with his taile 54 But I confesse I tremble at her rod As Moses did at his when he it cast On ground by the commandement of God And it became a Serpent that in haste He fled from it but all his feare was past When God him bid to take it by the taile Then it became a Staffe to stay him fast And wonders worke So though our hearts shee quaile At first we yet at last by Faith 'gainst her preuaile 55 We are as Satan hop'd Iob to haue found When as he said Doth Iob serue God for nought Whilst God doth hedge vs in on each side round And prospers all that by our hands are wrought Whilst by our flocks are multitudes forth brought So long we seeme his bountie to embrace But take away our goods and leaue vs nought Behold I say we curse him to his face Except as vnto Iob he grant preuenting grace 56 This is of wicked men the punishment That all their life Repentance haue despised Eu'n at their end they thinke not to repent This trade must in thy youth be exercised As Abel of his Firstlings sacrificed They that from sinne abstaine not till their last And to Worlds pleasures haue their Youth deuised Are like those that being sicke professe to fast When as alas they haue no appetite or taste 57 Such late Repentance seldome is or neuer We one example in the Scripture reade Not to despaire repent what time so euer But onely one example lest it breede Presumption 'T is meate and drinke indeede To Satan for to see youth doe his will And on the other side great ioy doth breede To th'Angels for to see young men fulfill Gods Statutes in their Youth and eke obay his Will 58 Oh! then embrace her whilst 't is call'd Today For most vncertayne is our life and fraile The longer I the lusts of sinne obay Against them I the hardlier shall preuaile Late med'cines of their cures doe most what faile Which would yeeld remedie in season taken The Serpent in the head not in the taile Is quickly kill'd young twigs are easily shaken But grow hard to remoue when they deepe roote haue taken 59 If in due time thou seekest to repent By godly sorrow which ne're comes too late And thou hells pangs dost feele Be confident Thou art by Faith in Christ regenerate Assure thy selfe most happy is thy state If thou least drop of Mercy dost obtaine The danger 's past sinnes stinging will abate The Spirit of thy mind 's renew'd againe And from least shew of sinne hereafter now refraine 60 Though like 〈◊〉 seruant first thou 〈◊〉 Nought but Hostilitie thee to confound If that thine eyes with his once open'd bee To looke vp to the Mountayne There abound Horses and Charets fiery about thee round Crie but alas Master What shall we doe Loe more for thee than there for them are found Thy light with blindnesse so confounds thy Foe Thou mayst them captiue leade and vnto others show 61 Thy Groat is found which thou before hadst lost Thy Sheepe's brought home that earst hath gone astray Thy dead sonne hath againe receau'd his ghost The prodigall 's come home that ranne away Vashti's deposed from the Scepters sway And humble Hester now hath got her place The workes of darknesse now are chac't away And in their roome are workes of Light and Grace Faith by Repentance shewes vs now Loues smiling face 62 Ioy after Sorrow after labour rest And after shipwrack the desired Port All men loue safety they discerne it best That lately haue escap'd some eminent hurt Loe light is pleasing vnto eu'ry sort To them most that in darkest Dungeon bee To passe from death to life doubles the sport Of 〈◊〉 But 〈◊〉 all the ioyes I see Is when â—â—om wounded conscience Gracâ— doth set 〈◊〉 63 And now o Lord vnabâ—â— to â—â—presse Thy wondrous bountie in 〈◊〉 first creation And much more here vnworthy to confesse Thy Loue and Grace in our regeneration Begun here first in vs by renouation And true Repentance Lord now cure my wound The sting of conscience by sweet application Of Faith the fruits whereof may still abound And to the riches of thy glorious Grace redound 64 You may be pleas'd with me to call to mind How when the humble Lady first me brought To Dame Repentance harsh I her did find And shee most strongly on my conscience wrought Yea though with teares I oft her Grace besought That I might iudged be at Mercies seate Shee mee by force before Dame Iustice brought Where all my sinnes and faults shee did repeate But Faith me iustifide of whom I next entreate MEDITAT IIII. Of Faith 1 ONe Beeing that from all eternitee Most happy is Wise Iust Omnipotent And from eternitie all things did see As present though long after they were meant Of nought created Aire Fire Firmament With all the Spirits and Powers that are aboue Made and replenished Earths Continent The Sea and all that in them both doe moue All these he made for Man Man him to serue and loue 2 Man sure a Creature was most excellent Being of all created things the end To whom that Being onely being lent That he to 's Makers seruice might intend And in his ioyfull Presence his life spend Wherefore He him in goodliest Garden plac't And one Fruit onely did from him defend Of which Fruit onely he presum'd to taste Wherefore God him for eu'r out of the Garden cast 3 But as the glorious riches of his grace Was the sole-mouing cause Man first to make So gracelesse Man he leaues not in this case But to repaire his losse will vndertake A new worke likewise for his mercies sake To free him from sinnes guilt and Satans wile God will Mans flesh and guilt vpon him take And purge him from the sinne doth him defile Thus Satan is beguil'd that sought Man to beguile 4 As 〈…〉 Canâ—'d Man from earthly Eden to be cast So true Beliefe and 〈◊〉 Obedience Cause 〈…〉 And as on paine of death he was to fast From one fruit onely so this gracious King Commands vs now one onely fruit to taste Life to restore and for to kill Death's sting This fruit is Faith in Christ whereof I next doe sing 5 Thou that when Man most blessed was created But by sinne falne from his high happinesse Thine owne Sonne sent that he regenerated Might be and winne againe more perfect blesse Who here eu'n humbled'st God in humane flesh That thou by Faith might'st Man to thee vnite And safe deliuer from all wretchednesse Direct my Muse of Faith to sing aright And grant me first 〈◊〉 Faith before of Faith I write 6 Faith is a wondrous gift of God a Grace Whereby th'Elect apply particularly Christ right and all his benefits embrace By her our hope subsiâ—ts most certainely Shee shewes vs things vnseene most euidently Faith of the Gospell is a firme beliefe Whereby Christs benefits offred we apply And rightly doe receiue So
Sonne for vs What can be denyde Who dares condemne who by him saued are For whom his Death and Rising doth prepare Eternall blisse Shall anguish tribulation Nakednesse famine perill sword or feare Vs sep'rate from the Horne of our saluation In these Faith makes vs conquer by Christs mediation 75 My prayer gracious Lord shall euer bee Increase my Faith And as now in some wise Thou her faire Lineaments hast made mee see For which I praise thee Open so mine eyes That seeing I her worth may truely prise And for her sake most willing be to loose My life and all this wicked world despise And rather bondage here with Faith to choose Than liue in Egypts Court with vaine deceitfull showes 76 Now as a valiant Souldier strong and wise That would in open field defeate his Foe Suffers no sleepe to come within his eyes But keepes continuall watch For he doth know His En'mie Lyon-like about doth goe By force or sleight his life for to surprize Eu'n so good Lord grant thou me grace to doe That though sleepe often close my bodies eyes My Soule may still keepe watch 'gainst Satans subtilties 77 Hope was the Patron that with Faith did ioyne When to my triall me Repentance brought Who all their might and forces did combine Vntill my absolution they had wrought These not their owne good but their Clients sought And pleaded not for friendship fees or gayne Loues fauour was their vtmost ayme and thought They shew'd no Law their Causes to maintayne But Pardons wrote in 's Blood that for our sinnes was slayne MEDITAT V. Of Hope 1 REpentance Faith and Hope be graces three Which no where but in Israel are knowne Of other Vertues some resemblance wee Do find amongst the Heathen which are showne To them by Natures light and first were sowne Most pure till they corrupted were with sin But now they most vnlike themselues are growne For till Faith Hope them to restore begin They glorious seeme without but foule and vile within 2 For though of Knowledge Loue Truth Patience Right Mercy Fortitude Humilitie Prudence Zeale Temp'rance Bountie Obedience There doe in them remayne some memorie Yet wanting Faith and Hope like either eye Their blinded soules for to direct aright In all their actions they doe moue awry For Faith and Hope like Sunne and Moones cleare light Direct repenting Soules which wander else in night 3 And though by reading in Dame Natures booke The Heau'n and Earth's most wonderfull creation They vpwards to their Maker oft did looke And saw his Power and Wisedomes manifestation And their owne wretchednesse Yet Humiliation For sinne in them no true Repentance wrought For missing these chiefe Agents of saluation The worke could not be to perfection brought For without Faith and Hope Repentance profits nought 4 Thou that the Finisher and Authour art Of eu'ry good and perfect Gift and Grace Who look'st not on the worke but on the heart Where eu'ry Vertue holds her seate and place Who lately hast me guided in the trace Of Faith the Mother now direct aright My Muse to follow on the Vertues chase And first of Hope Faiths daughter next in sight And make my Hope stand stedfast whilst of Hope I write 5 Hope is of things to come an expectation Which God hath promis'd and Faith doth beleeue For when th'Elect of their Iustification By Faith stand sure Then Hope doth them releeue With Patience to expect till God doth giue All the good things which he hath promised So that no crosse affliction can them grieue For by this Hope they stand assured The day will come