Abraâ—ams-bosome plac't As Starres of heau'n which first in East do shine Arise till their Meridian they haue past But do from thence as fast againe decline Till they into the Westerne Seas are cast Eu'n so vaine Mortals here are all in hast Till they their highest pitch of strength attaine But that once got they fall againe as fast And downeward to the graue descend amaine Some here a shorter some a longer course obtaine And as hee 's happiest whom the swiftest wind Brings soonest to the Port and hau'n of rest So 's he that soonest in the graue doth find Harbour against worlds stormes which him infest Death doth but like his brother Sleepe arrest The weary wight where he a longer night Himselfe in graue than in his bed may rest And yet no longer than till Christ our Light Awakes vs to enioy for ay his glorious sight To all that labour pleasing is the end The Traueller inquireth for his Inne The hired Seruant when his Yeere doth end The Husband when his Haruest doth beginne Merchant of his Aduentures comming in The Woman when her ninth Month doth expire So Saints of Death haue euer mindfull bin For where 's our Treasure there 's our hearts desire And where our Crowne is laid our eyes do ay aspire Therefore the dying Saints like Swans do sing Foreseeing that they in the graue should rest From Labours and be freed from the sting Of Sinne which here their liues did most infest Why should we with Deaths feare be so distrest When as the Lord of Life himselfe did die That we from sting of Death might be releast Eu'n Sinne the Cause of all our Misery And made Death our first step to true Felicity The truth hereof the sacred Pages seale When that which commonly we dying call They call it sleeping For Christ did repeale The Act of dying by his Funerall Thus Patriarchs Prophets Kings Apostles 〈◊〉 Lie sleeping till the finall Resurrection From Adâ—m to the Iudgement generall All to this faâ—all Lord must yeeld subiection And sleepe sâ—cure and sound vnder his safe protection The Wiseman therefore better doth commend The Day of Death then of Natiuity By that our paine and labours haue an end This the Beginning is of Misery The Lord of Life who Life and Death did try Proclaimeth endlesse Blessednesse to those With rest from labour in the Lord that die Blessed whom he to liue in him hath chose But till their Death from Labour they haue no repose See but how wiser Heathens entertaine This fatall stroke this last necesâ—ity How they on Birth-dayes lowd lament and plaine At Funerals make mirth and melody For that begins this ends all misery No man say they that doth not Death despise Can here on earth enioy true Liberty They onely saw an end of miseries But lo heau'n stands wide open vnto Christians eyes Ah why should Painters limme Death with a dart Time with a Syth before him cuts all downe Death doth but lance and play the Surgeons part Time fells the Corne that 's ready to be mowne Alas what Cruelty hath Death vs showne Thou art but as a Seruant vnto time To gather Fruits which he saith ripe be growne In Wine-presse thou but treadeâ—t out the wine To barrell vp in Tombâ—s that there it may refine As we greene Fruites more difficultly pull Than those we find hang ripe vpon the tree So youthfull Sprites of heate and vigor full More hardly die than they that aged be This is the greatest difference we see Betweene their courses that are short and long Both goe the broad way of Mortality Death like a mighty wind here layes along As weake and hollow Elâ—nes so Cedars stout and strong Who is so strong whom she hath not cast downe Looke all the generations gone and past Their ancient Monuments by Bookes are knowne In Graâ—e their Bodies all to dust do waste The Iewes long-life more eagerly imbrac't As 't was a type of endlesse happinesse But since Christ in his youth of Death did taste All Substances fulfill'd their Figures cease Now happiest he whom Death the soonest doth release Happy though clouds of stones thy head infold Like Steph'ns so open heau'ns shew pure cleare And though a Trance like Pauls so fast thee hold That whether thou without the Body were Or in the Body thou canst not declare Though thus Death doth like sleepe they flesh arrest The ioyes of heau'n shall to thy Soule appeare Not to be vttered Lo they are best By Negatiues not by Affirmatiues exprest No eye hath seene no eare hath euer heard No heart conceiue no tongue that can recite The ioyes th' Almighty hath in heau'n prepar'd For them that here do liue and die aright Oh enter Soule into thy Lords delight This ioy thou canst not in thy selfe containe For thou art bounded that is infinite Who enters shall for euer there