no power alone to stand upright Stoop now you see your Saviour on his Knee Who doth sustaine your Being by his might Stoop now you see Him to his Servants bow And the Most-high submit himself 〈◊〉 72. To stand on foolish Terms of 〈◊〉 now Is but to found your glorie on your shame Is it not more illustrious to bow With Jesus then with Lucifer to aime Above your reach O why will Dust forget The place originally due to it 73. But what 's Gods bus'nes at his Servants feet Even to Wash and Wipe them 〈◊〉 O now Stoop lower still lower and lower yet For at the lowest you are not so 〈◊〉 As He the 〈◊〉 King who here Hath made himself a 〈◊〉 Minister 74. When Jesus by his Water ciensed had Hir Servants seet and by his Grace their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what Preparation must be made By all who ever mean to have their Parts In his pure 〈◊〉 down he sits again And them with 〈◊〉 doth entertain 75. The Ends of sumptuous Banquets use to be Crown'd with most soveraign Varieties Which may the Convives learned Luxurie With deep and new found Ravishment surprise And Jesus would not have this Supper want That costly Point of Princely Complement 76. Indeed the Supper which They now had eat Into the Belly its direct way took Where in the Kitchin of poor Mortall Meat It was committed unto Heat to Cook And Heats best skill could onely dresse it 〈◊〉 To feed the Body which contained it 77. But Christs 〈◊〉 Designe was now With such a royall Feast to blesse the Bord As might make Spirits fat and healthfull grow And thriving Nutriment to Soules afford Such Nutriment as might full power give Unto his Guests eternally to live 78. In his Almighty Hand he took the Bread And pour'd his plenall Blessing upon it Never on any but his own dear Head Such potent Benediction did sit Indeed it was that Blessings Echo and Bounded upon his Body in his Hand 79. For having broke that Bread He reached it To his Disciples saying Take and eat This is my Body broke for You and let My dear Remembrance live in this your Meat But Jesu's Feast must not be drie for Wine Equall to this high Dainties He doth joyne 80. He takes the Cup and Drink Yee all of this It is my Blood of the new Testument Says He which shed and freely given is To wash the Sins of all that will repent As often as you of this Chalice drink Of Me your liberall Redeemer think 81. Sweet Jesu ô how can thy World forget Their royall 〈◊〉 and his 〈◊〉 who Upon their Tables his own Self hath 〈◊〉 Who in their holy Cups fails not to flow And in their Dishes lie Did ever Friend So 〈◊〉 a Token of his Love 〈◊〉 82. Infallibly there dost Thou flow and lie Though Mortall Eyes discover no such thing Quick sighted Faith reads all the Mystery And humble pious Soules doth easily bring Into the Wonders 〈◊〉 and there Makes all the 〈◊〉 of this Truth 〈◊〉 83. She generously dares on God relie And trust his Word how strange soe'r it 〈◊〉 If Jesus once pronounces This is my Body and Blood Far far be it cries She That I should think my dying Lord would 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his 〈◊〉 of Drink and 〈◊〉 84. His Word is most Omnipotent and He Can doe what e'r He says and more than I Can or would understand What is 't to me If He 〈◊〉 Humane Capacitie Surely it well becomes Him so to doe Nor were He God if He could not doe so 85. Let Him say what He will I must denie Him to be God or else Beleeve his Word Me it concerneth not to verifie What He proclaims I onely must afford Meek Credit and let Him alone to make Good whatsoever He is 〈◊〉 to speak 86. Grosse and unworthy Spirits sure They be Who of their Lord such mean Conceptions 〈◊〉 That parting from his dearest Consorts He No Token of his Love did leave with Them But simple Bread and Wine a likely thing And well-becoming Heav'ns magnificent King 87. A likely Thing that when the susty blood Of Bulls and Goars cannot wash Sin away The Blood of Grapes should with a stronger Flood 〈◊〉 over whelm and drown the Worlds 〈◊〉 O no such Virtue in no Blood can dwell But that which through the Veins of God did thrill 88. Ask me not then How can the thing be done 〈◊〉 power of Sense or Reason can 〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 are what Demonstration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as this My God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if you once can prove that He can lie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 too I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 89. What thank is it that you can credit that Which your own sense and Reasons eye reads plain Heavn's much to them beholden who will not Beleeve it higher is than they can strein Who jealous are of God and will not be Induce'd to trust him further than they see 90. And yet had you these modest eyes of mine You in this gloomie Cloud would see the Sun That Sun who wisely doth disdain to shine On Those who with bold Prying presse upon His secret Majestie which plainly I Because I make no anxious search descrie 91. This is the valorous Resolution Of Gallant Faith and this will serve to be The blessed Rule by which all those will run Who are the Scholars of Humilitie Yet I must tell thee Psyche itching Pride Will not hereafter thus be satisfied 92. A thousand waspish Syllogismes will Be buzzing from the Mouthes of those who build Their ground works of Religion on the skill Which they for granted take their brains has fild Till Quaeries Doubts Distinctions Niceties First grow to Schismes and then to Heresies 93. Needs will they prie into the Manner how This mystick Miracle to passe was brought And madly being not content to know What Christ thought fit to teach them study out They know not what and make this banquet prove A Sacrament of war and not of love 94. Some peep too neer and spie what is not there Some carelesly take what is there away Some will confesse no Miracle for fear That should prove Consequential which they Would not have so and that themselves should be Forc'd to acknowledge more than they can see 95. Some sift Existence Substance Accidents And make the Laws of Aristotle be The Umpiers in Religion Thus the Rents Which Art strives to sew up in Pietie By that unworthy clownish Needle are Onely made wider than before they were 96. O happy world if all would once agree In that which Jesus hath so plainly taught If those short Words might but sincerely be Imbraced and no more in question brought If for the Manner they would trust their Lord And for the Substance take Him at his Word 97. For Heav'n its faithfull wheel shall sooner turn And backward hale the Sun into the East The Northern Polar Bear shall sooner burn And Siriu's mouth be sealed up with Frost The Earth into the
Him from within whilst every Part Rack'd and transfixed with intestine Streins In streams of purple Tears bewail'd its Pains 173. Down to the Ground this sweating Torrent flows To wash away the Curse which on it grew Whilst moated in his melted Selfe thy Spouse The noble fight doth with fresh Strength renew His Mortall Nature three stout Onsets gave To his immortal Piety and Love 174. Father He cri'd by that thy tender Name Commiserate thy most afflicted Son If thy Omnipotence a way can frame How to exempt Me from my Passion O let thine Hand which brings this Cup to Me Far hence remove it and my Misery 175. But straight by most athletick Braverie Above himselfe He gets and nobly cries Although all Bitternesse triumphant be In this sad Cup it amply does suffice That from thy Hand it comes Thy Will shall be And not mine own the Rule and Rein to me 176. Thus reverend Abraham when by Gods Command He was to bath his Sword in Isaac's blood Divided was in his own bowells and With his brave Selfe in competition stood Till valourous Piety her Powers strain'd And the hard Laurell of Selfe-conquest gain'd 177. But when thy mighty Lord atchieved had This triple Conquest Judas and his Rout Like furious Boars into the Garden made And for their Prey all rang'd and rov'd about Not knowing He as ready was to be Betray'd as they to work their Treachery 178. For like a most victorious Champion who Before his other Foes has conquer'd Fear He meets their Furie asking Whom with so Eager and strong a Chase they hunted there Their traytorous Spight and whom it sought He knew Yet this brave Challenge in their face he threw 179. Jesus of Nazareth We seek said they Alas Blinde Soules He came to seek out you And lead you safely in the Kings high way Unto his Throne above that on your brow Heav'ns Crowns for ever might have shin'd but ye In nothing would be Found but Treachery 180. Nor they nor Judas Psyche now did know Thy Spouses face which flamed heretofore With gracious Beauty but was clouded now With his strong Agonies all bloody Gore Thus like some duskie Meteor Phebus shows When an Eclipse upon his Count'nance grows 181. But He who would not be unknown to those Who came to suck what Blood was left behinde Which burned in his Veins till it got loose And flow'd as largely as his liberall Minde Revests his Look with gracefull Majesty And makes this brave Profession I am He. 182. If ever Thou hast seen what killing Dread Doth on base-hearted Traytors seize when They Are by their awfull Prince discovered Whose Voice and Looks their spurious Courage slay Treble this Fright and then conceive what Fear Shot through the Soules of these vile Caytiffs here 183. A stream of Horror drove them trembling back And over whelm'd Them flat upon the Ground And in the depth of this dismaying Wrack Their shivering Spirits had been surely drown'd Had He not spred his Pitty over Them Whose Swords and Staves and Spight all made at Him 184. O how will they endure his Dreadfull Eyes Which all this World on flaming fire shall set When He in triumph sweeping through the skies Shall hither come and mounted on his great Tribunall once again crie I am He No more the Prey but Judge of Treachery 185. When they no Lanthorns nor no Torches Light Nor Juda's Conduct any more shall need But by our Trumpets death-awakning fright Be summon'd up and by our hands be led Into the presence of Heav'ns glorious Son Whom then they would not finde but cannot 〈◊〉 186. But now He brideled in his awfull Raies And on condition his Disciples may Without disturbance goe their severall 〈◊〉 Offers himselfe unto his Foes who lay Quaking before Him but took courage now Perceiving They again might 〈◊〉 grow 187. As when a serpent bruis'd and beaten back Spies any way to reinforce her fight Her head she raises and deep care doth take Her Wrath and Poyson how to spit aright So did these Elves start up and cheer their Head And this Iscariot was to doe the Deed. 188. Iscariot that Prince of Treason now Forgetfull of his royall Masters Love And of the Dint of that majestick Blow Which strook Him and his Armie down to prove His cursed Selfe Earths Lucifer led up Against the Lord of Hosts his desperate Troop 189. And then none but a golden Arrow shot Burnish'd with faire and complementall grace Yet in as mortall Venome dipp'd as that Which Eve's Heart felt when she saluted was By faire-tongu'd Hell and by the Tempter driven With courteous Treason from her earthly Heaven 190. Hail Master was the Word What Ear could now Disrellish such a suger'd Noise as this Or once suspect Discording Jarrs should grow In such soul-plying Accents Master is The Phrase of Service Hail of Love Yet He Could make these honest Words insidious be 191. And when his faithlesse Tongue her part had done His Lips succeeded in the Treachery With matchlesse Impudence He ventured on Against the very face of Majesty And to make sure his Project should not misse Seal'd it upon his Master with a Kisse 192. O Wit of Treason could no Signe but this The gentlest Token of soft Courtesie Be made the Marke of deepest Barbarousnesse Monstrous Iscariot how dost thou by thy Inhumane Kindnesse both a Traytor prove Of Loves great Master and the Badge of Love 193. Is not a Kisse the soft and yeilding Signe Which clapps the Bargain of Affection up The sweet and joyous Marriage between The tenderest Pair of Lovers Lip and Lip The closing Harmony which when the Tongue Has done its best compleats the pleasing Song 194. Is not a Kisse the most delicious Seal By which Friends Cement their concording Hearts Must this Betrayed be Must faithlesse Hell Poyson this dainty Truth Must Hatreds Arts Be clothed in the softest sweetest Dresse Of courteous Peace and amorous Tendernesse 195. Must sweet Arabia's Beds breath out a Stinck And harbour all the Bane of Thessaly Must milkie Lilies stain their Leaves with Ink Must Roses Buds with Thorns all prickly be Must Silk and Down be harsh Must Honey flow With Gall Must Summer Gales bring Ice Snow 196. O what will Treason not presume to doe Which more than all those strange Mutations makes In this own venturous Fact of Judas who Ev'n in this Tie of Love all Friendship breaks Who biteth with his Lips not with his Teeth And strives to Kisse his dearest Lord to death 197. But though Iscariot his own Love betrayes His Lord triumphs beyond all Treachery And doth against the Traytors Hatred raise A Counterwork of heav'nly Lenitie O Mystery of Love though Jesus may Betrayed be no Plots his Grace betray 198. Who teacheth all Succeeding Traytors how To burnish over that foule rankling Brasse Of impudence which arms their sullen Brow To tip Rebellion with meek Lies to grace Their arrogant Treaties with submissive Words Whilst
Scorns to be balanc'd with the richest Treasure O then what mighty Depth of Worth or Height Of purest Pretiousnesse can serve to measure The value of the Life of Jesus which Doth earth with all the best of Heav'n enrich 29. A Life more worth than all the Breath which 〈◊〉 The panting Hearts of the whole World beside More worth than all the Tract of Ages and Old 〈◊〉 himself A Life which nobly vie'd With vast 〈◊〉 so sweet immense And pure was its Miraculous Excellence 30. For whilst all Humane Life was by the Breath Of the contagious Serpent tainted So That by the rankling Principles of Death It from its Cradie was condemn'd unto Its Herse He 's kept unsteind and scorned all The gaping Graves Pleas for his Funerall 31. Yet this dear Life of his he held lesse dear Than worthlesse men so generous was his Love That He his own Hearts Blood could freely spare To ransome theirs desiring so to prove Ev'n by their own Souls Rule that they to Him More dear than his all pretious Self did seem 32. They and the worst of them for he did not Pick out some worthy Freinds for whose sweet sake His Life 〈◊〉 was content to offer but Ev'n for his 〈◊〉 that dear Oblation make 〈◊〉 was Leves highest Gallantrie and fit For Him who was the Mighty King of it 33. This was the brave Exploit which Phylax now To ravish Psyche's Heart meant to display For though the bus'nesse she before did know Yet t was at Distance Circumstances may Make deep Impression and the present Sceen Of Miracles more Admiration win 34. Besides he knew her Soule was fired now With noble vigour from the Heav'nly Bord And would delight to towre and travell through The 〈◊〉 wonders of her loving Lord. This made him bring her from the sacred Cave When by the holy Kisse Sh 'had took her leave 35. Then up he leads her unto Calvarie The Hill of Marveils that that Prospect might Yeild her with uncontrolled Libertie Of Loves chief stations an open sight And there arriv'd Mark now my Deer said He What further Wonders Jesus did for thee 36. Wert Thou enthroned on the proudest Hill Which on the glorious Back of Heav'n doth rise Thou couldst not with a nobler spectacle Feast the brave Hunger of thy wondering Eyes Than from this Mountains most renowned Head Thou by my Finger and my Tongue shalt read 37. In yonder street of Ruines once there stood The High-preist Anna's House but Caiaphas Who was his Sonne by Marriage not by Blood Unlesse joynt thirst of guiltlesse Blood may passe For 〈◊〉 His Dwelling had Where now thou see'st that Heap of rubbish made 38. Those Caytiffs who had in the Garden seiz'd Upon thy Lord to Annas hull'd him first To see what Censure his grave spight was pleas'd To passe on Him for whom it long did thirst But He with cruel Favour Him dismist Unto his Sonne the bolder bloodier Priest 39. Thus through the 〈◊〉 and Scorn to 〈◊〉 Is Jesus sed He smil'd within to see With what successe his Bargain crowned was And thought his Money well bestow'd which He To 〈◊〉 gave Yet in his Face and Eye He still maintain'd his Priestly 〈◊〉 40. So hast thou seen a Lyon cast his Eye Upon his harmlesse Prey with grave Disdaine As if he could afford to passe it by Whilst He his greedy Paws can scarce contein Or with his Teeth bite in their own Des Of Blood so certain is his salvage Ire 41. Like one who jealous was of Peace and Law He calls Him to account and asks Him why He strove Disciples after Him to draw And with his new-found Doctrine multiplie Sects in the Church and 〈◊〉 in the State Both which religious Loyaltie must hate 42. Such Impudence upon Sinnes face doth reign That whilst the Laws of Heav'n and Earth she breaks She dares on Innocence throw her own stein And in high Zealloud exclamations make Against all Innovations which on Them Shee chargeth for whose blood her Thirst doth flame 43. Thy Lord well understood his vain Demand And why said He requir'st Thou this of me Loe my Accusers crowd on either hand Who in their spight against Me all agree My Doctrine publick was Hear then what 〈◊〉 Against Me now I challenge Them can say 44. Tin no Conventicles Cloysters did Shrowd any Lessons that I meant to preach The Synagogue and Temple witnessed And so did they Themselves what I did teach My Gospel it concern'd the World to know And from my Lips in publick it did flow 45. This said A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 by First bent his angrie Brow and 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 With which at Jesu's Face his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Crying Bold fellow can Goas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no 〈◊〉 Answer Now we see What 〈◊〉 of Manners grow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 46. Wouldst 〈…〉 The 〈…〉 For how 〈…〉 〈…〉 who though He 〈◊〉 This 〈…〉 Can yet approve himself both 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 47. But hear what from the Lambs Mouth Meekness spok If in my Answer any Crime there be Accuse Me Thou and let the High-priest look That legall Justice be perform'd on Me If not before the face of Justice Seat Why dost Thou mine injuriously beat 48. Soft was this Answer but their Breasts were Stone And beat it back The unrelenting Priest With all the Scribes and Elders joyn'd in one Conspiracy of Haste their Projects cast To hire False-witnesse as before they bought That Treason which Him Pris'ner thither brought 49. Is this the reverend Sanhedrim which here Hunts for a Lie that Truth may not escape Must grosse Injustice poyson Mose's Chair Must bloody Spight put on Religions shape No wonder if the People forward be To tread their Leaders Stepps to Injury 50. Whole Troops of Witnesses came thronging in With thicker Articles When Rulers dare Once egg the Vulgar on to act that sin In which Themselves cannot for shame appear Bold Calumnie thinks Law is on her side And with all furious Impudence doth ride 51. But this rude Rout were younglins yet and raw Knights of the Post and had not conn'd their Lie With wary Art As yet They did not know What need they had of perfect Memory This made each one of Them accuse his Brother Whilst all their Stories jarr'd on One another 52. Yet They must not be chidden whose Intent Aim'd onely at the Publike Good least this Should unto others prove Discouragement Who might urge Articles with more Successe Alas those Men were well-affected but Quite out of Count'nance by the Court were put 53. Their honest Meaning by the Sanbedrim Is kindely constru'd and with Thanks requited That others might with subtler Art to trim Their fairer Accusations be invited For still the patient Court expects to see Who will the next Calumniators be 54. But when the first Miscarriage did dismay All other Lyars Satan who stood by Quick as his Thought snatch'd unto Hell his way To fetch some help leasts the Priests Villany And his great Hopes should intercepted
From Me this troublesome Creature to remove 77. He having sleeping in a Box of Jett A blacker Liquor drawn from Lethe lake Upon Syneidesis straight emptied it She rubb'd her eyes but found her selfe too weak To grapple with that stupor which did creep Upon her Brow and down she fell asleep 78. As when the Childe first venturing on his feet Carelesly stumbles to some Precipice His tender Nurse more griev'd than hee to see 't Makes on amain with most intentive Eyes Not on her way but Him who now she knows Is stepping into Deaths wide open Jaws 79. So watchfull Charis who did distance keep Till her Assistance might most usefull be Now put on speed and rowsing from her sleep Syneidesis Be not dismay'd said she Come you and I will trie what We can doe To stop Her who so faine to Hell would goe 80. With that as Phebus steals his subtile Ray Through Virgin Chrystall so through Psyche's breast She thrusts her hand and strives to take away That poysnous Brood which there had made its Nest Yet she flings back and casts disloyall scorn On Her who griev'd to finde her so forlorn 81. But Aphrodisius amazed now To see a Beauty which straight damp'd his eyes A Beauty which on Psyche's face did throw Unlovely blacknesse and monopolize All Heav'n within it selfe recoyled back Some Counsell in his troubled Brain to take 82. Mean while Syneidesis aloud does cry In Psyche's ear Mistris beleeve it now I am a wake and see your Misery But ô how foule a sleep possesses you What monstrous Apparitions are these Which your enchanted dreaming soul do please 83. Home home I pray This Grove grows thick with Charms And will be witch you from your self untill All Help proves tardie for your ripened Harms Home soon will cure you and your Bosome fill With better Flames than these which onely be Kindled to make an end of You and Me. 84. Why stay We here See see your Lover's gone Perhaps to fetch more Poyson for your Heart And double on you your Destruction This unexpected News made Psyche start She turn'd her head and saw 't was so indeed Charis had forc'd Him back and He was fled 85. Yet after Him a heavy sigh she sent And more would have dispatch'd But tugged by Syneidesis at last she homeward went Her feet went homeward but her Heart did fly Much faster back which Charis as she came Behinde did meet with and brought safely home 86. But Aphrodisius could not make such hafte As to outrun the Angels nimbler hand Half-way the cursed Grove he had not past But Phylax lighted down and bid Him stand Stand Fiend says He Thy punishment shall be Upon this sceen of thine own Treacherie 87. Faire hideous sir how has your wretched spight Clouded your memory Do you not know How mine and my illustrious Brethrens Might You and your fellow fiends to Hell did throw Did that fall bruise your Heart so little that It and our Victory you have forgot 88. Was 't not enough that in your burning Home Hot Blasphemies you day by day did spit At Heav'n and God but you to Earth must come And all your trains and slie delusions set To ravish his own Spouse for whose deare sake I here his Leiger lie the Match to make 89. Poore harmelesse Psyche how did Shee offend Did Shee incroach upon your Realmes below Did Shee e'r envie Hell to any Fiend Or strive to snatch Damnation from You Sure you have injur'd Her yea Phylax too For She 's my Charge and you shall finde it so 90. With that He from his holy Bosome drew A golden Banner in whose silken Lap His Lords allmighty Name wide open flew Of hell-confounding Majestie made up The Fiend no sooner Iesus there did read But Shame pull'd down his Eys and Fear his Head 91. For as the Lightning darts on Mortall Sight Dazeling confusion So the flashing Rays Of this bright Name the Furie did affright When Phylax on his throat his left hand lays And draws him to the Tree whose shade did cover The green stage where just now he play'd the Lover 92. So have I seen a leering Curr brought back Unto the feild where He did hunt the Lambs With guiltie ears thrown flat upon his neck With woefull Tail sneaking between his hamms With grinning Chapps whose whineing Dialect Speaks both what He hath done and doth expect 93. In vain He struggls For the nearest Bough Phylax with potent Art twines round about Its own tough self and teaches how to grow Into a Band more obstinate and stout 〈◊〉 was his Pris'ner whom forthwith He ties Fast to the Tree and home to Psyche Flies 94. Poor Psyche who no sooner was come home But Charis hasts her to her Closet where The holy Furniture which trimm'd the Room Wide open Prayer-books and Bibles were But she so strange an Eye now casteth on them As if her soul had never dwelt upon them 95. Her tainted soul grown squeamish now no more Such serious Acquaintance would imbrace But loving Charis found a private door Into her Heart and from th' usurped place Cast out that knot of Serpents on the ground Which round about her soul themselves had wound 96. And see says she the token that your Love Hath hung about your Heart and judge I pray What kinde of Favours His were like to prove Which by inchanting Poyson ope their way If Heav'n with fouler things than these doth fill Your bosome then love Aphrodisius still 97. The hissing Serpents roll'd about the floore Which and their shamed selves they gnaw'd for spight Amazed Psyche starts back to the doore Afraid of what but now was her Delight Till Charis with her valiant hand did throw Them whence they came home to their Hell below 98. And now the Virgin falling on her face With lamentable Cry Forbear said she My shamefull presence maketh any place Unworthy for such noble Company For bear dear Charis let me blush alone Left fouler here than those Snakes which are gone 99. And you my reverend Books your leavs shut up Where my Confusion frowns in every line When holy Eys draw neer then freely ope But ô you are too pure and chaste for mine Mine which let out my soul and in its place Receiv'd all Hell which close I did imbrace 100. They nothing else can doe but blurr you now with those perpetuall streams of bounden Teares Which for my wilfull Miserie I owe. O Eys if ever your salt spring forbears May you fail too such is my state that I Unlesse you drown me cannot chuse but dy 101. Shine not on Me fair Sun although thy Ray With safety can the foulest Dunghills Kiste I am a filthier thing than those and may Taint thy sweet Lustre by my ouglinesse Black Night will tell no tales O may she roul Up in her veil my correspondent soul 102. What have vile I to do with noble Day Which shews Us Heavens fair face that face which I Wantonly scorn'd
