Take hold of him wâ—o Heav'n Earth Commands He 's taken Prisoner and strongly bound Who in one moments time could quite confound send The Universe and all that him offend Down to Hell's bottom quick with vengeance Yet like a Lamb he 's to the slaughter led And as a Malefactor suffered Most dreadful sorrows did his Soul indure That peace and Joy for her he might procure To bring his purpose to an happy end He manifests himself indeed a Friend A bounteous Friend who thinks his Life not dear But freely lays it down doth freely bear The stroke of Justice that he might recover Her forfeit Life again Oh! Sacred Lover Oh! Matchless Love and Grace Let every Eye Open its Sluces draw its Fountains dry If he for us such bitter sorrows felt Then let the thoughts of his strong Passion melt Our sin-congealed hearts our hearts of stone What was the reason why this Sacred One Did bear all this Were not our sins the cause He suffers but 't was we had broke the Laws Is he betray'd to Death Weep o're his Herse who only di'd our Death for to reverse You Sin-sick Souls think on his bloody Passion And then take up this bitter Lamentation Dear God! I sin'd and did a Saviour need And must the Lord of Life and Glory bleed Ah! must his dear and precious blood be spilt To free me from my vile and horrid Guilt Didst thou sweet Lord my heavy burthen bear And shall not I lament nor shed a Tear Shall not my hard and flinty heart dissolve To think how nought but thy own blood could salve My fester'd wounds What heart is so condens'd That cannot by these thoughts be influenc'd And mov'd unto remorse and great Contrition I' th sense of the Lord Jesus's Crucifixion They hal'd him bound unto the High Priests Hall Where Priests and Council did for witness call They search'd about for such but none could find Who did agree together in one mind They us'd him like a Thief put him to shame Who bore it with great patience like a Lamb. They blindfold him in a disgraceful sort And ignominiously made him their sport They smote him on the face pluckt off his hair And bid him prophesy then who they were That did him strike that so they might thereby His Office of a Prophet vilifie His own dear Servants in this dismal Day Did him forsake and from him fly away They they in whom his Soul took sweet delight His cursed Foes did so amaze and fright That they disown'd him too and left him all To stand alone or otherwise to fall Yea Peter who would have his Lord confide In him above the rest stoutly deny'd He ever knew him nay and furthermore To put it out of doubt he curst and swore Ah! What is man when God withdraws his hand A Peter then one moment cannot stand This doubtless did add grief unto his Heart To see his own Disciples to depart And leave him thus in his Adversitie When in their stead it was he came to die He after this bore much rebuke and shame Scoffs blows reproaches stripes oh who can name The many Cruelties he underwent Before his painful Death and not lament They cru'lly smite him on his precious Cheeks Which he with patience bears and never seeks To free himself from this their Insolence Although he knew his spotless Innocence O gracious Lord how how wast thou abus'd Unjustly judg'd and falsely too accus'd Accus'd as guilty of some grievous fact Who thoughtst no Evil none didst ever act No stain nor spot of sin was found in thee Though thus thou suffer'st for Iniquity The Injuries which thou that Night did'st bear How great my God! how numberless they were When he had past away that tedious Night Early next morning they with Hellish spight Like some great Malefactor him present To Pontius Pilate where with innocent And pleasant Countenance he then did stand To know what 't was of him they did demand Then with an humble Silence held his peace Which made the sury of his Foes increase Next was he unto wicked Herod sent Who at his presence seemed much content Hoping he might some Miracle behold Because he had been of strange Wonders told But he that knew the secrets of all Hearts Who tries the Reins and views the inward parts Knew well his curious but presumptuous mind Was only unto wickedness inclin'd Christ Answer'd not when he lookt for Replies Which made King Herod and his men despise Our precious Lord the Prince of Peace whilst he Became the pattern of Humilitie Thus Sinners contradict and dare reprove The Lord of Life who quickly could remove The lofty from their Seats and them confound But nought but Love and Mercy doth abound This was the Day of his Humiliation He 's first abas'd then comes his Exaltation But oh that ever men should be so vile To smite those Lips that never utter'd guile He at whose great Command the Seas were still Is now commanded by each Tyrant's will Heâ—s sent to Herod then sent back again Unto the Judgment-Seat But oh what pain Did he indure there by most wicked men Pen What Heart can think what Tongue express what Can set it forth Their sacrilegious Hands Bound him about with strong and cruel bands They mock'd and did deride him shamefully And then aloud set up a cursed Cry Hold hold him fast deliver Barabbas Who a notorious Malefactor was A Barabbas is now prefer'd before Him whom the glorious Angels do adore A Murderer shall spared saved be When JESVS shall be hanged on a Tree With torturing whips they scourged him most sore Until his flesh was dy'd with Purple Gore O dreadful dismal Cup what heart can think On what he underwent and 's flesh not shrink The Blood that once run through his sacred Veins Is now let out by Soul-tormenting pains And all the blushing Pavement gilds not stains Ah! don't you see how it fell trickling down Yet unto him was no compassion shown The Blood that issued forth from every wound Descends in pearly drops unto the ground Oh Earth that didst receive that holy Blood Nor fruitful Nile nor Tagus golden Blood Could ever yield like Vertue or such good Neâ—re such a stream did water thee before Nor shall again refresh thee any more Nor were these cruel barb'rous scourgings all That he endur'd in that remorsless Hall For after this they clothed him in scorn With Purple when his flesh was lasht and torn And in derision of his Princely State Their impious hands a Crown of thorns did plate Pressing it on his gracious Head with pain Till Sacred Drops did issue forth again In ruful sort as they had done before Spreading his precious Neck and Face all o're Thus like a Lamb amongst those Wolves he stood From head to foot besprinkled o're with blood His Kingly Office further to debase ' Stead of the Scepter due to Judah's Race They put a Reed in 's hand then kneel
