eternally accurst Let 's Grace and Virtue thirst untill we dy That we may quench it in God's deity Amen THE SEAVEN SACRAMENTS I saw seaven golden Candlesticks and in the midst of them one like the son of Man Apoc. c. 1. v. 12. and 13. The sun gives light unto the eye Io. 1. v. 9. So doth God's grace unto the soul That man may walk secure therby And from sin's wound preserve it whole But if this light should be put out The soul would perish without doubt For nature is so weak and frail And flesh and blood to sin so prone The enemy would soon prevail Io. 15. v. 5. If God should leave poor man alone Grace is the soul's security Against her mortall enemy This grace Christ purchast on the Tree And that it might with us remain The Sacraments ordained be Which also do lost grace regain These are the conduits which conveigh Gods grace to souls which him obey These from the side of Christ did flow These with his bloud death were bought By their right use God doth bestow His gracious gifts as we are taught These signs Christ in his Church did place Still in themselves conferring grace Rev. 1. v. 13. S. John the shape of one did see Midst seaven candlesticks of gold Who seem'd the son of man to be And seaven starrs in 's hand did hold v. 16. Which shews the Sacraments receive From Christ the grace they in us leave In Exodus w' are also told Moyses commanded was to frame Exod. 25. v. 31.37 A Candlestick of purest gold And place seav'n Lamps upon the same Which were to burn and to give light In th' Tabernacle day and night This Candlestick did signify Christ's Church The seaven lamps declare The Sacraments wherein doth ly Prov. 8. v. 31. The oyl of Grace and true lights are Illuminating with God's grace The soul of man his resting place Seav'n things our bodies do require To their beginning and support When they are born they food desire But yet not of the strongest sort Breast-milk feeds them while they are yong And grosser meat when they are strong Physick's requir'd when Health doth fail Salves are apply'd to wounded parts When Physick seem's nought to prevail Rich Cordialls must revive their hearts Superiours they are govern'd by By Marriage they do multiply These seaven things most needfull are To give us life and it maintain Seav'n Sacraments Christ did prepare For souls whilst here they do remain Baptism the first Tit. 3. v. 5. Io 3. v. 5. regenerates By water souls which God creates For thô the soul is innocent Yet when it 's in the Body plac't United Ps 50. v. 7. t is incontinent Guilty and in it's self defac't Rom. 5. v 12 Tit. 3. By Adam's sin it dead remains Baptismall grace it's life regains By Confirmation it is fed With milky grace till it be strong It must not tast that living Bread To the adult this doth belong Act ◠v. 17. This gives to it the Holy Ghost To strengthen it against Hell's Host Who seek the soul's first fruit to gain When use of reason doth appear By Confirmation do remain In us God's Spirit Love and Fear It doth enable us to fight That we may put the dev'l to flight Let no one then this Sacrament Neglect You Parents still take care That you to Bishop do present Your children but first them prepare To this great gift of Confirmation That it may prove to their Salvation When reason's ripe a stronger food Christ in his love did here ordain His pretious Body MarK 14. v. 22.23 Io. 6 V. 56. and his Bloud That he with us might still remain And we not fear the greatest evill Being dreadfull made unto the devill Of this transcendent act of love I shall not now pretend to treat Nor how much it doth us behove Oft to receive this Heau'nly Meat There and the rest I do reserve To treat alone as they deserve Iob. 7. v. ◠Mans life on Earth a Warfare is ' Gainst devil World and Flesh he fights Iames. 3. v. 2. He often erres and doth amiss And wounded is by satans sleights A sovêrain Salve Christ did prepare To heal and keep him from despair This Sacramentall Pennance is Which Io. 20. v. 23. right apply'd doth heal the soul Where God gives to it Peace's Kiss And grace all passions to controul To root out all inord'nate Love And six it's joys on God above What requisites most needfull are That Pennance may work these effects J shall hereafter full declare And also what are the defects Which hinder Sacramentall grace And hatefull sin set in its place When sickness doth so much prevail That you expect your Friend to dy And usûall Physick seems to fail Rich Cordialls then you must apply Life to preserve till Nature 's spent Which also death somtimes prevent Thus Extream Unction doth apply The Churches Pray'r Iam. 5. v. 14. if death appear To those who agonizing ly Which God is often pleasd to hear And longer life grant V. 15. to this end That they their former may amend Or else it doth prepare to death V. 15. By full remission of their sin That when they yield their vitall breath Life everlasting may begin O! always beg you ne're may dy Without this sacred remedy Judges and Magistrates we need The Body Politick to guide So Priests and Prelates Act. 20. v. 28. rule and feed All such as in the Church abide Luc. 22. v. 19. Hence t is that such might still remain Christ Holy Order did ordain Io. 20. v. 22. Act. 13. v. 3 c. 6. v. 6. 1. Tim. 4. v. 14. 2. Tim 1. v. 6. These have their power from above The Holy Ghost Christ to them gave Those they ordain Christ doth approve And they the self same power have They are the Guides unto our soul Good to promote and Vice controul Priests consecrate the Sacrament Of the most Holy Eucharist They do absolve the Penitent As being authoriz'd by Christ Io. 20. v. 23. Whose sins you quit the same do I And whose you bind the same I ty By Wedlock Bodies multiply And souls which God in them creates The Sacrament doth grace apply Mat 19. v 6. And God this Contract consecrates Who grace to Man and Wife doth give Eph 5. v. 33. That they in mutûall love may live That they their duty may fulfill Breeding their Children in God's fear To love him and fulfill his will That when at Judgment they appear They may not bear their Children's blame As being Authors of the same Here you compendiously do see The virtue of the Sacraments As also why they seaven be Which sacred number represents The seav'nfold grace of God's bles't Spirit Which we by Sacraments do merit These seaven stars are our true Guide That we may shun the Gulf of sin By these we in God's
Ecce gui tollit peccata Mundi PIOUS INSTRUCTIONS IN MEETER FITTED TO THE WEAKER CAPACITIES Thy Iustifications were sung by me in the place of my Peregrination Ps 118. v. 54. PRINTED in the year 1693. With licence of Superiours ADVERTISEMENTS 1. COnsidering that those for whom I chiefly made these Verses are not skilled in the reading of Abbreviations which sometimes are pronounced otherwise than they are written to avoid the confusion that might follow if I should write them as usually words which are abbreviated ending in D. and are pronounced with a T. I have written them with T. as pronounced 2. Complying with the desires of some friends I have noted in the Margent severall Texts which are related unto in this book and commonly but one in a place althô there be many more relating to the same subject the Margent not being capable to contain all 3. And note that in the Verses are not always the very same words of the Text but sometimes only the substance or allusions to the Text. 4. Again observe that the Catholick Bible names four Books of Kings whereas the Protestants call the two first the Books of Samuel And whereas the Protestants divide the 9th Psalm and joyn the 146. and 147. Psalms in one which the Catholick Bible upon better Authority doth not in all my Citations I follow the Catholick Bible and therfore the Psalms which I cite between the 9th Psalm and the 147. are always the Psalms following in the Protestant Bible As for example when I cite the 136. Psalm Vpon the rivers of Babylon it is the 137. in the Protestant Bible and so of the rest THE PREFACE HAving been conversant above three and thirty years with the poor whom to assist has been my employ I find a docile spirit amongst them and that many of them are hungry as I may term it and eager after Instructions not so much in curiosity as to be informed of their duty But I fear this of holy Jeremy is too much verified in these days The little ones have asked bread and there was none that brake it to them Lament c. 4. v. 4. Not but that there are many excellent Sermons made many pious and learned Books writ but that men of this age being grown so curious and of itching ears after eloquence of speech