Abraâ—ams-bosome plac't As Starres of heau'n which first in East do shine Arise till their Meridian they haue past But do from thence as fast againe decline Till they into the Westerne Seas are cast Eu'n so vaine Mortals here are all in hast Till they their highest pitch of strength attaine But that once got they fall againe as fast And downeward to the graue descend amaine Some here a shorter some a longer course obtaine And as hee 's happiest whom the swiftest wind Brings soonest to the Port and hau'n of rest So 's he that soonest in the graue doth find Harbour against worlds stormes which him infest Death doth but like his brother Sleepe arrest The weary wight where he a longer night Himselfe in graue than in his bed may rest And yet no longer than till Christ our Light Awakes vs to enioy for ay his glorious sight To all that labour pleasing is the end The Traueller inquireth for his Inne The hired Seruant when his Yeere doth end The Husband when his Haruest doth beginne Merchant of his Aduentures comming in The Woman when her ninth Month doth expire So Saints of Death haue euer mindfull bin For where 's our Treasure there 's our hearts desire And where our Crowne is laid our eyes do ay aspire Therefore the dying Saints like Swans do sing Foreseeing that they in the graue should rest From Labours and be freed from the sting Of Sinne which here their liues did most infest Why should we with Deaths feare be so distrest When as the Lord of Life himselfe did die That we from sting of Death might be releast Eu'n Sinne the Cause of all our Misery And made Death our first step to true Felicity The truth hereof the sacred Pages seale When that which commonly we dying call They call it sleeping For Christ did repeale The Act of dying by his Funerall Thus Patriarchs Prophets Kings Apostles 〈◊〉 Lie sleeping till the finall Resurrection From Adâ—m to the Iudgement generall All to this faâ—all Lord must yeeld subiection And sleepe sâ—cure and sound vnder his safe protection The Wiseman therefore better doth commend The Day of Death then of Natiuity By that our paine and labours haue an end This the Beginning is of Misery The Lord of Life who Life and Death did try Proclaimeth endlesse Blessednesse to those With rest from labour in the Lord that die Blessed whom he to liue in him hath chose But till their Death from Labour they haue no repose See but how wiser Heathens entertaine This fatall stroke this last necesâ—ity How they on Birth-dayes lowd lament and plaine At Funerals make mirth and melody For that begins this ends all misery No man say they that doth not Death despise Can here on earth enioy true Liberty They onely saw an end of miseries But lo heau'n stands wide open vnto Christians eyes Ah why should Painters limme Death with a dart Time with a Syth before him cuts all downe Death doth but lance and play the Surgeons part Time fells the Corne that 's ready to be mowne Alas what Cruelty hath Death vs showne Thou art but as a Seruant vnto time To gather Fruits which he saith ripe be growne In Wine-presse thou but treadeâ—t out the wine To barrell vp in Tombâ—s that there it may refine As we greene Fruites more difficultly pull Than those we find hang ripe vpon the tree So youthfull Sprites of heate and vigor full More hardly die than they that aged be This is the greatest difference we see Betweene their courses that are short and long Both goe the broad way of Mortality Death like a mighty wind here layes along As weake and hollow Elâ—nes so Cedars stout and strong Who is so strong whom she hath not cast downe Looke all the generations gone and past Their ancient Monuments by Bookes are knowne In Graâ—e their Bodies all to dust do waste The Iewes long-life more eagerly imbrac't As 't was a type of endlesse happinesse But since Christ in his youth of Death did taste All Substances fulfill'd their Figures cease Now happiest he whom Death the soonest doth release Happy though clouds of stones thy head infold Like Steph'ns so open heau'ns shew pure cleare And though a Trance like Pauls so fast thee hold That whether thou without the Body were Or in the Body thou canst not declare Though thus Death doth like sleepe they flesh arrest The ioyes of heau'n shall to thy Soule appeare Not to be vttered Lo they are best By Negatiues not by Affirmatiues exprest No eye hath seene no eare hath euer heard No heart conceiue no tongue that can recite The ioyes th' Almighty hath in heau'n prepar'd For them that here do liue and die aright Oh enter Soule into thy Lords delight This ioy thou canst not in thy selfe containe For thou art bounded that is infinite Who enters shall for euer there remaine And for these finite Cares Ioy infinite obtaine Oh! who can