elect to th' worlds last end Now then the totall body of this place Doth to vs represent the beautious grace The great felicitie admired ioy Which in this Citie we shall sure enioy In the vnited glorious Deitie Th'in comprehensible Trine-Vnitie The three distinct dimensions as foreshew'd Of Latitude Longitude Altitude Present the seuer all measures of delight Which in the Father Sonne and Holy-Sprite We shall possesse and this felicitie To be alike of equall Quantitie There shall we Three in One most cleerely see There also shall we worship One in Three And of this ioy we shall haue full fruition Alike of all without all intermission Euen as the Persons are One in the Deitie And one in substance in the Vnite Trinitie The premises thus re-obseru'd afford To vs a most harmonious sweete accord Twixt God and this his holy Habitacle The Lambes sweete Spouse celestiall Tabernacle God the Worlds most admired Artizan When first he fashion'd and created Man Like his owne perfect Image did him make God would Man should his Makers likenesse take Euen so this Cities specious Symmetrie Is shaped like heauens sacred Deitie As God himselfe in Trinitie is One So by this Citie his true Church is showne As of the God-head there be Persons Three And Father Sonne and Spirit co-equall bee So those dimensions Length Height Breadth are all By the Angell measur'd to be iust equall As neither Person in the Deitie Is separable from their Vnitie So none of these dimensions being Three May from a Citie separated bee Or other solid body otherwise It were not found but Line or superfice The Persons Three and their three Offices Are not confounded and no more are these For neither is the Length the Breadth and so The Height is neither breadth nor length we know And euen as Athanasius in his Creede As wittily as wisely doth proceede And sayes the Father Sonne and Holy-Sprite Though three in Persons are one God Vnite So Longitude Latitude Altitude Must One sole Citie euermore include The Doctrine also of the Deitie Is witnest in the Foure-fold Veritie Writ by the foure Euangelists so here This New-Ierusalem as doth appeare Is in a Quadrate or square forme set downe Most like a strong immoueable firme Towne The twelue Apostles were disperst and sent To euery quarter of Earths continent To preach to all our Sauiours doctrine found Whereby all Nations Heau'ns right rhode-way found On twelue Foundations so stands this great frame And by twelue Gates all goe into the same Lastly the God-head vniuersallis And infinite in glory and in blisse Infinitely extended ouer all So in Ierusalem coelestiall Is infinite tranquillitie and peace Aboundant roome for all the great encrease Of Gods deare Saints who were predestinate To this Ierusalems most happie state Thus hauing heard this sacred Symphonie Twixt God and 's church proceed we orderly The Angell now here measuring the Wall The mightie Bulwarke Apostolicall Of this Angelicke Seate of sanctitie Found it to be rais'd vp in Cubits high Euen by a twelue-fold high-ascending Course By th'twelue Apostles rais'd to mightie force But this though spoken in a humane sort Yet hath a heau'nly sence of great import Namely that though the Church here Militant Was euermore distrest with woe and want Being by worldly obstacles kept-low And neuer could to full perfection grow Yet now in her Tryumphant dignitie To plenarie perfection springs on high This being by twelue Courses signifi'd Which twelue times so much more being multipli'd T'an hundreth fortie foure Courses of hight Doe make the Wall to rise direct vpright By Iewes and Gentiles mightie multitude Whom Grace by Faith will in this frame include Thus now we hauing seene the stately Statute The spacious Compasâ—e of this Heau'n-built structure Let vs with our diuine Diuine behold The Matter substance and most precious Mould Whereof the Wall Citie and firme Foundation The twelue great Gates of this Heau'ns Habitation Were Form'd Adorn'd yea with what pauement rare The Streetes were pau'd all which is to declare The wonderful vnspeakable delight Which Gods deare Saints in presence of his sight Shall in that life to come to th' full possesse And thus the Prophet Esay did redresse And consolate the Iewes