sulphure doth confesse What is its work and where it kindled was 128. A double Alablaster Conduit hung Down from his Forehead where is nothing now But those two rotten Pipes not to be wrung Least with the Moisture down the Nose do flow That banefull Moisture which 't is hard to say Whether it be more Poyson than its Way 129. Two Rows of Roses on those Lipps did grow To sweeten every word that passed by But now scorch'd black as Hel's own mouth they show What kind of Breath is wont through them to flie A Breath like that which from the Chimneys topp Speaks it owne stink by what it vomits up 130. His Cheeks which lifted up but yesterday Two Hills of Spices now are sunk so low That like two hollow untill'd valleys they With nothing else but Desolation grow Now grizly Haire has spoil'd his polish'd skin Shewing what He to Satyrs is of kin 131. His lovely Hands are now two monstrous Paws Whose Nail's much longer than their Fingers be Sure his Imbrace is daintie when he throws Those Arms about his Love But prithe see What now behind the Gallants back doth trail His courtly Sword 's turn'd to a dangling Tail 132. Behold his goodly Feet where one great Cleft Davides two Toes pointed with iron Claws The rest of his fine Body must be left Sealed up close by Modesties chast Laws Yet mayst thou safely look into his Breast And see what Treasures there have made their Nest. 133. Look where ten thousand Charmes and kisses lie And Complements of every garbe and kind With which He doth on herdlesse Virgins flie And Correspondent Entertainment find Look where upon the Topp those Courtships be By which He wooed and inchanted Thee 134. In that slie corner and observe it well Lie various Shapes which alway changing be Shapes trim and smooth and faire without but full Of inward Poyson which industrious He Subtlie improv'd and dayly did devise Handsome Impostures and well-favoured lies 135. See'st thou not there the model of the Beast That hideous Witchery which chased Thee With all the amorous Story fairely drest To Court and cheat thy credulous Chastity Never did Cozenage with more lovely Art Or Face more honest act its divelish Part. 136. But there is something stranger yet behind See'st thou that Scroll It is a full Commission By which he made this Voyage ready sign'd And strengthned by the broad Seal of Perdition Come I 'l untwine the knot of Snakes which tie It up and lay it open to thine Eye 137. Loe here a scheem of such confounding Letters And scrambling Lines as never Conjurer writt His Forks Hooks Prongs Racks Gibbets Gridirons Fetters And other Tools of his infernall spight Are Belzebub's mad Alphabet But hear How well I ken his mystick Character 138. Satan the great by mine owne Power alone God of Hell Earth and Aire Immortall Foe To Men to Angels to Heav'n and Heavn's Son Monarch of Pride Rage Blasphemy and Woe Out of our royall grace to our right vicious And trustie friend and Cosen Aphrodisius 139. By these our Letters Patents We doe give Thee full Authoritie the Souleto seize Of hated Psyche that she may receive What share of Pangs our royall Self shall please Given at our flaming Court of Desperation This sixt Age of our Soveraigne Damnation 140. This being read He folds it up againe And thrusting it into the Furies breast Goe home says He and ask thy Soveraigne A larger Patent See thou art releas'd But here I hang the Withe if ever thou Returnst this Way thou mayst this token know 141. The loosned Fiend fetching a deep drawn Sigh And tearing his owne breast with helplesse wrath Flung downe his Patent and away did flie The Grove smoak'd as He went in all his Path No Tree did meet him though the place were full But downe He tore it and made hast to Hell 142. This Spectacle so wrought on Psyche's Heart That fill'd brimme full of holy shame and Ioy Her equall thanks and blushes she doth part Between he carefull friends Never may Day Shine on this face if I forget says she Your Loves and mine own reskew'd Chastity 143. Farewell fond Passions Heav'n above I 'm sure Is full as faire within as 't is without No Aphrodisius there but all as pure As is the spotlesse Chrystall or your thought Deare Phylax which from thence its pattern takes And a new Heav'n in your sweet Bosome makes 144. There will I fix my Heart there dwells my Love My Life my Lord much purer than his Home Whose Paradise shall be the onely Grove Henceforth to which my soul shall strive to come Forbid it Jesu any thing below Be master of this Soule whose Lord art thou 145. Thus sweetly breathing out her holy Passion To ease her high-swolln heart she homeward goes With her dear Consorts yet at every station Renews her thanks and her pathetike Vows At length got home She to her Closet hasts Where all her Soul at her Loves feet she casts 146. What praiers were there what thanks what sighs what tears What Languishments what amorous extasies What confidence what shame what hopes what fears What pains what joys what thoughts what words she dies And yet she lives and yet she dies againe And would for ever live so to be slain 147. But fainting Nature for 't was midnight now And farr sh' had travell'd and wrought hard that day Permitted sleep to grow upon her brow And though unwilling downe at last she lay Sweet was that rest but yet much sweeter was The Dream which now before her Soul did passe 148. Imagination swiftlie carried Her Into a Garden where more Beauties smil'd Than did in Aphrodisiu's Grove appeare And gentler Gales the aire with odours fill'd Lillies alone on every bed did grow Which scornd comparison with Northerne Snow 149. The goodly Walks with Alablaster were Pav'd all alone whose smooth and spotlesse face Layd fairlie ope unto the silver sphear Which roll'd above a comely looking glasse Whither upward she or downward turnd her Eye Still she 〈◊〉 the same Heaven's Majesty 150. No Fountaine bubled there but fed with springs Of purest Milk upon whose dainty shoare Unsported Pidgeons sate and wash'd their wings Though full as white and pure as it before But thus one Candor powr'd upon another Does kindely kiste and sport it with his brother 151. High in the midst a princelie Castle stands Invincible for strength and for delight Built all of Virgin-christall and by Hands As pure as the Materials were bright A cleerer Court was ne'r by Poets braine Built for Queen Thet is in her watery Main 152. Ten thousand Blushes stood before the Gate With Magnanimities all hand in hand As many Purities behind them sate And after those as many Beauties and Young smiling Graces whose sweet task it was To be the Guard of that delicious Place 153. As Psyche wonder'd at the stately sight She turns and spies her Phylax standing by What Place is
pass'd but some on Work she set To make her new Keyes being jealous still Her Foes might patterns of her old ones get Seav'n times a moneth she changed her broad Seal As her own Selfe she would have done had she Known how to alter her Deformity 185. With contradicting Thoughts her Breast did rise Which were no sooner liked but rejected She boulted every Counsell twise or thrice And what did surest seem she most suspected Oft would she skip and fling about and start Sometimes at the meer Motion of her Heart 186. An Oath of strict Allegiance thrice a day She forc'd her numerous Family to take And chang'd their Offices as oft least they Themselves too strong for her Commands might make Strange Officers yet fitting to attend Upon so true and Soveraign a 〈◊〉 187. The first was tall and big-bon'd Cowardize Whose lazy Neck upon her shoulders lay And both her Hands upon her Head her Eyes Were alwayes winking least the dint of Day Should them surprise between her leggs she hid Her Taile which as it touch'd them shivered 188. Next Her stood Crueltie supported by Advantage in her Hands all Engins were And fell Inventions of Tyrannie What Hooks what Forks what Whips what Racks were there What Insultation what Wrath what War What Wounds what Salvagnesse what Massacre 189. Close in the Corner stood pale Thoughtfulnesse Upon whose lips fast sealed Silence sate Her businesse was a thousand things to guesse She stamp'd her head she scratch'd her breast she beat Her wearied Eyes she nailed on the ground And in her endlesse selfe her selfe she drown'd 190. About the Room ran furious Discontent And when all others did escape her War She wag'd it with her selfe her Clothes she rent Her cheeks she gashed and she tore her hair But Malice ssiely crept and dealt her spight Unto her Neighbours in a secret Fight 191. Yet slippery Guile was nimbler than the rest Her quaint Attire was of Chamelions skins She in two minutes could become at least An hundred Virtues and as many Sins All Polypusse's feet she had and was Fortunes true Echo Proteu's looking-glasse 192. With Her was complementall Flatery With silver Tongue and more than golden Words Her hand she alwayes kiss'd and bent her knee But in her Mantle hid two poys'ned swords Of these and thousand others like to them Did foule Suspition her house-hold frame 193. When Lucifer had raked many Dens And found no Fury furious enough To manage his Designe at last he runs Down to this sinck where as He 'gan to show His sulphury face the Porters quickly knew Their Sultan and the Gates wide open threw 194. The Boat flew from its chain to meet His feet And wafted Him unto the Privy Watch Down fell their Swords up went their Hands to greet Their Soveraigns Comming and to draw the Latch Suspition started as they op'd the Door And wonder'd why her Doggs bark'd not before 195. But dread and Awe had stopp'd their Mouthes as now They seal'd Hers too to see grand Lucifer She fear'd the worst and thought that in his brow She read some lines of Wrath and Spight to Her But He wip'd from his Lips the Fire and Smoake And with a Kisses Preface thus He spoke 196. Madame be not afraid for well I know And love my Friends and thou art one of them Witnesse that mighty Trust which I will now Treasure in Thee it is my Diadem My Diadem is lost if thou dost not Procure Destruction to Maries Brat 197. Herod will doe his best I know him well If he be aided by thy Inspiration There 's not an Heart that lives where more of Hell Has taken up its earthly habitation Adde but thy Power and He will be compleat And bravely venture on the barbarous Feat 198. Thy Handmayd Cruelty alone will be Sufficient take but Her along and goe When Thou that Baby-Gods Blood bring'st to Me I 'le plant a Crown upon thy worthy Brow And set Thee on an ever-burning Throne Wher thou shalt raign Queen of Perdition 199. Glad was the Hag to hear the businesse and Promis'd her Lord her utmost Faith and Care Who laying on her head his sooty Hand Cri'd Take Hells Blessing with Thee ô my Dear Successe attend thy Loyalty and may Heav'ns envious Tyrant not disturb thy way 200. Forthwith through Asphaltite's odious Lake She tore her Path and in the mid'st boil'd up The Sulphure started and the Banks did shake Down to the Bottome fled the frighted Top That most victorious Stinck which there did dwell Till now could not endure Her stronger Smell 201. Horror on all the Elements did seize And taught the rest aswell as Earth to quake Blasting deflour'd the Medows and the Trees Her Noise a thousand Witche's Ghosts did wake And made the Night-ravens croke the Scritchowles squeek The Dogs houle the fatall Mandraks shriek 202. All Men and Beasts fled from her frightfull Face And Heav'n it selfe would fain have run away Had it but known of any other Place Besides its own where to have turn'd that Day Yet Phebus made a shift to lurk and crow'd His Eye behinde the Curtaine of a Cloud 203. But when she mark'd how Nature shunn'd her sight She with Invisibility array'd Her selfe and unsuspected as the Light To Heâ—ods Palace stole where Care had layd The Tyrant fast asleep Into whose breast Her Consort and her Selfe the Fury thrust 204. As when a Viper squeas'd into his Bowle By Treasons secret hand a heedlesse King Drinks down the Poyson in his Guts doth roule And with a War of Pangs his Entrails wring So did this Monster with tempestuous Smart Rage in the Bowells of fell Herods Heart 205. A thousand Fancies and selfe-thwarting Fears Ran through his Soul and chas'd Sleep from his Eyes When starting up his griezly Beard He tears And round about his Chamber cursing Flies He curs'd Himselfe and Heav'n and all its Stars But chiefly that which pointed out his fears 206. Have I said He thus long attended on My petty Businesse whil'st my Crown and Head Lie at the Stake Have I let Treason run And gather strength upon my life to tread Fie Herod fie Wert thou that onely He Who did a Scepter count Felicity 207. What Madnesse made Thee suffer those bold Kings Who blaz'd the Birth of the Jessean Prince To prate in Salem of such dangerous Things Hadst thou not fire and sword to chase them thence Could not thy flaming Steel have shined far More potently than their enchanting Star 208. But all the Furies stings are due to thee For trusting their bare Word for their Return Art thou that famous King of Policie Who by thy Brain didst for thy Temples earn The Crown they wear and canst thou cosen'd be By three old doting Mens poor subtilty 209. See now how for thy credulous Courtesie Thou art repayd Those Kings the News have spred Through all the Regions of Arabie And by a joint consent have made an head To tear fool'd Herod
Perpetuall sparks of Vigorousnesse they shot From the two Founts of their prospective fire Their mighty Neighings easie Conquest got Of every Noise and made good Mars his Quire And thus through Clouds almost as black as they Thunder and Lightning use to chuse their way 159. As ebon shining Boughs so bended were Their sinewie Necks their Stomacks boiled over In restlesse foaming Scum which far and neer They flung about their Pawing did discover With what disdain upon the Earth thy trode And seem'd to covet an etheriall Road. 160. Their shoes were silver and their bridles gold With perl their velvet trappings studded were Their copious Maines in curled volumes roll'd Down to the ground their starting Eares did wear Proserpines Favours with rich Jewells tipt The way their full Tails for their Soveraign swept 161. The wheels were Cedar clouted round about With Golds more pretous Rivall Chrysolite The Charet Almug covered throughout With an embroyder'd Confluence of bright Well order'd Gems upon which princely seat Prouder than it sate Belzebub the Great 162. What Pomp in Alexanders face did reign Or swell'd upon Nebuchadnezzars Brow He had advanced to an higher strain And taught it in his own Aspect to grow Having compounded in one stately Lie The universall Looks of Majesty 163. Disdain and Pride the chiefe Ingredients were And long agoe He learn'd to manage Them Yet Grace and royall Mildnesse too were there If need should be some soft Deceit to frame With awfull Gravity his Beard did flow And him some wise and ancient Monark show 164. A triple Crown of Diamond on his Head Wherein was graven Earth and Aire and Seas His Empires Provinces decyphered For so his own Presumption doth please To make Mans Right his Prey and write his stile E'r since of Paradise he did him beguile 165. Down from his shoulders to his feet did flow A Mantle of Estate with Ermyns lin'd But for the Texture it so thick did grow With orientall Gems you could not finde What Web it was it being cleerly lost In the magnificence of too much Cost 166. Three Troops of Pages on his Wheels did wait The first in Azure and the next in Green The third in darkest Purple the Conceit Was onely what upon his Crown was seen His dreadfull Guard ten thousand Curassiers Before Him trots and all his Passage cleers 167. Of Sumptures and of Wagons a vast Sea Flow'd part before their Prince and part behinde It seem'd the I ransmigration to be Of all the Earth at once now bent to finde Some other World whose larger Bounds might give Leave to those straitned Swarms at large to live 168. In this magnifick State his progresse He Through his usurp'd World did pretend to take A well known Circuit where incessantly Some hellish businesse He himselfe did make Onely He now a fiercer Lyon was Than when He roaring up and down did passe 169. For though that roaring Voice loud Terror spoke Withall it gave Men warning to beware But when hee with Majestick Grace doth cloke His theevish Enterprise He charmeth Fear Asleep for who would Dream a King in so Great Pomp a stealing would and cheating goe 170. See'st Thou that ruefull Place that Garden where Eternall Barrennesse deep-rooted grows Where unrelenting Flints and Pebles are Both Soil and fruit That Sceen thy Lord did choose Wherein to wrestle with keen Famine and Give her free leave on her own ground to stand 171. And hither came great Satan with his Train Where finding Jesus in whose fallen Cheeks Hungers deep Characters were written plain With seeming Princely Pitty off he breaks His course the Steeds in foaming Scorn to stay Their Bridles champ'd and stamp'd upon their way 172. But He more gentle seem'd than They were wroth For when he on thy Lord had fix'd his eyes Three times upon his Breast He beat with both His hands his Head he sadly shaked thrice And then as oft to Heav'n he looked up And cunning Tears He every time did drop 173. He hop'd the pined Man would bend his Knee And from his pittying Hand some Succour crave Whil'st yet he could receive He look'd that He Would ope his Mouth as well as did his Grave But He was yet to stout to buckle down He nobly held his Tongue and held his own 174. With that the royall Tempter thus began My Pitty never was till now neglected By any He that wore the face of Man Much lesse by such whom Famine had dejected Almost below all Humane Looks And yet Perhaps some Mystery may be in it 175. That thou with Patience canst endure to be The miserable Prey of Famine and Forbear if not disdain to ask of Me Who with all courteous Succour ready stand Implies thy strength what e'r thy Face appear Higher to move than in an humane Sphear 176. Where e'r she had it Rumor sent of late A strange Relation to my ear which she Profess'd she took both from the Leaves of Fate And from experimentall Veritie 'T was that the Son of God had chang'd his Home And here to sojourn on the Earth was come 177. She added that his Garb was plain and mean Because He was a stranger here below And rather came to see than to be seen As wisest Travellers are wont to doe But more she told Me not perhaps that I And my good Fortune might the rest descry 178. For deep my Honor it concerns and Me That ready Entertainment should attend Such mighty strangers And if thou be He Take notice Thou hast met a Royall Friend A Friend both able and resolv'd to prove That thou all Glory hast not left above 179. But yet these Deep-plowd Wrinkles ill would suit My solemn Forehead and this reverend Snow My Head and Beard if Rashnesse should confute Those sage and sober Tokens if I now Who long agoe have purchas'd the esteem Of Grave and Wise should Light and Credulous seem 180. Then since my Credit calls upon me for Some certain Proofe You must not that deny 'T is reason you assure Me who you are Not can Assurance sealed be but by Some potent Demonstration which may show That Nature and her Rules can bow to You. 181. If you be He whom God doth own for Son And God forbid you such a Truth should hide Let it suffice your Fast thus far hath run And now a Breakfast for your selfe Provide Loe here a Borde with Pebles ready spred Speak but the Word make them Loaves of Bread 182. The Tempter so But Jesus wisely saw How He suspended was in jealous Doubts And by this Artifice contrived how To extricate his snarl'd perplexed Thoughts He therefore means by heav'nly Art to cast Upon his hellish Craft a darker Mist. 183. For as a noble Champion when the Blow Hastneth with deadly aime unto his Heart With wary Buckler back again doth throw The intercepted and deceived dart So did thy Spouse by Gods unconquer'd Word His ready Shield against the Tempters Sword 184. 'T is written that
