vpon Ierusalem The Gentiles saw it though thy dwelt so farre Yet Iacobs Sons could not see Iacobs Starre O wretched Ieweâ— you haue beene euer blind You groope at noone yet Christ you cannot finde On you he shin'd and you could not perceiue him Yet strangers whom he knew not did râ—ceiue him Lord bring me vnto Bethlem and protect me And with thy word as with a Starre direct me Sweete Babe accept the gifts which here I offer To thee out of my heart my choisest coffer Not gold but loue not incense but good actions Not Myrrh but all my mortified affections IIII. The touching of Christs garment Thousands did press on Christ both poore rich But onely one poore woman did him touch Her touch was faithfull but the peoples pressing Was carnall therefore they recâ—iu'd no blessing Shee by the faithfull touching of Christs garment Was cured of her twelue yeares griefe torment The faithlesse Papists in their carnall masse Touch not Christs hem but rudely on him presse Faith faith is it which only doth him please Lord grant me faith and then I shall haue ease For till I touch till to my soule thou say Be of good cheere my griefe will not away V. The good Samaritane THe Priest and Leuite did not helpe the man Whom theeues did wound but the Samaritan Who powred in his wounds soft oyle and wine Doe thou the like sweet Iesus now to mine Spirituall theeues my mortall sinnes haue hurt me Then with thy grace and mercy Lord support me For men and Angels neither will nor can Cure me but thou O sweet Samaritan Powre in my wounds the oyle of thy good Spirit And wash them in the new wine of thy merit Then binde them vp with loue and bare my sinne Vpon thy flesh then bring me to the Inne I meane thy Church speak to the hoasts thy preachers That they will be my comforters and teachers Till thou returne againe for then I know That thou wilt pay the debts which I doe owe. VI. The lost Sheepe THe man that hath a hundreth Sheepe forsakes Ninety and nine to seeke out one that lakes And goeth after still vntill he findes That sheepe and then reioyceth with his friends Christ left his Angels and without delay Sought out mankinde that had gone long astray And findes him out the same dâ—y of his birth Which caus'd in heauen earth great ioy mirth Old Simeon and Ann and Mary sung And heauens bright roofe with songs of Angels â—ung Sweet Shepheard of my soule I humbly pray Seeke out thy sheepe for shee is gone astray Anst bare her on thy shoulders as sometimes Thou did thy crosse bare all her sinnes and crimes And through the dangers of this life conduct her Be thou her food and with thy word instruct her Then bring her home when she is come thither Call all thy Saints and Angels straight together They are thy friends make them reioyce and sing All Halleluiah to their Lord and King Who sought me vp down with griefe and paine And did at last finde his lost sheepe againe VII The Prodigall HAuing spent all and being in great want His former course of life he did recant Home he returnes and his fault confesseth His father meetes him and his sonne embraceth The best robe was brought forth at his command Shooes for his feete a gold ring for his hand Then sent for musick and caus'd kill the Calfe Which made the elder brother fret and chafe The Iewes did murmur at the Gentiles calling Therefore the Gentiles rising was their falling My soule hath left his natiue soile and liues Here in a strange place full of whores and theeues To spend his heauenly portion they bewitch him With which sometime his Father did enrich him Loâ— all is spent and now he 's forc'd to serue Vnder a Marchant where he 's like to starue Satan I meane who feeds him with his swine Whose cheere was wont to be oyle milke wine For all the dainties of this world are But husks with Gods chiefe blessings to compare My soule then being in this wofull case Begins to call to minde his wonted grace His fathers house his cheere his wealth treasure His hired seruants with their ease and pleasure Sweet Father loe thy prodigall returnes Naked and torne marke how he sobs mournes He doth confesse thâ— faults that he hath done That he 's vnworthy to be call'd thy Sonne He hath offended heauen and thee yet make him Thy seruant Lord and doe not now forsake him Meete and preuent him with