dis-consolation Declaring in his true Vaticination The gloâ—ie of this New-Ierusalem Which God would once re-build remake for them O happie are they which are interested And whose blest Soules are there into inuested Now then the building of this fenciuâ— Wall This sincere Doctrine Apostolicall Of precious Stones most gloriously did shine With bountie and with beautie most diuine Hauing a lustre like the Iasper greene Which euermore to flourish shall be seene Hence then this Note is set before our eyes That this raâ—e Fabrique pompous Edifice Is all most precious specious round about As Bright within as it is Light without But in this Wall this one thing is most rare Is most regardable beyond compare That though those twelue Foundations firme and strong Were so by Course set and laid along As that Course after Course th' are placed all And strangely ord'red cleane throughout the Wall Yet is the Wall as here we plainely see Thus wholly said of Iasper for to bee Which is indeed to shew and signifie That though those Ground-props of the Ministrie Whose rare and diuers gifts in euery one Are by rich Iewâ—lâ— afterwards here showne Yet that the Matter and the Lustre bright Of this great Wall are said and that most right T' arise from One which is the Lord alone Designed here by this rare Iasper stone He only is the Churches Bulwarke strong For though to these Apostles did belong Diuersitie of gifts of heau'nly grace Yet each of them in his peculiar place Did euer build one and the selfe same thing And not themselues did preach but Christ their King The Cities modell was of perfect Gold Most delectable glorious to behold Which Mettle for its ex'lent properties This Cities glorie rarely amplifies It being of all other chiefe and best For these fine reasons in pure gold exprest First that the burning fire consumes it not Next that it takes no canker stayne or spot Againe for vse it longest doth endure As also that the Fire makes it more pure Lastly nor Salt nor Vinegar can spoile Nor any such liquiditie defile The faire corruscant beautie of the same And therefore from the rest it beares the fame O! must not then this Citie needs be stable Is 't not most strong inuincible dureable Being so free from staynes of all corruption Being so farre from feare of Foes irruption Nay here 's not all there 's one more propertie Of rare respect of precious ex'lencie Namely that it like cleerest glasse doth glistre And thereby casts a more admired Lustre Whereby is thus much to vs intimated That 't is not with foule spots contaminated But doth with such a radiant splendor shine That
Their way lying ope ' to them on euery side But here by th' Names of Israels twelue Tribes The sacred Spirit vnto vs describes They being once Gods sole peculiar Vine Till they did from his Loue and Lure decline That by a figure are in them included Th' Elected Gentiles once from Grace secluded Euen People of all Nations vnder Heauen To whom Saluation God in Christ hath giuen Are here all ta'ne for sp'rituall Israelites Whom Christ the Corner-stone to th' Iewes vnites At these twelue Gates twelue Angels there did stand But not like Edens-Angels in their hand Holding a sword a sword like fierie flame To daunt and driue what euer thither came But here these Angels stand like Porters kind That Abr'ams faithfull Sonnes accesse may find Vnto the Tree of Life and Sacred Spring Which growes and flowes from Christ this Edens King With most commodious decent Scituation Are these twelue Gates plac't 'bout this heau'nly Station And good Ezechiel doth them thus digest Three East three North three South and three by West These three Tribes names Dan Ioseph Beniamin Ore the three Easterne Gates were to be seene Ore the three Ports set on the Northerne side Iud ' Leui Reubens names might be descride Ore the three Southerne Gates th' inscription Of Simeon Isachar and Zabulon Also the three Gates on the West part had The names of Aser Napthalim and Gad. Of which most decent triple distribution Of these twelue Gates this is the resolution Namely that all the Saint-elected Soules Whose names are written Heau'ns eternall Rowles From what soeuer quarter of the Earth They had their first originall and birth Yet