Iacob that hee should not depend upon his fathers substance but upon the blessing of God on his owne endeavours according to these words and God alsufficient blesse thee and make thee to encrease c. Now having cleared the way I will show you Iacob walking with his staffe A man useth a staffe for one of these ends either to support him from falling or else to defend him from dangers An old man useth a staffe to support his weake body and a young man he useth a staffe to defend himselfe and offend his enemy In the first exception God made this Serpent Laban a staffe to Iacob for when he came to Laban he was so poor and weake that he was not of himselfe able to subsist as by his vow appeares when he did at that time desire no more then clothes to weare and bread to eat so that it seemes hee was not very well stor'd at that time either with money or provision as he afterwards acknowledged in these words That he came over Jordan with his staffe onely and in this exigent he was refreshed and supported by Laban First according to his wish viz. with convenient sustenance for I reade nothing to the contrary and therefore judge that Laban kept a good house for his owne family secondly with two wives two maids twelve sonnes and one daughter And last of all with a multitude of riches so that in this he acknowledged Gods great blessing towards him for whereas he came to Laban with no more then a staff now he is become into two bands But was there not as good supporters as Laban could not Iacob finde as good masters as he yes certainly for hee might have done as well if not better with some other But it was his father and mothers pleasure hee should take a wife from among their brethren Therefore in obedience to their will he came to serve Laban Thus have I briefly declared how Iacob was supported by a Serpent But from hence I would have none to inferre that because he serves a Laban therefore he must have the blessing of Iacob for it was by the providence of God and not by Labans goodnesse that Iacob became so rich for Laban as a Serpent if he had found any of his servants idle or carelesse he would be sure to sting them Therefore hee that intends to have the blessing of Iacob must be qualified as hee was viz. First hee must be a pious servant and beginne his service with Iacobs wish in hearty prayer that God would blesse him therein with food convenient and clothes to put on viz. such things as are necessary for him Secondly hee must be wise to make his bargaine lest after much labour and long time spent he be not sent away worse then he came as the Proverbe is a young Servingman and an old begger For Iacob made his bargaine wisely for the love of Racheâ— he served 14. yeares and after for the provision of his owne house hee made such a bargaine that by policy hee got all Labans strong cattell and left him the feebler Thirdly hee must bee diligent as in his owne so in his masters businesse but it is fit hee should know what his imployment is so was Iacob for thus he answers Laban Thou knowest what service I have done thee and in what taking thy cattell have beene under me and not under another thy ewes and thy goats have not cast their young and the rams of thy flocke have I not eaten I was in the day consumed with heat and in the night with frost and my sleepe departed from mine eyes Hee did according to the Apostles rule serve not with eye-service of pleasing men but in singlenesse of heart as unto the Lord viz. he would doe his worke as well behind his masters backe as before his fâ—ce And lastly a good servant ought to be wise as to lead an unblameable life so to keepe himselfe from danger for in such a service other servants or it may be sometimes the master himselfe as here perceiving that hee thrives or growes rich presently grumble or grutch and seeke by some wayes or other to defeat him as here it was but Iacob was wise and could perceive though Labans sonnes uttered that their father thought for they complained that Iacob had taken all that was their fathers and of his goods he had got all his honours yet Iacob perceived that the countenance of Laban himselfe was not towards him as in times past therefore he thought it was time to looke about him to avoid such traps and snares as might be laid for him for he knew if he did not prevent them they would either intangle him in his words or have such a strict eye over his actions that one way or other they would find some cause to quarrell Therefore at the commandement of God by the counsell of his wives he departed with great riches so that he was able to give his brother 200. she goats and 20. he goats 200. ewes and 20. rams 30. milch camels with their colts 40. kine and 10. bullockes 20. she asses and 10. foales and yet not hurt himselfe And thus have I briefly shewed how the Serpent was turned to a rod of support beating away the enemies of Iacobs welfare penury poverty and misery wherein