remaine And for these finite Cares Ioy infinite obtaine Oh! who can know this Death and be afraid Although amongst the pots thou lie a time Thou like a siluer Doue shalt be arraid With golden feathers which like heau'n shall shine But ah Thus with my selfe I do diuine Without least perill by free Speculation But should Death seize on this my brittle Shrine And offer me to act my Meditation How should I tremble at my houses desolation That which is now familiar to my thought Will bring me then Amazement Horror Feare Alas this battel 's not so easily fought Except Iehouah on our side appeare Didst thinke Death would with Complement forbeare And onely thee delight with Meditation No he will try what courage thou dost beare And seize vpon thy Fleshes habitation It laying waste till all in Christ haue restauration Then as I feele this outward man decay Grant I may strong and stronger grow within And by a constant daily dying may Be arm'd against this strong man enter in That though he seize vpon this man of sinne My inward man may like the siluer Doue That newly hath escap't the Fowlers ginne Fly to her Lord and Sauiour aboue And be embraced in his blessed armes of Loue. Oh! there I shall inioy eternall rest And happy Peace which here I craue and misse And wander further more and more distrest What if some little paine in passage is Which makes fraile flesh to feare Deaths pallid kisse That paine 's well borne that endlesse ease doth gaine And from Sinnes cruell slauery dismisse Sleepe after Toyle faire-weather after raine Peace after Warre ease is most pleasing after paine We all are wanderers weary of our way And hasting to the Graue our certaine home This world 's the Flood which doth our passage stay Till Charons boat to weft vs ouer come Who Life did limit by eternall Doome And times for all things hath established Appoints each Centinel vnto his roome And so the termes of Life hath limited None may depart but by their Captaine licensed Nefarious wretch who with flagitious hand Dares violate
Cruelty which him fast followeth And doth so fast with cords and fetters binde That eu'ry minute threateneth his Death And scarcely suffers him to draw his languid breath Yet if this Light of heau'nly Prouidence Shines to his Soule then all Anxiety Feare Care Distrust are banisht quite froÌ„ thence And he releeu'd in all extremity Then knowes he that one gracious Maiesty Heere by his power so directeth all By wisedome rules and by his Bonity Disposeth so that nothing euer shall But for Gods glory and his owne good him befall To fleshes obloquy some giuing way Confesse the highest Powers gouerne all But that with mortals heere they vse to play As we at hazzard tosse a Tennis-ball Some all would haue by Chance and Fortune fall Some others grant that God doth all incline But that mans wit and will must worke withall These men with God in gouernment doe ioyne And his most constant purpose to mans will confine Some to excuse God grant that Power diuine Permitteth euill but not with his will And suffreth Satan heere to blind the eyne Of Reprobates but no wayes ill doth will But sure God willingly permitteth ill Since by his power he goodnesse able is To draw from ill his purpose to fulfill For thus did Pharaoh wilfully amisse Yet God turnes all to 's glory and his chosens blisse As Sunnes pure beames exhale from filthy Oose Foule vapours which no whit the Sunne defile So doth Gods Prouidence of ill dispose Yet of no euill he partakes the while And as not in Sunnes Beames but in the soyle The matter of thâ— vapour doth consist So in mans heart is Bitternesse and bile And not in God who euill doth resist Or turnes such euill into Goodnesse as he list Thus Kings Priests Rulers Elders all combin'd Against the Lord and his anointed Sonne And Pilatâ— Herod Iewes and Gentiles ioynd To doe what God decreed to be done But they ment wickedly eu'n euery one The people a vaine thing imagined To crucifie the Lord of Life they runne But God we see thereby hath quickened The members all whereof he is the glorious head As when we see faire Phoebus gentle beames Vnited in a burning glasse enflame We vse not to accuse Sunnes gracious gleames For such offence but Burning-glasse doe blame Wherin without the Sunne 's nor heat nor flame So when we see the wicked man abuse The fairest gifts of Nature to his shame The Author of them we must not accuse But wilfull man that doth them heere vnduly vse Good Powerfull Wise Disposer of all things So wâ—se thou all Disorders ordrest right So good thy Goodnâ—s good from euill brings So pow'rfull all subsist vpon thy might How should an ignorant weake wicked wight Conceiue thy