know this Death and be afraid Although amongst the pots thou lie a time Thou like a siluer Doue shalt be arraid With golden feathers which like heau'n shall shine But ah Thus with my selfe I do diuine Without least perill by free Speculation But should Death seize on this my brittle Shrine And offer me to act my Meditation How should I tremble at my houses desolation That which is now familiar to my thought Will bring me then Amazement Horror Feare Alas this battel 's not so easily fought Except Iehouah on our side appeare Didst thinke Death would with Complement forbeare And onely thee delight with Meditation No he will try what courage thou dost beare And seize vpon thy Fleshes habitation It laying waste till all in Christ haue restauration Then as I feele this outward man decay Grant I may strong and stronger grow within And by a constant daily dying may Be arm'd against this strong man enter in That though he seize vpon this man of sinne My inward man may like the siluer Doue That newly hath escap't the Fowlers ginne Fly to her Lord and Sauiour aboue And be embraced in his blessed armes of Loue. Oh! there I shall inioy eternall rest And happy Peace which here I craue and misse And wander further more and more distrest What if some little paine in passage is Which makes fraile flesh to feare Deaths pallid kisse That paine 's well borne that endlesse ease doth gaine And from Sinnes cruell slauery dismisse Sleepe after Toyle faire-weather after raine Peace after Warre ease is most pleasing after paine We all are wanderers weary of our way And hasting to the Graue our certaine home This world 's the Flood which doth our passage stay Till Charons boat to weft vs ouer come Who Life did limit by eternall Doome And times for all things hath established Appoints each Centinel vnto his roome And so the termes of Life hath limited None may depart but by their Captaine licensed Nefarious wretch who with flagitious hand Dares violate
Bodies all the night May rest till Trumpets sound awake to glorious Light To Poore thou shew'st thy honey hid'st thy sting The Rich thy Sting but noâ— thy honey see Like Iailour thou doest good and bad newes bring To Soules that in the flesh imprison'd be One must dye euer th' other shall be free Thou that dost Death to thine by dying make The Messenger of such great ioy and glee Direct my Muse in what I vndertake That I may Death discerne ere Death we ouertake What 's Death but a diuorce or separation Of Man and Wife that neuer could agree From Bed and Booâ—d and from Cohabitation The guilty Flesh payes Costs the Soule is free Yet Both ere long shall one another see Freed from foule Sinne the cause of all their strife And shall in Wedlocks Bands reioined be To loue and liue for aye like Man and Wife A holy happy quiet and eternall Life But this I of the first Death vnderstand Lord of the second neuer let me taste This is the way into the holy Land That doth into continuall darknesse cast No mortall Sense did euer see or tast The seconds anguish terrour horrour paine The first is short the second aye doth last Age Sicknesse men to dye the first constraine The Diuels in the second soules and bodies chaine This setteth willing soules from bodies free That soules in bodies holds against their will By this from Bodies weight we quited be That with such weight of sinne the soule doth fill As to the Pit infernall presse it will This takes good men away before their time Lest they be ouer-whelm'd with too much ill That seizeth on the wicked for their crime That leadeth downe to Hell by this to heau'n we clime The first hath onely power in the graue Second in Hell One vs depriues of sense By th' other sense of endlesse Paine we haue Both haue one name yet see their difference Sinne mother is of both In innocence Had Adam stood Death neuer had been knowne But second Adam hath remou'd long sence The sting of this first Death eu'n by his owne Thus from a Plague Death is to Saints a fauour growne Christ meeteth her as Esau on the way And giues a charge vnto her rougher hands No euill against Iacob to assay Thus turnes he to embracements all her Bands Death made by Sinne our mortall foe now stands Our first fast friend to bring vs vnto blesse And though awhile our carkases she brands With vile corruption aâ—d Râ—ttennesse Our soules the whilst abâ—de in ioy and happinesse All first Death gets is Rottennesse and Dust A Body onely in corruption sowne To kill seeds of Concupiscence and Lust That it more glorious after may be knowne Our earthly part thus turneth to her owne But shall againe a heau'nly body rise And as at first be with the Spirit one Which long hath liu'd in ioyous Paradise Waiting till Christ her mortall should immortalize