labouring The fruit she brings Savours of goodness but much more of evil Extols che Maker but adores the Devil Lord since there is a time to laugh to weep 'T is high time I awake out of the sleep Of sin and death O then propitious be And in due time let true Repentance free My Soul and I 'll be convert unto thee ¶ The Widows Mite ROom for a wealthy Benefactor he Behold draws neer unto the Treasury Others approach with their abundant store But here 's a Widow who although she 's poor Hath outdone all her bounty to display For her's was giv'n and theirs but cast away And she was noted for a true believer For God delighteth in a cheerful giver ¶ Gabriel and Zacharias Gab. BLess'd Zacharias cease to be afeard A John shall call thee Father thou art heard He shall be richly stor'd with Grace and Mirth The God of gods shall celebrate his Birth Zac. O Lord whereby can I know this my life Is well-nigh spent likew se my ancient Wife Her years are so in number I am bold To say for bearing Children she 's too old Gab. Is any thing impossible to God Whose Power can do it with a word or nod I that am Gabriel am sent down from high To do this message from the Deity And seeing thou believ'st not what I say Behold thou shalt be dumb until that day Then will I loosen that which now I strung Thou shalt have John with that John a tongue ¶ On Alexander the Great THou Earth's great Monarch to thy Valour 's praise Be it recorded thou didst spend thy days In Mars his School but one thing did remain Thou shouldst have made thy Piety thy gain Not Ostentation Flesh was made thy slave But wherein didst thou Satan's works deprave Those being vanquish'd thou might'st take thy rest And weep for joy as being stout and blest Alas his Conquests are as good as none That fights for Worlds and never finds but one ¶ Jesus Wept HEnce may we see Tears are the only things When watring well revives our fading Springs Martha and Mary sprinkling pious Tears Over their Brother four days freed from fears With the sole help of Jesus when they wept His Tears and theirs reviv'd a Saint that slept The very words Come forth bore such a sound Laz'rus straight came but left death in the ground Such love our Saviour shew'd his friend his eye That knew no sin could weep when he should die The Antients have this observation kept Jesus was never seen to laugh but wept ¶ Martha and Mary AS Contemplation is the bane of ill By that our good is so continued still Happy that house which never doth m scar y Yielding a Martha to complain of Mary ¶ On Worldly Gain THis World yields nothing more than Caâ—…es and Crosses Yet my forc'd heart dotes on it ne'retheless If I cast up my gains they are but losses For more and more I languish in excess It shews varieties of sweet content Alluring me with fair and golden baits But in the taste I finde them different No real pleasures but meer counterfeits Delusions are the knacks that do excell For cheats they shew as Heaven lead to Hell Lord plant thy heav'nly wisdome in my heart That world and worldly things I may desert ¶ On St. Peter's Perjury SHeathe up that sharp keen Sword which did befriend thee In smiting him who gave his car to end thee But yet consider he that doth salsely swear Is by the Law condemn'd to loose an Ear. I tell thee Peter e're the Cock crow twice Thou art my friend that shalt deny me thrice But Peter thou art favour'd take 't from me Instead of paying one Ear thou hast three ¶ On Pusillanimity REligion made the Martyrs dare and die Honour abhors to dread an Enemie Our Actions try our Courage and our hearts As Icie weather with its chilly smarts Do try our health and this we yearly find Withered leaves fall with the breath of wind As rotten Bows no longers hold debate With strength but break when they 're opprest with weight So Earthen Vessels may be said t' expire Expos'd when empty to the heat of fire This trivial passion of Faintheartedness Dispirits man and makes a dull impress Upon his body as if there were writ Hire stands a house but no one dwells in it Cowardise doth express a man to be An easie prey unto his Enemie Whose cruel mercy suddenly is spent Whilst for the Victim no man doth lament He grew in misery became forlorn Was both to friend and to his foe a scorn The righteous man is bold bids fear adieu The wicked flee when no man doth pursue ¶ On the Spring SInce Winters cold blasts are expell'd by the Sun And Fields that did penance in snow Have put Madam Nature's gay Liveries on Embroyder'd with flowers to make a fine show The Hills and the Vallies in duty abound And men praise the Lord so the duty goes round Heark heark how the Birds in sweet consort conspire The Lark and the Nightingale joyn In every note is an amorous Quire With an innocent mirth to entertain time The Hills and the Vallies in duty abound And Men praise the Lord so the duty goes round Methinks the God Pan whose glad subjects we are Doth sit on his flowery Throne We accept his kinde Offerings every year With Garlands of Roses and Flowers new grown The Hills and the Vallies in duty abound And Men praise the Lord so the duty goes round ¶ On Science MAny for Science seek with care and Art When Conscience is the Science of the heart Yet that most sacred Knowledge is become In mens esteem of Knowledge but the scum When as the Heart with Conscience doth converse Infinite mysteries they then rehearse A Conscienoe good and pure relies upon The sacred Title of Religion That is a Knowledge puffs not up to boast But is the Temple of the Holy Ghost Built so for Beauty equalled by none Rich as the Temple of a Solomon The fruitful field of Bonediction The joy of Angels and the Sinners sting The Subjects ark the treasure of the King An Habitation for the Saints abode The Book of Life the Princely Court of God The Book that 's seal'd to keep Deeds from decay And to be open'd at the Judgement-day A rich Persume and a most happy Guest A pleasant Friend and a continual Feast A Castle Tower a Rock to build upon A certain Fabrick of Salvation The poor man's Comfort his most trusty Staff The rich man's Elegy and Epitaph Wouldst thou be farther in this Science read Then Purge thy conscience from all works are dead ¶ On Drunkenness THis is a Vice that fights without defence He that doth finde this sin doth loose his sense I formerly have read of one who stood Amaz'd as lost within a spatious Wood When in one Vice he was to build his Nest Which of these three he judg'd to be the best To kill his
to be thy Match or Mate then consult thy Honour if thou lovest the World and embracest the Earth canst thou hate Adultery with man and be an Adultress to God Let not a Strumpet stand in thy sight but especially suffer not thy heart to whore after Vanity If thou fallest into ill Company that shall court thee let not the Devil wooâ—… thee O my Soul thou most beloved above all Creatures that hast God for thy Huâ—…band Heaven for thy Dower and Eartâ—… for thy Service suffer not Hell to 〈◊〉 thy Pander to dote upon the World let thy Heart be an Habitation for Goâ—… and Heaven Thy Soul is the Lord of thy Body take then thy bodies homage not thine own ruine let thy Soul act the will of God and command the body to execute thine Let not thy body be thy God lest thou becomest a Devil to thy self Thy Soul is an Angels peer let it not then be a companion for Satan Let not thy Lordship be sold for slavery and misery for if thou maintainest not thy right Hell must be thy harbour Torments thy terrour and wicked Spirits thy company Thy Soul under God is the supream Soveraign of thy body be not then a subject to thy subject let not the law of the Members be the law of the Minde for the Senses are Handmaids to the Soul and she is the Princess of Heaven Thy Soul is a free-born-childe of Eternity Heir of Immensity the Daughter of Almighty God who is beyond all bounds of Time and Being to whom then oughtest thou to pay thy duty but to him alone Thy Body is but a prison to thy Soul thou art inclosed in the walls of Mud and gates of Sense Can there then be more pleasure in a Prison than a Palace Shall a Bodily Restraint be preferred before a Spirits Liberty Canst thou count thy Bondage to be thy Bliss Are Chains of Iron to be esteemed above the Treasures of Gold Are Fetters better than Freedom Earth is but a Goal to Heaven then be not so rash as to prize thy Goal before thy Delivery lest thou art cast into that Goal from whence there is no redemption It is most just that the Soul that prizeth the Devil's Chain before God's Liberty should have the Devil's Prison instead of God's Palace and befor ever his slave in Hell that would not be God's servant for a time on Earth O thou beloved Dove of God fly to thy Coelestial home belime not thy spiritual wings in slime and mud in Heaven is thy Treasure and where canst thou finde more Riches to invite thee Be not like the Crow to feed upon Carrion or like the blinde Beetle to place thy blessedness in Boggs Make not sale of thy self to buy a Goal when thou partest with a Palace for the purchase and becomest a Familiar to Bolts and Shackles Thy Soul is God's Jewel and thy Body is the Casket then keep thy Body clean that thy Soul may the better be preserved It is a bright Diamond of Heaven a Spark of the Divinity a Ray of Divine Glory set for a time in the Foil of Flesh till it pleaseth God to take it to himself and keep it for ever in his Cabinet Let not then thy Soul that transparent Diamond be an ornament to the Devil's finger when it may sit at the right hand of God where there