quaint and refined language in Prose Poëticall fancies and conceits in Verse that where these are not found the Sermon or Book takes not let the subject be never so pious which makes most Preachers and Writers incline to dress up what they render in such sort that it may be gratefull to those who esteem themselves the Wits of the Age. And perhaps all the profit they reap from them is this Elogium The man spoke well he has writ good language and is full of witty conceits and in the mean time those who seek more after the virtue than the curiosity of the word are deprived of their desires the language or conceits so exceeding their capacities that they cannot attain unto the sense and so make little or no advantage I speak not this as condemning such Preachers or writers for certainly when Piety Learning Wit and Eloquence are joyned together that is the most compleat Work But I rather make an Apology for these plain Verses which I dedicate unto the Poor who indeed stand most in need of Instructions which must be given to them in an humble and low stile befitting their capacities Wherefore I hope no pious person will carp at them which are beneath a Poets censure since I pretend not to Poetry in them but only have put such Instructions as I think needful to the Poor People in Meeter fitted for tunes such manner of reading being most delightfull to young People sooner learn't and better retained which they may learn to sing and so prevent the great abuse that is now a days among many in singing profane and lascivious songs And I doubt not but some will say that these exceed the length of songs I grant it but since I make them for Instructions commonly the subject I treat of considering the capacities they are fitted to cannot be fully explicated in shorter to their advantage And they may serve the good man to sing working at his trade thereby to edify his family Receive then you little ones of Christ's flock and my dearly beloved these my small endeavours for you and make that use of them which I hoped for when I made them that knowing what is evill you may avoid it and what is good you may embrace and put it into practice that so Christ's coming may not be in vain to you who came not only to redeem you from sin but also to teach you Virtue And if this Book may happily advantage you in this as I hope it will I have what I aimed at and as I ever had a love for and desire to serve you so I hope you will be mindfull in your prayers of Your true friend in Christ B. Leo of S. Mary Magdalen THE TABLE OF THE CONTENTS A Devout Prayer p. 1 Christ's Thirst of mans salvation p. 5 The Seaven Sacraments p. 14 Baptism and Pennance p. 21 The Sacrament of love p. 34 The Sacrifice of the Mass p. 45 The Israelits Lamentation p. 52 The 2. part A sinners Lamentation p. 61 The World's glory is Vanity p. 63 The 2. part True joy in Virtue p. 71 The fruits of Drunkenness p. 76 Death and Life in the Tongue p. 82 Take not God's name in vain p. 89 A Lyar to be excluded human society p. 97 The true Art of loving well p. 102 Of Pride p. 111 2. Part. Of Humility p. 115 Of Patience and the contrary p. 120 Of Obedience and the contrary p. 127 Of Poverty and the contrary p. 138 Of Chastity and the contrary p. 146 Do Pennance p. 153 Of Prayer p. 162 Our Father p. 171 Hail Mary p. 178 Of Fasting and the contrary p. 185 Of Alms-deeds and the contrary p. 193 The Angel Guardians advice p. 200 Liberty and Mortification p. 209 Hope and Despair p. 213 Of Death p. 222 Of Judgment p. 229 Of Hell p. 238 Of Purgatory p. 244 Of Heaven p. 252 S. Mary Magdalens Life p. 261 S. Francis his Life p. 278 The Books Address to the Reader p. 315 A PIOUS HYMN OR PRAYER IN HONOUR OF CHRIST AND HIS B. MOTHER HAil MARY hope of all mankind Hail pious pure and meek of mind Hail full of grace Luk 1. v. 28. God's holy spouse Of all that 's good the Treasure house Hail Virgin chast Luk. 2. v 7. Christ's Parent dear Thou who alone didst merit here Luk. 1◠v 35◠Isai 7. v. 14. Without a father to have child To be a Mother undefil'd Empress of Angels queen above Poor sinners comfort for Christ's love Pitty my tears let joy begin In my poor heart defil'd with sin Comfort a Sinner in distress And give not to the merciless The honour which
grace abide And glory at our death do win Let 's all praise Christ by joynt consents Who purchast us these Sacraments Amen THE TWO TABLES AFTER SHIPWRACK BAPTISM AND PENNANCE Baptize in the Name of the Father Math. 28. v. 19. Great ships which seem to dare the seas Are oft stav'd on a Rock Which carefull Pilot might with ease Have sav'd from fatal knock If he Land mark or Beacon had With care kept in his eye In storms and tempests ere so bad He might have steered by But now alas it is too late The Ship is broke and all The goods are lost O dolefull fate That often doth befall The Negligent Now all his care Must be his life to save Since Ship is lost and all its ware Lest Sea should prove his grave And to do this he finds small hope No other ship is nigh To lend him boat or cast him rope To save his life therby Till laying hold of plank or table He passes through the waves At length finds footing firm and stable Whereby his life he saves A stately ship God once did place On this World 's dangerous waves This fraighted was with holy grace Which here from shipwack saves This ship was Man the Pilot soul â—en 4 v. 〈◊〉 Eccli 5. v. 17. His Guide was reason's light His will had power to controul And make him steer aright The crafty Pirat who did see That Man would sail secure Untill this Light extinguih't be The same did strait procure Gen. 3. v. 4. With lies he tempts and doth prevail The right way not to steer Poor man believes secure doth sail The Rock he doth not fear Gen. 2. v. 17. This Rock was the forbidden Tree Which he was not to touch If so death's prize he was to be God's Pact with him was such Gen. 3. v. 6. The devill tempts with Eve his wife He eats and fears no blame Thus sense depriv'd his soul of life And we partake the same Gen. 3. v. 15. c. 22. v. 18. Ps 131. v. 11. Math 27. v. 26. For all were lost and still had been Had not God in his love Promis'd Redemption from this sin And all guilt to remove Christ by his death did this fulfill And Sacraments ordain As helps for us to do his will And favours here obtain Of these Baptism and Pennance are Those which we Tables call Ordain'd our losses to repair And save us after fall Rom. 5. v. 12. Gen. 3. v. 19. The first shipwrack that Men sustain'd Was by Origînall Sin From this by death Christ them regain'd Or else all damn'd had been Thô Christ from pains of Hell did save Rom. 5. v. 8 9.10 Io 3. v. 5. By shedding of his Bloud Yet joys of Heav'n no one shall have But by Baptismall floud This Christ ordain'd that so his merit Math. 8. v. 19. Might be to Man apply'd And that he now new born in spirit Might in his grace abide Hence t is that Children christ'ned be Christ dy'd for all 2. Cor. 5. v. 16. Marc. 10. v. 14. who saith The little ones let come to me Althô they have not faith The Parents faith may here suffice As well as Parents fall Did cast them out of Paradise And purchast Hell withall When Christ'ning Font cannot be had Desire and Love supply Or else some Saints case had been bad Who did without it dy Of Baptism sev'rall sorts there be Water Love's Fire and Blood If th' first to have man is not free The other are as good The fruits of this great Sacrament Tit. 3. v. 3. Are Justifying grace The sin which we have by descent That doth our soul deface And actûall are remitted but Act. 2. v. 38. Io. 3. v. 5 Marc. 16. v. 16. Here grief is still requir'd Heav'n gates are op'ned which were shut Where 's all can be desir'd After this Sacrament receav'd Esay 59. v. 2. Who in great sin doth fall His soul of this grace hath bereav'd Rom. 6. v. 25. And purchast Hell withall This second shipwrack we do name From which the soul to save Hebr. 6. v. 4.5.6 No one can twice baptize the same What help then can he have Our mercifull Redeemer hath Left us a second Table Which joyned with a perfect Faith Grace to restore is able This Sacrament of Pennance is The soul's security Which if the soul doth willing miss It 's lost eternally THE SECOND PART OF PENNANCE Whose sins you remit they are remitted Jo. 2â— v. 23. CHrist Math. 9. v. 13. who came sinners frail to save As we read in Saint John Io. 20. v. 23. Absolving Pow'r in his Church gave And this to Priest alone Ibid. Whose sins on Earth you do remit And whose you do retain The first in Heav'n I also quit The other shall remain We sin in thought in word or deed All sin