Alas why should wee then be so afraid Heere to endure a little griefe or paine Be it on Racke or Bed so I be laid Safe in my Graue my soule thereby shall gaine Lord grant me Faith and Patience to maintaine Hels last encounter when my Soule is shaken The holy Martyrs did not so complaine Of Paine when Soule was from the body taken As when their Conscience by tentation was awaken This Death though painefull quicke dispatch doth make The second hath eternitie and paine They rightly at Death's horrour quake and shake Where griefes within more than without remaine Whose consciencâ— them more terribly doe straine Than any outward torment they endure Who sees heau'ns most incomparable gaine And can thereof by Faith himselfe secure Is certaine Death can nought but good to him procure For body fraile one like his glorious head For pleasures profits hopes and honours vaine Whereby than eas'd we are more troubled Eternall rest and freedome from all paine Wer 't thou my Soule but sentenc'd to remaine In this fraile body yet a thousand yeeres Oh! how wouldst thou of wearinesse complaine And maladies thy Flesh about her beares And seeke Death as a blessing eu'n with many teares Yea should this life last without tediousnesse Oh! Doe but thinke that as thou more do'st sinne Thou addest more vnto thy wretchednesse For Death at first by Sinne did enter in Who would not leaue these loathsome ragges to winne That glorious shining roabe of Righteousnesse Thou shalt not lose thy Body but thy Sinne Thou it againe shalt meete in happinesse Corruption shall indeede be changed not thy Flesh. As Golden Ore in Finers fier cast Is not consum'd but cleans'd from drosse and tride So substance of the body doth not waste Onely by Death is purg'd and purifide Should Soules heere in their Tabernacles ' bide With all infirmities till Day of Doome How weary would they be of rest denide And wish their Bodies sleeping in their Tombe Vntill the ioyfull Day of Resurrection come So long as heere our Bodies doe remaine They haue like Wooll one tiâ—cture naturall But Death them dyeth all in purple graine To make them Robes for Sprites Celestiall For we in heau'n like Kings and Princes all Shall reigne in new Hierusalem for ay The Graue vs like each side of Red Sea wall From cruell Egypts bondage on our way Doth to the Land of heauenly Canaan conuay As he who for ill-doing lyeth bound Trembles quakes when loosed from his bands He must before the Iudgement Seal be found To giue account for workes done by his hands But he most stout and resolutely stands Whose Conscience him of euill doth acquite So men reioyce or feare when Death commands Them to appeare before the Iudge vpright There to receiue iust doome for things done wrong or right As water-drops which fall in Fountaine pure Die not but are preseru'd incontinent So Bodies perish not but ay indure Onely resolu'd to their first Element Our spirits fly to heau'n whence they were lent As drops of raine which from the heau'ns descend Are all into the wombe of Tethys sent So Saints dead Bodies to Earths bowels tend Whence drawn vp by Sonnes heate to heau'n they re-ascend What is our Life a wind a course to death They that on Earth the longest course can gaine Runne in the end themselues quite out of breath And no more but their courses end obtaine To which they that liue fewer yeeres attaine God here to men doth life like money lend Which at our Day we must pay backe againe As without oyle the Lampe no light doth send So when our humid's spent our Life is at an end As Pilgrim with long trauell wearied Layes downe his Flesh to sleepe in darkest night But Visions houering about his head Do shew vnto his Soule most heau'nly Light And doth with Dreames his spirits so delight He wisheth oft the night would euer last So fares it with the new-deceased wight When in the graue his Body sleepeth fast And Angels haue his Soule in
thy Writings do increase To largest Volumes for the Churches Peace For Christs pure Spouse and thy deare Kingdomes weale Thy Watchings Prayers Labours neuer cease Else blos'mes of Vines the Fâ—xes soone would steale Or wild Bore root vp all thy Church and Commonweale When in his large wise vnderstanding heart We for our Good such cares continuall see What secret Malice can a man peruert To deeme that in his Loue and Wisedome he Aduance will any to Authoritie But whom he eu'ry way doth able finde To care and labour for the safety Of Church and Kingdome to his care assign'd Wise Masters best discerne how Seruants are inclin'd Great Peeres appointed by this Master wise To Rule his Kingdome and adorne his Hall Of him learne Labour and braue exercise And doe not vnto idle gaming fall The Bane of Court Towne Country Church