haue but one especiall meanes t' ascend Vnto this Citie their Hope 's happy end To wit the blest profession of the Trinitie Hereby to Christ th' are ioyn'd in neere Affinitie And that they thus professing Three in One Shall find the way wide ope ' to heau'ns high Throne Shall find the path most patent plaine and straight And at the Gates twelue Angels for them wait A twelfe-fold Ground-worke and Foundation strong Did also to this mightie-wall belong I meane not to the Citie but the Wall For of the Citie Christ is All in All. Vpon which twelue Foundations glorious rare Christs twelue Apostles names were grauen faire Who here are said to be this Walls foundation By their Apostolique Administration For hauing first by their blest Ministrie Christ Iesus Doctrine preached publikely Vnto the World As the first Instruments Are therefore thus the twelue strong Firmaments Not that they are the principall Foundation But hauing first place in this Fabrication Are as I so may say the first stones laide On which the building of this Wall was made For no man is so silly as to say That the Foundation doth it selfe downe lay But that 's the office of the Architector Which is Christ Iesus this great works Director This Cities Soueraigne whose vn-shrinking shoulders Are this most glorious Cities firme vpholders Who laid his twelue Disciples as Supporters Of this Quadrangled Walls most spacious Quarters As those in whom his Churches Doctrine pure Did most consist and constantly endure Thus are th' Apostles Grounds of Ministration But Christ the onely Basis of Saluation But what sayes Rome to this that Man of Sinne Who proudly raignes and rules as Lord and King Peters supremacie superiour State Is here me thinks quite torne worne out of date For though our Sauiour calld his Faith the Rocke Whereon hee 'd build his Church his Loue his Flocke And his and all th' Apostles Doctrine pure To be his Churches Ground-worke grounded sure Yet neither is St. Peter here exprest To be in dignitie aboue the rest Nor yet to be the principall Foundation But One with others haue their pointed Station Then surely hence 't is most apparant plaine That Anti-christ of Rome doth not maintaine His proud prioritie from Peters Faith But from his Person whom he falsly faith T' haue beene Romes Bishop which nor he nor 's crue Shall ere be able to approue as true His Person 't is I say not Doctrine pure Oh this it is the Pope can worst endure Therefore since he mis-deemes Christs blest Foundation He ne're shall haue least part in Christs Saluation But now returne wee whence we haue digrest The Light-bright Angell which did manifest Vnto S. Iohn this glorious sacred Sight Now like some noble Pers'nage Princely wight Like to another prudent Nehemie Or like good Ezra full of prudencie By th' Symbole of a Golden Reede in 's hand Did represent that hee with that Met-wand The Cities spacious round should measure out The height length breadth and compasse all about Entries and wall enuironing the same All vnder line and measure truely came All most exactly form'd with due respect By the Arch-Artist of this Architect Yea with a Golden Reede he meates the same Most fit to measure such a glorious frame By which externall gesture th' Angell heere As else-where in the Prophets may appeere In their Prophetick Visions vs'd to show The Lords intent by thus descending to Our weake capacity which ne're can keepe A verball document in mind so deepe As actuall gestures euermore we find Examples more than precepts teach the mind And heere by th' Angels meating with a Reede Wee are aduiz'd to take especiall heede And deepely to imprint in mind and heart The subsequent description and rare Art The stately Symmetry worth admiration Of this coelestiall sacred Habitation Contayning in 't an heau'nly harmony With the chiefe grounds of Christian verity This City lay in forme Quadrangulare By which firme Cubiq plat-forme heere we are To vnderstand and note the stable state Of this Mount-Sion free from Hostile hate Not to be stirr'd by tempests violent Immoueable most constant permanent Which being square the Gates are opposite To the foure Corners of Earths-Globe aright From euery part whereof to let in those Whom Christ the