I have displayed the propeâ—ties of a churlish master and the qualities of a profitable servant But such as Jacob's hard to finde Though many men have Labans mind In the consideration of Gods providence I am likewise to shew how God for the reliefe of David made wateâ— to flow out of the hard rocke But in this as in the Serpent I would not be understood to meane a naturall but a metaphoricall Rocke And such a Rocke was Nabal And to prove him to bee so I will not divide him as I did Laban but I will consider him in the whole by these properties First by his magnitude secondly by his obduration and thirdly by his sharpe craggednesse First a Rocke is a huge bulke of stone gathered up to a great height and Nabal was exceeding mighty there 's his height and had 3000. sheepe an 1000. goats there 's his bulke Secondly a Rocke is a hard stony place so that nothing can be got out of it but by exceeding hard and dangerous labour and Nabal as his name shewes was of a hard temper for Bray a foole saith Salomon in a mortar and he will not leave his foolishnesse hee thinkes himselfe so wise that he needs not or so rich and potent that he cares not or so churlish that hee will not heare any perswasions against his foolish humor For al the perswasive arguments David could use to draw some refreshment for himselfe and his men out of this Rock would not worke upon him but in stead of reliefe like many in these dayes scornes and reviles at him in these words Who is David and who is the sonne of Ishai that I should give my bread
A rare PATERNE OF Iustice and Mercy Exemplified in The many notable and charitable Legacies of Sr. Iames Cambel Knight and Alderman of London deceased Worthy imitation Whereunto is annexed A Meteor and a Starre OR Briefe and pleasant Meditations of Gods Providence to his Chosen of the Education of Children and of the vertue of Love with other Poems By Edw Browne Psal 19. 1. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handiworke Printed at London for William Ley at Pauls Chaine neere Doctors Commons M DC XLII The Effigies of the right wor ss Sr James Cambell Knight sometime Lo Mayor and Senior AldrnÌ„ of London etc. To the Right Worshipfull his vertuous and religious Lady Dame Rachel Cambel Relict Executrix of the last Will and Testament of Sir Iames Cambel Knight and Alderman of London deceased And to the Right Worshipfull his honoured friends Sir Thomas Abdy Knight and Baronet and Mr. Iames Cambel Esquire joint Executors with the said Lady Grace and peace be multiplied Right VVorshipfull DEtraction that ugly deformed Hell-borne Monster hath of late cast her poisoning envious breath upon my best actions even upon these harmlesse papers and would faine beget in you an evill opinion of me and of my honest endeavours thereby to worke my utter ruine But I hope the Lord who knoweth the integrity of my heart and the cleannesse of my hands from doing wrong to any especially to my late Iudicious loving-Master will worke in you such an heroicall and magnanimous spirit that you will not be infected with such pestiferous venome your Worships knowing very well that such Detractors like ravenous Vultures eate and gnaw upon the very life and livelihood of others onely for their owne ends viz. that they may grow fat and rich thereby for they care not how they impaire the good name fame or reputation of others so they themselves may get honour and esteeme though there be little worth in them deserving the same Therefore for vindication of my credit in this particular which now lyes a bleeding I am inforced to publish that I intended to keepe private to shew to your Worships and all other my friends that I have beene so far from intending the least disgrace that as I am in duty bound so I have ever sought the honour of my judicious loving Master And I am confident if in these workes of mine he had found any thing to his disparagement hee would in his life time have showne me my errors upon my request which he never did as your Ladiship very well knowes And as it is very well knowne throughout this Citie that my Master in his life did much good to others especially in Iusticiarie affaires so I doe humbly acknowledge that he did alwayes delight to doe me good even to the day of his death And therefore I thinke it part of my dutie now hee is departed this transitorie life to expresse my thankfull heart for the same which I can no better way perform being I have alreadâ—e beenâ— so presumptuous as to cast my unlearned workes into the Presse then to publish without flatterie his many worthie and imparalleled workes to his never-dying memorie That they may bee a meanes to excite and stir up others of his qualitie to doe workes of charitie to the poore and judicious benevolence to the rich Yet I doe ingenuously confesse that they deserve to bee ingraven in Pillars of durable Marble by some learned and eloquent Cicero rather then by my rustick