Wisedome Power and Prouidence Much lesse by Simile it more inlight It farre surpasseth mine intelligence Things knowne I doe admire the rest I reuerence But I by Prouidence diuine am led To passe the bounds of fâ—ugall meditation Pardon great Clarkes that I haue meddled To taste a mysterie by Contemplation Worthy your argument and disputation I was desirous to resolue my minde In this high point of heau'nly moderation Wherein most wondrous comfort I doe find To see how things on earth are first in heau'n design'd Who can suppose this world so perfect rare Not gouern'd by one pow'rfull prouidence Since all which without moderatâ—urs are Consisting of the foure first elements Can not continue Houses â—enements Without a tenant ruine and decay Vnpruned Vines doe loose their excellence Mans Body failes when soule doth passe away So would this Vniuerse should God forbeare a day As members of a man aright do moue First by his vnderstanding and his will So doth this Vniuerse by God aboue And all concord his pleasure to fulfill Who duely wait on Prouidence he will Make happy heere and blessed euermore Not that he doth the carelesse idle fill With blessings temporall or heau'nly store Who will not row on Sea shall neuer come a-shore It is a dangerous and impious thing Thus to dispute with Prouidence diuine Mine arme nor good nor bad to passe can bring All 's done by the Almighties firme designe The written Word must be our square and line Gods secret purpose and reuealed Will Confound not by a vaine conceit of thine Thus Theeues may blamelesse true men rob and kill And say they but Gods secret purposes fulfill For Prouidence doth not vs mortals tend As mothers infants newly brought to light Which haue no strength themselues then to defend 'Gainst ayers iniuries or forreine might But as the Father that his Sonne hath dight With strength and weapons 'gainst his enemies Directeth him to order them aright And to defend himselfe from iniuries Religion neuer negligent and idle lyes They that are godly and religious With Prouidence sweet Diligence do ioyne God that without our selues hath fashion'd vs Without thy selfe saues neither thee nor thine And therefore prudent men prouide in time Against all future want that happen may When therefore we for morrow do designe Things necessary none can iustly say Or iudge vs too much carefull for the following day The Lord of all did needfull things prouide Therefore the bagge false Iudas carried The Loaues and Fishes which he did diuide Amongst fiue thousand which him followed Th' Apostles carri'd for their dayly bread Paul temp'rall Almes prouideth for his Nation Where he the spirituall had published Ioseph from Nâ—le comes to make preparation To saue aliue old Iacob and his generation Of these learne to prouide things necessary Of Beasts to shunne and to auoid all ill Who neere things hurtfull to them do not tarry Nor nigh vnto those places trauell will Where they into a Ditch haue lately fill The Bird escapt eschewes the Fowlers gin Nor will be tempted more with all his skill The fish that finds the hooke the bait within Thence to prouide against such danger doth begin Things past for future are sound documents He that is wise the euill doth foresee And hides himselfe from many nocuments Which can not by the foole auoided be Most admirable vertuous wise is he That things foreseeing wisely can prouide Nothing on earth without a cause we see Though them the highest Wisdome so doth hide They can not by our feeble reason be descride The World may be compared to a Stage We mortals to spectators they that stay Without to see her antique equipage Doe truely as they ought behold the play The curious that about the Stage do stray And pry into the secret tyring roome Are by Stage-keepers often driu'n away All must not into Natures secrets come Although she many Mysteries reueale to some How dares proud man inquire so curiously Of Gods â—id counsels and his secret will The Bethshemites into the Arke did pry And God with sudden vengeance them doth kill Prouide thee good things and auoid the ill So maist thou many liue and happy dayes Presume not to be wise aboue thy skill By Gods reuealed will