comes from these three Three ways to satisfy there 's need That sin remitted be So Pennance that 's the Sacrament Contains a triple part Confess the fault I am 5. v. 16. Math. 5. v. 25. the wrong'd content With sorrow from the heart 2. Cor. v. 10. These three when as they perfect be And joyn'd with Absolution As Sacrament impart to thee Of grace a distribution Where God is reconcil'd again To thee in perfect love From Hell thou' rt freed and dost remain God's Heir to Heav'n above Let no one here this doubt admit Suggested by his foe How can this Pennance small acquit Of sin when all men Know Sin doth deserve Eternall pains And what proportion's this Pennance is but while life remains And that for ever is It 's true Math. 5. v. 27. God's Justice seeks severe Proportion to the debt And these two equall ballanc't were Ps 84. v. 11. When Mercy Justice met That was when Christ Man to regain Upon the Cross did dy This Sacrament he did ordain His merits to apply To sinfull soul that 's gone astray And Baptism doth the same Let none deny then but man may Remit sin in Christ's name Iohn 20. v. 23. If you believe Christ's God and Man Believe he cannot ly And by this Sacrament he can His Justice satisfy And thô Christ's merits did supply Our inability Think not because he once did dy You are so quit and free Luk. 13. v. 3. Rom. 2. v. 6. That you may Pennance now neglect And good works set apart As thô our saviour would protect A wicked sinfull heart No Christ will not encourage Sin Ps 44. v. 8. Heb. 1. v. 9. Which odious is to God Be sure if you do fall therein You 'l feel his scourging rod. Luk. 13. v. 3. Except in heart you do repent And as Christ hath ordain'd Make use of Pennance Sacrament Where pardon is obtain'd First see that you true sorrow have For sins you have committed Your soul you can't without this save Nor of sin be acquitted To have this
greif consider well Rom. 6. v. 23. What fruit by sin you gain With loss of Heav'n you purchase Hell And devil's slave remain For what is sin but à privation Of your act 's rectitude Contempt of God and your salvation And all ill doth intrude Your soul 's possessed by the devill Where he doth rule and reign Compelling it to what is evill This is a sinners gain This well consider'd must needs move 1. Iohn 3. v. 8. Your soul sin to repent But chiefly loss of your God's love In heart you must lament This most of all let soul resent Isay 59. v 2. Ier. 17. v. 13. Osee 4. v. 12. That God is from her parted Who is her Center of content Because she prov'd false hearted Here let your soul grieve bitterly With sorrow from the heart Hence forth resolve you 'l rather dy Than from your Lord depart If he 'l be reconcil'd again Zach. 1. v 3. Isai 1. v. 18. Such sorrow will him win To come to you and there remain Remitting all past sin Next Act. 19. v. 18. all the sins you do recall To mind you must confess Their nature circumstance and all What 's doubtfull still express If you conceal but one great sin Or what much aggravates Act. 5. v. 4. A greater evill you fall in Such sacriledge God hates It maketh void your whole Confession And no sin there is quitted When Priest absolves but new trangression And mortall sin 's committed And all sins after while you live Thô you confess them plain And Priest doth Absolution give Unpardon'd still remain For till the first sin be confess 't That once you did conceal God pardons none of all the rest Be sure then it reveal With all which you since that committed How oft' confess 't receiv'd That sacriledge may be remitted And Conscience be reliev'd When you to Priest your sins confess Let neither shame or fear You hinder but still truth express And make Confession clear Fear not the Priest will them disclose For he is sure of this If ever he discovers those His soul condemned is Thirdly this Sacrament requires You satisfy for wrongs And this as Priest of you desires To Pennance this belongs Exod. 22. v 1 Luk. 19. v. 8. Your neighbour satisfaction make Restoring what 's his due And ask his pardon for God's sake That God may pardon you To God your satisfaction is Ps 50. v. 19. A contrite humble heart To mend what you have don amiss No more from him to part By sinfull thought Esay 59. v. 2. by word or deed Be sure you this intend Math. 10. v. 22. Pray him to help in time of need Persever to the end Thô all this cannot strait be done Yet really resolve This to perform when you are gone That Priest may you absolve Thus Sacrament works it's effect Io. 20. v. 23. Which is your sins Remission And grace of God which will direct To mend your life's condition Be sure avoid this great abuse Which I fear some fall in To make this sacramentall use An instrument to sin Because Christ left this help for all Who truely do repent They little care how oft they fall And lost grace less resent For Who presumes to sin because He may here find salvation Directly runs into the jaws Of Hell to his damnation For to confess thus without doubt He never is absolv'd Till he doth also cast this out And better is resolv'd This Sacrament was not ordain'd T'embolden you in sin But that when grace is here regain'd You may abide therein Luk 7. v. 38. With Magdalen past sins lament And follow Christ your Lord Thus you will find true hearts content When Christ and you accord All praise and glory to Christ's Name Mark 2. v. 10.11 Who sin did here remit As Man and to men gave the same Full power to acquit As Father me to Earth did send Iohn 20. v. 21. I also do send you Absolve poor Sinners to this end That they good life renew Amen THE SACRAMENT OF LOVE OR THE SACRAMENT OF SACRAMENTS This is my Body This is my Bloud Math. 26. v. 26.28 MOsaick Sacraments Adieu To this you must resign the place You were but Figures Hebr. 10. v. 1. here 's the true Fountain and source of heav'nly grace Io. 6. v. 49.51 You did prefigure what is here True God and Man our JESUS dear Not oxen Levit. 1. v. 2. c. 7. v. 9. Gal. 2. v. 19. c. 5. v. 2. sheep nor calves or bread Are off'red here as in that Law Those types and figures now are dead Aaron like sacrifice nêre saw True God and Man 's our Sacrifice And here upon our Altar lies He 's Sacrifice Hebr. 9. v. 28. Hebr. 9. v. 12.14 and Sacrament And first did offer-Sacrifice The Priest by his Commandement The Consecrating Words applies By death he sacrific'd on th' Cross It 's offred here without life's loss Io. 1. v. 14. God's son for Man's sake did descend From Heav'n took flesh and man became And practis'd virtue to this end Io. 13. v. 15. Math. 16. v. 24. Luk 9. v. 23. That Man might learn to do the same If you will my Disciple be Deny your self follow me Io. 19. v. 28. And when the scriptures were fulfill'd And what of him was writ compleated Thô innocent the Jews him kill'd Whom they before had vilely treated His Love nail'd him unto the Cross Man to redeem and his great loss He dy'd but once yet still doth dy Revel 13. v. 8. And shall as long as world doth last As to th' effect not really His suff'ring state is gon Rom. 6. v. 9. and past That memory of this remain A Sacrifice he did ordain In the last Supper he did make With his Disciples he took seat And Blessing Bread and Wine said Math. 26. v. 26.28 Take This is my Body which you eat This is my Bloud Luk 22. v. 19. do you the same As a Memoriall in my Name Thus Phaenix-like he still revives Thô for our sins he once was dead Like Pelican to save our lives Io. 6. v. 55.58 His children with his flesh he fed What Mother ever did in stead Of Milk with her bloud children feed Here did he perfectly fulfill What Salomon of him did write The sons of men who do my will Prov. 8. v. 31. To be with them is my delight Whom by my Death I did revive With my own flesh I keep alive And this I do that they may be Rais'd up from their poor humble state 2. Petr. 1. v. 4. And that they may be one with me By perfect love and sin's true hate Io. 6. v. 56. Who eats my Flesh abides in me And to him I 'le united be Mercy and Love did me incline To leave my Father's glorious Throne That I might Man's frail Nature joyn To my divine and make them