are Pleasures for evermore Thy Soul is the Purchase of Christ bought with no less than the blood of the Son of God then sell not that for a Trifle which cost thy Saviour so great a price it is better to enjoy the Riches of Eternity than to purchase Vanity for a Moment Is thy body distemper'd then thou requirest Physick if wounded thou sendest for a Chirurgeon if naked it must have Cloaths and if hungry it must have Food For these thou shouldest depend upon God for he knoweth all these things are necessary But when thy precious Soul lies sick of sin hath wounds of the spirit stript of its innocence and starv'd for grace no regard is given thereunto not considering though thou usest humane helps it is God that gives the Blessing and is the Physitian both of Soul and Body That Soul that acts the part of a faithful servant to the Lord shall have a double reward The Crown of a Saint and of a Sufferer Certain Considerations worthy the Devout Souls Meditation THe Soul is Spiritual sin makes it Carnal The Soul is Immortal sin is the death of the Soul it makes it die to Grace and live in Grief The Soul is Noble sin makes it Ignominious The Soul is Lord sin enslaves it The Soul is Soveraign sin brings it in subjection The Soul is God-like sin makes it beastial The Soul is the Spouse of God sin makes it the Strumpet of the Devil The Soul is the Jewel of God sins casts it in the Devil's fire The Soul is a free-born Citizen of Heaven sin keeps it in perpetual imprisonment The Soul is God's Purchase sin cheats God of his due and the Soul of eternal Bliss A MISCELANY OF Divine Maximes OR Words fitly spoken Like Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver 1. WOuldst thou be truly perfect love God with all thy heart and thy Neighbour as thy self 2. Let thy eye be always upon God and thy self and thou shalt never see him without goodness nor thy self without misery 3. None shall see God so much as he is visible and none shall ever love God so much as he is amiable 4. He that doth not covet to love God more and more can never love him enough 5. To whom God is all the World ought to be nothing at all 6. Let us be what God will so we be but his and let us not be what we will our selves against the will of God 7. In the service of God there is nothing little enough to be rejected 8. To meditate much upon God is good but the Souls greater advancement in Vertue consists in much loving him 9. He to whom God alone is pleasing is displeased with nothing but that which displeaseth God 10. In Divine matters a generous Soul finds greatest contentment in believing things most difficult 11. All our actions take their value from their conformity to the Will of God 12. Love and Suffering are the greatest duties we owe to God they being the two causes for which he died for us 13. He that neglects his own will complies best with God's 14. So love thy Neighbour upon Earth as that thou mayst enjoy his love in Heaven 15. Thou canst not love thy Neighbour too much but thou mayst too much shew thy love 16. One great argument of our love to our Neighbour is to bear with his imperfections 17. We should never endure to hear evil spoken of any but our selves 18. We should never under value any person the workman loves not that his work should be despised in his presence wherefore beware for God is present every where and and
of Beasts of Springs and Flowers How to use thy noble Powers Call whole Nature to thy aid Since 't was he whole Nature made Joyn in one eternal Song Who to one God all belong Live for ever glorious Lord Live by all thy works ador'd One in Three and Three in One Thrice we bow to thee alone ¶ Of Flesh. ALI Flesh is Grass doth therefore rot For why Can man be born to live and not to die 'T is happiness to leave this life and world And have our names where joys are rife enroll'd The dead ne're fear what Death can do his blast Will come no more for why that wo is past Then to the Soul appeareth Love and Joy For God will not his Turtle-Dove destroy Then though a Torch-light here 't is better far To be put out and after rise a Star ¶ The Grave THough Clay my Cottage is secure Princes do dwell with me And my foundations do endure for aye Death waits on me and with his dart Sends me the stoutest he And Champion-like commands the heart to stay Then be he Rich or be he Poor A Spark or else a Clown They lie together on the floor and so They sleep as if they lay upon The softest Bed of Down Troubles are fled and Griefs are gone for though The Body naked in the cold Earth lies The Soul sings Hallelujahs 'bove the Skies ¶ An Infant EArths little Morsel Man's small Letter And Adam's Copy no one better Before he tasted Eve Nature's fresh Picture drawn in oyl Which time and handling oft doth spoil His Soul appears like Paper white That yet had scarce bore word aright Neither knew how to grieve But purest colours without pains Are subject most to spots and stains He is above the tempts of Devil Since he can't understand an evil His days are raw and dull Nor hath he yet agreed with sin To banish joys let sorrows in He cannot yet be counted wise And being dumb he with his eyes Sings silent tunes of Lull He kisses all doth them approve His Innocency is his Love Nature and Parents much alike Do sometimes dandle sometimes strike With hidden sugred bait They him intice and he doth sup Whate're he finds within the Cup. Could his weak body finde the way To Bliss and here no longer stay He 'd have a happy fate Not knowing sin or mortal crime He 'd reach Eternity betime ¶ The Candle LIke as vain man I downward grow My life is ever wasting I fall by fire still waxing low As man did fall by tasting My house of Tallow doth decrease And I that am but Cotten Within one hour live and decease Am in the next forgotten O Lord pour Oyl into my Lamp To light me to thy home That when it shall extinguish't be I may a Star become ¶ The Ant. ALthough a creature small yet all My labour pains and care 't is rare Is in the Summer to provide Against the Cold and Winter-tide And though so small yet I an eye Can have to things for when weak men Waste time in Feasts and Riot I study for my Diet. Idleness breeds Distempers Povertie Gives room for Sin ye Sluggards learn of me ¶ The Thanksgiving COme let 's adore the gracious hand That brought us to this light That gave his Angels strict command To be our Guard this night When we laid down our weary heads And sleep seal'd up our eye They stood and watch'd about our beds To let no harm come nigh Now we are up they still go on And guide us through the day They never leave their charge alone Whate're besets our way And oh my Soul how many snares 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 before our feet In all our hopes in all our cares Some dangers still we meet Sometimes the sin does us o'retake And on our weakness win Sometimes our selves our ruine make And we o'retake the sin O save us Lord from all those darts That seek our Souls to slay Save us from us and our filse hearts Lest we our selves betray Save us O Lord to thee we cry From whom all Blessings spring We on thy Grace alone rely Alone thy glory sing Glory to thee eternal Lord Thrice blessed Three in One Thy Name at all times be ador'd Till time it self be done ¶ Antiphon A Dialogue in three parts Chor. THanks be to the Lord on high Angels That gave his Son Men. For us to die Chor. He that is the holy One Ang. Lov'd us of old Men. For us was sold. Chor. He that is the God of might Men. Made us of Dust Ang. For us did fight Chor. He that is the God most just Ang. Set us aright Men. To us gave light Chor. He that made the Heavens Earth Men. And all therein Ang. He is more worth Chor. He it is that knew no sin Ang. Yet suffered death Men. To give us breath Chor. Blessed he hung on the Cross Men. For our great gain Ang. But his own loss Chor. He that heal'd the Blinde and Lame Ang. Yet sought as thief Men. For our relief Chor. He that died with a kiss Men. From wretched man Ang. Is now in Bliss Chor. He that can the Heavens span Men. And do much more Ang. Him we adore Chor. He that was bound to Herod sent Men. And spit upon Ang. He is our Tent. Chor. He that melteth hearts of stone Ang. With us doth stand Men. Doth us command Chor. He that pardon can our sin Ang. Hath broke our snare Men. But we fall in Chor. He with whom none can compare Men. He gave us eyes Ang. He made us rise Chor. He was scourg'd with heavy lash Men. For us lost blood Ang. And us did wash Chor. He it is that is the good Men. Great God alone Ang. Heaven 's his Throne Chor. He that wore a Crown of Thorns Men. That doth us keep Ang. And us adorns Chor. He the Shepherd of the Sheep Ang. Our choicest stock Men. Our only rock Chor. Praise him then that did us make Men. Doth us defend Ang. And us did take Chor. Bless his Name World without end Men. For his great love Ang. To us above Angels and Men praise ye the Lord for aye Oh all ye Nations praise the Lord and say Amen ¶ The Bible The Book of Books The only good To him that looks For heav'nly food A Holy Light In darkest night The blessed Word Of God the Lord. Divinitie In it doth lie Indeed it is The Gate of Bliss ¶ The Dream I Dreamt my Death was but a sleep My Grave and Bed both one And when the morning forth did peep Life came and Death was gone Since so it is that none can be Asleep but such as die O Lord I 'll sleep to all but thee And make my bed on high ¶ The Beatitudes BLess'd are the poor that is the meek in spirit For they the Heav'n God's Kingdom shall inherit Blessed are they that mourn away their years God hears their sighs hath bottles for their tears Blessed