their Hope shall be accomplished 6 Some Faith Hopes Mother some her Sister call Howsoe're betwixt them is so neare relation That if one faile the other needes must fall Faith brings forth Hope the Anchor of saluation But Faith is nourished by expectation A thankfull Daughter to a blessed Dame Who nonrisheth her Mother in this fashion And oft when Faith growes cold blind faint and lame Hopes brests Assurance Patience her restore againe 7 A blessed paire like Naâ—mi and Ruth Faith doth direct and Hope goes forth to gleane Faith searcheth first beleeues and finds the Truth Then Hope at Booz feete expects the meane And though at first a small reward shee gayne Yet being content Gods leisure for to stay Shee in the end doth to her Hope attayne Ruthâ—nto â—nto Booz married is that day And now may Naomi in her lap Obed lay 8 Hope is so like Faith and so neare of Kin As hardly we discerne a difference Faith is the ground whereon Hope doth begin Both haue alike assurance Patience From the same Spirit both haue their influence Both sauing Graces purge and purifie The heart and season with obedience Both last alike By both we'our selues denie Both make our conscience sound By both for Christ we die 9 But Faith is first for loe shee is Hopes ground Hope onely future sees but Faith things past Faith seales our euidence and makes it sound Hope waites till shee possession take at last Hope is the Helmet that on th' Head is plac't But Faith the Shield doth all the body hide And though our Faith oft faint our Hope stands fast From off the Shield full many a blow may slide On Helmet but there farther entrance is deni'de 10 Thus haue I shew'd how they are different The cause now As of Words immortall seede The Spirit begets Faith to giue firme assent Vnto Gods Promises Eu'n so indeede That Spirit out of those Promises doth breede A liuely Hope whose end is our saluation And that we shall haue all things which we neede In the meane time we haue our conuersation By Faith and Hope with Christ in heau'nly habitation 11 Similitudes make plaine and illustrate Things that are else mysterious darke obscure As when th' immortall Workman did create At first Man without helpe alone and pure He made him then a deepe sleepe to endure And tooke stuffe from him ere he did awake Of which he made for him a helpe most sure So the same Spirit that Faith at first did make To make now Hope Faiths help doth matter from Faith take 12 As Body Spirit Faith Lord and Baptisme's one So but one true and liuing Hope we find But as her Obiects infinite become We may distinguish her in different kind If heau'nly Obiects be to her assign'd Shee like the Obiect is Celestiall If shee on worldly Obiects set her mind As doth the Obiect shee doth rise or fall Loe then the Obiect of our Hope is all in all 13 We hope for that for vs in Heau'n's vp laid We hope to see Christs glorious Exaltation We hope for all things that Christ for vs praid We hope in Gospell that brings vs saluation We hope of all in Christ a restauration We hope Soules Bodies shall immortall liue We hope to reape what 's sowne in expectation The faithfull Pastor hopes his Flocke shall thriue Faith Author is of Hope
allurements Our Soules of this rich Iewell to beguile Loe Romanists adulterate and defile Eu'n Truths pure Fountaynes and sweet liuely Spring And Worldlings true sinceritie doe soile With odious name of false dissembling And eu'n with basest termes Gods Priests dishonouring 49 Ah now we with the fashion all doe run As Buildings Wares Apparell are for show So is Religion and Deuotion Where is most pompe and glorie thither flow The greatest multitude From whence doth grow To such a height the name of Poperie Yea many of vs seeke for praise to know But leaue true practise in sinceritie When not to know but doe Gods will is charitie 50 Fashion and Custome now so tyrannize As comely honest Truth they doe out-face If it the Fashion be vs to disguise It as a comely Custome we embrace That which Paul thought a Womans foule disgrace Like Man to haue her head vncouer'd shorne Amongst our Women holds a goodly grace Like vnto mens their garments now be worne As they in Truth the frailtie of their Sexe did scorne 51 But I could wish with all our power and might As in Gods presence pure we all did stand We would goe thinke know speake and practise right In Truth of Iudgement with Tongue Heart and Hand This God did vnto Abraham command To walke before him and to be vpright Walking before God makes vs vpright stand Vprightnesse shewes we walke as in Gods sight Who thinks God him beholds how dares he doe vnright 52 Let me here tell you how a holy Man A Harlot did diuert from filthy quest Who by her comely feature many wan To leaue their owne and foile her filthy nest Himselfe in habit of a Gallant drest Agreed and paid desir'd a secret rome Shee him vnto a Chamber streight addrest So close that therein not the least light shone But ah said he Gods eye vs here may see alone 53 Alas said shee no place can be so close That can vs hide from Gods all-seeing Eye Dost thou beleeue saith he God sees thy grosse Thy beastly foule sinne of adulterie And fear'st not lest his furie should destroy Eu'n whilst in this presumptuous sinne thou art And thee condemne to Hell eternally My Authour saith hereby he did conuert Her wicked life to Truth and Singlenesse of Heart 54 Though many imperfections we doe feele And our corruptions downe so sore vs presse That Vice into our Hearts doth often steale And vnawares deceaue with sinfulnesse Yet if by sorrow true and humblenesse We purge our Hearts of what is entred in And after seeke by carefull watchfulnesse Them to preserue hereafter from like sinne We may grow to some perfectnesse of Truth within 55 But I confesse that though with all my might I labour for true puritie of mind And would doe nothing but as in the sight Of God and Angels and of all Mankind Yet often my deceitfull heart I find Tempting me secretly such things to doe Which I should not dare venture in that kind If some Man present were the same to know Yet Truth the closest of them all to God doth show 56 What shall manâ— presence make me true and iust And shall not Gods that â—ees my secret thought To whom for all one day account I must And be rewarded as I here haue wrought Shall not his presence me deterre from ought That may offend his sacred Maiestie The Sonne of Truth whose blood me dearely bought And grieue the holy Spirit of Truth whereby Seal'd and redeem'd I am from Hels captiuitie 57 Oh thou that Truth requir'st in inward parts Vs secretly mak'st Wisedome vnderstand Renewing Spirits aright and clensing Hearts By whom in Truth and Righteousnesse we stand My way direct right to the holy Land Through Deserts wide of this Worlds wildernesse Feede me with heau'nly Manna from thine Hand With water from a Rocke my soule refresh And thorough Iordanes flood conduct to endlesse blesse 58 The humble thou hast promised to guide And to direct his path aright for ay Who seeke vnfeignedly in Truth t' abide Thou neuer sufferest to goe astray Oh then direct my goings in thy way My iudgement heart hand tongue in Veritie Thou readier art to heare then I to pray Then grant me Loue Faith Hope Humilitie And season eu'ry Grace with Hearts sinceritie 59 God is my Shepheard How then can I stray He is my Light Truth and my righteous Guide His rod and staffe my slipperie feete doth stay Lest they at any time doe slip aside His Truth and Mercy euermore abide Though Wine and Women and the King are strong I nothing feare if Truth be on my side Thy Truth and Mercy shall my dayes prolong Of thy great Truth and Mercy euer be my song 60 Oh let thy Word of Truth my Iudgement sway Thy Spirit of Truth mine inward Man inlight Incline mine Heart to learne will to obay And on thy Truth set thou my whole delight On it to meditate both day and night That whether I eate sleepe walke watch or pray I may remember I am in thy sight So shall I conscience make of euery way And be most carefull what I aske doe thinke or say 61 But ah dread Mercy I too long forbeare To tune my Dittie to thy sacred praise Who wert so gracious vnto me whileare When I appeal'd from Iustice stricter Sayes Vnto thy Throne of Grace where though my wayes Were all discouer'd by thy gracious dome I was absolu'd But next I will thee praise Now I with Truth and Righteousnesse haue done For none without these two to Mercies grace can come MEDITAT III. Of Mercy 1 IF any mightie Monarch chance enquire Why I sweet Mercies seate doe place so high Since shee the lowliest Cell doth most desire Her selfe delighting sole in miserie The onely Object of her pitying eye He hence for greatnesse may this lesson gaine That as he growes in Pow'r and Maiestie To Poore he ought the greater Mercy daine Thus imitating him by whom eu'n Princes raigne 2 For though this Dame be of such wondrous grace So neare in fauour to the Queene of Loue That next to her sâ—ee gaynes the soueraigne place Both here below and in the Heau'n aboue Yea though to heau'nly Loue so like shee proue That scarse the one from th' other can be knowne Though to be mercifull and truely Loue Doe differ much as after shall be showne Yet her great bounty 's not to meanest wretch vnknowne 3 For as the Sunne from highest firmament Vouchsafes on good and bad alike to shine And clouds of Heau'n doe raine indifferent On fertile Land and on the barren Mine So vnto all shee offers Grace Diuine But as the Cause is not in Sunne nor Raine But in the Soile why it doth fruitlesse line So sinne 's the cause some cannot Grace retaine Which shines and waters bad and barren hearts in vaine 4 A depth all bottomlesse I now doe sound A height which higher than the Heau'ns doth reach So wide as nothing it can compasse
