sinne Who though shee cruell seeme yet giues sweet life When first to liue in Spirit we begin Shee vs polluted and defil'd within Doth clense in Fountayne of Regeneration Vs new-borne Babes shee teacheth to let in The milke sincere to sure Iustification Till stronger meate make strong our Faith to sure Saluation 4 And though in chaine of Gods most fâ—â—me Decree First sauing linke is his Predestination Election next then Calling yet wee see No certayne pledges here of our Saluation Till true Repentance workes Humiliation Loe then we doe by right degrees proceede Vnto the highest linke Glorification So that Repentance first to vs doth reede What is eternally in Heau'n by God decreed 5 Thou that dost Hearts with true Repentance season Making them view their owne vile wretchednesse That cast downe with Apostasie and Treason We may of thee seeke endlesse Happinesse First grant me true Repentance next to expresse What sou'raine Vertues I in her haue found And though at first my soule with bitternesse Were ouerwhelm'd yet Grace did cure that wound So where most sinne there is Mercy doth most abound 6 Repentance is a holy worke of Grace From godly Sorrow by which Man from sin Is turn'd Gods promises in Christ t' embrace And Fruits fit for Repentance to begin Repentance is Gods holy worke within To worke our Righteousnesse and Sinne deface And no Man can be exercis'd therein But he that standeth in the state of Grace For no Man turnes to God till God him first embrace 7 Grace and Repentance are in time conioyn'd As Fire and Heate but as Heate first appeares To vs when Fire in Embers is confin'd Eu'n so when sparkes of Grace our Heart first cheares Repentance manifests her selfe by teares Grace is the sap in heau'nly vegetation Repentance is the prime bud which it beares The first sure signe of true Regeneration Then follow leaues flow'rs fruits as certayne demonstration 8 This godly Sorrow differs from the care And griefe a worldling in his heart receaues By sense of Gods iust wrath or great Mens feare Or ought that their good names or goods bereaues This godly Sorrow griefe of mind conceaues That he hath sinn'd and that he did displease So good and kind a God which so close cleaues To 's heart that though no feare did him disease Of Iudge Hell Deuill yet nought but Grace can him appease 9 Man was most faire in Gods owne Image built Had with him sweet communion at 's Creation Whereby in God and God eke in him dwelt But sinne hath since enforc'd a separation And made vs sonnes of wrath by alienation Now we like prodigall and lost sheepe stray Till Grace and true Repentance restauration Doth make of all sinne doth in vs decay Then we returne and our Creators hests obay 10 But true Repentance doth repent of all And not of many or one onely sinne Herod conuerted thus at Baptists call Him gladly heard and hearing did begin For to doe many things but would not lin The sinne of incest with his brothers Loue Some like th' Adulterer doe turne from sinne When they want strength from bad to worse some moue As when the prodigall a couetous man doth proue 11 Shee hath two hands with one loe shee beginnes To presse vs downe to true mortification Whereby we may returne from all our sinnes Vs th' other rayseth by Regeneration To a new life and to Sanctification One from all actuall sinnes makes vs abstayne Suppresseth weakens natures deprauation Makes the Mind purpose and the Will full fayne And all our whole indeauours from sinne to refrayne 12 The other hand Mans purged mind doth raise Vnto a serious firme deliberation To yeeld sincere obedience to Gods Sayes And worketh in the will an inclination Him to obey as at our first creation This doth Mans life and best indeauours frame To walke here in a holy conuersation Though all we doe vnperfect is and lame Yet if the Heart be right God will accept the same 13 And as shee hath a double energie Men head-long to th' infernall Pit to throw And them againe by Faith to viuifie So though of this great worke one cause we know Gods Spirit that whereas it list doth blow Yet vseth it a twofold instrument The Law which Death to vs for sinne doth show The Gospell that doth preach attonement Thus both the Law and Gospell teach vs to repent 14 The Law first pierceth eu'n the very heart And doth by little and degrees proceede Till Knowledge foure things needfull doth impart Gods Law the guilt of Sinne and Sinnes iust meede Which is eternall Fire by God decreed Then we these rightly to our selues apply Which doth in vs a feare and horrour breed Except on Gospels comfort we rely For without that we die in hell eternally 15 Then doth the Gospell make vs comprehend Gods mercy for it seriously enquire And by the gifts of Knowledge to contend That though I iustly haue deseru'd Gods ire If I my selfe denie yet and desire My trust in Christs sole merits to repose I shall thereby escape eternall Fire Thus doth Repentance griefe and ioy impose Griefe for my sinnes but Ioy God doth me from them loose 16 Thus godly Sorrow in our heart being wrought Which brings Repentance with true change of mind We are resolu'd neuer in word deed thought So to offend God in our wonted kind But a new life to leade loe then we find Within our selues a wondrous alteration Not that it changeth substance of our mind Or body in the matter or the fashion But doth reforme their powers as in their first creation 17 Shee worldly griefe to godly sorrow turnes Our Wrath and Anger into temp'rate Zeale Presumption into Faith their heart that burnes In wanton loue to heau'nly Loue appeale Mad laughter shee with Christian ioy doth seale Mildnesse of nature turnes to spirits meeknesse Soules faculties doth all repaire and heale And brings them vnto their first perfectnesse Thus shee makes crocked streight and what 's wrong doth redresse 18 Then bring we forth fruits worthy amendment Of life the truth whereof we doe expresse When by good workes we shew how we repent Repenting soules be Trees of Righteousnesse Planted by God which Riuers doe refresh Eu'n flouds that from the Sanctuarie flow Whose boughes doe lowly stoope with fruitfulnesse There fruits for meate leaues good for medicine grow Else to the roote the Axe is laid them downe to throw 19 Repentance Subiect is a grieued heart A conscience wounded with the sight of Sinne Which nought but hell and horrour doth impart When to lay open conscience doth beginne Our sinnes without and wicked thoughts within And ' lesse shee to vs hope in Christ reueale We may with Iudas hang vp by the chin But like a skilfull Surgeon shee doth deale First corrasiue the sore and then it gently heale 20 Shee hath a double Obiect guilt of sinne And sinnes iust meede eternall condemnation Which terror breedes without horror within The second
vertue doth not lend Eu'n so the Man whose loue doth fall away Doth straight in errour darknesse and delusions stray 19 Those that by reasons force and strength of wit Draw true Conclusiont by firme Argument First striue the Causes with th' Effects to fit Else they will hardly grant the Consequent To say I loue is not sufficient Except I shew the reason why I loue I know ô Lord thou art Omniscient But know no cause to loue mee should thee moue Onely I daily feele that which I cannot proue 20 God is Loues very Authour Life and Spring Yea God himselfe is also stiled Loue From him all Streames of Loue are issuing As from the Sea all other Waters moue He first fills all with Loue in Heau'n aboue Which Water plenteously the Vales below So God loues first before we doe him loue Loe what exceeding great loue he doth show God loues his Enemies first before they doe him know 21 The cause of all this Loue proceeds from thee Thou didst vs loue yet being Enemies Bond-slaues to Sinne and Satan but now â—ree And made thy Friends by Grace our loue doth rise From thee as from the Spring and multiplyes Growing from strength to strength till by thy Grace We workes of Loue in thee doe exercise Thy Members here for thee wee doe embrace Eu'n as ouâ— owne till we behold thy glorious Face 22 Into one Body we by Loue doe grow Into one Building we are all combin'd Loue that doth from the Head to Members flow And all the stones hath in this building ioyn'd Where eu'ry Members office is assign'd And eu'ry stone an others weight doth beare All liuely Stones the choisest of mankind All liuing Members of one Head which here By Loue in one close cemented and ioynted are 23 My lowly Muse dares not presume to prie Into Gods holy happy Habitation Where Loue three Persons ioynes in Vnitie And makes one Godhead to mans admiration I leaue the Mysterie of th'Incarnation Where Loue doth make both God and Man in one And eke the power of Spirits regeneration Where Loue makes Man eu'n of Gods flesh and bone Thus Loue all things in Heaueâ— and Earth vnites in one 24 Such as Loues cause is such are Loues effects Holy Transcendent Supernaturall Which publique good not priuate most respects The weakest member seruice doth to all And the most Honourable doth not call The meaner base as he did him despise They all agree in one and one in all Vnto one glorious Head by loue to rise And in him workes of Loue and Grace to exercise 25 This Loue 's long