to all sort of sin And hard to leave when once they fall therein Feed not your Bellies swine-like Iam. 5. v. 5. to the knife Seek not joys here but in the other life Hence fly your drinking friends society Mind you were made to joyn a Deity Cast not away this Counsel as they use Away its Melancholy Here 's abuse Dan. 5. v. 5. Beware Balthasar's hand upon the wall Wâ—ch while he 's drinking writes his great downfall Luk. 21. v. 34. That night he lost his life do you beware God's eye above doth see and will not spare The least of faults but note it down by hand Severe much more shall drunkard guilty stand Who hundreds hath made partners in his sin Poor sottish soul henceforth do thou begin A Reformation leave this Mother Vice Attendants all will vanish in a trice Fix thought on Heaven Phil. 3. v. 20. let thy converse be With Angels that is the society God made thee for and there with him to dwell While brutish drunkards buried are in Hell DEATH AND LIFE Are in the hands of the tongue Prov. 18. v. 21. THe soul thô active yet while here Within the Body sâ—â—â—s confin'd Math. 12. v. 34. In this defective doth appear Not able to declare her mind Without the use of instruments Of which the Tongue is always chief In the revealing her intents Her love her hate her joy her grief Hence 't is the Tongue participates In her soul's actions good or ill So do the lips which are the gates That shut and open at her will Thus death and life are said to be In the Tongûes power 〈◊〉 her hands Althô the sin's formality Is in the Will which all commands But yet from fault the Tongue 's not free Some Tongues so ready are to speak Eecli 4. v. 34 Eccli 32. v. 10.11 Like Fancy they as nimble be Let fly at all and thus they break The Laws of Reason God and Man With evill words they wound the soul They speak before their Reason can Well judge what 's right and them controul Hence 't is Saint James declares that he Who to Religion doth pretend And leaves his Tongue at liberty Of his Religion there 's an end Iam. 1. v. 26. Except a Man his Tongue refrain And make of it Religious use Ps 139. v. 12. He doth pretend to it in vain T is not Religion but abuse A Tongue that 's let at liberty Iam 3. v. 8. Saint James doth call a restless evill Abounding with iniquity And brings the soul unto the Devill It swears it curses v. 9.10 it blasphemes It lyes detracts and causeth strife It treats men with injurious Names Which oft occasions loss of life It doth the innocent defame By telling stories too and fro Iam. 3. v. 6. It puts the whole World in a flame Such Tongue to ' scape what man doth know Ps 56. v 5. Ps 13. v. 3. David compares it to a sword Under its lips Asp's poyson is Hundreds somtimes but with a word Infecting or with whispeâ—ing hiss Detracting words it doth let fly Prov 24 v. 9 21 Eccli 20. v. 28.30 To th' loss of others Reputation Thus wounds the souls of standers by And many times to their Damnation For they do oft too much attend And credit the Detractours speech When they the absent should defend Math. 7. v. 12. As Christian Charity doth teach And thus they guilty do become Rom. 1. v. 32 Lev. 5. v. 1. By Silence seem to give consent In their defence are wholy dumb And lend their ear with much content Hear what Saint Bernard says of this Men to detract or others hear Which of these two more wicked is It doth not plain to me appear Again the Tongue by words impure 1. Cor. 15. v. 33. Provokes the Hearers unto Lust For which one day let man be sure A strict account he render must As instrumentall to their evill As envying their dear soul's salvation Against his God he joyns the devill And brings their souls unto damnation O fy lascivious Man for shame Beware your Tongue Eccli 27. v. 7. Math. 12 v. 34. for it doth show You are in heart the very same Since by his Tongue Man's Heart we know Let then your Tongue be chast and pure And Heart convert from that great Vice Rev. 21. v. 27. For no uncleanness we are sure Shall ever enter Paradise See what great evills men run in By their unchast detracting Tongue Besides their own most wicked sin All hearers sins to them belong Coloss 3. v. 8. Beware this Vice then from this day And of your Tongue most carefull be Ps 18. v. 14. Still with King David humbly pray From others sins O Lord spare me Some Tongues are good and Life do give By Godly counsell Pray'r and Preaching They gain from sin and win to live In virtue by their pious Teaching Souls to convert of all good works Saint Denis calls the most divine Let them be with the Jews or Turks Dan. 12. v. 3. Such Teachers shall with glory shine Choice silver saith wise Salomon That pure Tongue is Prov. 10. v. 20. which many teacheth To worship God and call upon His Holy Name and if it preacheth Good doctrine from all errours quit He truly names it Prov. 15. v. 4. Wood of life Reviving all that tast of it Such Tongues are always void of strife To injuries they make reply With meek with mild with humble spirit They always speak with charity Which pleaseth God and grace doth merit They pray they sing they praise God's Name If gratefull office they can do They still are ready for the same True Charity prompts thereunto Such blessed Tongues are instruments Eccli 37. v 21.22.26 To do themselves and others good They cross the Devil 's curst intents Christ's Death to frustrate and his Bloud Which he by wicked Tongues oft gains Destroying Christian Charity Well knowing Christ's most bitter pains For such will ineffectuall be The nature of the Tongue you see It is the best and worâ—â— of things As you do use it certainly Death to the soul Eccli 37. v. 21. Ps 100. v 6 Eph 4. v. 29. or life it brings Of others tongues do you beware Lest you be partner in their sin And of your own take equall care That you the same Gulf fall not in Come Children hear Ps 33. v. 12. and credit me Saith David I 'le teach you God's fear Who with long life would blessed be And see good days while he is here v. 14. Let him his Tongue refrain from ill His lips let not deceitfull be Thus he 'l perform his Makers will Long Life and happy days shall see But since it doth to God belong Prov. 16. v. 1. As Salomon the Wise declares To govern and to rule the Tongue Ps 140. v. 3. With David let us make our Pray'rs Put to
him he will give grace And Heav'n shall be his resting place Alms Avarice from heart remove Extinguishing its raging heat They also lessen Worldly Love Tob. 4 v. 12. Eccli 3. v. 33. And bring the Soul with God to treat As waters do extinguish fires So Alms resist what Sin requires Alms saith the Angel Raphaël Do free from Death Tob. 12. v. 9. Tob. 4. v. 10.11 Ps 111 v. 10. and purge from Sin They purchase Mercy keep from Hell As if we Sinners had not been They life obtain with God above So much doth God our Alms-deeds love The Wise man doth this counsell give Eccli 20. v. 15. Lay up your Alms in th' Poor Mans heart These will preserve you while you live From ill and when you hence depart Tob. 4. v. 11. Will help you in that dangêrous hour And shield you from the Devil's power This Virtue seems by Daniel With God to be the most prevailing In winning grace it doth excell And of God's Mercy seldom failing Dan 4. v. 24. Thy sins with Alms O King redeem Of all ways this I most esteem An Angel to Cornelius say'd Act. 10 v. 4. Thy Pray'r and Alms-deeds are ascended To God and shall be well appay'd Go unto Peter who 's descended To Joppen credit what he saith He shall instruct thee in the Faith The praise of Alms-deeds is to long For me at present to rehearse Exceeding limits of a song So I 'le conclude all in this Verse Give Alms Luk. 11. v. 41. saith JESUS and behold All things are pure to you as Gold Besides the Alms which Body feeds There is another you must give Instruct your Brother Eccli 18. v. 13. where it needs To love God and in 's Fear to live As Soul the Body doth excell So doth this Alms which keeps from Hell A third Alms yet you must bestow Without which God you cannot please To pardon and forgive your Foe From sin thus you will have release If you do Luk. 6. v. 37.38 Mat. 18. v. 340. God will pardon give If not you still shall guilty live Remember what you daily say Math. 6. v. 11. Give us this day our daily Bread Feed you the hungry then thus pray And your soul shall with grace be fed Luc. 6. v. 38. For as you do to others give So God your wants will still relieve We say Mat. 6. v. v. 12. Our trespasses forgive O gracious Lord and them forget As we offenders do relieve And freely pardon them their debt v. 14. If you do pardon heartily He 'l pardon you his Enemy And this will quit your soul of Fear In the last dreadfull Judgment day When you these thund'ring words shall hear Which to the Wicked Christ will say You 'ld not forgive Mat. 25. v. 41. to Hell be gone Nor give so Glory you 'l have none But then Christ to the Mercifull Shall say Come Mercy you shall find v. 34. Since you to Poor were pittifull And to your Enemy as kind Possess the Crown prepar'd for you Which is to Alms and Mercy due Amen THE ANGEL GUARDIAN' 's ADVICE TO HIS PUPIL He hath given his Angels charge of thee Psal 90. v. 11. THe charge of Men to Angels here God gave them to direct In all their ways Ps 90. v. 11. in Love and Fear Of him and to detect Temptations of their Enemy To keep them from all evill To win their hearts to God on high From Flesh the World and Devill Give ear to me my Pupil dear Who am your Angel-Keeper Tob. 5. v. 20.21 Who day and night do guard you here Fear not I am no sleeper But always watchfull you to mind Of good and when your Foe Doth tempt to ill in any kind That you may it forgo Consider Man your dignity How high your Natur 's flown Above the highest Hierarchy Of Angels Mark 16. v. 19. to God's Throne Whose Love to you was not confin'd Making one part your Soul His Image Gen. 1. v. 27. 