quill on these timeperishing papers For my workes I commit them to your gracious acceptance and judicious censure hoping that what I have done amisse herein you will be pleased favourably to passe by because you know the attractive cause from whence these cloudie and muddie vapours did arise therefore I doubt not but the sun-shine of your favourable aspects will expell such mistie exhalations and ever remain upon the poore and weake yet honest and willing endeavours of Your unworthy yet truly faithfull servant Edward Browne 19. Maii. 1642. A RARE PATERNE of Iustice and Mercy Exemplified in the many judicious noble and charitable Legacies given and bequeathed in the last Will and testament of that grave Iudicous Senator Sir James Cambel Knight sometime Lord Maior and senior Alderman of London who departed this transitory life upon Wednesday the fift day of Ianuary Anno Dom. 1641. and was buried in the Parish Church of Saint Olaves Iewry London the 8. day of February following being Tuesday Obiit sine prole Aetatis suae 72. THe memory of the just is blessed saith the Wiseman but the name of the the wicked shall rot And surely the righteous shall bee had in everlasting remembrance saith holy DAVID Yet the Prophet ESAY complaines That the righteous perish and no man considereth it in heart and mercifull men are taken away and no man understandeth That the righteous are taken away from the evill to come In consideration whereof that I may not be culpable of the like reproofe I will with the Psalmist marke the upright man and behold the just for the end of that man is peace For thereby I shall learn how to dye comfortably It may bee as a paterne or example to direct me and others in the houre of death For eth wicked they dye either sottishly impatiently or desperately First sottishly like blocks and idiots having neither penitent feeling of their sins nor comfortable assurance of salvation Being like to Nabal whose heart ten daies before his death died within him and he was like a stone Such men die like lambes and yet shall bee a prey for the devouring Lion they go quietly like fools to the stocks for correction Secondly others die impatiently who do not willingly bear the Lords correction deserved by their sins but rage fret and murmure as if God dealt too rigorously with them and through impatiency will use unlawfull meanes for their recovery as Ahaziah did who being sicke sent messengers to enquire of Baal zebub the god of Ekren if he should recover of his disease Thirdly others die desperately their consciences accusing them most terribly for their sins without any hope of pardon as Cain who said my sinne is greater then can be forgiven or Iudas who despairing of pardon for his sin in betraying our Saviour went and hanged himselfe The consciences of many wicked men lye quietly and never trouble them all their life time but are stirred up at their death and then rage and torment them like a mad dogge which is lately awaked out of sleepe But the righteous die most comfortably they beleeving in Christ and having repented of their sinnes are assured in their owne soules that all their sinnes are pardoned in Christ they wil make confession of their faith and give testimony of their repentance unto others for their comfort and example They will patiently endure all the paines of their sicknesse as Iob did knowing that all comes from the Lord and that it
the objections of these men and makes this the foot of his song Thou wilt say unto me have not many just men perished by shipwracke certainly hee cannot die ill which liveâ— well Have not many just men beenâ— slain by the enemies sword Certainly he cannot die ill which lived well Have not many just men beene killeâ— by theeves Have not many righteouâ— men beene torne in pieces by wildâ— beasts Certainly hee cannot die ilâ— which lived well c. But I will say unto such as censure the righteous for their strange and violenâ— death as Christ said of thosâ— eighteene upon whom the wa 〈…〉 of Siloam fel and slew them Think yee that these were greater sinners then others I tell you nay but except ye repent ye all shall likewise perish As for sudden death it is evill to them which lead an evill life because it findes them unprâ—pared it carries them away suddenly unto torment but it is not evill to them which live well because it findes them prepared it frees them from much paine which others endure through long sicknesse and carries them forthwith to the place where they desire to be The righteous doe so dispose of themselves in the morning as if they might die before night and at night as if they might die before morning and therefore whensoever death comes it finds them prepared and is a benefit unto them 2 Againe if the righteous a little before death bee dangerously tempted by Satan and shew their infirmitie by uttering some speeches which tend to doubting or desperation though afterward they get