Lambe to raigne with him hath chose The foure Euangeâ—sts the patterne are By whom this edifice was fashion'd square By Matthew Marke Luke and Christ tend'red Iohn Was fram'd I say this Constitution And since the twelue Apostles as foresaid Were by then short and present doctrine made The strong Foundation of the holy Wall Is 't not a Concord most harmonicall That these Euangelists most excellent By their Long-lasting-written Testament Should the foure Corners of that square build out And it to full perfection bring about The Angell then with 's Reede the Citie meted Which by iust Measure was thus computated Twelue thousand Stades whereof eight makes a Mile Which fifteene hundreth Miles doe iust compile The Length Height Breadth being all of equall space Doe make almost infinite roome and place Within the Wall As Christ himselfe hath said In my deare heau'nly Fathers house are made Many faire Mansions fit to comprehend Th' increase of Gods
their comparison Now as twelue sorts of Fruite grow on this Tree The Saints to satisfie so shall they bee For Delicacie sweet Content and Pleasure As euery Saint shall haue aboundant measure So shall this pleasant Plenitude of Grace No Nauseous Surfet cause in any case For as Christ Iesus is that Drinke and Meate Whereof each Sainted-Soule shall taste and eate So is he Sweete Pleasant and Delicate Whereon they feede their fill yet moderate Taking sufficient for their Contentation And their beautitudes firme Conseruation Which Truth is farther illustrated heere In that t is said this Tree of life doth beare Doth euery Moneth beare fruit greene ripe and faire Which with delights their appetites repaire Not that the Times shall then altâ—â—ate bee By yeares moneths dayes as now-a-dayes we see For then the Seasons cease Time 's termined Sunne Moone and Starres are then quite vanished As formerly was toucht but here is meant That all things then shall giue such rare Content Shall be so full of rich Varietie Shall yeeld such Cordiall sweete Saâ—ietie And with such Fulnesse all the Saints shall feede As that to store and hoord-vp shall not neede In that the Haruest there shall euer last Their pleasant Spring-time then shall ne're be past Also the Leaues of this most blessed Tree Shall Salutiferous and most Soueraigne bee To helpe to heale to cure all Maladies Which 'mongst the Gentile Nations doe arise So that this Tree not onely makes them liue But to the Elect a healthfull Life doth giâ—e Yet heer 's not meant the Churches finall state But that when Anti-christ is ruinate When God shall th'vnbeleeuing Nations 〈◊〉 And faithlesse Iewes who once from Grace did fall But by these Leaues is chiefly intimated That all the smallest gifts accommodated By th' Lambe Christ Iesus to the Saints Elect Shall serue Someâ—way their Souleâ— with ioy t' affect T' exhâ—lerate and cheere their sacred mind In 's meanest blessings they shall comfort find But now behold now followeth indeede That which doth all the former ioyes exceede The absolute accomplishment of all The Accessarie blessings which befall The Citizens of this rare Domicill Th' Inhabitants of Gods great Sion-Hill Namely that in it there no Curse shall bee It shall be from destruction firmely free It shall be subiect to no execration But strongly stand fearelesse of alteration Which is a Symbole and a certaintie Of this blest Cities perpetuitie A most infallible strong argument That t is eternall and most permanent A three-fold reason hereof may be giuen First that as is foresaid this Seate of Heauen This holy Habitacle shall containe No vncleane thing which may its beautie staine Againe the glorious Throne and sacred seate Whereon Omni-potent Iohouah great Whereon the blessed Trinitie will raigne Shall here abide and euermore remaine Lastly in that all these his Seruants shall With sincere Loue and Zeale Angelicall For euer inuocate his sacred name And his due praises constantly proclaime Seruing the Lord in singlenesse of heart Not once to will from 's worship to depart But Curses are we know for grosse Transgressours For dis-obedient stubborne Male-factours Not for th' obedient faithfull and sincere Thus then is their perennitie most cleere More-ouer all the Saints of this