heard a Sacred Story told Fill'd full of Wonders Wonders which unfold Such depths of Wisdom depths of Grace and Love Which none can comprehend it is above The reach of men no knowledg is so high That can conceive of it nay Angels pray Into this thing this Myst'ry is so deep It all the glorious Seraphims doth keep In holy admiration they 'r amaz'd To see how all the Attributes are rais'd In equal Glory and do sweetly shine In their own proper Sphere alike divine Here by diviner Art you all may find What was in our great God's eternal mind Before the Earth's foundation long was laid Or e're bright Sol his glorious beams display'd Respecting Man whom he foresaw would fall And bring his Soul thereby into sad thral Here may you with much ease and joy espy The great result of the blest Trinity In that eternal Council held above About the Soul the object of Christ's Love Here also here 's a proof of true affection And how to love from hence let 's take direction Who ever had or shew'd such love as he Who for his Love was nailed to the Tree But hark some do enquire they long to hear What is become of th' Soul he loves so dear Lo from the Grave he 's come he looks about He searches every place to find her out What is the fled and where in what strange Isâ—â— Of 〈◊〉 and darkness lurks she all this while Good Reader urge me not I 'le let thee hear That which may melt thy Soul into a tear Excuse my Pen for what its lines shall speak Such Marble hearts as cannot melt must break To leave off here I 'm sure it is not fit Nor would I write what you would have unwrit But since it doth upon the Soul reflect It matters not how much we do detect The folly which doth in the Sinner lie When Soveraign Grace exalted is thereby My Heart and Pen seem both to be at strife To paint unkindness forth unto the life Wilt Thou who dost the Muses aid afford Divine assistance that each pow'rful word May rend a heart at least and every line Turn Kingdoms and whole Nations into brine Of their own tears teach me O Lord the skil T' extract the spirit of grief O let my Quil Like Moses Rod make Adamants to fly That tears may gush like Rivers from each eye How can it once be thought that such a Friend Who loveth thus doth thus his love commend And in such sort so strangely condescend Should when all 's done by her contemned be Though he 's most high and she of base degree The grand design the end and reason why This Prince from Heaven came was scourg'd did die Was to redeem the Soul and so endeavour To get her love and marry her for ever As is before declar'd But will you hear How things are carry'd how they manag'd are The time is come you 'l find by what ensues That this great Lord his Suit a-fresh renews When Sacred Love runs thus with greatest force What pity is 't ought should disturb its course How can the Soul refuse to entertain A Lover which for her with shame was slain But stop again my Muse thou must give o're The Prince is come lo he is at her door Jesus Prince of Light Most precious Soul I now am come again Behold 't is I who for thee have been slain How is 't with thee hast thou not heard the news What for thy sake I suffer'd by the Jews That through a Sea of blood and sorrows great I now am come with bowels to intreat Thee to embrace the offer I present And first of all with tears do thou repent That ever thou hast entertained Sin That has to me so very bitter bin Soul Repent This is a melancholly strain It suits with such whose lives are fill'd with pain And guilty are of some notorious crime Whose glass is near run out whose precious time Draws to an end 't is good for such indeed To look about them and repent with speed But thus 't is not with me I know no sorrow I 'le wave that work I 'le wave it till to morrow To morrow I mean till some fitter season I see no cause alas I know no reason To hark to thoughts that may disturb my peace When joys abound and sweat delights increase Repent of what strange kind of voice shall I Amazed stand yet can no danger ' spy JESVS No reason why Ah Soul art still so blind Wounded from head to foot and canst thou find No ground of grief no cause to lay to heart Thy horrid guilt nor yet the bitter smart Which I indur'd for thee to prevent Severer Wrath severer punishment And dost not savour this sweet word Repent 'T is well there 's room a call a season fit There 's thousand Souls who are denied it Dar'st dar'st adventure still to live in Sin What crucifie thy dying Lord agin Were not my pangs sufficient must I bleed Afresh O must thy sinful pleasures feed Upon my torments and augment the story Of the sad passion of the Lord of Glory Is there no pity in thee what no remorse Within thy breast Seek seek a firm divorce Betwixt thy self and Sin do thy endeavour To break that league depart depart for ever Did I not suffer to dissolve the knot Between thee and all Lust and wilt thou not Regard me now but entertain my Foe What cruel unto me and thy self too I prethee Soul bethink thy self and yield And let thy Lovers for my sake be kill'd Ah let them die who if they live will be Thy death at last who have bin death to me Soul Thosâ— joys are sweet which do delight my heart Ah! how can I and sinful Objects part Must gainful Lusts and those which honour's yield At once be put to th' Sword And those be kill'd Which so much pleasure unto me afford How can it be alas it is too hard The thoughts of it's a perfect death to me Lord say no more I cannot yield to thee Jesus Ah! Didst thou know poor Soul what 't is to sin And how my Soul for it has tortur'd bin Thou wouldst revenged be on it I 'm sure And a divorcement speedily procure Or didst thou know what grief it is to me To be contemned and despis'd by thee Such churlish Answers wouldst thou not return To him whose soul fervent love do's burn To thee poor wretch and only for thy good 'T is that I seek and sought with tears of blood Once more I ask thy love I cannot leave thee Until my everlasting Arms receive thee Soul If I may have those pleasures which delight me Whose amorous glances sweetly do invite me To love them dear who stollen have my heart J am contented thou shouldst have some part Of my affection Worldly joy is sweet And I resolve to take some part of it Jesus Ungrateful Soul did I not wholly give My self for thee and shall I now receive
the Bar art cited And for high Treason there dost stand Indicted Committed by thee 't was in antient time When thou didst dwell in Eden in thy prime When thou hadst flourisht there but a short season Thou didst contract that guilt of horrid Treason Against thy Soveraign in whose Princely Eye Was Grace and favour mixt with Majesty Gracious to pardon many great Offences And yet severe to punish Insolences But thou both Grace and Justice didst despise And in thy Heart didst evil things surmise Against thy Soveraign Lord and secretly Join'st with his Foes in close Conspiracy 'T was with the King of Darkness thou didst close Obeyd'st his will and didst thy God oppose A dreadful Sentence then against thee past Which ne're by humane Art could be reverst Thy Sentence was in Prison long to lie And for thy fact at last Condemn'd to die And Death on thee did seize the self-same time When thou commitst that high and fearful Crime The sad effects of it I this Day see Thou still ly'st dead in thine Iniquity Ah! I may preach untill my heart doth ake And it on thee will no Impression make Thou art depriv'd of Life and Light of God And long hast thou in this estate abode But a worse Death doth in thy Sentence lie Though very few on it will cast an Eye Condemn'd to suffer everlasting pains And on thee then were fastned heavy Chains And though thy Execution be delay'd Yet 't is by means of Jesus only stay'd His precious Grace preserves thee from that fire Whose torments once begun shall ne'r expire That Soul-amazing Sentence who can bear The thoughts of it and not let fall a tear What Malefactors are Condemn'd to die But on the sense of Death's approaching nigh Contracts not horrour on thier