his owne esteem was in his very Zenith in his scorching Meridian then Christ said Siste gradum stand still or go down rather set at noon which was his transmutation our second Considerable his Conversion Acts 9. and 4. where in the third you have the manner and in the fourth the matter of it Acts 9.3 4. suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven Verse 3. Divine Illumination is the sole efficient of mans conversion There is no Deriding or Censuring of any no despairing of our selves or others touching Conversion we know not how soon or suddenly the light may shine from Heaven yet much less is there any presuming on such singular examples for the case may differ the good Thief was converted at the first Call and Saint Paul here at the first Illumination Take heed then of both Rocks Scylla and Carybdis and thou shalt escape Demetrius his Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience Vers 4. next in the fourth verse he fell to to the Earth and heard a voice from Heaven c. Humiliation is a Christians way to exaltation and brings us even to a Conference with Christ Saul Saul why persecutest thou me and mark the happy consequent of such Antecedents viz. Remorse Obedience readiness vers 6. Vers 6. And he trembling and astonished said Lord what wilt thou have me to do acting according to all those directions following in the ninth Chapter which the Church appositely appointeth as this day's contemplation And here was a strange Trasmutation wrought 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Wolf 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Man a kind of transubstantiation contrary to the worlds Lycanthropy whereby too oft one man becomes a wolf unto another for here ex lupo agnus a very wolf is made a lamb ex vepribus racemus a Bramble becomes a Vine and cockle it self good wheat here as t were Is Grapes of Thornes and Figs of Thistles a Pirate becomes a Pilot the mouth of Blasphemy here becomes Christs Oratour and Satans Trumpet the Organ of the Holy Ghost Quantum mutatus happy all those that find but any degrees of such changed Affections as our Saint Paul did here that can say with him as to evil not I but sin that dwelleth in me and as to every good not I but Christ that liveth in me Rom. 7.20 Gal. 2.20 Rom. 9.3 not to speak of the raptures of his piety Rom. 9.3 that seraphick zeal by which he could have wished himself an Anathema for good of others and increase of Christs Kingdome that it may well be said of him that ex novissimo primus ex abortivo perfectus that of the last Apostle he became the chiefest and of Abortion a man of the most eminent perfection 2 Cor. 5. in Coelis Homo in Terris Angelus saith one of him he was a man in Heaven 2 Cor. 11.23 not onely by his Conversation but in his rapture where he heard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unutterable words and while yet upon the earth chap. 12.4 he was a kind of Angel insomuch Origen saith that many thought him to be that Holy Ghost which Christ had promised to send after his departure From what a lowness was Saint Paul here raised unto what a height see what strange Changes here Grace can effect what then can Glory be therefore like him alwaies obedient to the Heavenly vision whether in his word or secreet motions that so you may be renewed in the Spirit of your mind till each one with Saint Augustin come to his Ego non sum Ego I am not now the same as heretofore and that so made appear by redeeming of lost time and by a bettered Conversation as Saint Paul did 2 Cor. 11. in labours more abundant 2 Cor. 11.23 c. quot verba tot tonitruae Hier his words were like Thunder And one of Saint Augustins three chief wishes was Paulum in cathedra Prud. Enchirid. To have heard Paul out of the Pulpit or seen him in the chaire Hic Lupus ante rapax vestitur vellere molli Saulus qui fuerat fit adempto lumine Paulus Mox recipit visum fit Apostolus ac populorū Doctor ore potens Corvos mutare Columbis He 's now a sheep that was a wolf before And Saul being blinded makes Paul see the more His sight receiv'd the Gentiles Doctor preves His holy Rhetorick turns Rav'ns Doves Thus our Saint Paul though he arose a Red and fiery Sun of persecution yet was his Meridian full of miraculous splendor and Illumination and his setting with more blush of penitence and passion vindicating his former time and mistaken zeal with multiplyed labours in propagating the true Gospel so that while other Apostles had their particularly designed Circuits totum pariter Mundum Paulo He was more then any the universal Bishop and had the whole World for his Diocess left to his peregrination and which indeed as the Sun in the Apostles Zodiack he did run through or the most known parts of it viz. Seleucia Phrygia Pamphilia Galatia Macedonia Athens Corinth Ephesus and the rest of the Graecian and Asiatick Churches besides the Mediterranean Islands Cyprus Creet Malta c. with the Continents of Spaine and Italy in which last after as large a Catalogue of dangers as Indeavours he had his Quietus by the Sword of Nero about the 67 year of Christ his Master Poem 24. BOld Poetry durst never feign a change Like this Conversien yet as true as strange That sings of Men turn'd Beasts but this doth paint A Ravenous Wolf turn'd Man and that man Saint Even Paul himself that breath'd Destruction Here proves a Vessel of Election Whence flow Balsamick oyles such to restore As his wild zeal so wounded had before Posting on he 's struck down that he might Rise Blinded with Light but yet to mend his Eyes First Heaven stoops to him he next soar'd to That And mounted higher for being thus thrown flat For he that er'st did to Stephens Death consent Instructs all to Believe now and Repent And who to Bonds and Death once Jews betray'd Is now great Doctor of the Gentiles made And with strange Paines and Perils doth Redeeme His former Actions Time and lost Esteeme Compassing Sea and Land to effect this In others divine Metamorphosis O may the same Coelestiall Bridle check Our gallopping corruptions and pull back Our ranging hearts Lord strike us so to ground That we thy Tennis-Balls to Heaven rebound Dazzle us with thy Beames that we may see No more the waies of Sin but better Thee That to himself or others Each mad Saul May prove a Penitent or Preaching Paul The COLLECT-PRAYER The Gospel Matth. 9. vers 23. to the end The Epistle Acts 9. vers 1. unto vers 23. God which hast taught all the world through the preaching of thy blessed apostle S. Paul grant we beseech thee that we which have his wonderful conversion in remembrance may follow and