victorie and triumph over the divel carnall people think there is no peace of conscience and therefore no salvation to bee had by that religion and so speake evill of it Let such consider the estate of Iob in his misery who cursing the day of his birth said that the arrowes of the Almighty did sticke in him the venome whereof had drunke up his spirit that the terrors of God did fight against him that the Lord was his enemie did write bitter things against him and did set him as a butt to shoot at As also the estate of David through terror of conscience while he concealed his â—inne His bones consumed he roared all the day long his moisture was turned into the drought of summer Againe let them know that the devill doth most tempt the best Hee then tempted Christ when hee was baptized and filled with the holy Ghost so will he most tempt Christians when they have received greatest gifts of Gods Spirit As theeves labour to breake downe and rob those houses onely where great store of treasure or wealth is laid up and as Pyrates desire to take that ship which is best loaden with the dearest merchandize so the Divell doth most seeke to make a prey of them which are endued with the greatest measure of spirituall graces When the strong man armed keepeth the house the things that he possesseth are in peace but when a stronger then he overcommeth him then he gathereth greater forces and makes a new assault to enter againe In any commotion whom doe Rebels kill and spoil not those which submit themselves unto them and joyne with them in their rebellion but those which are faithfull unto their Prince and fight for their Prince against them as doth appeare now in the Rebels of Ireland Now the Divell is as a Rebell in the Lords Kingdome whom then will he most trouble and assault not the wicked which submit themselves unto him and joyne with him in rebellion against God but the godly which abide faithfull fight under the Lords banners against him Whosoever would reigne with Christ in heaven must overcome the Divell on earth for he promiseth To him that overcommeth will I grant to sit with me in my throne even as I overcame and sit with my Father in his Throne How can there be a victory where there is no battell And how can there be any battell where there is not assaulting and resisting And no marvell though the Divell doe most assault the righteous at their death for he taketh the opportunitie of the time his wrath is then great knowing that hee hath but a short time Hee must either overcome them at that instant or else not at all yea he takes the advantage of their present weakness and those sinnes which before he perswaded people to be small and light at the time of death hee maketh great and heavie Even as a tree or piece of wood while it swims in a river seemeth to be light and one may easily draw it but when it comes to the shore and is laid upon dry ground can scarcely be drawne by ten men so sinne is made light by the Divell so long as men live that so hee may still encourage them to practise it but when it comes to the shore of death then hee makes it heavie and begins most to trouble their consciences with it that if it were possible they might by it bee brought to desperation In the middest of the tentation when the godly seeme most to overcome who lyes as though hee were dead yet hee hath life in him and therefore as Paul saw that life was in Eutiches embraced him and delivered him alive when the people tooke him up for dead and he will at last so restore them as that they shall live for ever 3 Lastly others beholding them which were reputed righteous to die very strangely to rave to blaspheme to utter many idle and impious speeches to bee unruly and behave themselves very foolishly they begin to suspect their profession but let them know that these things may arise from the extremity of their disease For in hot Fevers and burning Agues the choler ascending into the braine will hinder the use of understanding and so cause them thus to misbehave themselves rather like mad men then Christians And therefore as Paul said of himselfe after regeneration It is no more I that doe it but the sin that dwelleth in me so may I say of them it is not they which doe it but the disease which is upon them All sinnes committed by the righteous in those extremities are but sinnes of ignorance because they want the use of reason to judge of sinne they are also sinnes of infirmitie arising from the frailty of their flesh and for them they wil afterward repent if they recover the use of reason and bee able to know them to be sinnes or if they doe not they are freely pardoned in the death of Christ as well as other sinnes bee Wherefore I say to those which censure them uncharitably for that their end as Christ said to the Jewes for their carnall censure of him Iudge not according to the appearance but judge righteous judgement yea judge not that yee bee not judged For rather then rashly judge of others those which survive the righteous have just cause to feare some present evils and labour by unfained repentance if it