Souls thereby What then to suffer Death for evermore Where Torments neâ—re abate nor will be o're To be a thousand tedious Ages Rackt Not Dead yet always in the dying Act. A fiery Furnace with a sevenfold heat We read of yet its flames were not so great But that they soon would languish and grow cold Whereas these Tortures still increasing hold If e're thou shouldst be cast into that place Before thou dost take hold of Love and Grace There 's this will then thy sorrows aggravate None will thee pity in that wretched state Never was Malefactor in distress But met with pity either more or less And though it do not take away the grief Yet where there 's pity there 's some small Relief But if thou dost this fearful Sentence bear There 's none to pity none to shed a tear O think of this alas thy wretched Eyes Are blinded now thou basely dost despise The best of Comfort Joy and Consolation For love to Sin horrid Abomination Thou swell'st in pride unmindful of thine end And seest no need of comfort from a Friend But what wouldst thou for such a Friend then give And for those Comforts thou mayst now receive Dost not thou tremble at this frightful news Tremble at least at that which next ensues Three things there are three Circumstances great Which much thy final woe will aggravate Which severally unto thee I 'le relate That thou mayst think upon thy future state First from thy high Descent thy birth did crown Thee with the greatest Honour and Renown That ever any had upon the Earth Thou being own'd a Soveraign Queen by Birth Yet that which did so much advance thy fame Was not alone the Honour of thy Name As the rare properties of thy sweet Nature A most transcendent and accomplisht Creature An Heav'n-composed frame as if thou'dst bin Deriv'd from some Celestial Seraphim When great Jehovah's fruitful Word had made The whole Creation touching thee he said This Creature shall alone our Image bear Whom all things else shall reverence and fear Our Sacred Portraiture we solely place In this sweet Creatures Heaven-erected face And when he sent his first begotten down No other form or Image must he own The Angels Nature wholly he refuses And rather Humane Soul and flesh he chuses Alas there 's not a greater aggravation Than for a person of the highest station To be thrown down into the deep'st Abyss Of woe and sorrow oh how sad is this Thy self caus'd change a miserable Creature Will surely make thy Torments far the greater The second Circumstance of Aggravation Is worthy of thy serious observation And that I may more fully make it known Under two Heads I 'le briefly lay it down First from the timely notice that was given By thy most Soveraign Lord the King of Heaven When with his glorious Image he had grac'd thee And in fair Eden's fruitful Garden placâ—d thee Ordain'd thee Mistress of that famous Bower Where thou mightst see his Glory every hour Granting whatever might accommodate Thy pure perfect spotless Virgin state Excepting one reserved Fruit alone Which did indeed of Right belong to none But to himself that hidden Mysterie Which in the midst of Paradise did lie To know what Evil was as well as Good Which never could by men been understood But by an Art of the most horrid Evil And hearkning to and siding with the Devil The dire effects to thee were told most plain The danger and the loss thou shouldst sustain The loss of Life the loss of Eden's Glory The loss of God a lamentable Story Warning was giv'n God strictly did require On pain of Death thou shouldst not once desire Nor tast nor touch nor cast a longing Eye Upon this fatal Fruit which certainly Would straight procure thy final overthrow This timely notice shall augment thy Woe Fore-warn'd fore-arm'd you know we use to say Thou wast fore-warn'd and yet didst go astray Contemptuous Soul alas how couldst thou think The mighty God would at Rebellion wink Though he is said to wink at Ignorance Presumption is a different Circumstance Thou knew'st before-hand if thou didst trangress Assured Death would follow and no less The Lord had said it he that gave us breath Said thou shouldst die yet thou feardst not Death This is the height as well as spring of Evil To doubt and mistrust God yet trust the Devil Against God's sacred Truth to shut ones Eyes And credit blindfold th' Father of all Lies Ah Soul 't was listning to a wanton lust That was the cause thou didst at first distrust The glorious Lord and falsely to surmise He was unwilling that thou shouldst be wise Afraid that thou shouldst know as much as He And grow a Rival to his Deity This blasphemous Conceit the Devil first In thine already wicked fancy nurst 'T is saith this Prince of Darkness God's inten In this unjust Restraint but to prevent Thy being like himself for he doth know If once thou taste this Fruit it will be so Do thou but try and taste and presentlie Thou 'lt find thy dim dark Eye shall open'd be This hidden Secret will be understood And thouâ—â—t know Evil as thou now
and jointly satisfy To save her now from the infernal pit I have a Ransom found a Ransom fit Divine Justice I cannot hold I 'le strike the fatal Blow Hell she deserves with vengeance let her go Unto the place appointed for all them Who do God's holy Laws and Grace contemn Jesus Prince of Light O who is this What Traitor 's at the Bar That is condemn'd and Justice wo'nt defer The Execution speak hold up thy head Hast any thing to say What canst thou plead Methinks methinks I should this Creature know Ah! Soul is 't thee What shall I for thee do I told thee what thy state would be i' th end When first my Love to thee I did commend Soul Speak 't is I why dost thou not look up I 'm sorely griev'd to think upon the Cup That is prepar'd for thee What dost thou say Shall I step in that Justice may delay To strike the stroke for then too late 't will be To show my Love and pity unto thee Hast any kindness for me in thine Heart I doubt that still thou the same Creature art Thou wast before and hast no love at all Why speakst thou not shall vengeance on thee fall Ah! how can I see Execution done And Tears not from mine Eyes like Rivers run Divine Justice Lord be n't concern'd she is thy bitter Foe Oh let me therefore freely strike the blow There 's nought in her but Sin and poisonous Evil To God a Foe and Friend unto the Devil JESVS I know not how to let this stroke be given For I am come on purpose down from Heaven To make Atonement and to satisfy For all her sins and foul Iniquity Though she to me doth no affection bear Yet her I pity and do love most dear Justice Blest JESVS hold 't is my just Master's sense Abused Mercy must have recompence There is no other way but she must die Unless thou wilt be her Securitie If in her stead thy life thou wilt give up Then mayst thou save her from this bitter Cup. The price which thou on that account wilt pay Will make a Compensation and defray All her vast Debts yea plenarily God's wrath appease and Justice satisfy What must be done Who is 't the stroke must bear Is 't not most fit such should who guilty are I cannot hold my hand nor longer stay Law must be satisfy'd what dost thou say Thou wretched Soul behold the knife and spear Can'st thou dost think God's fearful vengeance bear Now Soul look to thy self this Spear I 'le run Into thy Bowels ere I it return JESVS