is not here but is risen Hence then our Faith and Hope are quickened sufficiently both confirmed and fortified Now what though Afflictions and Diseases torture and even crucifie our Body What though our burdenous Tombstone stop up the mouth of our Grave and forbid Re-entry into the world what though the inviolable course of Nature seal up our Sepulcher for Time ner'e to open what though Corruption set worms and other noysom creatures as 't were to watch our carcasses yet shall they maugre all these the very same I say shall one day likewise find themselves redintegrated by this powerfull Resurrection we shall not be stoln away either by Mortality or Time then feare no more to trust thy Body then the Sower doth his Grain unto the Earth The Grave must come to Restitution and give account of each Dust and Atome committed to her trust and not so much as an hair of our head shall perish Luke 21. Luke 21.18 While the head is above water no fear of drowning Mirum esset si caput per unum corpus per aliud intraret 'T were strange indeed that the Head should enter Heaven at one door and the Body at another Socinus therefore was but sottish to deny the consequent of ours from Christs Resurrection Decet quemadmodum praecessit caput Bernard Serm. in Resurrect sequantur membra It is but naturall proportion that as the Head is gone before we all the other members should follow after Thus being acquainted with the Person observe next his Motion His progressive or Egressive motion Wherein are also those two poynts of locall motion Terminus à quo He is not here and Terminus ad quem He is risen The first is whence he rose and that was à statu mortuorum not from any Poeticall Limbus but from the state of the Dead à Sepulchro From the Grave From triumphing over Hell it selfe as Davids 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And the Septuagints 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will bear it all Psal 116.10 He is not here Where our Meditations have overtaken the Disciples and are entring the Sepulcher where we find nothing but the Linnen left and Watchmen stupified But that Agnus occisus jam Leo vincens That Lamb which was slain Terminus à Quo. is now the Triumphing Lion of the Tribe of Judah too holy an One to see corruption He is not here in Earth or earthly Elements that is every where according to his Deity and Spirituall Influences Accedas Saducaee Sepulchrum inspice Come hither then Atheisticall Saduce and let thine Eye tutor thine Infidell Heart to a belief of the Resurrection Mark but the method of the Linnen Bern. in Fest Lineamina posita bene disposita That not onely remaining but keeping the severall postures of the parts that wore it And would a Thiefe have left it thinkest thou or left it so distinguished Or if the World had had a Thiefe so Honest Quam opportunitatem habuisset What time could he have had of stripping off those cleaving Sear-Clothes and bearing forth the Body so many Souldiers so many Watchmen present No no 't was that same Power onely which loosned formerly Saint Peters Fetters made this Winding sheet fall off the Deity it selfe so kept this Citie that the Watchmen watched but in vain In vain indeed for the sight of an Angell countenanced like lightning so terrified and amazed them that as though they had been struck with Lightning they became 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matth. 28.4 Even as dead men Fitter to be buried in the Sepulcher then to watch it So that the envious Sanedrim endeavour to revive them with money that usuall Aqua vitae of ill fainting Causes hiring the Souldiers to say That His Disciples came by night and stole him away The Jewes strong delusion to this day O stulta insania dormientes testes adhibent Rhemigius in locum Alas fond dream of sleeping Watchmen saith Rhemigius if they slept how could they perceive the Theft If not perceiv'd how could they witnesse it Not taken away and therefore risen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For He is not here And this is the strangest Epitaph that er'e was read on Sepulcher Non est hic Turn over all the leaves of Story and Antiquity become Companions of the Sunne like Drake and Cavendish travell the whole Circle of the Earth view all the Monuments Pyramids and Tombs of Mortals and you shall still meet with there a Trophae of Deaths Conquest a Stone ingraven with an Hic jacet Here lieth such Christs Epitaph or such an one Here he lieth be he a Nebuchadnezzar a Nimrod or Baltshassar Here the bright Hellen and great Alexander Here the wise Cato and learned Aristotle or what ever other Grandees of the world Here lie their Bodies bound in Fetters of Corruption chambred up in Dust prisoners to the Grave and Captives unto Death Hic jacet But in an holy Pilgrimage come we to our Saviours Sepulcher and to our equall joy and wonder we meet with Ensignes of Death's overthrow the stone removed from off his Grave and there an Angel penning this his Epitaph No his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Song of victory Non est hic He is not Here. Hee who is Life it selfe could not be detained of Death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Apostle 'T was impossible he should be holden of it But like his Type Samson Ruptis Laethi vinculis He breaketh the bonds of Death and casteth his Cords from him Nor from himselfe alone but from his Servants also 1 Corinth 15. 