't was then in his mind To honour more the whole Io. 1. v. 14. From Heav'n to Earth he did descend Your Nature to unite To his divine Rom. 5. v. 18.19 unto this end That he might make that right Which Adam's Sin deprav'd this great Work by his Death he wrought At God's right hand it now hath seat As by the Creed you 're taught No wonder then that God commands Ps 90. v. 12. His Angels to make care Of Mortall Men and in their hands Them to support and bear Lest Satan hurt them any way Since they thus honôred be And we as readily obey And them do serve as free Since then you are thus dignify'd Scorn basely to descend To worldly love Deut. 6. v. 5. Mat. 22. v. 37. Luk. 10. v. 27. let your's abide In Heav'n unto the end Let Satan curst you not deceive And stoop you down to Sin Since what he lost you shall receive The place he once sat in By Sin he fell and you must rise By Virtue to his place Hate Sin Eccli 21. v. 2. Rom. 6. v. 23. love Virtue thus be wise In keeping of God's grace What 's Sin but pleasure of the Flesh That 's common to the Beast Which doth the soul no whit refresh God is her only feast 1. Pet. 5. v. 5. The pound of heart God doth resist The humble he doth call To heav'nly Thrones the Angels mist Whose Pride was their downfall Hence comes the Mortall Enmity Of them unto Mankind That Men to Glory rais'd should be Doth sore perplex their mind Mat. 26. v. 15 'T was greedy gain made Judas sell His Saviour and his Soul Mat. 19. v. 29. The world's Contempt doth make men dwell With God above the Pole Gen. 19. v. 24. Foul Lust caus'd Sodom to be fir'd Chast Souls wed God above Gen. 4. v. 11. Cain's Envy curse from God requir'd Man's one with God by Love Luk. 16. v. 22. 'T was Gluttony that Dives rich Did bury deep in Hell v. 22. 'T was Laz'rus want and hunger which Made him in Heav'n to dwell The furious Man abounds with sin Mark 5. v. 4. The Meek possess the Land The Idle Heav'n shall never win 2. Tim. 2. v. 5. Who fights shall crowned stand In fine all Vice doth separate 'Twixt God Isai 59. v. 2. and Man's Soul here And only this can make him hate That which he loves so dear This Virtue that doth reunite The Soul again to God When she the Flesh and World's delight Both under foot hath trod Mat. 4. v. 35. Rev. 12. v. 9. As Devils tempt you unto Sin So I to Virtue move Malice moves them the Prize to win In me 't is only Love To follow them the Flesh doth please To which my counsell's grief This Heav'n doth bring the Soul 's true case That Hell where 's no relief Attend
thô God's dear Son Luk. 24. v. 26. Could not in glory be But by pains undergon And dying on the Tree His Saints sought their Salvation The self-same way Ps 33. v. 20. as best And by much Tribulation They ent'red into rest And he who 'l glorious be Rom. 8. v. 17. With Christ must suffer here From Hell pains if be free He must not Pennance fear Math. 7. v. 13.14 Narrow is Heav'ns way Broad is the way to Hell Few love in that to stay In this do many dwell Lib. Since all you say is true As Scriptures testify 1. Pet. 2. v. 11. Pleasures I bid Adieu In Pennance I will dy Rom 8. v. 13. Ps 118. v. 59 Rom. 8. v. 13. No longer Liberty Let that curst name be gone I will your Convert be Blest Mortification A DIALOGUE BETWIXT HOPE AND DESPAIR OR HOPE CONVERTING A DESPAIRING MAN Althô he should kill me I will trust in him Job 13. v. 13. Hope WHat fruitless sighs and sobs are these Which Eccho in my ear Distrustfull thoughts do never please Hope must be joyn'd with Fear That tears to Soul may fruitfull be And sorrow comfort bring These joyn'd with love of God do free The Conscience of guilt's sting Desp 'T is I poor Soul who sigh weep To think what joys are past Wisd 17. v. 10. What frights do now possess my sleep In Hell strait to be cast The good I 've lost the ill I 've gaind Do sore perplex my mind How I my Soul with Sin have stain'd That I no joy can find When once I liv'd in Conscience clear And service of my God 1. Io. 4. v. 18. Love had secur'd my heart from fear Of his chastizing Rod. All creatures me afforded joy God's praises I did sing My Flesh my Spirit did obey My Soul my heavenly King Curst Satan 1. Pet. 5. v. 8. envy'ng my good hap With his sought my downfall My careless Soul he did intrap And brought it in Sin 's thrall Now all things that I see Wisd 17. v 9. or hear Add sorrow to my grief My Sins in Conscience still appear And I despair relief Rom. 7. v. 23. Gal. 5. v. 17. For now my senses all rebell And war against my Soul God's grace my help I base did sell For Sin How to controul Or them restrain I do not know They Reason do so blind They't pleasure bring her to their bow And thus corrupt the mind Hope Poor Soul consid'ring your sad state Ps 41. v. 4. You reason have to weep To sigh and to lament your fate With grief of heart most deep For on the Earth no state 's so bad Ps 5. v. 7. Ps 10. v. 7. As that of sinfull heart Which once God's grace and favour had And from it did depart Ps 44. v. 3. Eccl. 12. v. 7. Eph. 2. v. 8. Tit. 3. v 7. Rom 6. v. 23. Ps 93. v. 19. Mat. 8. v. 12. Eccli 39. v 35.36 Grace keeps Man's Soul in God's true Love By Sin God him doth hate By Grace he 's heir to joys above By Sin in damned state While he 's in grace God doth him greet With heav'nly consolation In Sin with Hell's food he doth meet Sad grief and desolation What grief hath Father child to leave Who loves him tenderly Who can the Mother's grief conceive Who sees her children dy For loving friends to part for ever Is grief beyond expression Exil'd from all to come back never How sad in this condition For loving Man and Wife to part Is little less than Death Of all griefs Eccli 41. v. 1. this destroys the heart Our life's expiring breath All these are griefs in high degree Yet joyn them all in one Equall they can't the misery That 's found in sin alone For God who bears all Titles dear Of pleasure and of Love From soul is separated here By sin Isai 59. v. 2. Mat. 25. v. 29. Ezech. 16. v. 27. Mat. 12. v. 45. and doth remove All 's Blessings from her and doth give Possession to the Devill Where Tyrannizing he doth live Enslaving her in evill The forenam'd sorrows have release By time and do expire Wisd 17. v. 10. The Conscience-grief doth still increase Till it brings to Hell-fire Where it's nêre dying worm doth feed On th' soul Isai 66. v. 24. Wisd 5. v. 3. to think what 's lost Which vain remorse doth in it breed To think how dear sin cost Desp What you have said I own for Truth Bêing sensible in soul Of much Had I took care in youth I had preserv'd it whole Man's frailty once I would not own But scorn'd those were in sin And thus by Pride Ps 1â—7 v. 67. was overthrown Same state I now live in Hop Thô God in you hath punish't Pride Ps 118. v. 71. And left you without grace That falling humble you abide With shame 's blush in your face Ps 31. v. 10. Yet by no means you must despair But on his Mercies call Which in your God transcending are Man's Refuge after fall How many sinners found relief In Heaven now are Saints When they for sin mixt tears with grief God heard their dolefull plaints And he hath promis't Isai 1. v. 8. Ezech. 33. v. 14 16. he 'l receive Sinners at their return If they their sinfull course will leave In Hell they shall not burn Des Cain he was sorry yet was curst Gen. 4. v. 1â— Mat. 27. v. 5. And Judas hang'd himself Of greatest sinners I 'm the worst Poor weak a graceless Elf Mine's greater then the sin of Cain Christ had not shed his bloud Wisd 16. v. 29. I more ungratefull here remain Than Cain pay'ng ill for good I Mat. 26. v. 15. Judas-like who 's Lord did sell And still his grace abus'd When Christ by grace in me would dwell I basely him refus'd Io. 8. v. 44. Adjoyn'd his Enemy in fight ' Gainst him and thus ungratefull His pretious Blood and death did slight A sin of all most hatefull Hop Enough Despair no more of this Men plung'd as deep in sin And as ungratefull did not miss But oft have pardon'd been If Cain and Judas did lament And yet grace did not find They did not truly sin repent And were not right in mind Cain seemed sad yet we do'nt read Because he had don ill Or did repent that wicked deed Gen. 4. v. 14. But fear'd men would him kill Judas repented what was don Yet wanted Mercy 's hope And Faith in Christ Mat. 27. v. 3. God's only son So hanged in a rope 2. King 11. v. 4. v. 15.24 1. King 16. v. 1.12 Io 21. v. 17. Mat. 26. v. 74. Io. 19. v. 34. David Adult'ry did commit And murder after he Was chose by God in Throne to sit Prophet and King to be Peter of all made chief when try'd His Master did forswear With spear Longinus pierc't Christ's