Stay Justice stay withold thy furious Dart And let its glitt'ring point first pierce my Heart Her guilty state aloud calls for relief It wounds my Soul and fills my Heart with grief My Bowels yearn my inward parts do move Now now 's the time to show her my great Love Let Law and Justice be suffic'd in me 'T is I will die to set the Sinner free Behold me Soul my life shall go for thine I will redeem thee with this Blood of mine Although most Precious Sacred and Divine CHAP. VII Shewing what Consultations there were amongst the infernal Spirits to bring Jesus Prince of Light under the power of Death a Council called in Hell the Princes of the fallen Angels in a deep combination against him for fear their Kingdom should fall and the poor Creature be delivered The grand Counsel of Old Satan is taken He enters into Judas Judas's sin discovered Jesus is apprehended A terrible battel or Christ's Agony before his Passion Sin and Wrath combine together shewing the Prince's Conquests over them both Seven aggravations of Christ's sorrows in the Garden and a Dialogue between the Devil King of Darkness and Death the King of Terrors HEre let 's a while reflect with careful heed What! doth the guiltless for the guilty bleed This may astonish all here 's Love indeed Do Mortals ever greater love extend Then to lay down their lives for a dear Friend But for a Prince a mighty Prince to die Not for a Friend but for an Enemy Convicted and condemn'd for horrid Treason Thus to step in at that most Critick season When just the fatal blow was to be given This Love 's above our Reach higher than Heaven Deeper than Ocean Seas so Infinite As well deserves our wonder day and night What Was the Father free his Son to give His dear and only Son that she might live And doth the Son i' th midst of Enemies Yield up himself to be a Sacrifice Yet who can be so bold to lay their Hands Upon this Prince that Heaven Earth commands How shall this thing be now accomplished And by what means shall his dear Blood be shed Let 's now inquire who is 't that will consent To be the grand and chiefest Instrument To execute this precious spotless Lamb Who for this purpose down from Heav'n came Has he on Earth any such spightful Foe As dare's attempt this ' mazing thing to do You heard before he daily was beset And with what Enemies he often met But now his hour is drawing very near Great Consultations ' mongst his Foes there were How they might take his blessed Life away Who seem'd himself impatient of delay He long'd until his work were finished Which could not be until his blood were shed And though he had most raging Enemies Yet knew they not what project to devise To bring this bloody traiterous deed to pass Which long before by them designed was Until Apollyon finding by his Art The dire Intentions harbour'd in their Heart Doth rouse them up and first the matter start To the Infernal powers to wake them â—l A second time upon this Prince to fall Then Belzebub Satan and Lucifer Consult afresh how to renew the War And to this purpose wee 'l suppose they spake Apollyon Shake off your fears and speedily let 's make The strongest Head that possibly we can Against this strong this Devil-amazing man Now now 's the day let 's bring him to Death's sting And then with shouts of Triumph we may sing For over Death 't is we the power have And we may sure secure him in the Grave 'T is he alone who frights us in our station And puts us all into great Consternation Our Kingdom by this means is like to fall And we thereby be ruin'd great and small I have engag'd him once but could not stand I know his strength he has a pow'rful Hand Belzebub My Sentence is for War this Enterprize Well managed will make our Kingdom rise And re-inthrone us in our Antient Skies To a great Height and flourish as before When he is down we 'l let him rise no more Can we but once deprive him of his Life 'T will put an end to all our fears and strife Lucifer Dominions Pow'rs and Principalities You all in danger are awake and rise From off your Seats and lazy Beds of Down Sleep you secure or
still encreases ours decays Words without Actions are but faint delays The rarest Wit amongst us must look out With wariness to bring this thing about I 'le tell you what I newly have contriv'd Let my Lord Lucifer the King of Pride Make one amongst their Rulers in the Seat Of seeming Justice Tell them they are Great And Prudent men yea Learned ones likewise And in their Breasts alone true Wisdom lies Yea tell them that the Soveraign Lord of Heaven To them the name of Gods on Earth hath given Tell them both God and men have though it fit That they like Gods should in this Grandeur sit And answerable to this lofty station The people have them in great veneration Thus when h' has put their Honours in a Heat And swell'd them up with Pride and self-conceit Tell them 't is much below their high Degree That such a low inferiour Man as he Should be their Prince or 〈◊〉 them bear sway Who rather ought their 〈◊〉 to obey Then when the uncontrouled â—reath of Fame Has spread abroad the Glory of his Name And fill'd each Eye and Ear with Admiration Giving to him Applause and Veneration Then let our envious Friend once more take's place And sit as pale as Death in every Face And let him tell them if they do not take Some speedy course their Honours lie at stake He grows so famous in the peoples Eyes They shortly will their Soveraignty despise Satan Nay I can tell them yet another thing The people seek by force to make him King Which if the Roman Pow'r should understand They 'd quickly come and take away their Land This sure will work or other ways I 'le find Good Mariners can sail with every wind Thus these Infernals seeking to prevent Their future but deserved punishment Far swifter than the lofty Eagle flies Did set upon their Hellish enterprize The King of Pride threw forth his poisonous Darts Which did not miss to pierce the yielding Hearts Of those that sat at Stern who should delight To do the thing that 's equal just and right But disregarding great Jehovah's Laws They sought poor Souls for popular Applause Puft up with Pride and swoln with vain Ambition That Tympany of th' Soul They had suspition That if the Prince of Light were once affected They by the people soon should be rejected For first they saw his Miracles were great His Vertues rendred him still more compleat And made him so illustriously to shine He gain'd the Appellation of Divine Nay furthermore they heard now some did sing Hosanna in the Highest to the King Of Israel the fragrant Flower of Jess The Root of David Oh! who can express The depth of Envy which in them did burn With-raging flames almost at every turn Close Consultation in their Courts appears And i' th mean while strange Rumors fill their Ears The Miracles which he before had wrought Into the minds of people fresh are brought Those wond'rous things did much encrease the strife He rass'd said some the Dead again to Life Gave sight unto the Blind who from their Birth Had never seen the Light that guilds the Earth The Dumb the Deaf the Lepers and the Lame In all Distempers whosoever came Had perfect Cure in every Disease Nay he could hush the Winds and calm the Seas Could dispossess the black Infernal Rout And cast whole Legions of fierce Devils out Of