daring Men Affronted God with to wring Villanie Forgot its ever-polish'd Smiles and in Tempestuous Violence breaking through the shore Of heav'n a flood of Death on Earth did poure 237. So now thy noble Spouse who never yet Had suffer'd frowns to gather on his Brow An angry Look against the Tempter set And with disdainfull Answer made him know That all his Pageantry did not conceal Nor Him nor what he sought to hide his Hell 238. Proud Satan 't is enough that I said He Thus long have seen and born thine Insolence Loe I defie thy Promises and Thee Vainer than them I charge thee get thee hence Behinde my back and there thy shamelesse Pride If any thing may hide it learn to hide 239. Does not the sacred Scripture plainly say Thine Adoration Thou to God shalt give And unto Him alone thy Service pay All Heav'n forbid that We should Him bereave Of his due Homage and embezill it Upon the Prince of the infernall Pit 240. As when on Sodoms Impudence of old Heav'n pour'd its Fire to purge those lustfull flames The wretched Town repented not yet howl'd And mix'd its tears amongst the Brimstone streams But all in vain for straight the Houses burn'd And with their Dwellers into Ashes turn'd 241. So now at Jesu's Answer which did flie Like Lightning from his Lips the Globe did melt And nothing of that Universall Lie Remain'd but Ashes which so strongly smelt That other Stincks compar'd with this might seem Perfumes and Arabies breath in Sodoms steam 242. Confounded Satan backward from his Throne Fell down the Mount and tumbled into Hell Whil'st the loud Trumpet of his bellowing Groan His dreadfull Comming to the Deeps did tell But as he fell his Horns and Taile and Claws Brake out so did the Sulphure from his Jaws 243. His yelling Peers and lamentable Crew Of Pages tumbled headlong after Him Presenting to thy Lords victorious View A Copie of that Sight when from the brim Of highest Heav'n them and their King He beat Down to the bottome of their damned Seat 244. And now the Sceen is chang'd and Satan to The Lord his God his Adoration paid Which to himselfe he woo'd that God to doe So Jesu may all Treasons be betray'd So may all Rebells finde their cursed feet Snarled for evermore in their own Net 245. Whil'st these three Conflicts pass'd Heav'n set its Eye On its divinest Champion but forbore All Helpe or Comfort till the Victory Was cleerly gain'd When loe triumphant Store Of Angells hovering down with high-straind Lays Back to the sphears return'd the Victors praise 246. O Psyche hadst thou heard that royall Song Thou would'st have learn'd how We above imploy Our blessed Time wher on each high-tun'd Tongue Sit endlesse Raptures of excessive Joy Whil'st every hearty Angell as he sings Clapps his Applause with his exultant 〈◊〉 247. Their Gratulation ended on their Knees A sumptuous Banquet They to Him present Wherein was choise of all Varieties With which Heav'ns King could his dear Son content And He in whom all princely grace doth reign Was pleas'd their ministry not to disdain 248. But when He thus had broke his mighty Fast The Fury which so long lay in his breast Impatient gnawing Famine out hee cast Returning her unto her odious Nest And bid an Angell tie her in that Chain When hee had drove her to her Den again 249. There must she dwell and never be let loose But when his royall Pleasure thinks it fit To poure his Wrath on his relentlesse Foes Whom lusty Fatnesse makes too bold and great To be his Subjects in whose Laws they hear Of Abssinence a yoak they will not bear 250. And now by that Eternall Spirit who Brought Him into the lists of this great Fight He to the Coasts of Galilee doth goe Whither He could have flown by his own Might But Heav'n was studious to attend Him and In his great Businesse joy'd to have an hand 251. Another World of Wonders will appear When thither I shall carry Thee but now Thou shalt repose thee here a while and cheer Thy Spirits to run that ravishing Race I know That thou so dear are thy Lords wayes to Thee Would'st longer Fast but now it must not be 252. This said He spred his wing as he before Had often done and on that Table set Out of his own unseen but copious store Chaste and delicious Cates for her to eate She blest her gratious Lord who fasted so Long time before he eate and then fell to 253. But whil'st on those externall Meats she fed Her soule sate at a secret feast for she Her Hearts fair Table fully furnished With the rich Dainties of this Historie Knowing her Lord and this advanc'd the Cheer Did Fast and fight not for himselfe but Her 254. And now because the Sun made haste to rest And smok'd already in the Western Deep Phylax his chariot curtains drew and prest The Virgins Eyes to doe as much by Sleep One Wing beneath and one above her head He layd and turn'd her Bord into her Bed PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO X. The Marveils ARGUMENT LOve to convince the World in whom alone It ought to treasure all its Confidence Affords a fair and full Probation What undeniable Omnipotence Dwelt in his Hand which alway sheltered Those who unto its Sanctuary fled 1. IT is not Beauty which its Blush doth owe Unto the Pixe and Pencill 'T is no King Who on the Stage doth make a rusling show And thunder big imperious Words which ring With awfull Noise about the Sceen when He By the next Exit must some Begger be 2. All is not Gold that in a glistering Ray Fairly conceals its foule hypocrisie The gareish Meteors though they display Good store of shining Proofs will never be Own d by the Stars for Bretneren nor can The Ape with all his Tricks be genuine Man 3. The heady Rebell though all Texts he skrews To force Truth to confession of a Lie Though at the Barr of Natures Laws he sues To justifie unnaturall Liberty Though Conscience and Religion the thigs He overthrows he for his ground-work brings 4. Though from Successe a firmer Argument For the Odrysian Christian-hating Race He pleads the Sanctity of his Intent And blasphemously makes Heav'n own his Cause In vain strives to transforme his hell-bred Sin Which still makes Him to Lucifer a kin 5. The staring Wizzard never yet could by His mumbling Charms his Herbs his Lines his Wand His hideous Sacrifices form a Lie Able against the face of Truthe to stand Nor can his Master Satan though all Hell He rends or blends effect a Miracle 6. Oft has he ventured and strove to tread In those Almighty Steps of Heav'n but still The Paces were so wide that all He did Was but the proving of his feeble Will His Wonders never reach'd above Deceits With which imprudent Eyes and Hearts he cheats 7. No God alone is King of Nature and She hir own Soveraign
and trie How He from Juda's bosome might remove Intruding Hells pernitious monarchie For Heav'n forbid that Pitties Lord should fashioa A way to plunge Him deeper in Damnation 60. O no! may those black Mouthes for ever be Damm'd up with Silence and with Shame which dare Father the foulest deepest Tyranny Upon the God of Love And busie are In pleading it from his own Word although By it they make Him Contradictious too 61. But all the rest were faithfull Soules who stood True to their Lords Cause which they strove to write As He in His had done in their own blood And never started at the sharpest Fight But by their own Deaths studied as they Were able His great Death how to repay 62. James was the first old Zebedees elder Son To whom proud Herods Sword the way cut ope And gave Him leave that noble Race to run Which leadeth straight to Heav'ns illustrious Top. How little dream'd the Tyrant that He did Put on his Crown when He took off his Head 63. The next was Philip who with noble Heat Flew to the North and hunted out the Ice From those dull Hearts which ne'r with Heav'n did beat But with congealed stupid Ignorance freeze For his large Sceen was snowie Scythia where December takes his Walk through all the year 64. When He that Winter all on fire had set With Christian Flames He bent his Course into A Clime which should have been much warmer but At his lifes price He found it was not so For soon He saw that more than Scythias Ice Bound up the Heart of Hierapolis 65. Joves Name had left no room for Jesus there And when He tells the People of the shame The Nails the Crosse his Lord for them did bear He his own Torments did aforehand name Enough of Jesus now said They for We Will quickly make as good a God of Thee 66. Then with a thousand Taunts they pierce his ear And next with nails his sacred Hands and feet And so his Crosse with acclamations rear Where like a Mark to fury being set Flints neer as hard 's themselves they poure upon Him And from their World thus into Heav'n did stone Him 67. Thomas whose Doubts did fix his Faith so Fast That neither Life nor death could make it shake With Jesus in his Mouth through Parthia past And charm'd what Rome could never pliant make The AEthiop's too did hear his Voice but He Resolv'd to reach the Worlds Extremity 68. He had observed how the greedy West Into the East was drawn by thirst of Gold Which had the Suns and Natures Courses crost And into Jndu's Mouth the Ocean roll'd And will none goe a richer prize to win Than that fair Ore said He the Soules of Men 69. Sure Indians Soules of purer Metall are Than that which Avarice doth so far adore Thomas will thither trade though India were More Worlds off than it is from Jordans shore For in his Zealous Sails Gods Spirit blows And not to fetch but carry Gold He goes 70. If Gold be not too poor a Name to set Upon the forehead of his royall Wares Loves Joyes Peace Glory Blisse and every Sweet Of sweetest Paradise He thither bears For these and more than these inshrined be In Jesu's Name Heav'ns best Epitomie 71. With this He traded to make India rich And not Himselfe who now could not be poor As having more than All though not so much As any thing layd up in provident Store He knew his Lord was Plenties King and He Did as his own account His Treasury 72. Close to his work without all further care He falls and having op'd his Merchandize Come Buy saies He for though these Wares be far Above your glittering Ore's adored price Yet you on Trust may goe for all this Blisse Give but your Faith and yours the Treasure is 73. The Brachmans wonder'd at the generous Man So did the sage Gymnosophists untill A barbarous unmoved Faction Pass'd a blinde Act of Spight to seize and kill The noble Merchant who as ready stood To poure it forth as they to suck his Blood 74. Arm'd with their Kings Consent and with their spears Unto his Heart they ope their cruell way Whil'st He with sweet content their Madnesse bears And for his Doubting Hand returns this Pay This finall Pay for that now faithfull Hand Which deep in debt to 's Masters Side did stand 75. The younger Jame's whose noble Family Advanc'd Him to be Brother to his Lord Much neerer grew of Kin by Piety No man with stouter fervor Him ador'd Nor with more resolute Constancy than He Witnesse his reverend Forehead and his Knee 76. His Knee all plated with Austerity Which on the Temples Pavement night and day Did naked dwell till it arriv'd to be Hard as the Marble which beneath it lay There never grew on painfull Camels Knees So stiffe a Proofe of Patience as on His. 77. His Forchead which was sealed with the same Stamp of Severity for by Prostration Its fleshie Tendernesse hee overcame O sacred Impudence of Humiliation Whil'st wicked 〈◊〉 armed were with Brasse His prous Front in Brawn immured was 78. A Brawn which shall hereafter check their Pride And foolish Superstition who by new Coyned Devotion will the Old deride And think no worship from the Body due But in pretence their Conscience tender is Maintain their dainty Fleshes Tendernesse 79. His dearest Meat and drink was to fulfill His Masters Pleasure Ne'r did dangerous Grape Its blood on his abstemious Palate spill Nor stain his sacred Cup for mean and cheap His Liquor was the virgin Fountains were His onely Cellars and his onely Beer 80. Ne'r did the rampant flesh of Birds or Beasts Reek in his Kitchin nor sweat on his Board Chaste Moderation cooked all his Feasts And well she knew how to content her Lord His highest Fare were sober modest Fishes Where Water serv'd for Beer the aptest Dishes 81. Ne'r did perfumed Oiles his Body dew With their soft Flattery of delicious Sweat Unmanly Bathes his skin did never brew Nor cheat his Vigour with effeminate Heate His Limbs in active Linnen us'd to dwell Being never muffled up and lost in Wooll 82. Nor was that Linnen though full course and plain Contemned in the Peoples Eye for they On bended knees were Suiters to obtain His leave their offrings on its Hemm to lay That as hee through the Streets was passing by Their Lips and Kisses they might sanctifie 83. O how imperious is meek Piety Whether it will or no commanding All Spectators into Love and Reverence hee Who counts Blisse by true Honor must let fall All other Plumes and wisely learn to dresse Body and Soule in humble Holinesse 84. Nay now the surly Priest among the rest Of James his matchlesse Worth convinced is And finding him to be the holier Priest Grants him into the Oracle free Accesse Of which mysterious Place he had the glory And none but hee to make his Oratory 85. He was the holier
Priest indeed for now The ancient Priesthood with the Veil was rent The Diademe too was falne from Juda's brow And famous Salems Regall Glory spent But James did there erect the sacred Throne Of his Episcopal Dominion 86. Yet are the Northern Windes and Irish Seas More trusty than the Jewes The Jewes to day Can heap their Kisses and their Courtesies On him whom They to morrow will betray Jew's Mouths unto thy face can speak all good This houre and in the next will suck thy Blood 87. With Acclamations They this Saint had set In state upon their Temples Battlement Where hee no sooner did assert the great Name of his Lord but with one mad consent Of Rage they throw him headlong down and stain The ground both with his blood and with his Brain 88. Zelotes and Thaddaeus that brave Pair When He in Egypt preached had and He In Mesopotamia united were To reap in Persia their felicity This was the Crown of Martyrdome which in The Quarrell of their Saviour they did win 89. Peter the Leader of that glorious Train When he had fix'd the Antiochean Seat For his more reverend Throne a place did gain In Caesar's conquering Citty where the great Irradiations of his Fame did call Romes noblest Strength to trie with Him a Fall 90. This Strength was Simon whose Apostacie From Truth in Deeps of Magick Him did drown But more in Lies and desperate blaspemie For all Gods Rights He claimed as his owne And left no Trinitie in Heav'n but taught That He himselfe alone with it was fraught 91. The Father in Samaria the Sonne In Jewrie and in all the world beside The Spirit He preach'd Himselfe And yet alone Pretended not ability to guide His owne Creating Hand but when He made The Angells granted He had Helens aid 92. This was the surest way he had to gain His pretious Whore to set her on his Throrie And in his God head let her Partner raign Besides to help on the production Of Heresies and blasphemous Portents Hell Thought Females usefull then and always will 93. And so the World will say when it has known Priscilla Maximilla and the Pair Of Philumena's with the double Spawn Of lying Elkai for her wretched share In such Deceits some Eve will still come in As Helen heer did into Simons Sinne. 94. He taught his Scholars in Himselfe and Her To treasure up the hopes of their Salvation And heedless Souls the surer to ensnare He freely loos'd the Reins to every Passion No matter how you live or die said He So long 's your Faith builds on my Grace and Me. 95. This was that Champion by whose Magick skill Befooled Nero thought Him God indeed And pray'd Him by some Signall Miracle To dash those daring Wonders Peter did His Credit bid Him to that Motion yeild And set the Day when He would fight the Field 96. The Day is come and Simon boldly makes The Challenge which was unto Heav'n to file With that his Arms he weighs and spreads and takes His unwing'd flight but turns his scornfull Eye Down upon Peter whom into the Hands Of Justice and of Death He recommends 97. The Clowds had gathered thick about the Skie To guard the fair Heav'n from his soule intrusion Yet their Battalia He broke and by His working Arms unto his high Delusion Forc'd ope the way The People as he went Their Wonder after Him and Worship sent 98. But as the never-beaten Fencer lets His bold capricious us Combatant grow high Before He strikes in carnest and so getts A later but a nobler Victorie So Peter letts his Foe alone till He High enough for a fatall Fall might be 99. Then posting after Him with mighty Prayers The Divells which bore Him up He forc'd away Forth with down headlong his aeriall Stayrs The Conjurer fell and on the Pavement lay Where bruis'd and batter d all in gore imbrew'd His black blood and his blacker soul he spew'd 100. Strait in the Peoples Mouths the Divells crie Peter our God hath by enchantment slain And so did this unreasonable Lie Prevail that He is first unto a Chain Condemn'd and afterward unto a Crosse. Unhappy Rome which mad'st thy Gain thy Loss 101. For Thou no sooner gain'st thy freedome from That cursed Wizard but Thou dost betray Thine owne Deliverer if Simon whom Thou seest confounded by the Power which lay In Peters Prayers were a God ô why Must Peter now not be a Deitie 102. Yet He cries out This Altar is too rich For Me so poor and vile a sacrifice Was not the Cross that glorious Place on which My Master paid the Worlds eternall price Sure were some gallant Seraph hear to die This Engine would his Passion dignifie 103. Yet if I must thus high aspire may I At least obtain this leave of you to show That I desir'd not in this Pomp to die So Hang Me that my reverent Head below May pay its finall Kisses on the Feet Of my most royall Saviour's dying Seat 104. Nero to such Requests as these was free Full glad that He had learn'd a new-found-way To cross and double Crucifixion He Commands his Serjeants not to disobey The wretches wilde Desire but so He died To let Him any way be crucified 105. The Saint thus fix'd on the reversed Tree Now findes his Eyes turn'd from all things below As was his Heart before And joyous He In spight of all his obst'nate Nailes knows how That Place to which his Feet did aime to gaine Which Footstoole Simon reached at in vain 106. Andrew his Brother both in Nature's and In Zeale's and Pietie's much straiter Tie Through Thrace and Scythia travell'd with the grand Charge of appeased Heav'ns sweet Embassie The dark Barbarians wondred at the bright Meridian Day amidst their Northerne Night 107. The Day He brought was that which ows its East Not to the East but to the South for there In priviledg'd Palestine thy Lord was pleas'd First unto his Horizon to appeare It was thy Lords sweet Day on which depends The High-noone of that Bliss which never ends 108. Thence into Greece the restless Preacher came Arrogant Greece who though her own She makes The opposite to the Barbarian Name Yet more inhumane salvage Courses takes Than Thrace or Scythia O that famous Arts Should raise Mens Witts yet stupifie their Hearts 109. Achaia smil'd and with disdainfull Mirth Patrae confuted all that Andrew said His Beggar-God's poore miserable Birth And viler Death They scoffingly upbraid Nor did AEgaeus though Proconsul He Stop but spurre on the Peoples Villanie 110. A Cross they make Him of a new-found frame Whither his meek Desire or their wise spight Projected it which thenceforth bare its Name As it did Him that day A Cross not right Erected and transverse but thwarted so That it a X more then a Cross did show 111. A X the blessed Letter which began His Masters deare Name and his own His Cross It self proclaims He dies a Christian
Serenity To which the Ocean is but poor in Treasures His own dear Breast to Thee hee opened wide And let Thee in unto its fullest Tide 138. There did'st Thou lie and learn thy Soule to glow By the dear Copy of thy Pillows Heat A Pillow in whose soft Protection Thou Put'st all thy Cares and Fears to rest And yet Slep'st not thy Selfe for how could any Eye Indure to close when Jesus was so nigh 139. There did'st Thou lie next to the Heart of Love Whose ravishing Imbraces kept thee warm With all the best of Heav'n no more above But folded up in his incircling Arm Which forc'd all wise Spectators to conclude Thou wert aforehand with Beatitude 140. The loftiest Stories where pure Seraphs dwell Exalted in Felicities bright Sphear Thy dainty Habitation did excell For at his Foot-stoole They lie prostrate there Amidst the Sweets of whose all-balmey Breast Thine onely Head makes its delicious Nest. 141. What potent Joyes what mysticall Delight Woo'd and besieg'd thy Soule on every side Whil'st thy inamoured Spouse spent all the Might Of heav'nly Tendernesse on his dear Bride How many healing Wounds gave his Loves Dart How many living Deaths to thy soft Heart 142. How did hee study to epitomize His Incarnation's amorous Designe And trie the best of Mercie 's Mysteries Upon thy single Soule in which divine Experiment it was thine onely Grace To fill his universall Churches place 143. Thus while he liv'd he sweetly liv'd in Thee And when hee di'd Thou saw'st him nayled fast Unto his Death Yet no Mortality Could seize upon His love for by his last And tenderest Words whil'st hee Himselfe did die To Thee he gave Loves living Legacie 144. Into his dearest Mothers Bosome hee Commended Thee and bid her own her Son What Nature could not Love contriv'd to be And Mary must be Mother unto John Jesus and John Love had so closely ti'd That in their Mother they must not divide 145. Mary no other Glass could findè where she So fair an Image of her Sonne might read Nor John so pure a Mirrour wherein He His ever looking-longing Eyes might feed On his dear Lord Thus Love though dead and gone Sweetly leaves John his Spouse Mary her Sonne 146. No wonder gentlest Saint that on thy Tongue Love built his Hive and dropp'd his Hony thence Whilst thy Soul-charming Words rellish so strong Of Heav'ns best Sweets and choycest influence That Love from his own Wing lent Thee the Quill Which all thy Lines with Charity doth fill 147. No wonder Thou brave Eagle soar'dst so high And div'dst so deep into the Suns bright face Where Thou didst read the Words great Mystery By which thine Eye refin'd not dazeled was No wonder that Thou didst thy Gospeli fashion And Calculate by God's own Elevation 148. No wonder that Port Latin saw the Oile Scalding in vain Thou who didst live by Fire And in whose breast such amorous streams did boile Could'st feel no other Flames O no! some higher Fervor of Love must melt thine own and send It to the flaming Bosome of thy Friend 149. The Languishments of never-faint Desire Must crown thy Life with correspondent Death Though by sharp Pains thy Brethren did expire This dainty Martyrdom must end thy Breath So Heav'n has privileg'd thy Piety Thou who did'st Live by Love of Love must Die 150. Pardon me Psyche I could not forbear This deare Apostrophe John was the Man Whose virgin flaming Worth made Him be neer Of kin to our Angelick Tribe and can We mention him and not salute him too Whom Honors Soveraign Lord has honor'd so 151. And pardon Me that I have dwelt so long On his Apostolick Bretheren the Glory Of whose death-scorning Valour does no wrong Nor interrupts their Masters royall Story He and his heav'nly Might in them appear'd And o'r the vanquish'd Earth his Banner rear'd 152. Mark now that Mount which lifts its lofty Head Neer to Bethsaida whence it takes a view Of all the Countries round about it spread Nor Zebulon nor Nephthali out-flew Its Prospect which through Trachonitis too And Ituraea did sublimely goe 153. Yea though far distant it acquaintance took With other Mountains unto Hermon 〈◊〉 And stately Libanus it reach'd a Look This was that noble Oratory where Thy Lord so oft retired that the Place Thenceforth the Mount of Christ 〈◊〉 was 154. A Mount where liberall Nature did her best Witnesse the flowrie Beauties smiling there But Grace far more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Than that bright Pomp which and of old prepare For the Lawgivers feet the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of Sina mix'd with Thunder Smoak and Dread 155. For here no Trumpet spake the Frightfull Minde Of stern Imperiousnesse no rigid Law Back'd with an everlasting Curse injoyn d The World to its hard Yoak their Necks to bow But Love himselfe upon his gentle Throne Gave the soft Lawes of Benediction 156. Eight Springs of Blessednesse abroach hee set And woo'd the weary World to bathe in Them Their Cares and Fears hee taught Them to transmit And bury all Solicitude in Him He pass'd his Word Heav'n should their Purveyor be Who served in the Warrs of Pietie 157. His Evangelicall Oeconomie He instituted here and so improved The highest Pitch of Legall Sanctitie That though incumbering Burdens hee removed Yet more Bonds of Perfection on hee laid And wonderous strict his Mercies Candor made 158. His Reins were Silk but yet hee held them strait And drove amain providing by that Art That in their Passage no enchanting Bait Might his Disciples lure and tempt to start Out of the King of Heav'ns high Way but to His Kingdome safely and directly goe 159. His blessed Rules and none but His are They Which past the Puritie of Gold refine Gross Mortall Hearts and sublimate poor Clay Into a State Angelick and Divine Whilst by his Spirit He scours off sinfull Rust And into Heav'n blows up the purged Dust. 160. But turn and view those Desert Fields which lie Next Neighbours to the Galilean Sea Into that hopefull quiet Privacie Devotion had withdrawn thy Spouse but He Had given the People too much tast of his Sweetness to think He long could scape their Press 161. For as the busie Bees who once have found 〈◊〉 Garden haunt it day by day 〈◊〉 out every flower and humming round About the Tops of their delicious Prey So to that Garden for thy Lord had by His presence made it so did People flie 162. Jesus who bow'd from Heav'n poor Man to meet Could not refraine to entertaine the Throng With gracious ready Welcome He did greet Each Troop and Party as they came along Dealing his Courtesie to great and small Who came to be the Saviour of All. 163. Then as the wise Physitian first takes care That all the Vitall Parts be sound within Before He spend his pains on any Soare Which sinks into the Flesh or on theSkin Doth swimme So did his Tenderness to those His numerous Patients his art dispose 164. Their Hearts
