it sure The too near splendour did their sight obscure NAHUM 225. The mountains quake at him and the hills ch 1. v. 6. SEE how the mountains quake as if they meant To th' centre through themselves a way to rent The hils ' gin melt earth burns with a desire She might be turn'd to elementall fire God's present that 's the cause yet all this light Is dim'd by his refulgence farre more bright 226. The ruine of NINEVEH ch 3. Great Nineveh is faln the burden late Good Nahum bore is turn'd upon their state Sad state of things what had so populous been O'rethrown is now depopulated clean Yet were it clean fire never had com there If matter none combustible there were HABAKKUK 227. And the Lord answered and said Write c. c. 2. v. 2. VVHen mute things shall to cry begin O think how crying is thy sinne 228. What profiteth the graven image c. ch 2. v. 18. From him that form'd you you expect no good Yet do from what your selves have formed wood Were you not wood and stonyhearted too You 'd give God his not them what 's not their due Whilst you frame images by hel-bred arts You quite deface Gods image in your hearts 229. Was the Lord displeased against the rivers was thine anger against the rivers was thy wrath against the sea c. ch 3. v. 8. Though figtrees blossome not or blossoming Let fall their scarce-form'd buds blasted i th' spring Though olives bear no fatnesse and the vine Empty of clusters bring no store of wine Yet whilst we have Gods favour oil of gladnesse We ne're shall want of wine to banish sadnesse Though all else barren are we 'll fruitfull be And consecrate our first-fruits Lord to thee ZEPHANIAH 230. And it shall come to passe at that time that I will search erusalem with a candle c. ch 1. v. 12. O Time of dismall darknesse horrid night When heav'n it self is forc'd to use a light Isr'el pursues th' Egyptians sinnes I fear For they have got their quondam darknesse here God lights a candle ' cause you Jews 't is plain Have put out yours and must I fear remain â—n night eternall as your candle you Put out from heav'n you put your selves out too Y' extinguish grace and natures light to dwell Midst th' unextinguishable flames of hell 231. This is the rejoycing citie that dwelt carelesly c. ch 2. v. 15. Ingodly joyes mirth pleasure pride to what A sad condition brought you Judahs state A place for beasts to lie in yet not more â—r viler beasts then there were in 't before What 's Gods they wrest to their destruction Who is indeed and there 's beside him none Yet now with little change 't is made their own They 'r miserable and beside them none HAGGAI 232. Ye have sown much but ye bring in little ye eat but ye have not enough ch 1. v. 6. YOu clothe you but no warmth you get No fire of zeal inflames you yet From hence alas the reason came You cloth'd you not with wooll o th' Lamb. Unholy folk your gains bring curses You put your coin in holely purses Without a bottome for therein You lay the wages up of sinne Which yet I fear you will not lose But keep them to your lives last close Untill they weigh you down that precipice Where like your purses there no bottome is 233. In that day saith the Lord of hosts I will take the sonnes of Zerubbabel and will make them a signet c. ch 2. ver last What greater signe of favour can be had Then thus to be a signet made A signet which was us'd in times of yore On great mens right hands to be wore This grace didst thou Shealtiel's sonne obtain And now dost at Gods right hand reign O grant good God though I a signet ne're Shall prove I may thy impresse bear Vouchsafe I may in these my infant dayes Be made a cignet to resound thy praise ZECHARIAH 234. Yea they made their hearts as an adamant stone lest they should hear the law c. ch 7. v. 12. HArd hearts and yet I fear if all were known Not so precious as that stone If hard as adamant methinks 't were fit Gods laws were in such tables writ But since they will not have it so their sinne Is wrote with lasting characters therein 235. Rejoyce greatly daughter of Sion shout daughter of Jerusalem ch 9. v. 9. As if with aged eyes he could behold What he fore told As if he saw what heav'n is proud of ride Without all pride As if he heard the peoples clamours ringing Hosannah singing He long before might I have a dim cast Of what is past But since I cannot Heav'n reserve a room That I with joy may see the pomp to come 236. And in that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses HOLINESSE UNTO THE LORD ch 14. v. 20. Asses bore holinesse of late and now Must