vertue doth not lend Eu'n so the Man whose loue doth fall away Doth straight in errour darknesse and delusions stray 19 Those that by reasons force and strength of wit Draw true Conclusiont by firme Argument First striue the Causes with th' Effects to fit Else they will hardly grant the Consequent To say I loue is not sufficient Except I shew the reason why I loue I know ô Lord thou art Omniscient But know no cause to loue mee should thee moue Onely I daily feele that which I cannot proue 20 God is Loues very Authour Life and Spring Yea God himselfe is also stiled Loue From him all Streames of Loue are issuing As from the Sea all other Waters moue He first fills all with Loue in Heau'n aboue Which Water plenteously the Vales below So God loues first before we doe him loue Loe what exceeding great loue he doth show God loues his Enemies first before they doe him know 21 The cause of all this Loue proceeds from thee Thou didst vs loue yet being Enemies Bond-slaues to Sinne and Satan but now â—ree And made thy Friends by Grace our loue doth rise From thee as from the Spring and multiplyes Growing from strength to strength till by thy Grace We workes of Loue in thee doe exercise Thy Members here for thee wee doe embrace Eu'n as ouâ— owne till we behold thy glorious Face 22 Into one Body we by Loue doe grow Into one Building we are all combin'd Loue that doth from the Head to Members flow And all the stones hath in this building ioyn'd Where eu'ry Members office is assign'd And eu'ry stone an others weight doth beare All liuely Stones the choisest of mankind All liuing Members of one Head which here By Loue in one close cemented and ioynted are 23 My lowly Muse dares not presume to prie Into Gods holy happy Habitation Where Loue three Persons ioynes in Vnitie And makes one Godhead to mans admiration I leaue the Mysterie of th'Incarnation Where Loue doth make both God and Man in one And eke the power of Spirits regeneration Where Loue makes Man eu'n of Gods flesh and bone Thus Loue all things in Heaueâ— and Earth vnites in one 24 Such as Loues cause is such are Loues effects Holy Transcendent Supernaturall Which publique good not priuate most respects The weakest member seruice doth to all And the most Honourable doth not call The meaner base as he did him despise They all agree in one and one in all Vnto one glorious Head by loue to rise And in him workes of Loue and Grace to exercise 25 This Loue 's long suffering gentle not enuies Not striuing boasting shamelesse for her owne Bitter ill-minded ioying in iniuries But most glad to doe right when Truth is knowne Endures beleeues hopes suffers all alone Though tongues doe cease and prophecyings faile And knowledge vanish yet Loue holds her owne We know and prophecie in part as fraile But when the perfect comes th' imperfect nought auailes 26 Had I the tongues of Men and Angels and Could prophecie and knew all mysteries Had Faith to remoue Mountaynes t' vnderstand All knowledge and should all my goods out size Amongst the Poore my body should deuise Eu'n to be burn'd yet if I want this Loue It profits not this Loue which doth arise From a pure heart oh thou then that dost proue And trâ—e the hearts of Men season mine heart with Loue. 27 And euer let the Obiect of my Loue Be the true indiuiduall Trinitie The Saints on earth and Angels all aboue That still persist in their integritie I mention here the happy memorie Of thy deceased Saints and Martyrs all Which here their Loue to thee did testifie Whom thou by Loue didst first vnto thee call And dost in heau'n reward with blisse perpetuall 28 But 't is the heart from which this Loue must flow There Loue her Court keepes there 's her Royall seate 'T is not enough with wordes this Loue to show Or fayned lookes God doth the heart intreate That must bâ—â— clens'd from sinne made sweet and neate For him that standeth knocking at the dore Then open he will enter in and eate And bring with him of heau'nly foode such store As thou shalt neuer thirst nor hunger any more 29 Clense my deceitfull heart defil'd with sinne Make it a Temple for thy Spirit of Loue Fit for the King of Glorie to come in That all my words thoughts actions pure may proue As Riuers which from purest Fountaynes moue Oh since thou wert so bountifull to spend Thy precious Blood for vs thy Foes still loue And cherish vs and 'gainst all harme defend Who will die for his Foes cannot denie his Friend 30 In all that Nature hath indued with life We find desire with like to companie Againe wee see diâ—â—â—â—tions jarres and strife 'Mongst those that are of different qualitie We oft 〈◊〉 inclinations may descrie By company they either keepe or shunne They haue of manners such a sympathie I therefore shew what heau'nly Graces wonne With royall Loue which sweetly link't together runne 31 These Vertues are Loues deare Concomitants Repentance Knowledge Faith Humilitie Fortitude Iustice Prudence Temperance Meeknesse Obedience Truth Hope Curtesie These a most sacred 〈◊〉 Societie Doe on the Court of royall Loue attend These Hate expell and her base progenie Wrath Auaâ—â—â— Pride 〈◊〉 and contend Gainst Gluttoâ—e 〈…〉 which on Hate depend 32 These Impes which of this hellish Hagge are bred Begot of her by Lucifer in Hell In wayes of errour and of darknesse leade Where damned spirits in torments euer dwell And though on earth they beare away the bell Of all one day there will a reckning bee Then shall appeare who hath done ill who well The louely Bride shall ioy her Loue to see But they which follow Hate with her shall damned bee 33 Such doe ill iudge of Loue that cannot loue Nor in their hearts feele heate of liuely flame Loue is the gift of God from heau'n aboue Sent downe mans proud rebellious heart to tame And yeeld obedience to his holy Name Though scorn'd by those whose hearts are made so blind With this worlds god they cannot see the same This World they loue and on Lusts set their mind And neuer seeke this true and heau'nly Loue to find 34 The reason is they doe not seeke to know Gods Wisedome Mercy Bountie Goodnesse Loue And these though Preachers daily to them show And their slow vnbeleeuing hearts reproue Their hearts of flint to loue they cannot moue Ah! How can they loue God they haue not seene When as their brethren here they cannot loue To loue the Head and yet to beare a spleene Vnto the Members is a thing vnknowne vnseene 35 Should they with Paul behold the glorious sight Of th' Head whose Members they doe cause to rue They would fall downe amazed with such light And humbly prostrate with submission due Crie Lord Who art and with affection new That Head and Members would intirely loue
grant that all the good I doe I may Performe it well with good and due respect Vnto thy gracious Loue which me alway In eu'ry good and perfect thing direct And not for pleasure gayne vaine glorie worlds respect 70 Set my delight on hallowing thy great Name And longing for the comming of our King Thy Will on Earth to doe eu'n as the same Thine Angels doe in Heau'n such nourishing As we haue need of daily to vs bring Forgiue our faults as we by loue forgiue Them that offend vs From the entising Of Sinne and Satan and the Flesh releeue From euill set vs free in Ioy and Loue to liue 71 O Lord I doe but aske what thou to giue More readie art than I am to receaue Thy Life thou laidst downe that my soule might liue Didst cleaue to flesh that I to thee might cleaue My Soule thou wilt not now in darknesse leaue Which to redeeme thou suffredst many a wound And Hell and Satans malice to deceaue Suffredst thy Body three dayes in the ground But rais'd vp now to Heau'n thy Loue doth more abound 72 For there thou mak'st continuall intercession For vs thy Seruants which doe wander here In this vaine World subiect to base oppression Of Satan World Flesh which about we beare Thou send'st thy Comforter our hearts to cheare That sayes Thy Grace is all-sufficient Esteeming nothing for thine Owne too deare For them which to thee bee obedient And loue and serue thee with a faithfull true intent 73 Then oh my Soule be bold and confident Though of this Loue thou haue the smallest taste He gaue it that will daily it augment Cherish it carefully let it not waste Dâ—st thou desire to loue loe loue thou hast He surely shall fulfill thy whole desire Looke all the Ages that are gone and past God neuer yet was found like Man a lyer But what he promiseth we boldly may require 74 Should I with Iob be throwne downe in the dust With Ionas drown'd in belly of a Whale With Ieremie into a Dungeon thrust Should I with Dauid walke eu'n in the vale Of cruell death with Ioseph set to sale And without cause in prison spend my dayes Should damned ghosts stand readie for to hale My Soule to Hell all this me not dismayes I know whom I haue trusted he my soule will raise 75 Should my sinnes be in number as the Sand And my forefathers sinnes my sinnes exceed In weight and number yet I firme would stand What though eternall fire be sinnes iust meed Much is forgiu'n where is much loue indeed Wherefore mine Heart and Soule shall euer praise My Maker that in me such loue doth breed That doth my Soule from hellish horror raise Aboue the Heau'ns to liue the life of Loue alwayes 76 As alwayes for thy loue so at this time I praise thee for this holy Meditation Of heau'nly Loue of all the Graces prime Which by thy grace doe worke out our saluation And pay the score and price of our damnation I alwayes will acknowledge and confesse Thy Power and Bountie in our first Creation But now mine heart vnable to expresse Thy Loue in our Redemption here with ioy doth cease 77 And pray's that whilst I Loue to others preach My selfe may not become a reprobate Like as I oft haue seene a skilfull Leach Carelesse of his owne health and fraile estate But grant that as this Song I doe relate Of heau'nly Loue it may my Soule here moue To be as true as Turtle to her Mate That neuer worldly cares my heart remoue From this most precious Pearle this true and heau'nly Loue. 78 Had I not told you wonder might how I So meane a wretch in presence came of Loue But as I said Madame Humilitie Me first directed to her Court to moue And from mine heart Ambition did remoue For from my youth I had a great desire To view th' estate and blisse of glorious Loue But oft in vaine I did thereto