suffering gentle not enuies Not striuing boasting shamelesse for her owne Bitter ill-minded ioying in iniuries But most glad to doe right when Truth is knowne Endures beleeues hopes suffers all alone Though tongues doe cease and prophecyings faile And knowledge vanish yet Loue holds her owne We know and prophecie in part as fraile But when the perfect comes th' imperfect nought auailes 26 Had I the tongues of Men and Angels and Could prophecie and knew all mysteries Had Faith to remoue Mountaynes t' vnderstand All knowledge and should all my goods out size Amongst the Poore my body should deuise Eu'n to be burn'd yet if I want this Loue It profits not this Loue which doth arise From a pure heart oh thou then that dost proue And trâ—e the hearts of Men season mine heart with Loue. 27 And euer let the Obiect of my Loue Be the true indiuiduall Trinitie The Saints on earth and Angels all aboue That still persist in their integritie I mention here the happy memorie Of thy deceased Saints and Martyrs all Which here their Loue to thee did testifie Whom thou by Loue didst first vnto thee call And dost in heau'n reward with blisse perpetuall 28 But 't is the heart from which this Loue must flow There Loue her Court keepes there 's her Royall seate 'T is not enough with wordes this Loue to show Or fayned lookes God doth the heart intreate That must bâ—â— clens'd from sinne made sweet and neate For him that standeth knocking at the dore Then open he will enter in and eate And bring with him of heau'nly foode such store As thou shalt neuer thirst nor hunger any more 29 Clense my deceitfull heart defil'd with sinne Make it a Temple for thy Spirit of Loue Fit for the King of Glorie to come in That all my words thoughts actions pure may proue As Riuers which from purest Fountaynes moue Oh since thou wert so bountifull to spend Thy precious Blood for vs thy Foes still loue And cherish vs and 'gainst all harme defend Who will die for his Foes cannot denie his Friend 30 In all that Nature hath indued with life We find desire with like to companie Againe wee see diâ—â—â—â—tions jarres and strife 'Mongst those that are of different qualitie We oft 〈◊〉 inclinations may descrie By company they either keepe or shunne They haue of manners such a sympathie I therefore shew what heau'nly Graces wonne With royall Loue which sweetly link't together runne 31 These Vertues are Loues deare Concomitants Repentance Knowledge Faith Humilitie Fortitude Iustice Prudence Temperance Meeknesse Obedience Truth Hope Curtesie These a most sacred 〈◊〉 Societie Doe on the Court of royall Loue attend These Hate expell and her base progenie Wrath Auaâ—â—â— Pride 〈◊〉 and contend Gainst Gluttoâ—e 〈…〉 which on Hate depend 32 These Impes which of this hellish Hagge are bred Begot of her by Lucifer in Hell In wayes of errour and of darknesse leade Where damned spirits in torments euer dwell And though on earth they beare away the bell Of all one day there will a reckning bee Then shall appeare who hath done ill who well The louely Bride shall ioy her Loue to see But they which follow Hate with her shall damned bee 33 Such doe ill iudge of Loue that cannot loue Nor in their hearts feele heate of liuely flame Loue is the gift of God from heau'n aboue Sent downe mans proud rebellious heart to tame And yeeld obedience to his holy Name Though scorn'd by those whose hearts are made so blind With this worlds god they cannot see the same This World they loue and on Lusts set their mind And neuer seeke this true and heau'nly Loue to find 34 The reason is they doe not seeke to know Gods Wisedome Mercy Bountie Goodnesse Loue And these though Preachers daily to them show And their slow vnbeleeuing hearts reproue Their hearts of flint to loue they cannot moue Ah! How can they loue God they haue not seene When as their brethren here they cannot loue To loue the Head and yet to beare a spleene Vnto the Members is a thing vnknowne vnseene 35 Should they with Paul behold the glorious sight Of th' Head whose Members they doe cause to rue They would fall downe amazed with such light And humbly prostrate with submission due Crie Lord Who art and with affection new That Head and Members would intirely loue
he makes Enduring paine and hunger for our sakes Going from house to house in eu'ry place Doing of good our sinnes vpon him takes Opes wide his Armes his Church for to embrace And humbly vs intreating to accept of grace 53 It hath beene knowne that sometimes for a Friend A man would die some shorten'd haue their life With griefe for losse of Children or their kind Some for their Minions losse haue dyde with knife Iacob would serue eu'n seu'n yeares for a Wife Our Sauiour for his Foes his Bloud doth spend Vs Children to adopt layes downe his Life To saue his Spouse doth on the Crosse depend Seru'd for her fiue seu'n yeares His Loue doth neuer end 54 Behold by all these Names he doth inuite Vs to embrace his mutuall heau'nly Loue And calls vs Friend Child Sister Spouse Delight His Seruants sends vs curteously to moue To royall Banquets and sweet beds of Loue By grace adopting vs to be Coheires Eu'n with himselfe of glorie great aboue No cost or paines not his owne Blood he spares But like a Father Husband Friend for vs he cares 55 I here had ended had not holy Steuen The first of Martyrs that did testifie His Masters Resurrection of the seuen The chiefest Deacon Had he not falsely Beene next accus'd of wicked blasphemie Whose witnesses their cloth 's at Sauls feete lay And then him stone with stones whil'st he doth crie Iesu receiue my Spirit And Loue doth pray Aloud Lord to their charge this sinne doe thou not lay 56 Why seeke I out let vs within abound Towards the Saints in loue and charitie Which doth to Gods high glorious grace redound When by releeuing them in poueâ—tie They for our bountie Gods Name glorifie He that vnto the Sower giueth seede Bread to the hungrie he will multiply Vs with increase if to poore Saints in neede We giue with cheerfulnesse such gifts God likes indeede 57 Who sparingly doth sow reapes sparingly His Righteousnesse for euer shall remayne That doth disperse and giue abundantly What doe we saue if we the world should gayne And lose our Crowne which vp in Heau'n is layne Who hauing this worlds good and doth behold His brother want yet doth his hand retayne How can it be but Loue in him is cold For whereas Loue doth dwell her fruits are manifold 58 Oh! come all yee then that forget the Lord Behold his loue to Man with admiration Oh let our loue such fruits to Saints afford They may blesse God for such refocillation Mount vp my soule by heau'nly contemplation Behold him in his Maiestie aboue Behold him in his wonderfull creation In 's Wisedome and his Prouidence and proue If all these counterpoise his Bountie Mercy Loue. 59 And if his loue 's so great and wonderfull Most precious sure 's the Obiect of his loue Out of this Worlds great treasurie to cull One whom he would eternally aboue Make happy with his presence and to proue So kind a Father Him Coheire to take To his owne deare beloued Sonne to loue Him as his owne for his owne Sonnes deare sake Learne here what high account we of our soules should make 60 Why dost my Soule then grouell on the ground Since in respect of thee this World is base No thing created in the World is found Which God vouchsafed hath so much to grace His free Loue doth aduance thee to this place Requiring of thee this one complement Thou him and his againe with loue embrace For Loue fulfilleth the Commandement Command Lord what thou wilt Loue makes obedient 61 But ah my Soule Where is thy Loue thy feare How doth the World bewitch thee How possesse How are thy thoughts tane vp with worldly care Breeding of heau'nly Loue a senselâ—snesse Dost thou misdoubt Gods gracious promises Farre be such Atheisme and impietie Oh neuer let such dismall heauinesse Cleaue on my Soule through vnbeliefe to die For which Christ offred vp himselfe so louingly 62 Hast thou not oh my Soule most plainely seene That all things in this World are vanitie No true content to mortall e're hath beene But that which doth endure eternally As Primum mobile Loue doth employ All other Graces in their proper motion And as all Spheres are mou'd perpetually By the prime Mouer so Loues purest Notion Swayes all the other Vertues in their due deuotion 63 Wilt then despise his friendship kindnesse loue Wherewith thy Lord inuites thee vnto Grace And as a Father Husband Friend thee moue His Loue with like relation to embrace And all thy minde on things aboue to place Abandoning vaine wealth and worlds delight The World and all things in it are but base To ransome one poore Soule all is too light In this Gods Loue doth more then all his Power and Might 64 Oh! that I could despise Worlds vaine promotion And follow heau'nly things with all my might My whole life consecrating to deuotion Oh that I might liue euer in thy sight Where fulnesse is of ioy and pure delight Oh that mine heart were on thy Law so set To meditate thereon both day and night Thy Statutes then I neuer should forget Nor at the wickeds vaine and false preferments fret 65 Oh that my dearest Husband Father Friend His heau'nly Loue into