horses too What Aarons bels and plate did whilome bear These beasts must wear Their bridles have 't ingrav'd though their mute tongue Doth want a song Gods servants in their hearts keep holinesse These on their breasts We in the Scriptures and these steeds have it In holy writ MALACHI 237. A sonne honoureth his Father and a servant his Master if then I be a Father where is my honour if a Master where is my fear ch 1. v. 6. A Master fear hath due to him a Syre Doth honour from his progeny require If God our heavenly Father be O where 'S his Honour if a Master where 's his fear If sense of duty nought in us will do Honour for fear fear not to honour though The end of the Old Testament The Gospel of our Saviour JESUS CHRIST According to S. MATTHEW The blessed Virgin O Virgin blest 'bove all in Israel In that th' art mother of Emanuel But O more blest in that thou undefil'd With sin art made the daughter of thy child The nativity of our Saviour JESUS CHRIST ch 2. Emanuel is born O where shall we Blest babe find out thy place and worship thee Where li'st thou at an Inne left I should rove Tell me the signe is' t not the signe of love Let me at thy celestiall manger feed And eat thy body which is bread indeed The heav'ns have sent their starry Messenger To bid my soul take up her lodging here â—…nes which to publick sinnes were once abus'd Are now by us to publick worship us'd Temples farewell heav'n prompts me 't is no sinne â—… such a case to make my Church an Inne The miracle of the loaves ch 15. Thou fed'st their bodies Lord and then Thou brak'st the bread of life agen Who can this wondrous banquet tell But as a double miracle Where to be sure they might be fed Thou mad'st thy body Lord the bread The blind receiving sight ch 20. He gave sight and repentance to the blind At once enlightning
Lord 's yet on the Crosse but in the even Joseph takes heart of grace prayes to be given To him Christs body Pilate hears him gives What Judas sold by him whose guilt he lives His body is embalm'd O could there be A sent more aromatick then was he Could ought more sovereign then himself be had Heav'ns sovereign precious balm of Gilead Wrapt up in fine white sindon which how e're Cannot his whiter innocence come near Clothe me with that pure raiment that I may Appearing at the last and generall day Not daunted at that great mutation Be found to have my wedding garments on His tomb 's prepared of no rare Architect With Imagery of Persian marble deckt What other ornament could that grave need Wherein our Lord did deign to lay his head From any former dusts pollution free Gods holy one must no corruption see But soft I am too rash that thus dare venture Boldly into this hallow'd place to enter Yet oh e're back I step 't is all I crave To leave my sins behind me in his grave Alas the day-star's clouded from my sight Alas the day rather alas the night The Sun of righteousnesse is set and I Groping to find the way i th' dark must cry At once my Saviour Lord why leav'st thou me The Sunne of righteousnesse is set to rise After repose more splendent in our eyes The Sun of glory 's set what should we do But turn our glory into sadnesse too Set in a sea of bloud who 's he forbears At least to bathe him in a sea of of tears The Sun of glory 's set and I have done Setting a period here with him my Sun An Hymn on the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST 1 HE 's rose not death the power could have To keep him longer in the grave His dusty spoils among He 's rose who set before to rise With greater splendour in our eyes And with him rise my song 2 This tomb in which inclos'd did lie Mortall immortalitie Left widdow'd since he went Though him it could not keep shall be Conserv'd it self in memory Be its own monument 3 How dire a journey did he take Of three dayes travell for our sake Riding his progresse on Conquering even death it self and making The damned fiends agast stand quaking In their own region 4 Who could a fitter Nuncius choose Then some bright cherub for this news Tidings so sweet they are As might create a strife to tell Which doth the other most excell The news or messenger 5 Let superstitious Persians follow With bent knees their ador'd Apollo From his Sabeans nest But my devotions course shall run An heliotropium to that Sun Arising in the East 6 Nor let Astrologers divine Because two sunnes together shine Death will ensue but rather Life which benignely flows from hence Shewn by combined influence Of Spirit Son and Fathèr An Hymn on