preuenting grace And by a kisse make him enioy thy face Cloath him with thy best robe of innocence And giue him shooâ—s to runne with patience His race Put on a Ring and make him free From â—inne and death and Satans tyrannie Then set him downe and lâ—t his soule be fill'd With that fat Calfe which for his sins was kill'd Come in O brother Iew doe not disdaine My soule once dead but now aliue againe VIII Christs Coat parted O Thou whose life the wicked Iewes derided Whose seamlesse Coat by Souldiers was deuided Thy church was once a coat without a seame But now she is deuided to our shame So is that coat of perfect holinesse Which thou lent me to cloath my nakednesse My cruell sinnes to my great griefe and scorne From my poore soule this blessed coat haue torne And now to me it is both shame and torment To see my naked soule without this garment Figge leaues of merits will not hide my sinnes Nor yet that coat which Adam had of skinnes But I am counsell'd by the Church my mother To put on thy faire cloathes deere elder brother That I may in thy name and cloathes and sauour Receiue my Fathers blessing and his fauour IX Christs side pearced O Lord thy heart was pearced with a Lance It was for mine but not for thine offence Pearce then my heart with sorrow for my sin And bath it in the blood which thence did spin For here is Iacobs Well there flowes from hence These waters which can wash my conscience Here is the doore of life and heauens high way Then let me enter Lord while it is day And suffer me with Thomas for to hide My sinfull hand within thy wounded â—ide X. Christ and Mary speaking together C. Touch me not Mary M. Why dear Iesus why C. I am not yet ascended vp on high Thou comes to touch me with thy carnall hand It is not hands but faith that I demand But now thou art ascended thou art gone To sit with God thy Father in his Throne â— Permit me then by faith O Iesus sweet To touch and kisse thy wounded hands and feet The commendations of the priuate Country Life O Hills and dales woods groues and christall springs The best delight of transitory things I more esteeme your Tempe shades and flowers TheÌ„ Princes Courts proud townes lofty towres Heere may the minde talke freely with her Maker Shee needes no helpe of Priest or Romish baker To bake or make him of a piece of bread His body is in Heauen so saith our Creede His spirit euery where that may be seene In euery bush in euery medow greene Here may the minde with admiration Contemplate euery constellation That Heauenly hoste of Starres theire restlesse motion There light and might vpon the Earth and Ocean And higher yet she soares with faiths swift wings Aboue all Heauens vnto the King of Kings Shee heares not Trumpets sound nor Cannons roare Shee feares not Neptune beating on the shoare For those the birds in Parti-coulerd cotes Sound in her eares variety of notes She scornes the Courtiers life his sweete perfumes He clâ—tâ—es his curled hayre his shaking plumes To see the medowes spring the Riuers glide Doe more delight her then their painted pride Shee needes not walls and forts for her defence But shades of trees and peace of conscience Heere is not to be found that misery Which raignes in Citties I meane Vsery No enuy heere no wrongs no vanity No treason slander pride nor flattery But innocence truth and a quiet life Are found in woods in Citties care and strife Sound bodies men haue here contented minds Which seldome in great Citties any findes Heere no corruption doth infect the aire Men are content with vnbought simple fare With many sinnes great Citties still are tainted With many cares rich Marchants are tormented But here the harmelesse carelesse merry Swaine Sits singing whistling piping on his cane By day he leades and guides his silent sheepe By night no cares disturbs his quiet sleepe Thus liu'd our Fathers in the golden age They spent in woods and caues their pilgrimage FINIS Gen. 2. Gen. 2. Gen. 8. Gen. 9. Gen. 22 Gen. 25. Gen. 28. Gen. 32. Exod. 3. Exod 1â— Exod. 16 Exod. 17. Num. 17 Gen. 21. Luk. 1. Iosuah 6 Iudg. 6. Iudg. 14.15 16. 1 Sam. 17 1 Kings 17.18 19 1 Reg. 19 2 Reg. 2 â— Kings â— and 4. â— â—xod 15 2. King 4 Mat. 2. Luke 10. Luke 15. Luke 15. Iohn 19. Iohn 19. Iohâ— 2â—
