall courage sometimes with confidence to come vnto him and euen to hope against hope in our most desperate necessities He doth direct our tongues oftentimes here in before our mindes and our mindes before our hearts being himselfe readier to giue then we to aske and giuing with more regard of our good then we can craue or conceiue for all which he expecteth nothing else at our hands but continually to flie vnto him and to yeeld him due praise to relie on him onely in the day of triall and to encourage others thereto for in this sort alone he will be honoured of vs. This our earthly pilgrimage being then so daungerous to all flesh so readie a way prescribed vnto vs for our safer passage therein â—e were very vnwise that would not furnish himselfe with such prouisioâ— which costs so litle as our wils to haue it more vncharitable that would nor do his best to assist his coÌ„panion in his iourney with both couÌ„sell coÌ„fort of the same For this cause gentle Readers I hauing through gods great goodnes felt in the direction and protection of my vnstable youth a plentifull portion of the wonderfull care he hath ouer vs of the vnspeakable force of praier thanksgiuing in all extremities the more to stirre vp my selfe to a memorie thereof haue thought good to set downe these abrupt passions of my passed afflictions as witnesses of the impedimeÌ„ts most stopping me in my Christian pilgrimage and testimonies of the meanes of my euasion hitherto which may serue for presidents for my selfe in the like future occasions and not be altogither vnprofitable for others to imitate In which as in a glasse may be seene the state of a renegerate soule sicke with sinne sometimes Ague-like shiuering with cold despaire straight waies inflamed with feruencie of faith and hope One while yeelding vnder the burden of sinne to eternall death and presently incouraged to runne chearefully forward the appointed course of this his pilprimage and like a practised traueller vsed to the change of company dyet heat cold paine pleasure plentie and want not to amaze himselfe long with any change but by a consideration of pleasures passed or rest expected patiently to passe ouer this world full of incombrances from a sence and feeling whereof in some measure no true child of God is any long time as I suppose expempt Now although I doubt not but euen these reasons will carry the iudgement of the godly Christian Reader to a fauourable interpretation of my purpose herein and to some delight in the tast thereof to whom no person or occasion style or phrase will seeme vnseasonable being imployed to the glorifying of God and profit of the Church or proceeding from a zeale of that effect yet the consideration that the greater number to whose handes this Treatise may happen to come are either not so well affected or so discreet and temperate as were to be wished maketh me thinke it needfull to say something in declaration of my purpose herein not in excuse of my exercising my selfe in such theames which in deede ought to be the common action in some measure of all men as oft as necessary affaires of this life wil permit them neither in that I make common with others this my exercise which seemeth in secret only to be practised by my selfe for that I take it not to be alwaies a token of pride or vaine-glory to make knowne for a common good to others that which may breed a suspect of ambition in the Author among the prophane or cauelling multitude though how herein I am caried my selfe I leaue to God the searcher of hearts to iudge only I would satisfie them first in the cause of my writing them in verse then of the confused placing of them without speciall titles To the first I was induced for that I find many oftentimes speciallie such as had most neede to praie and meditate to reade bookes rather for the affection of words then liking of matter and perhaps more to controll the compiling then commend the contents Such yet so as they read shal giue me al that I craue find I hope that good they loked not for if not in all yet in some among many of these Sonnets As for the apt nature of Poetrie to delight to contriue significatiuely in fewe words much matter to pearce and penetrate affections of men with the aptnesse thereof for helpe of memorie I will not saie much but for my deducing these passioÌ„s and affections into Sonnets it answereth best for the shortnesse to the nature and common humor of men who are either not long touched with so good motions or by their worldly affaires not permitted to continue much reading To the cause of my so preposterous placing of them and deuision onely into three sorts I confesse indeed I am perswaded their disorder doth best fit the nature of mankind who commonly is delighted with contraries and excercised with extreames and also as they were by God ministred vnto my mind to set downe by sundrie Accidents so I suppose my prouidence could not by a formall placing of them so soone hit the affection of euery reader as Gods direction by that which meÌ„ call chance might often do As they are therefore I recommend them to thy courtesie in reading and thee to Gods holy spirit in the perusing of them If they may haue the same working in thee that I praise God some of them had in me they shall not be vtterly vnprofitable If in matter they iumpe not to thy passions in all pointes thinke that in the great Arsenall of Satans Armor he hath