the glorious Ascension of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ 1 MAke clear thy opticks Soul and view If wonder gives thee leave to see Heav'n comes to claime from earth it 's due Who not content is forc'd t' agree The principall shee holdes it best To pay yet keeps the interest 2 But loth her Lord so soon should hence From some low vaile shee would not let Him part but lingring brought her prince To th' top of high mount Olivet From whence an envious cloud in spight Doth ravish him from humane sight 3 What joyes Heavn's Hierarchy among What peales of Hallelujah's ring The glorified quire ' ginne throng Together to salute their King There gladnesse is on earth greifes swell Wrath envy black despaire in Hell 4 Now thou art rais'd why lingers heere Thy servant in this vale of wo Let him be fixed in a spheare With thee not wander heere below Let him a starre no planet prove A signe in heaven of thy love 5 My loadstone's set aloft attract With thy magnetick force my soule That touched with faiths lively act May turne to thee as to the Pole These are my Oraisons which god fulfill And Christ's ascension bids me hope he will A Hymn on the day of Pentecost 1 HAile o day so highly famed Brighter be thou still returning For thy candour aye be named A white a blest a glorious morning 2 In whose just praise my muse now writing Feares this honour'd feast she wronges Wanting whilst she is reciting What those Saintes had the guift of tongues 3 Tongues as diverse and as many As upon th' Apostles fell Yet amongst them all not any But kindled by the fire of zeale 4 Those their tongues were clove asunder Their praises I intend to joyne Till all as much are fill'd with wonder As they supposed to be with wine 5. But soft rash muse no further venture That heat sure doth not thee inspire Keep aloof and dare not enter Lest thou deserve another fire FINIS
HIs cradle's made of rush he layes his head On Nile's proud backe that is his feather-bed Had he not bin so lost hee 'd nere been found If not cast out to drowning had been drown'd Blest Babel all things conspire thy good and chance Out of thy danger works deliverance 38. The burning bush ch 3. v. 3. 4. In midst of fire and unconsumed yet This doth a wonder in my minde beget A fire of zeale this was made by heavens-art Not to inflame the bush but Moses heart 39. PHARAOH ch 7. For Pharaoh's pride against the LORD of Hostes An universall darknesse shades his coastes A darknesse such as might be felt a night That long usurped baffled Phoebus right He yet continu'd obstinate wee finde The greatest darknesse then was in his minde THE TEN COMMANDEMENTS Command 1. 40. Heare O ISRAEL I am the LORD thy GOD c. Israel that GOD who gave requires thine eare He deignes to speake and shouldst not thou to heare So heare as after hearing to fulfill The holy tenour of his heav'nly will Who hopes that GOD should heare him when he praies Attend what GOD attend what justice sayes Should we so ill requitall to him make Who fore all other people did us take To take a god'fore him place him behind The fancy'd Idols of our idle minde We have created gods indeed below To whome obedience honour love we owe. Whome would we see rightly to serve O let Them fore our eyes but GOD fore them be set Command 2. 41. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Images c. Whilst to Bulls Dogs and Cats th' Egyptians bowe They an egregious Hieroglyphick showe Of vaine Idolatry but little more Of reason then those Animals they adore For why should Man into whose soule his maker Hath heavenly light infus'd and made partaker Of his own image worship things that are Inferiour to himself in worth so farre Or worship God by Proxy dare to sett Of what we never saw the counterfett If ' gainst this we a remedy would finde Conserve these precepts graven in our minde Command 3. 42. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine c. Thou hurtst God's name with vaine and idle chat But Foole thou hurt'st thy self far more then that Thy words are wind but when great God doth speak Thou 'lt find he silence can in thunder break 43. Aliud Is God thy fellow that thou still Dost take his holy name at will The word that fram'd thee thou dost mock And makest it thy laughing-stock Thou oft invokest God to heare Take heed too soon hee 'l lend an eare Command 4. 44. Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day c. 