and Brains with long Distempers were Into a desperate Condition brought Had they not met with His all-healing Care For from his Lipps such Cordialls straight broke out Such Salves such Balsams that all Heav'n did seem Turn'd into Physick to recover Them 165. Heav'ns Kingdome was the Med'cine He appli'd A Med'cine which its Doctor did become A Med'cine fit to slake and cure that Pride Which made poore Man so sick His Home from home To finde his lost Sheep unto Earth He brings And is resolv'd to heal them into Kings 166. Sweet words of Wisedome Power Life and Bliss Into their Ears He pour'd and in their stream So rarely He infus'd all Paradise That what did nothing but a Sermon seem Was liquid Heav'n Thus the rich Gemme unseen Swumm in the Boule of the Egyptian Queen 167. Never did Ethan the sage Ezrahite Never did Heman Chalcol Darda who On Wisdom's Wings exalted to the height Of noble Fame about the World did goe Never did Trismegistus never did The deepest Reach of Zoroastes Head 168. Never did Solomon whose gallant Wit High as the Heav'n and deep as was the Sea Unlock'd and ransack'd every Cabinet Of darkest Nature dive so farr as He Or drop such Sentences and Parables As those with which his deep Discourse He fills 169. Yea ev'n the Serpent in whose wily Head All Craft doth raign when He thy Grandame Eve With his profoundest and most studied Inchantments tri'd of old and did Deceive Less sweetly and less subtlie spake than now The Sermon from thy Spouse's Lipps did flow 170. The Serpents Preachment onely was to steal Eve into part of his own Miserie Thy Spouse's end was onely to reveal The way unto his owne Felicitie And Heav'n forbid but Truth as strong should be As undermining Lies and Flatterie 171. It was as strong by full Authoritie Shewing its own authentick Might and Worth And not in doubting sneaking Jelousie Of labouring for an abortive Birth 'T is the Scribes Chair which totters thus not His Which surer than the Worlds Heart fixed is 172. He as Amphion by his charming Song Rude salvage Hearts did tame and civilize By the high Sweets of his more potent Tongue Did all his Auditors with Heav'n surprize The senseless Sphears a ravishing Sound can make Much more his Voice from whom their tune they take 173. This done The tender God his Love extends Unto their Bodies Ears unto the Deaf Feet to the Lame Eyes to the Blinde He lends And findes more choise of soveraign Releif Then they of Wants O copious Saviour who At once can heal both Soule and Body too 174. The Day grew now decrepit and the Sun Bow'd to the West when the Disciples pray Their Lord to give the Croud leave to be gone And get their Suppers in the Towns which lay About the Deserts verge O no say'd He They are my Friends and they shall sup with Me. 175. Alas how will You entertain eri'd They These numerous Mouthes Two hundred pence in Bread Will not yeild every one a bit what way Shall then this mighty Feast be furnished How shall thy Table stored be with Dishes Here 's nothing but five loaves and two small Fishes 176. As yet they knew not Psyche that their Lord Was He who to the copious Rivers does From a small Fountain all its Streams afford He by whose Providence from one Candle goes That fertile Flame which lights a thousand more Without diminishing its originall Store 177. He by whose Power Elijah did command The finall Hand-full of the wasted Meal To grow upon the pious Widdow's Hand Which strait did his Injunction fulfill And by a springing Harvest more than turn The pined Barrell to a plenteous Barn 178. He in obedience to whose Might though at Elisha's Word the Pot of Oile a waked Into a Spring whose bubling ceased not Till Want of Vessells its Abundance slaked But then grown wisely Thrifty it represt Its Bounty that there might be Nothing lost 179. He whom the same Elisha did foreshew When He before an Hundred People set That simple Pittance which in Spending grew And being small at first at last was great The Eaters Teeth unlocking but the Way Unto the Store which in that Little lay 180. But now He taught Them Goe said he and make My Guests by fifty on a row sit down This done The Fishes and the Loaves he took In his creating Hands when to his own Heav'n lifting up his Eyes and saying grace His Blessing in the Victualls swell'd apace 181. He brake the Loaves and every Peice he brake Strait prov'd as great 's the Whole no Crum did fall But rose into a Loaf Thus when you make Division of the smallest Line still all Are Lines as well as it although for ever The new emergent Parts you should dissever 182. By strange Division the Fishes too He taught to spawn a new and wonderous Frie Though dead yet at his Touch they started so That Two usurped Multiplicitie No longer Two but a large Shoal which from The Sea of Love out at his fingers swumm 183. Then his Disciples Service He commands To set before his Freinds this growing Feast Both Bread and Fish into the Peoples Hands They strait distributed and every Guest Fell to admiring how that simple Meat Made them forget all Hony to be sweet 184. The Quails and Manna had been homely Fare Which Heav'n did in the other Desert shoure When hungrie Israel was a Pilgrim there Had this been present then The Wines brave power At Cana born excell'd the Grapes best Blood So did this Feast to Day all other Food 185. Satietie at length not nauseous But sweet and comfortable put a close Unto the Banquet When thy generous Yet thrifty Lord injoyns Them not to lose His Bounties surplusage nor scorn the Meat Because he gave Them more than They could eat 186. Strait-way the Fragments all collected were Which fifty hundred feasted Men had left When loe the Totall was exceeded far By those remaining Parts the teeming Gift Persu'd its strange Multiplication still And with the Relicts did twelve Baskets fill 187. Beleeve it Psyche thy wise Spouse did by This Wonder to a greater ope the way The long design'd and pretious Mystery Of his own Body which He meant to lay Upon all Christian Altars there to be The endlesse Feast of Catholick Piety 188. A Feast which shall encrease upon its Guests And be intire when Millions filled are A Feast of Miracles a Feast of Feasts Not to a Desert ti'd but every where Dispers'd abroad yet every where compleat That all World may freely come and eat 189. The feasted People were dismissed now And Jesus steps into that Mount to Pray Sure 't was that Blisse along with Them might goe Whom He so carefully had sent away That Night might not upon their Path incroach Nor Dangers Ambushment their footsteps touch 190. That by that Miracle which thus unto Their Teeth had prov'd his Power Divine to be All other
fruitlesse Helps they might forgoe And build their Trust on His Divinity But His Disciples now seeing their Lord Would have it so were gone before abord 191. That Sea whose face Thou see'st all polished With flattering Calmnesse smil'd just so on Them When first they launched out But Fraud lay hid Under the glasse of the alluring Stream Truth needs no smiles 't is onely Treasons face Which painted is with spruce but borrow'd Grace 192. As when an envious Spirit can finde no way To vex the Masters Person He doth make Either his Servants or his Friends his prey And at the second hand his Veng'ance take So Satan now too weak with Christ to fight On His Disciples vow'd to ease his Spight 193. Deeply He pin'd to see the People fed And now resolv'd that He Himselfe would Feast Yet by the Seas vast Mouth he purposed His Dainties to devour and thus at least Part of the Miracle revenge and though Not for the Loaves quit for the Fishes grow 194. He from the Adriatick Main and from The Baltick Ocean and the Irish Sea Summon'd all unexpected Storms to come And here poure out their utmost Treachery He made each Winde pick Quarrell with his Brother And in a mad War tumbled Them together 195. The East was peevish sharp and grim the North The West impetuous black and foule the South Each puff'd and swell'd and in disdain shot forth Their fury full in one anothers Mouth The bruised Clouds in floods their sorrows pour'd And all the weather-beaten Welkin roard 196. The tatter'd Sea against the shores was flung Which churlishly again repuls'd it back The broken Waves with helplesse Mourning rung And foam'd with pain The startled Deeps did quake And thinking to escape that dismall fray From their profoundest Bottoms ran away 197. And now the Sea within it selfe was lost Whil'st the stern Tempest vehemently broke Through her most hidden Bowells which it tost In proud scorn through the Aire with hopes to choak The Moon and Stars which wilde Confusion Made both the Waters and the Windes be one 198. And thus the Windes flow'd and the Waters blew The Thunders Cracks did with the Billows joyn The Lightning flash'd that misery to shew In which all Dread and Death seem'd to combine 'Twixt light and Darknesse hence grew such a fight That now alas 't was neither Day nor Night 199. The woefull Ship flung up to Heav'n in vain Upon the back of an unfaithfull Wave Immediately was hurried down again Into the bottome of its gaping Grave Where yet it could not rest but was spew'd up With indignation to the Tempests Top. 200. The Mast submitted to the Winde and split The Sails forsook the Ship and flew away The Pilot at the Helm in vain did sit Being in need of some kinde Hand to stay And steer himselfe The Sea made bold to come Abord and take a view of every room 201. The Waves laught at the Pumps and crowded in Faster than they could turne them out Each Winde Bandi'd the Bark contending which should winne The credit of its Wrack Thus may you finde In Tennis-courts a Ball bang'd to and fro Untill some Loss at length doe let it goe 202. Themselves to their Devotions All appli'd For Danger wakes the dullest Piety O where is Jesus now his scholars cri'd How is his promise wash'd away since We Whom for Men-fishers He designed had Must unto Fishes now a Prey be made 203. Yet as their Lamentations swell'd the Tide Of lowder Windes and Waves still drown'd their Crie They once for all most gladly would have di'd But still they saw how Deaths did multiply And throw them and their Ship broken together From one Destructions Mouth into another 204. Mean while the Gulfe of Satans boyling Breast Wrought with as great a Tempest of Vexation To see a crazie Vessell thus resist The Winde and Seas most eager Conjuration Puzzeld and griev'd he wonders what should make A Bark so oft broke still refuse to break 205. At last forth from a mighty Clowd there brake Continued Lightning through the dazeled Air By which the Men spi'd on the Tempests back One marching towards Them and now new Fear Stormed their Souls O the Disciples cri'd By all these Deaths why might we not have di'd 206. Loe heer the Spirit comes whose fatall Wrath Rais'd this Tempestuous Preface to our Woe Hither he bendeth his prodigious Path And tramples all the Waves What shall We doe Behold which way so e'r he waves his Hand The Clouds start back and bow to his Command 207. Behold no Wind durst be so bold as to Disturb his Way with any 〈◊〉 Weather But all officiously behind Him goe Shewing that on his Errand they came hither He comes He comes Sweet Sea ô gape not thus In vain but from this Danger swallow Us. 208. Forthwith their Lord who heard this desperate Crie His Comfort interposed Why said he Add you this Tempest to your Miserie Rending your Hearts with Dread Know you not Me I am your loving Lord and Master and What need you fear now I am here at hand 209. As he whose trembling Neck does ready lie Under the Axe if some unlook'd for Voice Tells Him the Judge is pleas'd he shall not die Starteth and slowly understands the Noise Of his Repreive being already dead In his own helplesse Thoughts and buried 210. So these Disciples drowned in their fears Scarse trust their Eyes which did their Saviour see Scarce would they Credit give to their own Ears Which heard Himself 〈◊〉 that it was He Till forward Peter cri'd O bid Me meet If Thouour Master art thy blessed feet 211. If thou deceiv'st Us not each sirlie wave At thy Command unto my steps will bowe And with Securitie my Passage pave If other wise Can I be worse then now The Sea into our Ship does crowd and I Must either heer or there in Water die 212. Christ bids Him come and out he steps When loe As He went trembling on a high-swolln Wave Comes tumbling in his way and frights him so That all his Courage it does straight out-brave His Heart sunk first and then his feet and all But 's Tongue which to his Lord for help did call 213. Had any other Lord but He been there With what indignant Scorn would He have let His faithlesse Subject meet his Censure where He his unworthy Crime chose to commit Onely Omnipotence is pleas'd to spare Those who distrustfull of its Power are 214. Jesus who never could his Help deny To suppliant Sinners reach'd his blessed Hand That Hand in which alone Security Doth dwell that Hand which rules the Ocean and Measures it in its Hollow and pull'd out Peter from the deep Sea and deeper Doubt 215. And then O thou of little Faith said He Why did that weak Suspition presse thee down What made Thee so forgetfull prove of Me Who in their own Waves can all Tempests drown Come thou shalt see that Windes and Seas do know
The Power of their Maker more than Thou 216. Here being got abord the Ship His Eye Upon the Storm hee set and signified His royall Pleasure Straight the Windes did spie Their duty in that potent Glance and hied A way in such great haste and fear that They Lost all their Breath and Spirits by the way 217. The mutinous Billows saw his awfull Look And hush'd themselves all close into their Deep The Sea grew tame and smooth the Thunder broke Its Threatning off 〈◊〉 Lightning durst not peep From its black Nest being now out-shined by The flashing Mandates of its Masters Eye 218. The Devills which all this while had toss'd and rent The Elements perceiv'd the finall Wrack Fall on their own Designe and homeward went With yelling Cries The Clouds in sunder brake And having cleer'd the Sceen of its loud Wars Left the fair Heav'n all full of smiling Stars 219. Forthwith the Ship without or Saile or Tide Kept its straight course and flew unto the shore Where Jesus deigns to be the Vessells Guide There needs no helpe of time Tide Winde or Oar He whose meer Look could make a Tempest cleer Could by his Eye the Bark both drive and steer 220. Mark yonder shore of populous Genaser Where from a Storm hee once arriv'd before Great was the Wonder he atchived there Where no tempestuous Windes or Seas did roar But raging Fiends who had themselves possest Of an unhappy Mans usurped Breast 221. Those Tombes without the Town Thou seest there These Devills made that Mans chiefe Habitation For to those Spirits such places dearest are As most-invite to desolate Desperation But henceforth Christian Caemiteries shall Revenge this boldnesse and all Hell appall 222. Nor shall the Fiend which wears the famous Name Of wise Apollo dare not to confesse As much to Julian though He cloke the shame Of his enforced Silence Babyla's Meer Dust and Ashes shall have power to stop His lying Mouth and seal his Oracle up 223. Sometimes unto that neighbour Mountains Brow They drove the wretched Man in hopes that hee Out of his tiresome Life himselfe would throw Into their Pit of deeper Misery A thousand Snakes about his heart they wound Whil'st Rage and Madnesse did his Brain confound 224. The froth of which Confusion foamed out At his unquiet Mouth sometimes He roard Sometimes he sung and when the Passion wrought His Tongue to Blasphemy he freely pour'd It forth and rayl'd on Heav'n and God whom yet He thought not of in all his raving Fit 225. The Rocks and Tombes He fill'd with yelling Cries Which deeply frighted every Passenger Poetick Fancy never could devise Such hideous Barking for fierce Scylla or Fell Cerberus Indeed the Thunders Voice Though lowder yet makes a lesse dreadfull Noise 226. He hated all Men but Himselfe much more Than all the World and yet he knew not why Alas 't was Hell which in his Soule did roar Hell the sworn Foe of all Humanity Hell which with all the World maintaineth Wars Yet chiefly with it selfe for ever jarrs 227. And in his bosome it did boile so hot That hee no Clothing would endure to wear Satan of old this envious Trick had got To make Mans shame and nakednesse appear His clothes hee rent and then pluck'd of his Hair And star'd about for something else to tear 228. When any sharp stones in the Rocks hee spied He cull'd them out as they some Gems had been With which his Vengance on Himselfe he tried And lin'd it out upon his launced skin And though they pained Him yet still to spight His Pains He in his Wounds would take delight 229. Hast Thou not seen a Bull led from the stake Where ten keen Mastiffs had full play at Him With Gore and Gashes cloth'd Thence may'st Thou take Some aim how this bemangled Man to limm Yet could not all the Doggs of Albion Bait any Bull as He himselfe had done 230. His tatter'd Brows upon his eyes hung down His Mouth and Nose met in one rent his Head Was slash'd the bone upon his breast was shown His sides were gash'd his Arms and Thighs were flead Till all his Wounds into one Confluence ran As Rivers loose themselves ' i th' Ocean 231. And wonder not that all this tedious while The poor Mans Life could be so hardy as To keep firme truce and be confederate still With his tormented Heart The Fiends could passe No further than their Chain which though it reach'd His Body could not to his Life be stretch'd 232. This added to their everboyling Spight New fire by which they drove and stung Him on To wreak his Madnesse on each Mortall Wight He met as He upon himselfe had done Thus all about the Coast his Terror spread And Cares and Fears and Plots awakened 233. As when a Bear is from the Forrest broke Into some Shepheards Pastures every Town Which round about that Region lies doth look Upon their Neighbours Danger as their own And all their countrey Arms and Dogs unite Against the publick Foe in common fight 234. So did the Gaderens combine their strength The fury of this raving Man to tame Long did they grapple and contend at length By number not by power they over came And loading him with Chains and Fetters thought They now their Foe had in subjection brought 235. But He with irefull Smiles disdain'd their Plot And tearing his vain Chains in sunder threw Them at their heads What-ever Bands they got For they their Project often did renew Whether of Steel or Brasse they prov'd to him But Engins which He tore and flung at them 236. Being thus fierce and fell thy Lord he spied Arrived on the shore and to Him ran He never with more hideous bellowing cried Nor fiercelier beat or cut himselfe than when He near to Jesus drew whose pittying Eye More than all Chains and Fetters Him did tie 237. For straight His tender bowells yearn'd to see Hell domineering in a poor Mans Breast Of which Himselfe and Heav'n should onely be By his Desire and by all Right possest And by that Voice which lately chas'd away The other Deeps Storms He did these allay 238. Foule Fiend He cri'd usurp that Place no more The Man is mine and I his Lord will be I charge Thee to come forth and Him restore Again unto Himselfe and unto Me. O mighty Voice which rent the Devill more Than He had done the wofull Man before 239. For as the Slave who gotten is by stealth Into his Masters Closet domineers O'rall the Bags taking his choise of wealth And all the Bonds he pleaseth rends and tears Wishing more fuell for his peevish Rage And thus revenging his own Vassallage 240. But if his Masters unexpected Eye Happens to apprehend Him in his Sin Its glance like Lightnings Dint so peircingly Afflicts his theevish guilty Soule that in Slavish and thankless meeknes down he fals And on his wretched face for pardon cals 241. So did the Feind beleeve it Psyche were
therefore by these glorious Preachers heer With high Solemnity was witness'd that His Crosses and his Nayls mysterious shame Thenceforth might not amaze or scandall them 298. Then Moses at his feet his Rod threw down In token that He had fulfill'd his Law And came to give a better of his own To which not onely Jacob's seed should bow But all the World whose largest farthest Bound With Jesus and his Gospell was to sound 299. That done a Veil He drew upon his face And cri'd Bright Lord this shade I us'd of old Because my count'nance too illustrious was For the blear eys of Israell to behold But now mine own have need of it to cover Them with the splendor with which thine run over 300. Thine Eyes a spectacle of fairer Bliss Than I of old beheld from Nebo's Head How well was I reserved then for this Days nobler priviledge not suffered To enter and my Wonder feed upon The farr less wonderous Sweets of Chanan 301. But in a generous meek Expostulation Elias argued with his glorious Lord And why said He in most triumphant fashion Did'st thou whirle Me to Heav'n and not afford Me leave to tast one Drop of Deaths cold Cup Since thou thy self resolv'st to drink it up 302. Must JESUS and must not Elias die Must God and not a Worme Forbid it Thou Who of all order art the Deitie And Death unto Mortality allow 〈◊〉 be contented with the last to stay 〈◊〉 till Time dies if then I also may 303. Yet for my self or Heav'n I would not die O no but glorious Lord for Thee alone In thy dear Cause and for thy Name if I The Roabs of Martyrdome may once put on My passage unto Heav'n shall brighter be Than when my flaming Coach transported Me. 304. But heer thy Spouse with a well-pleased Eye Dismiss'd them both Into his Chariot Elias leap'd and back to Heav'n did flie As swift as Arrow by the Tartar shot And Mose's wrapp'd his Veil about his Head And home to Abraham's Bosome hastened 305. When loe a beauteous Cloud roll'd on and spred Its shady Curtains on the Mountains Top In which his own Voice God had treasured And now it brake no other Rain did drop But this sweet Shoure This is my Darling Son Hear Him in whom my Joys doe dwell alone 306. The faint Disciples on their faces fell Amaz'd that Thunder could distinctly speak Mean while their Master did his Beams recall And charg'd his Glories all to hasten back His Godhead needed now no more probation That Glimps being doubled by Heav'ns Attestation 307. Forthwith his Rayes shrunk back into his breast And moderate Beautie repossest his face The orient Lustre which his Clothes had drest Unto their native hue resign'd its place And He returns to his Capacity Of what He long'd for Shame and Misery 308. But turn thee now to Salem ward and see Yon' monument of thy Lords power and Love That hill is Sion and that Pool where He Doth wet his foot is Siloam above Its Bottome lies for in the Mountains breast Its Springs of living Silver make their Nest. 309. Right honest are those Springs and brake not out By wanton Chance but upon Bus'ness flow'd What was th' occasion and how brought about Is not a Story known unto the Crowd But I deare Psyche will unlock to Thee The Bowells of this ancient Mystery 310. When Hezekias heer at Salem sate On Juda's Throne th' Assyrian Power swell'd high And turned sinfull Israell's florid State Into the worst of Woes Captivity For Assur was become an Iron Rod Which Veng'ance put into the Hand of God 311. That first Success so puff'd the Rod with Pride That it forgot the Hand which it did sway And now would needs it self become a Guide Unto it self and choose on what to prey Alas the rash Rods project soon was crost And neer two hundred thousand Twiggs it lost 312. Whilst Rabsheka the foule-mouth'd Generall With Horse and Men and Braggs and Blasphemie Lay against Salem on the suddaine all Provision of Water 'gan to be Short in the Town excepting Tears which now They could be spared least most high did flow 313. This venerable Esay mov'd to trie What He with Mercy and with Heav'n could doe He tun'd his Prayer by the Peoples Crie Which with such Violence to the Sphears did goe That back it bounded unto Sions foot On which He kneel'd and made the Spring leap out 314. The thirstie People all came flocking in Their Mouthes their Bottles and their Potts to fill Th' Assyrians wonderd what they meant but when They spi'd their business about the Well They made a Party out resolv'd to stopp The new-born Spring or else quite drink it up 315. The Citizens themselves to flight betook So did the Fountain too and shrunk its Head Into the Hill and called back its Brook Commanding every Dropp to goe to bed And not to prostitute themselves and be Deflowr'd by Assurs Lipps impurity 316. The Streams obey'd and swifter than the speed Of the impatient Horsmen homeward ran So when the prudent Dame has summoned Her crawling Frie from the incursion Of Violence the nimble Serpents shoot Themselves into their Mothers ready throat 317. The disappointed Souldiers rav'd and swore To see the Fountain mock and scorn them so And cri'd these Jewes have by some Magick Power Broached this weily Spring from Hell to doe Spight to Senacheribs strength and shew that We Cannot so strong as wretched Water be 318. Thus they retired in Disdain and Wrath When straight the thirsty Jewes came back again And loe the Spring found out its former path And courteously met them on the Plain Kissing their feet and smiling in their face For whose sole Service He so watchfull was 319. Thus checkering his Work he never fails To faile his Foes and to befriend his Friends Full often Assur tries but ne'r prevails The wary nimble Fountain alway sends Him empty back And yet could not refuse With liberall Streams to wait upon the Jewes 320. Thus the Sabbatick Fount which all the Week Keeps close at home and lets no Drop spurt out Exactly watches and attends the Break Of the seav'nth Day and then as quick as thought Poures out its Flood and sacrifices all Its Plenty to that holy Festivall 321. A Man there was who from his Mothers Womb Retired Natures dark and secret Shop Into the World but not to light had come Whose Birth did Him and not his Eyes set ope Compar'd with Him cleer-sighted was the Owle So was the evening Batt and earthed Moule 322. For on his brow sate an anneiled Night Which his Birth-Day could not confute In vain His Mother hired the Physitians Might To war against that Shaddow and constrain That imbred sturdy Blacknesse to relent In vain her money and her love she spent 323. Lesse thick the Darknesse was which did revenge The lustfull glances of old Sodoms Eyes When the hot Lovers damped by a strange Invasion of Pitch with
