troden down Trust in his strength passe forward in the field â—v'rcome in fight and ye shal wear the crown 56 The King of kings if he be on our side â—e need not fear who dare against us stand â—o the field may we not boldlie bide Forcline maâ— help us with his mightie hand â—â—no sits above and rules both Sea and Land Who with his breath doth make the bills to shake The host of heaven are arm'd at his command To fight the field when we appear most weak 57 Pluck up your hearts ye are not left alone The Lamb of God shall lead you in the way The Lord of Hosts that reigns in royal throne Against your foes his banner will display The Angels bright shal stand in good aray To hold you up you need not fear to fall Your enemies shal flee and be your prey Ye shal triumph and they shal perish all 58 The joyes of heaven are worth a moments paâ—â— Take courage then lift up your heart on hie To judge the earth when he shal come again Above the clouds ye shal exalted be A crown of joy and true felicitie Awaits for you when finisht is your fight Suffer a while and you shall shortlie see A glore most great and infinite of weight 59 Prepare your selves the valiant men of war And thrust with force out through the narrow way Hold on your course and shrink not back for fear Christ is your guide you shal not go astray The time is near be sober watch and pray He sees our tears and he hath laid in store A rich reward which in that joyful day Ye shal receive and reign for evermore 60 Now to the King that creat all of nought The Lord of lords that rules both land and sea That sav'd our souls and with his blood us bought And vanquisht death triumphing on a tree Unto the great and glorious Trinitie That saves the poor and doth his own defend Be laud and glore honour and Majestie 〈◊〉 and praise Amen World without end A GODLY BALLAD COme sweet Love let sorrow cease come Jesus Christ come comfort me â—â—me give me thy sprite of grace in all my troubles to support me For I have lived most foolishlie â—â—rough kind-repinde my mind-inclin'd to everie sin and vanitie â—â—m leud by nature born a sinfull wretch by death appointed â—â—d my fathers me beforn and dead in sin yet thine Anointed Thou hast sent down of thy free grace 〈◊〉 me to die that he might be The Mediator of my peace â—â—th came by the first ADAM for sin where through his God he grieved â—hrist our second Adam came and he brought life and him relieved From death and everlasting pain â—â—at same ADAM that Lamb that came his death hath given me life again â—â—d for ADAM did prepare a Garden for his habitation â—â—rist was in a Garden fair 〈◊〉 roubled in mind for my salvation The cruel death him sore affears that combate he grat and swat in the Garden bloodie tears â—â—am in the Garden dwelt and in the Garden disobeyed â—â—rist into a Garden felt â—he wrath of God and was betrayed The Jews by night with Judas came â—â—ar of wear with spear in gear 〈◊〉 take that most innocent Lamb. â—â—m in the Garden fled and hid him when he had offended Christ in a Garden bade and in the Garden apprehended Before the Priest brought and exem'd Accus'd misus'd refus'd they chus'd Barrabas and Christ condemn'd Adam sinn'd because because that he eat of the fruit that was forbidden Christ the fruit was of the tree whereon he died the God head hidden Was crucified between two theeves Wherethrow Jesu sav'd you that trow and firmlie in his bloud believes Adam banisht from the Lord and for fault for his foul offences Our Adam hath us restor'd for our faults made recompences And satisfied his Fathers wrath For all that fall that call and shall repent and seek to him by faith It was onlie Jesus Christ that suffered for thy sins and smarted Neither Pope nor Popish Priest the Virgin nor the Saints departed But onlie Christ that holie one Nought than in man that wan or can save our souls but Christ alone I conclude and ends here than it s onlie Christ our souls hath sav 't Fie on merits and works of man give Christ the praise for he should have it All Praise to God our King therefore Which King us bring to reign and sing with him in his eternal glore FINIS
A GODLY DREAM COMPYLED BY ELIZABETH MELVIL LADY CULROSSE younger At the Request of a FRIEND Introito per angustam portam nam lata est via quae ducit ad interitum Printed in the Year 1686. A GODLY DREAM UPon a day as I did mournful sore For sundry things wherewith my soul wâ—â—â— griâ—â— My grid increased and grew more and maâ—â— I comfort fled and could not be reliev'd With heavinesse my heart was sore mischiev'd I loath'd my life I could not eat nor drink I might not speak nor look to none that lived But musde alone and diverse things did think 2 This wretched world did so molest my mind I thought upon this false and iron age And how our hearts are so to vice inclin'd That Satan seem'd most fearfully to rage Nothing on earth my sorrow could asswage I felt my sin so strongly to increase I griev'd the Sprit was wont to be my pledge My soul was plung'd into most deep distresse 3 All merrinesse did aggravate my pain And earthly joyes did still increase my wo In company I could no wayes remain But fled resort and so alone did go My silly soul was tossed to and fro With sundry thoughts which troubled me full sore I preas'd to pray but sighs oreset me so I could do nought but groan and say no more 4 The trickling tears abundantly ran down My heart was eas'd when I had mournd my fill Then I began my lamentation And said O Lord how long is it thy will That thy poor saints shall be afflicted still Alas how long shal