they laugh and iesâ— Lord shake the pillars of this house and burie These wicked sinnes in thy iust wrath and furie VII Dauid and Goliah WHen none of all the people durst encounter With great Goliah Dauid did aduenture Though younger though a Sheepheard though in stature But little and effeminate in feature Though Eliab dehorts him yet he feares not And for the greatnesse of Goliah cares not Thither he came by Iesses owne direction And was assured of the Lords protection Before he kill'd a Lyon and a Beare Then why should he that boasting Giant feare Sauls Armour and his Raimeut he refuseth And fiue smooth stones out of the brooke he chuseth Then runs vnto the Campe and with his sling A Stone against the Philistine did fling With which he smote the Giant in the head Who with that blow fainted and fell downe dead Thus little Dauid without sword or speare Did kill the Giant as he did the Beare Christ by his Fathers will came downe to see His Brethren which lay long in Misery Vnder the fearefull slauery of the Deuill And kâ—ew not who would free them from the euill Till Christ the Sheepe-heard and that little one By his Almighty power and with a Stone Had kill'd the Giant and had set vs free And by his death had slaine death on the tree Death was the Giants Sword but Christ indead Hath with this Sword cut of the Giants head The Iewes our elder Brethren were right sorry That Christ by death should get vs life and glory What is there done â— Iew was ther not cause That Christ by death should saue vs from deaths iawes O Sonne of Dauid Satan's in the fielde Armed against my soule with speare and sheeld Shee 's almost brought to desperation So greeuous Lord is her tentation Come downe and helpe her then thou art her brother You both haue but one father one mother Knocke downe this boasting Gyant to the ground Pull out thy sling giue him his deadly wound Cut off his head and let him rise no more To vexe my soule as he hath done before Then shall my soule acknowledge thee her King If thou will kill the Gyant with thy sling And shee shall praise thee as it is most meete For thou can tread downe Satan vnder feet VIII Eliah ELiah from his Queene and Countrey fled And was by Rauens in the Desart fed To God vpon mount Horeb he complain'd Of all his wrongs which there he had sustain'd To the Sidonian widow God did send him And from his raging foes did still defend him He raisd the Widdowes sonn increasd her meale And killd the Priests of Baal in his zeale By his vncessant prayer he did optaine From God for three yeares space and six monthes raine He built an Altar vpon Carmel hill And to the Lord a Bullock there did kill Fire on the Beast fire on his Foes descended And he on wheeles of fire to heauen ascended Christ the great Prophet did reâ—â—ct the lewes His Country men because they did refuse To hearken to his voyce from them he fled Vnto the Gentiles and by them was fed These were at first blacks as the Rauen or Crow But now by grace they are made white as snow The widowes house Christs church doth represent To which this great Prophet for harbour went Her children all were dead but he reuiues them And with encrease of graces still releeues them Three yeares and six moneths hee did preach with pain His words fell on the Iews lâ—ke drops of rain He by his mighty word false Prophets slew All heathnish Priests and rites he ouerthrew The worke of pure redemption being ended On white bright cloudes our Lord to heau'n ascended I am a Widow Lord I am alone Come make my soule thy habitation Encrease my meale and oyle O Lord encrease My faith and loue to thee grant me thy grace Reuiue my Son my works are dead I know Then raise them vp that they may liue and grow Pray to thy Father Lord that he may powre Vpon my barren heart a heauenly â—howre Cut off false Priests send fire froÌ„ heauen O Christ And burne my sinnes I humbly thee request IX Gods aparition to Eliah on Mount Horeb. ELiah on Mount Horeb could not finde The Lord in fire earthquake whirlewinde But in a soft and still voyce him did heare And then to God with reuerence drew neere Thy Spirit Lord dwels not in violence Thou dwells in mercy mildnesse innocence Lord make me milde take from me strife malice Then dwell in me my soule shall be thy Palace X. Eliahs assumption FIrie Eliah in