which is in Heau'n prepar'd The Ayer without motion putrifies The standing-Poole becomes vnsauourie The hottest Fier without blowing dies The Land with thornes and weeds doth barren lie That is not exercis'd with husbandry Thy house and houshold-stuffe do soone decay Except they be emploid continually Thy lockt-vp garments are to Moth's a prey All things not vs'd like Steele by rust consume away Looke on the nimble Motions of the skie How all moue diligently to their end Looke on the Beasts that creepe the Birds that fly How they no time to Idlenesse will lend Earth though the dullest Element doth spend Her strength for all the Creatures preseruation The Creatures eu'n their bloud and life do send To man for Life's and Bodies sustentation Thus all are diligent here in their occupation Oh man though Lord of all who yet art borne To labour as the Sparkes do vpward flie To learne here of thy Vassals do not scorne But eate thy Bread in sweat continually In Labour did the Fathers liue and die To do Gods will was Christ his drinke and food Not to dispute thereof with subtilty And nice distinctions which do little good But make things easie erst now hardlier vnderstood One thing is necessary doe and liue Practice and Knowledge must goe hand in hand The gods for labours blessings here do giue Not curious knowledge They that vnderstand And yet forbeare to doe their Lords command Thereby most inexcusable become When all before the dreaded Iudge shall stand More then shall heare the finall dreadfull doome For things omitted here than things which they haue done Like Plutarchs Lamiae we are quicke of sight Abroad at home we lay aside our eyes If each his owne affaires could order right That town would soone to wealth and honour rise The street where ech his dore sweeps cleanly lies I do not here forbid all forraine care To paire of Compasses I like the wise Halfe of their thoughts at their hearts center are The other round about do for the publique care The Cynicke that he might his hate expresse To Slouth would often tumble vp and downe His Tunne to keepe himselfe from Idlenesse Base Commodus of all the Caesars knowne To be most wicked was not of his owne Nature so vile but when his youth by ease Into contempt of Businesse was growne This was the Empires fatall last disease Which lost the Caesars all their fathers did increase Oh cursed Negligence that dost confound Soules Bodies Churches Cities Families No gracious Thrift will grow vpon thy ground Thy field like wildernesse all barren lies It Soules like deadly Opium stupifies It with diseases doth our Bodies fill Puls downe our Temples which did dare the skies Layes ope the City walls to Victors will And thorow houses roofes rain-droppings makes distill Bewaile with me the ruthfull Tragedy That Slouth hath made within this holy Land I meane those Houses faire of Sanctity Which like so many Pyrami'ds did stand Erected first by holy Founders hand First raisd by Diligence now raz'd to ground By Slouth those lazie-belly-gods to brand With shame whose Idlenesse did thus confound Those Places where Gods holy Worship should abound Behold with Salomon the sluggards field Which all ore-growne with Mosse and Bushes lies Whilst Rents and Sales to him abundance yeeld He lookes not after Industries supplies Like Grasse-hopper he skipping liues and dies Or sterues if Winter bringeth Pouerty Th' industrious Ant and Bee he doth despise Oh Slouth the sinke of all iniquitie That changest men to swinish Bestiality Awake you sluggards you that powre in wine The day 's at hand when you account shall make As of your workes so of your idle time To some employment do your selues betake And sayle not alwaies on the idle Lake It is a filthy muddy standing poole No good or honest mind can pleasure take To row at ease in such a muddy hole Though there his vessel 's subiect to no winds controule Oh you whom God eu'n gods on earth doth style Withdraw not from the weight of gouernement Your shoulders nor let Ease your soules beguile Of time which should be in deuotion spent Rulers must most of all be diligent All euill cleaues on them by Idlenes Looke on all States and forraine Regiment They all corrupt by Ease and slouthfulnes But flourish and grow strong by frequenâ— Busines You heau'nly-Watchmen of whom I desire Rather to learne than teach you ought to mend Marke onely what Paul doth of you require With diligence your selues and flockes attend God made you ouerseers for that end As nought more than assiduous Exercise Of Soule and Body doth from sinnes defenâ— So nothing fills them with iniquities More than this sluggish slouth and idle vanities Elian doth of th' Egyptian Dogge report That when he drinkes he neuer standeth still By Riuers side lest poysonous beasts him hurt Who liâ— in waite him whilst he drinks to kill Oh could we see the poysoning serpent still Waiting occasion with invenom'd sting Our bones with Lust and Luxury to fill And vs by slouth and idlenesse to bring To carelesnesse of God and any holy thing That thus would wind vs from all Diligence Like lazie Sluggards onely to rely Vpon th' Almighties care