subtile Sathan rage Make haste O Lord thy promise to fulfil Make haste to end our painful pilgrimage 5 The silly Saints are tossed to and fro Awake O Lord why sleepest thou so long We have no strength against our cruel foe In sighs and sobs now changed is our song â—â—e world prevails our enemies are strong â—â—e wicked rage but we are poor and weak â—hen thy self with speed revenge thy wrong â—â—ke short these dayes even for thy chosens sake 6 Lord Jesus come and save thine own Elect â—â—r Satan seeks our sillie souls to slay â—he wicked world doth strongly us insect â—ost wondrous sins increase do day by day â—ur love growes cold our zeal is worne away â—ur faith is faild and we are like to fall â—â—e Lyon roars to catch us as a prey â—â—ke haste O Lord before we perish all 7 These are the dayes which thou so long foretold â—â—uld come before this wretched world should end â—â—w vice abounds and charity growes cold â—â—d even thine own most strangely do oflend â—â—e Devil prevails his forces he doth bend 〈◊〉 could be to wrack thy children dear 〈◊〉 we are thine therefore some succour send â—â—lieve our souls we weary wandring here 8 What can we do we clogged are with sin filthy vice our sensleffe souls are drownd â—â—ough we resolve we never can begin amend our lives but sin doth stil abound â—â—en wilt thou come when shal thy trumpet sound â—hen shal we see that great and glorious day â—ave us Lord out of that pit profound 〈◊〉 reave us from that loathsome lump of clay â—hou knowes our hearts thou sees our whole desire 〈◊〉 secret thoughts they are not hid from thee â—â—…ugh we offend thou knowes we strangely tyre bear this weight our sprit would fain be free 〈◊〉 O Lord what pleasure can it be â—ive in sin that sore doth preffe us down give us wings that we aloft my flee 〈◊〉 end the fight that we may wear the crown Before the Lord when I had thus complained My mind grew calm my heart was then at rest Though I was faint from food I yet refraind And went to bed because I thought it best With heavinesse my sprite was sore opprest I fel on sleep and so again me thought I made my moan and so my grief increast And from the Lord with tears I succour sought 11 Lord Jesus come said I and end my grief My sprite is vext the captive would be free All vice abounds now send us some relief I loath to live I wish dissolv'd to be My sprite doth long and thristeth after thee As thirstie ground requires a showre of rain My heart is dry as fruitlesse barren tree I feel my self how can I here remain 12 With sighs and sobs as I did so lament Into my dream me thought there did appear A sight most sweet which did me wel content An Angel bright with visage shining clear With loving looks and with a smiling chear He asked me why are thou thus so sad Why groans thou so what dost thou dwining here With careful cryes in this thy bailful bed 13 I hear thy sighs I see thy trickling tears Thou seems to be in some perplexity What mean thy moans what is the thing thou fear Whom would thou have in what place would thou Faint not so fast in thy adversity Mourn not so fore sith mourning may not mend Life up thy heart declare thy grief to me Perchance thy pain brings pleasure in the end 14 I sigh'd again and said alas for wo My grief is great I cannot it declare Into this earth I wander to and fro A pilgrim poor consum'd with sighing sore My sins place increase do more and more I loath my life I weary wandring here â—ong for heaven my heritage is there â—ong to live with my Redeemer dear 15 Is this the cause said he life up anone â—nd follow me and I shal be thy guide â—â—e strain thy sighs leave off thy heavy moan â—efrain from tears and cast thy care aside â—rust in my strength and in my word confide â—nd thou shalt have thine heavy hearts desire â—se up with speed I may not long abide â—â—eat diligence this matter doth require 16 My soul rejoye'd to hear his words so sweet â—ooked up and saw his face so fair â—is countenance reviv'd my weary sprite 〈◊〉 continent I cast aside my care â—ith humble heart I prayed him to declare â—hat was his Name he answer'd me again 〈◊〉 am thy God for whom thou sighs so sore 〈◊〉 now am come thy tears are not in vain 17 I am the Way I am the Truth and Life 〈◊〉 am thy Spouse that brings thee store of grace 〈◊〉 am thy Lord that soon will end thy strife 〈◊〉 am thy Love whom thou would fain imbrace 〈◊〉 am thy Joy I am thy rest and peace â—ile up anone and sollow after me 〈◊〉 shall thee lead into that dwelling place 〈◊〉 the land of rest thou longs so sore to see 18 With joyfull heart I thanked him again â—eady am I said I and well content â— wordo follow thee for here I live in pain 〈◊〉 wretch unworth my days untimely spent â—ot one is just but all are fiercely bent â—o run to vice I have no force to stand â—y sins increase which make me sore lament â—â—ke haste O Lord I long to see that land 19 Thy haste is great he answer'd me again â—ou