Oaths and Cries Tumbled and toss'd themselves from place to place And sought Lots Door in one anothers face 324. As Jesus spi'd this helplesse Wight for He Warch'd to surprise all Objects of Compassion Speeded by his own heav'nly Charity He to his Succour flies Such is the fashion Of generous Love which never stayes to be Woo'd and importun'd to a Courtesie 325. The simple Man perceiving one draw nigh Fell to the Beggers covetous Dialect Craving for Money Friend that is not my Largise thy Lord repli'd which doth infect Those who desire it Surely Thou would'st finde What Bane thou begg'st wert thou not double Blind 326. Money is that unhappy Dust which flies Full in the face of undiscerning Man And heaps such Mists of Blindnesse on his eyes That Heav'n He cannot see If thou did'st skan Thy state aright Thou might'st thy Blindness blesse Who seest not how monstrous money is 327. I l'e make a thinner Clay than Money which Shall far exceed the Worth of Gold to Thee They are not moneys beams which doe inrich The World with Light and Glory but from Me Alone flow forth those clear and genuine Raies Which blesse the Age with sweet and golden Days 328. This said three times He spit upon the ground And temper'd with his Hand a Soveraign Clay No Salve by deepest Art was ever found Which could so sure all Maladies allay Should pretious Balsame now prove sick and die This Ointment could work its Recovery 329. With this the Blinde Mans Eyes He Oynted yet Was pleased not forthwith to give them sight First an experiment He meant to get Whether his inner Eyes of Faith were bright Then with his Favour to reward and grace The Pool which long before so pious was 330. Bethesda Waters swell'd with full-tide Fame Wherefore though apt Occasion Him invited Time was when He refus'd to honor Them But pour'd his royall love into this sleighted Though worthy Pool which as his Partner He In this his Miracle vouchsaf'd to be 341. To Siloam goe said He and wash thine Eyes And thou shalt see what I to thee have given The joyfull Man with holy Credence hies Him to the Place No Hart was ever driven By scalding Thirst more greedily unto The Rivers than He to this Spring did goe 342. He went to drink not with his Mouth but Eyes Which as He washed loe they 'gan to ope Out flew black Night and all those duskie Ties By which his Sense before was chained up Straight his released sparkling Pupills show'd Like sprightfull Lightning from the broken Cloud 343. And now he lives and sees that he does live And Heav'n and Earth more than by hear-say knows Now every Parcell of the World doth give Him a Remembrance unto whom He owes His power of seeing it O happy hee Who must in every Thing his Saviour see 344. Since from the Darknesse of the first Abysse The Universe was wakened unto light Ne'r was atcheiv'd so strange a Cure as this Which on condemned Eyes bestowed fight In spight of Nature who had put them out Before she gave them leave to look about 345. Now Psyche turn thine Eye to yonder Town Great Salems little Neighbour Bethany A place of dear Remembrance to thine own Beloved Lord from Salems tumults He Would oft retire into that calmy place And still as oft's He came He welcome was 346. For there two Sisters dwelt an holy Pair Industrious Martha who the World did love Yet not so much but Jesus was more dear Although the practick Trade of Life she drove The Cream of her Solicitude she spent To purchase more than secular Content 347. Pathetick Mary one whom Mercy made Her chosen triumph This was 〈◊〉 She Who in the hottest Troop of Sinners had A leading Place such stout Impiety Incouraged her Heart that Hell could not Put her on any Task but she would do 't 348. For seav'n foule Devills had themselves possest Of all her Soule and with imperious Port In the usurped Palace of her Breast Their throne erected and maintain'd their Court What Proclamations or Warrants They So ever issu'd she did straight obey 349. But Jesus who did square his Pitty by No Merit hee in Mortall Man could read But for his Rule took their Capacity Of Succour found how much this Heart did need His potent Help which He forthwith applied And made her Live who now seav'n times had died 350. For from the bottome of Her poys'ned Breast Seav'n hideous Deadly Sins she vomited And having thus disgorged Hell which prest Her down so low to Heav'n she rais d her head Flaming with purest fire of Love as she Before had smoak'd in Lusts Impurity 351. Her brave Devotion she did measure now By the Large Size of Mercy she had gained For as that Mercy did no limits know So to Infinitude her Love she strained She strained hard and would have reach'd the Top If Mortall Passion could so high climb up 352. O Psyche hadst Thou but been by when She Unto her Lord upon Loves Errand came Thou might'st have seen impatient Piety Mount in the boldnesse of its noble Flame First at his Feet it 'gan and then it spred With fair and liberall Fulnesse to his Head 353. That fragrant Ointment which she us'd before To her own lustfull Skin to sacrifice She now on Jesu's sweeter Feet doth poure And adds another showre from her own eyes Then wiping them with her late crisped Tresses She offers there her consecrated Kisses 354. She mindes not what Spectators think or say Love is secnre and carelesse She does mean E'r from her Lovers Feet she goe away To oint or weep or wipe or kisse them clean And by this generous Zeal she Sanctifies Her Locks her Lips her Ointment and her Eyes 355. But as the sprightfull Flame disdains to stay Below and with undaunted Ardor strives To reach its lofty Sphear So she one Day The Reins unto her gallant Passion gives And takes aime at the Top of Heav'n for this I 'm sure said she on Jesu's Temples is 356. She had a Box of Ointment of high price Yet not so pretious as her loving Lord Could the Worlds wealth meet in one Sacrifice All this She freely could to him afford And now unbrideled Love such haste did make That straight the Box or her own Heart must break 357. Indeed both brake and both she poured on His Head who is of Sweets and Hearts the King Straight through both Heav'n Earth the Odours ran Which shall for ever with their Praises ring For now't has lost its Alabaster Cell The glorious Nard in all the World doth dwell 358. Thrift grumbled at the Cost but Jesus who Excessive in his Love to Mary was Vouchsaf'd her generous Soule free leave to goe In the same princely and licentious pace He knows the heats of this unweildy Passion And will allow it brave Immoderation 359. All other Passions eas'ly bounded are Because their Objects are in limits ti'd But Love alone
are digging up his grave Will needs goe learn a surer speedier way To cut that Life which posteth to Decay 16. For Cain th' originall Curses first-born Heir No sooner saw the Furies looks but He Fanci'd them lovely and by far more fair Then gentle Abels blessed Suavitie Unhappie fancie whose mad violence Murder'd a Quarter of the World at once 17. And yet that dreadfull Mark which seald so deep His knawing Guilt on his dispairing face Form his all bloody Foot-steps could not keep Succeeding Generations still they trace The cursed Tract regardlesse of the Cries With which Blood wakens Veng'ance and the Skies 18. With unrelenting Steel they barbarize Their tender Flesh or clothe themselves with Brasse They for Destruction proper Tools devise To hasten on the fate of fading Grasse And unto Times not lazie Sithe their Arts Of Death they add Spears Arrows Swords Darts 19. And being lothe that any Stay should make Them loose the credit of their madnesse They Trust not their own two feet but mount the back Of fiery Steeds by whose fierce speed they may Flie unto Mischeif and in full Carreer And cruel Joy their Brethrens bowells tear 20. Yea though the universal Deluge by Washing away that bloody Torrent and Those who had broach'd it warned Man to see How little need he had to arme his hand Against Himself He madly prov'd No flood Of Water could aswage his thirst of Blood 21. O no! for He still more industrious grow's In Barbarousnes and with it taints the Heart Of 〈◊〉 Learning which He daily draws In all his bloodiest Plots to act its part Hence came those engines which so strangely spit Death's multipli'd and deadlier made by Wit 22. Yet these at length He counts but spights delay Angry that Heav'ns Artillerie doth flie 〈◊〉 then His and therefore seeks a way To Shoot his Wrath as doth th' inraged skie Thus from his Canons mouths the thunders roar The lightnings flash sinoak bullets vengance poure 23. No Furies can with more remorslesse spight Rend one anothers Breasts then Man doth Man Wounds shreiks and gaspings are his proud delight By 〈◊〉 his Prowess he doth scan In Humane Blood He strives to write his stories And by his Murders counteth up his glories 24. Thus milde Humanitie is thrown aside And Manhood takes from War its ominous name Alas and was not Manhood known till Pride And envious Wrath this salvagenes did frame Till Beasts upbraided Men who entertain'd The hellish Monster which all they disdain'd 25. Were there not lustie sins whose sturdy might Could have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 been to feed The boldest valour of the bravest wight And yeeld a fairer Laurel to his Head Then those unhappy 〈◊〉 which smeared are In the thick gore of an unnaturail War 26. But ah that blessed Combat is forgot In this wilde Trade of fighting Sin does here Command in cheife and from its 〈◊〉 shut Whatever doth like Law and Right appear And in their rooms by whole troops listed be Rapes rapine rampant rage and luxurie 27. Shame on their Soules who love this barbarous trade And by this mercilesse Apostasie Erase and quite forget what Nature made Them at the first But their Impietie Swels highest Who the Name of Christian bear Yet stain it in the Blood of causelesse war 28. O shamelesse boldnesse which can in defence Of meek Religion put on Barbarousnes And make the Bond of Sweetnes a pretence To break all other yoakes which dares professe It fights to rescue that whose highest praise Injurious suffrings alwayes us'd to raise 29. The noble Army of those Martyrs who To Heav'n in Triumphs Chariot ascended Had never learn'd Christ and Religion so Both which they by a surer way defended Drowning all opposition in the flood Not of their tyrants but of their own blood 30. Nor did Heav'ns most propitious bottles e're Bestow more fertile shoures on thirstie Earth Then streamed from those Hero's veins to cheer The new sown Churches seeds and help them forth Into that glorious crop which quickly swell'd So high that all the wondering World it fill'd 31. Can others blood their tincture be who are Sworn servants to the glorious King of Peace That King who is a Lamb and who doth wear Of tendernes the white and dainty fleece That King whose onely busines and joy It is to save but never to destroy 32. Into this world his foot He would not set Till every sword return d into its sheath Till Janu's semple with a seale was shut Till Nature was restor'd to lead on Death Till Peace's calm had pav'd his passage plain And Men repented into Men again 33. Yet being Come though Satan could not raise An open tempest to disturb his course He tryes a thousand secret envious wayes Patching with cunning his defect of force He lends fresh malice to the pevish Jews And in the Highpriests heads his Plots he brews 34. Annas and Caiaphas resolve to try How they their glories may assert which now They more and more beheld eclipsed by The reverend lustre which from Christ did flow Upon whose flames if nothing else will doe Rather then faile they his own blood will throw 35. Phylax thought fit a while to dwell upon This story with his Pysche wherefore He After convenient Refection Bids Her sit fast and yeelding then the free And long desired reins to his hot Steeds Quick as the winde to Salem ward he speeds 36. There over Sions head he pulled back The Bridle strait his docile Coursers knew The language of his Hand and 'gan to slack Their pace and in a semicircle flew For by one wing they with the other fought And damp'd their course by wheeling thus about 37. Then lighting on the Hill their mains they shaked Their heads they lifted high and then their voice The bottomes at their mighty Neighings quaked And from their Caverns all flung back the noise But strait as Phylax 'gan to speake the Steeds Seal'd up their Mouths and humbled down their heads 38. Though Psyche thy deare Lord himself indear'd To all this World by those sweet Miracles And millions more than them which thou hast heard Said he yet so importunate was Hels Invidious clamor in the Jewish ears That all Heav'ns Words and Works it overbears 39. And now the thicker Wonders Jesus does More Articles against himself he draws The shamelesse Judges turn his mortall foes Forgetting Right 's and urging Envies Laws And in black Envies impudent esteem No crime so foule as Pietie doth seem 40. But how this Malice brought about her end And rais'd her selfe to that transcendent Pitch Of monstrousnesse which never any Feind With all the wit of Hell before could reach Is worth thy hearing Come sit down and I Will pump this Venom forth before thine eye 41. Before Hells yawning mouth a Cave there is The little emblem of that greater Realme The native house and home of Avarice Who in her craving thoughts doth overwhelm The universe and whatsoe'r she gains As
at their Soveraigns hearts they aime their Swords 199. He call'd no Lightning from the Clouds or from His potent Eyes to flash on Juda's face And throw on his bold Lips that flaming Doom Which due unto their odious Treason was He charg'd not Earth her dreadfull Mouth to ope And on the hellish Kisser close it up 200. O no With heav'nly Tendernesse He cries Friend wherefore art Thou come Strange Miracle Of gentle Patience Who can comprise Thy blessed depth Upon the face of Hell Shall the sweet Name of Friend be printed by Him who beholds and feels its Treachery 201. Is foul Ingratitude plain Apostacie Right down Rebellion now become a freind Or rather is not this Disciple by His curs'd Revolt transformd into a Feind And will his wronged Lord by none but this Deare Name revenge his most invenomed Kisse 202. O Psyche Jesus tortured was to see Judas himself into all Torments throw And by this Charme of noblest Lenitie Back into Heav'n indeavored him to draw He knew Loves Cords were strong and from his Crime By these he strives to hale rescue Him 203. Why art thou come thus to betray thy Freind Why art thou come with Arms against a Lamb Why art thou come all Bonds of Love to rend Why art thou come to fight for thine own shame Why art thou come with this strong Preparation For thy Lords death for thine own Damnation 204. Thy Kisse I in its naturall Language will Kindely interpret and make my Replie In the same Dialect if thou wilt still Imbrace my ever faithfull Courtesie And yeild that Blisse may in thy heart have room Say then my Friend say wherefore art Thou come 205. Thus did the Prince of sweetnesse plead and wooe But the deaf Serpent stopp'd his cursed ear In 's heart the Thirty Peeces chinked so That He no other Harmonie can hear When loe the Souldiers knowing now their Prey On Iesus fell and haled Him away 206. For love of Thee and all his other Brides Thus Psyche was thy Lord content to be Sold at so vile a Rate and Mock'd besides Ev'n by his own Disciples Treacherie Shrink not if thy neer Freinds abuse thy love Since Gods own Favorites so faithlesse prove 207. And let the World by this one Copie learn That hell-bred Boldnesse is not strange or new By which most Fostered Favoured Creatures turn Flat Enemies and lead an armed Crew Of Miscreanrs with bloody Impudence Against the Powers and Person of their Prince 208. But when no mercy could the Traytor winne To entertain his Pardon Vengeance made Haste to poure out her selfe upon his sinne For Satan who his heart possessed had His Treason in his proper Coin repayd And the Betrayer fatally betrayd 209. Into a Corner of the Garden where Thoughtfull disconsolate Night sate thick and black She crowded him alone and having there Prepar'd and fitted her infernall Rack With studied furie not his Body but His captivated Soule on it she put 210. For by the beames of their owne hellish Light Unto Iscariots intellectuall Eyes Herselfe She did display Excessive Fright The Traytors wretched Heart did strait surprise Each Joynt and Member quak'd and sweat and He Felt in this Garden too his Agonie 211. He saw feirce Beizebubs sulphureous face Flaming with swarthy fire His Horns he saw Mounted high on his head with dreadfull grace Which his erected snakie Hair did knaw He saw his adamantine Nails and Paws His steely Teeth his brazen gaping Jaws 212. He saw the Tempest of his flaming Breath Which swarthy Volumes spred of stinking smoke He saw the windows of eternal Death Flung open in his staring Eyes whose Look Slew him alive He saw his Iron Mace His burning feet and his enraged Pace 213. He saw his forked Tail in tryumph thrown Upon his shoulder and his irefull Brow With cruell scorn contracted in a frown Rampant Implacabilitie he saw In every Gesture and did plainly read The full Description of Immortal Dread 214. When loe stern Lucifer threw out his hand And by her Throat his woefull Conscience took And now he cries I 'l make thee understand What thou hast chose and what thou hast forsook Look on this dainty Pair of Damsells heer Who more than Heav'n and God to thee were dear 215. Just at the word He opened to his view The horrid Carkaise of foule Avarice And fouler Treachery not in her hue Of borrowed Smiles and outside Comelinesse But in her naked native Filth and then Shaking his Horns and Paws He thus went on 216. Maddest of Fools how many Hells dost Thou Deserve who with such Hags could'st fall in love When Jesus woo'd thy Heart Well take Them now Th' hast paid so dearly for Them They will prove Sweet Brides and pretiously adorn thy Bed Which in the Bottome of my Realm is spred 217. If any Part at all there be in Them Which is not horrid may my Scepter break And may my royall Tongue no more Blaspheam For once I tell Thee true and Thou mayst take The Devills Word There are few Furies who In monstrous Ouglinesse thy Wives out-goe 218. And was thy Lord so vile a Thing that He Might not with these in Competition stand Did those unthankfull Eyes of thine e'r see A face inrich'd with such pure Beauties and Majestick Graces as in his did shine Making Humanity appear Divine 219. Most stupid Sot How often hast Thou seen Divinity from His great Hand break out How oft might plain Omnipotence have been Read in the Miracles He daily wrought Casting forth all my stoutest Fiends Yet Thou And here He beat the Soule to Me wouldst bow 220. Nay never houle 't is but the Earnest this Of what 's to come Thou needs wouldst bow to Me To Me of whom that Christ the Conqueror is He threw Me down from Heav'ns Sublimity Into that Pit of Pangs where I am now The damned Soveraign of such as Thou 221. Had'st not as good have bowed unto Him Whose Yoak Thou would'st have lighter found than mine I tell thee Judas I am but a grim And rugged Lord what Prizes once I win Infallibly for evermore shall frie In Torments bottomlesse Extremity 222. And is my Hell my everlasting Spight My unrelenting Furie so much worth That Paradise and Heav'n and Jesus might Not finde acceptance Brings Damnation forth Such strong Temptations Can eternal Blisse Not wooe and win as potently as this 223. Sure Hell and Death are gallant Things and I Cannot allow Thee them untill Thou hast Through all Contempt and Hate and Infamie Which Salem or the World can yeild thee past That Preface shall for that eternall Smart Which gapes longs for Thee prepare thine Heart 224. Goe then the Ages Blot and Monster goe Let every Mouth spit on thine hated Head Let every Tongue thick Curses on Thee strow Let every Hand be arm'd to strike Thee dead Let every Eye abhorre thy balefull Sight Let all the World revenge thy Traytorous Spight 225. Let Heav'n