wretch of little worth In sin my Mothers womb alas Conceiv'd and brought me forth Lord with thy grace enrich my heart Take out the filth therein Let fools pursue their idle Art To make a mock at sin Wo unto them their sins do draw With ropes them fast to tie That bind Iniquity their Law With cords of Vanitie If sinners could but count their score They'd fear a future doom Let him that sinneth sin no more Lest worser things shall come Whoso doth his transgression love Careless or lose or win He strangely doth himself approve To be a slave to sin Lord fix my heart still towards thee Especially at Pray'r Lest my Petition on my knee Become to me a snare Surely the quintessence of sin Satan that Judas is He turns a murtherer when in Leads the poor Soul amiss And kills it with a kiss ¶ The Check PEace rebel Sin and dare not to rebel For thou art dead Without the Law and thou that cam'st from Hell Art Captive led How durst thou say to him that dwells on high The Holy One Look on the World where all my wealth doth lie 'T is all as none Or yet how durst thou say unto the Christ If there be none Like thee or if by thee men do subsist Make bread of stone I read the sting of Death is sin but yet Sin that came first Poor Infant-man no sooner on his feet But fell and burst 'T is said that sin the Child is of the Devil But sin thou art His elder and the very self-same evil Caus'd him to start Then prithee say What is thy name for Death and Devil they Right understood Are both too good ¶ To the God of Heaven BRight builder of the heav'nly Poles Eternal light of faithful Souls Jesus Redeemer of Mankinde Our humble Pray'rs vouchsafe to minde Who lest the fraud of Hell's black King Should all men to destruction bring Didst by a strong impulse of Love The fainting World's Physician prove Who from a sacred Virgins womb Didst an unspotted Victim come Unto the Cross to cleanse the sin The wretched World was plunged in The sound of whose high Pow'r and Name No sooner any voice can frame But all in Heav'n and those that be In Hell how down their trembling knee Thee Christ who at the later day Shalt be our Judge we humbly pray Such Arms of heav'nly Grace to send As from our foes may us defend Be glory giv'n and honour done To God the Father and the Son And to the Holy Ghost on high From Age to Age eternally ¶ The Flower O That I were a lovely Flower In Christ his Bower Or that I were a Weed to fade Under his shade But how can I a Weed become If I am shadow'd with the Son ¶ On Darkness HOw Sinner Darkness better far than Light To be preferr'd It is because the Night Draws a thick Curtain over your black deeds But God's All seeing eye no Curtain heeds If he should shew severity to men And you in Hell you 'd hate your Darkness then ¶ On Love and Hatred I Love too much to hate what I should love I love too much to love what I should hate My Love and Hatred in wrong Centres move Such hateful love God doth abominate I love not Goodness neither hate I Evil My Hate to Vertue 's hot to Vice is cold I love too little God too much the Devil My Love and Hate wrong Objects do behold Lord change my Love to Hate my Hate to Love That so thy Just ce may of both approve ¶ On Justice and Mercy JUstice doth call for Vengeance on my sins And threatens Death as guerdon for the same Mercy to plead for pardon then begins With saying Christ hath undergone the shame Justice shews me an angry God offended And Mercy shews a Saviour crucifi'd Justice says I that sinn'd must be condemned Mercy replies Christ for my sins hath di'd Grim Justice threats with a revengeful Rod Meek Mercy shews me an appeased God Lord though my sins make me for Justice fit Through Christ let mercy triumph over it ¶ On Food A Man with all things needful may be sed God for both Soul and Body Food hath sent That for the Body is material bread And for the Soul his Word 's the nutriment If Bread I want my Body then must perish Without the Word my Soul will fail to thrive He that sends both sends both of them to cherish To keep both Body and the Soul alive Famine of Bread is a destructive Curse But Famine of the Word is much more worse Lord to my Soul thy Heav'nly Food apply Give that a life although my body die ¶ Christ All in All. CHrist is the Rock on which my Faith must build Christ is the Staff on which I safe may lean Christ is for my defence the safest Shield Christ is the Fountain that must wash me clean Who builds not on that Rock doth build on Sand Who leans from him trusts to a broken Reed He falls that fights not under his Command His Blood alone doth make me clean indeed Christ cleanses saves supports my feet from fall He is my only Rock my All in All. Lord to my Soul such Heav'nly Grace impart Thou may'st be Lord and Tenant of my heart ¶ I would but cannot I Would be rich but Riches fly away I would be great but 't is with Envy blended I would be fair but Beauty doth decay I would be brave but 't is with Pride attended I would be worldly-wise but that is Folly I would be strong but 't is a Beast-like guise I would be thought religious that 's unholy I would be learned but it makes not wise These vain Endowments soon draw to an end To each there is a But that doth attend Thus Fate who stops the race of worldly glory Shews such Endowments are but transitory ¶ The Voyage THe World 's a spacious Sea that 's large and wide And man a little Barque that sails therein His thoughts do drive him like the Wind and Tide The shelf that threatens shipwrack is his Sin His Heart 's the Pylot that this Ship doth guide Faith is the Freight with which he freely trades His Anchor Hope Thus doth he safely ride Heav'n is the Haven where the Barque unlades Needs must the Merchant in his Voyage thrive That safely doth at such a Port arrive Lord be thou Pylot to this Ship of mine That both the Ship and Lading may be thine ¶ The Careless Christian. I Do desire my Prayers may be heard Yet I my self regard not how I pray I fear God's wrath yet have I no regard To what I do or what I think or say I know his Promises are just and true Yet do I live as I believ'd them not I hear he Judgements hath for each ones due Yet careless I not terrifi'd a jot Searching my heart to finde the cause of this I find that in my heart no grace there is Lord since thy Grace
Sacred Writ we cleerly know That ev'ry man makes Vanity his show Preferment Pleasure Profit are the three That do compleat the Worldlings Trinity He dies a sinner as when he began At first to live So vain a thing is man Man Well may the Angels feet ne'r step aside When ye have God to be your glorious Guide How can ye wander or how can ye stray When ye are always in and with your way Your Conversations must be void of Strife When ye have God your Way your Truth Life Ang. Man was created in no less degree Than the bright Image of the Deity He above other Creatures well may boast As he 's the Temple of the Holy Ghost But how hath he that glorious form defac'd Defi'd his Maker and himself disgrac'd Retaining principles his Soul bereaves Making God's Temple seem a Den of Thieves How can Ingratitude sound louder than Yours to your God So vain a thing is man Man But if we do repent and pardon crave As God can smite so the same God can save Then bring us Hallelujahs from your Quier We 'll vie whose notes shall sweetest be and higher Both All Glory be to God on High And to the Holy Trinity As first it was is now and may When fading time shall want a day ¶ Of Mirth and Mourning IN midst of Mirth there sadness is And so in Grief there 's joy Whilst wealthy sinners faces smile Their hearts do feel annoy Carnal delights they are but vam And bring vexations too They sound like musick in a strain Whose discord ends in rue Thus to the Sensualist they play Left he prove dull and sad But when the Reckoning comes to pay It makes him downright mad So true is that of Solomon In laughter there is grief The end of mirth is heaviness And Hell the salse relief But he that 's truly penitent And doth his Tears impart They are to Angels straightway sent Rejoycing his own heart They are the solace of his Soul If bitter they appear His comforts then the sweeter are The sinner's Pearl's a Tear His Sighs and Groans if they are deep And threaten to destroy In peace he may lie down and sleep The fuller is his joy The beams of Consolation shine Into this house of grief His Soul in travel is at last Sweet Peace is his relief So that I truly may conclude He that doth mourn for Sin Doth weep for Joy a multitude Of Pleasure lies therein Those Christal Rivers that do flow So nâ—…er the Heav'nly King They their original do owe Unto a Weeping-spring One rich drop from a solid sigh Pure in a Christal-birth Is to be priz'd by far above Oceans of carnal Mirth ¶ On Ambition HOnour 's insatiate never satisfi'd Nor is the Beggar innocent from Pride The Labourer a Yeoman fain would be The Yeoman would a Gentleman's degree The Gentleman must worship'd be at Feast And to that end must be a Squire at least The swaggering Squire must needs be dub'd a Knight Then aims at Baron as his Title-right The Baron must be Lord to please his Girl If that won't do he must be made an Earl That done Ambition bids him still aspier Marquess in Heraldry is one step higher The Marquess then casts out his golden Hook With Cash and Crast till he becomes a Duke The Duke no arguments can him convince But that by merit he should be a Prince When Prince he elevates his