againe let Sathans will be crost And then will I thy goodnesse still unfold And cause poore sinners mercy to behold Hee findes successe in his suit with God Alas poore man I pitie on thee take I doe intend thee my redeem'd to make Thou shalt from sinne and Sathan be set free Onely thou shalt be servant unto me I heard thy mone my bowels could not stay To grant thy suit no longer I le delay Thy dreadfull passion came before my sight Then my compassion sent down heavenly light I will thee make an instrument of praise To fight with sin and Sathan all thy dayes Seeing I have brought thy soule and body back From hell whether sin commanded thee to pack And after thou hast serv'd me herein love Then thou shalt dwell with me in heaven above And sin and death that sought to ruine thee Shall be arraign'd and both condemn'd by me The nature of Death with his unsatiable speech and lamentation VVhen death by sin had once possest the earth And found that man was mortall made by birth Still since that time he strikes at all mankinde As well the great as those that come behinde The first man living though a mighty King Death ventred on and struck him with his sting All good bad that liv'd in ancient time Though some liv'd long yet some died in their prime The best that ever on the earth had breith Though free from sin yet was not freed frō death So till this day experience proveth true He darts down some and claimes the rest for due His hungry jawes will ner'e be satisfied While one doth live and on the earth abide And if that once the man that lives he have Brought down to death he bars him in the grave And so triumphs and rules among the slaine For where his kingdome is there he doth raigne When he hath pill'd the world of all her store Though this is done yet still he wishes more O that there were an other world or two I would to worke and make no more adoe O that I mght but use my kingly power Then I would seek mans ruine every hower Graves yeeld no food that give me such content As living flesh to that my mind is bent Nothing there is so pleasant to my taste As lives of men when I doe lay them waste What am I made a King but for a time No power can I use amongst the flime Unlesse it be the silly wormes to slay That can I in the least part of the day I thought I should have been a King for ever Sin set me up I doing my indeavour Perform'd the worke that I was bid to doe I fear'd no man for I was hardy too Assure so quicke for in a little space All nations people were brought in deadly case And must I needs give ore this mighty trading Which cōstant was though all the world was fading This is not all I think I heard some say I must be bound ore to the judgement day If it be so I my defence will make As Kings of all their subjects place doetake Untill that time you 'l heare no more of me How stands the case then all the world shall see Sinnes probable destinie Sinne 's now accus'd with all his sinfull crimes Laid to his charge 't is corrupt are the times The righteous man which doth against sin stand Is very like to have the upper hand Unto the seate of Justice sin is brought An equall judge doth never stand for nought But tries the truth and gives to each his due When once of it he hath had a carefull view Sinne being apprehended is accused before an impartiall Judge Sinne hath me vext ere since I had a being And all men else that carefull are in seeing Shall finde him plotting mischiefe with his will VVith malice murther striving for to kill The seed of good that in mans heart are sowne And every plant that is not of his owne If one be good that hee would from him take If one be bad he tries him worse to make From bad to worse from worse to worst of all More could I say sin counts these things but smal Sinnes vile answer and Request Answer to this what is this true or no T is all but lyes he is my deadly foe He speakes for malice his words have no savor Hee 's but a foole and thinkes to curry favour Because forsooth I am not so precise Though I doe sweare he tells as many lies He hates my waies and I hate his as much I doe him scorne as also loath to touch What though in mirth I take my liquor well What though I brawle rail with them I dwel What though I play and sport both day night Though I blaspheme and court what I might I force no man if I can any draw With craft or fraud I hold it in good law This I will add I 'le open all my store Seeing he is vext I 'le vexe him ten times more Because indeed I doe not often pray And when I doe my heart shall be away He 'd have me read and heare a blacke reproach Poore foolish things yet farre above my reach Pray Sir consider this and free me quite Out of the hands of this malicious wight The Impartiall Iudge his answer he turnes over Sinne and Death to be tried by the Judge of the world Now well it is I heard you each oue single But thy vile words have made my eares to tingle What he did say thy words have now made worse What cāst expect but Gods eternal curse His words are true thine most unjust appeare Sin 's the Delinquent the Righteous man I cleare I le turne thee over to that righteous Judge To whom the world must yeeld though many grudge There thy confession shal be on record Besides the rest that will come word for word I have no baile must I in prison lye That matters not from God thou canst not flye And Death of whom I heate such ill report I understand to be thy great confort Call him