reliefe of poor helplesse children in Christ hospitall he hath given 500. pound To enlarge the hospitall of Saint Thomas in Southwark with more lodging for poore sicke diseased persons he hath given 1500. li. And for a further reliefe of the poore blinde lame diseased and lunatique persons in Bridewell St. Bartholomewes and Bethlehem Hospitalls he hath given 300. li. viz. 100. li. to each Fiftly for redemption of poor Captives under Turkish slavery where they are inforced by cruell torments to forsake their Religion he hath given one thousand pounds And for the release and reliefe of poore distressed prisoners that lye in miserable bondage by meanes of mercilesse creditors in nine prisons in and about London he hath given one thousand pounds What shall I say more I am amazed at so many charitable bequests of one man for he hath not onely remembred the Laity but the Clergie also not onely the valiant Souldiers the Gentlemen of the Artillery Garden with one hundred pounds towards their stock and one hundred markes for a dinner or supper because he was once chosen a Colonell of this City but poore honest preaching Ministers also with 500. li. towards the supply of their necessities not to exceed 5. li. nor lesse then 40. shillings a man because he would nourish learning and religion for he knew learning to bee a maine prop to uphold religion in its purity and therefore not to bee despised as now it is for the infirmities of some few men And not onely mankinde in generall but such things as conduce to his honour and livelihood this judicious charitable Gentleman hath thought on in the composure of his Testament first to comfort and refresh the poore destitute in cold weather he hath followed his fathers steps and left 500. pounds for a further supply of a stocke of Coales which his said father Sir Thomas Cambel Knight and sometime Lord Maior of London began with three hundred pounds secondly to make wayes passable to abridge long journeyes and to ease labour he hath left 250. pounds for the erection of a new bridge over the Foord neere Wansted in Essex and last of al that we as he should delight to bee in the Church of God which is the congregation of the faithfull the house of prayer where with one heart wee should heare God speake unto us by his word and wee unto him by humble confession earnest supplication and hearty thanksgiving hee hath given one thousand pounds towards the repaire of the mother Church the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul which evidently showes he was a man that did approve all things in the worship of God should bee decent and in good order And lest he himselfe should forget any that were capable of charity hee hath left the overplus of his estate which by his computation will be ten thousand pounds if not impaired by bad debts or otherwise in his Executors discretion to dispose of in some such piou and charitable worke or workes thing or things as they shall think fit which I hope will bee to the glory of God the reliefe of the poor the honour of the deceased and to the comfort and joy of the Executors themselves Yet I have not mentioned all his charitable Legacies for I have not made relation of 120. l. to 120. poor men in money or gownes and 12. d. a piece for their dinner upon the day of his Funerall 200. l. to poore beggars to avoid trouble on the same day 200. l. to the poore of the Parishes of Saint Peters Poore and Saint Olaves Jewry London and of Barking in Essex Besides 100. l. to the parishioners of the Parish of Saint Olaves Jewry for their good will to erect his monument by his fathers and his brothers Master Robert Cambel late Alderman of London And being he was so carefull for his honour while hee lived I thought it part of my duty to take some labour for the augmentation therof now he is dead which I could no better way performe then by publishing those his unparalleled Legacies for though that may bee more solid and durable yet this my labour may be as profitable and usefull for the stirring up of some charitable mens heart to doe workes of this nature For if they be truly just while they live they will shew the fruits thereof at their death because such men doe seldome any great worke of charity till their death if they doe any then as I have beene told by some for every rich man is not as Sir Iames because hee brought Justice and Mercy with him from his cradle charactered on his name Therefore I cease to wonder that he hath left such a paterne at his death when his name which was given him presently after his birth demonstrated the same as appeares in the Acrosticke verses and Anagrams following made by mee neare three yeares since and presented To his ever honoured Master Sir IUst is the Lord in all his waies And mercifull