1 Cor 15.15 Where you may see one of them out-braving Death and Hell Where is thy sting where thy victory To which S. Bernard sweetly alluding Vbi opprobria Judaee Vbi fabulae Vbi vasa Captivitatis Where now thou stony Jew are all thy cruelties Alas Where are now the sports the Reed and Purple of your injured King and all those other Instruments of his Captivity Vbi mors victoria tua Bern. in Fest Nay Death it selfe Where 's now thy conquest Then alluding to the Answer as well as to the Question Confusus Calumniator raptor spoliatus The Mocker is mocked He that sitteth in Heaven hath laughed them to scorn and Death is swallowed up in Victory by CHRISTS glorious Resurrection Non est hic He is not here Mark Christian Reader Christus non quaerendus in Terrenis CHRIST is not to be sought for in these earthly Transitories I am sure not to be found there Not in the Avaritious man his Coffer Achan found a Non est hic in the Golden Wedge He is not here Not on the Ambitious Pinacle Haman found a Non est hic Hest 4. In the Chair of the scorner He is not here Not in the voluptuous mans bed Cant. 6. The Spouse her selfe found a Non est hic In Ease Idlenesse or worse He is not here And therefore
Day 49 Ashwednesday 56 The solemn Fast of Lent 62 Palm Sunday 75 Good Friday 80 Easter Day 106 Ascension Day 135 Whitsunday 155 Trinity Sunday 177 The Lords Day in Generall 186 Rogation Week 201 S. Andrews Day 208 S. Thomas Day 221 Conversion of S. Paul 231 The Purification 239 S. Matthias Day 247 The Annunciation 256 S. Marks Day 265 S. Philip and Jacob 270 S. Barnaby's Day 277 S. John Baptist 299 S. Peter's Day 319 S. James his Day 330 S. Bartholomew's Day 337 S. Matthew's Day 321 S. Michael the Arch-Angel 329 S. Luke's Day 339 S. Simon and Jude 346 All Saints Day 353 The four Ember Weeks 364 The Vigils or Eves of Festivals 368 The Doxologie 371 ERRATA In Votum Authoris line 5. r. accendat Ad Malignantes Poemata l. 3. r. if l. 6. r. texts To Rigid Humorists l. 22. r. ivgenuous P. 19. l. 26. for rupis r. rapis p. 136. l. 6. r. Christian p. 138. marg r. Enar. p. 354. l. 3. r. Assentation p. 155. l. 26. r. Candid p. 358. l. 8. r. Groat p. 362. marg r. Euthymius To his valued FRIEND the AUTHOR How much I love that Gallant civill man Who fears Gods Laws and does not mans offend Yet dares be active nay does all he can To vindicate the fame of his dead Friend How much more Dear Sparke must I Honor thee Who vindicat'st the Churches Piety I must acknowledg I with Reverence look Upon thy Parts and highly prize thy Merit For who impartially peruse thy Book Shall find thou hast an high seraphick Spirit Imagine Gold could be from Gold refin'd So is thy soul from others souls sublim'd Ad Malignantes Poemata I hear some Quarrell Authors that have writ In verse such strong and sublimated things As â—f such subjects for verse were not fit Let them know this God chose the Pens of Kings To wâ—…e in verse and Christ alledg'd them more Then all the Text he found in Moses store Let them know learned Moses and wise Job Writ both in verse before those glorious Kings And all the Prophets call'd the sons of God In verse have written high mysterous things Let them know who dares on such verse fall foul Hath but a squint-ey'd ill composed Soul Fran. Wortley To the Author in contemplation of his Primitive Devotion THe Churches Liturgy Her Discipline Her sweet indulgencies Her love divine Her Fasts Her Feasts Her Sacraments and all That Tongues of men and Angels Order cal By wholsome Precepts and choice presidents This Author with high Charity presents Instructing us the ready Way to know What to our God what to the Church we owe. All morall vertues stand in great esteem With grave Philosophers shall not we deem Diviner Graces much more to surmount Yes To this end SPARKE renders in Account The lives and deaths of most refined Saints Which he from Times records so lively Paints That we by their examples might become Such as they were in Life or Martyrdome Great Harmony did grace her Pristine State Till the red Dragon grew predominate In her Meridian thousand souls did bring At her Behests their free-will offering In her eclipse no Herbert not a Donne SPARKE only sings her Resurrection To shew my best Affection and my Zeal To this good Work I give Heart Hand and Seal Thomas Shirley In opus eruditum Authoris ingeniosissimi CRudeli lacerare manu pia viscera Matris Infoelix studuit Nequitiae soboles Omine foelici sanavit vulnera Sparkus Non passus tumulo saucia membra dari Hic petit Antiquos veris ornare Coronis Vates Angelicos celebrare Choros R. DUKESON D.D. To my worthy Kinsman M. Ed. SPARKE upon his Pious Reflection on Primitive Devotion I Were ingrate should I thy lines ore'-look And not repay some tribute to thy Book Amongst those virid wreaths of Poetry Then interweave one Lawrell branch from me Whil'st thou thy light dost through the world disperse Accept of this Reflection on thy Verse Methinks Th' hast here thy skil in Musick shewn Most fitly to a Land that 's out of tune A happy harmony of Sions Songs Variety yet no Divisions First a plain Note a Rellish then doth close Each Poem's grafted on a stock of Prose How sweetly both the Courteous Reader Greet When the Prose runs so on the Verses feet Cease Old Religion to lament thy fate Here 's yet a Prospect of thy Pristine state Though the old lights snuft out which clearly shone To other Lands But dazled this our own Our comfort is we are not quite bereft Here is a SPARKE of the old Lamp yet left Blown from above into a Holy fire Whose flames shal last when as this SPARKE flies higher RICH. BETENSON On the worthy work of my respected Friend M. Ed. SPARKE When Pious Asa with his Fathers Slept How solemnly his funerals were kept A curious bed's contriv'd by Arts devices Fild all with Indian gums Arabian Spices This bed the case wherein his corps