and all Oh spend the time you from emploiment spare In Tilting Hunting Armes Arts Liberall And so with Piety your minds prepare To labour in your charge and haue of heau'n a care Besides examples of your earthly King Looke on our Lord that sits in heau'n aboue Who heere on earth was alwayes labouring Now as our Head himselfe he doth approue Most carefull for his Spouse and dearâ—st Loue. See his Disciples Saints and Martyrs all How carefull and laborious they proue In Writings Preachings Counsels generall Relieuing poore in want redeeming Saints from thrall Amongst these Lights of Labour with me looke On one though little yet of wondrous might Who Dauid-like takes stones out of the Brooke The proud Goliah in the front to smite Oh how do'st thou most valiantly acquite God and his Church against Rome's railing Host And that Augean stable purgest quite Though it thee mickle care and labour cost Of this would Herâ—'les more than all his labours boast Could Sloth her selfe that sweet Delight but taste Which comes of Paines and honest exercise Her precious time strength she would not waste In Idlenesse and worldly vanities But like to nimble â—arke woâ—ld early rise Who mounting first to heau'n Deuotions sings And afterwards her businesse applyes So long as Light lends vse of eyes or wings And then in â—est enioyes fruit of her trauellingâ— Most sweet Delight at night when wearied We end the Cares and Troubles of the day When priuate publique hauing profited We down our selues with Peace and Comfort lay Not like rich Mizers to their Soules that say In this abundance lye thee downe and rest When ah Who knowes but eu'n that night away His Soule forth from his Body may be prest And he all vnawares o're taken in his nest Vnnecessary Labours worldly Cares Which on themselues not Prouidencâ— depend My Muse to them no such great fauour beares As heere amongst the Graces to commend All things created serue vnto their end For which God at the first did them ordaine And all vnto his Glory doe intend Why then should man be slothfull idle vaine So long as heere on earth he doth in health remaine He hath a minde firme valid rais'd on high Able to soare aboue the Firmament And by sweet Contemplation to descry The heau'ns swift motion Order Gouernment All things are subiect to his Regiment In squallid Slouth and ease yet downe he lyes Till thou who first didst frame his earthly tent Dost raise his mind to heau'nly exercise Which may by Care and Labour him immortalize Not aâ—xious vnprofitable cares Base off-spring of Distrust and Diffidence With present alwayes discontent and feares Vaine future wants or childrens Indigence Distrusting thus Gods gracious Prouidence Which fils with open hands the mouthes of all Whose eyes looke vp to his Beneficence And Lillies clads in colours naturall More faire than Salomons rich robes imperiall He that this all did first of nought ordaine And now it gouernes by wise Prouidence Is by his Bounty able to sustaine All those that labour with true Diligence Sure he will giue aboundant recompence To all who carefull faithfully doe heere Rely on him without least Diffidence He for his Foes did spend his bloud most deare Why then should Friends distrust his Prouidence and Careâ— Kindle thy Loue then in my frozen brest Frame in my minde a study and desire To follow thee that canst direct me best By thy command to march on or retire Awake me from Slouth's filthy durt and mire Lest darknesse me fast-sleeping apprehend From which to Light againe iâ— no retire Let me no houre vnprofitably spend Nor passe one day vnfruitfully vnto mine end That faithfull seruants blessing on him light Whom Thou so doing when thou com'st shalt find Grant whatsoeuer hower of the night My Lord and Master comes my soule and mind May to continuall watching be inclin'd But lest I labour heere too long in vaine I next will passe vnto my Port assign'd To Death the end of all my Care and Paine To graue where till the finall doome I must remaine There quiet I shall sleepe and be at rest With Kings which heere their houses fill'd with gold And Emperours which all the world possest Yet all too streight ambitious thoughts to hold There small and great free bond rich poore young old Oppressors prisoners haue like fruition Of rest All turne againe to dust and mould As small an Vrâ—â— then limits the Ambition Of Popes and Caesars as of Beggers meane condition MEDITATION 5. Of Death COme let 's shake hands we in the end must meete I haue prouided me this goodly Chainâ— Of Graces at thy comming thee to greete For thou wilt not for fauour gold or gaine Thy fatall stroke one moment heere refraine Well close mine eyes and dimme my Bodies Light These shining Gems for euer