fast thy grip said he in anie case â—et me not slip what ever thou shall see â—read not the death but stoutlie forward prease For death nor hell shall never vanquish thee 38 His words so sweet did chear my heavy heart Incontinent I cast my care aside Courage said he play not a cowards part Though thou be weak yet in my strength confide I thought me blest to have so good a guide Though I was weak I knew that he was strong Under his wings I thought me for to hide If any there should prease to do me wrong 39 Into that pit when I did enter in I saw a sight which made me sore agast Poor damned souls tormented sore for sin In flaming fire were frying very fast And ugly Sprits And as I had them past My heart grew faint and I began to tyre Ere I was ware one gripped me full fast And held me high above a flaming fire 40 The fire was great the heat did pierce me so My faith grew weak my grip was very small I trembled fast my fear grew more and more My hands did shake that I held him withall At length they loosed then I began to fall And cry'd aloud and caugh him fast again Lord Jesus come and rid me out of thrall Courage said he now art thou past the pain 41 With this great fear I started and awoke Crying aloud Lord Jesus come again But after that no kind of rest I took I preased to sleep but it was all in vain I would have dream'd of pleasure after pain Because I knew I should it find at last God grant my guide may still with me remain It is to come that I believ'd was past 42 This is a dream and yet I thought it best To write the same and keep it still in mind Because I knew there was no earthly rest Prepard for us that have our hearts inclin'd To seek the Lord we must be purg'd and sin'd Our drosse is great the fire must try us sore And yet our God is merciful and kind He shal remain and help us evermore 43 The way to heaven I see is very hard My dream declares that we have far to go We must be stout for cowards are debar'd Our flesh of force must suffer pain and wo These driery ways and dangers many mo Await for us we cannot live in rest But let us learn since we are warned so To cleave to Christ for he can help us best 44 O silly souls with care so sore opprest That love the Lord and long for heaven so hie Change not your minds for ye have chose the best Prepare your selves for troubled must ye be Faint not for fear in your adversity It is the way that leads you unto life Suffer a while and you shal shortlie see The land of life when ended is your strife 45 In wildernesse ye must be try'd a while Yeâ— forward prease and never flee aback Like Pilgrims poor and strangers in exile Through fair and foul your journey you must take The devil the world and all that they can make Will send their force to stop you in the way Your flesh will faint and sometimes will grow slack Yet come to Christ and he shal help you ay 46 The thorny cares of this deceitful life Will rent you hearts and make your souls to bleed Your flesh and sprite will be at deadly strife Your cruel foe will hold you still in dread And throw you down yet rise again with speed And though you fall yet ly not loytring still But call on Christ to help you in your need Who will not fail his promise to fulfill 47 In floods of wo when ye are like to drown For climb to Christ and grip him very fast â—â—d though ye sink and in the deep fall down yet cry aloud and he will hear at last Dread not the death nor be not sore agast Though all the earth against you shall conspiâ—e Christ is your guide and when your pain is past You shall have joy above your hearts desire 48 Though in this earth you shall exalted be Fear shal be left to humble you withall For if you climb on tops of mountains hie The higher up the nearer is your fall Your honey sweet shall mixed be with gall Your short delite shall end with pain and grief Yet trust in God for his assistance call And he shall help and send you soon relief 49 Though waters great do campasse you about Though tyrants threat though Lions rage and roar Defy them all and fear not to win out Your guide is near to help you evermore Though pricks of iron do prick you very sore A noysome lusts that seek your soul to slay Yet cry on Christ and he shall go before The nearer heaven the harder is the way 50 Run out your race you must not faint nor tyâ—â— Nor sit nor stand nor turn aback again If ye intend to have your hearts desire Prease forward still although it were with pain No rest for you so long as you remain As pilgrims poor into this loathsome life Fight on your fight it shal not be in vain Your rich reward is worth a greater strife 51 If after tears I live a while in joy And get a raste of that eternal glore Be not secure nor slip not your convoy For if ye do ye shall repent it sore He knows the way and he shall go before Climb ye alone ye shal not misse a fall â—our filthie flesh it must be troubled more 〈◊〉 ye forget upon your God to call 52 If Christ be gone although you seem to flee With golden wings above the firmament Some down again ye shal not better be That pride of yours ye shall right fore repent Then hold him fast with humble heart and bent To follow him although through hell and death He went before his soul was torn and rent For your deserts he felt his fathers wrath 53 Though in the end ye suffer torments fell Cleave fast to him that felt the same before The way to heaven must be through death and hell The last assault must trouble you full fore The Lion then most cruellie will roar His time is short his forces he will bend The greater strife the greater is your glore Your pain is short your joy will never end 54 Rejoice in God let not your courage fail Ye chosen Saints that are afflicted here Though Sathan rage he never shal prevail Fight in the end and stoutly persevere Your God is true your blood to him is dear â—ear not the way since Christ is your convoy When clouds are past the weather will grow clear Ye sow in tears but ye shal reap in joy 55 But death and hell have lost their cruel sting Your Captain Christ hath made them all to yeeld Lift up your hearts and praises to him sing Triumph for joy your enemies are kil'd The Lord of Host he is your strength and shield The Serpents head hath stoutlie