side Yet all these pardon'd were What greater sins can you conceive Or more ungrate full Men Yet those when they did evill leave And did return agen With tears of Eyes Ioel. 2. v. 12. and grief of heart With hope and Faith conjoyn'd By fervent Pray'r and Pennance smart v. 13. To Mercy God inclin'd Who did receive them in his love And grace on them bestow Ezech. 18 v. 22. Rom. 5. v. 20. The guilt of sin he did remove Where Vice now Virtues grow Thus they with many more became Great Saints and reign above Remitted sins Luk 7. v. 47. increase the flame Of Gratitude and Love If any sin he 'l not forgive It 's that which you are in Despairing Mercy 1. Io. 5. v. 16. Ier. 18. v. 12.13 while you live The greatest of all sin By this you do deny in him Ps 144. v. 9. Eph. 4. v. 19. His greatest Attribute Which leads the soul unto Hell's brim Despair's accursed fruit God's Mercy 's greater than Man's Sin So is the Price Christ gave Upon the Cross his Soul to win And from Damnation save Put trust in God Ps 90. v. 14.15 and in the merit Of Christ thy Saviour dear Leave Sin Ezech. 18. v. 32. by Faith raise up your spirit And pardon never fear Des I grant all 's true that you do say But yet this Mercy I Who Sinner am know not the way To gain or to apply Christ's merits to my Soul I fear Prov. 28. v. 9. While J'm in state of Sin My sighs and Pray'rs God will not hear This oft hath proved been Hope That is while Heart remains perverse Ready to sin again Eccli 34. v. 31. But when Man grieves his sinfull course And doth from sin refrain By Sacraments let him apply Christ's merit to his soul Christ promis't who can never ly Io. 20. v. 23. That he will make it whole Desp Sweet Hope Rom. 8. v. 24. which dost to Heav'n bring Your Convert I will be Dev'lish Despair away I 'le fling And hearken unto thee I 'le weep I 'le grievee I 'le leave all sin By Sacraments will I God's Mercy seek his grace to win Eccli 2. v. 11. And thus in Hope will dy Amen OF DEATH Remember thy last Ends and thou wilt not sin for ever Eccl. 7. v. 40. It is appointed for all men once to dy Hebr. 9. v. 27. THe soul of Man since Adam's fall Eph. 4. v. 18 19. Is so obscur'd by Flesh and Bloud The senses seem to govern all As if the soul nought understood Men to this life do so attend They little think upon their End The whole Earth sayeth Jeremy Ier. 12. v. 11. With desolation's desolate And he declares the reason why That we may mend before too late No one considers deep in heart That from this life he must depart Much less 2. Cor. 5. v. 10. that he account must give Of all what ever he hath done And that he must for ever live In joys or sorrow when he 's gone This want of true consideration Is chiefest cause of Man's damnation The Wiseman therfore doth advise That in your ways you mindfull are Of your last things Eccli 7. v 40. thus you 'l be wise And for a happy death prepare You 'l never sin or do amiss While this your Meditation is What is grim Death in picture made With Dead-Man's skull and standing by Hour-glass with crooked Sithe and spade Arm and Leg-bones that cross do ly Death nothing is but Life's privation The soul and Body's separation But yet how sad that hour will prove When Flesh and soul must separate Which were so firmly joyn'd in love No tongue is able to relate S. Denis Ps 54. v. 5. Among all other dreadfull things That day to Man most terrour brings That puts an end to carnall pleasures Which then to Soul cause bitter grief That separates from Worldly treasures Luk. 12. v. 20. Which then afford men no relief That parts from Children Wife and Friend To Worldly joys that puts an end That quells the spirit of the proud And stubborn disobedient heart That makes the Sinner cry aloud His guilty Soul 's loath to depart Wealth honour Pow'r will not prevail When Death arrests he takes no Bail Your Life to mend he 'l grant no space But to the Judge your Soul present Where bribes or friendship find no place To late 't will be then to repent Eccl. 11. v. 3. As at that hour you 're found to be So you 'l be for Eternity Delights and Pleasures wanton Love Which were before your heart 's content In that most dreadfull hour Wisd 5. v. 3. will prove Grief to your Soul which will lament To think how for these pleasing toys She is depriv'd of reall joys Those then will pass and leave behind A strict account for her to make Why she let them possess her mind And Pleasure with the Flesh did take Since she was made for joys above And to contemn all Carnall Love Then Glory Honour Power Wealth In which vain Men do put their trust Youth Beauty Valour Courage Health Will all be buried in the dust That Man will vile to God appear Who seem'd so great and glorious here Eccls. 1 v. 8. All these you 'l own then to be vain On which before you plac't your love Despairing then you will remain To think upon your God above How he will justly you condemn Who did for these his Laws contemn Ps 33. v. 22. O dreadfull day to wicked Soul Which here in body did neglect Her sense and passions to controul And crooked Nature to correct Still yielding with depraved will Her Flesh-desires here to fulfill Whereas in Body she was plac't Corrupted Nature to restrain And what she found in it defac't By grace and Virtue to regain But she let senses govern all By which the Dev'l procur'd her fall Mat. 25. v 7. The Prudent Virgins imitate With oyl in Lamp prepar'd remain Not with the foolish v. 8. when too late To seek v. 10. and knock but all in vain The gate is shut you are forgot The Bride-groom says v. 12. I know you not Have oyl of works in Lamps of Faith ' Gainst midnight-Death â—â—â—l 5.6 â—â—â—m 2. 〈◊〉 4.24 thus ready stand And glory not as scripture saith In Faith alone lest Spouse command You Ecâ—â—â—â—â—at 22. v. v. 12.13 not adorn'd with works to ly In fire yet dark and nêre to dy Take warning then before too late Deut. 32. v. 29. And that your life you may amend On your departure meditate That Worldly pleasures will have end That Riches you must leave behind Which will at Death perplex the mind O Death Eccli 41. v. 1. how bitter is the thought Of thee to those who do possess Peace in their Riches which have brought Their Soul to Sin and Wickedness To leave their
evill This lesser Light was Magdalen To Moon compar'd and she Was once Eclips't by Sin and thus Did not the danger see For as the Moon from Sun hath light So when the Earth's between The Moon 's obscur'd because she is By Sun no longer seen So God the Light of Mary's Soul By earthly Carnall Love Was parted from her and through Sin Did grace's light remove But when the Sun of Justice rose Malac. 