foaring wing Flies to the Throne of a terrestrial King Yet there 's no rest so doth Ambition gull us He must be Caesar or he will be Nullus Caesar won't make him yet the World's Commander Wherefore he must be styl'd an Alexander And Alexander though the whole World's Rod Must be ador'd and worshipt as a God After his many wonders even then He sound himself to be as other men Base Pride eclipses those of high degree But before Honour is Humility Honour that Furnace which doth heat the blood Making men act things but profusely good Swelling Ambition makes a man its slave Till Death's sharp Dart doth post him to his grave But how in play first came this cheating Sin Adam would be a God so it came in Other sins fly from God and shun the chace This boldly flies in the Almighty's face All that the erring Children have to say Is this It was our Father led the way ¶ Spiritus Sanctus COme holy Spirit come and breathe Thy spicy Odours on the face Of our dull Region here beneathe And fill our Souls with thy sweet Grace Come and root out the poysonous Weeds That over-run and choak our lives And in our hearts plant thine own Seeds Whose quickning power our Spirit revives First plaâ—… the humble Violet there That dwells secure by being low Then let the Lily next appear And make us chast yet fruitful too But oh plant all the Vertues Lord And let the Metaphors alone Repeat once more that mighty Word Thou needst but say Let it be done We can alas nor be nor grow Unless thy powerful mercy please Thy hand must plant and water too Thy hand alone must give encrease Do then what thou alone canst do Do what to thee so easie is Conduct us through this World of woe And place us safe in thine own Bliss All Glory to the Sacred Three One Ever living Soveraign Lord As at the first still may he be Belov'd and prais'd fear'd and ador'd ¶ The Christian and a Worldling A Dialogue Wor. IS it not pleasant Christian to be great Chr. 'T is but a moral cheat Wor. Where lies the cheat when I receive the gold Chr. In crying sins untold Wor. Must I be wretched 'cause I'm growing rich Chr. Wealth is oft-times a Witch Wor. Amity with the World I never mist. Chr. That 's enmity with Christ. Wor. I cloath the naked I the hungry seed Chr. Those are good acts indeed Wor. My Purse for Alms flows like a Conduit pâ—…pe Chr. 'Cause ye the Widows gripe Wor. I fear my God and do my Neighbours love Chr. That men may well approve Wor. I relieve those that have in Perils been Chr. But only to be seen Wor. This do I do what is 't I should do more Chr. Give all unto the Poor Then may thy name be in the Christian-list And when thou' rt poor thy treasure is in Christ. ¶ On the Tree of Knowledge IN Paradise it was this Tree did grow Plac'd in the midst that man might thereby know It was the choicest Plant but Satan came And with his wiles beguiled Adam's Dame Taste Woman eat quoth he it doth descry Both Good and Evil eat and never die Forbear and perish herein lies the odds They that shall eat hereof shall be as Gods Is it not pleasant were it understood You 'd eat and say it is no common Food It is an Oyntment for your blinded eyes First taste then eat this Fruit will make you wise Eve like a silly woman then began To bite that Bait
for the frames Yielding such fruit as few have born but he Zealous for Heaven where he in Glory reigns so his Losses turn'd to be his Gains ¶ On Christ's Death MY God my God turn not to night my day Shall Mans black Crimes be Darts my heart to slay Must my dear blood on sinful dust be spilt To pay his debt and wash away his guilt My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Must I come from a Diadem to Death Leaving my joys in sorrow spend my breath Must I that am coequal with the Father Be crucifi'd that man may comfort gather My God my God c. I that e're now was cloath'd in state of Glory Am now in Rags of Flesh to tell my story I that fill ev'ry place in spight of danger Yet I in fear was cradled in a Manager My God my God c. To Egypt I compelled was to fly I am the Life yet I my self must die I am the sole Dictator of the Law Yet must be subject now and stand in aw My God my God c. 'T was I that both the Earth and Heavens made But working now at Joseph's homely trade Children of men I have ye ost exempted Can binde the Devils yet must I be tempted My God my God c. I made the World of Nothing Man of Dust Yet I have hungred and have been athirst I am become Life to the Lunatick If God can die Nature may well be sick My God my God c. Must I that keep the Keys of Death and Hell Pay visits now where griefs and terrours dwell Must Kings be made the subjects of their scorns And wear instead of Stars a Crown of Thorns My God my God c. My Senses all extreamly are agriev'd My eyes beholding whom I have reliev'd Mine ears with hearing lewd blasphemous Taunts Instead of Hallelujahs sung by Saints My God my God c. Smelling I finde my nostrils streight grow full O' th' evil scent of some corrupted skull My Taste is chang'd with Liquor like my Thrall Sower and bitter Vinegar and Gall. My God my God c. My Feeling with the Spear that pierc'd my side That man might live I thus was crucifi'd At length my Father heard me bad me die But nothing fear sor he himself stood by ¶ An Hymn By St. Ambrose and St. Augustine OUr tongues O God thy praise record We thee consess our Soveraign Lord. To thee Eternal Father all Who dwell on Earth do prostrate fall To thee the Angels at all hours To thee the Heavens and heav'nly powers To thee with voice incessantly The Seraphins and Cherubs cry Thou Holy Holy Holy one Of Sabbath Lord and God alone Fill'd is the Earth the Heavens the Skie With glory of thy Majesty The bless'd Apostles glorious Quire The Prophets whom thou didst inspire And all the White-rob'd Martyrs sing Eternal praise to thee their King The holy Church does loudly sound Thy blessed Name throughout the ronnd Of the whole Earth confessing thee Father of boundless Majestie The same is dutifully done To thy sole Venerable Son And to the Holy Ghost that arms The Soul with consolating Charms Thou Christ hast Kingly Glories won Thy Father 's dear Eternal Son Thou man to free from endless pain A Virgins womb didst nor disdain That death subduing didst unlock Heav'ns Realms unto thy faithful Flock On God's right hand thou fit'st as bright As in thy Father's radiant light Our Judge to come thou art esteem'd Thy servants therefore help redeem'd With thy most precious blood and make Us with thy Saints of Bliss partake Lord save thy people in distress Thy Heritage vouchsase to bless Rule and exalt them without end Our dayly blessings thee attend Thy glorious Name we magnifie From age to age eternally This day sweet Lord we now are in Preserve us from committ'ng sin Have mercy on us Lord efface Our sins with thy Coelestial grace Let mercy on us Lord be seen As in thy self our hopes have been Lord I have fix'd my hopes on thee Then let me ne're confounded be ¶ On Christ's Cross. CAn we spell Chris-cross row and yet not read That Christ for us was dead How he himself did humble unto death Loosing his life to give us breath But now he shines in the Coelestial Frame And hath receiv'd a Name To which all knees shall bow and tongues shall say This is the Lord we must obey He that doth disregard the Cross of Christ Of Happiness hath mist Destruction is his end his glory shame But happy he doth love the same I will not hate the Cross nor yet adore Any but he it bore I 'll not blaspheme the Cross because t was dy'd With his rich blood was crucifi'd Rich beyond price for when that blood was spilt It cleans'd a world of guilt It bought mankinde for when Christ's blood was flown As Lord he call'd us all his own Wherefore I will not worship any one But my dear Lord alone Take up my Cross and bear my Cross I will I 'll love it and embrace it still But to adore my Cross I will not dare All knees should that forbear In reverence to his Name all hearts shall bow With pious Zeal as mine does now Christ never wanted crosses scoffs and scorns His ways were strew'd with thorns Then may we judge by his most sacred birth He 's cross'd wants crosses here on Earth ¶ The Cross. Then let us count all things as loss And Dung compared with the Cross. This is the Figure of that Tree That bore the fruit of life for me The Emblem of Humility Express'd in him did on it die To it was nail'd the God of Life Who did in Love to end our Strife God had one Son who had no sin But all his Sons have crossed bin ¶ The Resurrection HE 's risen now behold the stone is gone Which late was rolled to inclose the Son Had the weak Jews so little wit or grace To trust to that when he fills ev'ry place Earth is his foot-stool yet he dwells on high Holy his Name himself 's Eternity ¶ The Ascention HOw nimbly and with what a quick ascent Heaven was scal'd by the Omnipotent But one days speedy journey surely then Sinners are sots that won't be happy men ¶ An Adoration to the Lord of the Sabbath BEhold we come dear Lord to thee And bow before thy Throne We come to offer on our knee Our Vows to thee alone Whate're we have whate're we are Thy bounty freely gave Thou didst us here in mercy spare And wilt hereafter save But oh can all our store afford No better gifts for thee Thus we confess thy Riches Lord And thus our Poverty 'T is not our tongue or knee can pay The mighty Debt we owe For more we should than we can say Far lower than we bow Come then my Soul bring all thy powers And grieve thou hast no more Bring ev'ry day thy choicest hours And thy great God adore