to me it 's no matter let him stay Both are reserv'd unto a greater day The righteous man that did thee apprehend Will ruine thee thou canst it not defend And Death by Life will be und one also Your seeming friends each one will turne a foe The Righteous man hath leave granted to prosecute Sinne and Life to prosecute Death Who 's that below that faine would speak with mee A poore sinner Lord that lies in miserie What is that other which by thee doth stand Lord this is Life that doth preserve a land What would yee have speak both for both have breath Free me from sin Free me likewise from death What hath Sin done or Death seeing you desire Sin promis'd good but death comes for sins hire Here they are both give us both leave to speake If thou deny Lord both our hearts will breake Both speak your minds the Saints I made the
here For truth their crown they doe augment Their glory shall the more appeare Though death do close them in his tent God shewes his face here most to such That liv'd long wrought and did not grudge 41. It 's best for bad to die betime For living long their sins increase And sinfull acts grow to their prime Their sinnes live still though life do cease Though they are rotten in the dust Their sins are fresh they meet them must 42. They 'd best to tremble in such sort At thoughts of death that they may know And heare the dreadfull ill report Of sinne while here they live below Death puts an end to vaine delights Then doth begin hell horror frights 43. But to the just their sorrow ends They joy though 't was begun before With full increase which makes amends For trouble much their joyes are more Of this the blessed Saints can tell As damned can relate of hell 44. What though the soule and body parts Which loving friends have been so long The thoughts of this may glad their hearts That they shall meet both sweet and strong Refin'd and with each other joy In heaven still without annoy 45. Death is no death it doth but ope A doore the soule away may flie And so possesse that blessed hope It hath of true felicitie To leave fraile life who 'd thinke it strange To have eternall in exchange 46. Death 's but a blast that soone blowes ore And never more shall looke on thee The hurt is nothing feare is more Though dreadfull it do seeme to be God will it sweeten from above And thou shalt finde his constant love 47. I le feare it not for why should I For life and death together goes By every crosse I le learne to die They 'r both my friends but they are foes Life doth consent with Death each day To take part of my life away 48. Lord I will serve thee while I here Remaine what need I much to care For death when thou freest me from feare I will thy goodnesse still declare My life shall ever speake thy praise When death comes I shall live alwayes FINIS The Resolutions of the Muse in her Pilgrimage NOw I of Time and Vanity have sung Of Darknesse Light and Life sad sweet strong Of Sin of Death Instructions too among I le seeke my fortune now and goe about I shall be entertain'd I make no doubt Though I am naked love will finde me out I shall be cloth'd then in a sute of Leather And love and I both still shall dwell together And she 'l be glad that ever I came hither And if a Noble person do me grace To take me in in this distressed case I le do my service faithfull in my place If one that 's learned take me home to dwell I le pray him then that he will use me well Or to a better I my selfe will sell. If I should dwell with him that 's truly wise He 'l hide my faults what 's of worth he 'l prize And then my song to praise him shal devise If he that 's honest bids me welcome in I le doe my best to helpe to kill his sin I shall not lose yet he by me shall win If noble learned wise and honest too Doe shew respect to me who then durst doe Me wrong they cannot 't is no matter who If one ignoble seeing me doe grutch To shew me favour thinke it 's all too much That I receive I looke for none of such If one unskill'd in any learned art Against me proudly act a Tyrants part He 'l vexe in vaine he shall not greeve my heart For want of wit if any doe me blame Let them as fools keep in their spight with shame My song's the same and so are they by name If one that 's vile looke with disdainfull eye On me because I doe his faults espie I le leave him gall'd when I from him doe flie If any Senior looking big and grave Conceits he knowes yet he no knowledge have If me he slight I will his absence crave Or if I finde one with an emptie pate That nothing speakes though he doe ever prate I le shew his shame but not his person hate If one I finde that hath a barren soule And will not see 't yet doe my words controule Let him be put with stultus in his rowle If one that 's simple doe desire me To gaine experience constant I will be To doe my best to him that all shall see If any censure me is this the cause Their parboyl'd spirits cannot gaine applause They break both Gods Natures humane laws If one detract from good or turne to ill My honest meaning this may follow still That such like things his measure here may fill Such Imps to plead for sinne were very fit But seldome they have so much art or wit As pride or lust have for to manage it If one that reades and rudely breakes my feet Or spoyles my joynts my musicke is not sweet To him the Horne-book is for him most meet If one through envie proudly do disdaine To grant me favour others will obtaine The fruit but he hath labour for his paine If any mend my faults I will him praise And with my voice his honour I will raise His name in me preserv'd shall be alwsyes All that I crave is but a spotlesse name And not to mount upon the wings of fame Plain welcome likes me quit me all from blame You know my minde for what I speake is true Being modest I will not for favour sue Receive me else I le bid you now adieu FINIS