in the doer though our mind And common sense some reason so pretend The deed which meriteth for vertue prayse Must be premeditate in will before Indeuour'd lawfully and which bewrayes No priuate obiect or respect we bore And God himselfe things iudgeth euer more Not by effects as men of wisedome blind But by intentions faithfull honest kind Of such as doing them his aide implore He issue doth to actions different send As he to greater good euer ill will bend SON XCIX IF God should measure vs as we deserue For each offence requiting equally His iustice we with horror should espie From which excuse to shield vs could not serue But iustice his by holy bound restraind Of mercie which doth waighour weake estate A proper counterpoise for vs hath gaind Whilst iustis wrath Christs mercy doth abate His Sonne our Sauiour doth set ope a gate To safetie by the pardon he did bye With bloud most innocent lest we should die Guilty of sin which iustice needs must hate Thus we by faith cannot be sayd to swarue Our faults are his of merits his we carue SON XC IT is a custome that deserueth blame And ouer common with vs now adayes That euery man his fault on other layes And some excuse for euery euill frame And rather then we will the burden beare We lay on God whose prouidence rules all The cause of what our wicked natures were Producers of with wilfull bitter gall Thus from one sin to other we do fall And haires herein our nature vs bewrayes Of parent first who his offence denaies And rather God wife serpent guilty call Then to confesse his proper free will lame And by repentance praise Gods holy name SON XCI HOw can he be the author held of ill Who goodnesse is it selfe and onely true To whom alone perfection still is due And all the world with goodly workes doth fill It is not God it is our selues alas That doth produce these foule affects of sin Our sickly nature first infected was And lacking tast of truth delights therein Our deeds in vs how fowle so'ere they haue bin What good soeuer of them doth insue That part is Gods our corrupt nature drue The worser part and flesh death snares did spin And euen our deeds the which our soules do kill Are good to God and worke his glorie still SON XCII DOth any man desire his life to mend And that of sin he might a lothing finde Let him but on his actions looke behinde Forepast and see where to they most did bend Let him on others looke with equall view And note deformitie of lothfull sin Let reason not affections tell him true The brickle state himselfe to fore was in As doctrine that to penitence doth win And true repentance one of honest mind When he in other sees affects so blind As he in reason thinks could not haue bin Such as him selfe ashameth to defend And to be guiltlese off he would pretend SON XCIII I Haue desir'd and held as chiefe delight To lead my life where mirth did alwaies dwell From soule so sorrow thinking to repell In feast and sport so past I day and night But if as oft there did a dismall chance Befall whereby I found some cause of griefe I was amaz'd dispair'd and as in trance No comfort found or meanes to giue reliefe My former ioyes prouoked sorrow chiefe I loathd the thoughts before did please so well My meditations then of death befell And of worlds pleasures which were vaine chiefe Which made me chaÌ„ge my former humor quight For teares cares sorrows still to be in sight SON XCIIII SInce we are found if we our selues do know To be a barren ground and good for nought Vnlesse by husbandrie we will be brought To aptnesse for some good whereon to growe Since preachers are the husbandmen ordaind And preaching of the Prophets is the seed By whose indeuors onely frute is gaind Of holy life the which our faith doth feed Me thiâ—kes it should a greater aptnesse breed In tennants to this soule which Christ hath bought To haue it so manurde and daily wrought As it might grow to betterd state indeed And yeeld some crop of goodnesse which might show The thankfull hearts which we to God do owe. SON XCV WHen I behold the trauell and the payne Which wicked men in euill actions bide What hazards they assay to goe aside When with more ease they vertue might attaine How theeues and murtherers such boldnesse vse Such watchfull painefull meanes their wills to win As euen religious men do oft refuse To tast of like though they would faine begin I finde too true that we are sold to sin And that the bodie doth the spirit guide That reason yeelds to sense and sense doth hide Lust in his liking which doth forward slide From ill to worse and neuer doth refraine Sin which may sin nor paine which paine may gain SON XCI SInce nothing is more certaine then to dye Nor more vncertaine then the time and howre Which how to know is not in Phisickes powre Yet nature teacheth it to be but nie For that death stealeth on vs like a thiefe And nothing liuing is exempt therefro His malice to preuent is wisedome chiefe That vnprouided he not take vs so As that on sodaine he appeare a foe And vs compulsiuely he do deuowre That God by him in wrath doe seme to lowre And that to death not life we seeme to goe Soe let vs liue that death we dare defie