the Jewel Are for the * 2 Chro. 16.14 BURNING made the precious fuel As if that Asa's body did aspire To meet his soul and mount up in that fire Dead Saints dead days now put into their Urne See here a sweeter brighter flame doth burn Kindled from holy SPARKES whence doth arise No smoak to hurt save only envious eyes Whilst my admiring Muse at distance stands Desiring at this flame to heat her hands Wherewith emboldned neerer she presumes To steal a Sent of these thy sweet Perfumes But I recant my words and pardon crave That I compar'd thy Book unto the Grave Or Vrne of Saints for by thy Pen's perfection Saints are not buried but have Resurrection The cozning witch in counterfeit disguise Made but a seeming Samuel to rise Whom cunningly she did with mantle hide To cloak her cheat which else might be espide But who will not thy worthy Work applaud No falshood here no forgery or fraud Thou really dost from the dust retrive And make not one but All-Saints to revive Yea by the pains which thou on them expends Easter doth rise Ascension day ascends Thy Poetry is pleasant Pictures fine Thy Prose profound but oh the prayers divine Thus hast thou pleased us in every part Our fancies judgments with our eyes and heart THO. FULLER To the Author upon the sight of the first sheet of his Book My worthy friend I am much pleas'd to know You have begun to pay the debt you owe By promise to so many pious friends In printing your choice Poems it commends Both them and you that they have been desir'd By persons of such Judgment and admir'd They must be most by those that best shal know What praise to holy Poetry we owe. So shall your Disquisitions too for there Choice learning and blest piety appear All usefull to poor Christians where they may Learne Primitive Devotion Each Saints day Stands as a Land-mark in an erring age to guide fraile mortals in their pilgrimage To the Coelestiall
step short of Calvary POEM 14. What means this Multitude say what 's the News With this strange concourse t is the King o' th' Iews Inauguration sure look how they throng As they to swear Alleagiance to Him long Their Love out-runs their patience they contend Whose Duty shall him first and most attend Hierusalem runs out of 't self as t were To meet him by the way and greet him there The Trees are clambred and each breaks his Bough Nor have their numerous Palms branches enough To dress his way their Garments too they strew To fill the Ostentation of their shew Mean time behold his humble highness pass On the meek emblem of a sluggish Ass To fulfill Prophesies and meekness teach If we would learn when word and action preach Thus Equipag'd they wait on him to Town Where of all sorts what hurrying up and down To have a sight of him the windows packt With Female gazers He their fair object Somewhat of holy Austin's chief desire To see Christ in the flesh ere they expire Now all the way as this King pass'd along What Acclamations both of old and young Children their cries into a treble raise While th' Aged chant the Basis to his praise Ages and sexes both in Consort sing Hierusalem doth with Hosanna's ring So should we deck the places Christ frequents With inward praise and outward Oruaments All this was right and due what his desart Challeng'd not onely from their hand but Heart And from ours too but both prove Iewes alas What venomous Serpents lurk in pleasant grass All these are holy frauds in this sweet Calm A storm wrap'd up and snares in every Palm What vanity what danger O what Death Sculks in the loose applause of vulgar Breath This very day Christs passion-week began T was but the Preface to behold the man Thus having heard how they their King proclaim Next see his Coronation by the same Sit but and hear the tragick muse now sing How these feign'd Saints us d a true Divine King The COLLECT PRAYER The Epistle Phil. 2.5 to 11. The Gospel Mat. 26.1 cha 27.57 Almighty and everlasting God which of thy tender love towards man hast sent our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the Cross that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility mercifully grant that we both follow the example of his patience and be made partakers of his resurrection through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. The nayling to the Crosse mat 27* mar 25 Luc 23 Ioan 19 * 33. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha that is to say a place of a skull 34 They gaue him vineger to drinke mingled with gall and when hee had tasted thereof he would not drinke 35. And they crucified him etc. The Plate here Vpon Christs Passion commonly called Good-Fryday DISQUISITION 12. AS an affectionate and Loyal Wife that hath had her most indulgent Husband wronged wounded murdered telleth it ever after with Tears and sorrow to her Friends and Neighbors So likewise doth the Spouse of Christ As in the Prophets Canticles Gospel and Apocalypse the Church in these her solemn Anniversaries story to the world her Welbeloved's Passion How Sponsus Ecclesiae Sponsus Animae that Bridegroom of the Church and of each pious Soul was scourged thorned wounded crucified and once brought forth by Pilate as by Marcus Antonius sometime the mangled Body of Caesar with an Ecce Homo Behold the man Bern in Passionem John 19.5 Quotidiana lectio Passionis recordatio indeed our Saviours Passion should not only be an Annual but even a Christians daily Contemplation this Christ-cross-row should be our constant Lesson which we should Read saith Ludolphus ad minùs septiès in die seven times a Day at least Ludolphus de Vitae Christi in Johan 19. it being Liber Vitae a Book of Life to us although of Death to Christ prefigured in Sampson who was ploughed against by his own Heyfer and as it were kissed into the hands of his malicious enemies who having first cruelly tortured him by putting out his eyes Judg. 14.21 and binding him with Fetters of Brasse they bring him forth afterward in a generall conflux led in a