Thy friendship turnes unto disease 51. A stab disease or gust of winde Will turne thee out thou art inclin'd For small occasions to distafte Thou leav'st us still to pay the rent We for thy sake are often shent Thou leav'st the house ruin'd and wastes 52. When thou art parting then the eye Growes dimme the visage presently Doth looke so dreadfull and so pale The feet and hands doe grow so cold The bodie fashions to the moulde The tongue that faltets in the tale 53. If we could see thee there we 'd stay But thou dost slily glide away And leave the creature deafe and dumbe Me thinkes thou shouldst thy house repaire And make it wholsome sweet and faire What wilt thou to it no more come 54. But when thou art thus forc't to part And tak'st thy vale of the heart Then sad and dismall is thy voice That heavie parting wrings out teares With greese and anguish mixt with feares Our friends will grieve our foes re joyce 55. What horrour doe poore men conceive When thou dost take thy solemne leave Which leaves no hope to meet againe The shadow then of death in deed Makes way for hell he sowes such seed The fruit of which is endlesse paine 56. VVe are arrested for thy debt And in a prison we are set A yard at least within the ground Aud thou the principall art gone And we must beare the brunt alone Non est inventus gives a sound 57. Now life doe thou my counsell take 'Gainst sin and death a partie make And in defiance ever stand Take courage to thee shew thy power And let them not the world devoure Then live thou blessed in the land OF THE NEW LIFE OR THE LIFE OF Grace in the Soule 58. New Life and true when thou art made Within the soule thou dost not fade But dost thy freshnesse still retaine Thou art not subject then to die Above all ill thou dost espie Such things as brings in perfect gaine 59. Thou li'st so close unto the soule There is no power can controule Thy blessed state or yet remove Thy siege for thou hast made it strong And thou hast patience us among There thou art constant in thy love 60. Confusion deadnesse did beset Our hearts till vict'ry thou did'st get Ore us and brought us into frame And thou at all times dost thy best To settle living peace and rest Ore us to bring a blessed name 61. We cannot see nor apprehend Thee but thou dost thy power bend Which doth thy presence then discover That men unskild in art may read Thy booke of life being open spread Thou art an upright constant lover 62. Though thou art weakned there sometimes By treachery and hainous crimes That men doe thinke thy force is rais'd Yet cause thou canst with fresh supply Of new fetcht power from on high Quicken repentant soules thou' rt prais'd 63. And if thou dost receive a wound Or else through faintnesse in a swound Fall then thou hast a present cure The bloud of him that once was slaine By death he did thy freedome gaine This thou apply'st and dost endure 64. Thou art a shelter to all those To whom thou dost thy selfe disclose A faithfull friend thou art indeed What they doe lend thee thou dost pay And with increase much every day Thou dost returne their fruitfull seed 65. In troubles thou dost us defend If thou canst not our sorrowes end Thou dost support us in the same Thou dost our parts then ever take We are belov'd 't is for thy sake Who would not joy to heare thy name 66. Thou little wast at first bur thou Dost much increase we know not how Thou dost not alwayes grow by sence But afterwards we may perceive That thou dost with us vigor leave So fruitfull is thy recompence 67. Comely and sweet needs thou must be Thou cam'st from heaven so that we Doe entertaine the heavens guest And this is all thy drist I know For to instruct us here below And then to lead us to our rest 68. In heaven still remaines thy spring While we on earth thy praises sing So we can never draw thee dry The more we have the more we may Draw from thy fulnesse more I say We have it free we need not buy 69. Thy root 's above yet thou art here I nere knew any graffe to beare So distant as you seeme to be But when I finde thy root doe grow By faith in men as thou dost now My differing thoughts doe then agree 70. Thou art so comely to behold If I had art thee to unfold I 'd shew the beautie of thy face That men should thee so much admire And love should kindle such desire As for thy love to sue apace 71. But thou art shadow'd so with sin Men cannot know thee so within As otherwise thou would'st appeare And misconceits doe vale thee too We cannot finde with much adoe Thy glory out though ne're so cleare 72. And men that are but poore and base In outward things yet in this case Excell they seeme thy face to hide The world thinkes not that poorearay Can harbour thee that art so gay The truth of this is dayly tri'd 73. Men thinke there is no difference 'Twixt thee and thy sweet influence And naturall life that is so poore They prize that more for that they know Which lives by sense like beasts below Till they have spent their fading store 74. Thou dost preserve