4. v 1. Luk. 1. v. 78. And in this World appear'd With Mercy he did her behold And from Sin 's darkness clear'd And set her up a Light to be To all in sinfull state That they by her example might Repent before too late And never more return to Sin But perfectly Christ joyn As she did after lead on Earth A pure Life and divine No one of Pardon may despair Or to recover grace Since Magdalen a Sinner great In glory hath a place Althô their Night be perfect dark And danger great appears When this full Moon reflects her light 'T will free the heart from fears For thô the first part of her life With Sin was dark as Night The other part Moon-like doth give To Sinners guiding light Which if they follow it will bring Them out of darksom Sin To Christ the Sun of Justice bright A new life to begin Saint Luke c. 7. v. 37. who her Conversion writ Calls her the City-Sinner Who touch't with sorrow ran to Christ v. 36. Where he was sat at dinner Who Mark 16 v. 9. as Saint Mark affirms did cast Out of her seaven Devills For she had been addicted much Unto all sorts of evills Saint Gregory doth call these Devills The seaven Deadly Sins To which she long time slave had been But now her freedom wins And now Rom. 5. v. 20. where Sin did once abound Grace also doth abound She makes Vice Virtue 's Instrument She Pardon sought and found On Sin she once had plac't her love To Christ she now it gave Love was her Death Love was her Life Thus freed was Sathan's Slave Her Senses and her Members too Which she to Sin did use She now makes Instruments to grace And forth her Pardon sues Her Ears which unto lewd discourse Before were wholly bent She now lends to Christ's words most sweet Which made her heart relent Her Feet which ran before to sin She doth imploy to find Her now beloved and dear Lord That she may ease her mind And hearing where at Meat he sat Luk. 7. v. 37. She boldly did appear And feared not expell'd to be 1. Io. 4. v. 18. Love had expell'd and Fear She who did use to take first place Now humbly stands behind Her Lord and with tears in her Eyes Luk 7. v. 38. Unto his Feet inclin'd Those Eyes which with their wanton looks Lament 3. v. 51. Of Grace had robb'd her soul Shed Floud which wash't her Saviours Feet Who was to make her whole Her golden Locks which had inslav'd Poor souls in Cupid's snare Luk 7. v. 38. To wipe the Feet of her dear Lord She us'd as Towell rare Her Lips which had sin's poyson suck't And plac't it in her Heart v. 38. Continu'd kissing Christ's chast Feet And from them would not part Untill she had on them pour'd forth Her oyntments rich and sweet Which caus'd her Lord most mercifull With Mercy her to greet Woman v. 50. thy sins I do remit Go homeward now repair Because thou lovest much v. 47. thy sins Thô many pard'ned are What Joy these words did cause in her No Tongue can well express Nor Heart conceive except her own It was to that excess Learn here Poor Soul of Magdalen How to return to God To free thy self from Sin 's great load And Justice heavy Rod. First Ear give unto Gospel word Inspir'd or taught by Tongue With Mary run thy Lord to seek And Pennance not prolong Hate Sin love JESUS and declare The Sorrow that 's within By outward Tears prest from the Heart Through thy deep sense of Sin Imploy thy hair that is thy goods Christ's Feet the Poor to feed Tob. 12. v. 9. Fear not but Alms will thee relieve And help in time of need Pour forth thy oyntments that 's cast out True Virtue 's fragrant Smell Which will raise up thy Soul above In Heav'nly Joys to dwell Give Kiss of Peace to Christ that is Hate Sin commit no more And Christ will thee his Blessing give Luk. 7. v. 50. And Peace to thee restore Grant JESU that we Magdalen's Steps of Repentance trace And as we follow'd her in Sin May follow her to grace Dear Magdalen for JESU'S sake Pray unto him for me That in this life in all distress My Helper thou maist be THE SECOND PART Containing her life after her conversion unto Christ's Ascension BEhold the change of Mary's Life Which first to Sin was bent In service of her Master dear Was after wholly spent We never read she sinn'd again But follow'd her dear Lord Administring to him Mark 15. v. 41. Luk 10. v. 39. and his Attending to his word Luk. 10. v. 39. v. 40. Which sitting at his Feet to hear Her Sister did complain Of her as idle but her Lord Would have her there remain Say'ng Martha thou art busy'd much v. 41. And dost declare thy Heart Dressing my Meat but Mary here v. 42. Hath chose the better part Her brother being sick she sent Io. 11. v. 3. To let Christ know the same Say'ing whom thou lov'st is sick and he v. 7. With his Disciples came She met him and as she did use v. 32. Fell down before his Feet With Kisses from a loving Heart She did her dear Lord greet Where she renew'd her Tears again And so much did lament That Christ shed Tears with her v. 35. and thence Unto the Grave he went Say'ng Lazarus arise v 43. come forth He rose up suddenly To the great joy of sisters both And all the standers by Dear Mary shed these tears for me That I in Bliss may rest Since they prevail'd with God to weep And grant thee thy request In gratitude before Christ's Death She brought rich ointments Io. 12. v. 3. v. 5. worth Three hundred pence and as he sat On 's Head she pour'd them forth At this the Traytor Judas griev'd And said v. 4. Mark 14. v. 4. why this excess What she deem'd little he thought much Who priz'd his Master less Mat. 26. v. 15. When he sold him for thirty pence O Judas tell me why Thou didst not ask her who 'ld give more Before her Lord should dy When Christ was nail'd unto the Cross And all his friends were fled Io. 19. v. 25. Mary stood constant weeping by With sorrow almost dead When dead she help't to take him down And in the Tomb to lay Then marking well the Tomb Mark 15. v. 47.
she went To keep the Sabbath-day But little rest sad Mary found Reflecting on her Lord. No meat no drink or sleep I judge She did her self afford Early next morn Mark 16. v. 1. with Marys two She took her ointments dear To give her Lord the last farewell The Guards she did not fear Nor who should roll away the stone v. 4. Which passed much their strength Love gave her wings Love gave her will Love brought her joy at length But lo Mary a second grief Lik 24. v. 3. The Body is not here The Tomb is open some have stol'n Away my Lord I fear Chear up Mary An Angel asks Woman Io. 20. v. 13. why dost thou weep I know not where they 've laid my Lord Which wounds my heart full deep v. 2. She runs and tells his Brethren this Peter and John ran fast And found what she had said was true And back again they past But Mary still stood weeping at The Tomb v. 11. would not depart Where her Lord's Body last was lay'd She had intomb'd her heart No longer could Christ's clemency Forbear but did appear v. 15. Say'ng Woman why do you thus weep And whom do you seek here She took him for a Gard'ner by His habit v. 15. and replies If thou him took'st I 'le fetch him back Tell me but where he lies Christ seeing Mary's loving tears No longer could conceal Himself but open'd Mary's eyes And did himself reveal MARY v. 16. says Christ She knew him then And Rabby she reply'd She saw he was no Gard'ner but Her Lord who for her dy'd And fell down at her usual place His Feet to kiss but see New grief Her Lord denies her this Say'ng v. 17. Woman touch not me v. 17. But go and tell my Brothers dear That I again do live Mat. 28. v. 7.10 In Galily they shall me see Where I will blessing give Mary obeys and in the way v. 9. Christ lets her kiss his feet Love made him first appear to her Her Love with Love did meet How oft to her Christ did appear The Scripture doth not tell 10. 11. v. 5. But we may judge it often was For he lov'd Mary well And when to Heav'n he did ascend Act. 1. v. 14. Mary was with the rest When Holy Ghost he promis't them And his Beloved Bless't Behold how Mary serv'd her Lord And never did depart From him in Joy or Misery So constant was her Heart Grant JESUS dear for Magd'len's sake That I adhere to Thee In Life and Death and that her Prayr's True Joy may bring to me Dear Mother Look in the old Hymn at Lauds beg this of your Lord As you did for your Brother That in this Life he 'l give me grace And glory in the other THE THIRD PART Containing the rest of her life after Christ's Ascension to her death YOu 'l say While Christ was here on Earth Mary was led in hand Now he is gone and out of sight Let 's see how she doth stand Io. 11. v. 44. Christ raising Laz'rus up from Death Confirm'd his doctrin so How to defame and blast the same The Jews no longer know Io. 12. v. 10. To kill him therfore they resolve But God permitting not How to destroy the family They next contrive and plot The brother sisters and some more They put into a boat Without Sails Oars or any guide Upon the Sea to float Intending to destroy them thus of humane help depriv'd But by God's Providence they all Safe at Marselles arriv'd Where Magdalen began to preach One God and Saviour dear Such Doctrine these poor Heathens blind Before did never hear From Idols many turned were By word and works she wrought Till at the last they would adore Her for the God she taught Which made her beg of God to take Her from the praise of men Convey'd she was by Angels hands Into a lonely Den. Where never Man or Woman she Beheld for thirty years Her meat was what the Mount did yield Her drink was wrought by tears For shedding tears for her past sins And Death of Master here Immediatly at her request Sprung up a Fountain clear To keep fresh in her memory Her dear Lord's death and loss She begs some Instrument of God An Angell brings a Cross She spent her life in tears of love And heav'nly Contemplation Her Heart curs't Satan nêre could move With any vain Temptation Christ her dear Lord could nêre forget This his dear