thick the Waiters stand whose Dignity Shines next the Glories of their royall Lord No Prince was on his Coronation Day E'r honored by such Servitors as They. 153. The gallant Cherubs and the Seraphs here With legions of fairest Angels meet And in all awfull Reverence draw neer Ravish'd at what you Mortals Drink and Eat Here royall Principalities attend Here Thrones bowe down heer Dominions bend 154. For when they are above in their bright sphear The glorious Ocean of eternal Sweets Their blessed Eyes behold no richer Cheer Than Mercy on this noble Table sets Nor did the Cherubs which kept Paradise Finde there such glorious Varieties 155. Pure are their Eyes and they can easily passe Through the thick Veil which on the Feast doth lie A Veil which in profound Compassion was Thrown on the Count'nance of this Mystery Which darts more glories from its naked face Than ever did great Mose's Temples grace 156. So long as mortall Grossenesse sticks upon The Brows of Man and cloggs his feeble Sight One glimpse of heav'nly Majesty alone Would seal his eyes up with eternall Night For what exceedeth doth corrupt their reach Transcendent Lustre prov's as dark as Pitch 157. When Batts may venture to the Eagles Nest And full against the Suns their own eyes set When blear-ey'd Owles may leave their gloomie Roost And with safe Looks the Face of High-noon met When Midnight dares throw off her sable Cloke And into bright Aurora's Wardrobe look 158. Then may dim-sighted Men with safety gaze Upon their Lords unveiled Brightnesse then May they directly to his royall Face Without a Perspectives Assistance run Then may they boldly scorn their Eyes to shrowd Under the moderate Shaddow of a Cloud 159. But Jesus who full well their Weaknesse knew Did in the Shelter of plain Wine and Bread Accommodate his Goodnesse to their View That in Familiar Elements they might read The hidden Mystery and happy be Above all that their Mortal eyes could see 160. The time shall come when the dull Dust shall be By the brisk Virtue of the Resurrection Resin'd and rais'd to a Capacity Of radiant and spiritual Perfection When faithfull Soules in their celestial Rest Shall at the Lambs unvciled Supper feast 161. Mean while it is their Priviledge that they May freely in the Shade enjoy the Sun That in the Darknesse they may meet the Day And in Hopes Region finde Fruition But who sweet Psyche would beleeve that hence Man should draw reason of Irreverence 162. Alas when Time shall old and doting grow And Christian Spirits sympathize with it 〈◊〉 will be bold to make this Banquet know That by its Out-side They doe square and fit Their estimation of it and that there Their Faith admits no more than doth appear 163. It must be Superstition if they Should think Gods Table holier than their own If of this Cup and Patin they bewray An higher thought than of those all the Town Use in the publick Inns when e'r they keep Their free Communion of Good-Fellow ship 164. Nor Jove nor Juno nor the silliest He Or She of all that Rabble who were made Gods by vain Man found such impiety In those their Makers as to be betray'd To slovenish Altars and to 〈◊〉 Rites By fained Zeal's irreverent Deceits 165. Must Rudenesse onely be permitted to Attend on Jesu's noblest 〈◊〉 And must it for most pure 〈◊〉 goe Because so grosse and 〈◊〉 Surely We Are much too blanie in Heav'n who never knew Such kinde of 〈◊〉 to our God was due 166. Is this the Thanks for keeping in his flames Of most intolefable Majesty Which once unveild by its immortal streams Would them devour and all their slovenrie Alas that Love should thus neglected be And for no cause but mighty Charity 167. But those brave Lovers of whose generous breast Jesus intire possession has took Are so inamored of this royal Feast That with all humble Reverence they look Upon it and in faithfull pure desire After Angelick Complements aspire 168. Their Hearts beat high with that illustrious Zeal Which fires our Breasts and fain would stoop as low As doe the Seraphs when this Miracle Of Love invites their reverent knees to bow Fain would they have their passionate Piety As infinite as is this Mystery 169. For infinite it is and gladly I Would its Infinitude to Thee display No Theem with such delight could sit on my Admiring Tongue But Angels must give way To ecstacies in such vast Deeps where Love Himselfe the utmost of his Power doth prove 170. Here Phylax ended and observed how The Bait would operate which He had cast To Psyches heart which being captiv'd now By his Discourses Charms and chained fast Unto the Tables foot which He set out This pious answer gently forth she brought 171. My Soules sweet Friend what thanks can I repay For all this honey which thy Tongue hath shed Into my ears and heart 〈◊〉 Phylax may He whom Thou praisedst poure upon thy head Thy full Requitall As for sunple Me What can the poor Worme Psyche give to Thee 172. She can give nothing but 〈◊〉 still A begger 〈◊〉 for further Favours sues Yet not for Cates my stomacks mouth to fill 〈◊〉 No Famins Power could make me chuse My other Diet if at this sweet 〈◊〉 Of Love and Heav'n my Soul may now be Guest 173. And if it be not so I am undone Such Hunger knaws such Thirst does burn my heart That by that Banquets Comfort I alone Can rescued be from this impatient Smart And 't is thy courteous fault dear Phylax who With its Description Me hast ravish'd so 174. The sickly what but Health can satisfie And what but Balsame can desired be To stop the Wounds wide Mouth and bloody Crie What does the hunted Deer so pant to see But some coole Fount or soveraign Ditany What can the Captive wish but Liberty 175. My Health my Balsame and my Liberty My Dear 〈◊〉 and my Fount of Blisse My onely Nectur and Ambrosia lie Treasur'd up in this Banquet If I misse Of this my Wish alas what shall I doe What hope what helpe for my encreasing Woe 176. She fainted here But Phylax reach'd his hand Unto her Arm and Comfort to her Heart I like said He thy noble Ardour and Its fuell 〈◊〉 unto 〈◊〉 Fire impart In yonder House there lives a reverend Priest 〈◊〉 for thy pious foule will dresse this Feast 177. This said He leads 〈◊〉 Virgin thither where In 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 room a 〈◊〉 of Faithfull Hearts 〈◊〉 that great Bus'nesse early did prepare For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 forc'd them to all Arts Of 〈◊〉 and glad they were to choose Such Temples as were hidden from their Foes 178. There in a Chalice and a Dish of Wood The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Poverty The wonder of their Saviours Flesh and Blood With golden Hearts they waited on But We Alas in Patins and in Cups of Plate With Hearts of Wood this Banquet celebrate 179. They in the Strangers Zeal-inflamed eye
Such genuine beams of Piety descrised As soon dispell'd all mists of Jealousie Which serupulous Fear had rais'd unknown untried She is receiv'd Besides the holy Priest By Heav'n was warn'd to entertain this Guest 180. Phylax withdrew his nimble Selfe into His Closet of Invisibility Yet still attended on his Psyche who Approached to the royall Mystery With such brave fervor that her hungry Haste Almost as boundlesse seemed as the Feast 181. O how her Soule into the Dish did leap And dive down to the Bottom of the Cup With what Inamorations did she weep What sighs of Joy did break her bosome ope How did Fear strive with Love How did she groan Between Humility and Ambition 182. O how She thinks her Lips and Heart impure And yet she cannot for a World refrain She knows not how this Life she should endure If from the Life of Life She must contain She knows not how her Iron should for beak To meet the Loadstone now it was so neer 183. Whilst in this dainty Agony she lay Into her Mouth the Priest gives her her Blisse Which to her Heart directly took its way And drown'd it in exuberant Sweetnesses She now no longer Psyche is for she Is all converted into Ecftafie 184. O most Miraculous Feast how fain my Song Would be Luxuriant in admiring Thee But neither mine nor Phylax's high Tongue Knows how to reach that lofty Harmonie Of all united Sweets and Joyes which lie In bounteous Loves protoundest Mystery 185. Yet may my pained Soule have leave to lay At this Songs foot its just and heavy Sighs Which never since mine Eyes first op'd on Day So deeply rellished Lifes miseries The more my shame whose mighty Sins for Me Have earned this Heart-knawing Agonie 186. Time was when Heav'n in this late happy 〈◊〉 Kept open house when this Celestiall Feast Did freely wooe all Hearts to come and fill Their holy Appetites with all the best Of antidated Blisse and grow Divine With this Spirituall mighty Bread and Wine 187. But now both Feast and Bord devoured are By a new Banquet as jejune and drie As barren Air for all this Pulpit Cheer Feeds but the itching Ears strange Boulimie Whilst still the Heart remains as lank and thin And nothing fatter grows but lusty Sin 188. Sin fatter grows so fat that now it dares Kick both at Earth and Heav'n and scorns to be Aw'd by those generous and ingenuous Fears Which are the Reins of Virtuous Modesty It mocketh Veng'ance and derideth Law Because their patient Sword they slowly draw 189. O how come Christian Soules so well content To want the choisest Viands Heav'n could give O how preposterously Abstinent Are they who with all riotous Dainties strive To fortisie the Belly but can finde No Time to Victuall and enforce the Minde 190. Surely those Hero's were more prudent far Upon whose nearer hearts the warmer Blood Of Jesus dropp'd not once a Moneth or year Ordivers Years they with this holy Food Cheer'd up their Soules but every Morning fed And made the Lord of Life their Daily Bread 191. With Heav'n this alway kept their bosomes warme This made Them Eagle-like their strength renew With death-despising Courage this did arme Their gentlest Spirits By this they Masters grew Of Earth and Hell which having trampled down Heav'n too by Violence They made their own 192. But ô my Heart why art Thou stealing thus From thine own Woes thy Neighbours to deplore Time was when whilst thine unsledged Wickednesse Flew not at Heav'ns long patient face nor tore This Judgment thence I once a Week at least Could at this Bord of Blessings be a Guest 193. Then with sweet Comfort could I turn mine Eye Back on the year which with Delight did run Then could I count what Gains I reaped by My constant Trading in Devotion Rejoycing in my satisfied Minde That every Sunday I in Heav'n had din'd 193. But now the flaming Coursers of the Sun Are drawing on the fourteenth Moneth since I Attended on the Celebration Of this sweet life-enlivening Mystery Which yet I then was fain to steal and so A Thief that Day to Paradise did goe 194. I went indeed But a Forbidden Tree Strait woo'd my liquorish Hand and foolish I Beleev'd the flattering Bait and would not see How treacherous an Hook beneath did lie Dear wonderous dear this heedlesse Fault did cost Me For all my heav'nly Joyes and Powers it lost Me 195. It lost Me all and no Recruit was nie But I am lest aPrey to this long Fast O how the Palate of my Soule is drie What burning Drought doth shrivell up and waste The Bowels of my Heart how is my Minde With most uncomfortable Squalor pin'd 196. O how my Understandings Pinions tire And flag below when I aloft would soar What leaden Numnesse damps those hopes of Fire With which my Fancie'gan to glow before What Languor cloggs my fainting Will whilst On dark unworthy Earth thus groveling lie 197. O how this drie and barren Verse attests The heavy Truth of these my Lamentations O pitty Me all you whose gentle Breasts E'r felt the Stings of Mysticall Vexations Pitty Me ô my candid Readers now What makes me tire your Patience you know 198. Had I my wonted Share in that dear Feast Which with celestiall Spirits embraves the Heart A fairer Banquet I for You had drest Who now can onely by my pined Smart Warn You to prize and to imbrace with 〈◊〉 Religious Tendernesse what I have lost 199. Lost hitherto But must that Losse run on And can my Life mean while make good its Name Can Day maintain her Self if once the Sun Deny to feed her with his vitall Flame Can Rivers keep their constant full-tide Course If once the living Spring doth them divorce 201. O tender King of Love whose sumptuous Care For hungry Hearts that high Provision made Behold my starved Soule lies gasping here For one dear Crumb of thy mysterious Bread And craves to cool its burning Tongue one Drop Of liquid Life from thy all-saving Cup. 202. I know my Worthlessenesse sweet Lord and how Unfit I am to look for any Share In those peculiar Delicates which Thou For thine own genuine Children didst prepare Yet to a Dogg once more thy leave afford To catch what falleth from thy Childrens Bord. PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XIII The Death of Love ARGUMENT LOve having Liv'd for Man is pleas'd to Dy To make his purchase sure by Life and Death Through Earths profoundest Gulfe of Tyranny And the vast Ocean of Heav'ns mighty Wrath He nobly waded and upon the Shore Having first spent his Blood his Soule did poure 1. SOule of all Sweets ô Life how dear art Thou To all that ever had a Taste of Thee How much of Heav'n it selfe infus'd doth flow Into the region of thy Suavity Indeed Heav'n were not Heav'n did it not joyn To make it Selfe by Marrying Thee divine 2. Thou in the Center of Divinity Before the Birth of
to be sure his Blasphemie might want No Complement of desperate Impudence Though six and fourty yeares he knew were spent In compassing that works Magnificence He blush'd not to avouch that in three dayes The Fabrick to perfection he would raise 82. But Psyche how shall Feeble Waves prevail Against impenetrable Rocks in vain This wretched Lie indeavoured to assail Unshaken Truth which did in Jesus reign And split it self could the blinde Judges eye Have seen its shivers which about did fly 83. For grant this Article were full as true As it is false Why must it branded be As Blasphemous in Him who in the view Ofample witnesse prov'd his Potencie Sufficient was the Temple to restore When He from Death her Captive Lazarus tore 84. But strait a Murmur rolld about the Hall Which the Fond People toss'd from one another The Council gravely shak'd their heads and all Mingled their jealous Whisperings together Till Caiaphas stood up and ask'd thy Lord Why He no kinde of Answer would afford 85. Jesus who never spilt a word in vain For sweet and pretious was his blessed Breath Would no Reply unto that witnesse deign Which shamelesse Falshood venteth and which hath Its Answer in its self to any Ear But that which is resolved not to hear 86. Wherefore the Preist advisd by Satan now Contests him deep to trie if He could make Him prove his own Accuser All Men know Said He those towring Words of thine must speak A more then Mortall Power nor must thou hope Thy silence now shall lock the Businesse up 87. For by the everliving God whose Name Too glorious is on Mortall Tongues to sit I heer conjure Thee cleerly to proclaim Whither Thou be the Christ whom Holy Writ Has promis'd to the World that Blessed One The Heir of Heav'n and Gods eternall Son 88. O who would think this Consecrated Tongue Which with such reverentiall Awe doth make Mention of God mean while should burn in strong Thirst of most guiltlesse Blood But Hell can break Ev'n into Heaven it selfe and Satan dare Before Gods Throne amongst his Sons appear 89. And He his Scholars teacheth to begin The foulest Crimes with Gods all-beauteous Name That so more easily He may usher in What else by plain and necessary shame Would be obstructed Thus the Charmers Tongue Distills his Poison through his dainty song 90. But he who came Truth 's glorious Lamp to light Was pleased now to give a full Replie His Heav'n his Sire Himself did him excite Himself his Sire his Heav'n not to denie In Me said He fulfill'd your Scriptures are I am God's Son and Heav'ns apparent Heir 91. And though your Eyes now look such Scorn on Me Time comes when they shall melt in tears for this When on the Clouds high Chariot they shall see My Majestie in Glories high Excesse And at the first glimpse of my Power know I have a Judgement Seat as well as you 92. No sooner was this generous Truth profest But Caiaphas in deep dissimulation His politick but bloody Malice drest And starting from his seat in zealous Passion Tore his own Clothes in token of his high Distaste at that presumed Blasphemy 93. 'T is true his Law did cleerly Him forbid To rend his Clothes but what car'd He for Law Who now about Injustice beat his Head And onely aim'd how He the World might draw Into opinion that the Pris'ners Case Beyond all possible holy Patience was 94. Vain Hypocrite keep thy Clothes whole to hide Thy shamelesse self whom Thou one day shalt tear For setting forth this Embleme which doth bid The People use the Pris'ner at the Bar As Thou thy Robe But they are dull and yet Reade not what Thou commend'st to Them by it 95. They read it not But Psyche bloody He Awakes their drowsie crueltie and cries What need we further Witnesses for yee Your selves have heard his wide-mouth'd Blasphemies Speak what you think the Case seems unto Me So plain that I dare let you Judges be 96. O Righteous Judge and worthy of the Chair Of reverend Moses who doth first invite The People unto Blood and then repair Unto their Sentence Whither Wrong or Right Speak what think ye a Firebrand is and will Kindle the Furie of their Murdering Zeal 97. For when the Bloodhounds feel their feet are loose They straight pursue the Sent and with joint Crie Proclaim him guiltie And say They may Those Not live who think He is not fit to Die This roaring Sentence serv'd the turn and so Abused Jesus for Condemn'd doth goe 98. What matter though the sacred Rolls can show No Statute which as due his Life demands This Popular extemporal Vote is Law Enough to yeeld Him into barbarous Hands And He so foul and monstrous is his Cause Must die for breaking that which never was 99. Forthwith the busie Officers and all The insolent Servants take Him as their Prey And setting him amidst the smoakie Hall Make his unmoved Patience their Play Where as a Preface to his deep disgrace Their odious Scorn they spit upon his Face 100. One at his Mouth another at his Eyes One at his Nose another at his Beard His Slaver aimes and impudently tries To shoot his shame with Art Was ever heard Such putid Crueltie Where are ô Jews Your Eyes and Face that thus you His abuse 101. Have not all Beauties made their gracefull seat In this Majestick Look Is Libanus Is Paradise is Heav'n so fair and sweet Are Phebu's Eyes so purely glorious Is delicate Aurora's April Cheek So roseal as this so soft so sleek 102. Cull out ten thousand of the fairest Faces Where goodly Feature ever made her home And draw an Extract of their richest Graces Yet that bright Quincessence must 〈◊〉 come Into the presence of these Looks to which All Humane Beauties cannot hope to reach 103. For ne'r did milder purer Lovelinesse Crown'd with the best of Comlinesse's Joyes Flourish upon so fair a Throne as His Accomplish'd Countenance in which the Choise Jewells of most incomparable Grace Had every one their goodly proper place 104. And must this blessed Face of Sweets alone Be made the Sinck of your vile Excrement Much rather upon Caiapha's or on Great Cesar's Cheeks your Spittle might be spent Or on the Starts whose Fires all lighted were At those bright Eyes your Filth becloudeth here 105. Is this the pay his Spittle must receive His Soveraign Spittle which unto the Blinde His never known nor hop d for Sight did give That now Himselfe his own pure Eyes Must finde Drown'd in the Scum of your foule Mouths O stay Dear Psyche I have something more to say 106. Thy pious Tears are ready broach'd I see To wash this filth from off thy Spouses face But rein them in a while that they may be Officious unto His more deep Di grace The greatest Griefs are still behinde More great Than thine or then the whole Worlds Tears can wet 107. These Varlets when their clotted
Spittle had Made his bedawbed Countenance so foule That They their own Works Sight abhorr'd their Bad They turn to Worse for straight a Cloth they roule About his patient Head which should have been Rather to Wipe and gently make it clean 108. Thus having Blinded all the Worlds sweet Light Some with their Fists some with their Cudgells flie Upon his nead and shoulders and their Spight So gamesome is that he must not deny To make them sport although his Bruises be Of Groans more reason than of Jollity 109. The petulant Caytiffs as they thresh Him crie Great Sir We know you are a Man of God And Pray you would be pleas'd to Prophesie Whose Hand it is that strikes you or whose Rod. No matter though your Eyes that Towell binde Prophets are Seers and cannot be blinde 110. No surer way could Peevishnesse contrive Its most malicious Selfe to multiply For every Jeer they cast and Stroke they give Is now improved and doth double fly Whilst by the Art of Sp ght to over-bear him Each Jeer dos Strike Him and each Stroke doth Jeer Him 111. Ignoble Scorn and sordid Insultation Add Bitternesse unto the Soule of Gall And lend new stings of torturing Vexation To the most barbarous Racks when e'r they fall On generous Spirits O then with what profound Greife did these Taunts thy Lords brave bosome wound 112. But on your Heads bold Wormes your Mocks rebound And though you little think it Jesus sees Your antick Crueltie and the profound Abysses of your foule Impieties Ev'n your black Hearts whose Secrets He one day Ope to the whole Worlds view and hate shall lay 113. You then shall need no Prophesie to declare Who stroke the first or who the second Blow Whose Stroks most hard whose Jeers most bitter were Who did the quaintest Wit of Malice show Your foule Exploits shall then be printed fair Upon your Foreheads and themselves declare 114. Whilst at this working Play they busie were Jesus ne'r shrunk or sought to shield his head But was as ready all their Spight to bear As they to heap it on him Never did The patient Anvill more unmoved stand Under the Labouring Smith his iron hand 115. For He himself resolved was to wade Through the Red Sea of all Disgrace and Pain To bless and sanctifie the noble Trade Of Patience and by his Example train His faithfull Martyrs and instruct them how Unto a noble Army they might grow 116. At length they with his Sufferance wearied In meere compassion of themselves give over And take the Clothe from his Victorious Head Which now to deeper Griefe did Him discover For his Disciple straight he heard and saw 〈◊〉 him with a farr more violent Blow 117. Peter of late so brave and valiant who Had boasted that the grimmest face of Death Should not out-look his Faith and Dutie to His Lord and Master with the self-same breath Had twice renounced his Allegiance and Now on the Brink of his third fall did stand 118. For as he lingred in the Hall to see What would become of Jesus One who was A busie Actor in the Treacherie Under foule Juda's Conduct cries alas In vain this Rogue himself strives to conceale His Galilaean Tongue doth him reveale 119. His hand then clapping on his Shoulder I Full well remember thy bald Pate said He Nay never stare nor studie for a Lie For in the Garden I did meet with Thee And Sirra know that now I have you heer I will revenge my Cosen Malchu's ear 120. Think not this lethern staring Pair of yours Can pay the Debt you owe his single One We know the Witch your Lord whose conjuring Powers Can clapp them on again But by the Throne Of God I vow that now I 'l take a course To make thee sure spight of all Magick force 121. It is no running nor no squulking now Heer are no Shades nor Trees to hide your Head D'y see your goodly Master yonder how With his foule Guilt oppress'd and silenced Like a dumb Post he stands Friend you must goe And in his Censure be his Follower too 122. As when the Waves came tumbling in his Way Faint-hearted Peter though his Lord were by Did all his Confidence in Him betray And therefore sunk so his Accusers Crie Now storming in his ears with faithless fear He gives this Tempest leave to domineere 123. Yet there He crav'd his Saviors help but now He sinks so deep that He despairs of that And with vile Cowardise contriveth how To save his wretched Skin He cares not what He Swears or how he Lies so any Shift Him from his Panick Gulph may serve to lift 124. O hearken all ye Confident Mortalls who Presume your strength may scorn the Batterie Of any earthly or infernall Foe This Heart of late did beat with full as high Resolves as yours but now it melts away And all his Courage yeildeth to Dismay 125. By Heav'n he cries and Him who Heav'n did frame By all the Temple and the sacred Law By the great Sanhedrim by Pilates Name By Caesars Head by whatsoe'r I know Divine or reverend I freely swear I have no knowledge of that Pris'ner there 126. If I were with him in the Garden may I never enter into Paradise In Abrahams Bosome may I never lay My Head if it did ever rest in His Nay may all Egypts Plagues and Sodoms Flame Be mine if till to day I knew his Name 127. Right lustie are thine Oathes and generously Thy daring Curses thou dost thunder out Repli'd the Soldier and why might not I For once mistaken be For without doubt Thou never serv'dst that sheepish Master there Who canst so bravely Curse and stoutly Swear 128. Thus did He gain his too dear Libertie And lost Himself But as He sneak'd away A Crowing Cock awak'd his Memorie Into the fair light of his Duties Day For his apostate Eyes did now repent And back to Jesus with Submission went 129. When loe Mild He who could no Pitty finde For his own most abused Innocence With ready Beams of heav'nly kindness shin'd Upon his Servants traytorous offence Forewarning Peter how to use his Sheep When into any Error they should leap 130. Denyed Jesus would not Him Deny But spake his Pardon By his gracious Look Yet so that He might easily descry In the soft lines of that pathetick Book What undeserv'd and deep engraved Smart His falshood made in his deare Saviours Heart 131. How pow'rfull and how long a Sermon He Preach'd in th' Epitomie of this short Glance But with such speed all Wonders use to be Atcheived whensoe'r Omnipotence Is pleas'd to work for heer it shew'd its Art Witness the Miracle in Peter's heart 132. For this most Potent Glance subdu'd Him so That driven by holy Shame He seeketh where To weep away his odious Crime And loe His Tears now Bitterer than his Curses were Thus when the Sunn on sturdie Ice doth look It strait repents into a running Brook 133.