the chiefest part The soule and guardest so the heart And living comforts dost bring in All other sweetnesse dies apace And leaves their masters in disgrace They are like blanks which nothing winne 75. Men cannot have of thee too much Nor yet dost thou to any grutch Thy strength at need if they thee chuse And thou dost use thy mighty power Against all those that would devoure Them or their life seeke to abuse 76. All things that furthers thy increase The fruit of joy the word of peace Thou dost them use as excellent With all good meanes thou dost agree To helpe our growth's as we may see To make us lively is thy bent 77. Thy fruit is pleasant for to taste And faire plentifull and vaste They onely know it that doe finde Thee in their soules and they can tell How thou in goodnesse dost excell Thy praises please well such a minde 78. But they that to this life are strange And never know what 't is to change They see no favour in thy face Nay some will ever be at strife For such as stand for thee their life And would thy Image quite deface 79. Thou art not stain'd with hatesull pride Nor any other sin beside Thou keep'st thy selfe still free from all Though we sin here 't is so we must Till we are levell with the dust But thou dost bring our soules from thrall 80. Thou art so like a Turtle true When death doth claime us for his due Thou would'st not leave us till the last The soule then
unshapen birth Thou scum of vermin thou art worst of any And if there were ten thousand times as many The Plagues of Egypt cannot equall thee Nor all that have been are or ere shall be The Serpent hath his place where he abides The lesser vermine on the earth so glides They seek not me they sting but once for all The body not the soule they cause to fall Thou in all places hast thy subtill snares To bring all men to everlasting cares The more thou sting'st the more thou dost delight Both soule and body thou seek'st to stroy quite Sinne didst not thou like fooles lull us asleep And darkensse bring when light did once but peepe All seedes of evill in us thou didst sowe All seeds of good thou still did'st overthrowe Our thoughts of God our souls our death our change Our sins heaven hell all these were very strange We had our fills of sin we made our boast And they that in their sins exceeded most Were most belov'd with us of all the rest The worst of men wee counted still the best Though knowledge we did want to purchase fame Wee 'd sweare and lie and thereby raise a name If good we knew we never did intend To do that good or if bad strive to mend Sinne promi'sst us to free us still from strife And give us good the daies of all our life And at the end we need not feare but we Should dwell in heaven to all eternitie Some n'ere were raised from the sleepe of sinne Till they in hell close prisoners were within But some on earth began their hell before The first of that of which they now have more This we can say and more if need require Now one alone relate sins fearfull hire And how we are and in what wofull place Our company and endlesse easelesse case Some of them in a dreadfull manner relate the torments of hell and cries out for vengeance upon sinne and departed O heavens heare and earth what sin hath brought Upon all us that sold our selves for nought We are through sin accursed from the Lord Of men and Angels we are all abhorr'd I want a tongue to shew this wrathfull rage And fury to remaine times after age The blacknesse and the darknesse is so great Light there is none but still abides the heate Of fire and brimstone burning in the flame The dregs of sinne is mingled with the fame We live yet die and dying still remaine Our soules with horrour bodies fill'd with paine How dreadfull 't is and in what grievous sort Laid on all parts and persons I le report We drinke our teares and sorrow is our food Curses our portions we see nor heare of good The fearfull cries and howlings that below We heard these all the damned soules do know The ghastly lookes and lamentable grones The great complaints with heavie griefe mones Sin there attends and acteth still his part Blows up the fire there worms still gnaw the heart The dungeon is exceeding large and deepe Where ugly vermine evermore doe creepe The devils doe attend us every houre And bring fresh torment by their cursed power No dram of comfort ever doth come neare it This heavie doome we hellish Imps must beare it We have no friendship none to shew us favour And all are fierce and of a rude behaviour No ease at all at any time we finde Our bodies burne and anguish burnes the minde Diseases all strangullion stone or gout The least part of our torment set not out But one thing more and that is worst of all Our paines to all Eternity stay shall When dayes and yeares and ages are all past Our plagues remaine our torments still do last No comfort friends no ease nor end will be Found now I sinke under my miserie Thou curse of curses thou the cause of it That I and all that in the infernall pit Must stay yet thou art never a whit asham'd Of all thy vilenesse that hath now been nam'd Let all that live for ever still disdaine Thy name and cursed let it so remaine O Damne him damne him to a horrid cell Not here with us but in another hell For if with us our sinnings wil not cease And him to see our torments will increase Ah worse yet is the friend if worse may be I must away the Divells come for mee The Charge