Since heauens eternall life we gaine thereby SON XCVII GReat are the graces God in man doth show All tending chiefly to soules proper gaine That by some meanes at length he might attaine To higher thoughts from earthly base and low Yet since no benefits we do receaue Can so assure vs of his loue indeed That loue of world and earth they can bereaue And make our minds on heauenly ioy to feed Much lesse a new desire in vs can breed To win the heauens by losse of life so vaine This common way by death he made remaine Ineuitable to all humane seed By force those heauenly ioyes to make vs know Which after death in lasting life shall grow SON XCVIII MIght Elizeus wish allow'd be And prayer blest which Salomon did make And canst thou then thy trauell vndertake For worthier prize then they haue showne to thee Sure heauenly wisedome earthly wisedome teacheth Such wisedome findeth grace with God and man Who seeks these first God plenteously him reacheth All other earthly gifts he wisht or can That will I seeke that will I studie than No plenty shall my thirst therafter slake With Elizeus will I alwayes wake And watch the Prophets wayes and manner whan My Sauiour doth ascend that I may see His glory â—and he his grace redouble'in mee SON XCIX LOng do the wicked runne a lawlesse race Vncrost and vncontrolled in their will Their appetites at pleasure they do fill And thinke themselues to be in happie
wrath to bide SON CVIII Against defection VVHen I ô Lord vnto my mind do call The fearefull records of the Patriarkes best In whom great gifts of grace did seeme to rest And yet to foule and fearefull sinnes did fall I do deplore the frailty of vs all And feare defection euen in those are blest And since I am the least O Lord alas Of many that in word professe thy name And I some feeling tast haue of the same Which doth not forward to perfection pas It makes me see as in a looking glasse The feeble strength of this my present frame Which clogd with sin is lame And wold look back To hell from which I fly if grace should lack SON CIX Not to trust in flesh WHat trust may I ô Lord on flesh repose Whose mould is earth whose substance is but dust His thoughts vncleane his actions all vniust As is the stocke of parents whence it growes Whome fraud vntruth pride lust distrust inclose By which by nature rul'd wee are and must I know the feeble trust I may expect And safety which on such a frame is found Where weake foundation is the sand vnsound Which may â—â—t byde the brunt of stormie day When as temptations shall their powre display Or yet afflictions vs enuiron round Vpon a surer ground Faith must me build And Christ my sauiour so my soule may shield SON CX Praye for humilitie SInce thou ô Lord and Sauiour doest confesse Thy selfe a true Phiâ—ition vnto those Who with humilitie their griefes disclose And vnto thee for ayd by prayers presse Vouchsafe thou so my heart to thee addresse That on thy helpe alone my faith repose Vouchsafe my sight vnlose Make me to see The naked show of natures powre and shame Let me behold my workes weake lewd and lame And let my heart with sorrow pierced be And pressed downe procure such mone in me As may in fine repentance truely frame That humbly so thy name I may adore And faithfully in fine thy helpe implore SON CXI For Comfort in affliction LEaue me not Lord most humbly I thee craue In this distresse whereto my sinsme bring VVhich headlong vnto hell my soule would fling And make me thinke there were no powre could â—aue My wretched state from deaths eternall graue Which poysoned is by Satans deadly sting But teach thou me to sing O Lord thy praise Amids thy saints which see thy mercies still With ioy and comfort do my courage fill Once Lord my soule which yet in terror staies Make me to bend vnto thy will my waies And frame my powers vnto thy holy will The powre of Satan kill And so increase My soule with comfort of thy lasting peace SON CXII Iâ— prosperity not to forsake God THe more ô Lord I see before my face The daily blessings which thow doest bestow On me vnworthie wretch who well do know How farre affections vile in me haue place The more I see iust cause to call for grace Lest for abuse of them thou vengance sâ—ow For then most soone we grow For to forget The giuer when the giftes we once haue gaind Ingratitude our natures so hath staind Thy greatest blessing we most lightly set So far we are from paying praise for debt VVe do forget the nurse vs fed and wainde As Israell not refraind Thee most t' offend VVhen most thou them didst feed comfort send SON CXIII Mans Sorrow for sin I Must commend the thing the world doth hate And like the thing that flesh and bloud detest The cares and griefes by which I was opprest Which made me see and know my wretched state Wisdome is dearely bought but not too late Who tasts true frute of care knowes cumfort best Make me then Lord disgest each bitter pill Which for correction of my sin is sent Purge thou thereby my drosse make me repent Each lewd affect offensiue to thy will A new and better nature Lord in still Which to thy seruice alwaies may be bent With sorrow often rent My hardoned heart And let repentance purchase cure of smart SON CXIIII For true feare FEare is a frailtie knowne to humane kind Which witnesseth a guilt where it