fire and whirlewinde Went vp to heauen but left his cloake beâ—inde So Christ our Lord ascended vp on high But left behinde him his mortality Lord let my soule on firie wheeles of loue And whirlewinde of zeale still mount aboue Teach me to shake off care of worldly things For that 's the cloake which still about me hangs The Third Decade I. Elisha's pot of Salt and Meale Moses his Rodde THe bitter waters and the barren ground Were by Elisha's Salt made sweet and sound So did the same Elisha strangely heale The noysome Pottadge with a little meale So Moses sometimes with a piece of wood Did Marahs waters sweeten and make good O Lord this Wood this Salt this little Flowre Doe shew that thou can bring sweet on t of sowre This Wood did sweeten Marah So that Tree On which thou diedst hath giuen life to me Lord season my afflictions heale my fault Either with sweet or sowre with meale or salt II. The Sunamites Sonne GEhazi from the Mount came downe apace And laid the Staffe vpon the Infants face But that could not restore to life againe The Childe therefore Elisha must be faine To come who ouer the Childe himselfe extends And ioynes his mouth to mouth hands to hands Then presently the Childe began to sneeze And on the Prophet lifted vp his eyes The world was dead in sinne but thou O God Didst send the Prophets with the Word thy Rod. But they could not to the dead Childe restore Spirituall life thou camst thy selfe therefore Thou kiss'd vs thou assum'd our stape and feature Thou did enjoyne thy selfe to our base nature Lord ioyne thy hands to mine ioyne eyes to eyes And mouth to mouth that I from sin may rise Neither the staffes nor seruant can giue breath To my dead soule but thou by thy sweet death III. The Wise Men and Starre THree wisemen came to Bethlem from a farre They were conducted thither by a Starre To Christ Frankincence Myth and Gold they bring To shew he was both God and Man and King The Gentiles once farre off do now begin To draw nâ—ere to the Church and to come in The Church is Bethlâ—m or the house of bread Where Christ the Bread of life is borne indeed This Starre shin'd all the way that these men came But did not shine
of thy good seed bring forth good corne Lord bind my sins and on thine Altar lay them Pull out thy sword and in thy mercy slay them Make me to offer them with like affection As Abram did his Sonne by thy dirâ—ction VI. Rebeccas Twins REbeccas Twins no sooner were aliue But in her wombe they did begin to striue And wâ—eÌ„her time was come that she should bear Her Twins the one was redd and full of haire This came our fiâ—st and afterward the other Who by the heele held fast his elder brother The one was cunning greedy fierce and wilde The other simple honest plaine and milde This was a Shepheard and dwelt in a Cottage And bought the Birthright for amesse of pottage Esau seru'd Iacob for the Eâ—omits We know seru'd Dauid and the Isâ—aelits The Iews our Elder Brethren were Elected Before vs yet they are to vs subiected As in Rebeccas wombe so still there are Strifes in the Church of Christ and ciuill warre Between rough Esau and his younger Brother Strugling withiâ— the belly of their Mother I meaâ—e the Sonnes of God and Satans brood These alwayes hunt and persecute the good But yet at last Gods children shall subdue them And Christ out of his blessed mouth wil spue them And as Rebbeccas twins did much perplexe â—er So in my heart are twins which always vâ—xe her The â—lesh and spirit are conceiâ—'d in me Though thâ—y be â—wins yet they cannot agree The flâ—sh like Esau is the elder brother But yet the Spirit doth best please his mother The flesh is rough râ—d and hunts for pleasure And romes abroad and 's cunning aboue measure The mild and simple Spirit is conteâ—t To liue here in this world as in a Tent. O Lord command the Flesh to serue the Spirit Grant him the Biâ—â—h-â—ight that he may inherit Thy blâ—ssing lo â—e brings thee sauoury meat The sins which he hath â—ill'd then rise and eat Command him to draw nâ—re to thee kisse him And in the name and cloathes of Iesu blesse him VII Iacobs Ladder AS Iacob trauel'd towards Haran Towne â—e stay'd one night at Luz and there lay down Heauâ—ns starry curtain ouer him was spred His pillow was a Stonâ— the Earth his bâ—d