to the Iury. The case is cleare ther 's none that can deny it That sins the canse of all our great disquiet The heavenly host with men on earth concluded The damned too all were by sinne deluded These things and more I do aberre be true And so the case doth now appeare to you Now as you finde so give your verdict in Accordingly I l'e sentence give on sin The Introduction to the verdict Against thy person sin was ever bent And all thy workes to spoyle was his intent Thy sonne from heaven downe to earth did goe But sinne to him did prove a deadly foe And did oppose the worke of his redemption Which sinfull men should give from sins exemptiō But when in this he could not have his will His bloud he shed the worth remaineth still He watcht with death to keepe him in the grave Of what was done men might not comfort have But all in vaine 't was sinfull labour lost Man was redeem'd and comfort had sinne crost Against the Spirits blessed worke in hand He sets himselfe and goodnesse doth withstand And from all men all comfort he would take And in mans heart an I doll God he 'd make 'T is time t is time to take with sinne a course With men 't is ill in time it would be worse The verdict of the Jurie against Sinne and his witnesses We have concluded in our consultation And finde sinne guilty by the information For his defence to be most rude and vaine His witnesses as bad appeareth plaine They guilty are as parties in the cause They broken have nay they condemne thy lawes The reply proves and their examination We finde them worthy of a deepe damnation The Preface to the sentence Now sinne thou art convicted all may see The Jury to thy judgement doth agree Thy wickednesse is open laid to view To all the world which say that hell 's thy due And those foure men which for thy cause did stand The cursed'st worke that ere they tooke in hand For love of thee themselves have now undone They plaid for sweet they have the sower wonne The Sentence against Sinne. I sentence Sinne for ever to be cast In lowest hell where furious flames doe last In dungeon darke where fire is divided The light from heate there thon shalt be derided All torment that the devils can invent With all their store of curses shall be spent On thee from thence thou never shalt returne In flaming wrath thou evermore shalt burne To all delights now thou shalt bid farewell Away begon into the pit of hell The sentence against Sinnes
assistants And you that for sinne acted such a part And 'gainst my truth have tried all your art Receive your doome for this will be your hire Ye cursed goe into eternall fire Where divels dwell and monsters doe inherit The fruits of sinne there each one hath his merit There you shall stay for ever and from me No light of comfort you shall ever see In sorrow you eternitie shall spend Depart from me for now you know your end FINIS POEMS CONCERNING DEATH AN INDIGHTMENT AGAINST DEATH by LIFE being Plaintiffe With the Event and Issue thereof LONDON Printed by John Dawson 1639. OF DEATH 1 Cor. 15. 56. Death where is thy sting Hosea 13. 14. O Death I will be thy death 1 Cor. 15. 26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is Death The Argument in charge to the Muse. ADdresse thy selfe my Muse to that sad tale Of Death though grim ghastly wan pale His looke feare not for I will see thee righted Speake bold for life thou need'st not be affrighted Accuse him answer with a sharp reply His vaine defence and sentenc'd let him dye A Plea against Death Lord now I have brought Death to be arraign'd A Traitor he already is proclaim'd To be against thy sonne the life of all The world that hath been are or ever shall Remaine on earth unlesse some course in hand Be taken now to cut him from the Land O let me never beare thy name in vaine To yeeld to Death my losse he counts his gaine Now let this tyrant be by thee destroy'd That hath so long so much my peace annoy'd An examination of the case a commana to speake their mindes What wouldst thou have done to him speak thy mind What he hath done that 's il that he shal find To him I shall returne againe like measure As he did mete I le open now my treasure Of wrath and vengeance and upon him poure And he shall know what 't is life to devoure I le heare you both now life speake what of Death Thou know'st death why he stroys living breath And testimony that about the cause You can produce according to my lawes For so I le Judge and give to each his right My truth appeare shall in all peoples sight The Indightment against Death in generall When thou at first didst breath me in the soule Of man alive he was who did controule His living state but death when he for ever Might then have liv'd with doing his indeavour But fearfull Death did stare him in the face And did his glory utterly disgrace His name was fearfull and men at it bend The thoughts of Death brought forth untimely end To some the rest that liv'd the course of nature The feare of him did weaken so their stature That when he came he had not much to doe Halfe dead before for they were sinfull too And captives like he chain'd them in the grave Close prisoners none out of his hands could save A man so cruell as it doth appeare Men durst not aske he kept them so in feare He scorn'd to take a courtesie from any Nor did regard their teares though nere so many The old mans plaint he never did regard The strong mans valour with death did reward The young mans