ridiculous manner to exercise their wits and spleens And here behold the Body of that Figure the substance of that shadow Christ the true Nazarite and Champion of our Souls betrayed also by one of his Bosome by his own familiar Friend too familiar so to kisse him into bloudy Hands who having inhumanly scourged him bloudily crowned him and ridiculously clothed him they next add scorn unto their Tyranny bringing Him forth into the clamourous throng of his insulting adversaries to be the subject of their scoffs and fury Ecce homo Behold the Man For that 's the most contracted passage of this main ground of Christianity John 19.5 diffused through both Testaments the Center of the whole Circumference yet like a curious Perspective shewing the most ample view of Him even from his Cratch to his Crosse all the while that he was Man Ecce homo This Usher going along with him as Ruth and Naomi Ruth 1.16 Wheresoever is this Man of sorrows there is likewise this same Ruthfull Ecce Behold the man which I may call a safe and inoffensive Crucisix to be worn not so much in the Eye or Ear as in the Bòsome in the Heart lively representing our dying yet ever-living our life-giving Saviour to each faithfull Soul Behold the man Despectivè loquendo faith Ludolphus vel admisericordiam provocando Pilat spake this in part despisingly Ludolph de vita Christi in loc and partly saith he to move the Jews to pittie Ecce homo as well it may bear either sense either a Qualm of Pittie or a Belch of Envy St. Augustine is for his pittie whether rais'd from any Justice in himself as seems vers 4. or from his wifes caution it matters not but that they are words of compassion he argues Behold the man Vt ejus ludibria inimici biberent ulterius sanguinem non sitirent St. Augustine He here cry'd out to them Ecce homo Behold the man that they might satiat their malice on his Reproaches and so thirst no further after Innocent bloud Si Regi invidetis jam parcite quia dejectum videtis as much as if he had said If you envy or fear his being a King yet be appeased now seeing him debased thus below the form of a servant Non clarus imperio sed plenus opprobrio not swelled with any Ambition but even like to burst with Griefe Not glittering with pomp but sordid with abuses Fervet ignominiâ frigescat invidia as that sweet Father warbles on since then he frieth in such a fiery tryall let now your Envy cool saith he and be extinguished Videte caput perforatum faciem consputam corpus laceratum look well but on his
specialiter tamen filio yet is it notwithstanding principally attributed to the Son the work of our Redemption Matth. 1.25 because as his Word witnesseth t was his person that became 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is God with us Mat. 1.23 in whom we have redemption through his bloud according to the Riches of his Grace I that onely was the Causa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both the leading and impulsive cause of all Christs woes and sufferings the sole Quare why this good Shepheard left the 99. in the Wildernesse i. the fallen Angels in their sin and punishment and died to ransom this one lost sheep mankind Well therefore may the vulgar Latin read that John 15.13 Nimia Charitas Greater love hath no man so great too great a love too great on both sides The Quare on our part being the expiating of sin Rom. 4.24 Rom. 4. and conferring of Grace 1 Cor. 1. Being hereby made unto us Wisdome 1 Cor. 1.30 and Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption The Riches of his Grace paid our Talents and much more will our Pence we doing our Duty in mean time and giving but all diligence 2 Pet. 1.10 2 Pet. 1. satisfied both our Eternall and our Temporall Debts to God cancelled Satans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that black Scrowle against us and is to us as the Angel to St. Peter bound in Prison as the indulgent Father to the returning Prodigall and the very good Samaritan unto the wounded Traveller For by his stripes we are healed Isai 53. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isai 53.5 1 Tim. 2.6 His we are by Ransome his by Purchase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and his by Conquest John 16.33 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be of good cheer John 16.33 I have overcome the world Thus Christs sufferings were proportioned to his Person suffered in to the sins suffered for to the Good will he suffered with and for the End he suffered to all Universals and Superlatives all inexpressibles our businesse is to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Conformed in some measure Phil. 3. to his Life and Death that being partakers of his sufferings we may be also of the consolation and that 's done two wayes chiefly St. Gregory Cum per abstinentiam affligitur corpus per compassionem animus We will mend it somewhat in the rendring When we beat down the body with Abstinence and Devotion and the Mind with Penitence and Compassion Sit thee down then my Soul this day and make it thy Good Friday by application that was so bad to Christ by bloudy passion Cheer up to think with how many Priviledges this day was honored viz. Sin cancelled Death subdued Hell spoyled Heaven opened Scriptures verified Man redeemed and all this by thy Saviour crucified This Meditation would allay all out Extravagancies and moderate the excesses of our former pleasures 'T would sweeten all our bitter draughts and fit us in some measure to pledge Christ in this bitter Cup if he should please to call us to that Honour as we have comfortably seen in Others This would fortifie us against the worst could happen Then let not Ignorance for shame be more busie with superstitious Figures of the Cross then true Devotion with this frequent Meditation and the more lively representations of it in the Word and Sacraments For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Motto of every true Christian as well as