'T is hard if out of seaven we can't afford One day to be kept holy to the Lord Rest then from Labour and blesse him that we In sixe dayes toyle of him may blessed be This Sabbath sanctifie an earnest 't is Of that eternall one of heav'nly blisse Bestow some hours in pious meditation Though we work not on Gods work the creation And if to that grand secret we would climbe Of our Redemption O redeeme this time What though the day be chang'd as 't was heaven's will Keep our devotion on 't unchanged still Command 5. 45. Honour they Father and thy Mother c. Honour thy parents and obey What they and what God here doth say To them observant if thou be And honour'st them others will thee Long life is promis'd a reward For those who this command regard A long life shall on earth be given A longer afterwards in heaven 46. Aliud Honour and love thy father naturall Politique and Ecclesiasticall For in so doing all may clearly know Whether thou truly honorest God or no. Nature's laws charge the first which who resists Is of the rank of rankest naturalists Thother's enjoyn'd us by civility And that imp'd with a smack of policy The third which teacheth why this should be showne T' all three's the summe of all religion Command 6. 47. Thou shalt doe no murther Murther 's so foul a crime 't may not be wrought By us indeed in deed in word or thought To boyle with anger is manslaughter nay We shall for grudgings be arraign'd one day Of murth'ring there be many peices mo Then death which comes by murth'ring piece's blow Command 7. 48. Thou shalt not Commit Adulterie O have a care and bridle each ill thought Which this command may violate let nought That is but unbeseeming be in thee Do thou avoyd all wanton company Let not thy love be firmly fixt upon Her that 's another mans and not thine owne Yet on Christ's spouse the Church fixe thy firme love Although her proper husband be above Command 8. 49. Thou shalt not steale We are forbid to steale and if we do In hell we shall be punisht and here too Whilst though we work in darknesse like the mole And steal another steals from us our soul Command 9. 50. Thou shalt not bear false witnesse against thy neighbout God is the Father of all truth but lies Are onely wicked Satan's properties If thou then must bear wittnesse don't through fear Speak false God will not with a liar bear Command 10. 51. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house c. This last and least of Gods commandments lies In order next which we ought not despise Howe're if ought we would contemn begin With detestation to despise this sinne Of coveting what 's not our own yet still Covet what 's not our own to have like will With our Divine Creatour that were rather To keep then break the Law of him our Father What should I covet poor babe under age But Christ my elder brother's heritage That and his love I prize all things before And covet I may covet nothing more The third book of MOSES called LEVITICUS 52. The fire shall be ever burning c. ch 6. v. 13. THe Priest lest holy fire should decay Duly each morn did on it fuell lay So lest our fire of zeal should die 't is fit Our prayers each morning give new life to it Whilst we this flame foment we need not doubt But that the fire of Gods wrath will go out This on the Altar of our hearts being kept God us and our peace-offering will accept 53. NADAB and ABIHU burnt ch 10. Your minds were kindled with a strange desire Of offering incense with as strange a fire This 't was incens'd Gods anger made you wish You had been strangers to such deeds as this Fire sent from God your death and ruine was Made heavenly martyrs though not for heav'ns cause Whilst these unsanctified flames you bring Your selves are turn'd to a burnt-offering Sinne-offering you were none since no expence Of sacred fire could expiate your offence Yet a sinne-offering too you were for in Your offering there was nothing else but sinne Had you one spark of grace then had not heaven Needed ethereall fire thus to have