five mean Barly loavs and two small Fishes He made above five thousand plenteous Dishes Thus many talkt what he before had done Grieving to think what now was coming on His gracious words and vertuous Life commended Him to the Multitude but much offended Th' inraged Rulers yet his Innocence Was still so sure a Guard and strong defence That they could not their wicked ends obtain Yet from their malice would they not refrain How often did they in clandestine way Endeavour their blood-thirsty hands to lay Upon this Sacred Prince yet still through fear The people would rise up they did forbear Sometimes they thought to trap him in his words That Law Justice then might draw their Swords And cut him off And then again devise Another course charg'd him with Blasphemies Against the God of Heaven by which way They surely thought they might his Life betray But never could they over him get pow'r Untill his time were come Now now 's their hour The work must needs be carried on with speed When Heaven and Hell about it are agreed Though different ends in these great Agents are Yet in the thing they both consenting were That Christ should be of his dear Life depriv'd Though Hell alone the guilty Act contriv'd Yet God indeed from all Eternitie Knowing what rage and curs'd malignity Would be in their base Hearts resolved then He would permit and suffer these vile men To bring his Purpose and Decree to pass Which for our Good and his own Glory was CHAP. VIII Shewing how the Lord Jesus died in the Sinner's stead Such was his love and yet the Soul an Enemy at that time to him and hated him A full discovery of Christ's bloody Passion enough to make a heart of stone to melt The Prince gives up the ghost Death the King of Terrors insults over Jesus Prince of Light Death is threatned with Death shewing also what fear there was amongst the Devils lest the Prince should rise again and overcome Death A second Council held in Hell the Devils tremble Death subdued Heathen Oracles cease The Devil 's destroyed upon the Prince's resurrection and put to open shame Joy in Heaven Angels sing Saints rejoyce The end of the First Part. BUT to proceed Will you lift up your Eyes And view the Rage of Hellish Enemies The final troubles of the Prince of Light Are coming on Behold a frightful sight A multitude with Clubs and Swords and Spears About his Sacred Person now appears This wretched Rabble's come on a design Which wounds and breaks this stony heart of mine To think upon 't behold they are conducted By the grand Traitor and by him instructed How to proceed on this great Enterprise Which he by Hellish power did devise Arm'd as you heard they seiz'd on him as if He had indeed been some notorious Thief Fond men If you this Prince's Nature knew Your Weapons are too many or too few As Man so meek you need no rescue fear As God so strong he can in pieces tear A thousand Troops that should approach him near Of which a present Instance did appear Some little rays of his dread Deitie He caused to break forth and suddenly They stagger'd and fell backwards on the ground That they might see he quickly could confound Them utterly and lay them at his feet But that he saw it better to submit Unto his Father's Will and take the Cup Which was prepared for him to drink up But they recov'ring strength got up again Regardless of all dread and now amain Resume their purpose and with wicked hands
before him And in Derision feignedly adore him Thus thus did they the Sacred Prince abuse Crying in scorn All hail King of the Jews Then in Disdain they spit in 's his lovely Face Could Devils offer God a worse Disgrace Oh depth of Love alone that knows no bounds To suffer such dire stripes such mocks wounds 'T was we that sin'd 't was thou that sufferst shame To free us from the guilt Oh let thy Name Thy Sacred Name for ever honour'd be Who thus wast us'd to set poor Sinners free But yet alas these sufferings were not all More bitter things did unto him befall Off next they took the Robe his own put on And now as if their malice fresh begun Not satisfy'd their God for to deride They loud cry'd out Let him be Crucify'd His Blood they thirst for Pilate gives consent Though Conscience told him he was Innocent And had deserved neither Death nor Bands Yet up he gives him to the Rabbles hands He knew of malice they had brought him thither Yet he and they at last combine together 'T imbrew their guilty hands in guiltless Blood Who never did them harm but always good Rather than Pilate will displease the Jews Hee 'l stifle Conscience utterly refuse All Admonitions though his bosom Friend A timely warning unto him did send Uses Intreaties urges Arguments But nothing would prevail nothing prevents Their wicked purpose Sentence being past Unto his Execution now they hast Though he was wounded very much before His flesh his Virgin flesh with stripes made sore Yet they upon his Martyr'd shoulders lay His heavy Cross till fainting by the way By reason of th' intolerable pain His bleeding wounds procured they constrain A Country-man of Cyrene who did pass Along that way to bear his pond'rous Cross And coming up to dismal Golgotha Without remorse of Conscience dread or awe They still persist in putting him to Death A Death the worst that e're stopt humane Breath The cruel Death oâ—th Cross matchless for pain And by God's Curse most liable to shame To cause the Just to die was crueltie But Crucifixion's more than 't is to die Prodigious Rage strange metamorphos'd mind What kill the Lord who was to you so kind What was his Crime what his so great offence That not contented to remove him hence By violent Death but you must look about Whereby to find exquisite torments out The vilest wretch that ever did draw breath Or in the strictest sense deserved Death Could never meet with more severitie From barb'rous Foes and brutish Tyranny He meets with no compassion every heart And every hand is set to throw a Dart. So far from shame in this their villany They chuse for time to act the Tragedy Their chiefest Feast when to Jerusalem From every part thousands of people came Then then they chose this cursed work to do That he the greater shame might undergo When Priest and Pilate finisht had their Court. Dear Jesus must be fetcht to make them sport And now behold if yet thy delug'd Eyes Can stay to see so sad a Sacrifice Behold him lift up on the cursed Tree Expos'd to Torture Death and Infamy His Arms spread wide as ready to imbrace His bitter'st Foes if they 'd accept his Grace Quite through each hand foot sharp nails they drive And fix him there to wait for Death alive Hanging betwixt two Thieves Numbred among Transgressors by the giddy partial Throng For passers-by did rail on him with scorn Wagging their heads who ought rather to mourn With taunts and scoffs the vulgar him abuse Prompted by the Chief Priest and barb'rous Jews And when he thirsts through his excessive pains Behold what favour at their hands he gains All they afford to quench his drought withal Was Vinegar mixed with bitter Gall. Was ever such a perfect hatred known No Dram of pity but all malice shown He that for them had Water turn'd to Wine And shown his Pow'r and Charity Divine Now Wine nor Water now could be allow'd T' asswage his thirst from this ungrateful Croud But into 's tender side