doth dwell Since Adams fall his ofspring knew it well And euery man in conscience doth it find It takes possession in atroubled mind And if grace want dispaire driues downe to hell Yet these thy praises tell O Lord they shall Who danted for their frailties do require Grace to resist their lustes and doe aspire For strength of true perfection for to call And haue a feare of sin though neare so small For loue of right as well as shunning ire Kindle their loue with fire Sprinkle it with feare That incense of obedient smoke it reare SON CXV Sorow for coldnesse of compassion I Feele ô Lord and sorrow for the same The slender feeling and compassion small The which I haue of neighbours case at all Which to assist their states my heart should frame Who with my lips professe a Christian name But stop my eares when they for help do call So easily we fall And do forgett The lesson which our Maister Christ vs gaue Who vs with mourners to lament would haue And on our brothers good chiefe care should set But selfe-loue and cold charitie doth let No frute of faith proceed though neighbour craue Yet thou didst freely saue Me wretch cleane lost Whose life the blud of thy deare Sonne hath cost SON CXVI For Patience WHen I ô Lord in troubles sore opprest My heauie state with carefull thoughts do way Which hope of happie issue doth denay Aâ—d frailtie of the flesh can scarse digest I onely find here in at length some rest When on thy mercy promised I stay And when from day to day I see with shame My new offences which do trespasse thee And note how long thy iudgements spared me Which iustly might burst forth in vengeance flame Ye when my Sauiours sufferings show the same Which ought a rule to his elect to be I craue that I might see Like fruites of grace So that impatience hold in me no place SON CXVII For continuance of Gods word THe greatest plague that I see cause to feare To such as I who haue so carelesse bin By reading and by preaching for to win True knowledg which our harts to thee might reare Is lest thy Prophets sound should so forbeare To preach thy word that we should dwell in sin And wallowing therein We should delight In ignorance the headlong path to hell And wickedly in carnall tents to dwell And so surcease with sinne or lust to fight Grant therfore Lord thy sword may alwaies smight My soule till sinne it from me cleane expell Let Prophets alwaies tell To vs thy will And keepe vs vnder thy obedience still SON CXVIII For grace to bring forth fruits ALthough ô Lord I do as truth confesse No powre in humane art that can thee please That all polluted are with first disease Of sinne originall
He need but take a patterne of your state Borne noble learned bred whose acts expresse That honor cannot vertues force abate In home-kind loue abroad vnmenast hate In bodies value and in spright of mind You haue no cause to blame your aduerse fate Which such a great aspect hath you assignd Yet that you yet more happinesse might find The common loue your countrey you doth owe To offer you this meanes thereto doth bind My will which in this lowly gift I show Which yet accept for worthy Princes sake Who of each point a perfect proofe did make To the Right Ho. the Earle of Shrewsburie VVEll placed vertue in high honors seat Well bending honour to a Christians state Vouchsafe my pen your pardon may intreat Who this my vowed seruice offer late Your shining glory did my hope abate When first to seeke your sight my fancie ment Your fame for vertue yet did animate My pen which vnto you this present sent Your true nobilitie which seemeth bent To foster innocents from powrefull foe Doth promise me wisht fruit of hearts intent If vnder your protection it doth goe The rather since of honor I do wright And happinesse which is your soules delight To the right Honourable the Earle of Cumberland THe Crowned honor iustly which befell To valiant Iosua and wise Calebs race Whose faith to fainting people did foretell The fruitfull spoyle of proud resisters place Their natiue vertues which you haue by grace Whose sword doth fight the battels of the iust Which makes our Hemis-phere your fame imbrace And feebled hearts on your stout courage trust My confidence in you excuse they must Who do my Poems muster in your traine Whose theame hath bin by wisest king discust And in your practise do of proofe remaine Which leade the way vnto the holy land For which whilst here you liue you fighting stand To the Right honorable the Earle of Sussex THe skilfull Pilots that the Ocean haunt In stormes are found to be of merry cheare Whom fairest calmes with feare dread do daunt Because a signe of change doth seeme appeare The expert souldiers vsed to the warre In time of peace do arme them for the fight And carefull Christians will foresee from farre The fierce temptations may in pleasure light Then since no settled rule there can be here Whereby to know the issues growing are But change of times may comfort clips or cleare And so our present state amend or marre Learne here braue Chāpion noble vertuous wise To beare all brunts that may in life arise To the Right Ho. the Earle of Southampton AMongst most noble noble euery way Among the wise wise in a high degree Among the vertuous vertuous may I say You worthy seeme right worthy Lord to mee