with the beasts Who us'dst each day to frolick it in feasts Thou now a higher then thy self wilt see Since thou' rt deprived of all dignitie 209. DANIEL cast into the lions den ch 6. v. 16. You salvage Monsters crueller by farre Then lions although beasts of prey they are Is thus his piety rewarded then Straight to be thrust into the lions den They say those creatures never harm kings seed But fawn on them 't is true in him indeed Then courage Daniel and pluck up thy heart Thou the adopted sonne of heavens King art 210. His accusers devoured c. ch 6. v. 24. The beasts their stomach now could find at last When who cast him into their den were cast Whose bodies mangled by those lions pow'r A farre worselion did their souls devour HOSEA 211. Come and let us return unto the Lord. ch 6. v. 1. COme jointly let 's return unto the Lord Who made the sore can onely balme afford And th' onely balm our hurt by him thus bound Will be more firm then e're it was a wound He smites but shews his love in smiting best Let us too smite our selves upon the brest Like fawning spaniels let us love the more The Master from whose hands the stroke we bore Whilst thus we undergo these sufferings Each blow is struck will cure the smart it brings 212. Rejoyce not O Israel for joy as other people ch 9. v. 1. But little reason for true joyes have we ' Midst worldly joyes whilst wallowing we be Alas a whoring from our God we 're led And joy in wrongs we do our nuptiall bed Rejoyce not we like other people no But drown false pleasures in th' abysse of wo. This done and God once more propitious No other people ere should joy like us 213. When Israel was a child then I loved him c. ch 11. v. 1. Oraculous sence an Evangelick dream Infolded in abstruse prophetick scheme Epitome of what was past yet doom Of what in future ages was to come A sure foretoken Isr'el was belov'd When for their sake from Egypt God was mov'd To call his sonne and he calls us could we Call on his sacred name uncessantly Since he 's from Egypt call'd there 's little doubt Our souls from thence shall be deliver'd out 214. Who is wise he shall understand these things ch 14. v. the last To understand Gods wayes aright would we We must our selves be right as those wayes be All earthly knowledge too we should decline To gain experience in Gods laws divine This prophet sure the way of wisedome took In it he ends his life with it his book JOEL 215. Awake ye drunkards c ch 1. v. 5. ROuze you from out your death like Lethargy Drunkards that on your couches snorting lie 'Ts not to carouse mistake me not no sack But rather sackcloth 't is my friends you lack The blushing liquour late you drunk I fear Must now grow paler and turn to a tear What makes you look so friday-fac'd to day O're prest with wo our prest wine tane away 'Ts cut from your mouth and with your swill to part No mar'l it cuts you to the very heart 216. Beat your plough-shares into swords and your pruning-hooks into spears ch 3. v. 10. Beat up the drummes and sound alarm all-arm Let numerous companies together swarm Beat beat your plough-shares into swords learn now To handle weapons who erst held a plough Turn pruning-hooks to spears and what ere are The instruments of peace let be of warre Ploughs thus employ'd 't will be to us I fear An hard to death a too too plenteous year AMOS 217. Ye who turn judgement to wormwoood and leave off righteousnesse in the earth ch 5. v. 7. IS righteousnesse quite out of fashion then And will you never put it on agen Were you but wise you 'd wear it lest you be Your selves worn out with war and misery And you who justice call a wormwood-cup Shall justly drink a farre more bitter up 218. Behold the dayes come saith the Lord God that I will send a famine in the land not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water c. ch 8. v. 11. A famine yet no want of bread can be Abundance plenty and yet scarcitie Are contrarieties then joyn'd can now A man be hungry and yet filled too Yet so it is although the bodi 's fed The soul may want its food of heav'nly bread Much better 't were the first were pin'd away Then the last have not its ambrosia Yet could we truly hunger for Gods word Heav'ns Granaries abundance would afford 219. Though they dig into hell thence shall mine hand take them ch 9. v. 2. You 'll then dig deep enough I cannot tell A pit you have more title to then hell Or will you climbe 'bove the mid region Where thunder to reward you there is none Yet there you can't stay long your sinnes deny A receptacle for you in the sky That God should take you up from hell prophane 'T is with more force to hurl you down again OBADIAH 220. Behold I have made thee small among the heathen thou art greatly despised v. 2. DEspis'd contemn'd of all the heathen folk Their publick laughing-stock their open talk JONAH 221. JONAH swallowed by a fish ch 1. He 's swallow'd by the whale who doth become To him drown'd yet alive a living tombe Himself inguls'd in double sea he knows Being now truly in the depth of woes But yet the fish quickly disgorg'd him quick And for his welfare was her self sea-sick Though 't was a miracle yet all things scan'd This was