But above all prepare thy heart Whilst now 't is called day In humble duty bear thy part To sing to love and pray Glory to thee Eternal Lord Thrice blessed three in one Thy Name at all times be ador'd Till time it self be done ¶ Of God HE is the Author of the Worlds Creation Foundation The great and mighty Judge of mans Salvation Damnation The glorious Lord and only God Above Of Love That both to men and Angels is A God A Rod. He did the World create and by his hand Or word Foundations laid of Sea and Land Can save or damn as he doth best approve Will be our God or Rod as we shall love Thou that canst hold the Winds within thy fist Have mercy on us oh thou God in Christ. ¶ Of Christ. HE it is that gives us Peace Increase He to poor Souls cries I 'm your Jesu IESU He it is that is our Good Food The Saints with him do trust their Treasure Pleasure He it is can end our Life Strife He it is that gives us Breath Death He is to us a Judge and King Sting He is our Peace Increase our Jâ—…u and An Ease to those that wait on his Command Our Good our Food our Treasure and our Joy Our Life to see no Strife shall us annoy He gives us Breath can give us Death as King And unâ—…o death he is become a Sting He punish can or help us in our thrall For Christ is God's and God is all in all Wouldst farther know what God is silly Elf Go study first to be a God thy self ¶ God is Love GIve praise unto the Lord above Omit no thanks that thou canst move Dost thou not know that God is love In Word and Deed make him thy aim So shall thy Soul be free from blame Let his Commandments be in ure Obedience cannot be a clod Vs he hath spar'd and doth endure Ev'n still such is the love of God ¶ The Remembrance ANd now my Soul canst thou forget That thy whole life is one long debt Of Love to him who on the Tree Paid back the flesh he took for thee Lo how the streams of pretious blood Flow from five wounds into one flood With these he washes all thy stains And buys thy Ease with his own Pains Tall Tree of Life we clearly now That doubt of former ages know It was thy wood should make a Throne Fit for a more than Solomon Large Throne of Love royally spread With Purple of too rich a red Strange costly price thus to make good Thine own esteem with the Kings blood Hail fairest Plant of Paradise To thee our hopes lift up their eyes O may aloft thy branches shoot And fill the Nations with thy fruit O may all reap from thy increase The Just more strength the Sinner peace While our half-wither'd hearts and we Engraft our selves and grow on thee Live O for ever live and reign Bless'd Lamb whom thine own love hath slain And may thy lost Sheep live to be True lovers of thy Cross and thee ¶ Of Death 1 Cor. ch 15. v. 55 56. O Death where is thy sting The sting of death is sin O. Death forbear I yet must live Stay Death till God your Warrant give And then where you see best this heart Most willing is to seel your Dart. But Lord O let thy servants breath Preserv'd be from the sting of Death ¶ Of Grief THe tears come slowly Lord my sins remain O sting my shallow fords and make them rain Rivers of waters or if so thou please Send daring death my sorrows to decrease My grief is great 't is time to rise or fall Then cleanse me Lord from sin and ease my thrall That I may say O death where is thy sting And tell the world The sting of death is sin ¶ A Christian and Death A Dialogue Chr. COme valiant Death and welcome do thy worst Shew me the power thou claimst as being King Dea. Poor mortal know alas thou art but dust And I the Sexton that thy Knell must ring Chr. Away lean half-starv'd wretch go daunt a sool Think not to fright me with Thy glass is run Dea. Thou art my Scholar therefore come to School Delays but waste that time which might be gone Chr. Thou seemst a Student for thou lookst so poor That Famine in thy face I plainly read Dea. Come silly wretch you word it must no more See here 's thy Glass thy Doom and thou art dead Chr. Then boldly strike thou dost the body kill My Soul shall wait upon its Master's will Dea. Lie there proud dust all flesh is born to die Chr. This is the Road unto Eternitie ¶ The Altar A broken ALTAR Lord to thee I raise Made of a Heart to celebrate thy praise Thou that the onely Workman art That canst cement a broken heart For such is mine O make it thine Take out the Sin That 's hid therein Though it be Stone Make it to groan That so the same May praise thy Name Melt it O Lord I thee desire With Flames from thy Coelestial fire That it may ever speak thy Praise alone Since thou hast changed into Flesh a Stone ¶ Death Man and Grave A Dialogue Death COme down proud Lust. Man To what to Dust Grav I that you must and shall Man Thou thing of bones Grav That fetcheth groans Death From very stones and all Man From Dust I came Grav Thou must again Death Sin is thy bain and thrall Man That 's thee away Death With mortal Clay Grav Why do you stay you must Death Come leave your groans Man To go with bones Grav You must go once poor dust Death Nay do not frown Man Away rude Clown Death I 'll strike thee down proud lust Man Then I submit forbear your storms Seeing I must return a Guest To my Acquaintance old the worms Farewel fond World I 'll take my rest Grav I have a Charm will make you sleep And all you have you here may trust For Watchmen not a few I keep The harmless Worms that are so just With care they do befriend him That cometh here within this path Thus man one world of servants hath And when he on his Death-bed lies Another doth attend him ¶ Nature's Delight HArk my Soul how every thing Strives to serve our bounteous King Each a double tribute pays Sings its part and then obeys Natures chief and sweetest quire Him with chearful notes admire Chanting every day their Lauds Whilst the Grove their song applauds Though their Voices lower be Streams have too their melody Night and day they warbling run Never pause but still sing on All the flowers that gild the Spring Hither their sweet musick bring If Heaven bless them thankful they Smell more sweet and look more gay Only we can scarce afford Due thanksgivings to our Lord. We on whom his bounty flowes All things give and nothing owes Wake for shame my sluggish heart Wake and gladly sing thy part Learn
are they that thirst for Righteousness They shall be fill'd more than we can express Bless'd are the tender mercifus of minde They that in mercy give shall mercy finde Bless'd are the pure of heart their Sanctitie Shall lead them to the Holy Deitie Bless'd are peace-makers they shall make abode As Children with their Father and their God Blessed are they that suffer in a cause That 's just their suffering is their applause Blessed are they that persecuted are And when relivers do no venom spare When Disconcent sets all things out of frame Patience is Physick Prophers us'd the same Of Angels MY Soul in thy Devotions always say O God my God Lord hear me when I pray Let not or Saint or Angel though sublime Share of that honour which is due to him For if you give not God your Heart your All You Caesar rob to pay your Tythes to Paul Nor ought we to the Saints to shew neglect As if the objects of our disrespect Dives in his distress cry'd out for water To Abraham a Saint It is no matter We know what Dives was and will forbear To follow him that ran into a snare ¶ Of Christ's Passion FRom Circumcision to the hour of death Alas sad sate Christ's Passions still kept even with his breath Such was his state He first was in a Manger wrap'd In dangers nurs'd and often scap'd As he of Graces had the richest store So likewise he Of Tears of Sweat of Blood and yet much more Could not be free For Emulation then was understood As now it is 't was dangerous to be good And he that seeks for Peace 'mong men Shall finde it But the Lord knows when On St. Paul's Conversion SO shin'd that glorious Sun upon this Saint That falling down he did both fear and faint It was the Light of God that shin'd whose weight Might sorely press coming from such a height Encompass'd round so that he could not â—…lee From that same vo ce Why persecut it thou me From that same date St. Paul's Conversion came And he grew Master of a shining Fame ¶ On Christ's Praying CHrist in the Garden prays enclos'd with Trees And earnestly importunes on his knees That Cup might pass but see his Son-like skill In praying Father if it be thy will From whence I learn the duty of a Son It is to say Father thy will be done ¶ On Honour and Valour HOnour and Valour being once at strise Which should atchieve most glory in their life Honour did much went on would not give o're Valour flew boldly on and did much more The World 's uncertain Honour he was beat Yet Valour 's head must serve for Honour's seat ¶ On Tinder TO Tinder like each strike That Satan gives My Soul receives With ev'ry Match a Catch My Soul does get When he doth hit Hereafter I will flie Temptations all so shall My Voice be rightly tun'd and apt to say I 'll worship none but God and him obey ¶ The Litany O God the Father God the Son That made and did redeem each one And God the Holy Ghost look on us miserable sinners By thy most bloody sweat and Cross By thy pretious death and loss By thy ascending up from dross Good Lord deliver us In all our troubles time of wealth In time of sickness or of health In Deaths sad hour which comes by stealth Good Lord deliver us We sinners do beseech thee Lord To prosper and increase thy Word Unto thy Church good Rules afford We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. That