mine heart would shower That my Loue may againe to him ascend And that I may with all my might and power Loue and defend his Members from each stower His Saints which in this wandring wildernesse In danger of the Wolues are eu'ry hower Visit the Widdowes and the Fatherlesse And walke vnspotted here in Truth and Holinesse 66 But though alas this heau'nly Loue I feele Abundant grace vpon mine heart to shower Loue of this World my soules eyes vp so seele To loue the things aboue I haue no power And though I feele sweet flashes euery hower Of heau'nly Loue I cannot loue againe The Head nor Members which in earthly Bower Most deare and precious in his sight remayne But hardly can from Enuie Hatred Pride refrayne 67 I doe confesse my debt of Loue so great I neuer able am my score to pay For if I should Gods kindnesses repeate And all his fauours in one summe conuay I might begin them earely before day But could not cast the number vp by night Accept my will and readinesse for pay Accept my sorrowfull heart and humble sprite Which made the Widdowes poore an acceptable mite 68 Let me thy loue so liuely apprehend That I may ready be with cheerefulnesse To die for thee who thy deare Blood didst spend To vindicate my soule from wretchednesse And raise me to such height of happinesse That I may gladly wish my dissolution And cast from me all wretched worldâ—inesse Prepared with a holy resolution To stand vndanted at the Worlds great deuolution 69 Frame in me such an habit of thy Loue As I for loue may seeke thee to obay More than for feare I should thine anger moue Whereby thou should'st my sinnes with vengeance pay And
is our Sauiours blessed Passion Made eu'n our owne by a right application This brings true inward ioy and sound delight And doth deface th'hand-writing of damnation This brings vs out of darknesse into light This Sunne of Righteousnesse doth chase away our night 21 As Pharaoh with his Butler and his Baker So deales shee with the wicked and the iust They both alike offended haue their Maker And both alike into one Dungeon thrust But loe shee lifts to place of highest trust The Butler but the Baker doth forsake And leaues him to the meede of the vniust Thus with her left hand shee vs drownes in Lake But with her right vs into endlesse ioy doth take 22 Neare to her fellowes gracious Restitution A Lady of a conscience wondrous tender That of all benefits makes retribution And for a wrong done double mends will render Sorrow Teares Kindnesse Bountie doe attend her Sighs Prayer true Deuotion on her wait If shee wants these Associates God amend her Shee 's but Hypocrisie the Deuils bait To catch poore soules with false pretences and deceit 23 For loe two Hags of hell would like her seeme One outward is and ceremoniall Which like proud Pharisee her selfe doth deeme Aboue the Publican And shee will fall To prayer on her knees amongst them all The other eu'n my pen trembles to write Mine heart to thinke of her Despaire we call Oh! shee our Sauiours suffrings doth despite Counting His satisfaction for her sinnes too light 24 Many there be that will repent of 〈◊〉 When they are scourged by th' Almighties hand But when to spare his rod he doth beginne They stay repenting and themselues doe band Against the Righteous And though God command They will resist him like proud Egypts King Which notwithstanding ten Plagues did withstand His Makers will his Heart still hardening Till on himselfe and people he confusion bring 25 A cursed sinne 's finall impenitence When as a man himselfe so iust doth take As he needs not repent for his offence This like a lethargie our soule doth make Vnsensible of sinne till we awake And as 't is a disease most dangerous Which vs insensible thereof doth make So of all States it is most perilous To be dead-sicke of sinne yet thinke we are righteous 26 Foure things obserue in this great worke of wonder Grace horror sorrow comfortable peace Which I resemble to tempestuous thunder Lightning shewes first next cracks then showerâ— increase But all in comfortable Sunne-shine cease So in this worke of our Regeneration The Spirit first lights Hell doth like thunder prease Then sorrowes clouds teares showers make inundation Lastly like Sunne shines ioy which seales vp our saluation 27 And as in course of humane generation Conception trauell lastly birth wee see So in this worke of our regeneration The Spirit Soules-horror inward ioy agree The Spirit first giueth life and power to bee The Soule then trauâ—ileth in griefe and paine Then followeth our glad natiuitie Which recompenceth all our losse with gaine Thus as at first the Flesh the Spirit begets againe 28 And as some women though they doe conceaue And quickning ioy doe feele within their wombe Yet by disorder oft a hurt receaue And so miscarry ere to birth they come So that their wombe become the infants tombe So in vs oft a quickning Spirit doth moue As if Repentance were in vs begun Yet in the end it doth abortiue proue This is when we resist the holy Spirit of Loue. 29 Some as I say conceaue an embrion But lose their fruit eu'n in the vegetation Some in due time to trauell haue begon But wanted strength euâ—n in the procreation And in this weaknesse falne to desperation Like Iudas they haue strangled their owne brood Before it had in new life respiration Who did deplore's betraying innocent blood Well he began but ended in a desperate mood 30 But if our trauell doth to birth proceede And that there is a liuing Child forth brought Oh then what ioy and comfort it doth breede Then we employ our care and eu'ry thought How we may nurse and feede it as we ought We therefore pap and milke to it first giue And after stronger meates for it are sought Till it vnto a perfect man doth thriue Loe then he can beget that earst began to liue 31 Eu'n so a new borne Babe in Christ proceedes There 's wondrous ioy at 's first regeneration On Gospels Milke he young and tender feedes Till he grow strong Then from Predestination He can discourse eu'n to Glorification Thus doth he to a height and fulnesse grow Of age and strength by Spirits Illumination Till he all Mysteries in Christ doth know Then is he able vnto others them to show 32 Men are like Horses wild who sure had bin As at the first to Man obedient Had they not beene corrupted by mans sin And would haue beene seruants most diligent Now they grow Rebels disobedient Till we with bit yoke bridle doe them tame So Man growes'gainst his Maker insolent Till by Repentance he doth him reclame Then he becomes as at the first God did him frame 33 Mans heart is like the ground which for mans sinne Is cursed Thornes and Thistles for to reare Which first the skilfull Plow-man doth beginne With a strong Teame of Oxen vp to teare Fallowes and Harrowes it for to prepare It sweet and cleane for to receaue his seede Loe then in stead of Thornes it Wheat will beare Repentance thus ploughs Hearts to kill Sinnes weede And Tils it fit and sweet for Grace to sow Faiths seede 34 If a man sowes and doth not Till his ground Or if one Till his ground and doe not sow On first kind Thornes and Thistles doe abound Which choke the seede so that it cannot grow And from the vnsowne tilled ground we mow Nothing but stinking weedes fit for the fire Eu'n so except with sorrow we doe plow Our hearts and Word to sow therein desire Sinne chokes all grace weeds therein grow ranke higher 35 Repentance like an Axe is that hath praid On all the Cedars that on Lebanon stand And eu'ry one downe on the earth hath laid The sound shee hewes and squares with her right hand Making them posts and pillars fit to stand In Gods owne house But eu'ry hollow crust Shee teares and cleaues for fire with her left hand Thus doth Repentance trim and square the iust Despaire th'vngodly rends and into Hell doth thrust 36 Behold we thus with trembling and with feare In paine and griefe worke out our owne saluation But some when as Repentance draweth neare And calls their conscience to examination Like Ahab fall into this bitter passion What hast thou found me Oh! mine enemie Despising godly Prophets reformation And rather vnregenerate chuse to die Than pangs and bitter throwes of a new birth to trie 37 Latines and Greekes giue her a diuers name Which haue in them a twofold true notation And yet in her they both employ the same