blest race Shall see th' all-beautious Light-bright shining face Of that Arch-Essence of eternitie To walke and talke with him familiarly And with inexplicable sweet delight Haue full fruition of this sacred sight Not as he is Immense and infinite For so euen Angels see not his bright light Who are described couering their face With their Angellike wings in any case Not able to behold his glorious sight He Infinite they being Definite Is certain Yet that we shall haue his full contemplation Is certaine but with this iust limitation First in respect of vs we shall possesse A perfect sight of Gods great Holynesse The Lord in vs and we in him shall dwell In such full measure as no tongue can tell He will replenish euery facultie Of Soule and Body most aboundantly With his most precious presence by his sight Hee 'le fill our Minds from daâ—knesse freed quite Our Hearts hee 'le quicken there shall be no deadnesse Our whole Affections free from gloomie sadnesse What man is capable to comprehend Euen so great glorie God will then extend Againe of that blest sight which we shall haue No inter-mediums shall our sight depraue Here we as through a glasse or vaile him see By mediate Reuelations then shall wee Of him immediate perfect Sight possesse Which none but those that haue it can expresse A measure running ouer heapâ— and prest Will Christ bestow vpon his Saints most blest His Name shall also in their Fore-heads be That is they shall with such bold Constancie And vn-reuolting Zeale professe his Name That nothing shall obliterate the same Or cause them once neglect their pure profession By least relapse or vndiscreete transgression They shall be so conform'd confirm'd therein To perseuere as they did first begin Constant couragious euermore the same Professing still Iehouah's glorious Name Againe his Name is said as here we see Vpon their Fore-heads Caractred to bee Because the Lord will publikely agnize Them by this Cognizance and Patronize By his All-sauing and All-soueraigne power Them and their states as in a fenced Tower And in this Citie there shall be no Night No neede of Candle Sunne or Starres most bright That is there shall be no obscuritie Or darknesse of aduerse Calamitie No Night of obumbraticke cloudie Errour No frighting Feare nor no heart daunting Terrour No slie bi-fronted close Hypocrisie Shall vitiate their intact Integritie No neede of earthly comforts more or lesse No seeking suing there wrongs to redresse By Temp'rall Lawes or Ecclesiasticall For there the Trinitie is All in All And is this glorious Cities great Lord-Keeper Most vigilant and watchfull hee 's No-sleeper And which as was premis'd is the perfection And consummating of this benediction This glorious Kingdome where Gods Saints shall raigne Shall doubtlesse sempiternally remaine Like glorified Kings most gloriously Their blisse shall last past all eternitie Now as a bounteous hearted King doth vse When he a Fau'rite vnto him doth choose On whom he meaneth largely to bestow His golden gifts like Riuers to ore-flow What he doth promise or by words proclame By 's Letters-Patents ratifies the same Thus O euen thus our bounteous hearted King The Heart of Bountie Loue 's ore flowing Spring Hauing his Church his Fauorite elected And promis'd Shee shall be by him erected Richly endow'd gorgeously beautified Rarely be royalliz'd and sanctified Her head adorned with a Crowne of gold A fragrant Garland which shall ne're waxe old Triumphantly in endlesse ioy shall raigne And see her subiect abiect foes in paine The Lord I say this promise hauing giuen That all these ioyes they shall possesse in Heauen To