it may please thee to endue All Ministers with knowledge true That we with profit may it shew We beseech thee c. That Grace and Wisdome may increase That Wars and Jarrings all may cease That we thy people may have peace We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to bestow On us thy servants here below Hearts that shall praise for what we owe We beseech thee c. That it may please thee be the way For their return that do each day Deceive themselves and go astray We beseech thee c. That it may please thee by thy hand To strengthen those aright do stand Others to raise by thy command We beseech thee c. That it may please thee succour those That grief and tribulation knows When persecuted by their foes We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to preserve Captives in danger like to starve And from Childe-bearers not to swerve We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to desend The Fatherless and to the end Thy blessings to the Widows send We beseech thee c. That it may please thee pity all And keep our Enemies from thrall Fetch home their hearts that from thee fall We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to defend On us the kindly fruits that grow Be God and friend unto thy foe We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to forgive Our sins that we upright may live According to thy Word and thrive We beseech thee c. O Son of God we pray thee hear O Lamb of God do not forbear To look in mercy on each Tear We beseech thee c. After our sins O do not us regard Nor after our iniquities reward Lord have mercy upon us Christ have mercy upon us Let us pray Our Father c. ¶ On St. Michael the Archangel WE praise thee Christ among the quires Of Angels who thy voice obey That art the life of Heart-desires Thy Father's Power and shining Ray. Whole myriads of heav'nly Peers Fight for thy cause in close aray But Michael who thy Standard bears The Cross of Safety does display He the pernicious Dragon threw Into the flames of Hell's Abyss The Captain with his Rebel-Crew He thundred from Coelestial Bliss Under this Prince let 's every one Against Pride's Captain combat so As that the Lamb may from his Throne Crown Glories upon us below To God the Father God the Son And to the Holy Ghost in Heaven As hitherto it hath been done Let Glory evermore be given ¶ Oppositions GOd is light and sin is dark God lives above and sin beneath God is just but sin 's a Shark God is Life and sin is Death God is Heaven sin is Hell God is fair and sin is foul God saves many that rebel Sin 's Damoation to the Soul Adam in Paradise did stand Angels in Heaven by God's command But sin doth with a gilded Dart Not only tempt but wound the heart God doth entreat the Soul by love Sin with deceit the Soul doth move Sin laid the corner-stone in Hell Sin made this World a Monster swell In all to God 't is flatly opposite It wants the good of Vertue and of Light ¶ On Thoughts STill I am thinking thoughts that are not good They are as common as my food And do increase like Beans in mud As thick as any Wood. Suppose I harbour some that do
no ill Nor yet no good they hurt when fill To little purpose lying still And such a hurt may kill When I am praying to the Lord my God They often on my Prayers have trod And when I hope'd to scape the rod My sins have still abode The reason sure why I am thus possest With such a bold unwelcome guest Unto my shame be it consest It is because his Nest With my consent before was builded there Who now lies lurking like a Bear Watching my sinful Soul to tear When once got in his snare Lord be my Surgeon heal my wounded heart And give me grace that by that Art I may devise a Bolt or Dart To cause such thoughts depart For with repentant tears it is con'est Thou art a help to men opprest When we are most of all distrest Thou art our chiesest rest With fervent Zeal unto thy aid we flee Thou art our Rest Truly our hope 's in thee ¶ On Repentance REpentance is a gift which comes from high We are not with it born None of themselves repentantly can cry Or make the World his scorn They 're carnal Christians think it is enough To mingle Lord have mercy with their stuff We Jewels buy and they prove counterfeit So man himself undoes Thus in Repentance Souls themselves do cheat And their rich Jewel loose Which made one say Repentance would not lin Until it damned many more than sin If we repent for sin 't is nothing worth Unless we do refrain From it as well for if we from our birth Delighted to be vain Yet sometimes weep but still our hearts do harden God will us with a Contradiction pardon The sorrow of this World it worketh Death But godly sorrow that Repentance works and that eternal breath The Lord himself doth hate Man for his sins that numberless do flush And for those sins doth love as much the blush Repentance strips us of those Garments black That the first Adam's was It kills our sins and keep us from the wrack Though now we are but Grass It doth revive Our Tears do water so That we like Plants of Paradise do grow All above all thou art O God most just Repentance grant to me That I may cleanse my Carnal house of Dust And make it fit for thee Teach me that Lesson which doth still remain With dayly Tears to wash my dayly stain Repentance should appear before I die Nor can I know the when My dying-day shall come or when I flie From hence to thee agen Therefore gâ—…ve me Repentance ev'ry day So shall my flight be clear and thou my way No better showers extinguish can the flames Of Hell than sinners Tears Begin â—…etimes trust not to after-games Forthey bring after-fears Have little cause to say Wo's me that I Who liv'd a sinner must a sinner die We all are apt to think it is too soon Repentance to begin We put it off from morning until noon From thence do farther spin Whenas we hourly should prepare a room To entertain our God when he shall come Beda makes mention of a certain man Who lying very sick Was counsell'd by his Friends his life to scan And to repent while quick Who said His sins he would not yet shake off Lest if he should recover then a scoff To his Companions he himself should make But still he waxed worse His Friends then counsell'd him again to take Repentance not his Curse He answered them That then it was too late For he was plung'd in a condemn'd estate Better it is by far from sin to flie Than lack Repentant cure For he that hath no wounds fears not to die But liveth safe and sure 'T is good for any man more for his ease Neither to know the Cure nor the Disease ¶ On the Day of Judgment AH come it will that dreadful day Which shall the World in Ashes lay As David and the Sibyl both could say How men will tremble and grow pale When Justice comes with Sword and Scale To weigh the faults and sort the fates of all A Trumpet first shall rend the Skies And all whereever laid must rise And come unto the Bar in Pris'ners guise Nature and Death amaz'd will stand To see each one rebodied and Brought to reply himself to each demand A written Book lie open shall Containing each ones Charge and all By those grand Evidences stand or fall Then sits the Judge himself and tries No shifting from All-seeing eyes Nor scaping seen whoe're deserves it dies Oh then poor I what shall I do Which Friend or Patron take me to When Saints themselves are scarce secure from wo Dread Lord to thee thy self run I Who sav'st the sav'd without a why And so mayst me thou source of Clemencie Think who did once thy pity move And drew thee from thy Throne above Cast me not off at last thy former Love Thou tir'dst thy self in seeking me And for my sake di'dst on a Tree Let not in vain such pangs and labour be True thou hast dealt thy mercies home Yet acts of grace mayst deign to some At least before that day of Reckoning come I guilty am e're thou me try My looks and blushes me descry But Mercy Lord O Lord do not deny Thou who didst once a Magd'len spare And of a Thief condemn'd took'st care B'dst me by these examples not despair Not that my Prayers ought can claim But thou art good be still the same That wretched I burn not in endless flame When from the Goats thou shalt divide Thy Sheep let me with thee abide Plac'd in Eternal Bliss on thy right side And then those great 〈◊〉 ssizes done The Curs'd to flames tormenting thrown Say Come ye blessed meaning me for one Lord this I beg on bended knee With heart contrite as ashes be That thou take care both of my end and me ¶ On Sighs and Groans SIgh on sad Heart as hard as Diamond-stone At ev'ry breathing usher forth a groan For such although thou dost not speak Sufficient are thy minde to break Or if thy groans are smothered with grief And steal out softly as a cunning thief God hears and understands the cry Better than he that lets them fly For many sighs and groans are poured out Loaded with thoughts so that this heavy scout Hath such an Errand then to tell Where to begin he knows not well God hath a Bottle for the sinners Tear And ready is as we to speak to hear Heav'n is attentive to a sinners sute And sighs are vocal though the tongue be mute ¶ Knots WHo reads a Chapter when to bed Shall not have Aches in his head Who opes his Purse unto the Poor Shall finde it filling more and more Whose heart and tongue obey God's Word Both beats the bush and gets the bird Who keeps his thoughts from things amiss Is thinking on his way to Bliss Who keeps his Conscience pure and clear Is always feasting year by year Whose stomach doth for Dainties crave With