person never did respect The infants smiling ever did neglect The virgins beauty he did still defie The fathers griefe he slighteth presently The mothers weeping he did still disable Although she mist her children at the table The childe though kneeling begs life for his father Then death in fury saith he 'l have him rather The loving daughter seekes life for her mother But death lookes in and cries give me another The masters cares considers not a whit The servants paines with death so payes he it The Bridegroomes joy he turneth into sorrow The Brides delight today he spoyles tomorrow Or any one that sueth for his friend If he grieves much death brings the sooner end On him but helpes him not a jot but brings On all men death and kils all other things Thy servants Lord that were by me maintain'd In all the world yet death hath all them gain'd And while they had a being here on earth They trouble had but seldome knew what mirth Did meane yea some of them that I am sure Through feare of death a bondage did endure At home abroad or ever where they went They still did thinke his bow was ever bent No comfort in the world then did they take Of any thing that God did for them make I was to them aburthen yet they call For joy but then the King of feare spoyl'd all And fresh discō for t brought into their harts Frighting their mindes death breeds such inward smarts The thoughts of death bring out the guilt of sin Annoye without distemper all within And to this day it is his practice still With darts of death the bloud of all to spill Where as he findes me he doth hate me so His venome spits and is a cruell foe The birds the beasts the fish all that have sense A suit of death against him doth commence And he by might doth ever get the day And as his right he takes them all away The plants that live a bare life and no more Scarce men can see life in them 't is so poore Death findes it out as plainly doth appeare And kils their fruit some once some twice a yeare At last the stock to death must give a place For fruit and stocke death doth at last disgrace Nay if there were of persons or of things A world of millions more he 'd use his stings Till all were gone if thou didst not restraine His power then still like a King he 'd raigne The more he slayes the more he doth desire The lower men are he is rais'd the higher He hath confest the ruine of mans life Is that he seekes he gaines they lose so strife Hath been betwixt us ever since the first I doe perceive he for mans bloud doth thirst Till he himselfe doe die he 'l never cease To kill his name 's enough to stroy mans peace Against Death in particular What have I done that death should envie me Was I not made to quicken men by thee Why then should death a greater power have I being free to make me like a slave If I doe ill correct me with thy hand But why should Death have me at his command Death had his being at the first by sinne And as a vassall to him still hath been Sinne goes before then Death he takes his place They both conspire against mans living race For they agree in all that suits with evill And with consent doe gratifie the Devill For his device and subtill slights that he Did still invent brought all to miserie Should Death that by thee never being had And workes for sinne O this is too too bad Rule over all that goodly worke of thine To spoile it too his malice doth
jealous of thy knowledge when Its flesh in thee that pleads for ease Grace sinne resists though now and then It takes delight in friendly mirth His name 's not graven in the earth 24. Be ever low in thy conceit Of all be willing still to learne Though sinne for thee doe lay his baire Thou shalt through wisedome it discerne The lower men themselves doe deeme The higher God doth them esteeme 25. Though sinne doe vexe thee thou maist make Such use t' accomplish thy desires Though here it make thy heart to ake Thou shalt rejoyce when life expires The sower of sinne makes heaven sweet Long'd for the more God thinks it meet 26. Above the world free from sinnes reach Live still no hurt then comes to thee So from experience thou shalt teach Thy soule to keepe from miserie The sense of Gods love shall possesse The heart with heavens happinesse 27. Be fruitfull in the worke of grace On heaven ever set thy minde Deny thy worke in any case To all that 's good be thou inclin'd Of what thou hast or dost give praise To God that strengthens thee alwayes 28. Thinke 't is not long that thou shalt here Be so perplexed with sins ill Thy glorious conquest shall appeare If thou against sinne bend thy will If thou Gods glory dost intend Thy joyes shall be world without end 29. The more thou dost make warre with sinne The more thou sett'st Gods glory forth So thou shalt have true peace within And joy more than the world is worth Mad men and fooles alone forsake Gods counsell they part with sinne take 30. Commit thy selfe with thy successe To God and pray still for his aide He 'll give a sweet and full redresse To all thy griefes be not afraid Let feare and shame seaze on all those That hold with sinne to God they 'r foes 31. Remember still that by Gods power Sinne is restrain'd and bounded so He cannot hurt much lesse devoure Vnlesse the Lord doe bid him goe Keepe in with God and love him still Sinne workes thee good though he be ill 32. It is not sinne but sinne belov'd That cuts thee off from saving grace For what thou dost God