Sonne for vs What can be denyde Who dares condemne who by him saued are For whom his Death and Rising doth prepare Eternall blisse Shall anguish tribulation Nakednesse famine perill sword or feare Vs sep'rate from the Horne of our saluation In these Faith makes vs conquer by Christs mediation 75 My prayer gracious Lord shall euer bee Increase my Faith And as now in some wise Thou her faire Lineaments hast made mee see For which I praise thee Open so mine eyes That seeing I her worth may truely prise And for her sake most willing be to loose My life and all this wicked world despise And rather bondage here with Faith to choose Than liue in Egypts Court with vaine deceitfull showes 76 Now as a valiant Souldier strong and wise That would in open field defeate his Foe Suffers no sleepe to come within his eyes But keepes continuall watch For he doth know His En'mie Lyon-like about doth goe By force or sleight his life for to surprize Eu'n so good Lord grant thou me grace to doe That though sleepe often close my bodies eyes My Soule may still keepe watch 'gainst Satans subtilties 77 Hope was the Patron that with Faith did ioyne When to my triall me Repentance brought Who all their might and forces did combine Vntill my absolution they had wrought These not their owne good but their Clients sought And pleaded not for friendship fees or gayne Loues fauour was their vtmost ayme and thought They shew'd no Law their Causes to maintayne But Pardons wrote in 's Blood that for our sinnes was slayne MEDITAT V. Of Hope 1 REpentance Faith and Hope be graces three Which no where but in Israel are knowne Of other Vertues some resemblance wee Do find amongst the Heathen which are showne To them by Natures light and first were sowne Most pure till they corrupted were with sin But now they most vnlike themselues are growne For till Faith Hope them to restore begin They glorious seeme without but foule and vile within 2 For though of Knowledge Loue Truth Patience Right Mercy Fortitude Humilitie Prudence Zeale Temp'rance Bountie Obedience There doe in them remayne some memorie Yet wanting Faith and Hope like either eye Their blinded soules for to direct aright In all their actions they doe moue awry For Faith and Hope like Sunne and Moones cleare light Direct repenting Soules which wander else in night 3 And though by reading in Dame Natures booke The Heau'n and Earth's most wonderfull creation They vpwards to their Maker oft did looke And saw his Power and Wisedomes manifestation And their owne wretchednesse Yet Humiliation For sinne in them no true Repentance wrought For missing these chiefe Agents of saluation The worke could not be to perfection brought For without Faith and Hope Repentance profits nought 4 Thou that the Finisher and Authour art Of eu'ry good and perfect Gift and Grace Who look'st not on the worke but on the heart Where eu'ry Vertue holds her seate and place Who lately hast me guided in the trace Of Faith the Mother now direct aright My Muse to follow on the Vertues chase And first of Hope Faiths daughter next in sight And make my Hope stand stedfast whilst of Hope I write 5 Hope is of things to come an expectation Which God hath promis'd and Faith doth beleeue For when th'Elect of their Iustification By Faith stand sure Then Hope doth them releeue With Patience to expect till God doth giue All the good things which he hath promised So that no crosse affliction can them grieue For by this Hope they stand assured The day will come their Hope shall be accomplished 6 Some Faith Hopes Mother some her Sister call Howsoe're betwixt them is so neare relation That if one faile the other needes must fall Faith brings forth Hope the Anchor of saluation But Faith is nourished by expectation A thankfull Daughter to a blessed Dame Who nonrisheth her Mother in this fashion And oft when Faith growes cold blind faint and lame Hopes brests Assurance Patience her restore againe 7 A blessed paire like Naâ—mi and Ruth Faith doth direct and Hope goes forth to gleane Faith searcheth first beleeues and finds the Truth Then Hope at Booz feete expects the meane And though at first a small reward shee gayne Yet being content Gods leisure for to stay Shee in the end doth to her Hope attayne Ruthâ—nto â—nto Booz married is that day And now may Naomi in her lap Obed lay 8 Hope is so like Faith and so neare of Kin As hardly we discerne a difference Faith is the ground whereon Hope doth begin Both haue alike assurance Patience From the same Spirit both haue their influence Both sauing Graces purge and purifie The heart and season with obedience Both last alike By both we'our selues denie Both make our conscience sound By both for Christ we die 9 But Faith is first for loe shee is Hopes ground Hope onely future sees but Faith things past Faith seales our euidence and makes it sound Hope waites till shee possession take at last Hope is the Helmet that on th' Head is plac't But Faith the Shield doth all the body hide And though our Faith oft faint our Hope stands fast From off the Shield full many a blow may slide On Helmet but there farther entrance is deni'de 10 Thus haue I shew'd how they are different The cause now As of Words immortall seede The Spirit begets Faith to giue firme assent Vnto Gods Promises Eu'n so indeede That Spirit out of those Promises doth breede A liuely Hope whose end is our saluation And that we shall haue all things which we neede In the meane time we haue our conuersation By Faith and Hope with Christ in heau'nly habitation 11 Similitudes make plaine and illustrate Things that are else mysterious darke obscure As when th' immortall Workman did create At first Man without helpe alone and pure He made him then a deepe sleepe to endure And tooke stuffe from him ere he did awake Of which he made for him a helpe most sure So the same Spirit that Faith at first did make To make now Hope Faiths help doth matter from Faith take 12 As Body Spirit Faith Lord and Baptisme's one So but one true and liuing Hope we find But as her Obiects infinite become We may distinguish her in different kind If heau'nly Obiects be to her assign'd Shee like the Obiect is Celestiall If shee on worldly Obiects set her mind As doth the Obiect shee doth rise or fall Loe then the Obiect of our Hope is all in all 13 We hope for that for vs in Heau'n's vp laid We hope to see Christs glorious Exaltation We hope for all things that Christ for vs praid We hope in Gospell that brings vs saluation We hope of all in Christ a restauration We hope Soules Bodies shall immortall liue We hope to reape what 's sowne in expectation The faithfull Pastor hopes his Flocke shall thriue Faith Author is of Hope
of Weights and Measures but one sâ—ze And Standard which true right to all doth part And Weight and Measure iustly doth comprise Eu'n so in this Worlds Market men deuise One Law to mete out eu'ry Man his due And by that Law the Iudges ought assise All their Decrees and Iudgements iust and trew And not in stead of Lawes to â—roach Opinions new 46 But as in Man we soule and body find So Lawes consist of Letter and true Sense And as the body place giues to the mind So the Lawes Letter with Obedience To the true Sense and Soule of Law consents Who Letter of the Law seeke to maintayne And leaue her mind and meanings excellence Are like them that their bodies good to gayne Both Soule and Body hazard to eternall payne 47 Some Painters Iustice without eyes describe That shee might know no Man in doing right Some without hands that shee may take no Bribe Some without pockets that may gifts inuite For gifts of wisest men doe blind the sight And words eu'n of the Righteous doe peruert Making them wrest the Law and take delight In base rewards which doe corrupt the Heart Which being once amisse doth all the rest diuert 48 But vaine it is to thinke by likelinesse Of earthly things to type out things Diuine Since none her heau'nly Nature can expresse But who the God-head can aright define O let the Sunne of Righteousnesse then shine Vpon my blinded heart with his bright rayes Which may direct my Muse aright to line And leuell out this heau'nly Ladies wayes That searching I may learne and follow Right all wayes 49 No earthly subiect now my Muse contaynes Behold of Righteousnesse Diuine I sing That Righteous Iudge that searcheth Heart and Reynes Most gracious God and yet most righteous King Who on his owne deare righteous Sonne did bring The bitter cup of wrath and indignation Due to Mankind for their dire trespassing Thus satisfying Iustice by his Passion And shewing wondrous Loue in working Mans saluation 50 This Righteousnesse in vs may be defin'd A sanctifying holy Qualitie By Gods owne Spirit vpon our Hearts consign'd To shew to Gods Law true conformitie And square our words and actions all thereby Loe thus we giue to euery one their due To God and Man for by Gods Law we trie And vnderstand what to them both is due So that conformitie thereto is Iustice true 51 To this most perfect Iustice can attayne None but our Head surnamed THAT IVST ONâ— Indeed God made Man righteous and againe In Heau'n we iust and perfect shall become But amongst Men so righteous there are none Yet reade we of a two-fold Vprightnesse One Legall which the Law to vs hath showne The other which the Gospell doth expresse Where Grace acâ—epts our will by Faith for Righteousnesse 52 The Law requires perfect Obedience Eu'n in that Man that seekes to liue thereby The Gospell Faith and a good Conscience By Faith Christs Righteousnesse especially Imputed is which rightly we apply That of the Conscience doth the whole Man frame Willing in all things to liue honestly This of Gods Spirit a powerfull worke I name And none but the regenerate obtayne the same 53 For Righteousnesse that thus from Faith doth runne Let me referre you to that Meditation Which I of Faith haue formerly begunne Whereas Christs Merits ours by Imputation Stand before God for our Iustification And thus Christ is of the whole Law the end For what the Law exacts for our Saluation Christ hath fulfilled for vs as a Friend And by the Gospell to Beleeuers