By bloud by value noble we you see By nature and by learnings trauell wise By loue of good ils hate you vertuous bee Hence publike honor priuate loue doth rise Which hath inuited me thus to deuise To shew my selfe not slacke to honour you By this meane gift since powre more fit denies Which let me craue be read and held for true Of honor wisedome vertue I delate Which you pursuing will aduance your state To the Right Honorable the Lord Zouch VVHat haue I done that I would take in hand To picke forth Patrons should my work defend When such a Lordly troope of Nobles stand As in the choyce of them I find no end But hauing thus begun I do intend To fawne on those whose fauours I haue found Amongst the which I trust you helpe will lend Because the building is on such a ground I know your learned skill and iudgement sound Which might deter it to approch your sight But whereas loue they say doth once abound There feare and all suspect is banisht quight Your vertues loue your honor force me yeeld To you on whose kind fauour I do build To the Right Honorable the Lord Willougbie of Ersbie MIght I forget the Comforts of my prime Might I neglect the matter which I wright Might I not know the hopes of present time Forgetting you I might my selfe acquight But parentes fauours once my youths delight Your selfe apatterne of a happie peere Whose proofes of vertue publike are to sight Might me vpbraid with peeuish silence here If I should hold so meane a gift too deare For one whose ancient debter yet I rest For whom my Poeme doth so fit appeare Since you our age recordes among the best Then thinke not I by slight would kindnes gaine But hold this due If honest I remaine To the Right Honourable the Lord Burrowes I Not intend by present of a booke Which for the title most men will allowe For equall praise with first true author looke Because I newly it transformed now Nor for my owne presume I it to'avow Vnworthie herald of that princes says Which duely to deliuer few know how And I of all most weake by many ways Yet since your high praisd bountie not denays A grate acceptance of a kindly gift Vpon that hope my present boldnesse stays Who in my purpose haue no other drift But let you see earths vaine heauens perfect blis Which with my heart I wish you tast in this To the Right Honorable the Lord Mountioy TO you the noble light of happie I le In whose most vertuous breast the holy fire Vnquenched liues when all the world the while Nigh drowned lyes in dreames of vaine desire Whose holy zeale the godly do admire Whose worthie constancie the wise commend For whom heauens glorie waights as vertuous hire To whom the hearts of men with honour bend Who do pure vertue to your powre defend Whom vaine delights of earth cannot defile Whom to protect religion God did send Vouchsafe to listen to my song a while Which right true tidings to the world doth bring Of what obserued was by wisest king To the Right Honorable the Lord of Hunsdon OF good king Dauids holy'and carefull bent Of wise and happie Salomons desire Their liuely patterns here I do present To you braue Lord as kind deserts require Your gifts of nature rare I not admire Since heire you were vnto so noble a father Whose wisdome to true honour did aspire But gifts of grace which by your life I gather And for the which you reuerenc't are the rather As heire to both those kings in common care Of God and realme gainst which most lewd deprauer Is forth his poysoned tongue for shame to spare As for that good to me by you hath flowne Was but one frute of many vertues knowne To the Right reuerend father in God To by Bishop of Duresme IF double cumber of the publike care Of Paules and Peters sword and keyes may rest I would intreat you some small time to spare To view the face of your inuited gest Of all men you haue cause to vse him best Because you more then halfe the father are To you therefore I haue him first addrest To haue his
temptations fall And daily need assistance gainst the same In such respect this worke you well may call An Antidote a happie life to frame Whereto since hitherto your vertues bend You will accept I trust the gift I send To the vertuous gentleman Robert Bowes Esquire Embassador for her Maiestie in Scotland AS Painters vse their Tables set to show Of euery sight ere they perfected bee By others better skill the truth to know Of faults which they themselues could hardly see And as best drugs on meanest shrub and tree By skilfull Simplers gathred are sometime As gold in sand as pearles in shell-fish wee Do find and amber in the sea shore slime So vnder this ill-couched ragged rime Which to your clearer sight I do present It may appeare how high his thoughts did clime That first to frame the same his studie bent And I excusd who only do bestow What I to you by auncient promise owe. To the vertuous Gentleman Fulke Greuill Esquire VVHo can of learning treat and you forget Who may of vertue talke and you neglect Who would true fame from your due praises let Who should not knowing you your loue affect I therefore forced am in this respect To offer publikely for you to reed The thing the which vncrau'd you would protect If by malignors blame it stood in need In diuerse diuersly this worke will breed I know an humor in the censurers braine The wisest