is not mov'd To give to thee a dwelling place In heaven no 't is mercies store Laid up in Christ for millions more 33. Christ was on purpose sent to earth To free us from sins cursed sting And to destroy that monstrous birth That he might freedome to us bring Sinnes workes as for so in all those That with consent unto him close 34. If guilt of sinne doe once but looke Or stare thee in the face O then Beleeve that Christ when flesh he tooke 'T was to redeeme poore sinfull men From feare and wrath and power of hell They might in heaven with him dwell 35. If thou canst finde no blessed store Nor grace appeares unto thy sight Then thinke what thou hast felt before In darknesse thou must have some light Experience past will helpe at need Though fruit be spent thou maist have seed 36. If nothing of that store remaines Nor seed yet Christs owne work doth stay And with returne the soule constraines That from him he 'll not part away Though comfort here we can see none 'T is best to trust in him alone 37. Sinne at the last shall be destroy'd And cast into the darksome pit Although he hath thee so annoid His time is short then thinke of it Though for a time he vexe thee sore Thou shalt be freed for evermore 38. And after long and many teares Thou shedst for sinne O then at last Thou ever shall be quit from feares Thy sorrowes all shall then be past No more of troubles thou shalt see Then if for sinne thou greeved be 39. And if thou hast sinne overthrowne And kept the faith with all thy might To all the world thou shalt be knowne And shalt receive in open sight Thy portion with the Saints above The fruits of Gods eternall love 40. That glory cannot be exprest By mortall men that are below But they that dwell above are blest They doe the heavenly beauty know Lord bring us thither for to see The glory of thy Majestie FINIS LUK. 21. 28. Lift up your heads for the day of your Redemption draweth nigh PHILIP 1. 21. For me to live is Christ and to die is gaine 1 THES 4. 16. The Dead in Christ shall rise first DIVINE POEMS Serious Directions and Instructions concerning Death Withall shewing who are unwilling to die and why As also who are willing and upon what conditions Concluding with heavenly Ejaculations 1. THough death be sentenc'd yet he still Remaines and will his freedome have While times doe last he 'l ever kill Mankinde and throw all in the grave That foe that shall be last destroy'd Is Death he makes all men afraid 2. When men looke on and see his face So pale and ghastly downe they sinke Then dreadfull darknesse takes its place And waites mans comming at pitts brinke Keepe company with wormes he must Till God doe raise him from the dust 3. This thing to Nature terror brings When man must leave his house though clay The comfort of all earthly things For sake he must his score then pay Then he that did not live to die Then dying dies eternally 4. The man that 's wicked dies before Death comes with horrour for his sinne That worme doth gnaw him very sore That lives in hell the soule within Death never comes but brings ill newes To all that love ill good refuse 5. Those that in honour wealth or ease Doe live they loth are to depart The thoughts of death doe not them please But death it selfe quite killes the heart A kinde of heaven they have here They would not change for worse they feare 6. He that is ignorant of good And lives by sense so like a bruit He 's never taken in that mood So fit for death to bring forth fruit This world he knowes no other he Knowes thinking death brings miserie 7. The man that 's weake in grace would stay A while to see the cloud of wrath Blow ore to see a glorious day That he of truth may see the path Though such are slighted in the land They are still on the mending hand 8. One that 's strong yet falles by sinne He would not die in that same case Vntill true peace he finde within By grace to live he begges a space Such cannot sinne so cheape nor sweet As fooles doe for they thinke it meet 9. For civill ends some would revive To gather and to give estates To children and to see them thrive And see him turne that counsell hates When they are dead alive may be Men live in their posteritie 10. Some higher ends have in their eyes They 'd see in Sion peace and rest Out live they would those fearfvll cries That thence are heard such ends are best To see the fall of Babels pride Then they would die
the cause is tri'd 11. My generall advice is this Remember death must seaze on all Thinke and prepare O doe not misse Thy selfe against when death doth call In expectation daily die And willing be in dust to Iye 12. In doubtfull things men use to feare On certaine things men doe resolve What doth more plaine than this appeare That death must all ere long dissolve Why should a man whose time is short Jest at mens death with sinfull sport 13. Repent of sinne the sting of death There 's no such thing as many deeme In't though that he do stop thy breath Thou maist be great in Gods esteeme Hold in with Christ then sweetly sing O cruell death where is thy sting 14. Death to the best a gaine indeed Is they doe change this place of strife Though in the grave wormes on them feed Yet they shall have eternall life They doe but mellow in the dust Till God new mould and make them just 15. Have still thy heart on heaven set And keepe Gods love fresh in thy heart Though Death doe catch thee in his net 'T will not be fired out by