doth extend 54 The Righteousnesse of a good Conscience In two things doth consist especially First to abstayne from ill with diligence Next to doe good willing and constantly To doe good and auoid iniquitie Are two essentiall parts of Righteousnesse Except they both concurre they both doe die Loe thus old Zaâ—hary and Elizabesse Were righteous before God and walkt with men blamelesse 55 We Righteousnesse of Faith from Christ receaue That of the Conscience is a worke of Grace The Righteousnesse of Faith will not there cleaue Where Righteousnesse of Conscience hath not place This right of Conscience rightly we embrace When true Repentance working change of mind Doth the old Man of sinne in vs deface With resolute purpose in a holy kind Henceforth to frame our liues as Gods Law hath assign'd 56 If thus the mind be truely altered And change of resolution throughly wrought Then the whole Man is fitly furnished To put Faiths Righteousnesse on as he ought Without true change of mind we soone are brought Like Dogge vnto his vomit to retire By sinne corrupted Nature's easily caught Againe like Sow to wallow in the mire High God doth first this inward Righteousnesse require 57 Thus by true Faith and a good Conscience With true Repentance we our selues doe presse And arme to proofe for sure and firme defence With brest-plate spirituall of Righteousnesse Which gards vs from all mortall sinfulnesse For as the brest-plate hides each vitall part So that no mortall wound can them oppresse Eu'n so this Righteousnesse defends the Heart And Conscience that no mortall sinne can thorough dart 58 Thus strongly arm'd we most assured stand Of our effectuall calling and saluation For as we God most righteous vnderstand So know we that the righteous Generation Are borne of him which brings true exultation Cladding our Names with happy memorie Makes much for true religious confirmation Doth it with Infidels much dignifie Who seeing our good workes our Maker glorifie 59 As are the windings of slie Errours trayne So are the â—y-paths of Iniquitie Yet in two Heads we may them all contayne To Neighbours wrong to God impietie Here I some ouer-iust Ones passe not by Such as must haue all Bowes by their owne bent Who by pretence of Christian libertie Allow nought but what their owne braines inuent Correctors curious of things indifferent 60 Two other Gulfes here I will onely sound One is of Pharisaicall Righteousnesse The other with false Libertines is found Who doe abuse Gods grace to wantonnesse The last Faith onely with their tongue professe But let their conscience wind at libertie The other make great boast of Vprightnesse And Merits trusting to be sau'd thereby Both put asunder those God doth together tie 61 Thus Hymeneus did and Alexander Who first did put away good Conscience And then in Schismes and Heresies did wander Till they made shipwracke of Faiths firme defence Thus some giu'n ouer to a reprobate sense Doe fall to senselesse base Idolatrie Putting in stocks and stones their confidence And in the mysterie of Iniquitie Who boasts himselfe to haue of Heau'n and Hell the Key 62 Not but Christ's immense Coate of Righteousnesse Sufficient is to cloath all that beleeue But we our Faith by good workes must expresse If of his Fulnesse we hope to receaue Yet let Presumption no Man so deceaue The rags of his inherent Righteousnesse With Christs in our Redemption for to weaue
the righteous seede he will on earth preserue 80 To praise God for the blessings manifold His Word assures vnto this righteous Nation Would in discourse my Muse for euer hold And be too long for this one Meditation Oh hold me then to more strict obseruation Of Time to come than I haue had of past That I may make a daily examination Of my whole life and all my sinnes vp cast As mindfull of th' account I am to giue at last 81 And teach me that this Grace of Righteousnesse Is as a Chaine of many links close ioyn'd By which we would ascend from hence to blesse Whereof if but the least linke doth vnbind Loe the whole Chaine is to the earth declin'd Eu'n so in this strong Chaine of Law and Right Though most of all our acts be rightly lin'd If one Iniquitie our Hearts delight This one makes all the rest vnrighteous in Gods sight 82 But I vniustly my discourse extend Now I beseech the Authour of this Grace I all my force to practise it may bend And first doe Right and Iustice in my place Respecting not the Person but the Case In my Commerce with all Men dealing right Last that I may true Righteousnesse embrace That with true Faith and a good Conscience dight I in these spirituall Armes vnto the end may â—ight 83 Thus hauing chalked out the Rule of Right I should by my first Method next proceede To sing of Mercy but Truth doth inuite My Muse first her great power to areede Who doth in time eu'n Righteousnesse preceede Besides none can approch dread Mercies Throne But those whom Truth and Iustice thither leade And sure their Nature links them so in one As one without the other neuer goes alone MEDITAT II. Of Truth 1 SVch is the nature and sweet inclination Of heau'nly Graces all whereof I sing That with most kind and mutuall relation They all seeme ioyn'd together in a ring So close each one another following That who gets one doth all the rest obtayne For from one Fountayne all of them doe spring All link'd together in so strong a chayne As where one Vertue dwels there all the rest remayne 2 'T is vaine to thinke that single Graces can Make vp complete the Man spirituall More than diuided Members of a Man Can grow or thriue not ioyn'd together all Hence Poetâ— the three Graces twins doe call Ioues Daughters and them in one ring doe ioyne And hence they make the Virgins musicall All but one consort which are Sisters nine Thus by their fables shadowing things Diuine 3 For they discern'd by Natures dimmed light One Authour sole of eu'ry goodly Grace Whom Father they and King of all doe hight And him Lord ouer all their gods doe place Loe thus as in a mist they Truth did trace But missing the true path of Righteousnesse In stead of Truth they Errour did embrace For neuer was Dame Iustice Errours guesse Nor euer Truth did dwell with false Vnrighteousnesse 4 For seeming Truth without the 〈◊〉 of Right Like Summum 〈◊〉 is greatest iniurie And Righteousnesse not guided by Truths light Is Curiousnesse or false Hypocrisie Faith that brings forth fruits of Iniquitie Is base Presumption Loue Diffimulation That worketh not in vs by Charitie All from one Head haue life and sustentation And therefore all together make their habitation 5 But none more like are or of Kin more neare Than this faire paire of Truth and Righteousnesse The blessed Mother and her Daughter deare For Truth the Mother is of Vprightnesse And surely Truth and honest Simplenesse To eu'ry Vertue doth so needfull grow That all faire shewes not done in Singlenesse And Truth of Heart are but a false vaine show A splendid sinne corrupted by Mans heart below 6 Thou in whose Lips was neuer found least guile Whose Heart hates lying and iniquitie Whose Hands did neuer God or Man beguile Whose Hand Heart Word and Thought is Veritie Whose blessed Spirit of Truth doth testifie Vnto our Spirits true way of Righteousnesse By which we come to liue eternally Direct my Muse Truths nature to expresse That Truth may guide my steps to endlesse Happinesse 7 My bounded Muse here dareth not define Of boundlesse Truth from all Eternitie Which as impossible's to mete by Line As Persons three which in the Trinitie Make but one Truth and perfect Vnitie But as one God consists of Persons three And each participates of Deitie So we one Truth communicated see To Persons three which but one in the God-head bee 8 Of Father 〈◊〉 and Spirit of Truth we reade But as one God so but one Truth alone Into which Truth the Spirit of Truth doth leade Who sent is from the Father and the Sonne The Word of Truth that gloriously did won With Spirit and Father from eternitie Flesh here tooke of our flesh bone of our bone To free vs from errours captiuitie And chalk't vs out a way to walke in Veritie 9 This is the Truth whereof I meane to write Which ought to be of our whole Life the square To leuell out our words thoughts acts aright And eke our Iudgements to Gods Word to square For of this Truth foure parts there onely are Of Iudgement Action Speech and of the Heart The want of one the rest doth all impaire Wrong iudgement words and actions doth diuert But a false heart doth iudgement action speech peruert 10 And that I right and plainely may proceede I will all foure thus singled out define And first the Truth of Iudgement I doe reade A power inlightning of Gods Spirit Diuine Which doth Mans vnderstanding part refine And settles in the Doctrine of his Word Behold when Truth doth in our iudgement shine All Heresie and Schismes by vs abhord This Truth of Iudgement sacred Knowledge doth afford 11 Truth of the Heart is a sweet singlenesse And sincere meaning whereby Man constraynes His Heart to approue it selfe in Holinesse To him that searcheth both the Heart and Raynes This in the inward Man the Truth contaynes And is to God most acceptable treasure This Truth from all Hypocrisie refraynes Here doth the Deuill soonest take his seasure For loe the Heart of man's deceitfull aboue measure 12 The Truth of Speech is when our hearts agree Vnto the matter and vnto our mind For if it from our Heart doe disagree Or from the thing whereto it is design'd The first to be plaine lying is defin'd The second falshood at the best we name One doth abuse the Conscience and the Mind The other brings the Authour vnto shame Both falsifie the Truth and are alike to blame 13 The Truth of Actions honest dealing plaine Faithfull in all without dissimulation With God and Man whether we lose or gaine When we doe not deceiue by simulation And feigning things without determination Or else dissembling whereabouts we goe These are from Truth a wicked declination And when we God or Man deceauen so What we would vnto vs to others we