aspire Till Humblenesse me taught of whom I next enquire MEDITAT II. Of Humilitiâ— 1 MY boundlesse thoughts that in a restlesse mind Depriue my body oft of naturall rest And vrge my soule true happinesse to find And that once found therein to set my rest Doe often to my purer Soule suggest To seeke for pleasures honour wealth promotion But more of them I gayne the more opprest I am with worldly cares and mindes commotion So that to nothing in this World I haue deuotion 2 And yet I see all Things that being haue Vnto their Bene esse doe intend Their Summum bonum 't is that all doe craue First sought for though they last it apprehend Loue is that good I seeke to apprehend As all Things being to their end doe moue But none but by Humilitie can wend Into Loues Court without her none can proue What is the end and finishing of all true Loue. 3 Therefore I sing next of Humilitie The lowly Porter of high Loues Court gate Who brought me first Loues glorious Court to see And all her Courtiers as I told of late Humilitie the poorest beggars Mate Yet equall to the highest Peere of Loue And by her vs'd in all affaires of State Humilitie which doth so gracious proue To all good Men on earth and Angels pure aboue 4 God! second Person in the Trinitie Whose being is immortall vncreate Who in the dayes of thy Humilitie Didst here conuerse with Men in meane estate That we thy lowlinesse might imitate Direct my Muse most liuely to expresse Humilitie that opens wide Loues gate To those that doe confesse their wretchednesse But shuts close 'gainst all proud and vaine ambitious ghests 5 Humilitie that vertue is whereby We vile and lowly seeme in our owne eyes Despising our owne worth and dignitie Since of our selues we nothing haue to prise The first and certayne step whereby we rise And climbe the Hill of Ioy and Happinesse Stranger to fooles companion of the wise Of Folly Pride of Grace comes humblenesse One head-long leades to Hell the other vnto Blesse 6 This modest Lady Humblenesse of Spirit Her selfe vnwise and ignorant doth deeme And neuer thinkes shee able is to merit In Loues high Court to be in such esteeme Shee farre inferiour to her selfe doth seeme And neuer thinkes shee Knowledge can attayne Disgrace or losse shee sweetly doth redeeme With Humblenesse and holds it greatest gayne Her Peace not Place true Loue not Glorie to maintayne 7 Most fruitfull Lady like the fertile Vine Which euermore when shee most fruit doth beare Her goodliest branches lowliest doth decline And as the fairest clusters doe appeare Hid vnder leaues eu'n so this gracious Peeâ—e Couers all Vertues vnder lowlinesse Of Fortunes stormes shee neuer stands in feare Nor troubled is with want or with distresse For shee hath learn'd to be content in paine or ease 8 Inward and outward's this Humilitie In words and actions lookes thoughts and attire The inward by the outward we descrie It is hypocrisie
sinne Who though shee cruell seeme yet giues sweet life When first to liue in Spirit we begin Shee vs polluted and defil'd within Doth clense in Fountayne of Regeneration Vs new-borne Babes shee teacheth to let in The milke sincere to sure Iustification Till stronger meate make strong our Faith to sure Saluation 4 And though in chaine of Gods most fâ—â—me Decree First sauing linke is his Predestination Election next then Calling yet wee see No certayne pledges here of our Saluation Till true Repentance workes Humiliation Loe then we doe by right degrees proceede Vnto the highest linke Glorification So that Repentance first to vs doth reede What is eternally in Heau'n by God decreed 5 Thou that dost Hearts with true Repentance season Making them view their owne vile wretchednesse That cast downe with Apostasie and Treason We may of thee seeke endlesse Happinesse First grant me true Repentance next to expresse What sou'raine Vertues I in her haue found And though at first my soule with bitternesse Were ouerwhelm'd yet Grace did cure that wound So where most sinne there is Mercy doth most abound 6 Repentance is a holy worke of Grace From godly Sorrow by which Man from sin Is turn'd Gods promises in Christ t' embrace And Fruits fit for Repentance to begin Repentance is Gods holy worke within To worke our Righteousnesse and Sinne deface And no Man can be exercis'd therein But he that standeth in the state of Grace For no Man turnes to God till God him first embrace 7 Grace and Repentance are in time conioyn'd As Fire and Heate but as Heate first appeares To vs when Fire in Embers is confin'd Eu'n so when sparkes of Grace our Heart first cheares Repentance manifests her selfe by teares Grace is the sap in heau'nly vegetation Repentance is the prime bud which it beares The first sure signe of true Regeneration Then follow leaues flow'rs fruits as certayne demonstration 8 This godly Sorrow differs from the care And griefe a worldling in his heart receaues By sense of Gods iust wrath or great Mens feare Or ought that their good names or goods bereaues This godly Sorrow griefe of mind conceaues That he hath sinn'd and that he did displease So good and kind a God which so close cleaues To 's heart that though no feare did him disease Of Iudge Hell Deuill yet nought but Grace can him appease 9 Man was most faire in Gods owne Image built Had with him sweet communion at 's Creation Whereby in God and God eke in him dwelt But sinne hath since enforc'd a separation And made vs sonnes of wrath by alienation Now we like prodigall and lost sheepe stray Till Grace and true Repentance restauration Doth make of all sinne doth in vs decay Then we returne and our Creators hests obay 10 But true Repentance doth repent of all And not of many or one onely sinne Herod conuerted thus at Baptists call Him gladly heard and hearing did begin For to doe many things but would not lin The sinne of incest with his brothers Loue Some like th' Adulterer doe turne from sinne When they want strength from bad to worse some moue As when the prodigall a couetous man doth proue 11 Shee hath two hands with one loe shee beginnes To presse vs downe to true mortification Whereby we may returne from all our sinnes Vs th' other rayseth by Regeneration To a new life and to Sanctification One from all actuall sinnes makes vs abstayne Suppresseth weakens natures deprauation Makes the Mind purpose and the Will full fayne And all our whole indeauours from sinne to refrayne 12 The other hand Mans purged mind doth raise Vnto a serious firme deliberation To yeeld sincere obedience to Gods Sayes And worketh in the will an inclination Him to obey as at our first creation This doth Mans life and best indeauours frame To walke here in a holy conuersation Though all we doe vnperfect is and lame Yet if the Heart be right God will accept the same 13 And as shee hath a double energie Men head-long to th' infernall Pit to throw And them againe by Faith to viuifie So though of this great worke one cause we know Gods Spirit that whereas it list doth blow Yet vseth it a twofold instrument The Law which Death to vs for sinne doth show The Gospell that doth preach attonement Thus both the Law and Gospell teach vs to repent 14 The Law first pierceth eu'n the very heart And doth by little and degrees proceede Till Knowledge foure things needfull doth impart Gods Law the guilt of Sinne and Sinnes iust meede Which is eternall Fire by God decreed Then we these rightly to our selues apply Which doth in vs a feare and horrour breed Except on Gospels comfort we rely For without that we die in hell eternally 15 Then doth the Gospell make vs comprehend Gods mercy for it seriously enquire And by the gifts of Knowledge to contend That though I iustly haue deseru'd Gods ire If I my selfe denie yet and desire My trust in Christs sole merits to repose I shall thereby escape eternall Fire Thus doth Repentance griefe and ioy impose Griefe for my sinnes but Ioy God doth me from them loose 16 Thus godly Sorrow in our heart being wrought Which brings Repentance with true change of mind We are resolu'd neuer in word deed thought So to offend God in our wonted kind But a new life to leade loe then we find Within our selues a wondrous alteration Not that it changeth substance of our mind Or body in the matter or the fashion But doth reforme their powers as in their first creation 17 Shee worldly griefe to godly sorrow turnes Our Wrath and Anger into temp'rate Zeale Presumption into Faith their heart that burnes In wanton loue to heau'nly Loue appeale Mad laughter shee with Christian ioy doth seale Mildnesse of nature turnes to spirits meeknesse Soules faculties doth all repaire and heale And brings them vnto their first perfectnesse Thus shee makes crocked streight and what 's wrong doth redresse 18 Then bring we forth fruits worthy amendment Of life the truth whereof we doe expresse When by good workes we shew how we repent Repenting soules be Trees of Righteousnesse Planted by God which Riuers doe refresh Eu'n flouds that from the Sanctuarie flow Whose boughes doe lowly stoope with fruitfulnesse There fruits for meate leaues good for medicine grow Else to the roote the Axe is laid them downe to throw 19 Repentance Subiect is a grieued heart A conscience wounded with the sight of Sinne Which nought but hell and horrour doth impart When to lay open conscience doth beginne Our sinnes without and wicked thoughts within And ' lesse shee to vs hope in Christ reueale We may with Iudas hang vp by the chin But like a skilfull Surgeon shee doth deale First corrasiue the sore and then it gently heale 20 Shee hath a double Obiect guilt of sinne And sinnes iust meede eternall condemnation Which terror breedes without horror within The second