they thrust a Spear From whence there came both blood water clear Thus hand and foot and head and every part They pierce and wound for to encrease his smart Ah! see that stream wch from his Heart-blood flows The precious Balm and Cure of all our woes Each pious Soul which truly doth believe It s Soveraign Vertue freely may receive One drop of that most Sacred Blood is worth Ten thousand Thrones Kingdoms of the Earth When you by Sin do see your selves undone Think on that Blood which from his Side did run Those cordial Drops apply'd unto thy heart Will heal thy Soul and cleanse thy inward part Ah! canst thou of Christ's dismal passion hear And not dissolve thy Soul into a Tear But to return There 's something still behind Which makes strange meltings in my grieved mind That 's worse than all the rest oh hear his moan And how his poor distressed Soul doth groan His Father hides his face that gracious Eye Casts forth an angry frown which made him cry After he had these bitter torments felt From cruel hands and found his Soul to melt His spirits fail and wounded heart to break Why why my God Oh why dost thou forsake Me in this needful hour Hard is the case When thou my God from me shalt hide thy face My Servants who forsook me are but Dust Poor flesh and blood alas what stay what trust Is there in man the best of men are frail Such as conside in them their strength will fail But ah My Trust my Hope my Confidence Thou thou that art my Rock and safe Defence Even thou my God! O thou O thou hast left me And this at last has of all Peace bereft me Whilst Souls can see their Interest in their God They can bear up under the sharpest Rod But when thy face is hid as 't is from me They sink they die they die Eternally Thus thus the Prince of Peace in sore distress His bitter moan doth unto God express Great depths of sorrow did oppress his Soul When his sad portion thus he did condole He saw himself forsaken and forlorn When in our stead this anguish great was born That which was due for our Iniquity Did heavy on our gracious Saviour lie For Justice spar'd not but laid on her Hand Whilst in the room and stead he seeks to stand Of the poor Soul he came from Heaven to save Justice alas will the last farthing have The torments Saints have born's another thing From what befel their Soveraign Lord King His Spirit 's gracious great magnanimous Yet ne're was any Soul distressed thus That much renowned holy Martyr Stephen He had so glorious a prospect from Heaven As fill'd his Soul brim-full of Consolation And by that means with joy he bore his passion Should I attempt to walk the spacious Field Of instances how many would it
all thy score If thou a Widow or an Orphan be Husband and Father both he 'l be to thee A Husband that does live yea live for ever Match here poor Soul where Death can part you never Or art thou weak canst not go alone He is thy strength O thou mayst lean upon His mighty Arm for that is thy support Art thou beleaguer'd he 's thy Royal Fort. In times of danger and of trouble great Unto his holy Name do thou retreat Which is a Tower strong to all that fly With care and speed from all iniquity Under his wings he 'l hide his purchas'd One Till these calamities are past and gone Or art thou dying and dost fear the grave He is thy life from Death he will thee save They cannot die who such a Husband have Or art a Sinner he 's thy Righteousness He 's more than I can any ways express The good in Christ is so exceeding sweet None understand until they tast of it He is a Good which none can comprehend He is a Good which doth all others send The chiefest Good good of himself alone When carnal joys and pleasures all are gone That 's not the good that fills not the desire That can't be chief if there be yet a higher God is so good noughts good if him we want Small things with him will satisfie a Saintâ— He is so good that nought can bitter make him Unto that Soul who chearfully does take him And his sweet love and precious grace enjoys Yet this rare Good ne'r gluts nor sweetness cloys The best of earthly sweets which fools do prize By sin and sickness doth much bitter rise They loath them straight and can't abide to hear Of that which lately they esteem'd so dear That that 's the Good on which thou shouldst depend That is desired for no other end Than for it self O tast of him and try And thou 'lt be filled to Eternity That 's not the Good which suddenly doth leave us That 's not the Good of which Death can bereave us Christ is a Good that 's lasting and abides All other Good alas will fail besides Make him thy choice dear Soul O do but try How sweet it is in Jesu's Arms to lie Make him thy joy and thou 'lt see cause to sing Whatever days or change may on thee bring Soul Sad times alas here is a sudden change Nought can I hear of now but rumors strange Of Wars and Tumults with perplexity Which do encrease and swell most vehemently Within the regions of my inward man Which causes tears and makes my face look wan Cross workings in me clearly I discover I am distrest about this glorious Lover The counsel which my heart did lately give I cannot take I dare not it receive Great slaughters there will be in my small Isle For without bloud be sure this fearful broil Will never cease which side now shall I take I tremble much yea all my bones do shake Some of my sins which I have loved dear Are forc'd to fly and others can't appear Lest Conscience should upon them fall for he Crys out Kill all let not one spared be Nay Judgment too is all-most at a stand Which doth amuse me much o' th other hand Yet Will and Old-man are resolv'dly bent To hinder me from granting my consent Yet if I could but have some glimm'ring sight Of this great Prince I know not but it might Work strange effects in me for I do find My Eyes are out my Understanding blind Lord pity me for I a wretch have bin To slight thee thus and love my cursed sin Thus whilst God's Word was preacht and she also Began to cry I did observe and lo A Friend was sent from the blest Prince of Light The glory of whose Face did shine so bright That none were able to behold for he Seem'd not infer'our to the Majesty Of the great God and his eternal Son For they in Essence are all three but one His Power 's great and Glory is his merit His nature 's like his Name most holy Spirit Who to the Soul did presently draw near And toucht her heart and then unstopt her ear And from him shone such glorious rays of light Some scales flew off and she recover'd sight Which straitway did her judgment rectifie Who to this purpose did himself apply Unto the Soul whom he had led astray I must confess my faults to thee this day Judgment For want of light false judgment I have given And treacherously conspired against Heaven And ' gainst thy life and happiness have I Been drawn into a vile conspiracy Of th' highest nature for I did consent With thy base Foes who hellishly are bent To tear thee into pieces quite undo thee Whilst smilingly they proffer pleasures to thee And now though not t' extenuate my sin I 'le tell thee how I have been drawen in Thy heart 's corrupted and from it proceeds The cursed Old-man with his evil deeds They with Apollyon jointly did unite To draw a Curtain 'twixt me and the light And thus though I sometimes was half inclin'd To judge for