obay Lord grant that as I of sweet Mercy sing Her in my heart deed word I practise may Not for vaine praise or any outward thing But for thy Mercy sake my good and gracious King 75 Next Loues great Generall braue Fortitude Should enter Lists to shew her wondrous might But Rashnesse 't is not Valour to include A Christian Souldier in such dang'rous fight Till all his Armour be about him dight His vpper parts I armed haue elsewhere With Girdle Brest-plate Shield and Helmet bright But Feete and Legs I naked left and bare Now Patience them shall arme as you shall after heare MEDITAT IIII. Of Patience 1 WEll hath our valiant Guide Mans life compar'd Vnto a warfare where we alwayes stand In complete Armour readie and prepar'd The force of cruell Foe-men to withstand Where Satan World and Flesh together band By open force and treason to subdue And leade vs captiue by their mightie hand And all vnarm'd or out of order due They fetter'd dragge to Hell with cursed damned crue 2 Which to auoid he wills vs to be strong In God and in the Power of his Might And the whole Armour that doth here belong To Christian Souldiers on our Soules to dight For here with Flesh and Blood we doe not fight But Empires Powers Principalities The worldly Gouernours of darkest night Sublime spirituall subtile Enemies Which to resist he ghostly Armour doth deuise 3 The Belt of Truth Brest-plate of Righteousnesse Faiths Shield and Hope the Helmet of saluation Sword of the Spirit Prayers feruentnesse Feete shod in Peaces Gospels preparation These be the Weapons of our Militation Of Helmet Brest-plate Shield and Girdle wee Alreadie haue conceau'd a Meditation These foure the vpper parts arme to the knee But Patience Legs whâ—reon the rest supported bee 4 For so the Learned seeme to giue the Sense This preparation of the Gospels Peace To be the brasen Bootes of Patience Which doth defend from Thornes and Stones disease Our Legs and Feete And where the Belt doth cease These Bootes of Patience Armour doe supply By which in complete Armour we doe prease And stand vndanted 'gainst our Enemie This Vertue is the next my Muse seekes to descrie 5 Which well is call'd the Gospels preparation For neuer any Patience true and sound Can be but by the Gospels mediation The Heathen built not on this certayne ground And therefore this true Patience neuer found Which but by Peace of Conscience none attayne This Peace the Gospell onely doth propound By reconcilement of the Lambe Christ sâ—aine Without this Peace of Conscience Patience all is vaine 6 Thou glorious God of Peace and Patience Who sent'st thine onely Sonne our sinnes to beare And by his Suffring and Obedience Vpon the Crosse from guilt of sinne to cleare All those to whom his Crosse is sweet and deare Direct my Muse this Grace aright to reade That knowing I may neuer once forbeare To practise Patience in thought word deede But to the end my Life in Peace and Patience leade 7 Which is a gift of God whereby weare Inabled willingly and constantly All crosses that God layes on vs to beare For Goodnesse Godlinesse and Honestie Impatience 't is to beare vnwillingly And but an idle feigned false pretence To boast of Vertue without Constancie Her parts be foure of which some difference May seeme at first yet all make but one Patience 8 The first part is from Anger to abstayne The second is a constant Expectation The third is to the end Right to remayne The last consists in willing Sustentation Of all afflictions here and castigation But Man to these foure parts we onely tie For the last part which doth consist in Passionâ— Vnto th' eternall Being comes not nigh Who 's free from all Affliction and Calamitie 9 Yet is he rightly call'd the Patient God And doth in first three named parts transcend First farre from Anger when he spares his Rod He doth expect and wait till we amend And last abides the same vnto the end He fruitfull Times and Seasons of the Yeare Vnto the good and bad alike doth send Most patiently doth with our Follies beare And where he 'gins to loue he neuer doth forbeare 10 Thus Mercy Zeale Repentance may be said Inexplicably in God to bee Zealous yet not offended or dismaid Most Mercifull yet griefe did neuer see Repenting yet without remorse is hee Most Patient yet without least payne or passion Of Vertues parts which are of Frailtee And Weaknesse God hath no participation Yet want they not in Man their vse and commendation 11 As is the Cause and End of Patience So we her true or counterfet esteeme The Cause and End doe make the difference If we for Fancy Glorie Lust Wealth seeme To beare with Patience Hunger Payne Cold Teene This suffring missing her true Cause and End As falsely feigned counterfet we deeme But if for doing well or to defend The Truth we suffer this our Patience doth commend 12 The greedie 〈…〉 For Lust some doe endure 〈◊〉 basest shame The Souldier spends his blood for glorie vaine Th' Ambitious venture all to purchase Fame Loe there we carnall Ends and Causes name True Patience causes honest are and iust When for ill-doing we doe suffer blame Take paine for Glorie Honour Gayne or Lust Rewards like to the Cause and End expect we must 13 But true immediate ground of Patience Is the sweet Gospell as I said of Peace For Man deepe plung'd in sinne and foule offence No Creature could Gods wrâ—â—h but Christ appease In stead of Loue Gods wrath on Man did seise Till Christ concludes our Reconciliation And vs of our offences doth release Of which the Gospell is th' Aâ—â—unciation Therefore is Patience call'd the Gospels preparation 14 And therefore as her Cause and End is Peace So all her works to inward Peace doe tend Which in the inward Man doth most increase When outward Warres seeme most him to offâ—nd Shee doth oâ—r Soules most valiantly defend By patient bearing crosses paine and shame Which shee with Patience suffers to the end Except they crosse the Glorie of Gods Name Or Neighbours good which to endure deserueth blame 15 One euill is of Sinne and one of Payne That ill of Sinne this Dame cannot abide But that of Punishment shee counteth gayne Gods holy Name blasphem'd or Truth deni'd Or wicked Men Gods holy Saints deride Is no true Patience patiently to heare But on our selues when crosses doe betide Then Patience true doth patiently forbeare For shee her owne not others wrongs delights to beare 16 If one will take her Coâ—te iniurioâ—â—ly Shee suffereth such losse with Patience But if of Faith Loue Truth or Honestie One would depriue her that is such offence As cannot stand right with her Conscience Shee priuate wrongs most willingly doth hide But faults admitteth vnder no pretence Shee can endure Men should her selfe deride But her Profession scorn'd shee no wayes can abide 17 Compell her to a mile shee will
how was he by Laban iniured His brother Esan did his life assaile Yet strong in God his heart did neuer faile Not when at Mahanim he met Gods Hoast And Esau with foure hundred did he quaile Of Iosâ—ahs valour may all Iudah boast But of them all herein may Daâ—id glorie most 32 Apocryphall are Stories not the Facts Of machabaeus and his Bretheren Whose noble Fortitude and valiant Acts Transcend the courage of all mortall Men. Oh! wondrous prowesse which they shewed then For to defend their Lawes and Libertie Their Temples Cities Wiues and Children From prophanation by Idolatrie And from the bondage of an Heathen enemie 33 I might of Moses Caleb Gedeon tell Ieptha Iob Samson Dauids Worthies three That through an Hoast drew Water from a Well Eu'n millions of examples you may see Of Saints which in Gods Booke our paternes bee As Children three which would endure the flame Before they would commit Idolatrie Of all the Apostles onely Paul I name Whose Fortitude in God deserues eternall fame 34 What are the Seruants greater than their Lord No all the strength that did in them abound He of his fulnesse did to them afford In whom all perfect Fortitude was found Whom when he did conuerse with Men on ground No Deuill Power terror could dismay And that he might at last Hels powers confound His Life on cursed Crosse eu'n downe did lay Sad Night But loe His rising brings a ioyfull Day 35 Which to sweet Nectar turnes our Cup of Gall Loe This is true braue Fortitude of mind That as Christ chearefully did suffer all That God for our Redemption had assign'd So all our strength and will must be inclin'd All