unto the poore Man likewise should in all Assaies Ever be Just but loving more Such are rare birds in these our daies Can ballance these in all their waies And yet I doubt not but some are Mercifull and righteous both But I feare they 're very rare Ev'n such to find in ripefull growth Let 's then with Justice mercy joyne Lest we be paid in the same coyne Iames Cambel Anagrammatized Se I came Balm AS Balm is of a fragrant sent So are those Graces God hath lent Vnto mankind sit to set forth Gods glory and his servants worth As Balm apply'd well to a sore Doth heale and cure so are the poure Reliev'd recur'd by Mercies oyle Which now I find springs in my soile Se I came Balm for this same cause Ev'n to fullfill my Makers Lawes That both my life and death set forth Justice and Mercies royall worth Another ANNAGRAM James Cambell I came Blamles NO man but Christ in this world e're could I came in blamles and so goe away My thoughts are pure words holy and workes say From sin originall and actuall stailesse For sins forbidden fruit Adam did eate blamles Hath caus'd his children crave sin as their meat So that young babes no sooner borne but cry As feeling sins thrall and lifes misery But yet I read in Gods most sacred word Many were tearmed Righteous by the Lord Such were good Noah Daniel Job the Just Not that they were so for they had a lust To do ill some of their workes did shew it But God in Mercy let not's Justice know it So now as then some righteous men there be Not innocent from sin to God yet free From foule notorious nefarious crimes Such as are now the Custome of the times To do their Neighbour wrong the poore oppresse And make a Trade of all ungodlynesse But the true Innocent is like a child Who in all Actions is both meeke and mild And though sometimes by hap they goe astray And wander little in an unknowne Way Then
doth he make inquiry and is sorry That he did so his erring selfe misearry Likewise sometimes God doth his grace restrain From rarest Saints to shew they are but vaine Wiithout his aid also to see and try What bidden Graces in their hearts do lie So fell King David Peter and Saint Paul To humble them us to Repentance call In which respests by Christ some men may say I come in blamles and so goe away Now consider I pray if what David spake in another sense Psal 85. 10 11. verses may not bee truly said of Sir Iames Cambel Mercy and Truth are met together Righteousnesse and Peace have kissed each other Truth shall flourish out of the earth and Righteousnesse hath looked downe from heaven Onely in stead of Truth reade Justice in the 10. verse and Mercy in the 11. verse and then 't is plaine enough that mercy shall spring or bud out of the earth that is as I apply it Sir Iames Cambels name was given him by earthly parents so it sprung out of the earth and that signifies mercy as is before specified in the Anagram Se I came balm and Righteousnes hath looked downe from heaven that is the Sun of Righteousnesse hath infused the Graces of his holy Spirit into his heart to doe righteousnesse as in his life so at his death and that likewise may be applyed to the Anagram on his name I came blamles so that it is evident by these Anagrams and Acrosticke verses that in Sir Iames Cambel Justice and Mercy met together according to this saying of the Prophet David for now I shall not need to change the words in either verse for Truth which is Fides as Tremelius translates it is the root from whence justice and Mercy spring and without justice and mercy faith is dead and truth is falshood But if these two branches of Mercy and Justice spring from the root of a true lively and justifying faith the fruit that they beare will bee peace of conscience and joy in the holy Ghost Thus will I sing with holy David as in a spirituall sense so in remembrance of my late honoured Master Mercy and Truth have met together Righteousnesse and Peace have kiâ—â—ed each other Truth shal flourish out of the earth and Righteousnesse hath looked downe from heaven Therefore I will conclude with these verses following JVstice and Mercy were at great debate Who should in Sir James most predominate True Faith came in and said it was most meet That Mercy she should have the upper seate For she 's the Queene of Grace and for that cause She is to moderate Gods Righteous Lawes So 't was concluded to appease the brall Sweet lovely Mercy should be principall For from true saving Faith Sir James did bring Mercy and Justice like a living spring Of heavenly water to refresh and glad All â—ood mens hearts his losse maks me full sad For Justice ceased with his vitall breath But Mercy will endure long after death And sure his Justice and his Pious waies Shall ever live to his eternall praise For an example though in act it cease But Mercy now in act doth still increase And shewes her beauty in most brave array To poore distressed people whose decay She greatly pittying