Constantine Under this Banner shalt thou overcome From the QUIS the person of this glorious subject we may gather First Obedience and Compassion among many other Fruits on the Tree of the Cross Obedience to God Heb. 10.9 Psa 40. to his legitimate Vicegerents Rom. 13. And never was there such compassion Indeed 't is storied of Trajan that was stiled the Good that he tore off his own Robes all to pieces to bind up the wounds of his Loyall Souldiers and 't was a noble pitty But our great Captain here though Monarch of the World throws off his Robes of Glory and imparts them Suffereth not his Garments onely but his skin his Flesh his very Heart to be all ren and torn that through his Death we might have life though so great love hath no man yet each may gain somewhat from it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This boundlesse love of Christ with all its Distances may teach men how to stand affectioned to each other Men I say 'twixt whom unlesse in some few Transitories there is no difference as after a few years whoso looks into their Graves will find but little difference between their bones John 15.35 Love is the Christian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Ear-mark of Christs Sheep John 15. And therefore the Apostle presseth it with a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 4.8 Above all things have fervent love c. 1 Pet. 4. and he gives a good Reason For love covereth a multitude of sins in utroque foro by preventing by excusing by forgiving From the QUID what our Saviour suffered we must learn Mortification and Submission Phil. 3. Crucifying the Old Man with his corrupt Affections Phil 3.10 There is a story of St. Francis that by austere meditation of the Passion he had Christs five main wounds imprinted on him and so plain that many since scarce know the one from the other and that Ignatius by the like mortification had the Holy Name of Jesus written visibly in his Heart However these may stand in credit I am sure the Apostle cannot faile who maketh Fellowship of his sufferings the best assimulation unto Christ Phil. 3. Nay Rev. 2.17 even incorporates us into his Body and writes that new Name on us Rev. 2. And for Submission remember the demeanour of this Sheep before the Shearers and let not each Triviall injury incense thee into such an usuall Fury Look on Him here who lost all but Patience and be not so crucified with a few worldly losses What ever is thy Distresse it cometh far short of His Let some of His Patience bear thee company and He that gave Himself will not deny thee succour mean time accept of his own Legacy Luke 19. without which no man is Compos animae Luke 19.21 possessor of his own Soul and we should look to that especially living in an Age wherin none knoweth how long he may possesse any thing else And now the last Circumstance the QUARE Why all this Hints us to Gratitude Emendation Comfort Magnes Amoris Amor Love is the Loadstone of Love St. Bernard Quanto pro me vilior tanto mihi charior Let not Christ ask again Where are the Nine Nor forgetfull Israel be the Type of us Disobedient at the Sea even the Red Sea Psal 106. Let us not pledge Josephs Butler in his Cup of Oblivion but David rather in his Cup of Salvation praising the Lord for his Goodnesse and declaring the wonders that he doth for the children of men
tell Sounding to each of us a serious caution A Timely pray'r and a due preparation First when or wheresoever it Thee find It proves or should A monitor o' th' mind If in thy Bed it waken thee There best It doth insinuate thy latest rest If as a dressing it salute thine eare It Hints Deaths Livery Thou once must weare And when thou hear'st it in thy cheerfull walke It seasons with Mortality thy Talke And if you heare it as at meat you sit Then thinke it sounds earth to earth I commit In pride of passions if the â—are it beat How streight it Damps the wild-fires cooles the Heat And when in Frollicks thou shalt heare This Toll May it forthwith all sinfull mirth controule To men buried alive This cheering Bell Doth Liberty infallible foretell And unto such as languish in exile This sounds a Returne home againe e're-while When most transported in the busie hall This in thine eare Thee to thy selfe doth call When Earths Affaires Thee from thy self estrange This tolls Thee Home unto thine own exchange What ever our conditions Good or ill This rings us in the eare with that news still Of Philips Monitor Remember man Or Davids Rather Thy life 's but a span Thus having rung all in next let it move Thine Heart and Tongue to Piety and Love Now shew thy Christian Sympathy and Groane With them whom even Bell mettall doth bemoane Do as thou wouldst be done for that is Kneel And pray as heartily as thou didst feel The burdens of the sick the worst they Ayle Knowing that fervent Prayers still prevaile And shall for soules or bodies better state For both therefore thy Prayers ejaculate From thy sick servant Lord let this Cup pass Yet with submission as Christs Patterne was Be pleas'd to act their Body's Physitian Howe'r be their Soules good Samaritan And though these winged Doves should not succeed Yet shall they once fly home with happy speed And more good company ' gainst thy Turne come And pay thy Parcels with a totall Sum. And yet relie not on that hoped Aide But let thy daily Debt be duely paid To God and Man Take care Accounts to Even With jarring Earth but Chiefly with just Heaven This Bell minds Thee o' th' Church That of Devotion Thy Neighbours Case Spurs on thy preparation For thou wouldst take the Hint did his house burne Shall not his Feavour make Thee mind thine urne Ensafe thy Goods then at this warning Given Remove from the worlds Dangers store in heaven There if thy Deeds laid up thou canst not miss Though this world turne to coale the land of bliss Meane time when thou dost such a Soule-Bell heare Thinke that St Jerome's Trump sounds in thine eare This triple use then of