on the best contents will feed The curious for some scapes count all but vaine But of the better sort true prayse must grow The prayse of some is meere disprayse I know To the reuerend Doctor Andrews professor in Diuinitie I Would not flatter Court the Church much lesse But honouring both I would them homage yeeld In Courts I liu'd in Church I do confesse I wish to die and on that hope to build Then maruell not I also seeke to shield My bold attempt with fauour of your wing Since your diuine conceit can easliest wield The burden which this waighty theame can bring I meant in English dittie only sing The tragike notes of humane well away But waightie matter of so wise a king Compeld me yet a greater part to play Wherewith halfe fainting for your aide I craue Well meaning mind from feared blame to saue To his especiall friend Richard Carew of Anthony Esquire AS parents of their children fond appeare Oft times because with trauell them they bare Which makes them prise thē sometimes ouer deare When other see small cause for them to care As such likewise are often times to spare In care of children that themselues haue none So is it like with this my worke to fare With many readers when they are alone Who senslesse of my trauell like a stone As neuer hauing yet so tride their braine Will thinke I cocker this my brood as one Growne proud that I some issue do attaine But you whose painfull pen hath shown your skill Can iudge my part and it well conster will To his louing brother in law Robert Moyle of Bake Esquire and Anne his wife IF like the world a while I seeme to you Forgetfull and vnkind for kindnesse showne Thinke it not strange their natures I ensue Where most I liue whose proofe is dearly knowne The world to me vnkind and carelesse growne Conuerts my nature to her temperature My youth with loue of her puft vp and blowne Is cause that I now iustly this endure Yet worlds delights nor cares nere alter'd sure So farre my mind that I ingrate did proue Heauens faith earths friendship doth my soule inure To take far greater paines where once I loue You then by bloud and friendships holy vow Right deare take this and for loues seale allow To the Gentlemen Courtiers in generall REiect me not ye Peares of gentle spright Because I do appeare in plaine array Sometimes for change the curious do delight In meane attyres and homely food we say They are not limbd the best that go most gay Nor soundest meats that most the tast do please With Shepheards russets shield from cold ye May With hungry meales preuent oft times disease Such home-wouen robes such wholesome dyet these Euen these rude lines of my compiled frame Do offer you your iudgements to appease As may him nourish that doth vse the same Not mine but wisest Salomons recait To gaine the blessed state we all await To the Right Ho. the Lady Marquesse of Northampton THe part which I haue taken now in hand To represent on stage to common sight With my true nature seemes at strife to stand And on an actor farre vnfit to light Accustom'd more on vainer theames to write Then with the taske which now I do pretend Which being to be view'd by iudgements bright Makes me to seeke your fauour it defend Vouchsafe a gracious glose thereto to lend I then beseech you worthy Patronesse To whose applause full many more will bend Because they know you vertue do professe And vertue is this theame and that diuine With grace consent then to my sute incline To the Right Honourable the Countesse of Darby WHen this my bold attempt to mind I call VVho Phaëton like would Phebus Chariot guide From doubtfull thoughts into dispaire I fall How such cleare light my weake sight may abide From one presumption vnto more I slide And giue the raigne so much to rash desire That I make publike what I ought to hide And seeke my sanctuary in that heauenly fire VVhose Image of perfection I admire In our rare Goddesse wisdomes clearest light VVhose grate aspect my many wants require To clense the clouds which blind my iudgmēts sight And such faire starres as you who influence haue Of her bright Beames to giue some light I craue To the Right Honorable the Countesse of Cumberland AS one whose rashnesse once hath made him bold To breake the bands of vsed modestie If of his error he shold hap be told VVill hardly yeeld that he hath gone awrye So worthie Lady I confesse that I Vnworthie scribe of such a heauenly stile Now that I needs my boldnesse must espie VVould couer from iust blame my selfe a while VVith borrowed grace therefore I seeke beguile The cōmon sights who least would spare my name If worthie you therefore but kindly smile I know that many more will do the same For wisest sort on vertuous do depend And vertuous ones will vertues cause defend To the Right Honorable the Countesse of Warwicke IN Courtly life to keepe a conscience pure In youngest yeares to shew a matrons stay In honours type a lowly mind t'inure No doubt a hart regenerate doth bewray Such you are held of such as rightly way The practise of your life to your great praise Whose vertues all temptations ouersway And your rare gifts vnto the heauens raise No common thing it is in these our dayes To see such starres in our darke firmament Your worth your soueraignes influence wel bewraies Which so transformes where