Tell Him I thank Him for his Courtesie It made Me merry as You all have seen I will not rob his Lordships Pleasures by Keeping this Idiot from Him When I mean To play with Fools I hope my Galile With one such Sheeps-head more may furnish Me. 160. Thus Jesus in a gorgious Robe is clad That more conspicuous his shame might be And so through fresh Disdains and Scoffings led To be the Game of further Tyranny Pilate admir'd to see his splendid Hue Knowing what Garb was to Delinquents due 161. For Pris'ners when their Lives presumed were Forfeit to Law and Death were wont to be In funeral Black array'd which might prepare Them to the thoughts of their Catastrophe And intimate the Colour of that Sin Whose horrid Darknesse cloth'd their Soules within 162. But so did Providence correct their Spight That He whose Breast was purer than the Day Did in his Vesture wear no guilty Night But by his Foes own Hands in an Array Of Glory was attir'd and quitted when They hal'd Him to his Condemnation 163. So oftentimes when a Conspiracy Of Windes their puffing labouring Wrath doe blow About the World in hopes to damp the Skie With swarthie Clouds and Storms they onely throw All Vapors out and with a full and fair Serenity array the purged Aire 164. But Pilate pondering what had hapned now And feeling Moral Honesty beat high Ev'n in his Pagan Heart could not allow His Conscience to be Slave unto the Crie Of the importunate Jews who roaring stood And set their Mouths wide ope for guiltlesse Blood 165. My duty I have fully done said He Him and your Accusations have I Unto the bottome sifted As for Me I hope I never gave you reason why You should presume that any Clamors may Fright Pilate out from Justice's High-way 166. Neither your Temple nor your Altars be More venerable unto you than is My most unspotted Judgement Seat to Me For all Hells yellings and impatient Cries I trust Mine shall as valiantly resist As Mino's or as Rhadamanthu's Breast 167. What I to Caesar owe and what to Right I long have known and must not now forget My Heart is Romane and the dearest Light Of Heav'n is not so pretious to it As spotlesse Honor which can never be Cohabitant with Wrong and Tyranny 168. Mine own Heart-blood I rather would let flow And let your Thirst carouse in it then I From any guiltlesse Veins their Streams will draw To quench the loudest Importunity Mine is mine own but what have I to doe To give Anothers Life when Law sayes No. 169. Law takes no hold of Jesus nor must I Nor did the Tetrarch and why then will you He that he is a King doth not deny But adds withall His Kingdomes not below No harm to Cesar by this Man is done Who doth his Kingdome fancy in the Moon 170. There let his Fancy rule and reign But yet 'T is pitty for his Follie He should Die. It never yet was heard that Want of Wit Pass'd for a Capital Offence Nay I Have been inform'd that in the Tribute He Has witnessed sufficient Loyalty 171. For by his Doctrine He did it maintain And by his Practise too though Calumnie Hath your Beliefe abus'd and cast a Stain Upon his Innocence Come therefore I Will for your Credits Him Chastise and so Give Him Dismission without more adoe 172. And this the rather since by Custome I Ingaged am to honor this your Feast In granting some Offendors Liberty Who in your Judgement shall deserve it best And who can you think lesse deserveth Death Then He whose Innocence him acquitted hath 173. Thus strove the Judge that He might not condemn Both Jesus and himself When loe the Priests His gracious offer shamelesly contemn And spur the People in whose furie rests Their finall Hope to beg with all the Strise Of stoutest throats none but Barabba's life 174. Prodigious Priests is not Barabbas He Whom all the Town knows guilty of the fact You fain would fasten upon Iesus yee Your selves beheld what tumults he did act And how his desperate riot he pursued Untill in Murder he his hands imbrued 175. And is the Murderers life so dear that He Must live with you whilst Innocence does die Does foule Barabbas his curs'd Company Suit better with your reverend Sanctitie Or can you think both God and Man so blinde As not to see and hate your bloody minde 176. Strange Psyche strange it was with what loud cryes The mad-brain'd vulgar heav'n and earth did tear Barabba's Name through all their clamour flies And they for none but for Barabbas care He is their Darling and they cannot live If Pilate will not grant them his Reprieve 177. Thus hellish Hate op'd Providences door To heav'nly Love and made Barabba's be The whole Worlds type which from the fatal Pow'r Of endlesse Death and equall Miserie Was to be snatch'd to day whil'st in its place A Lamb all white and guiltlesse sentenc'd was 178. Mean while the Judges Lady sent her Page In posting speed to pray her troubled Lord Not to be mad because that Rout did rage Nor venture to prophane the Roman sword With innocent blood for certainly said she Jesus is just and they seditious be 179. For my good genius as I lay asleep Appear'd unto me hand in hand with thine Thine beat his Breast and bitterly did weep And toll'd the reason of his griefe to mine He said and deeply sighed as he said Pilate with Jesus now will be betrai'd 180. Pilate will be betrai'd to take away The Life of Jesus and his own withall For Jesus blood will crie another day And unto Pilats veins and heart will call His veins and heart must answer that strong cry I started here and out the Dream did flie 181. Thus heav'n admonish'd Claudia strove to drive Her husband from his Precipices brow And did withall miraculous witnes give What wrongs the Jews at Jesu's life did throw For Heav'n was pleas'd that his integritie By either sex should now asserted be 182. No sooner had the trembling Page delivered His ominous Message but the Judges heart With fatall jealousie and horror shivered His joints unbuckled and his eyes did start His hair stood staring up his blood flew back And left his lips and all his visage black 183. But when the Scribes and Priests had learn'd this news Behold they cry how He by Magick art Hath sent some 〈◊〉 Spirit to abuse The honest thoughts of noble Claudia's heart That by this trick the Judge might frighted be Our Truthes made slanders and himself set free 184. Then all the People with fresh clamors roard Thundring Barabbas in the Judges ear That violent storm quite blew away the Word His Lady sent Him and through sudden fear Of insurrection He returns to treat About the Busines which himself did hate 185. Friends ask your second thoughts said He and see If they upon Barabbas needs will dote I would not that your too much
may know 〈◊〉 he has not in some passi nate haste Without sufficient grounds his Sentence Past. 264. The Priests had mony that commanding Spurr Which fires all Soldiers with impatient Speed And Pilate now can cast in no Demurr The Jews assure him that he has no need But need or not his thoughts in vain doe beat The Soldiers now were bought to doe the Feat 265. But being Martiall generous Spirits they Must not debase their armed Backs to bear The servile ignominious Cross nor may The Jews who now all purified were To celebrate their Paschall Supper be Stain'd by the Touch of that accursed Tree 266. On JESU'S Wounds his Death the Soldiers lay And He must ern his Crosses Service by Bearing its tedious Weight before he may Be born by it Thus with a barbarous Crie Of Tongues and Trumpets which the Welkin rent Through the cheifstreets this sad Procession went 267. But He whose Springs so drained were before Both of their Blood and Spirits now grew faint In vain they kick'd him and in vain they tore Him forward by his Hair for no Constraint Can make weak Nature her own Power exceed Nor finde out Firmnesse in a broken Reed 268. What Heart but seared by the fire of Hell Could now Compassions courteous Tears forbear But yet the Soldiers bosomes by the fell Contagion of the Iewish Malice are So deeply tainted that what might invite Tigres to Pittie does but whet their Spight 269. For meerely in prevention of the Loss Of that choise Sport they hoped for when He Was once set fair and sure upon his Cross As the full Mark at which all Scoffs might be Directly aim'd Him from this Load they spare And force Cyrenian Simon it to bear 270. Nay Live you shall say they till you may Die As you deserve mean while this Ernest take Of that full Summe which We will by and by On Golgotha without abatement make With this they beat Him and so much the more As with his Blood he no Complaints would poure 271. Indeed the softer Sex who upon Him And on his Woes did wait with tenderer Eyes In his own Blood could not behold Him swim But with their Sympathetick Tears and Cries Confess'd that they had Bowells still although Remorseless Stone Mens hearts did overgrow 272. But Jesus who did all this grevious while Encourage by his patient Silence those Most insolent Jeers and Blasphemies the vile And spightfull Jews could frame doth now oppose These Womens loving Tears and upon them With nobler Pitty turn their pittying Stream 273. For 't was his brave Ambition to engross All Greifs and Sorrows to Himself to day Esteeming every Groan of theirs his Loss And all his Woes discredited that they Should seem to need Assistants when stout He To his own Shoulders woo'd all Miserie 274. Weep not ye Daughters of Jerusalem Weep not for Me who have set ope my Breast To every Greif which into it can stream And thither mean to welcome every Guest Weep not for Me said He whose Sorrows are Not to be quenched by a mortall Tear 275. If you will broach your Bottles let them run For your own selves and your unhappy Seed For loe those fatall Days are posting on Which all your Brine and more than all will need The Days when Blessing shall no longer spred Its joyous Complement on Mothers Head 276. For then the Barren Womb shall praised be As fertile in the choisest Happiness Then everie Tongue those Papps ariditie Which never brought up Babe to Woe shall bless Then shall the dearest pledges of your Love Your Sonns and Daughters living Torments prove 277. Then in impatient longing for a Grave Despairing Men shall to the Mountains call And everie neighbour Hills Compassion crave Beseeching them upon their Heads to fall And hide them though in Death from seeing how Calamitie about the World doth flow 278. For if in me a young and verdant Tres The flames of Veng'ance thus prevailing are What shall the Refuge or Condition be Of Stumps and Trunks all withered and sear Which are already dri'd and fit alone For feuell for their own Combustion 279. In a fresh Cursing and Blaspheming fitt This set the mad-braind Rout who ask'd Him why When they of late so humbly begged it He would not condescend to Prophesie And why He who could others Woes so well Discern could nothing of his own foretell 280. And see good Prophet yonder Hill said they Take your own Counsell now before it prove Too late Come let Us heare what you can say Both it and its Compassion to move Set out your Throat if hard and loud you plead Perhaps 't will bow its own to hide your Head 281. Then having star'd a while upon Him all Whose Fists or Toes or Spittle him could reach With thick and peevish indignation fall Upon his bruised bloody Body Which Triumphant scorns He meekly vanquish'd by His Silence and march'd up to Calvarie 282. Ev'n to this Calvarie We stand on heer This Mount which from a Scull hath gain'd its Name For in this solemn Place the Sepulchre Of reverend Adam stood which carefull Fame Told to Posteritie and so the Hill Wears in its Title that old Story still 283. With such Decorum did thy prudent Lord Order his meritorious Passion that The second Adam might his help afford Unto the First where He lay chain d and shut Up in Deaths Prison the remorseless Grave Which to Corruption did Him enslave 284. Iesus on that drie Dust resolv'd to shed His most enlivening purifying Blood That He might wash and cure the tainted Head Of Mortalls Miserie by the soveraign Flood Of his own Life that Life which onely can Restore true vitall vigor unto Man 285. Here 〈◊〉 here the Crosse its foot did set When it sustaind the Worlds Redeemer here Is that renouned Soile which once was wet With richer Drops than ever shoured were From kindest Heav'n for by that fertile Dew Salvations Harvest to perfection grew 286. But yet this Hill wears not that onely Name Of Calvarie 't was call'd Moriah too Of old when zealous Abraham hither came His most renouned Sacrifice to doe And by unparalleld Obedience prove The valourous Bravery of faithfull Love 287. Brave Abraham hither came his Altar heer He built and prepossess'd the Crosses place So Isaac did thy Lords a while But there An hamperd Ram strait substituted was Thus Isaac scap'd but now there was no Ram Which might supply the place of heav'ns dear Lamb. 288. Jesus himselfe must sacrificed be Not by but to his Father Psyche now That fatal Houre was come when Tyrannie Held the free Reins and did its freedome know When purest Innocence was abandond quite Unto the Luxurie of proudest Spight 289. For loe the Souldiers thy torn Saviour stretch And fit Him unto his tormenting Tree His blessed Hands unto the Topp they reach Those Hands whose workmanship all creatures be His Feet unto the bottom those pure Feet Which no Bloud but their
dearest limbs well sold Yea and their Hearts and Lives if so they may Upon their Herses wear triumphant Bay 395. But now as in the Fornace of his Pain This helplesse Victor fries he cryes I thirst For sure He longed to drink up and drain The dregs of grief that none of the accurs'd And deadly draught he might behinde him leave His mortall Brethren evermore to grieve 396. Yet they unkindly on a Reed present Him Vinagre who broach'd the Wine for them The Wine of his dear Blood all which He spent To wash and cheer their hearts Does he not seem O salvage Jews without the help of this Your gift to have enough of bitternes 397. Is this your thanks to Him who every year Your stream of harvest-pleasures poures on you Who to compleat your Banquet doth prepare Those soveraign dainties which in Eden grow And who mean while hath with his bounteous hand Giv'n you your milk and honcy slowing Land 398. Yet Jesus takes it kindly Psyche He Knew well this knawing draught would best besit The dying King of greif whose miserie So dear and pretious on his Soule did sit That He their wine aromatiz'd with Myrrh Thought far lesse pleasant then this Vinagre 399. Besides that Poison he remembred well Which from th' enchanting apples sweets did flow By wholsome Bitternes he means to heal Ev's liquorish Luxury His Palate now Doth expiate Hers and nobly teacheth it That apples fatall rellish to forget 400. And now the Tragedie began to draw To its sad end for Jesus having by Immortall patience undergone the Law And curse and grappled with the monstrous frie Of all the Worlds Transgressions lifts his head In triumphup and cryes T is finished 401. O that it were said Mary who stood by So should my Soule live still with my dear Lord. If he has found a way how not to die Why does sweet Jesus not make good his Word By coming down So sighed pious she But he made haste to his Catastrophe 402. For Justice now had nothing more to say Since by the streams which down the Cross did slow All her Objections were wash'd away And every Page of her black book did grow As pure and faire as the serenest skies When rescued from the gloomy clouds disguise 403. Wherefore she straight dismiss'd her horrid train And then withdrew her self These being gone Jesus look'd up into his Heav'n again And saw the veil which dwelt till now upon His Fathers face remov'd O 〈◊〉 sight O cheerly morning after heavy night 404. He saw his everlasting Arms as wide Stretch'd out as his were on the Cross He saw His blessed bosome ope which seem'd to bid Him to his nest of bliss return and grow His happy self again He saw his eye Flaming in pittying Loves extremitie 405. An everlasting Laurell in his hand He saw designed to confute the shame Of his own thorny crown He saw the grand Cherubick quire ambitious to proclaim His Conquests in their songs And at the sight Resolv'd to die he cryes with all his might 406. Father into thine hands I here commit My Spirit which thou woo'st to come to thee Up flew that mightie word and after it Out brake his blessed Soule for strait way he Bow'd down his Head submitting sweetly to That will he came by life and death to doe 407. The holy Temple heard his dying cry And as it could its Clothes tore for loe Its veil in sunder rent and seemed by That ruptures mouth to say I must let goe My priviledge and Jewish rites must be Resigned unto Christianitie 408. Earth heard it too and quaked at the noise Her rocks did rend her sepulchres did ope And many sleeping Saints wak'd at the voice Russled their dust together and gat up Natures commotion was so great and strange That in the guard it strait begot a Change 409. The bold Centurion with the Earth did quake So did the Soldiers with the rocks and cry Surely the World slept in a deep mistake Whilst it perceiv'd not Jesu's Deitie His Father now has owned Him and He Did when himself was pleas'd in blisse to be 410. For still his vitals in their strength remain d And he had force enough a while to live Witnesse that finall Blast for which he strain'd When He that strong and thundering cry did give These wretched theives we see still in their Pain 〈◊〉 he in his own rest is gone to reign 411. Nay ev'n on salvage and obdurate Jews So far can guilty Fear prevail that now The danger-stricken People could not chuse But grant their Hearts did feel this Terrors Blow For though their sullen Tongue would not their Fist Confest their fright upon their beaten Breast 412. Here Psyche whose soft Heart had come and gone A thousand times as he the Story told Now yeilded unto Griefs Dominion And e'r her Guardian spi'd it down she roll'd Joyning her Passion to her Lords and trying To live with Him who di'd for Her by dying 413. But Phylax by his heav'nly tender Art Soon cheer'd and rais'd her up and told her She Must 〈◊〉 now unto the other Part Which of this Sadnesse made a Comedie She look'd and sigh'd and cri'd All Joyes are dead When Jesus dies and yet dear Sir proceed 414. Know then said He this Passion and Death Hath pu chas'd all the Joyes that Heav'n can breed And cancell'd every fatal Bond of Wrath Which Sin had drawn against old Adams Seed All Jesu's Wounds are Gates by which Man may Take freely into Paradise his way 415. All sort of Pains and Shames and Sorrows he With matchlesse valour did monopolize The spightfull Wit of all Hells Treachery He vanquished by being made its Prize And yeilding up his meritorious Breath Blew down the Power ev'n of prevailing Death 416. Which when fell Satan saw it him repented Of this great bus'nesse he had brought about And at his Den in Paxis he lamented His undermin'd Designe when Crying out Great Pan is dead he made confession how He had projected his own Overthrow 417. For this was Pan indeed the God of Sheep Who held his tender Flock so dear that He From Wolves and Lyons it secure to keep Expos'd Himselfe to all Extremity And for the Fold found a sure Rampart out When with his Blood He moated it about 418. But now a Soldier he whose onely Heart Was harder than those Rocks which Griefe did burst Boldly took on him Cruelties last Part For into Jesu's side his Sphear he thrust Deep in his Heart the Iron div'd and brought The finall Stream of Blood and Water out 419. That Water which the Pericardium bound About the Heart that Blood which in it dwelt Thus all that in thy Saviour was found To feed and feast his Friends He freely spilt The Pelican so with her dearest Blood Diets and fattens up her dearer Brood 420. This done the Sun unveild his Clouded Eye And joyed the Redeemed World to see Forthwith the monstrous Shades away
but stricken there With awfull reverence onely sent his Eye Into the bottome of the Cavern where The Resurrections Relicts He did spie The linen Clothes which had the grace to kisse The sacred Body of all Sweetnesses 132. But panting Peter there arrived ' in The wonted boldnesse of his fervid Zeal Entred the Cave Which pattern straight did win So much on John that to the Spectacle He follow'd Him and with joint Wonder there Gaz'd and examined the Sepulchre 133. He gaz'd and cleerly found his Eye told true This rous'd his Faith and made Her likewise ope Her Eyes the blessed Mystery to view She look'd and plainly saw Her Lord was up And needed now no Angels Tongue to seal To Her the Truth of that grand Miracle 134. These two Disciples having seen their fill To feed upon the Wonder home return'd But Magdalene who had thither follow'd still Stay'd by the Tomb to quench her Heart which burn'd With Griefs impatient Love The Springs which kept In both her Eys she Bravely broach'd wept 135. She weep'd and pitted her prevented Spice Which now breath'd short and panting lay to see It came too late to be a Sacrifice Unto the Lord of Sweets She weep'd that she Her Tears Drink-offring could present no more On his Feets blessed Altar as before 136. Had she the plenitude of whatsoe'r Th' idolatrous World ' adores she still would be Poorer than Poverty it selfe whilst here She nothing findeth but Vacuity The empty Tombe with open Mouth alas Tells her her onely Gem removed was 137. Removed and quite lost for ought she knew And how can Mary live without her Life Such lamentable Mourning never slew The Turtles Joies in her disconsolate strife Of Love and Grief when her dear Mate is lost As this sad Storme of Weeping Mary tost 138. Thus having Weep'd for what she saw again She look'd to read fresh cause of further Tears But in the Tombe she spi'd new Splendor reign Two Angells ready to out-shine her Fears And drie her Cheeks with Comfort there did sit One at the Monuments Head one at the Feet 139. In festival Array they gorgeous were Being clothed in Joies Colour milkie White Woman said They what reason finde you here To cloud your brows in this fair Sceen of Light Alas cri'd she what Light mine Eyes can cheer Seeing my Lord is laid I know not where 140. Her Eyes here gush'd a fresh and back she turn'd To give their crowding Streams full Liberty But Jesus Heart which melted as she mourn'd And answered ever Tear by Sympathy Could not endure her gentle Soule to see Suspended longer in this Agonie 141. For back unto his Sepulchre he stepp'd That his dear Weepens loyal Eyes might see Their earned Spectacle And Why she wept Was his soft Question but blubber'd she Blinded with Grief could not discover Who It was examin'd her about her Woe 142. She took Him for the Gardner of the place And meekly pray'd him if he had Removed The Body thence to tell her where it was That she might goe and wait on her Beloved And 't was the Gardner who did plant and dresse The World in goodly Braveries excesse 143. The Gardner who betimes a Weeding fell Ev'n in the virgin Spring of his Creation Those rank encroaching Weeds which on Heav'ns 〈◊〉 Aspir'd to over-grow the new Plantation Up by the roots he pluck'd in righteous ite And threw them thence into eternal Fire 144. The Gardner who at length deign'd to come down Unto his Nurserie in Earths Valley where All Tares and Poisnous 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 had sown He rooted up and out of matchlesse care To make the Soil be fertile every Bed With his own pretious Blood he watered 145. The Gardner who contented was to let The Thorns upon his Temples rather stand Than they should vex the Grafts which he had set In his own Body by his tender hand The Gardner who indeed had born away What in the Tombe untill this morning lay 146. But pittying Magdalens gloomy sorrow He Whose single potent Word all Clouds can clear In Loves milde tone the onely musick she Could be delighted with saluted her Yet his salute was neere as short as sweet For onely by her name He Her did greet 147. Mary in Maries ear no sooner sounded From Jesu's lips but to her breast it flew And with incomparable joy rebounded Upon her wakened heart She straitway knew The blessed voice in her own Name for this With sweet significance did echo his 148. She knew 't was Jesus and her heart must now Have split with swelling triumph had not she Unlock'd it strait and let it freely flow In a full torrent of high Pietie Her Life her Love her Heav'n when least shee thought Were all at once to her fruition brought 149. Surely a Breast so soft as hers had by This sudden onset of all joyes been broke Had not her Lord with his own Potency Assisted Her to beare the mighty stroak Master she cry'd but then could not go on Her ecstafie her other words out-ran 150. Down flat she fell and aimed at those feet Which pious she before did oint and kiss No Haste dear Mary Jesus cry'd for yet At ample distance my Ascention is But go and tell my Brethren I intend Unto our common Father to ascend 151. At this injunction Marie needs must goe Who on the Angels errand went before And yet her loyall Heart could not doe so But still behinde did linger to adore Her lost-found Lord whom that she ne're again Might loose Her Soule she to his feet did chain 152. This Message startled the Disciples but The hubbub of the City mov'd them more For by the Watch-men now the news had got Into the Town and knock'd at every door The High-priests wakened at the summons call A Common Council and to Plotting fall 153. Their Heads they beat and boulted every way How they their now endanger'd fame might save How they might damp the Resurrections day And stop the open mouth of Jesu's Grave Long did they think but could no trick contrive How he who lived might not seem to live 154. For Belzebub who us'd to have his Place In all their Councils tardy came that day His new-received wound and deep disgrace Upon his vanquish'd heart with terror lay Yet seeing them so forwards lothe he was The Priests in his own trade should him surpass 155. He rais'd his head and wiped off the gore Three times he sighed and three times he shook His broken horns and at the last he swore By his own might and realus that though the stroak Took him at unawars yet Jesus had How e'r he brav'd it out no Conquest made 156. And had he been said he a generous foe He would have pitch'd the day and pitch'd the field With trumpets sound he would have march'd unto The fight and not his slie designe conceal'd He would have called Heav'n and Earth to be Spectators of his noble Chevalrie 157. But
entertain'd to day Where as he brake the Bread in peeces he Tore from their clouded eyes the veil away And with like favour now he hastes to cheer His sad and thoughtfull Friends assembled here 184. This very Ev'n the Doors being made as fast As locks and barrs and fear could make them be He whose pure Body through his Tombe had pass'd Enter'd the House with like facility They slander'd were abroad for stealing Him But now he seem'd to steal at home on Them 185. Yet as excessive unexpected Blisse Doth swallow up Beliefe in Ravishment So the Disciples all amaz'd at this Strange Apparition mutualy bent Then frighted eyes and held their hands on high Confounded in a silent ecstasie 186. But he the King of Comfort op'd his sweet And gratious Lips and Peace be to you said Though I in love prevent my Promise yet You have no reason Friends to be afraid Loe It is I your Lord observe these wide Tokens both in my Hands and in my Side 187. Imagin not that you some Spirit see These Mouthes proclaim as much as I profess You know a Spirit cannot wounded be Nor wear such Marks of humane Passivenesse Come handle Me and be assured well If not of what you see of what you feel 188. This sweet Assurance was so full and cleer That it exceeded their Capacity Who by its Torrent over-whelmed were And thrown into admiring Joies soft Sea Thus those who gaze on Phoebus cannot see Him for his too much visibility 189. So strange a Thing is Joy if unawares It be surprised by Fruition that In fond amblguous Jealousie it barrs Out what it does possesse and aiming at Some proofs of what is absolutely clear Transfigureth it self from Joy to Fear 190. But Jesus their amazement to allay Grows more familiar and calls for Meat A Fish and Honey-combe before him they Present and friendly he vouchsafes to eat Though Paradise its Sweets for him prepar'd He this plain Diet with his Friends preferr'd 191. Then in kinde Anger he to Chiding fell That they so long their Faith suspended though He of his Resurrections Miracle Had by eye-witnesse sent them Proof enough He Chode but with such sweet and dainty Art That every Wound he made was with Loves Dart. 192. This done his Peace to them again he gave That Peace he purehas'd when he trampled down Hell into Hell and Death into the Grave When he appeas'd his mighty Fathers Frown When Heav'n and Earth at enmity before To blessed Amitie he did restore 193. Then breathing on them with that noble Breath Which first inspir'd Life into Humane Heart The dearest Gift said he that ever hath To Man been given I to you impart It is the holy Spirit of Heav'n which now With blessed heat shall in your Bosomes glow 194. Hencesorth whose Sins soever you remit By this great Patent I my Selfe Forgive And whom you Binde to the infernal Pit Shall from your Sentence purchase no Reprieve As Me my Father sent so send I you To by my potent Deputies below 195. This said into Invisibility Himselfe he shut and so from them withdrew When They who now no longer him could see On Joies and Loves and Faiths Wings after flew Pouring ten thousand Blessings on his Name Who with such Solace to their Sorrows came 196. But Thomas who this while had absent been Returning now They met him at the Door Shouting and telling him what they had seen Each Circumstance they shew'd him o'r and o'r Their Lords great Promises they did repeat And how he shew'd his Wounds and how he eat 197. Thomas amaz'd at their Relation stood Silent a while uncertain what to say Or how he should repulse that swelling Flood Of most unanimous Confidence which they Stream'd forth upon his Incredulity At last he stamp'd and cri'd It cannot be 198. I grant that Fancy may doe much and you Perhaps imagin all is true you say But there 's no reason my Belief should bow To your Imaginations You may By probabilities perswade Me far But no such thing can I discover here 199. I am not so much wiser now at night Than I was in the Morn as to admit What then to your own indgement seem'd so 〈◊〉 That you as well as I rejected it Why must it real prove in you which We In Magdalene so fantastick took to be 200. When with these Eyes those Wounds I have descri'd And put my 〈◊〉 where the 〈◊〉 we 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When I have thrust my Hand into his 〈◊〉 And felt that no Imposture there does grow I of your minde may be But mean time give Me leave not at a venture to Beleeve 201. Thus Heav'n in Wisdome and in Love thought fit To let thick Clouds of Doubt objected be Before the Resurrections Truth that it Might fairer break from that Obscurity And pierce all faithlesse Hearts obdurate Stone As it the Marble of the Tembe had done 202. Resolv'd in this imprudent Prudence he Eight Dayes continued when their Lord again The doors being bolted close as formerly To his Disciples did his Presence deign Whose sprightfull Comming though it startled them Lesse strange and doubtfull than at first did seem 203. But Thomas unto whom the Sight was new Afflicted stood with quaking Joy and Fear His Masters blessed Looks he plainly knew And yet his Fancies something dubious were He blush'd and then grew pale and blush'd again And to crosse Passions gave at once the rein 204. When Jesus saw him tortur'd on this Rack With gratious gentlenesse Come neer he said And thine own Satisfaction freely take Loe here my Wounds before thine Eyes display'd Come pierce thou them again 't will be lesse grief Than to be wounded by thine Unbelief 205. This Condescent so conquer'd Thoma's heart That with compleat Assurance on his knees He falls and cries My God and Lord Thou art Not onely by these wide-mouth'd Witnesses I finde thee so to be but also by The heav'nly Sweetnesse of thy Lenity 206. I finde that thou eight dayes agoe wert here When foolish I so faithlesly was Wise Thou heardst how obstinately I did dare The pregnant Witnesse of my Fellows eyes Thou heardst what bold Conditions I set Before my Faith their Story would admit 207. O I beleeve dear Lord and ready am If need require such Wounds as those to bear In spreading forth the glories of thy Name To any Nations whether far or near Pardon my tardy Faith it doth suffice That I have felt those Tokens with mine eye 208. Jesus repli'd Thou build'st thy Faith upon Thine eyes and happy 't is that thou dost so But in how full a Stream shall Blessings run Into their soft and pliant Bosomes who Ne'r saw these deep-writ Characters and yet Unto the Credit of their Truth submit 209. Here Jesus stepp'd into his Secrisie And vanish'd from their wondering sight but yet He sundry times returned to their eye As his divinely-wisest selfe thought fit Famous his presence was on Tabor where He to