Hâ— slept and thought he saw a Laddâ—r there Râ—aching from earth to heauen in the ayre On which the Angels vp and downe did moue And God stood on the top himselfe aboue Iacob awoake out of his sleepe and sayd How fearefull is this place and was a frayd This can be nothing els quoth he but euen The very house of God and gate of Heauen He did anoynt the stone on which he lay And call'd it Bethel then he went his way Chirst is this Ladder who hath ioyn'd in one The Earth and Heauen by his passion His foote is on the Earâ—h in Heauen his head Hee 's God and man Emanuell indeed As God he is from Heauen without a Mother As Man he is of Earth our elder Brother By him from God Angels to vs descends By him to God Prayers from vs ascends He is like wise the Churches corner stone It is on him on whome we rest alone O sweet Redeemer of my soule I pray Seeing thou art the truth the Life the way Lead me to Bethel to that sacred place Where I may sleepe all night and see thy face Thou art the God of consolation Then comfort me in my tentation And when the night of death shall ouer take me When all my friends and neighbours shall forsake me Be thou with me Lord leaue me not alone But let me sleepe with Iacob on the stone VIII Iacobs Wrestling When Iacobs people ouer the brooke were gone He wrestled with a Man that night alone And did preuaile and when it was neere day He would not let the Angell goe a way Till he had blest him fiâ—st which instantly He did and touch'd the hallow of his thigh And then he named Iacâ—b Israel And Iacob named that place Peniel The Sonnes of Iacob in this latterâ—age Against the Sonne of God did storme and rage They Wrestled with him and they did preuaile And to the Crosse his blessed Corps did naile But the third Morning after he was Slaine They let him goe for then he Rose againe He blessed Iacobs Sonnes that fear'd his name But such as would not he did wound and lame These wrestle with him still and still they halt O Iew yeeld to thy Lord confâ—sse thy fault Sticke not so closely to the Lawes dead Letter Beleeue the Gospell for that is much better My Soule like Iacob is afraid of Esau I meane the Flesh then comfort her sweet Iesu. For now she is alone now it is night Shee trauells homeward let her see thy light Thou wrestles with her still by feares and cares And she againe doth wrestle with thee by prayers Lord grant her faith and then she shall preuaile Pray to thy Father that it may not faile Weaken her carnall lusts and make them lame Blesse her before thou goe then change her name Marke how she holds and will not let thee goe Vntill thou giue her strength against her foe Lord make thy Church a Peniel or place Wherâ—in my soule may see thee face to face IX The Fiery Bush. MOses vpon Mount Horeb saw a flame Which burn'd the Bush but not comsum'd the same To which when he drew neere to see the wonder From thence he heard the voice of God to thunder Moses put off thy shooes and hide thy face I am the Lord this is a holy place He troubled at the splendor of Gods presence Straight hid his face and did him reuerence The Church is like this Bush fire may annoy her The Crosse I meane but it can not destroy hâ—r For why God dwels in her hee 's her defence She needes not then to feare fires violence O Lord be thou my helpe and sure protection Make me to cast off euery foule affection Make me to walke in feare as in thy sight And in the midd'st of darkenesse be my light When thou with fire shall trie me I presume Although I burne yet I shall not consume X. The Cloude and firy Pillar FVll forty yeares in feare and pensiuenesse The people wandred in the Wildernesse Vntill â—hey came vnto the holy Land Whiâ—h God did giue them by his mighty hand And all the while because they knew no way Firâ— waâ—â—heir guide by night a Cloud by day Christ Iâ—sus is â—â—hadowie Cloud to those Thaâ— lâ—ues him but a fire vnto his foes He is to alâ— the Children of the day A Cloude to coole and guide them in their way Betweene them and the Sun their great Creator He is a Hedge a Cloude a Mediator But to the Sonnes of darkenesse there 's a fire And will like chaffe consume them in his ire This Cloude was not begot of Sun or showres Neither was Christs conception like ours But he was formed of the Holy