crosses valiantly to suffer here But where we them against Gods glorie find For with such iniuries Christ could not beare And therefore Merchants did with whips from Temple scare 36 What Shall I here all Woman-kind exclude As Subiects meane for this heroick Grace No In the mind is seate of Fortitude And oft in Female brests obtaynes high place 'T is not proud Looks mens Tire stout Speech bold Face Can Women for true Fortitude commend No Vertue like to Modestie doth grace That Sexe and best their Honour doth defend In this the brauest Women alwayes did transcend 37 See faire Rebecca couer'd with a vaile Iudge Debora vnder an Oken tree Most modest Iudith durst the Head assaile Of Holofernes Hâ—ster next I see Bring Haman vnto shame for Mardochee Shall I name one that doth surmount them all Loe our late Queene Elizabeth was shee Yet was most modest shamefac't Virginall All Female boldnesse Impudence not Grace we call 38 This Androgune Masculine-Foeminine Sometimes of Doubtfull oft of Common Gender Who turn'd her face where Womanhood should shine To bold out-facing And her locks did tender Vnto the Scisers Our Faith 's great Defender Because shee was of Fortitude the scorne And Ape of Manhood did so reprehend her As now all vertuous Ladies haue her lorne Forgotten and disgrac'd as shee were neuer borne 39 Great Faiths Defender who dost here defend As Faith so Valour and true Fortitude Oh were my Muse but able to commend Thy Princely Heart and Minds braue magnitude Wherewith th' Almightie hath thy brest indude Or tell the courage of thy valiant Sonne Our Prince which stretcheth to such amplitude That had my Song with his great Praise begun My Life on Earth had ended ere my Muse had done 40 But we returne to Fortitude within By which we fight 'gainst spirituall enemies World Deuill Flesh and our originall Sinne Hell Empires Powers Principalities To our spirituall Peace all enmities Against these for our safegard we embrace All spirituall Graces as sure remedies Ah! how dare they looke Satan in the face That are quite destitute of all true sauing Grace 41 Alas What strength haue they then that depend Vpon the Pope and his Supremacie Or hope his holy Water can defend Them from this strong and subtile enemie Saints Reliques Bulls Beades and such trumperie Are now the onely weapons they must weare Their Agnus Deies doe so terrifie The Deuill and away ill spirits scare For other spirituall Armour now they neede not care 42 How hope they to be able to withstand The Serpents malice and the Worlds despite Who lay by Armes and loose and idle stand Not buckeling themselues vnto the fight As Armes were like apparell for delight Or for sport onely and a glittering show These fainting hearts that are afraid to fight Vaine Fooles that neuer yet Hels strength did know Which at the first encounter them will ouerthrow 43 Alas eu'n too too many now a dayes Like Gallants of our time make goodly show In glitt'ring Armes and bragge great might in Frayes But come where danger to their life may grow They then away both Armes and Weapons throw Thus they abuse the knowledge God doth lend Vnto their ruine and their ouerthrow Wanting true valour Truth for to defend And Christian Fortitude to hold out to the End 44 My onely wish is euer to be strong In God and in the power of his Might Casting off all things that doe not belong Vnto the Christian Battaile I must fight Oh! who in warres can serue his Prince aright That doth himselfe with Worlds affaires entangle With spirituall Weapons we maintayne this fight And not with cunning at the Barre to jangle We here must fight for Life and not for profit wrangle 45 I here confesse mine inward strength is vaine Vnable to withstand such enemies That I to seeke out of my selfe am faine For helpe against Hels powr's and policies So many are my knowne infirmities I mine owne strength doe vtterly distrust Hoping thy Grace that all our wants supplies Will strengthen me against Hell Sinne and Lust Since in no finite Power but infinite I trust 46 Oh grant me firme on thine Omnipotence In crosses and afflictions to relie And wholy to renounce all confidence Mans strength or hope in Princes can supply Who vnder shadow of thy Wings doe lie No forraine Power nor inward dread need feare Thy strength is most seene in infirmitie In thee wee able to doe all things are By force of thy great Might we all aduenture dare 47 God is my Refuge Strength and Fortitude My Rocke Shield Buckler and in whom I trust Who hath my Foes all vnto me subdu'd Making our Enemies to licke the dust Most firme defence vnto the Meeke and Iust All superstitious vanities are vaine Who put in God their confidence and trust Firme stable sure like Sions Mount remayne No powres of Hell can snake where this foundation 's layne 50 Great is the Power wherein we doe trust A mightie Power and exceeding strong Able to raise our Bodies from the dust And to Eternitie our life prolong All pow'r from God to God all doth belong Why then should'st thou my Soule distrust or quaile On him relie and none can doe thee wrong Thine Heart and Conscience Satan may assaile But
sailes doe faile all faile in their true motion 41 Faith is our spirituall Sunne in Firmament Which Clouds may darken not put out her light Shee is sweâ—t Oile that giueth nutriment Vnto our Lamps vs to direct aright Shee is our strong Shield vnder which we fight Safe and secure'gainst all the powers of Hell Which though our brest-plate oft by force or slight They pierce of Righteousnesse Faiths shield doth quell Yet all Hells fiery darts and Satans force expell 42 Shee Morter is vs liuing Stones to ioyne In that great Building to the corner Stone The Pins and Ioynts which euery peece combine Into one goodly Frame By Faith alone Members on Earth and Head in heau'n is one Shee doth espouse the Bridegroome to the Bride Shee vs the earnest of his Spirit hath showne Shee sets vs at the Banquet by his side Then Loue vs to embrace her Armes doth open wide 43 Faith like is to the holy Martyr Steuen Who when before the Councell he did stand Look'd vp and saw Gods glorie great in heau'n And Iesus standing by on his right hand Shee 's like Tobiâ—â— Angell at command For to direct vs in our iourney right And free from danger both by Sea and Land Shee doth endue vs with such heau'nly light That we to Friends and Parents may restore their sight 44 Like Aduocate who not for priuate gayne Pleades for all sinners to Repentance brought Whom neither feare nor fauour can restrayne From pleading till our Pardon shee hath wrought Shee neuer leaues vs till shee hath vs brought To the most glorious happy Court of Loue Into his armes whose Blood vs dearely bought For Faith and Hope cease further there to moue Our state there is immutable without remoue 45 Faith like to Moses out of Egypt leades All Israelites that vnder bondage grone Baptiseth them that in her foote-steps treades As in red Sea Faith cleaues a Rocke of stone From which gush liuing Waters Faith alone The hidden Manna makes from heau'n descend Which who by Faith eate Bone become of Bone Flesh of his Flesh Faith doth before vs wend Through this worlds wildernesse but there she makes an end 46 Yet Faith like Moses doth from Mount behold And view from farre the blessed promis'd Land But leaues vs there vnto our Iosuah bold T' expell the Amorite with mightie hand And giue vs seisin of that blessed Land Loe then Faith to sure Knowledge is return'd Then we in state vnchangeable doe stand Not that Faith Hope as needlesse off are turn'd What Faith beleeu'd and Hope did waite for is confirm'd 47 Like when some friend doth promise thee to giue After his death a faire Inheritance Thou must beleeue and hope whilst he doth liue But when his change thy fortunes doth aduance And thou possessest this Inheritance Loe then thy first beliefe and hope dâ—crease Thou hold'st it now by good assurance So when we Heaâ—â—n possesse Faith Hope doe cease It is our owne for euer not a Farme by leaâ—e 48 Faith is as much as when we credit say Which is as sure as money in our hand If we trust one that able is to pay And to what he hath promised will stand If rightly then Gods power we vnderstand And Truth which fast like him hath euer stood We haue most firme assurance of heau'ns Land Yet least weake Faith make doubt of this as good Loe his last Testament sealed with his owne Blood 49 If with th'incredulous these cannot preuaile Who will beleeue no more than they can proue By Sense and Reason None of these shall faile Thee to a true and liuely Faith to moue Behold the Father vs hath shew'd such loue That we the Sonnes of God should called bee If Sonnes we be Coheires of heau'n aboue If we beleeue but what we taste and see To Sense in Sacraments exhibited is hee 50 With these authorities why should I sort Saints Monuments which in Worlds wildernesse By Faith obtayning here a good report Are now arriu'd at th' Hau'n of blessednesse Millions which haue and constantly professe And for this Faith land honours life doe leaue Accounting it their greatest happinesse They are worthy found not onely to beleeue In Christ but for his sake their liues goods friends to leaue 51 See Abraham in whose most holy Seede All Nations of