to our selues did liue When Iudgement onely doth to God belong Who eu'n the Kings and Iudges sits among To doe the Orphane and the Widdow right To breake delayes that Clients suites prolong Nor suffering Right to be borne downe by Might But truely first discerne and then proceede aright 28 These true effects of righteous Causes are Like God first cause of Iustice to proceed Who pulleth downe the Mightie from his chaire And sets the Meeke and Humble in his stead Loe Iustice hath a sword to make sinne bleede As well as Scepter for to rule in Peace Besides our sowing we must also weede If we expect a plentifull encrease So long as Vice growes strong the sword must neuer cease 29 Sixe seuerall Serieants waâ—â— on Iustice Throne Which shee in seuerall duties doth employ By first shee doth command things to be done By second punisheth what 's done awry The third forbids the fourth giues leaue to trie The fift exhorts last doth the right aduise All these respect haue to lifes honestie And that no hurt gainst others we deuise Lastly things that are due to euery man to size 30 But not men onely in authoritie May Subiects be of doing wrong or right But eu'n weake men in want and pouertie As when a poore man doth his Neighbour smite Or workes to man or beast the least despite To wish the least hurt is vnrighteousnesse And who workes ought by open force or slight 'Gainst Neighbours goods or credit doth no lesse Offend against the perfect Rule of Righteousnesse 31 Yea Subiects sinne against the Rule of Right When double honour vnto Rulers due They doe not tender in the peoples sight Rulers are Ministers set in Gods lieu For good of those that euill doe eschew Who seekes Authoritie for to out-face Deserue sharpe punishment in open view Though as a Man I can beare all disgrace Yet should I not endure dishonour to my place 32 Loe here I could by subiects fiue expresse Fiue seuerall degrees which Meditation Suggests to me of this pure Righteousnesse First is of God from which by deriuation The other foure haue life and sustentation Of Angels Kings and Iudges all which â—ee Authorised by Princes delegation Lastly of Subiects But the latter three Corrupted often are by Mans impuritie 33 As plants which haue sole power vegetatiue Iudge not of Beasts which motion haue and sense Nor Beasts of Men that doe in reason thriue Nor Men of Angels pure diuine Essence Nor Angels infinite Omnipotence So Subiects iudge not Iudges vprightnesse Nor Iudges Kings Nor Kings the excellence Of Angels Iustice And Angels no lesse Vnable are to iudge of Gods pure Righteousnesse 34 Thus euery Soule by right we subiect see To higher Powers for conscience not for feare The Powers that are by God ordayned bee And but by God himselfe no Powers are Who then resists the Power doth not spare Eu'n Gods owne Ordinances to resist Which is for good to those that right doe fare But for their punishment that doe persist In wickednesse nor from wrong doing doe desist 35 Wherefore we must giue eu'ry Man his due To whom Tithe Custome Honour Feare belong We ought to render them most iust and true Or else thereby Gods Ministers we wrong We must owe nought but Loue to old or yong For he that loues fulfils the whole Lawes will Abstaynes from Murder Lust Detraction Wrong In briefe commanded good forsaking ill By louing Neighbours as our selues we all fulfill 36 Of all the 〈◊〉 that attend this Shee most of all in Truth 〈◊〉 take delight Who is alli'd in Righteousnesse so neere And link'd in Loue that from each others sight They neuer part but eu'n with all their might Ioyne their 〈◊〉 seruice to their Queene t' approue Obedience Knowledge Prudence wait on Right Braue Fortitude and Zeale resolued proue To maintayne all Right doth for their great Queene of Loue. 37 Thus all the Vertues that on Loue attend Companioâ—â— are of Iustice and of Right All single and in one their forces bend Her to assist against vnlawfull might Great Enemies with her doe daily fight Ambition 〈…〉 Wrong Seeking by 〈◊〉 force and secret â—â—ight To weaken hers and make their owne part strong Yet shee the proâ—dest of them all oft layes along 38 As many as are Enemies to Peace Publique or 〈◊〉 are her Enemies For whereas Discord Warres and Strife encrease There follow Wrong Reuenge and Iniuries And though 〈◊〉 ouer-vainely dâ—e aduise Braue Spirits to bloodie warres to purchase Fame Yet who so vndertakes such enterprise Vnlesse it be for Peace in Iustice name By shedding guiltlesse blood deserues eternall blame 39 Therefore the Pirate iustly did retort Reproch of Thiefe to Grecian Monarchs shame Who the whole World sought to subdue by tort To purchase proud vaine glorie to his name Assuring him he was as much to blame To rob by Land as he on Sea to pill The Monarch wronged all for idle Fame The Pirate for his gayne did rob and kill Each 'gainst the 〈◊〉 of Right by force maintayn'd his will 40 Some great 〈◊〉 glorie like to â—ikes in Pond All other vnder Fishes to deuour That they alone inherit may the Lord And all the World subdue vnto their power As neuer thinking of their latest hower When as they came they must returne againe Why should the Highest on the Lowest lower The greatest Prince the meanest Slaue disdayne Both borne aâ—â—ke breath die and in their graue remayne 41 Besides Vice oft in Vertues shape appeares Iniustice vnder Mercies name doth goe Therefore must Iudges not be mou'd with teares Of Sinners in calamitie and woe Rulers in Discipline may Mercy show And Meeknesse so they leaue not loosely light The raynes vnto Offenders ill to doe Whom Feare not Loue from doing hurt doth fright For hope of pardon doth lewd minds to sinne inuite 42 The Iudges then that such Offenders free To Iniurie betray the Innocent Three kinds of doing Almes some say there bee First to releeue the poore and impotent Next to remit all wrong vnto vs meant The last is Malefactors to represse Who so deferres deserued punishment Vpon Offenders 'gainst Gods Righteousnesse To anger doe prouoke his patient genâ—lenesse 43 Therefore let Iudges Grace and 〈◊〉 show In pardoning their priuate iniuries But for offences publique let them know They there eu'n Gods owne Iudgement exercise The ancient Romanes wisely did deuise To punish facile Iudges with that payne Which Law against Offenders did deuise Thus wisely foolish pitty to restrayne For that seuere vprightnesse Peace did best maintayne 44 For surely 〈…〉 Then fayned Mercy Pity Conscience Grace Who all their wrong entitle Iust and Right And the right 〈…〉 of Law deface Whereby each Man ought to direct his pâ—ce From which to stray is foule iniquitie I grant that Conscience may rule in some case But not against the Law whose equitie If not against Gods Word hath good authoritie 45 For as in euâ—ry Towne and common Mart There is
not doe 14 But as a naturall body doth consist Of quarters foure to make a man complete And if but one of all those foure be mist The other three lose all their life and heate Eu'n so it is with Truth whereof I treate If of these foure substantiall parts want one The other three are vainenesse or deceat For Truth of Iudgement Heart Speech Action Make but one Truth without dissimulation 15 But Truth of Iudgement ground is and foundation Of all the rest For be our Hearts sincere Our words and deeds without dissimulation If Errour in our Iudgements doth appeare With Paul we may eu'n persecute the deare And holy Seruants of the Sonne of Truth And thinke we doe to God good seruice here Fie then on Fooles that misse-spend their youth They neuer seeke to know or learne the way of Truth 16 But be our Iudgements eu'n as right and sound As Christs Disciples by their Master taught Yet if within vs Iudas hearts be found On vs the greater iudgement shall be wrought Who knowes his Masters will and doth it nought Oh what doth he by this his knowledge gayne But eu'n the sting of his owne conscience brought To desperation and infernall payne And to put out this sting puts on an hempen chayne 17 What shall we say of those that doe professe Truth of Religion and a Heart sincere Yet in their dealings nothing lesse expresse But for their gayne deceaue lie and forsweare Surely these men a double heart doe beare For were the Heart which is a liuely Spring Whence flow our words and deeds oh were that cleare Then all the streames from thence forth issuing Would be pure like the fountain from whence they do spring 18 But things we best of all by causes know God is the Cause of each good gift and grace But here more mediate Causes I may show Whereby he in the Truth doth guide our pace By 's Word we Truth of Iudgement doe embrace Which is to wandring Soules a guide and light His Spirit vpon our Hearts doth Truth enchase Then Truth of Iudgement makes vs speake aright And Truth of Heart makes all our actions true and right 19 Thus as Effects true Speech and Actions flow From Truth of Iudgement and the Truth of Heart As all Mankind from Eue and Adam grow But if the subtill Serpent can peruert Our Hearts or Iudgements as he did diuert Our two first Parents then as all their seede Defiled is with their corrupted part So from our Heart and Iudgement will proceede Corrupted words and actions which such fountaynes breede 20 Therefore to set our Iudgement true and right We to the ground and pillar ought to come Of Truth which is the Church of God so hight Because the treasures of all Truth there won Of all Gods Oracles which there haue rome From which all Truth of Iudgement we deriue The Church a carefull Keeper doth become There 's Truth that able is to saue aliue And away Errour Darknesse Superstition driue 21 O blessed Truth that holy Church preserues From Satans malice and the Moth of time O glorious Church whose soundnesse pure reserues Truth of Religion which doth make thee shine In Righteousnesse Faith Hope and Loue Diuine More then Pompe Wealth Vniuersalitie For Truth doth decke Christs Spouse more trim and fine Then Time Consent Succession Vnitie Now foild with Superstition and Idolatrie 22 With these false Ornaments the Church of Rome Like painted Harlot shuns the open Light Nor will vnto the Ground and Pillar come Of Truth to trie if shee bee wrong or right Therefore poore Laiks neuer must haue sight Of holy Writ to frame their Iudgement by Traditions and false Miracles them light And on the Churches word they must relie Thus Ignorance the Mother is of Poperie 23 But as sound Truth abhorres such