Continuation In him we also shall enioy possesse What euer various Time could here expresse Yea all the beauties of his rarest Creatures Which may our Loue allure by their sweet features All ioy and pleasure to content the mind Such as i' th' Creatures selues we ne're could find This sight I say is th' Angels chiefest treasure The Saints repast repose and Princely pleasure This is their euerlasting Life their Crowne Their Meede their Maiestie their high Renowne This their rich rest their spacious specious Palace Their outward inward ioy and soueraigne solace Their Paradise diuine their Diadem Their ample blisse their blest Ierusalem Their Peace of God past all imagination Their full Beatitude and sweet Saluation To see him who them made re-made made Saints Him seeing to possesse without restraints Possessing him to loue him as their King And Louing him to Praise him as the Spring And Fountayne of this All-felicitie And Praysing euer this blest Trinitie O then my Soule cease not to like to loue These admirable louely ioyes aboue And though thy corrupt Flesh is th'obstacle And stayes delayes from this blest Habitacle Although thy Flesh like Churlish Nabal frowne Refuse the paynes to seeke this sacred Crowne Yet let thy Spirit like good Abigal Goe forth to find this place Angelicall Let Hagar neuer get her Mistris place Nor Ismael good Isaac so disgrace But striue most strenuously fight that good fight Subdue thy Flesh withstand proud Satans might And with the Eye of Faith beleeue desire To liue with Christ pray seeke sue and enquire Pray earnestly to Christ thy King aboue In burning Zeale firme Faith and feruent Loue. For what 's this World nought but a flouting fancie A Theater of vainnesse pleasant Phrensie A sinke of Sinne a shop of all Deceit Iniquities chiefe Center and sure Seate A Map a Mirrour of all Miserie A Dungeon of most dire Calamitie Louely to looke on like the skarlet Whore But dangerous to deale with euermore A Mazie Labyrinth of impious Errors A Campe of Crueltie of teares and terrors Constant in nought but in In-constancie And most Vnconstant in that Constancie In nought the same saue not to be the same And of a Being but a very name Still floting fleeting neuer at a stay Hates on the Morrow whom it loues to Day Yea 't is a Ioab full of craft and guile Kills his Embracers with a trayterous smile A Wrastler 't is and trippeth vp the heeles Of many a man e're he its grasping feeles Salomon wise strong Samson so renown'd It made their lengths to measure on the ground Therefore to loue the World is nought else sure Then to her Lime-twigs thy poore Soule t' allure Which so the Feathers of thy Faith will marre Thy Soule if 't may be from Heau'ns ioyes to barre Why then my Soule shouldst thou to th' Earth be thrall Which hast a heau'nly blest originall Which hast a heau'nly-blest originall Why shouldst thou pin thy thoughts on mortall things Who art immortall from the King of Kings And why shouldst thou a Sp'rit inuisible Be pleas'd with things both grosse and visible Striuing to pamper thy corrupted Bodie Whose definition is indeed that Both-Die Both Soule and Body when the Flesh giues way To Sinne and Satan in their dire decay And hence it is that Latinists likewise Thus Corpus fitly Etymologize Cor which was once the Heart of pure perfection Is thus made Pus all filth and foule infection Why then shouldst thou thy selfe so low depresse Who art of high coelestiall Noblenesse One of thy Fathers first-borne Children deare Whose name in Heau'ns blest Records may appeare Why should the Worlds false promises delude thee Since Heau'n with Grace and Goodnesse hath endu'de thee Wilt thou a Princes Sonne a heauenly Prince Let Satans gilded Apples thee conuince Wilt thou the Sonne of Heau'ns All-sacred King Offend thy Father for so vile a thing Wilt thou thy Birth right Esau-like forgoe For one dire messe of Broth bewitching wo Oh no deceitfull Dalilah a-dieu Thy Syrens Songs my Soule doth most eschew Thy Crocadile like teares which would betray me By Heau'ns preuenting Grace shall neuer slay me For all thy Bitter-sweets false Protestations My Soule esteemes but hellish Incantations Wherefore as Amnon being once defiled With his owne Sister whom he had beguiled After the fact did hate her ten times more Then euer he had loued her before So I whom thy false Friendship once defiled Whom thy deceitfull ambush once beguiled I hate abominate thy mischiefe more Than e're I lou'd or liked thee before As Sea-men Rocks as Children Scorpions flie So Oh my Soule hate worldly Vanitie And oh what 's he that would not leaue most glad Worlds Vanities so finite base and bad For Pleasures infinite What 's he would take Fraudulentioyes and permanent forsake None doubtlesse none but Dastards void of Grace None but faint-hearted fearefull Cowards