each passing Bell E're it pass from him He that makes doth well Vpon a Skeleton or Resemblance of Death Eccl. 12.1 Ioh. 17.13 LOe here the Frame of a rare Structure stands Which was a building too not made with hands Although on Earth where the Creator great Did an immortall heavenly Tenant feat The house then Fitted for such Guest of state Was built in opposition to all Fate Of strong Materials by Divine art For endlesse Fellowship and ne'r to part But This admitting Inmates the first day By their ill usage soon 'gan to decay And then through Rent and Homages neglect The Landlord forc'd the Tenant did eject And now like Buildings disinhabited That by all stormes and showres are injured Where Elves and Satyrs dance where Bats and Owles And Beasts of prey keep their Nocturnall howles All Shatter'd and Forlorne I such is this House Become through Sin and Death so Ruinous A Rendevouz of wormes and Creeping things VVhere they disport their dusty Traffickings Yet Look well on 't againe and you 'l descry I' th' Ruines of this Pyle its Dignity How wonderfully made Exact and even Strong Uniforme and erect toward heaven Let thy Thoughts then dwell henceforth in this place For thy Soule doth in such another Case Here fix thy Meditations startle not To thinke the best Skin Flesh and Bloud must Rot For St Markes Carpenter Can all Repaire And make this house more firme than e re more faire Strength'ning the timber-work with his Crasse wood The Morter temper'd with his precious Bloud VVhile on thy Part all Trouble and Expence Amounts but to true Faith and Penitence Acted in Pious Deeds and not delay'd But made good timely e'r too far decay'd Before the Keepers of the House do Grew Be-Palsi'd Trembles and the strong men bow E're the Nutrition Grinders become few Or what remaine unserviceable Chew Mind this this needfull object Early marke Before the Lookers forth the windows darke This debt pay as wise payment ought by Light E're Natures stars do set in Ages Night Or are Eclips'd by Sickness Chance or Griefe That none of Them Anticipate Reliefe Before the Portals of the Lips do Close And every whisper interrupt Repose Or ever Musicks daughters become mute Nor voice nor Eare Consorting sweetest Lute Before the Almond flourish and wax gray In that Trees spring boding the heads decay E're all ascents grow tedious and with Fear The way still block'd A load each Grassehopper Then This desire before Desire doth fail Which with endeavour too sure shall prevaise Before the Loosing of the Silver Coard While Spinall Marrow doth Thee strength Afford Or e're that Ewer broke resembling Gold Which the Braine 's vitall Moysture doth infold Before the Pitcher's broken at the well Or veines distemper'd such a Liver tell Before the Head or Phancy's turning wheele The Fractures of that Cisterne the Heart feele Before Man thus Goes to the House of Age Leaving his Friends to Mournefull Equipage Let him here commune often with his Urne His Spirit then doth and shall to God returne By whose kind Power both after some dismiss Ne'r more to part shall reunite in bliss Let outward Prudence then herein controule All slack ill-husbandry for our own soule Let 's streight Renew our Lease or rather buy This repair'd house whose Rate low whose Seat high Each Faithfull Pray'r and Charitable Act Passeth for Currant Coyne to this Effect In obitum Effigiem Librum venerandi Josiae Shute praeconis mellitissimi ab Authore nuper Editum SUrgito Lector adest Tibimet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anglus Scilicet egregius Shutus orator adest Flexanimus vates Animas Qui traxit in Aures Voce docens Sacrum quod pede pandit iter Malleus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 constans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Qui nequit à Recto Spe-ve Metu-ve Trahi Hunc tulit in Partum Dominus Minitante Procellâ Nec fuerant Tanto Sacula digna viro Umbra dat Essigiem resonat tihi Pagina Mentem Assolet ut Reliquis gratus adesto Tibi HEre 's that wise Charmer whose Sweet Ayres to Hear Each Soule delighted so to dwell i' th' Eare Whose Life and Doctrine's Combin'd Harmony Familiarized St Paul's Extasy
sent To every Part it 's Nourishment Not like Those whom Fond Appetite More then Concoction doth invite Having through ill Digestion The Rickets of Religion Her Head with Pious Notions Fraught Which Her mild Tongue discours'd and taught To all about her with an Eye Full of sweet humble Modesty To Good She ' had still an open Eare But most where the wise Charmers were Not like Some we now live Among Being Christians but in Ear and Tongue 'T was Her Great Care Reall to be And Uniforme in Piety Spotlesse from the Time-Vices Taint Whom God not Her self made a Saint Her Palate of such Temperance As was the Schoole of Abstinence Of Lovely Aspect sweet to all Candid Serene and Liberall Her Hands Compos'd of Charity And all Exacter Houswifery Her Book and Needle shar'd the Day And sweetly stole the Time away Yet for Her better Speed to Heaven She gave God two whole Dayes of seaven Besides his part of Each this She Which Crowned all did Constantly Her Foot no Novell Paths did Trace But in the good Old way kept Pace Untir'd Therein still finding rest Till of Eternity Possest This Gold-Finch of Her Family Scorning Earths Chaffe thus Soard on high Vertue and Beauty were at strife Which should most set Her out to Life Not Galba-Like where a faire Soule A Deform'd Body did enroule Nor yet like Specious Absolon Whose inside was Corruption But Her faire Structure and pure Mind Like those bright Golden Apples shin'd In Silver Pictures hung upon The Tents of Royall Solomon All Changes Stoutly She 'd partake And Welcome for the Senders sake So fixt that Full or Ebbing state Could nor depresse Her nor Elate Nor through all Turn's of Mortalls Wheele Did any more Contentment feele Thus did our Sublimated Friend In Christianity transcend And by faire consequence as Wife Was of a Correspondent