shall remaine My soule for to enlighten Oh! then smite It skils not when nor how so as my heart stands right Ah! why look'st thou so pale as thou didst feare Thee before men and Angels I forgiue I wish thee not a minute to forbeare I neuer shall the Life of Glory liue Till thou vnlock'st the doore my soule to giue Inlargement from this Prison-house of clay For which she long hath struggled and did striue Yet still the Flesh the Spirit downe doth way And fitting 't is I should my Makers leasure stay Thou earthquake-like this prison house must shake Before my Soule be loosed from her â—ands And make my Kâ—â—pers tremble all and quake Lo then a holy Angell ready stands To saue her from heâ—s-watches grizly hands And though heau'ns sudden Light my Soule amate She forward goes and nothing her withstands A ioyfull entranâ—e to most happy state Thus passe we thorow Deaths-doore in at heau'ns narrow gate Welcome as sleepe to them that right thee know And easie as a Downy-Bed of Rest But thou most gastly-terrible dost show To those that thou do'st vnawares arrest Sweet hau'n to Soules with worlds winds waues opprest A Rocke to those that swimme in sweet Delight Sweet hoast of Saints who with perfumes hath drest The Beds wherein their
the Temple God did raise A Mirrour here of all his Workes to stand His wisedome to commend and goodnesse praise He that appoints the great worlds nights daies From her Creation to last Reuolâ—tion Determins all thy small worlds workes and wayes Who wilfully then hasts his dissolution Seekes to gain-say his Makers constant resolution The longer life I know the greater sinne The greater sinne the greater punishment Yet if thou Souldier-like art entred in Thou must go on with stoutest hardiment And not depart without commandement Oh lie not downe and thee to rest betake Ensuing ills of liuâ—ng to preuent Though life hath nought that can her loued make Yet giues it no iust Cause that thou should'st it foâ—sake And yet O sinfull man do not desire To draw thy dayes forth to the last degree Vntill the measure of thy sinfull hire Be heaped vp with all impiety Against the day of Wrath and Ielousie Whilst thou this sinfull Body bearst about Laden with Sinnes and foule Iniquity Their numbers more and more increase no doubt Most happy he whom Death the soonest helpeth out Despaire not yet fraile silly fleshly wight Nor let Distrust amate thy manfull heart Nor Satans malicing dismay thy sprite Thou in thy Sauiours meriâ—s hast a part Oh why shouldst thou despaire that certain art Of Christ thy Sauiour Lo in him is grace From thee for euer to remoue Hels smart And that accurst hand-writing to deface No sinnes can be so great but Mercy may haue place How then should any wretched wight be wonne To spoile the Castle of his life and state Is 't not Gods doing whatsoeuer's done In heau'n and earth Did he not all create To liue and die by his eternall Fate Who dares then striue with strong Necessity That constant holds the world in changing state All ought be willing here to liue or die Life Death ordained are by heau'nly Destiny Then witnesse Death that willing I lay downe My Body sure to put it on againe My fleshly Baggage for a heau'nly Crowne My earthly Bondage in the heau'ns to raigne I leaue this Tent of brittle clay to gaine In heau'n a mansion holy spirituall Lo my corruption here I downe haue laine For incorruption pure Angelicall And for a heau'nly Parlour chang'd my earthly Hall Lord this I craue Direct me in the way So shall I certainly attaine my end If well my Part on mortall Stage I play Saints Angels my beholders shall commend My Action God and Christ shall be my friend And when my flesh to Natures Tyring-â—oome From whence it came shall quietly descend It there shall rest vntill the Day of doome And then in heauâ—nly Quire a Singing-man become Sweet Death then friendly let me thee embrace He truly liues that liuing learnes to die Now smiling like a friend I see thy face Not terrible like to an enemy But I with Prayer end my melody Lord grant when Death my passâ—ng-bell doth ring My Soule may heare the heau'nly Harmony Of Saiâ—ts and Angels which most ioyfull sing Sweet Halleluâ—ahs to their Sauiour God and 〈◊〉 FINIS TO thee poore Bird in Cage imprisoned How like am I by Agâ—e visited I cannot vse my horse nor thou thy wing And therefore both sit still within and sing My Muse hath with my Body Sympathie If well I learne to liue if sickâ— to die Of dying young THis world a banquet is we conviues all Where most by Drinke to sinne and surfet fall Who dyeth young is like him that doth rise From banquet ere the wine his wit surprize FINIS a 〈◊〉 frugi a Laban a Eecl 8. 17 a Reu. 21. 1â— b Caâ— 3. 1. c Cant. 2. 8 a Abbeys c. a Death