Ignorance Eu'n so presumptuous curiositie Shee doth decline nor euer doth aduance Her purest thoughts to things that be too high Her subiect is no higher Mysterie Than Spirit of Truth is pleased to reueale Into Gods secret Counsell for to prie Is like the Thiefe that fire from Heau'n did steale To whom eu'n Heathen iudgements endlesse torments seale 24 So vniuersall is Truths glorious Fame That all things that the Heau'n and Earth contaynes Delight to be adorned by her Name Yea God himselfe Truths title not disdaynes Loe He Lord God of Truth for ay remaynes The Word of Truth the Spirit of Truth likewise Wayes iudgements works cōmandements Truth retaynes In this Saints Angels with God sympathize But Satan and his broode delight in contraries 25 Thus as shee is adorn'd by Titles high So with her Glorie shee doth all adorne Nothing vnto perfection commeth nigh Except by them the badge of Truth be borne And though some Worldlings doe her Liuerie scorne As things against their pleasure ease and gayne For that plaine dealing is a Iewell worne But he that weares it beggerie shall gayne Yet Truth her credit still doth with the best retayne 26 Yea Truth amongst the Writers of all times Hath beene in such great honour and account As without Truth yet neuer Prose or Rimes To any Praise or Honour vp did mount The holy Writ wherein Truth doth surmount Shee safely doth'gainst all her Foes defend How oft doth Dauids muse Gods Truth recount Whereby her glorie lasts to the Worlds end Ah my poore Muse see thou alwayes on Truth attend 27 There 's not one Vertue that with Loue doth dwell But honours Truth and seekes her company Begin eu'n at Humilities low Cell And mount to Mercy that doth sit on high All seeke the companie of Veritie Eu'n Loue must be without dissimulation And Righteousnesse without Hypocrisie Vnfaigned Faith true constant Expectation No Vertue without Truth comes neare Loues habitation 28 Faire glosing shewes without Dame Veritie Are but as falsely feigned Holinesse Which surely doubles the iniquitie And neuer leades the way to Happinesse My Muse is farre vnable to expresse The prayses all of Peeres that Truth attends Whom shee adornes with wondrous Noblenesse But Righteousnesse vpon her most depends And Mercy now and Truth haue met growne great friends 29 But surely Truth hath not so many Friends But shee doth find as many Enemies For Satan all his malice 'gainst her bends Supplanting Her by force or subtilties He father is of errours and of lyes And seekes herewith Truths glorie to distaine And therefore they maliciously deuise Interpretations false and glosses vaine Traditions mens inuentions 'gainst her to maintaine 30 As Purgatorie first they did deuise Purses for Pardon of mens sinnes to gleane So Limbo's they for Writers haue likewise Wherein to purge and make their Writings clean◠Index expurgatorius I meane In which if any Writer disagree From their Traditions whereupon they leane They in this Limbo Patrum purg'd must bee Or falsely else condemned to burne for Heresie 31 Thus moderne Writs sacred Antiquitie The Fathers Schoole-men Doctors Histories They all of them in Purgatorie frie And
round For Mercy ouer all Gods workes doth stretch So farre beyond mans limited fraile reach As to conceaue of Gods Eternitie Or how he all doth out of nothing fetch Darknesse from Light Ioy out of Miserie From Warre true Peace high Honour from Humilitie 5 Thou God of Mercy blessed Trinitie Who first in thine owne Image didst create Man pure and good But when Hels subtiltie Had him deiected from so happy state Abandoning to endlesse Bale and Hate That riches of thy Mercy might appeare Didst for thy Mercies sake regenerate And all his score by thy Bloods price didst cleare Grant I may rightly sing and practise Mercy here 6 Which is a certayne pitifull regard Which we of others miserie conceaue Whereby our hearts are moued and prepar'd Them what we can to succour and relieue That Passion and Affection which doth grieue Mans heart to see anothers miserie Doth not vnto th' Almighties Mercy cleaue No more than Anger Hate and Iealousie As they distempers are be in the Trinitie 7 No words indeed can properly expresse Gods Mercy Anger Hate or Iealousie But as wee see their fruits wee them confesse To be in God by Anthropopathy Gods punishment of foule iniquitie We call reuenge But when he Grace doth show To those which are in woe and miserie We call that Mercy Not but we well know No passion or distemper in Gods Nature grow 8 That Mercy may the plainelyer be descri'de And we her diuerse Nature better know I her into two Currents doe diuide The Mercy God on Creatures doth bestow And that which he requires of vs below For as God is by Nature pittifull So he delights in them that Mercy shew For he by Nature is most Mercifull And therefore vnto all in Fruits most plentifull 9 Gods Nature is Eternall Infinite So is his Mercy stretched out to all Eu'n as the Sunne to Man and Beast giues light And Raine on bad and good alike doe fall But this we call Gods Mercy generall Which lasts but for a time But on the Iust He shewes his Mercy more especiall Which euerlasting is wherein we trust And whereby He to Blisse will rayse vs from the Dust. 10 But here we must haue an especiall Care Lest diff'rence of Gods Mercy we confound Not speciall euerlasting Grace to share Where he but common generall doth propound This is a firme Position true and sound That God in Vnbeliefe hath shut vp all That his great Mercy might to all abound Vnto the Wicked common generall Eternall vnto them that on him rightly call 11 God grant to Me this Mercy speciall That of Mans Mercy I may right enquire That teaching I may practise it withall The Mercy that God doth of vs require Of which a two-fold kind make one entire First towards Sinners that doe goe astray The next to Poore and those that Helpe desire First pitties Soules and leads them in right way The last supplyes their Wants that Need haue eu'ry Day 12 For as Mans soule is his most noble part Whereon his sole eternall Blisse depends So he the greatest Mercy doth impart Who to poore wandring Soules his Mercy sends He that giues to the Poore he surely lends To God that will foure-fold his gift repay But who to saue poore Soules his Mercy spends Shall sure obtayne those Crownes at that great Day Which God doth vp in store for such Soule-sauers lay 13 In men we diuers outward causes see Which them to Mercy and Compassion moue Some by remembrance of like miserie Which in themselues they formerly did proue Some Kindred Youth Acquaintance friendly Loue Learning Nobilitie to Pitie leade But none of these cause Mercy from aboue But it from Gods sole goodnesse doth proceede And not from any thing that in our Natures breede 14 Therefore as God doth on vs Mercy show For the great riches onely of his Grace So we no other cause of Mercy know Whereby our Fellow members we embrace But his sole Grace whose Mercy did deface Eu'n Works hand-writing once against vs brought No works of Mercy can in heau'n haue place In Faith and Charitie that are not wrought Then Mercies works for shew or Merit come to nought 15 None can to Mercies perfectnesse attayne But onely God whose Mercy 's ouer all No number can our miseries contayne Yet God in store hath Mercy for them all Onely in words Gods Mercy doth not fall But most in fruits and comforts doth abound As Mercy hath no measure so withall Her fruits and works all numbers doe confound Mans life a daily exercise thereof is found 16 'T is not a heauie Heart or grieued Mind Compassionate of others miseries Whereby afflicted Soules no profit find But as our Heart so our Abilities Must minister to Saints necessities They that the Heart and Hand in this disioyne Faith aud good Workes to sunder doe deuise If first our Hearts to Mercy true encline Good Words Works from thence as true Effects will shine 17 For in the heart of Man is Mercies Throne The Subiect where true Mercy doth abide All streames of Mercy that from thence doe flowne Are as the Fountaynes pure from which they slide Then like Gods Mercy they doe spread out wide First feeding Soules that pine for heau'nly Food Next for the Poore and Hungrie they prouide For all in Neede that of our helpe haue stood And like to Widdowes Oile encrease by doing good 18 Then we them truely workes of Mercy call When from vnfayned Mercy they proceede For sure it is the Heart that seasons all Which maketh mercifull in word and deede Thus we releeue the Poore that are in neede And Widdowes Orphanes Strangers entertayne We clothe the Naked and the Hungrie feede Visit the Sicke the Captiues that remayne In bonds we loose And comfort those that mourne in payne 19 Though all the Vertues of Loues Royall Court Delight to keepe sweet Mercy companie As Patience Iustice Faith Hope good Report Repentance Meeknesse Truth Ioy Chastitie Yet shee delights most in Humilitie Vnseparable Adjunct of this Peere With whom shee workes all deeds of Charitie Those which our Hearts from Sinne doe purge and cleere And those whereby the Needie we doe succour heere 20 By her is daily great prouision made For Blind Old Lame all People that are poore Not those that doe of begging make a Trade And loosely idle walke from dore to dore A worke of Mercy shee it deemes to gore Such Vagabonds their Passe with blood to seale Vnfruitfull Vermine that consume our store The Catterpillers of our Common-weale Which to maintayne base ease and lust begge lie and steale 21 But shee directed by Humilitie Into deepe stinking Dungeons will descend To visit captiu'd thralls in miserie And them instruct in wayes of Truth to wend Exhorting them their bad liues to amend If any for well-doing bound doe lie Shee for His ransome her estate will spend All Malefactors wants Shee doth supply For well shee knowes Christ did for Malefactors die 22 Shee next