God they bâ—sely kept me blind T hey've me corrupted with thy wilful Will Who I do fear remains most stubborn still Which if 't be so and he 's not made to bend Conclude the match thou canst not wth thy friend And I poor I can't make him condescend Some higer Power 't is must make him yield Or he 'l stand out and never quit the Field For he 's a churlish piece and thou wilt find To what is evil he is most enclin'd But hath no will at all to what is right A very Traytor to the Prince of Light But as for me my thoughts are clearly now Thou oughtst forthwith to yield and meekly bow To the great King thy miâ—hty Lord and Lover And more then this to thee I must discover Now now I know thy Soveraign Lord will pry Into thy very heart his piercing Eye Will find that 〈◊〉 amongst the Company Who wants the Wedding-garment and will sever That unprepared man in Wrath for ever From his sweet presence Soul his Word doth shew Nothing will serve but universal new He is a jealous God will not endure To see thee only counterfeited pure O now I see he will not take a part But claims both ears eyes hands yea the whole heart Now now I see 't is pure simplicity That is alone accepted in his Eye That sin which has been like to a right hand For profit sweet thou must at his command Cut straight-way off Nay Soul look thou about For Right-eye sins must all be pulled out Though they for pleasure have to thee bin dear Yet must they have no room nor favour here Of every sin thou must thy self deny One sin will damn thee to Eternity If thou to it dost any love retain Nay hark to me Soul listen once again The Law must also unto thee be dead And thou to it or
mourns Ah! how she weeps she crys And water runs like fountains from her â—ys Now her whole Souls dissolved into tears By Love-sick passions yet she 's fill'd with fears Lest Christ should now with angry frown deny To give her one sweet aspect of his Eye Because his love she had so long refus'd And wondrous patience shamefully abus'd Oh! now she spends whole days nights in prayer She sighs and grieves but canâ—t see Christ appear The panting Hart ne'r long'd for Water-brooks More than does she for some reviving looks From the great Prince the God of Love Grace But he at present seems to hide his face But stop my Musâ— hark how the Winds do roar All storms i' th Soul alasâ— are not yet o're No sooner did the Old-man cast his Eyes And view'd this change but in great wrath did rise For to renew the War he joins afresh With scatter'd force of Will and Lusts of th' flesh To make what strength they can with hellish spite The Devil 's with these conquer'd pow'rs unite Arm'd with despair and like to Lamps wch make The greatest blaze at going out they take Their blunt and broken Weapons in their hand Resolving Christ in her shall not command Nor she desert their cause nor break her Vows With Sin and Self and so become Christ's Spouse But now I find in vain they do resist True Grace is come the Spirit doth assist Sin World the Flesh nor Devil can long stand Before the Spirits strong and pow'rful hand See how the Spirit now doth search about To find each Sin and cursed Darling out Did you never behold in what dread sorâ— The wide-mouth'd Canon plays upon the Fort And how by whole-sail it doth batter down The shattered walls of a besieged Town Even so the Spirit with his powerful Sword Makes glorious slaughter will no Truce afford Kills all before him will no Quarter give Nor will he suffer any Lust to live The Strong-man Satan quakes good reason why A stronger's come a stronger he doth spy Is enter'd in O therefore he 's much pain'd All all is gone and he himself is chain'd The Old-man trembling likewise thinks to fly Into some lurking-corner secretly To hide himself but th' Spirit 's piercing Sight Discovers him and now with heavenly might Laid on such strokes and gave him such a wound Wch with dire vengance brought him to the ground Now the Affections's chang'd and Will doth yield Being willing made says Grace shall have the Field O happy season and thrice long'd-for hour This is the day of God's most mighty Power Upon the Soul But hark methinks I hear Most bitter sighs and groans sound in mine Ear. The Soul 's afflicted it is she doth mourn To think what sorrows for her Christ hath born She hates nay loaths her self to th' very dust And seeks to mortifie each former Lust And something more doth still perplex her mind Him whom she dearly loves she cannot find Her heart I fear will quickly burst asunder If any long time she should be prest under This heavy weight no grief like hers is there Who can alas a wounded Spirit bear She 's almost swallow'dâ— up in deep despair You next shall hear if you attention lend How she bewails the absence of her Friend Soul Ah me I faint my Spirits quite decay And yet I cannot die O who can stay My sinking Soul whilst I these sorrows feel My feeble knees under their burden reel Infâ—rnal deeps black gulphs where horror lies Open their ghastly mouths before mine Eys O wretched Soul curs'd Sin I might have been The Lamb's fair Bride and a Celestial Queen Had I imbrac'd my Lord my King my Love Who was more faithful than the Turtle Dove O had I then receiv d him in mine Arms He would have sav'd me from eternal harms But now I fear those happy days are past And I poor wretch shall into Hell be cast Bound up in fetters and eternal chains Of burning Wrath and everlasting pains O sinful Soul I who have lightly set By the blest Prince who would have paid my debt O he that would have freely quit my score Ah! Now I fear I shall ne're see him more Could I but once more hear his Sacred Voice I would make him my joy and only choice But 's Wooing-time I fear is out of date 〈…〉 but dread it is too late I mâ—lt Lord into tears whilst thou the Sun Of precious Light art hid where shall I run For Light and comfort in this dolesom hour Whilst I lie drenched in this brinish shower More would she speak but her great passion stops Her mournful speech whilst her eys stood-gates opeâ— Smote with despair so faint she scarce appears To breath or live but by her sighs and tears A Friend amidst this passion straight arriv'd Whose shining beams and lustre much reviv'd The troubl'd Soul on every side that she Cry'd out O heavenly Spirit it is thee Who with Diviner and mysterious Art Did such illustrious beams of Glory dart Which did not only tend to joy and peace But much inflam'd her heart made love increase And lo before her Eys she doth behold The Prince to stand whose Glory to unfold Is 'bove the reach of Man or Seraphim And thus had she a blessed sight of him Like as the Sun breaks forth beneath a Cloud Whose conqu'ring light cast off each envious shroud And round about his beauteous beams displays Making her Earth like Heav'n with his bright rays This glorious Aspect of his lovely Eye Which she through Faith beheld did by and by With such transports or Raptures on her seize And from her former sorrows gave her â—ase Yet could she not be fully satisfy'd Until the Marriage-knot was firmly ty'd A Promise she endeavours to procure To make Christ's Love and Pardon to her sure She to this purpose does her self address To him she loves with sweet composedness Of heart and mind tho thinking what she 'd bin She 's under fears and oft distrest again Much questioning for want of Faith how he Could e're forget past wrongs and injurie Soul Life of my life alas Lord what am I A wretched Creature who deserves to die A thousand deaths nay and a thousand more For wounding thee within without all o're In every part O this doth make me mourn It melts my heart to think what thou hast born For a vile worm But wilt thou view the wound That 's made in me Lord I am drench'd drown'd In bloud and brinish tears my wasting breath And sighing Soul will period soon in Death Unless thou seal and dost confirm to me Thy Love by promises O! shall I see Thy hand stretch'd out or shall I hear thee say Come come to me poor Soul O come away 'T is thou that wilt not bruise the broken reed Hurt not my sores nor crush the wounds that bleed O let my chilled Soul feel the warm fires Of thy sweet Voice that my dissolv'd