doth give supply To their necessities and misery Oh had I art I would set forth the praise Of Sir James Cambels pious righteous waies But being my learning 's small conclude will I In mournfull Epitaph and Elegie An Acrostick Elegie IF losse of friends be cause of griefe then I And all good people have some cause to cry Many good men there are I hope but yet Ev'n as Sir James was are full hard to get Such was his Prudence and his Pious care Could order all things well which to declare And show his vertues all in eâ—ch degree Might mase the Muses nine and much more me But this I doe by my unskilfull Art Eternally to shew my thankfull heart Losses I have how can I chuse but cry Losse hath this City can our eyes be dry Yet though he 's lost to us he 's found in heav'n Because his Mamon to the poore is giv'n Whose Friends are there for to receive and keep His blessed soule although his body sleep Our Friend Lazarus sleepeth John 11. 11. Pretious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints Psal 116. 15. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord even so saith the Spirit for they rest from their Labours and their works follow them Apoc. 14. 13. An Acrostick Epitaph IN this same Casket lies a Jewell rare And will you know the great worth of the sameâ— Mark well these words his vertuâ—s passe compare Eternall honour shall raise to his name Soe Just and equall were his vertuous waies Constant in Prastice thereof all his daies A man that alwaies stood for common good Made him belev'd of all men farâ—e and neere By Prudent Justice he all vice withstood Equall to him where shall we find his peere Lo now hee 's laid up in this earthen mould Like as a Jewell in a case of gold This is the monument upon his name Which I erected by my rustick quill But there 's a thing of cost and curious frame Rarely contrived by industrious skill In Olaves Jewry Church it is to stand A more compleater thing 's not in this land Sir Iames is there to lie in stately port Clad all in armour like a Martiall man Like a grave Senator in gallant sort Hee 's wrapt in robes even as an Alderman Courage and Wisedome in him did remaine And now hee 's dead this Figure shews the same Most Just and equall were his Pâ—ous waies And therefore at his feet doth Justice stand And at his head to his eternall praise Mercy is fixed with her Babe in hand In him sterne Justice did sweet mercy meet And now hee 's dead they stand at 's head and feâ—t Close by him kneeles his Lady much lamenting The losse of her deare Pheer this pious man A true Character lively representing The sad Condition of this good woman For shee is truely like the Turtle dove Dayly bewayling the losse of her Love But let her cease to grieve for from above Behold an Angell bright descending downe And for the â—ood deeds done by her true Love With Laurell Garland will his Temples crowneâ—s To learne by their examples all men may Justice and Mercy drawes the Vaile away Therfore is Fame and Time his Arms supporters To shew to all that in the world doe live That vertuous Actions cannot want reporters For Fame will Time to such man surely give That in good works doe spend the pain and time And now I did intend to cease my Rime But that Fame calls to shew the cost and skill Of this rare structures Fabricke stately brave Contrived and composed but my quill Is blunt and dull for I no learning have Therefore I 'le cease and say 't is rich and faire Marble
to bow or governe as Esau was for Iacob Hophni and Phinehas for Eli c. then I should thinke my selfe a happy man And this is the principall reason why I spend all this labour in looking after a discreet and vertuous woman to helpe mee as well in the education of these two Infants I have as those that it shall please the Lord to send me by her that so having for the duration of my service lived as Iacob I may likewise as hee become into two bands Thus have I given vent to this new wine and because it is new some flying lees may be found therein but if it bee well setled upon a sound judgement the lees will sinke to the bottome and being clearly rackt the pure liquor may bee exercised for many profitable uses The pure liquor if there be any found therein I doe humbly acknowledge is Gods worke but the filthy lees and unwholsome dregs is mine Let God have the praise of the good but let me have the blame and shame of what is ill done so shall the glory and praise of God be the Alpha and Omega of all my workes Therefore Oh! that God would worke in me both the will and the deed of his owne good pleasure that it would please him to grâ—nt the desires of my heart and request of my lips that all mens thoughts words and actions and mine especially may redound to the praise and glory of God and not for any vaine applause before men to the good and welfare of Gods chosen and not for any by-respects and to the joy and comfort of our owne soules in the day of