anâ— Prouidence But lo the Israelites send first to spie The earthly Canaan which did typifie That heau'nly whither through this Wildernesse We must not hope to passe so easily They wanne the cities which they do possesse With paines and Diligence not slouth and idlenesse This was their way this also must be ours Priests feet the flouds of Iordane may diuide Their trumpets throw downe Iericho's proud towres But Ai will many bloudy blowes abide He little thinkes Hels force that neuer tride Th' Amalekites and Moaâ— will assay To stop thy course to Iordans fruitfull side Thou must with Diligence maintaine thy way And fight with hardy resolution night and day Lord grant I may like Paul be diligent Who wrought his owne and all the Soules to saue That with him in the ship to Caesar went And though he knew that God who to him gaue Eu'n all their liues his promise would not wauâ— Yet see he leaues not any meanes vntride Lord grant me Diligence aright to craue And Patience thy leasure to abide So nothing that I aske shall be to me denide My Muse would faine aboord but Diligence Would neuer let my Meditation end And blames me sore that I with Negligence Too briefe the story of her Praise haue pen'd But Care and Labour next I must attend Which two with Diligence go hand in hand God better lucke me in their praises send I now will driue my little Boat to land And rest that I more stoutly may to labour stand MEDITATION 4. Of Care and Labour MY freer Muse now like a Faulcon flies Who hauing stoup't a Mallard at the Brooke Remounts againe vp to the azure skies And for a second Souse at him doth looke But suddenly she hath that prey forsooke And towreth
the Temple God did raise A Mirrour here of all his Workes to stand His wisedome to commend and goodnesse praise He that appoints the great worlds nights daies From her Creation to last Reuolâ—tion Determins all thy small worlds workes and wayes Who wilfully then hasts his dissolution Seekes to gain-say his Makers constant resolution The longer life I know the greater sinne The greater sinne the greater punishment Yet if thou Souldier-like art entred in Thou must go on with stoutest hardiment And not depart without commandement Oh lie not downe and thee to rest betake Ensuing ills of liuâ—ng to preuent Though life hath nought that can her loued make Yet giues it no iust Cause that thou should'st it foâ—sake And yet O sinfull man do not desire To draw thy dayes forth to the last degree Vntill the measure of thy sinfull hire Be heaped vp with all impiety Against the day of Wrath and Ielousie Whilst thou this sinfull Body bearst about Laden with Sinnes and foule Iniquity Their numbers more and more increase no doubt Most happy he whom Death the soonest helpeth out Despaire not yet fraile silly fleshly wight Nor let Distrust amate thy manfull heart Nor Satans malicing dismay thy sprite Thou in thy Sauiours meriâ—s hast a part Oh why shouldst thou despaire that certain art Of Christ thy Sauiour Lo in him is grace From thee for euer to remoue Hels smart And that accurst hand-writing to deface No sinnes can be so great but Mercy may haue place How then should any wretched wight be wonne To spoile the Castle of his life and state Is 't not Gods doing whatsoeuer's done In heau'n and earth Did he not all create To liue and die by his eternall Fate Who dares then striue with strong Necessity That constant holds the world in changing state All ought be willing here to liue or die Life Death ordained are by heau'nly Destiny Then witnesse Death that willing I lay downe My Body sure to put it on againe My fleshly Baggage for a heau'nly Crowne My earthly Bondage in the heau'ns to raigne I leaue this Tent of brittle clay to gaine In heau'n a mansion holy spirituall Lo my corruption here I downe haue laine For incorruption pure Angelicall And for a heau'nly Parlour chang'd my earthly Hall Lord this I craue Direct me in the way So shall I certainly attaine my end If well my Part on mortall Stage I play Saints Angels my beholders shall commend My Action God and Christ shall be my friend And when my flesh to Natures Tyring-â—oome From whence it came shall quietly descend It there shall rest vntill the Day of doome And then in heauâ—nly Quire a Singing-man become Sweet Death then friendly let me thee embrace He truly liues that liuing learnes to die Now smiling like a friend I see thy face Not terrible like to an enemy But I with Prayer end my melody Lord grant when Death my passâ—ng-bell doth ring My Soule may heare the heau'nly Harmony Of Saiâ—ts and Angels which most ioyfull sing Sweet Halleluâ—ahs to their Sauiour God and 〈◊〉 FINIS TO thee poore Bird in Cage imprisoned How like am I by Agâ—e visited I cannot vse my horse nor thou thy wing And therefore both sit still within and sing My Muse hath with my Body Sympathie If well I learne to liue if sickâ— to die Of dying young THis world a banquet is we conviues all Where most by Drinke to sinne and surfet fall Who dyeth young is like him that doth rise From banquet ere the wine his wit surprize FINIS a 〈◊〉 frugi a Laban a Eecl 8. 17 a Reu. 21. 1â— b Caâ— 3. 1. c Cant. 2. 8 a Abbeys c. a Death