art Love stronger doth than death appeare Such love will free thee from deaths feare 16. Let wicked men so tremble still At thoughts of death that they may leave Their sinnes let sorrow their hearts fill Ere death doth them of life bereave That they may learne to hate their sin And may a new life once begin 17. It 's best for those that live at full To set the worst before their eyes And rouse themselves for such are dull And have regard to poore mens cries You 'd best give bread while here you dwell Lest you your water beg in hell 18. Learne to know want in midst of wealth And die to riches while you live And thinke of sicknesse in your health Doe not content to humours give Life will not be so strange to these If thou from earth dyest by degrees 19. The foolish must know though 't is bad That death will take them all away Then are not such men worse than mad That drive off all untill that day Till they doe see needs they must die And they despairing quaking lie 20. Beat downe conceit and thinke thou art A foole indeed then thou maist learne To know the turnings of thy heart And maist true wisedome then discerne That thou maist then receive at last Eternall life when this is past 21. Let tender hearted men beleeve Their grace is true though 't is not strong Let not the thoughts of death them greeve They shall be freed ere it be long Gods strength is thine which will prevaile Against all feares that thee assaile 22. Those that be strong yet be falne downe And feares of death oppresse them so That they have lost their great renowne And God himselfe seemes like a foe Strengthen your hearts and feeble hands Rescue your selves from feare and bands 23. If you be cowards you will shame The cause your selves and others will Be fearfull when they heare the name Of death such frailties shew the ill Vse well the gifts that God doth give That though death comes your joy may live 24. And ever after have a care Of falling from your stedfastnesse You need not then to feare the snare Of death but heavens happinesse Will tend on you and you shall see The glorie of eternitie 25. Those that would leave a happie seed Behinde them when death throwes his dart Must pray and labour still indeed That God with grace may fill the heart That they may live to God below When they above Gods praises shew 26. And they that long to see the peace Of Sion ere they 'd leave their life Let them not grutch their lives to cease For death will free them from all strife In heaven they at last shall see Their freedome with felicity 27. Some willing are to die when they Are vext or want their wils in things They thinke they have no score to pay Though death them endlesse torment brings They ignorant of death remaine Till second death bring such their gaine 28. Some desperate persons that doe kill Themselves they seeke for 't which they finde The curse of God their soules shall fill The effect will not please well the minde The first fruits of hell may suffice To reape the crop such fooles devise 29. Some of a better making doe Sometimes in passion wish to die Such in distresse are foolish too And fret disdaining miserie But when God chides them quickly they Were sorry that they went astray 30. Those that are Gods the truth so grace Confesse they will unto the death They willing are to give the place To tyrants and to lose their breath Before they will deny Gods name They 'l give themselves to burning flame 31. Such that have peace with God above Do draw from earth their hearts content And with their sins are out of love And to all good their hearts are bent Their blessed'st life doth then begin When death doth set them free from sinne 32. But yet if God would have them stay A while on earth they willing are To doe his will their soules each day Confirme how ere the bodie fare When the body growes towards earth The soule brings forth immortall birth 33. The wicked still are in extreames They would not die if God should call They of this world have then such dreames Of joy which they 'l not part withall They 'r so be witcht to pleasure here There 's nothing else but death they feare 34. And others that God bids to save The lives of others and their owne They 'r brought untimely to their grave And by themselves are overthrowne Such feare not death but downe to hell They headlong rush and there doe dwell 35. I cannot chuse but I must chide Those that in sullen fits would die The worlds disgrace cannot abide For trouble that upon them lie They must of this with teares repent Or else of God they shall be shent 36. Can any suffering be too much For God his cause or glory when They shall have a reward with such In heaven these are blessed men That never share in troubles more They now rejoyce though sad before 37. Such as are willing for to yeeld Their lives to death for Christ his sake By Death they conquer in the field In losing life a better take They leave a dread upon all those That unto God and them are foes 38. Who would not willing be to part With earth for heaven when they have Got peace with God by gratious art And knowing God their soules will save For heaven let all those be prest That fitted are thus for their rest 39. Yet let not any grudge to stay Till they have done the worke that he Hath set them to spending their day In good while they here present be Returning still their pay therefore Worke now then thou need'st work no more 40. The more men do or suffer