the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ in glory when hee shall render to every one according to the workes hee hath done in this life that every conscionable Saint may then heare that joyfull welcome of his Saviour and Judge Well done good and faithfull servant enter into thy Masters joy Which blessed happinesse God in mercy grant to mee and all his chosen not for any merit of our owne which is nothing but damnation of soule and body for the best good that ever we have done oâ— can doe But for the alsufficiency and meritorious sufferings of Christ Jesus in our nature here upon earth To whom with his all-glorious Father and soule-sanctifying Spirit three Persons and yet but one true essentiall God be ascribed by me and all creatures as is most due all honour glory praise thanksgiving adoration and obedience from this time forth and for evermore Amen FINIS A STARRE OR Briefe and pleasant Meditations of Love Judg. 5. 20. The starres in their courses fought against Sisera Stella effulget in noctu The Proem Primo Die Januarii 1640. GReat Julius Caesar did ordain Compose and frame the Julian yeare And was the first that gave the name Vnto this day as may appeare And cald it New-yeares day thereby to show How we in Virtue should begin to grow Now of all Vertue Love 's the Queen Which is comprised in this Booke And in her Liverie I am seen Wherefore do not disdain to looke Into this same which is a New-yeares Gift From a kind friend whose love doth seldom shift Vale Invocation O Holy glorious ever loving God Who art the fountain and the living spring Of Godly Love distill it all abroad Into my Soule that I from thence may bring Such liquor good that I therewith may cheare My Godly friends that are to me most deare O thou that art the Sun of holy Love Inflame my heart by thy bright beames of light That I may sole delight in things above Let this same holy fire burn day and night Within my Soule that stubble chaff and hay Of hate and envie may soone wast away But what am I that dare so boldly write Vpon so holy and divine a thing I have no judgement or wit to indite O thou canst water out of hard Rocke bring Pardon my error guide me by thy sprite Direct my judgement in that I shall write Amen A STARRE A briefe Meditation of Gods Love in generall and in speciall to me OH what a taske have I here taâ—ne in hand Vnder whose waight Atlas could hardly staÌ„d No stout Alcides or great Sampson strong Were able to sustain this burden long Then What am I that I should dare to write Of the great Loâ—e oâ— God that 's infinite I might as well number the Oceans sand Count the grasse piles that grow upon the land Give the true sum of all the spangled starrs Or truly show the totall of our haires Nay I could sooner empty th' Ocean dry With a small spoone then tell this mistery Of Gods great Love to man how should I then With unlearn'd wit and an untutr'd Pen Dare to set forth ev'n in the least degree His Love to all but most of all to me And yet because God in his word hath showne His Love to man and therein made it knowne It is his will that we should make relation Of all his favours to the generation That shall succed us I will truly shew What I of Love out of Gods word do know And yet I cannot tell how to begin In such a Sea of Love I 'm plunged in For whether I looke on the â—arth below Or up to heaven God doth his great Love show In three great streams me thinks his Love doth run Vpon mankind in tâ—mporall blessings some Th 'others Spirituall Grace the third is Glory Oh where or how shall I begin this storie For if I should of earthly blessings speake My Brain 's too shallow and my wit 's too weake But much more unfit to relate a story Of spirituall Graces or eternall Glory Yet what unto my mind God hath me showne I hope he will assist me to make knowne And first of all there comes into my mind The wonderfull creation of mankind And here the Love of God did great appears Before mankinde was made a house to reare Like to a loving Friend unto his Guest He would prepare his house and sâ—e it drâ—st And all things very neate for his delight All this to welcome an unworthy wight For God made earth mans footestoole heav'nly light As a faire Canopie both day and night But when he was to make mans noble features He did not say as unto other Creatures Be made and it was so but he did call A Councell with himself and then he all Mans body made and did his breath infuse â—t upon what things speaks my unlearn'd Muse â—y that desire more of this thing to know â—armed Du-Bartas will divinely show â— is enough that my unlearned Pen â— this can shew Gods kindnesse unto men â—d unto me for he hath well endu'de â—y mind with knowledge his similitude â—stampt in me my bodi 's right and straight â—d every part though little hath its waight â—nd this by Gods great Love I do enjoy â—un many are perplext with much annoy â—e next great blessing that from Gods Love flowes