base The resolute couragious Christian bold Dares Deaths grim face confront see and behold Dares Death defie and his approach desire Because by Death he knowes he shall acquire The end of all his hopes for Death 's the Key Which opes the doore to true felicitie Yea 't is no paine but of all paiâ—es the end The Gate of Heau'n and Ladder to ascend And Death 's the Death of all his stormes and strife And sweet beginning of immortall Life Therefore with smiling count'nance merrily To Heau'n his place of rest he casts his eye And in his heart these thoughts are oft reuolued Vnfeynedly I wish to be dissolued To be with thee O Christ my Sauiour sweet Thee my deare Eldest Brother for to meet I see thee Christ I see thee heau'nly home I gladly would and quickly to thee come I see thee oh thou Saints coelestiall Place I much desire I once had run my race But though I cannot with Elias run Ith'strength o' th' Spirit in this race begun Vnto the heau'nly Canaan yet giue Grace Though I with Iacob halt to halt apace And if not so yet that at least I may Like to an Infant learne to creepe the way And grow from strength to strength from grace to grace Vntill I come in presence of thy face For I am wearie of this Pilgrimage And long for thee my heau'nly Heritage How oft haue I thee view'd with admiration How oft hast thou beene my Soules meditation How oft haue I beene rauisht with desire That vnto thee my Soule might once aspire How oft haue I both scorn'd and vili-pended Earths most vnpleasant pleasures quickly ended Being compared to those ioyes aboue Which from my Heart my Soule doth dearely loue My Heart my Life my Blâ—sse my Ioy my Gem My Soules deare Soule is New-Ierusalem And now I come my ioyes I come to you For whom I â—â—d so often seeke and sue I paine and Death doe heartily embrace So that my Soule amongst you may take place Yea
is all good no euill to abuse Where 's all thou wishest nought thou wouldst refuse Where 's life e're-liuing sweet and amiable Where is true fame and glorie memorable Where is I say certayne Securitie Securest Peace and peacefull Pleasancie Most pleasant Ioy and ioyfull Happinesse Happie Eternitie eternall Blessednesse The blessed Trinitie in Vaitic The Vnities Trine-One rare Deitie The Deities Three-One's most blessed Vision Which is our Masters ioy in full fruition O ioy of ioves O ioy beyond all pleasure Farre passing farre transcending terrene treasure O ioy without annoy O true content O soueraigne blisse and Soules sweet rauishment O euerlasting Kingdome supreme peace Where all the Saints enioy such ioyes encrease Where all the Saints are clothed with pure Light As with a Garment shining glorious bright Their Heads adorn'd with Crownes of purest gold And precious Stones most glorious to behold Whose onely exercise is to reioyce To triumph and to sing with sacred voyce Sweet Halleluiah to their Soueraigne King Which them to this felicitie did bring Oh! when shall my poore Soule be made partaker Of this great ioy O thou my Lord and Maker When shall I see Thee in it It in Thee And therein dwell I in Thee Thou in Mee Surely O Lord I will make haste and flie I 'le make no stay but poste most speedily I 'le neuer cease to Seeke till I haue found I 'le not leaue Knocking till my Soule be crown'd I 'le ne're leaue Asking till thou hast me giuen My Boone thy Bountie euen those ioyes of Heaâ—en Since then I say such is Heau'ns Maiestie And since this World is but meere Miserie What is 't can hinder this my speedie pace Which I must run till I haue run my race Can Worldly power or Principalitie Can Kingly fauours wealth or dignitie Can worldly pleasures pleasant vnto some Can height or depth things present things to come Oh no with Paul I 'le all abominate E're they shall me from Christs loue separate I 'le crie Auaunt you Soule-betraying ioyes Which Bee-like bring the Sting of dire annoyes Auaunt I say worlds momentarie pleasure Worlds transitorie toyes Earths trashâ—e treasure The loue of Christ hath so enflam'd my Heart That as I trust it ne're shall thence depart And Lord confirme strengthen this Faith of mine O let it neuer faint faâ—le or decline But wo to me poore wretch who still am faine Amongst the Tâ—nts of Meshech to remaine