euâ—r found For by this Diligence all well succeed No idle hower on her head doth shine She her best howers spends with prudent heed And all her businesse aright doth line She finds to all things an appointed time Except it be for Slouth and Idlenesse If idle words be iudged such a crime Much more the losse of times high preciousnesse Which cannot be regain'd with cost and carefulnesse Wherefore good fathers of a Family First rise and latest go to bed at night And those that loue the Musâ—s company Do vse their eyes to read by Candle-light Artificer good-Husband Merchant Knight And Magistrate this Vertue doth defend Nothing so difficult but by the might Of Diligence is conquer'd in the end Therefore in all affaires she is our surest friend But nonâ— more enemies than Negligence Slouth Dulnesse Carelesnesse and Idlenesse Impurest mire of foule Concupiscence The forge of Lust and draught of filthinesse Whence come all Vices Sinne and Wickednes Which turne men into Beasts like Sirens charmes Oh Slouth the nurse and mother of excesse Like Statue standing still with folded armes And neuer moues to good for feare of future harmes Vnnecessary Burthen on the ground Who when he hath consumed all his owne Deuoures his friends and then a theefe is found More false yea than a begger bolder growne For though the beggers-bodies hands are sown And 's mind is all on slouth and idlenesse Yet often in his mouth Gods Name is knowne But God all honesty and shamefastnesse He loaths that is possest of slouth and sluggishnesse A Sluggard is vnto himselfe and all A most pernicious wicked enemy By Slouth his mind and body soone do fall To sicknesses and all impurity He is the bane to all good company The stinking Sepulchre of one aliue Shadowes of men Tunnes of Iniquity Whose soulâ—s base ease of Reason doth depriue Whilst as a Swine with Mast their bodies fat and thriue We Sloth like Lazy Asse at home do finde But listen out you lowd shall heare him bray Iust like a coward dogge of currish kinde That doth at harmelesse Pilgrims barke and bay But comes a Wolfe for feare he runnes away Like fearefull Hart when as he comes to fight But as a Lyon greedy of the prey All day asleepe but in the dead of night He woorrieth the fould for hunger and despight Oh Diligence perfection of all When as thou dost with truth and vertue dwell But if to Vice and errour thou doe fall Thou passest Hâ—ggs and Furies all of Hell Hels waking Cerberus is not so fell As popish priests who compasse Sea and Land Into Cymmerian darknesse to compell Those that in Sun-shine of the Gospel stand Thus diligently they obey their Lords command Oh would we be for Truth as diligent As they for errours and traditions vaine But I haue too much of my hower spent Against the Vice the Vertue to maintaine To Diligence I now returne againe Which like heau'ns glorious Sun doth neuer rest But like a gyant runnes his Course amaine Vntill she of the garland be possest This life 's no mansion but a way to heau'nly rest In heau'n are many Mansions heere we stay Onely to finish that for which we come If trewanâ—like we spend our time in play And be with drinke or sleeping ouercome Oh! when our fatall hower-glasse is runne And we are call'd to render our account Of good and euill in the body done Our debts alas will all our wealth surmount And our Omissions more than numbers vp can count This Diligence is like one in a Myne That digges much earth a little gold to find Like Silkeworme who her slendrest silken twine By Diligence doth on a bottome wind Like husbandman who little sheaues doth bind Wherewith he fils his Barnes and Garners full Like little stones by Morter fast combin'd Raisd to a Temple large and beautifull Like mighty hostes which Dukes of single men do cull Some by a night-Owle and a Dragons eyes This vertue Diligence haue figured And therefore Poets Fables do deuise The Golden-fleece so highly valued Kept by a Dragons diligence and heed The Golden-fleece the Kingdomes Peace I call The Dragon him by whom all 's ordered For on whose shoulders such a charge doth fall He must be vigilant and diligent in all This Vertue is indeed most soueraigne In highest Rulers which