like Lot and Abram entertaynes Strangers all Day at Noone and eke at Night Not that shee hopes from them least gold or gaynes Or that with double mends they will requite But those which harbour want shee doth inuite Humbly to Meate and Drinke and Lodging meete Where shee to wait vpon them takes delight And brings faire water for to wash their Feete And them for her sweet Sauiours sake doth fairely greete 23 Then shee the hungrie Bodies of the Poore With her faire Hand of plentie full doth feede And drinke vnto the thirstie powreth store Shee feares not once her selfe to stand in neede Who to the Sower ministreth his seede And bread vnto the humble will prouide For those which of her Body shee doth breede Shee with no future want is terrifide For others oft to feede shee hunger doth abide 24 Oh should you see th' abundance eu'ry day Of clothes shee for the naked doth prouide To keepe them from the cold and to aray Gods Images which here in Clay abide And if that any naked shee espide After shee all her clothes diuided had Shee would her owne coate cut out and diuide To those that want most chearefully and glad That shee had such a shift poore naked Soules to clad 25 With those that mourne in Sion shee will mourne And beare a part with them in miserie Whether they weepe by friends as left forlorne Or grone with weight of their iniquitie Shee wondrous salues of comfort doth apply And when they weepe shee mourning not forbeares And oft in Psalmes and Hymnes makes melodie Sweet Psalmes and Hymnes that drie vp all our teares And like to pleasant Wine make vs forget our cares 26 But most of all sicke persons shee doth tend And comfort them in point of death that lay For there most needed comfort sweet to lend When Sinne Hell Death and Conscience doe dismay The Soule that now departing is away First spirituall comfort shee to them doth deale How on Christs merits they should onely stay Balme that applide aright their sores should heale And prayes the Spirit within the Truth hereof may seale 27 'T were infinite to tell the wondrous store Of heau'nly comforts Mercy can apply For Mercy hath a salue for eu'ry sore Soules burthened with their iniquitie Shee handeleth most soft and tenderly The smoking flaxe nor yet the bruised reede Shee will not quench or breake vnwarily Such heau'nly comforts can thus Peere areede That shee makes Soules 〈◊〉 when Bodies are halfe dead 28 Best skill to cure the Body shee doth vse And to his former health againe restore No Office meane or base shee doth refuse That may the payne asswage or heale his sore All miseries lie open her before That shee may lend to all her helpe and aid She physicke sends and meate vnto the poore With beds of downe whereon he may be laid And though her med'cines faile her prayer's neuer staid 29 But if their Soules from Bodies once depart In seemely sort shee cares them to engraue Last worke of Mercy that we can impart Vnto their corps when God their soule doth saue Which though now dust yet most sure hope we haue God will the same a glorious Body rayse And decke it for her Spouse most fine and braue The Deads memoriall shee doth often prayse The Liuing to prouoke to walke in righteous wayes 30 Thus when shee hath in Graue him seemely laid With much lamenting and with many teares To tender Orphanes and to Widdowes aid Shee doth employ the vtmost of her cares In whose defence no great Mans frownes shee feares But stands in iudgement for their firme defence And if both Parents die as oft it fares Their tender Babes shee soone remoueth thence And feedes and puts to Schole eu'n at her owne expence 31 Therefore shee large Almes-houses hath erected Faire Colledges for Muses habitation And Churches by prophaner sort neglected Adornes and decks in honourable fashion Shee holds it much against her reputation In goodly seeled Houses to abide And see Gods Temples ruinous prophanation If in her any sparing be descride 'T is that shee works of Mercy may dispread more wide 32 But ah no pen is able 〈…〉 The fruits of Mercy by Humilitie But in one worke I all theâ— vp doe count To succour those that are in miserie As there is infinite varietie Of miseries in Soule and Body found So without number shee doth helpes supply But for her end Soules health shee doth propound And in such heau'nly comforts shee doth most abound 33 Rebuke admonish suffer and chastise Her very stripes are corraâ—â—â—es to heale And when in most distresse the Body lies Most comfort then to Soule shee doth reueale Thus Christ did vnto her a paterne seale With mortall foode he thousand Bodies fed But those to whom he Bread of Life did deale Like huge Sea sands cannot be numbered Whereby their Soules now liue though yet their Bodies dead 34 But though this Peere is mercifull to all Yet almost all become her Enemies Ambition Pride Hate Enâ—â—e Malice Gall All that delight in wrong and iniuries From whence oft come most horrid cruelties But amongst all they doe her greatest wrong Who vnder shew of pitying miseries Punish not those that doe in Vice grow strong The Iudge that spares the wicked doth the godly wrong 35 Iustice and Mercy both doe well accord And in one Subiect may contayned bee For iust and mercifull is God our Lord Iust as a Iudge but as a Father hee Is pitifull and tender So ought wee In our owne cause as Fathers Mercy show And our deare Brethren of all wrongs to free But when we sit in iudgement we must know We are Gods Ministers to punish sinne below 36 Eu'n as a Iudge in his owne Familie Vnto a gracelesse sonne may pardon giue Though he his Coffers rifle priuily And doe conspire of life him to depriue But if as Traytor to his Prince he liue And one before his Father him arraigne The Iudge there cannot his owne Sonne forgiue But must condemne to his deserued paine For Magistrates ought not to beare the sword in vaine 37 I Mercy here and Iustice may compare Vnto a Gardners spade and pruning knife The knife luxurious branches off doth pare That for vaine shew grow fruitlesse ranke and rife The Spade vnto Vines roote giues heate and life By dunging opening it to Sunne and Raine Ne yet betwixt them discord is or strife One prunes the boughes the other doth maintayne The Roote Both haue one end the Bodies good and gayne 38 In this Worlds Schoole we all like Scholers are Fitted below for Fellowships aboue Mercy our Patronesse doth vs prepare Foode Rayment Bookes all things that needfull proue We all haue but one Lesson here to Louâ— Which none can better teach than this sweet Peere Yet our vntowardnesse doth oft her moue To suffer Iustice to correct vs here Which sure doth vs more good than all her daintie cheere 39 So as Correction truely may be
obay Lord grant that as I of sweet Mercy sing Her in my heart deed word I practise may Not for vaine praise or any outward thing But for thy Mercy sake my good and gracious King 75 Next Loues great Generall braue Fortitude Should enter Lists to shew her wondrous might But Rashnesse 't is not Valour to include A Christian Souldier in such dang'rous fight Till all his Armour be about him dight His vpper parts I armed haue elsewhere With Girdle Brest-plate Shield and Helmet bright But Feete and Legs I naked left and bare Now Patience them shall arme as you shall after heare MEDITAT IIII. Of Patience 1 WEll hath our valiant Guide Mans life compar'd Vnto a warfare where we alwayes stand In complete Armour readie and prepar'd The force of cruell Foe-men to withstand Where Satan World and Flesh together band By open force and treason to subdue And leade vs captiue by their mightie hand And all vnarm'd or out of order due They fetter'd dragge to Hell with cursed damned crue 2 Which to auoid he wills vs to be strong In God and in the Power of his Might And the whole Armour that doth here belong To Christian Souldiers on our Soules to dight For here with Flesh and Blood we doe not fight But Empires Powers Principalities The worldly Gouernours of darkest night Sublime spirituall subtile Enemies Which to resist he ghostly Armour doth deuise 3 The Belt of Truth Brest-plate of Righteousnesse Faiths Shield and Hope the Helmet of saluation Sword of the Spirit Prayers feruentnesse Feete shod in Peaces Gospels preparation These be the Weapons of our Militation Of Helmet Brest-plate Shield and Girdle wee Alreadie haue conceau'd a Meditation These foure the vpper parts arme to the knee But Patience Legs whâ—reon the rest supported bee 4 For so the Learned seeme to giue the Sense This preparation of the Gospels Peace To be the brasen Bootes of Patience Which doth defend from Thornes and Stones disease Our Legs and Feete And where the Belt doth cease These Bootes of Patience Armour doe supply By which in complete Armour we doe prease And stand vndanted 'gainst our Enemie This Vertue is the next my Muse seekes to descrie 5 Which well is call'd the Gospels preparation For neuer any Patience true and sound Can be but by the Gospels mediation The Heathen built not on this certayne ground And therefore this true Patience neuer found Which but by Peace of Conscience none attayne This Peace the Gospell onely doth propound By reconcilement of the Lambe Christ sâ—aine Without this Peace of Conscience Patience all is vaine 6 Thou glorious God of Peace and Patience Who sent'st thine onely Sonne our sinnes to beare And by his Suffring and Obedience Vpon the Crosse from guilt of sinne to cleare All those to whom his Crosse is sweet and deare Direct my Muse this Grace aright to reade That knowing I may neuer once forbeare To practise Patience in thought word deede But to the end my Life in Peace and Patience leade 7 Which is a gift of God whereby weare Inabled willingly and constantly All crosses that God layes on vs to beare For Goodnesse Godlinesse and Honestie Impatience 't is to beare vnwillingly And but an idle feigned false pretence To boast of Vertue without Constancie Her parts be foure of which some difference May seeme at first yet all make but one Patience 8 The first part is from Anger to abstayne The second is a constant Expectation The third is to the end Right to remayne The last consists in willing Sustentation Of all afflictions here and castigation But Man to these foure parts we onely tie For the last part which doth