The Wise and Prudent and the Courtly Spark Will they direct thee so such counsel give That thou an Hermits life on Earth shouldst live What marry one that in possession hath Not one small house or foot of Land on Earth When Wealth and Honour Dignity and Power Are offer'd to thee as a present Dower Thou may'st be deckt with Bracelets rich and rare And live on Earth free from perplexing care If thou dost look about and take advice And suffer Men nor Conscience to entice Or thee allure such a choice to make Those joys to leave and utterly forsake Which most men do nay all accounted wise Pursue amain esteem and highly prize But if thou hast a thought to change thy state Be wise and stay don't holy Writ relate He that believes doth not make hast O why Shouldst thou have thoughts to mind it presently Come pause a while be not so hot alas By inconsiderateness it comes to pass So many Souls are spoil'd and ruined Be wary then not rashly be misled Nay furthermore I 'le speak to thee again Thou mayst love him and yet mayst thou retain Respect and love to other Objects too Love thy God well but why shouldst thou let go This world with all the precious joys therein But don't mistake thou must leave off thy sin For Holiness I must tell thee is right And very pleasant in Jehovah's sight But know O Soul yet over and above Thy Soveraign Lord and Prince hath set his love So much upon thee that his gracious Eye Will overlook thy smaller vanitie Ne'r doubt but thou shalt have his favour still Though in some things thou satisfie thy will Dost think that he who came down from above And dy'd for thee will ever quite remove His dear affection from thee or e're hate And leave the Soul he bought at such a rate It is enough and happy wilt thou be If thou escap'st all gross impurity Thus the base heart be'ng inflam'd by the Devil Vndoes the Soul No Enemy's more evil Than that curst Foe we harbour in our breast Which all enlighten'd ones have oft exprest Corrupted Judgment blindly would inform her Christ having dy'd her sins can never harm her Alas saith Reason do not all men sin Nay more than this the very best have bin To blame in many things and yet esteem'd As righteous ones and as the Lord 's redeem'd If famous Men of old offenders were What needst thou be so nice what needst thou fear The glorious King is filled with compassion Besides he sees in thee great reformation Thy love to sinful lusts is but in part To what it was and thou must know thou art Plac'd in this world and therefore must comply In some respects with smaller vanity When Reason to the vicious Will gives ear How can the Vnderstanding then be clear When vile Affection thus corrupteth Reason All works and thoughts are turn'd to perfect Treason O see how blind poor Souls by Nature are How vain their thoughts how ready 〈◊〉 insnare Themselves are they with false Imaginations With earthly toys and idle speculations To learn and understand all humane Arts Most apt they are they 'l magnifie their parts How very quick and dext'rous are they when They talk of things that appertain to men But things of God are quite above their sphere Can 't them discern nor do they love to hear Of God or Christ they count that man a fool That daily goes to learn at Jesus's School Vnto the blindness of the natural mind Add this besides most evident you 'l find It doth resist the Truth 't will not receive it Nay 't is incredulous 't will not believe it Apt to believe false tales and stories vain Nay like to Eve 't will quickly entertain Suggestions of the cursed Prince o' th Night But what God says seems evil in their sight Nay more than all this treach'rous faculty Is so deprav'd St. Paul doth plain descry Much enmity to God therein to lie Vnto God's Law it will not subject be For in the mind is great malignity But I must not the Reader here detain Because that our old Friend is come again CHAP. V. Shewing how the Judgment of the Soul comes to be enlightened and the effects thereof Theologue MY patience's not yet tyr'd my bowels move With bended knees shall I now gain thy love To Jesus Christ how shall I leave thee quite When I behold such terrors which afright My trembling Soul wch soon will thee o're-take Unless thou dost with speed this Contract make Thy Judgment 't is which I would fain convince Thy danger 's great I do perceive from thence When Conscience had almost in truth persuaded Thee to repent it was straightway invaded By thy blind Understanding and dark mind From whence thou art to evil still inclin'd Thou ofen-times hadst listen'd unto me And left thy sin but they deceived thee And chang'd thy thoughts as Conscience doth relate Till thy condition 's grown most desperate Wilt thou once dare to harbour such a thought Because with bloud thy Soul by Christ was bought Thou mayest sin and take thy pleasure here And prize the world as equal nay more dear To thee than him How canst thou be so dark This to imagine Soul I prethee hark Did he not bleed and die upon the Tree Thee to redeem from all iniquitie And that to him thou shouldst espoused be Should a great Prince love a poor Virgin so As for her sake ten thousand sorrows know And be content at last when all is done Another should enjoy her for his own Oh! ope thine eyes imbrace the chiefest Good Let him be dear to thee who with his Bloud Hath thee redeem'd from Sin the chiefest ill Be not unto thy self so cruel still And void of Reason foolishly to chuse The greatest Evil and chief'st Good refuse The good in Christ with every state agrees It suits the Soul when troubles on it seize When thou art sick he 'l thy Physician be He all distempers cures Nay it is He And he alone that heals the precious Soul And with a word can make the Body whole Art dark O he can straightway make thee see Nay if born blind he can give eyes to thee If thou art weary he alone 's thy rest Or art thou sad and grievously deprest He is thy comfort and thy joy will be Like to the deep and overflowing Sea If thou an hungry art he is thy food O tast and see and thou wilt find him good The Fatling's slain and all things ready are Thou'â—t welcome too O come and do not spare But freely eat and drink his spiced Wine Wch will make glad that drooping heart of thine The Father calls the Spirit says O come And Christ doth say here 's in my heart yet room O Sinner come to me hark he doth cry O come to me poor Soul why wilt thou die Art thou in Prison he will ope the door He 'l pay thy debts and wipe off