life A Sarah Srongly Affectionate And as Respectfull to her Mate Right Hannah that did vow her Sonne To Heaven er'e Him thence Prayers wonne Wise Abigail which could controule All Passions with Her Prudent Soule And yet stout Hester like She proud To defend Truths or Persons Lov'd Like Happy Jacobs Lovely Mate Too-like her in her Teeming Fate One of th' Apostle's-Matron-Dresse Above Phantastick Garishnesse A very Dorcas for both Parts Of Pious Alms and Prudent Arts Therefore bewail'd like-her and Prais'd O could She too like Her be rais'd All these Examples to the Life Make up her Character as Wife But as a Step-Dame who can tell Me where to find a Paralell Prophaner Story yeildeth none And Sacred afford's only one One Naomi whose Worth and Fame Is Treasur'd in Her Comely Name Who indeed well deserv'd of Ruth For so advertising Her Youth Yet She propounded once to Part And 't was the Daughter would not start But this Indulgentest of Mothers Exceeded Her as She did Others Acting that speech where er'e Thou goe Or mak'st Abode I will doe so Thy God too shall be mine and I Desire with Thee to Live and Dye So that ' mongst most Affectionate Of Native Mothers seek Her Mate Such whose soft Nature Consort beares Both in their Childrens Smiles and Teares Whose Tenderlings are still well fed Yet better Taught and better Bred Who to their wholesome Nourishment Adde Educations Complement Who both in Health and Sicknesse can Act Tutresse and Physitian Not trusting Hyr'd or Borrow'd Care But their own Selves the Burthen Share And all this Constant to the Death Seald up with Prayers of latest Breath And such Diviner Counsell given As still guides Her dear Charge to Heaven When er'e Thou canst find such Another She She comes neerest to This Mother As Spanish Children they say Quake At mention of the Name of Drake English me thinks should Still'd and Tam'd Be when They hear this Mother nam'd who thus hath Purchased a mild Retaliation for her Child And sure They 'l under Curses dwell That with her Off-spring deale not well Whole Nature blushing as it were To see own Mother 's pass'd by Her Who Christneth that same Barbarous Name Of Step-Mother and mends their Fame And therefore justly so Admir'd Belov'd in Life in Death desir'd Lest all Relaps and Step-Dames prove As bad as er'e by Her Remove Remove alas a word of Paine To us of Loss to her of Gaine For from such Premises we know Can none but Good Conclusions Flow Her Sickness was but an Expresse Of Her Religious Healthinesse The Pious Groanes of Her Death Bed But Eccho's of a Life well Led The Grave an Embleme too may be Of Her Retyred Piety And Heaven it selfe the Church wherein She triumphs over Death and Sin She here Lying in a while did stay But in Heaven kept her Churching Day Now if Love Ground of Sorrow be Oh who to be so mourn'd as She If comfort yet Arise from Bliss Whose change to be so Joy'd in is Whose Life and Death did both Conspire Her speed to Saints and Angels Quire Where we shall once Re-meet and Sing Aeternall Hymns to Mercies King Meane time Deare Martha I shall pray And strive to follow the same way What in Caesar and Pompey were Great vices are great vertues here As Wife or Christian none Excel'd As step-mother none parallel'd And who Conceives not all This true Or Her or Vertue never Knew An Acrostick Epitaph M ary and Martha both were met in Thee As Act and Contemplation testifie Right Mary thy Soule Sought what did excell T hy Body still the Martha Busied well Having a while prov'd both with upright Heart A ll Mary now Th' hast chose the Better Part. Sprung from that Ancient Generous Finches Nest Pursu'dst with wings of vertue Heavenly rest And like a true Sparke of the Glorious Sphere Right upward tendedst untill fixed There Kind as in life to wonder so in Death Expiring but to Give an Other Breath The Recommendation of the Booke to himselfe multiplied Ed. and Sa. Sparke DEare pledges of my Love and hopes to you 'Bove all this Muse should be of welcome view As most ally'd and sprung from the same Head Surviving Monitors when Author dead Partners enough your losse of Mother mourne In their spirituall Teeming Rachels urne Who so many Benoni's hath left here That ever shall her Memory be deare Then though your Fate 's so cruell to deprive You doubly thus at once yet to revive Both in a sense againe here fixe your eyes And you may see their constant Pieties And though in this sense borne out of due time May here reflect on either in their Prime The Churches structure of Devotion To persons squar'd and Times proportion Her Feasts and Fasts freed from all just Complaints Commemorating not Adoring Saints And Piety I thinke 't is not a Crime As place and person To give dues to Time But sure Religion then must needs decay When as it's Christian Landmark's ta'ne away To you therefore that I might Propogate Something above fraile Natures brittle state A Christian Map o' th' world I somtime drew Where of both Globes you have an usefull view And for your further Guidance too you may Sarah and Hagar's History Survey But Chiefly This Peruse as Goshen Light To guide your steps in an Aegyptian Night Perhaps some others too as well as you May Deigne to take a profitable view And as some use by Jewels value more These Glories lost then while Injoy'd before Reflecting from your Duty naturall On their Matriculation spirituall And like the Method on 't or Matter told The one because 't is New the t'other Old And for all Sorts compos'd at least excuse My though no soaring yet high fixed Muse Then while the Age Reeles in false firing zeale This Book shall sober steady Truths Reveale At one side Scour'd from Rusty Heresies And Purg'd at other from wild Novelties Retaining Doctrine Primitve and cleane Reflecting on that Churches Golden meane Which like things Eminent had hardest Fate All Envying what they cannot Imitate Read then and Act this beaten Church way Tread And Sure to Heaven 't will you one day Lead FINIS