our Cup was sweet but mix'd Here all is pure refin'd and fix'd All quintessence of Joy Hear'st thou my Soul what glorious things The Church of Heav'n in triumph brings Of their bless'd life above Chear thy faint hopes and bid them live All these thy God to thee will give If thou embrace his love Great God of rich rewards who thus Hast crown'd thy Saints and wilt crown us As both to thee belong O may we both together sing Eternal praise to thee our King In one eternal Song ¶ On Greatness and Goodness GReatness is with a strong desire affected And often sought with hazard cost and pain Goodness of greater worth is less respected Priz'd as a thing both needless is and vain Greatness aspires and sets it self on high While Goodness walks below with humble pace The first is follow'd with an Eagle's eye The last is thought unworthy of the Chace But Greatness seeks that which is transitory And Goodness aims at Grace which leads to Glory Lord let thy Grace my mundane thoughts defeat That I may study to be Good not Great ¶ The Soul's Yearnings MY Soul pants towards thee My God Fountain of Light and Life Flesh strives with me Conclude the strife That so in blessed peace I may Unclay My Spirit that done swiftly take My flight to thy refreshing Spring Where for thy sake Who art my King I may wash all my griefs away That day And conquer Sin and Death Thou great Triumpher o're the Grave Whose life and breath Was spent to save A wretched World make me be stil'd Thy Child And grant that when I die And leave this World that then my Soul Above the Skie Thou wilt enroul That in thy arms for ever I Even unto Eternity May lie ¶ The Divine Inquest TEll me you bright Stars that shine Round about the Lambs high Throne How though bodies once like mine How you are thus glorious grown Heark with one voice they reply This was all our happy skill We on Jesus fix'd our eye And his em'nent followers still As we clearly saw their mind Set and rul'd we order'd ours Both this state alone design'd Up towards this strain'd all our pow'rs Taught by Temp'rance we abstain'd From all less for greater goods Slighting little drops we gain'd Full and sweet and lasting floods Arm'd with Fortitude we bare Lesser evils worse do flie Mortal Death we durst out-dare Rather than for ever die Justice we observ'd by giving Ev'ry one their utmost due That in peace and order living All might freely Heav'n pursue Prudence govern'd all the rest Prudence made us still apply What was fittest what was best To advance great Charity On those golden wheels of Grace That Love 's fiery Chariot bear We arriv'd at this bright place Follow us and never fear O sure Truth O bless'd Attesters O that all the World may prove Of both these such strong digesters That both these may feed their love Him who made us all for this Him who made himself our way Him who leads us unto Bliss May all praise and all obey ¶ The Sinners Tears SHed forth apace and make a Bath To cure my Soul of sin Haste out for God a bottle hath To keep ye in Every Tear is worth a Crown It lifts the Soul to Heav'n Supports the same from sinking down To filthy Leav'n They 're comfort to the Heart they 're case Embassadors to God To beg he may his wrath appease And spare his Rod. They 're holy Messengers of Saints Sent to him to impart They 're godly sorrows each Tear paints Their grief of heart Then flow amain and weep those fords Or little Rivers dry And when I 've vented all my hords Then I Will groan because no longer cry And die That I may live eternally ¶ On St. John's day TO day Let 's sing Joy to the friend of Heaven's King He in his bosom lay Secur'd the Keys Of his profound and hidden Mysteries Those to the World dispensed by his hand Did make it stand In admiration to behold that light Happily came From the Throne of the Lamb And to invite Our sinful eyes which nothing else could see But Fire and Sword Hunger and Miserie Anticipating by their ravish'd sight The beauty of Coelestial delight Great Lord of all O hear me when I pray That when my heap of Clay Shall fall away O let thy gracious hand support me up That on the Lambs rich Viand I may supâ—… And that in this last supper I May with thy friend in thy rich bosom lie For ever to eternitie ¶ Acknowledgements MY God had I my breath from thee This hour to speak and sing And shall my voice and shall my song Praise any but their King My God had I my Soul from thee This pow'r to judge and chuse And shall my Brain and shall my Will Their best to thee resuse Alas not this alone or that Hast thou bestow'd on me But all I have and all I hope I have and hope from thee And more I have and more I hope Than I can speak or think Thy blessings first refresh then fill Then overflow the brink Glory to thee Immortal God O great Co-equal Three As at the first beginning was May now and ever be ¶ The Wish OH that I once were in that City Where Hallelujah is the Ditty Where Contemplation is the Diet Sure that 's the place where man is quiet Oh that I once were in that Court Where all good Spirits do resort Where Love and Joy and Grace abound Sure that 's the place where man is crown'd Oh that I once could sly the wav From my unfurnish'd house of Clay For should my Landiord sue for Rent Too late it would be to repent But sighs and tears will pay my score He 's merciful and asks no more Then whilst thy Fountain hath one Tear to yield Weep oh my Soul and to th' Elizium field Swim in a River of Repentant Tears Thy Rent is paid and thou art freed from fears ¶ The Caution OPen thine eyes my Soul and see Once more the light returns to thee Look round about and chuse thy way Thou meanst to travel o're to day Think on the dangers thou mayst meet And always watch thy sliding feet Think where thou once hast fall'n before Observe the place and sin no more Think on the helps thy God bestows Contrive to steer thy life by those Think on the sweets thy Soul doth feel When thou dost well and do so still Think on those pains that shall torment Those sinners bold that neâ—…e repent Think on the joys that wait above To crown the head of holy Love Think what at last will be thy part If thou go'st on where now thou art See Life and Death set thee to chuse One thou must take and one refuse O Lord be thou my perfect Guide So shall I never step aside Still make me walk still make me tend Be thee my way to thee my end All Glory to the
intreat For we are all condemned there Lord then O cast a look On thy Book Of Life behold we read A Saving Jesus here And in that Name our sure Salvation see Lord make us free And cross within Our scores of sin That cancel'd all our debts are paid by thee ¶ On Heaven BRight glorious Lord uncircumscribed Treasure Of everlasting Pleasure Thy Throne is placed far Above the richest Star Where thou prepar'st a splendid place Within the glory of thy face That each Spirit May inherit Who builds his hopes 〈◊〉 thy merit And thee adores with holy charity No ravish'd heart seraphick tongue or eyes Inspir'd can once surmise Or speak or think or see So bright Eternity The glorious King 's transparent Throne Is of pretious Jasper-stone Where the eye O' th' Chrysolite With a Skie Of Di'monds Rubies Chrysoprase But above all thy brighter face Speaks an eternal Charity When thou thy Jewels bindest up that day Forget not us we pray But there where the Beryl lies Christal too above the Skies That there thou mayst afford us place Within the glories of thy face And enroul Each ones Soul In the Scroul Of Life and Blessedness that we May praise thy Name unto Eternitie ¶ On Hell DIsmal darkness sad and sore An everlasting Night Groans and Shricks when sinners roar In their abyssful plight No corner there but hath a Snake Breeding in the infernal Lake Heaps of Fire and Beds of Snow Are the chief delights below A Viper springing from the fire Is his hire That prizeth moments to Eternity O thou God of Day and Night Fountain of eternal light Allelujahs Hymns and Psalms Holy Coronets of Palms Adorn the Temple evermore Almighty God Let not thy Iron Rod Bruise our bones with an eternal pressure Let thy mercy be the only measure If thou shouldst hoard up wrath in store We shall all die Not one be left to glorifie The Lord and tell How thou preserved hast our Souls from Hell ¶ The Salutation of Saints JEsus who man's Redeemer art The solace of each godly heart The ransom'd World's great Architect Chast light of Souls which thee affect What mercy conquer'd thee my God That thou wouldst bear our sinful load And innocent wouldst death endure That us from death thou mightst secure Still let commiseration press To give our damages redress And by fruition of thy sight Inrich us with a blessed light Thou guide to Heav'n and path to Rest Be thou the scope of ev'ry brest Be thou the comfort of our tears Our sweet reward above the Spheres ¶ On Pride THe proud man looks that ev'ry one should shew A Reverence to him though none they owe. I 'll value such as we do coyn set forth Just what they go for rather than their worth Pride unto Reason seemeth ever strange Is Reason absent there 't is Pride doth range And then for Reason there is none beside That is so highly opposite to Pride For Reason maketh Art Dame Nature's ape And Pride turns Nature out of Nature's shape ¶ Jeremiah's Lamentation For Jerusalem's Desolation COnsider Lord the wretched poor and vile A glorious City no sh 'as lost that stile She and her joys are under an Exile Behold and see Thou Lord as in a Wine-press hast her trod And crush'd her Virgins with an Iron Rod Sin was the cause but Lord thou art her God May it please