Penitent But to her seaven times a day His gloriôus Angels sent Who by their virtue rais'd her up Into the air so high That with a ravish't Soul she heard The Heav'nly Harmony And in that space of thirty years As Mary lived there Her Lord an hundred and ten times Did gloriously appear What ravishments he gave her then Of Joy and what excess Excells Man's fancy to conceive Or Tongue well to express God willing now that Magdalen In soul this World should leave Reveal'd her who from Maximin Christ's Body did receive And being thus prepar'd for Death Her Soul left presently Her Mortall Body and with wings Of Love to God did fly Where now with him she doth remain In joy of Heav'nly Bliss Become a Patroness for those Who here have done amiss Behold the Soul of Magdalen At first defil'd with sin Refin'd by Love and purg'd by tears At last did Heaven win Let no poor Sinner then despair Of Mercy here and Grace If Mary's Life he 'l imitate And her rare Virtues trace This let him beg of God in faith Of JESUS Passion dear And merits of this glorious Saint Whose Pray'rs he 'l ever hear Blest Mary my poor love accept And be to me a Mother Pray in this Life God's Grace I have And Glory in the other Amen THE LIFE OF THE SERAPHICALL FATHER S. FRANCIS IN VERSE DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS The First Part to the making of his Rule GOd made Man's nature innocent Adorned with Free-will Gen 4. v. 7. Eccli 15. v. 17. Gen. 2. v. 17. And gave him one Commandement His pleasure to fulfill To break it Death to keep it Life Was for Eternity And while on Earth void of all strife And human misery Luk. 10. v. 18. Rev. 12. v. 9.12 Curs't Satan who from glory fell Did hate Man's happy state Made for his place in joy to dwell Where once this proud Fiend sate Wisd 2. v. 24. Gen. 3. v. 4. And to deprive him of his Bliss He tempts the fruit to take Thou shalt not dy 't is not amiss Do but experience make Man yielding to his Wife's desire v. 6. Rom. 5. v. 12. Made that unhappy tast Incurr'd for him and his Hell-Fire Who here on Earth were plac't Environed with misery In Reason blinded so They fell into Idolatry Their God they did not know For this and many other sins Gen 6. v. 7. v. 8. God thought all
his words but deeds He mov'd to Imitation Which are indeed the best of seeds To spring up Reformation Transcending was his Poverty Which quits of worldly cares Admitting of no Property And this the Heart prepares To fix it self on Heav'nly gain All Earthly to despise Which at the last doth prove but vain Dress't up in false disguise He so much lov'd pure Chastity Of Body and of Mind That if he felt the contrary Allays he strait did find He disciplin'd his Flesh full sore In thorns he tumbled so Untill his very flesh they tore Or rolled in the snow Francis the Humble Men him call He did excell in this The place whence Lucifer did fall Is thought now to be his This Virtue he did recommend To his and 't was his pleasure To name them Minors to this end That they might seek this Treasure 1. King 15. v. 22. Obedience he well knew to be Better than Sacrifice Thô Father of them all was he Yet still he did devise Subject to be unto another And therfore on the way Obedience strict unto his brother He promis't and did pay And as he the Creatour still Humbly obey'd in all So did dumb Creatures do his will Still ready at his call Brothers and Sisters he them nam'd To all he was so sweet That Fish the Fire and Beast he tam'd Who did him kindly greet Our Works are crown'd with Patience Iam. 1. v. 4 Mat. 10. v. 22. That our reward doth merit For all the Pains we feel in sense Or anguish of the Spirit With Christ to suffer he desir'd In Pain Mat. 16. v. â—4 Mark 8. v. 34. or any loss To imitate what he requir'd In bearing of the Cross The Queen of Virtues 1. Co. 13. v. 13. Charity His heart had so inflam'd That it would almost melted be When God's Love was but nam'd Mat. 22. v. 39. His Neighbour's Love possest him so That for his dear Soul 's good The hardest things he 'ld undergo To ' th shedding of his bloud This caus'd him journy to begin To Egypt's King that he Might to Christ's Church those faithless win Or else a Martyr be In sweetness he did so excell The Sultan freely gave Him leave to preach where he thought well And no disturbance have Missing his aim which was to dy For th' Faith of JESUS dear And finding no great profit by His Preaching Christ's Faith here He doth return with weeping eyes Bewailing his great loss Resolves his Love to Sacrifice To Christ upon the Cross Devotîon great he had to all God's Saints in chief his Mother Whom he did his dear Lady call But yet above all other He priz'd the Passion of his Lord As Treasure house of Grace Which doth to souls good thoughts afford And ill away doth chase Io. 3. v. 16. Eph. 6. v. 2. This is a Glass wherein we see Our God's great Love to us Who rather than we damn'd should be Chose to be treated thus And also how he Sin did hate That he would rather dy Than see men live in sinfull state Void of Felicity This teacheth us to love God here As also to hate Sin And as we love him still to fear Lest we should fall therein And if by Sin we 've lost God's Love Here 't is restor'd again Rom. 5. v. 9.10.11 Off'ring our tears to him above Joyn'd with Christ's bitter pain This Passion Francis preach't to all And thus their Ezech. â—â— v. 4. Rev. 7. v. 3. Foreheads cross't Imprinting how for Adam's fall Our Saviour's Life was lost That they to him be gratefull still Prov. 23.26 And to him give their heart Abhorring Sin to do his will And never from him part All Virtues that Christ taught Mankind Appear'd in Francis clear To print them deep in others mind His labour was while here But now grown weak that Death draws nigh He knows by Revelation And does employ his thoughts solely In Heav'nly Contemplation Let all learn here how to prepare For Death while they do live To love God still Deut. 6 v. 5. Rev. 14 v. 7. and sin beware And thus due honour give To teach us this Christ gave example Which he doth now renew In Francis who in manner ample Hath laid it to our view THE THIRD PART Containing the remainder of his life from the receiving of the holy Stygmes to his Death PRetend I shall not to recount The Miracles he wrought Which were so many they surmount In number frail man's thought The actions of his whole life were But one continu'd wonder To whom all things while be was here Obedience prompt did render Before his Death I 'l only tell How JESUS did him grace With Priviledge that did excell And worthily takes place Of all yet given unto any Which clearly doth declare His merits were both great and many Which thus rewarded were He being on the Mount Alvern In contemplation high Of JESUS'S Passion did so burn In Love that he must dy For his dear Lord or undergo Like pain our sins him gave Christ heard his Pray'r and yielded so His Wounds that he should have Behold a glorîous Seraphin Descending from above As thô he crucify'd had been Which did inflame his love Isai 6. v. 2. Six-wing'd he was two vail'd his head His feet two two did fly And while Saint Francis marveled The Seraphin draws nigh And on the Cross there did appear His dear Lord Crucify'd Fast nail'd upon 't as once when here He for all Mankind dyâ—d This griev'd him and did so inflame His heart with Love's great fire That to be nail'd unto the same Was now his whole desire Lo from hands feet and side did stream Five clear but bloudy rays Which pierc't like places as they came Where marks remain'd always In hands and feet like Nails were plain In 's Side the Wound of Spear Which bled and put him to such pain As thô he should dy here Having receiv'd these stygmes there He now might truly say Let no one molestation bear Gal. 6 v. 17. But readily obey Since thus with Wounds my Body 's sign'd Of my Redeemer dear Th' example which in me you find To follow do not fear To him this may be well apply'd I live Gal. 2. v. 20. thô now not I But JESUS Christ my Crucify'd Doth live and in me ly O marv'lous Man true friend of God Phil. 3. v. â— Gen. 28.12 Than Man an Angel rather Who under foot the World hast trod And mounted Jacob's ladder By Vice's hate and Virtue 's love Thou walkedst without blame And thus Poor Sinners thou didst move While here to do the same Obtain that we may imitate Thy footsteps in true Love That we may Sin as truly hate And live with thee above Those sacred Wounds he did receive Two years or thereabout Before this frail Life he did leave Which clear'd Men of all doubt For they did oftentimes appear Thô his humility Indeavour'd to conceal