To haue my habitation 'mongst the rout Of Kedar most vngodly stubborne stout The time me thinks is much procrastinated O that the date thereof were terminated Ay me how long shall it be said to mee Wait wait expect and thou the time shalt see And shalt thou see my Soule thou art too blame I must accuse thee O my Soule for shame Thinke not the time too long count it not much That wâ—th these trials God thy Faith should touch For as a Gold-Smith waits most carefully Vpon his gold which he i' th' fire will trie That when 't is burn'd enough and purifide It may not in the fire to waste abide So God his Children deare attends vpon When in the fire of dire affliction He purposeth to purifie and trie them When thus enough refined he doâ—h spie them By no meanes will he suffer them to waste Bâ—â— for tâ—â—â—r comfort to them soone will haste As that most rare payre-Royall well did know Good Shedrach Meshach and Abednego Whom he i' th' Babylonian fire did proue Yet so respected in his sacred loue That not so much as one haire of their head Was burnt or sindg'd or once diminished O then my Soule if God haue such a care As from thy head not one small simple haire Can fall to th'ground without his prouidence O then haue thou assured confidence That he thy Soule will ne're peâ—mit to perish But in due time will thee refresh and cherish And say with Iob that man of God most iust Lord though thou kill mee I will in thee trust Yea then confesse as 't is that all the wo Which in this Life for Christ thou vnder goe That all Earâ—hâ— torments or affecting toyes Are most vnworthy Heau'ns most blissefull ioyes Heau'ns ioyes for waight and measure infinite Earths paynes to death but slender small and slight Heau'ns ioyes most perfect absolutely pure Earths choicest pleasures paine and griefe procure Heau'ns ioyes are sempiternall euer-lasting Earths ioyes meere toyes still fleeting euer-wasting O then my Soule haue patience doe not grudge Left so thou make thy Christ thine angrie Iudge Giue Patience Lord thy sacred Will to beare And then receiue my Soule How When or Where For as no gold nor siluer can be pure Vntill the fires burning it endure Nor Stones for Palace-worke can well be fit Till they with Hammers oft be cut and smitâ— No more I say is 't possible that wee Vessets of Honour in Gods house can bee Till we be fin'd and melted in the fire Of worldly crosses and afflictions dire Neither can we as liuing-stones haue place Ierusalems coelestiall Walls to grace Vnlesse the Hammers of Earths tribulation Oft bruise the Flesh to worke the Soules Saluation But though thy Seruants Lord may oft be tempted Yet can they neuer finally be tainted They ne're can be surpris'd though oft assailed For why Heau'ns safeguard hath them neuer failed Christians and Persecutions ioyne together Like Christ and 's Crosse few calmes much stormie weather E're th' Israelites to th' Land of Promise came Their temp'rall Canaan Canaan of such fame Th'endur'd much danger many Miseries And shall not I most patiently likewise Endure all dangers all anxietie Shall I not vnder-goe all miserie In this my iourney to Heau'ns holy Land O yes with constant courage to it stand For why I 'm sure the more I here endure My ioyes in Heau'n shall be more glorious pure And who would not to Heau'n goe ioyfully Though with Elias he in whirle-winds fly Grant therefore Lord I take Earths Nocuments As precious Balme as my Soules Documents Confirme my Faith with constant resolution To wait and fit me for my dissolution To wait for thee my Sauiour staffe and stay Till thou shalt change my Bodies house of Clay That like thy glorious Body it may bee That so thy power and glorie I may see That I may heare and see and beare a part In Heau'ns heart-charming Musike sacred Art In that rare Consort of Mel-Melodie At Christs rare Nuptials blest solemnitie Come then Lord Iesus oh I cannot cease To wish my Soule in thine eternall peace Giue me O Lord good Stephens Eagle-eye Through thickest Clouds Heau'ns glorie to espie Giue me O Lord a Voyce Angelicall With Heart vnfeyned on thee thus to call How long O Lord how long wilt thou delay Lord Iesus come come quickly doe not stay Make haste and tarrie not I thee intreat And draw