thee To wipe away her Tears that do pour down Cause thou that art the Comforter dost frown O let repentant Tears offences drown And send relief O all ye passing by behold her sorrow Jerusalem Jerusalem would borrow Tears of ye all but none will say Good morrow The more 's her grief Her Sucklings sigh and cry for Corn and Wine Whilst she her self for want thereof doth pine Jerusalem was ever grief like thine Behold and weep She that was call'd the Joy of all the Earth Is Desolation now and nothing worth Her sorrows to her Enemies are mirth Her Lovers sleep The apples of her eyes do finde no rest Their streams o'reflow the flood-gates she 's distrest And sorrow doth become a constant guest Doth never fail Her old and young ones both lie on the ground Her Priests and Prophets thou dost deeply wound Terrours on ev'ry side beset her round On hill and dale Wormwood besots she seems as she were drunk This angry tempest hath her treasure shrunk She that was full of people now is sunk And desolate Her Soul 's remov'd from any glimpse of Peace Prosperity is fled there doth increase But sad effects of groans which never cease Such is her fate They that on Delicates were wont to feed In Dust and Ashes now lament their need Jerusalem is bow'd and broke indeed But God is just The Enemies they did her Maidens finde And ravished her Young men forc'd to grinde Confider Lord how she with grief hath pinde Upon the dust Remember Lord her Wormwood and her Gall Oh hear her sad complaints and ease her thrall Lord hear my Pray'rs and Tears for her I call In mercy see Oh lay that darksome Cloud from off thy face One smile will say thou think'st upon her case Oh hear and help her Lord of thy good grace Thou glorious Three Judge and revenge her cause O Lord my God Behold her scorners how they mock and nod In mercy towards her withdraw thy Rod. Lord let her cry Unto thee fly And let her not Be quite forgot As if O Lord she never were That she may sing Of thee her King That unto thee none may compare ¶ On Sin SIn is such an uncouth thing I cannot well define it Death doth own it is his sting God bids me undermine it But it so cunning is that when I think to win the day It now comes over under then And blows my baits away It seiz'd my Parents and beguil'd More learned men than I And when I think it is most milde I have most cause to fly At Church when I Devotion have It hovers o're my book And bids me think upon my Grave And off the other look Invisible it is no doubt And felt before 't is seen It subtilly can wheel about And like an Angel seem Good deeds I know accepted are And will be evermore But if I do not well I sear Sin lieth at the door Sin as a Serpent cunningly Doth lurk upon the scout That if my foot but tread awry My sins they finde me out If I with Brother break my word The fact may not be great But if I sin against the Lord Who shall for me intreat Many the faults are of my Youth I have been oft misled But they are blessed faith the truth Whose sin is covered Wherefore O Lord I will confess What in those days I did O grant thy merciful redress And let my sins be hid But I with heart and knee will bow In duty to adore thee Then recollect and study how To set my sins before me Shap'd in Iniquity I was A
will rectifie my course Grant me that Grace which breedeth true remorse ¶ On Life and Death THe life I live on Earth uncertain is Being attended with a certain death Which will produce eternal Bane or Bliss Waiting the expiration of my breath It doth behove me then to have a care How I my short and pretious time do spend Left I through sin be trapt in Satan's snare Griefs then beginning when my life doth end Lord grant as Life and Death do here begin My Life may be to grace my Death to sin ¶ The 〈◊〉 AWay fond Youth Vertue is hid in Truth Your Vanities can no contentment bring Alas give o're Thy pleasure 's but a sore Honey at first but in the end a Sting Seek not in vain So to augment thy pain Such is thy grief that nothing surer is Fond Youth give ore Woo not a festring sore When thou hast found thou 'lt wish that thou didst miss Love not this world but minde the things above In seeking so thou shalt finde love for love ¶ The Steward IT is not much I have yet I have more Than some that live more splendidly than I. Although I am not rich I am not poor But have enough to vanquish penury All that I have is lent me and I must Give an account to God how I do use it Or if I hide it up and let it rust Or by miss spending wastfully abuse it It had been better I had poorer been Than ti'd a slave in chains of gold to sin Lord grant my Talent so on me bestown May be employ'd as thine and not mine own ¶ The Coelestial Painter O Thou most holy God of Bliss Who paintst the Heaven's centre cleer In burning brightness fair address With goodly lights as doth appear Who on the fourth day didst ordain The fiery circle of the Sun And for the Moon an order set And Stars their wandring course to run That thou might'st give the Nights and days Divided bounds to keep them in As an allured mark to know How duly all the Months begin Illuminate the heart of man Wipe out the soulness of the minde Cast down the heaps of our misdeeds The bands of guilt do thou unbinde Grant this O holy Father most And eke the Son equal to thee Together with the Holy Ghost That reigns in all Eternity ¶ The Holy Innocents HAil you sweet and building flowers Whom when you life began to taste The enemy of Christ devours As whirlwinds down young Roses cast First Sacrifice to Christ you went Of offered Lambs a tender sort With Palms and Crowns you innocent Before the sacred Altar port Glory O Lord be given to thee Whom the unspotted Virgin bore All glory to the Trinitie From all both now and evermore ¶ To the Divine Creator O God which diddest man create And hast alone all things assign'd The Earth to bring forth savage Beasts And creeping things each in their kind Great bodied Creatures are ordain'd By thy great Word and Will to live In times and seasons man to serve To whom they all subjection give Put from thy servants far away What to uncleanness may allude It self in manners to suggest Or in our actions to intrude Give us the recompence of jovs And yield to us thy graces free In sunder break the bands of strife Confirm the bands of Unity ¶ The New Birth A Multitude of Creatures do agree To give their Documents to wretched man As Emblems and Examples whereby he May learn to write himself a Christian. The Eagle casts her bill the Ass his hair The Peacoak 〈◊〉 is plumes the Snake his skin And shall not Man a Creature far more fair Renew himself by shaking off his fin Old fins retain'd do fester as they lie To the new man belongs felicity He that would clear himself from worldly stain To sin must die to life be born again Die to the flesh and if you would inherit Eternal life be born then of the Spirit This is the Birth a Christian should prefer For being born of God he cannot err Lord let thy Grace my idle thoughts subdue That I may change the Old man for the New ¶ Degrees of Love IF I a Creature love it may not know The Channel whence my flood of Love doth flow But God knows all mens hearts and will approve Of love to him for God himself is Love If I a Creature love it no regard May have to make amends God doth reward But when my kinde affections do intrude The Creature answers with ingratitude If I a Creature love that Creature may Be captious peevish making me its prey The love of God exceeds the love of men For loving him I 've love for love agen A humour too may make a Creature fly me But loving God I have him always by me If I a Creature love that very thing On which I dote may prove to me a sting But to love God brings comfort joy and ease For he 's the everlasting Prince of Peace If I a Creature love my care must be For that but God will Angels charge with me If I a Creature love my hearts desire Is all inflam'd but with Terrestrial fire But loving God my Soul and Senses feel The holy flames of a Coelestial Zeal If I a Creature love for face parts limb That moves God dwells in me and I in him If I a Creature love it doth not know All my affairs God knows whate're I do If I a Creature love it doth deceive me If I love God he 's ready to relieve me If I a Creature love much pain and grief Attend but loving God I finde relief If I a Creature love we both must die But God gives life to all eternitie If I a Creature love I oft behold Those slights and faults which make my love grow co'd But if on God I firmly fix my love The love of God doth make my love improve He is so good so noble rich sweet fair Mighty and wise so exquisitly rare I 'll court his love as he hath taught with Prayer ¶ Bad at Best MY Practice gives the lye to my Profession I give too large a rein unto my Will I do not grieve enough for my Transgression But do delight in contemplating ill I wish for Heav'n but tread the path of Hell I love the day but more the deeds o' th' night Little I have yet that I use not well I covet much but covet not aright Good deeds ill done run clearly 'gainst the byas Wishes and words are winds our deeds must try us My ways are evil sin doth too much attend them Open mine eyes O Lord and I shall mend them Time's Travel THe uberous womb of Time since its creation Innumerable issues hath brought forth Of strange and of prodigious generation And glorious things of beauty and of worth It 's never barren but is ever breeding Unwonted forms and various shapes of things It was it is and will through time succeeding Continue