the Publique sway Who are set ouer vs for our owne gaine If them as Gods Vicegerents we obay They keepe continuall watch both night day For all our goods so they be diligent God grant such Rulers euer gouerne may His little Fold within this Iland pent To ioy of all our friends and foes astonishment The Latines Diligence deriue from Loue For he that loueth doth eu'n all fulfill Yea nothing hard or difficult doth proue To him that knowes 't is his beloueds will Whose hearts this glorious Grace of Loue doth fil They here despise all losses griefe and paine Let heau'nly loue into mine heart distill I worlds discouragements will all disdaine For Diligence on earth I loue in heau'n shall gaine This loue in Dauids heart doth so abounâ— It from his eyes and eye-lids did expell All sleepe till he a resting place had found Wherein the Lord of life might alwaies dwell This made the Mount of Sion so excell That it the glory of the earth became This diligence makes all to prosper well Though but a sparke of Loues celestiall flame It gaines vs loue in heau'n on earth eterâ—â—ll fame Oh blessed Paul had I thy eloquence Thy indefatigable paines to sound Thy wondrous trauell care and diligence Thy Masters will to know do and propound How many Sees of Bishops didst thou found How didst thou preach by day and work by night How diligently Heretickes confound And eu'n in Hels Worlds Tyranâ—s Iewes despight By Diligence declare the power of Loues might Should I the Fathers liues trace to the Floud And into Egypt follow them from thence From thence through wildernesse to their abode By Iordans bankes in Houses Cities Tents They all are Maps to vs of Diligence From Genesis vnto the Reuelation Their Pilgrimages all haue reference To new Ierusalem Saints habitation And we all stones and Builders on that one foundation As God so we must worke before we rest We may not cease till all be finished In heau'n we shall enioy eternall Rest Which by the Sabbaoth was prefigured The Spouse may seeke but finds not in the Bed Her Bridegroome he is like the nimble Hind He must be diligently followed But if by Diligence we once him find He skipping comes o're hils and mountains like the wind But if I onely speake of Diligence And image-like to others point our-right Yet liue in Carelesnesse and Negligence I like the blind may others Lampes inlight But stray and wander all the while in night Our life 's a moment here if we regard Eternity A cloud to heau'nly light Like drop vnto the Ocean compar'd Is earthly Ioy to that
thy Writings do increase To largest Volumes for the Churches Peace For Christs pure Spouse and thy deare Kingdomes weale Thy Watchings Prayers Labours neuer cease Else blos'mes of Vines the Fâ—xes soone would steale Or wild Bore root vp all thy Church and Commonweale When in his large wise vnderstanding heart We for our Good such cares continuall see What secret Malice can a man peruert To deeme that in his Loue and Wisedome he Aduance will any to Authoritie But whom he eu'ry way doth able finde To care and labour for the safety Of Church and Kingdome to his care assign'd Wise Masters best discerne how Seruants are inclin'd Great Peeres appointed by this Master wise To Rule his Kingdome and adorne his Hall Of him learne Labour and braue exercise And doe not vnto idle gaming fall The Bane of Court Towne Country Church and all Oh spend the time you from emploiment spare In Tilting Hunting Armes Arts Liberall And so with Piety your minds prepare To labour in your charge and haue of heau'n a care Besides examples of your earthly King Looke on our Lord that sits in heau'n aboue Who heere on earth was alwayes labouring Now as our Head himselfe he doth approue Most carefull for his Spouse and dearâ—st Loue. See his Disciples Saints and Martyrs all How carefull and laborious they proue In Writings Preachings Counsels generall Relieuing poore in want redeeming Saints from thrall Amongst these Lights of Labour with me looke On one though little yet of wondrous might Who Dauid-like takes stones out of the Brooke The proud Goliah in the front to smite Oh how do'st thou most valiantly acquite God and his Church against Rome's railing Host And that Augean stable purgest quite Though it thee mickle care and labour cost Of this would Herâ—'les more than all his labours boast Could Sloth her selfe that sweet Delight but taste Which comes of Paines and honest exercise Her precious time strength she would not waste In Idlenesse and worldly vanities But like to nimble â—arke woâ—ld early rise Who mounting first to heau'n Deuotions sings And afterwards her businesse applyes So long as Light lends vse of eyes or wings