ward whether He is gone Who stamp'd them heer their Eys will know no Lid But make the Beams recoil the Rafters run Aside and suffer no Concameration To damm the way of Jesu's Exaltation 291. Thus Psyche have I made thee trace thy Lord To his last footsteps through a thousand ways All set with Mercie and made good my Word Thou seest how He a countermure doth raise Against Sinns Battery and thou needst not fear Hells Spight now Heav'n for thee doth take such care 392. Nor durst I doubt but thine owne Heart will say This thy long Pilgrimage is well requited Which hath presented thee a full Display Of that wherewith all Angells are delighted Whose Souls then with sublimest Joy do leap When on these Mysteries of Love they peep 293. Their Harness heer upon his Steeds he threw Who all this while were feeding on the Hill The meaning of that warning Psyche knew And on her knee prayd him to tarry till She gave the Reins to her Devotion As other Pilgrims unto theirs had done 294. He smil'd and stayd But She flat on her face Innumerable Kisses heap'd upon The venerable Stepps and long it was Before her amorous Sighs and Tears had done At length her Bosome with the Dust she fill'd And cri'd Go thou and my foul Body gild 295. Then casting up to Heav'n her zealous Eye After her Spouse a thousand Thoughts she sent To whom her panting Soul strove hard to flie Upon the Wings of her high Ravishment But when she felt her self stick still to Earth Fresh Tears at first and then these Words brake forth 296. Why may my Heart not be where most it is O Thou my dearest Life ô Jesu why Since Thou art mounted to the Topp of Bliss And leav'st Me Dead have I not leave to Die Never was any Ghost but I till now In its own Body bound and chaind below 297. I by thy Cross and Death was wholly slain And by thy Resurrections Life I grew Alive and safe and vigorous again But thy Ascension doth my Death renew Since nothing of my Life poor I can finde But these bare footsteps left Me heer behinde 298. Sweet Lord by these thy Psyche cannot live Though for thy Sake they pretious are to Me O no! their Worth doth but more reason give To long for most inestimable Thee If any footstepp Me can satisfie It must be that which next thy foot doth lie 299. Hast Thou not said that Earth thy Footstool is As well as Heav'n thy Throne O mighty Lord 'T will be thy Handmaydes most accomplish d Blisse If thou but unto Me make'st good that Word Loe I thy Dust the Footstool crave to be Of thy now Heav'n-enthroned Majesty 300. High my Petition is and bold I know And yet the worthlesse Dew must needs aspire To Heav'n it selfe when once it gins to glow With Phoebu's sweet and most attracting Fire Nor can the Spark in its dull Ashes lie But must have leave to venture at the Skie 301. Alas what is this weary World to Me What are the silver Sphears and golden Sun Could I reign Queen of every Thing I see At my sole Nod would all Earths Kindreds ran What were this Empire worth now Thou art gone Whom Psyche must esteem her Crown alone 302. 'T is not thy heav'nly Paradise that I Ambitious am to see 't is not thy Court Of Angels though by Phylax's company I guesse their Worth 't is not the Pomp and Port That flows about thy throne Nor doe I long To dance unto thy Quires eternal Song 303. My Heart doth pant for Thee and onely Thee And could'st Thou be in Hell I never more Would loose a Looking up to Heav'n but be Inamored of that Abysse and poure My Longings and my Labours downward till I at thy Feet my Vows and Soule could spill 304. O why art Thou so infinitely sweet Or rather Why must We that Sweetnesse know If Thou deer Jesu dost not think it meet Unto our Fires their 〈◊〉 to allow Away Thou flyest and Forsaken We Ev'n by thy sweets and Blisse tormented be 305. How can I help this my excessive Passion Or how can it deserve these Torments Since Thine own Love doth professe Immoderation And guilty is of boundlesse influence In which soft Sea of Fire whilst drown'd I am What can I doe but burn with answering Flame 306. Blame Me not blessed Lord it is not I But Thou thy Selfe rebounding from my Heart Who beat'st Heav'n with this Importunity And call'st for Ease for my mysterious Smart Had'st Thou by Love not stampd thy Selfe upon My Soule now Psyche had let Thee alone 307. Remembet Jesu what it is to be Forsaken ô remember thine own Crie When in thy Desolation on the Tree Thy Father Thou didst challenge May not I Use thine own Words My God my God why now Dost Thou thy desolate Psyche leave below 308. Upon this Olivet my Calvary I finde and to my Crosse am nailed here Ten thousand Torments in my Bosome lie And full as many Thorns as planted were Upon thy Tempels in my Heart doe stick Where all the Bowels of my Soule they prick 309. O Love why must thine onely Tyranny The Bounds of other Cruelties exceed Why will it not allow the Courtesie Of Death unto thy Vassals who are Dead By its reviving Slaughters and desire To be free Holocausts in thy sweet Fire 310. Her Passion here beyond expression grew Yet though She with her Tongue no more could speak With her resolved Eyes to Heav'n she flew And there a long Oration did make Both long and fluent in th' exuberance Of Tears the streams of strongest Eloquence 311. But Phylux having to Her tender Heart Thus far indulg'd thought fit to stop Her here Psyche said He imagin not Thou art Inamored more than the Disciples were Of thy Ascended Lord yet desolate They Warn'd by the 〈◊〉 meekly went away 312. I in their room that Warning give to Thee On Heav'n why dost Thou naile thine eyes in vain Thy Saviour is too high for Thee to see Till on a Cloud He posteth back again Then shalt Thou look thy Fill of Blisse and be To all thy Loves Extremities let free 313. Mean while thine Adorations and Imbraces On his dear Name and Memory thou mayst poure Come le ts away that by these signal places Of Mercies Triumphs thy soft Heart no more May tortured be Here on her hand he laid His own and raised up the heavie Maid 114. Then in his Chariot gently Her he set Who on the Footsteps kept her hankering eye But instantly he mov'd his reins to let His Coursers know he gave them liberty Forth with their goodly mains in answer They Shook in proud hast and gallopped away PSYCHE OR LOVES MYSTERIE CANTO XV. The Poyson ARGUMENT LEaving his Psyche carefull Phylax arms With whole some sage Advice her tender breast Yet shee the Venome of Heretick Charms And Spurious Reasons wiles could not resist Phylax returns and in his
Frand uncase 241. But as away he sneaked Psyches ' Friend More swift than flies the Eagle to her Prey The whining Aire with sprightfull Wings did rend And shot himselfe through the directest way To his dear Charge for whom his Heart did quake As knowing well what Tempests hers did shake 242. For by Loves faithfull Sympathie though he About his other work far distant were He still preserv'd a soft Vicinitie With Psyche's Soule and felt each wound which there Sophistick Darts had made though foolish she Perceived not her sugered Miserie 243. At his approach for joy the Virgin wept Not thinking that those tears to shame were due Syneidesis still in her bosome slept And her unto her self forbore to shew She to her own Breast was more stranger than The Tartar to the AEthiopian 244. But Phylax almost out of breath for hast Suck'd in fresh spirits and then demanded who It was that gather'd up his heels so fast And fled from his approach If he had no Cause of his flight but me 't is meet that I Said he suspect him for you Enemy 245. No sure replyed Psyche for nor I Nor Logos could discover ought but love He freely taught Us many a veritie And what he undertook did cleerly prove Some sudden busines snatch'd him hence not fear Of you whom doubtles He doth hold most dear 246. Phylax who knew Him and Authades too The total matter gently sifted out And wrought upon his Pupils softnes so That his design He subtly brought about For full confession from her charmed tongue Of both her Doctors Principles he wrung 247. But then He groand and smote his pittying Breast And fixed upon Hers his speaking eye By which the mixed language He exprest Of Love and Wrath of Hope and Jealousy And by this Prologue setting ope the door He from his Lips his troubled Minde did poure 248. Left I my charge ô Psyche to the Winde When hence I took my journey or to thee If in my dearest Cabinet thy Minde I my advice depos'd why must it be That the weak breath of any Charmer Thou Dost meet that holy Pawn away may blow 249. My heart mis-gave me when away I went Or rather when with thine I left it here Full well thou knowst what earnest pains I spent To arm thy tender Soule with sacred fear O why with foolish confidence would'st thou Disarm thy self and make room for the blow 250. That blow which struck so deep into thy breast That if some soveraign Balsame makes not speed If strait thy wounded Bosome be not drest If Heav'n be not as quick new life to shed Into thy Soule as Hell was to betray It unto Death this is thy fatal Day 251. Alas those Doctrines onely Poisons were Squeez'd from the dregs of the infernal Pit Less Pestilential those Venoms are Which desperate Basilisks and Vipers spit Nor Aphrodisiu's nor Agenor's tongue With such sure bane thy careless Bosome stung 252. Canst thou ô Psyche thus thy Lord repay For all the Treasures of his Love which He Into thy poor heart poured day by day Canst thou rob Jesus of his Deitie And tear Him from his Throne whil'st royall He His heav'nly Kingdome doth prepare for thee 253. Pert Logos here no longer Patience had But setting up his insolent crest he cri'd Good sir and take you me for one so mad That in my proper road I cannot ride But both my Self and Way I needs must loose And willingly deep Precipies choose 254. If Eyes of Colours sober Judges be If Tongues can censure what is soure and sweet If Ears can Discords know from Harmonie If Touching may decide in Cold and Heat Why may not I presume that I am set In Reasons Chair and know the Powers of it 255. Unless I to my Essence give the Lie These Doctrines sure are built on Demonstration But if you onely must be Psyche's eye Ev'n pull me out that I no perturbation Thus in the way of your designes may throw So in your Conquest you compleat shall grow 256. Psyche was glad to heare this Challenge beat So high and hop'd that Phylax would relent And were Angelick Loves Heroick Heat Less resolute than it is just discontent Had quenched Phyla'x flames which now by this Bold opposition did more stoutly rise 257. With secret instance he did Charis draw Down from her Heav'n to joyn her Powers with his She when the Virgins wounded Heart she saw Melted with Pitty at her deep Distresse And by victorious Sweetnesse op'd a way Into her Breast and Thelema made her Prey 258. Which Phylax seeing Logos strives in vain Said He to countermine my care of Thee Greater Affronts than these I can sustain Rather than Psyche should destroyed be All this and more I will forget so Thou Wilt goe and see a Sight I have to show 259. Logos look'd bigg and struggled might and main But Thelema was tractable and tame And the bold Rebell quickly did constrain Unto her pliant Minde his own to frame Poor Psyche sigh'd and wept and halfe afraid Phylax with her to doe his pleasure pray'd 260. He well considering her Disease had need Of nothing more than Haste in her Physition Staid not to parle but made all loving speed To snatch her from these Jaws of deep Perdition Whilst yet with Chari's soule-subduing Heat Her melted and convicted Heart did beat 261. Ready at hand his well-known Chariot was In which he takes her up and guides the Rein Forth with the sprightfull Steeds flung on apace Through the fair Road of the aereal Plain Till they to Gitton in Samaria came Their journeyes Butt where Phylax checked Them 262. Then lighting down Come Psyche come said he This is thy newfound Doctors native Town Here thou their true Original shalt see And from what kinde of Nest they all are flown This House their Fathers was Come we will in And view the Birth-place of Heretick Sin 263. Thus entred They When loe the House they finde So full of Doors and Rooms and Galleries Which by quaint Turnings to and fro did winde That Psyche quickly lost her rouling Eyes As she had done her Se fe had Phylax not Of all the Labyrinth full knowledge got 264. Thorough a thousand strange Meanders He Into a private Room conducted her Where she a far more private Door did see But little thought what kinde of Den was there Lurking behinde it so alluring was The holy Beauty of its cheating Face 265. A goodly Crucifix was there displayd Altars were rear'd and many Bibles ope By which majestick Liturgies were laid With lofty-tuned Anthems on the Top Art plac'd a Quire of Angels hovering And made the gorgeous Roof all seem to sing 266. There might you see Faith with her Eagles Eye Hope with both Hands her Anchor holding fast And with her open Bosome Charity Whose Looks such seeming current Beams did cast That those who were not well aware might deem She at Heav'ns genuine Fires had kindled
Gods own enshrined Beauties heer inrich 237. At the shrill whistle of each busie Winde All other Clouds in this inferior skie Are faine to runne about But this doth finde An undisturbed passage fair and high And strait to Heav'ns illustrious Roof doth haste Without the helping Wheels of any Blast 238. Earth was in debt unto those Clouds till now Which op d Heav'ns Pantrie and raind Manna down But this full Payment doth to Heav'n allow Whilst to the Angels it bears home their own Diviner Bread and by restoring more Than Earth receiv'd doth nobely quit the Score 239. That Israel-conducting Cloud which through The tedious Wildernesse of old did take So patient a Pilgrimage must bow Its famous head to This That did but make Way to the earthly Canaan but this Unto the Heav'nly the brave Convoy is 240. As Jesus thus soard through the Aire he saw The Treasuries of every kinde of Wether Of fair of foule of Rain of Hail of Snow Which did their homage unto Him as thither His Coach arriv'd He bad Them gently fall Upon his Earth and then He bless'd them all 241. So did He too that sweet and loyall Quire Of Larks which with applauding Songs and Wings In delicate attendance did aspire After his mounting Train Goe gentle Things Said He and rest your weary pinions I My other Choristers approaching spie 242. Loe at the Word the Winged Legions who Flutter about the everlasting Sphear And on the great Creators bus'nes goe Throughout the World appeared hovering there Great was their number and their Glory great If they with Jesu's Lustre had not met 243. Before his Feet their gracefull Heads they bow 〈◊〉 down with sweet Extremities of Joy That they without a Veils Assistance now On his dear Eyes may look which till to day Lay hid to them in too much light but heer Dressed in Humane Mitigation were 244. For though some of our Quire had long before Enjoy'd the blessed Priviledge to see His the anthropick face though All did poure Their high Applause on his Nativity This was the time when Heavns Whole Hoste to fair And plenall view of Him advanced were 245. A dainty and long-studied Song They had Compos'd and tuned to a ge ntle Key But this excessive Sight of Sweetness made Their Acclamations correspondent be Their Wings and Hands aloud they clapp'd and rent With louder Paeans all the Element 246. But seing then his bright Retinue who About Him shin'd like his reflected Raies They to their new Acquaintance smiling goe And in their faces read their Soveraigns Praise For Gratitude had deep imprinted there Their glorious Redemptions Character 247. These were those holy Soules who long had layn On the soft Pillows of great Abrahams breast Looking and longing when their Lord would deign To bring them to his sweeter nobler Rest To chase their Mists and Shades with his own Ray And turn their doubtfull Dawn to High-noon Day 248. Great Abraham himselfe was there with them And shined with a choise and leading Grace The Patriarchs and Prophets next to Him Each in their proper Dignitie and Place Then every pious Man and Woman who Ventur'd in his hard Steps on earth to goe 249. Their Charges many Guardian Angells saw And highly triumph'd to behold them there So when the Ship which long hath labour'd through The Seas proud Wrath unto the haven draws neer The Pilots Eys and Heart with Joy are sill'd No less than with the Wind the Sails are swell'd 250. But all the Quire beheld the blest Supply Of their own Companies which robbed were Of no small Part of their Fraternitie When sullen Pride upon Heav'ns face made warr And many Empyraean 〈◊〉 fell From their fair Day into the Night of Hell 251. But ô what Torrents of divine Delight Through these Saints Bosomes ran with full Carreer To see how neer of kin unto the bright And new apparent King of Heav'n they were They envy not the Angels radiant Dresses Nor wish their silver Wings or golden Tresses 252. And that their Triumph might be sweetned by Harmonious Joy before the Masculine Troop David did with his learned Fingers flie About his Harp and beat those Accents up Which with her Timbrel Miriam before The Female Squadrons did to him restore 253. But Jesus now to his officious Cloud Dismission gave ambitious of whose Place A Knot of gallant Seraphs came and bow'd Their youthfull Shoulders that their Lord might passe To Heav'n upon the best of Heav'n and be Drawn to his Palace in due Majesty 254. Then Michael taking up the Standard which With the Heart-blood of Death and Hell was red And charged with the glorious Crosse did stretch It towards Heav'n and forward fluttered In this Array the Triumph marched on Abashing Day and dazzelling the Sun 255. Thus He who lately that Procession went Where Spight and Shame and Scorn did Him attend When He through Salems Steeets was kick'd and rent And through a thousand Deaths led to his End Is now tequited by a March whose Glorie Gilds the Disgraces of his Passions Storie 256. As to the Confines of the Sphears they drew David his Harp and Throat did strein 〈◊〉 high That ancient Song of Glory to renew Which He had in Prophetik ecstasie Tun'd to a special and illustrious Lay And sung aforehand to this noble Day 257. Bright and eternall gates of heav'n lift up Your cheerly Heads and know your 〈◊〉 As mine is now so let your mouths be ope To entertain our universall joy It is the King of glory who doth come That and the sweeter heav'n now to bring home 258. It is the King of War whose matchlesse strength Hath trode down our and your fell enemy Read but his Banner where are writ at length The rubie tokens of his victory Ope ope as wide's your Heav'n can give you leave And Him much greater 〈◊〉 all it receive 259. The Chrystall doors no sooner heard the song But in obedience they echoed it Their everlasting bars aside they flung And their resplendent 〈◊〉 open set Strait through the mighty gap a flood of gold Soft as the locks of 〈◊〉 downward roll'd 260. With that the Musick of the sphears burst out High were the streins and delicate the layes And though a while sweet Davids fingers fought His mortall strings to them He could not raise My harp must yeeld He cry'd but yet my heart Shall in your loftiest accents bear her 〈◊〉 261. Indeed those aires are so refin'd and high Onely the Hearts spirituall strings can stretch To the full compasse of their Harmony To whose pure chords those Compositions which You with the Name of Musick honor heer Are onely learned gratings of the ear 262. Thus to the silver Orbs they came When loe The Stars all trip'd about and danc'd for joy And as the Triumph through the sphear did go Phoebus unto his Lord resign'd the day His brighter Lord from whose originall beam He takes his light as all the stars from him
263. But yet these beauteous stages onely were The fairely paved way and 〈◊〉 which see Unto that rairer larger Palace where Dwels light and life and bliss and Heav'n indeed And therefore Jesus through these made hast And only bless'd and gilt them as he 〈◊〉 264. When to the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 He Was now arriv'd and saw the world below The gate of Soveraign 〈◊〉 Before its King it self did open throw Of 〈◊〉 glories straight appear'd a 〈◊〉 〈…〉 but pure 〈◊〉 265. What joys what smiles what ravishments were here What delicate extremities of pleasures Injurious the unworthy Parallel were By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if we should measure These 〈◊〉 sweets of whose 〈◊〉 All 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not the 〈◊〉 is 266. For never did the sharpest-pointed eye Or of the body or the Soule of Man Such 〈◊〉 of pure delight desery As all about these splendid Regions ran Chanting those 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 no mortall 〈◊〉 Hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to heat 267. Into these vast Expansions as He went Loe his Almightie Father came to meet him O Psyche hadst thou seen that Complement Of supream joy with which he there did greet him The Spectacle for ever Thee had blest And with 〈◊〉 heav'n replenished thy breast 268. Unfathomable streams of 〈◊〉 Attended on him and bare up his train A flood of most excessive gratulation Before him roll'd But o how soveraign Was that infinitude of complacence Which brake from his own eys exuberance 269. On his Sons neck his radiant arms He threw And seal'd his lips with an inamor'd kiss His noble Bosome then wide open flew That home and Centre of eternall bliss To bid him welcome to that dearest bed In which or old he us 〈◊〉 to rest his head 270. Come Come said he no more to part from hence My hignest will thou hast compleatly done And by perfection of obedience Bravely approv'd thy self mine onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall entertain thee and For thy ocat sake those who about this 〈◊〉 271. Hence forth I can look on my world below With comfort which till now displeas'd mine eye For all its blots and stains and horrors thou Hast nobly turned into purity It shineth now wash'd by the liberal slood Of thine illustrinus all-cleansing blood 272. I see thy wounds and I beheld the shame With which they were engrav'don thee but now With never-dying lustre they shall flame 〈◊〉 on their gravers one day terror throw When guiltie they again shall see these scars 〈◊〉 purchased'st in Loves and Mercies wars 273. So spake the Father when the holy-Ghost Who hand in hand along with him was come Renued his applauding joy by most Mysterious emanations which from The string of living bliss his dainty breast In 〈◊〉 Plenitude of sweetnes prest 274. Thus in the face of Heav'ns returned Son He breath'd a pretious aromatick stream The surplusage of which effusion Fill'd and enobled all the hearts of them Whom he in triumph thither brought to be For ever Captives to felicitie 275. This salutation done Heav'ns trumpets sounded Whose gallant noise with equal Majestie That Hill of all sublimitie rebounded To which in goodly equipage did flie This reyal Companie straite gat up Unto Beatitudes and Glories Top. 276. Three radiant Chairs of awfull beautie there Stand founded fast upon Eternitie Which with such mystick art united are That 't is intirely one as well as three Three equal and distinguish'd seats yet one Essential and everlasting throne 277. Down in the midst the Father sate and on His left-hand his all-quickning Spirit but He at his right enthron'd his mighty Son And an eternal wreath of glories put Upon his Temples to requite those Scorns And Pains they here bore with their Crown of 〈◊〉 278. The ignominie of his feeble Reed With Dignities excess to recompence Into his right hand He delivered A Sceptre made all of Omnipotence And then erected just before his face His fairer Cross upon a diamond Base 279. As Jesus thus sate upon Triumphs Crown The Peers of that illustrious Kingdome came And at his feet their Coronets threw down In loyall homage and themselves with them Begging his leave that their unworthy tongues Might with his royall name enrich their Songs 280. Forthwith an Anthem of ecstatick praise Broke from their lips and on Heav'ns Roof did beat This brave example mov'd the Saints to raise Their highest tunes and mingle in that sweet Deluge of triumphs their applauses which Must flow as far 's Eternitie can reach 281. But the Disciples Psyche all this while Follow'd Him with their eyes and grieved were To see the interposing Cloud beguile Them of their Bliss yet could they not forbear Their Gazing still in hopes their Sun might break This Veil at length and they free prospect take 282. When loe two Angels all in snow array'd A courteous Check unto their error gave Yee Galileans why is it they said Your ignorant hopes stand gazing thus to have A sight of him now mounted higher far Above the cloud than you beneath it are 283. He on his Heav'nly throne is see and you Must wait till He is pleased thence to rise For time will come when he again will show To yours and all the worlds his blessed eyes And as from hence He did his journey take So on the Shoulders of a cloud ride back 284. This said the 〈◊〉 posted home to share In the new Festival above And they Convineed by that Item ready were Back to Jerusalem to take their way But as their eys returned to the ground The final Footsteps of their Lord they found 285. And so mayst Thou my Psyche still for loe The precious Characters doe heer remain The trustie Earth would never let them goe Nor did desire to smooth her face again Which by these Prints was so embellish'd that Her self to be the Worlds Base she forgat 286. These dear Impressions the Disciples kiss'd And took their leave and so to Salem went Full little thinking that the simple Dust In keeping them would prove so Diligent That neither Windes nor Storms could them deface Nor pious Pilgrims bear them from this place 287. A Thousand zealous Hands themselves have fill'd With this most priviledg'd Earth and held it more Pretious than all the golden Sand which swell'd The fame of Gange's or of Indu's shore Yet still the faithfull Dust with nimble Care Suppli'd and kept intire each Character 288. Nay when the Time shall come as come it will When Christian Piety shall courage take And build a Temple on this sacred Hill These footsteps of their Worth full proof shall make Refusing to let goe the Honour they Were sealed with upon Ascension Day 289. They back into the Workmens face will throw All his intrenthing stones as oft as He A Pavement labours over them to draw And injure with his Earthly decency Their heav'nly Beautie which He would disgrace Though He with Pearls and Gems should court the place 290. Nor shall He with his Roofe hope to forbid Their Prospect up