consist in Passionâ— Vnto th' eternall Being comes not nigh Who 's free from all Affliction and Calamitie 9 Yet is he rightly call'd the Patient God And doth in first three named parts transcend First farre from Anger when he spares his Rod He doth expect and wait till we amend And last abides the same vnto the end He fruitfull Times and Seasons of the Yeare Vnto the good and bad alike doth send Most patiently doth with our Follies beare And where he 'gins to loue he neuer doth forbeare 10 Thus Mercy Zeale Repentance may be said Inexplicably in God to bee Zealous yet not offended or dismaid Most Mercifull yet griefe did neuer see Repenting yet without remorse is hee Most Patient yet without least payne or passion Of Vertues parts which are of Frailtee And Weaknesse God hath no participation Yet want they not in Man their vse and commendation 11 As is the Cause and End of Patience So we her true or counterfet esteeme The Cause and End doe make the difference If we for Fancy Glorie Lust Wealth seeme To beare with Patience Hunger Payne Cold Teene This suffring missing her true Cause and End As falsely feigned counterfet we deeme But if for doing well or to defend The Truth we suffer this our Patience doth commend 12 The greedie 〈…〉 For Lust some doe endure 〈◊〉 basest shame The Souldier spends his blood for glorie vaine Th' Ambitious venture all to purchase Fame Loe there we carnall Ends and Causes name True Patience causes honest are and iust When for ill-doing we doe suffer blame Take paine for Glorie Honour Gayne or Lust Rewards like to the Cause and End expect we must 13 But true immediate ground of Patience Is the sweet Gospell as I said of Peace For Man deepe plung'd in sinne and foule offence No Creature could Gods wrâ—â—h but Christ appease In stead of Loue Gods wrath on Man did seise Till Christ concludes our Reconciliation And vs of our offences doth release Of which the Gospell is th' Aâ—â—unciation Therefore is Patience call'd the Gospels preparation 14 And therefore as her Cause and End is Peace So all her works to inward Peace doe tend Which in the inward Man doth most increase When outward Warres seeme most him to offâ—nd Shee doth oâ—r Soules most valiantly defend By patient bearing crosses paine and shame Which shee with Patience suffers to the end Except they crosse the Glorie of Gods Name Or Neighbours good which to endure deserueth blame 15 One euill is of Sinne and one of Payne That ill of Sinne this Dame cannot abide But that of Punishment shee counteth gayne Gods holy Name blasphem'd or Truth deni'd Or wicked Men Gods holy Saints deride Is no true Patience patiently to heare But on our selues when crosses doe betide Then Patience true doth patiently forbeare For shee her owne not others wrongs delights to beare 16 If one will take her Coâ—te iniurioâ—â—ly Shee suffereth such losse with Patience But if of Faith Loue Truth or Honestie One would depriue her that is such offence As cannot stand right with her Conscience Shee priuate wrongs most willingly doth hide But faults admitteth vnder no pretence Shee can endure Men should her selfe deride But her Profession scorn'd shee no wayes can abide 17 Compell her to a mile shee will
would haue dismaid And Bodies grieu'd with basest iniuries All Vertues fairest shew oppos'd by contraries 35 Her very Name and Etymologie Describes this Ladies Nature wondrous right For Patience Sufferance doth signifie Forbearance farre from Anger and to fight Gods Battailes with true courage and delight Hee 's stronger that can ouer-come disgrace Crâ—sses and iniuries by patient sp'rit Than he that walled Cities doth deface And Monarch-like doth sway the whole World by his Mace 36 Like as the heau'n aboâ—e is garnished With Sunne and Moone and glistering Starres by night So hath Gods Church beene alwayes furnished With patient Mirrours to direct vs right Yea though we had no Scriptures vs to light Examples of th' Elect might be our line To walke in Patience with all our might So they before to vs that follow shine That number Starres he may that can their names define 37 Begin we with our Sunne before the Flood Our patient Maker How did he forbeare Though Enochs prophecying they withstood Yet God with their iniquities did beare Vntill the Deluge vp the Arke did reare Next see his Patience and forbearance kind To them that vnderneath the Couenants were But most his suff'rance vnder Grace we finde As Father most to loue his youngest is inclin'd 38 Our Sauiour next whose Life Death Suffring shame To vs all Patience doth represent Whereby all Christians ought themselues to frame Following his foote-steps who before vs went Who ne're did sinne nor euer guile inuent Yet when he suffer'd threatned not to smite But dumbe like to a Lambe most innocent Commits his Cause to him that iudgeth right Bearing on Crosse our sinnes that he redeeme vs might 29 Now follow Starres which doe receiue their light From that most glorious Sunne of Patience Meeke Abel slaine by cruell Cains despite Noe Preacher to th' old World of Penitence Bearing scoffes scornes for his Obedience Abram forsakes his Kindred House and Land And patiently a stranger dwels in Tents At ninety nine is circumcised and His deare sonne Isaaâ— offers at his Lords command 40 See Isaac patient to embrace the Knife Iacob enduring churlish Labâ—â—â— wrong His Diâ—as Rape his Sonnes most cruell strife With Ioseph who endured prison strong For doing well who can expresse his long True Patience that did Pharaohs pleasures leaue To suffer payne his Brethren among The meekest Moses did stone Tables cleaue When Zeale of Gods great Glorie did his sense bereaue 41 How patiently did holy Dauid beare Sauls persecutions wayting for his Crowne When he his skirt cut off tooke vp his Speare Yet would not let Abisai smite him downe But none for Patience like to Iob is knowne Loe Christ himselfe the Patience doth commend That Prophets Priests and Martyrs haue vs showne All which in briefe the Truth for to defend Haue without grudging held out constant to the end 42 All wrestled in this Field of Patience Some scornes stripes fetters prisonment sustayne Some racking sawing broyling banishments Some scourg'd with rods with sword some haue bin slayne In Sheepe skins Goate skins some to walke were fayne Of which the World in no wise worthy were All will dread on the Mountaynes and the Playne In earthly Dens and Caues lay hid for feare These all by Faith in Christ of Patience followers are 43 I should doe wrong vnto all Women-kind Should I the praise of Patience them denie So many for the Truth with constant mind In flames of fire haue let their body frie Besides continuall payne and miserie In bearing nursing Children they abide Whereby they doe maintayne Posteritie O blessed Maid what griefe did thee betide To see thy Sonne on Crosse his Armes to open wide 44 But I too farre the Readers Patience presse With multitude of Paternes from without Since onely inward Patience can vs blesse And make vs like to Lyons bold and stout Preseruing vs from perill dread and doubt Whilst patiently we here all crosses beare To th' end with Christian courage holding out And neuer Mans pride or Hells malice feare For by this suffring more than Conquerours we are 45 We reade that Socrates did Patience gayne By patient bearing his impatient Wife And we this Grace by suffring may attayne If in Faith Hope and good Workes we be rife Doubtlesse our paynes here crosses griefe and strife Are nothing if they rightly be compar'd Vnto the Ioyes Crownes and eternall Life Which God aboue for all those hath prepar'd That with true Patience of his comming haue regard 46 But ah we of farre other spirit are In our hot blood we cut off Malchus eare But if our liues be question'd then we dare The Truth denie and eu'n our Christ forsweare Mans mind possest with furie or with feare Falls from the meane to all extremitie For want of courage he no crosse can beare Or for reuenge doth offer iniurie Both which alike are guiltie of Impatiencie 47 When I the liues of holy Martyrs read And what great torments here they suffered As Members sympathizing with the Head Saint Lawrence on a gridyron tortured Who at 's Tormenters neuer murmured But pray'd them onely turne the other side For one was broyl'd enough and martyred And her that did most paynefull death abide Whom with hot scalding pitch from top to toe they tride 48 Should I here wish their Patience or their Payne No sure I wish both Payne and Patience The more I suffer here the more 's my gayne The greater losse the greater recompence Ah this to flesh and blood is sore offence And vnto carnall minded enmitie That take delight in pleasing of the Sense Their Nose with smels their Touch with luxurie Their Taste Eyes Eares their Heart and all with vanitie 49 Though thou escape crosse scourging sword and fire Yet surely if thou liu'st the life of Grace And walk'st vprightly as Gods Lawes require Flesh World and Deuill thee will seeke to chace As peeuish singular vaine foolish base Yea wicked Men thy Patience to trie Will thee deride dishonour scorne disgrace We Patience shew in bearing iniurie For Christ as well as those that for the Truth doe die 50 But I confesse I nothing here doe find More pleasing then reuenge to flesh and blood Like this was Iohn and Iames reuengefull mind When entrance was at Citie Gates withstood Because their Faces towards Sion stood Shall we Elias-like from Heau'n fire craue For to consume this base rebellious brood To whom Christ said Know yee what Spirits yee haue I came not hither to destroy and spoile but saue 51 Lord grant me Pauls true constant resolution Not onely for thy Names sake to be bound But willingly to suffer dissolution Some scortching flames like beds of downe haue found In some such inward comfort did abound When as they suffred for Christs holy Name For signe of inward ioy and comfort found Their hands they lift vp to expresse the same Till they consumed were eu'n by the scortching flame 52 It was th'Apostles triumph and delight To be