And then in â—est enioyes fruit of her trauellingâ— Most sweet Delight at night when wearied We end the Cares and Troubles of the day When priuate publique hauing profited We down our selues with Peace and Comfort lay Not like rich Mizers to their Soules that say In this abundance lye thee downe and rest When ah Who knowes but eu'n that night away His Soule forth from his Body may be prest And he all vnawares o're taken in his nest Vnnecessary Labours worldly Cares Which on themselues not Prouidencâ— depend My Muse to them no such great fauour beares As heere amongst the Graces to commend All things created serue vnto their end For which God at the first did them ordaine And all vnto his Glory doe intend Why then should man be slothfull idle vaine So long as heere on earth he doth in health remaine He hath a minde firme valid rais'd on high Able to soare aboue the Firmament And by sweet Contemplation to descry The heau'ns swift motion Order Gouernment All things are subiect to his Regiment In squallid Slouth and ease yet downe he lyes Till thou who first didst frame his earthly tent Dost raise his mind to heau'nly exercise Which may by Care and Labour him immortalize Not aâ—xious vnprofitable cares Base off-spring of Distrust and Diffidence With present alwayes discontent and feares Vaine future wants or childrens Indigence Distrusting thus Gods gracious Prouidence Which fils with open hands the mouthes of all Whose eyes looke vp to his Beneficence And Lillies clads in colours naturall More faire than Salomons rich robes imperiall He that this all did first of nought ordaine And now it gouernes by wise Prouidence Is by his Bounty able to sustaine All those that labour with true Diligence Sure he will giue aboundant recompence To all who carefull faithfully doe heere Rely on him without least Diffidence He for his Foes did spend his bloud most deare Why then should Friends distrust his Prouidence and Careâ— Kindle thy Loue then in my frozen brest Frame in my minde a study and desire To follow thee that canst direct me best By thy command to march on or retire Awake me from Slouth's filthy durt and mire Lest darknesse me fast-sleeping apprehend From which to Light againe iâ— no retire Let me no houre vnprofitably spend Nor passe one day vnfruitfully vnto mine end That faithfull seruants blessing on him light Whom Thou so doing when thou com'st shalt find Grant whatsoeuer hower of the night My Lord and Master comes my soule and mind May to continuall watching be inclin'd But lest I labour heere too long in vaine I next will passe vnto my Port assign'd To Death the end of all my Care and Paine To graue where till the finall doome I must remaine There quiet I shall sleepe and be at rest With Kings which heere their houses fill'd with gold And Emperours which all the world possest Yet all too streight ambitious thoughts to hold There small and great free bond rich poore young old Oppressors prisoners haue like fruition Of rest All turne againe to dust and mould As small an Vrâ—â— then limits the Ambition Of Popes and Caesars as of Beggers meane condition MEDITATION 5. Of Death COme let 's shake hands we in the end must meete I haue prouided me this goodly Chainâ— Of Graces at thy comming thee to greete For thou wilt not for fauour gold or gaine Thy fatall stroke one moment heere refraine Well close mine eyes and dimme my Bodies Light These shining Gems for euer shall remaine My soule for to enlighten Oh! then smite It skils not when nor how so as my heart stands right Ah! why look'st thou so pale as thou didst feare Thee before men and Angels I forgiue I wish thee not a minute to forbeare I neuer shall the Life of Glory liue Till thou vnlock'st the doore my soule to giue Inlargement from this Prison-house of clay For which she long hath struggled and did striue Yet still the Flesh the Spirit downe doth way And fitting 't is I should my Makers leasure stay Thou earthquake-like this prison house must shake Before my Soule be loosed from her â—ands And make my Kâ—â—pers tremble all and quake Lo then a holy Angell ready stands To saue her from heâ—s-watches grizly hands And though heau'ns sudden Light my Soule amate She forward goes and nothing her withstands A ioyfull entranâ—e to most happy state Thus passe we thorow Deaths-doore in at heau'ns narrow gate Welcome as sleepe to them that right thee know And easie as a Downy-Bed of Rest But thou most gastly-terrible dost show To those that thou do'st vnawares arrest Sweet hau'n to Soules with worlds winds waues opprest A Rocke to those that swimme in sweet Delight Sweet hoast of Saints who with perfumes hath drest The Beds wherein their