the earth most happy are How Faith did arme him to performe a deede Against the promise God vnto him sware His sonne his onely sonne not Isaack spare See Iacob with his Maker hand to hand Wrestling to get a blessing nor doth care To lose his limbs so firme his Faith may stand Loe Faith brings Iosephs bones from Nile to holy Land 52 Moses by Faith the red Sea doth diuide So stroke the Rocke that Waters gâ—shed out Calls food from Heau'n with God on Mount doth bide Full fortie dayes Loe Iosuah bold and stout Commands the Sunne to stand still while he fought Gods Battailes Loe Kings Iudges Prophets all By Faith inuincible did neuer doubt Blessings Raine Haile and Foode from heau'n to call With fire and vengeance on Gods enemies heads to fall 53 Loe Christ himselfe when he on earth did preach And mightie miracles to passe forth brought What thing did he more here vnto vs teach Than Faith By which great miracles he wrought He that had Faith neede not despaire of ought Lepers by Faith are cleans'd issues are stayd Blind see Lame walke the Deuils are cast out Her Faith so great 's growne that for crummes earst pravd That Be it as thou wilt to her by Christ is said 54 Yea after that our Sauiour did ascend And had the promis'd Comforter downe sent His Church by Faith wrought wonders that transcend Loe Peters shaddow heal'd eu'n as he went Partlets and Napkins from Paules body sent Expell'd ill spirits did Blind and Lame restore Cur'd all diseases of the patient So that th' Apostles by true Faith did more And greater miracles than Christ had done before 53 I doe beleeue the World could not contayne The Bookes if one all Monuments should write Of Saints which Clouds of witnesses remayne Of Faith's great power her glorie grace and might Which though they laid their liues downe in this fight Their glorie euer doth in Heau'n remayne Where Victors they triumph in the Lambs sight And for their losse of life and mortall payne True immortalitie and endlesse pleasure gayne 56 And though in these last times and 〈◊〉 dayes Her force and vertue seeme for to decline Yet he that feeles the comfortable rayes Of her Sunne-beames vpon his heart to shine Infallibly perceaues some power Diuine In him that World of wonder hath effected Which is both God and Man in one to ioyne For this they know and feele that are elected But Satan blinds the eyes of those that are reiected 57 Oh! What great wonders worketh Faith within When first shee rayseth by regeneration And quickneth soules that lay long dead in sin Vnto the life of
Grace sanctification This second farre exceedes our first Creation To passe from darknesse to the glorious light And libertie of Heires of true saluation When loos'd from Satans bands we walke aright And with this shield of Faith 'gainst all our enemies fight 58 My ioynts doe tremble and mine heart doth quake When I Faiths wondrous workes begin to write Shee from the sleepe of sinne doth me awake Into sweet libertie and glorious light My Members that in sinne did earst delight And worldly lusts shee maketh to obay Defacing in me th' old Mans image quite Sinnes fogs and mists of errour driues away And turnes my night of griefe to ioyfull Sunne-shine day 59 Like Enoch now me thinkes with God I walke And haue with Angels happy conuersation Like Abram I with God doe friendly talke And wrestle by diuinest Meditation Loe rapt to the third heau'n by contemplation I there such ioy and glorie bright behold As Peter did at 's Lords Transfiguration Such glorie bright and ioy cannot be told Faith this to true Beleeuers onely doth vnfold 60 And now with 〈◊〉 Iohn Peter I could say Vpon the Mount 'T is good Lord to be here And wish our Mansions there may last for ay Where such delight and happinesse appeare Where I like Stâ—â—'n behold most plaine and cleare Heau'n open and Christ sit at Gods right hand The glorious Bridegroome longing for his Deare Hierusalem the glorie of the Land The head whose members are in number like the Sand. 61 But ah we all like 〈◊〉 fond desire To Righteous later end for to attayne But neuer for to liue like them enquire But seeke for Balaaks honours gifts and gayne But they that will with Christ in glorie raigne Must looke with him on earth to beare his Crosse. The Coward neuer Honour doth obtaine Who from his Captayne runnes for life or losse All in comparison of Christ is dung and drosse 62 Yet I alas doe oft like Fâ—â—lix fare Tremble to heare of Iustice and damnation Or thinke Paul mad And if it doth prâ—pare Mine heart fit for good tidings of saluation I am withdrawne by Worlds negotiation To put it off vnto another day I oft like Peter make great protestation To die for Christ but come I to the fray I deeply him forsweare or else I runne away 63 Yea oft when I some inward flashings feele As if Faith now were to some measure growne I straight waxe cold faint totter stagger reele As if Faith's seedes were scarcely in me sowne Or I true inward comfort ne're had knowne Nor tasted spirituall Grace yet I beleeue Lord helpe my vnbeliefe Thy power 's showne Most in my weaknesse Lord then me releeue And from Sinnes baits and Satans malice me reprieue 64 Nor would I onely wish for to obtaine The faithfuls glorie and her Garland weare But if neede be would beare my share in paine Not that I able thinke my selfe to beare Those grieuous â—orments as thy Martyrs were But let me measure like of Faith receaue My body cut broile scal'd hang saw sterue seare 'T is Gods great grace we in him may beleeue But greater for Christs sake vnto his Crosse to cleaue 65 Why then should I wish Honour Wealth Promotion Which in this World are transitorie vaine And in mine heart no roome leaue for deuotion Or godlinesse which is the greatest game He that to all things needfull would attaine Must seeke Gods Kingdome first and Righteousnesse Loe then all other things doe come amaine But ah it is my fault I must confesse To looke on present shewes and not on good successe 66 So that when of the grand Mogull I reade Great Lord of misse-beleeuing India Whose wealth and Empire farre out-strip indeede All Kings of Europe and of Africa Great China's King Châ—â— of Tartaria The least of which the grand Mogull exceede That potent Prince Sophie of Persia Great Turke Virginia's Poâ—hatan these breede In me such doubting oft I stumble at my Creede 67 Th' whole World to God compar'd than point is lesse Earth to the World to the Earth Christendome And but a Point of these Christ â—right professe Of these Professors but a Point become Beleeuers true So that the little summe Of all Christs flocke as Point is to compare With those that headlong to the Deuill runne What then All these huge troupes in errour are And thus Point onely in the true and right way fare 68 Why then doe Fooles of Vniuersâ—ll 〈◊〉 As note infallible of sound beliefe Seeing the Deuill hath the worst and most And few alas acknowledge Christ as chiefe But soft my Muse thou merit'st iust repriefe To draw in matters here of disputation Thy taske of Faith is to discourse in briefe And to erect thy thoughts by meditation Disputes are fit for Schooles not Muses recreation 69 Lord make me one of this thy little Flocke Of that small number that beleeue aright That fall not downe before a stone or stoâ—ke But being by Faith endude with heau'nly light Know they are alwayes in their Makers sight That wheresoe're we lift pure hands to pray To thee or whensoeuer by day or night To thee alike are both the night and day True Faith in Christ to God our prayers preseâ—teth ay 70 Grant that by Faith I may a heart obtaine Chams Moguls China's glorie to despise With all Worlds pompe wealth honour lustre vaine By Faith so clearely open thou mine eyes To see thy Sunne of Righteousnesse arise That glorious Sunne whose beames doe neuer fall Vpon the proud ambitious worldly-wise But on the meeke obedient that with Paul Doe not consult with flesh and blood when thou dost call 71 Lord thou hast promised thou wilt not quench The smoking flaxe nor breake the bruised Reede Thou mak'st a weake Faith grow from strength to strength Vnto her fulnesse and ripe age indeede Thou plant'st and watrest so this little seede That it doth grow to infiniâ—e increase Like the fiue Loâ—ues that did fiue thousand feede Yet did into twelue baskets-full encrease By vsing grace and vertue grow and not decrease 72 Who then soe're he be that doth beleeue Perish shall not but haue eternall Life The calling and the gifts which God doth giue Without Repentance are The Bridegroomes Wife Is lou'd for euer Neuer any strife Can separate Christs loue He that can free Vs from the fiery Furnace Saue our life From Lyons hungrie iawes We know that he Is wise and better knowes what 's good for vs than we 73 And now by Faith I dare my Maker call Father Christ brother Heau'n my Inheritance The Angels mine attendants lest I fall Behold I dare my shield of Faith aduance Against Despaire the Deuils keenest lance Death Angels Life Powers Principalities Things present Things hereafter for to chance Height depth no Creature 's able to deuise To turne from me Gods loue which doth in Christ arise 74 What shall we say if God be on our side Who can against vs be If he not spare His owne