the soonest way t' have come to land 222. And the Lord prepared a gourd and made it to come over Jonah c. But God prepared a worm c. ch 4. v. 6.7 How soon grown up and yet how soon 't is gone Ere thought upon Of which longer to write I could afford But I 'll cut short and imitate the gourd MICAH 223. Wo to them that devise iniquity and work evil upon their beds when the morning is light they practise it ch 2. v. 1. HEar God in justice here pronounce a wo On those which they would fain bring others to Who hatch that mischief on their beds which they Intend to perpetrate th' ensuing day Whilst thus they shew their pow'r they 'l understand At last themselves the pow'rs of Gods right hand They merit it whose onely care 's to make Others the more and greater care to take 224. But thou Bethlehem-Ephratah though thou be little amongst the thousands of JUDAH c. ch 6. v. 2. Thrice happy Bethlehem though thou little art Of Judahs thousands scarce the thousandth part Yet out of little thee by Gods fore-doome An immense Saviour was foretold to come This Micah could discern far off his eye Clear'd by bright rayes made it appear more nigh And yet his purblind countrey-men scarce saw The light arising out of Ephratah When we far distant Isles descry
may'st purchase hell without a fee. The baptized Eunuch ch 8. v. 38. O Eunuch treasurer to Candace here A greater treasure is approching near Though t is but water yet that water may Wash all the blacknesse of thy mind away SAULS conversion ch 9. v. 3. The light thou saw'st from heav'n did make thee blind And yet O Saul gave light unto thy mind Peters deliverance ch 12. v. 7 8 c. Peter the doors flew ope for thy Egresse to former liberty Thy hearts-doores to fly ope begin Joy with the angel enters in Sirs What shall I do to be saved c. ch 16. v. 30. What shouldst thou do O Jaylour why repent Hear the glad tidings of the Gospel sent Perform thy function thou a Jaylour art Imprison Gods commandments in thy heart PAUL beaten ch 16. v. 37. When thou with stripes wert beat thou didst begin To say thou wert a Romane Citizen But when the day of judgement comes O Paul Thou 'lt plead thy freedome of another Hall The viper shook into the fire ch 28. v. 5. Thou Murd'rous beast who by unnat'rall strife Dost break a passage thorough death to life And now with fell intent upon the hand Of godly Paul who scorns thy pow'r dost stand Think'st thou when he hath scapt the raging sea That he on land shall find his death by thee Or dost thou but to kisse his hand aspire He scap'd the sea trie if thou canst the fire The Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the ROMANS Who will render to every man according to his deeds ch 2. v. 6. IF labourers are worthy of their hire I 've undeserv'd thy love deserv'd thine ire My work O heavenly Father alwayes hath Been the more amply to deserve thy Wrath Not working in thy vineyard but have sown Tares ' sted of tears to my confusion Nor should I reap in joy these fruits but hell Would fall to my lot and I should have fell To it yet though poor wretch I contrary Have been to thee still let my wages be Contrary to my merits and though I Cannot thy mercy by my actions buy My labour being nought worth yet be 't thy will That I may labour to be worthy still Aliud The earth with gratefull tribute doth restore The seed we put into her trust before But that is earthly fruit sow then with toyl Heaven's seeds for that 's a farre more fertill soyl For God takes care that those who mean to give Their lives to him shall nere want means to live For I am perswaded that neither heighth nor depth c. ch 8. v. 28. The Poets fancy that a chain of gold Which doth alone bound to Jove's chair uphold The earth the sea and all things else but we Have better chains in our Divinity Whose links are nought but amity and love Which binds us fast unto our God above So held by Christ that no sinister fate Nor World nor Devils shall us separate The first Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the CORINTHIANS And now abideth Faith hope and charity but the greatest of these is charity ch 13. v. the last CHarity is a grace whence all the rest Do take their rise and is of all the best This grace God us'd to give us grace which he Had never given but for charity This proper is to God each other grace That in mans heart doth find a biding place Doth die with him but this no end shall shall have Nor rest within the compasse of a grave This shews Gods image in us seek it then This makes us earthly Gods those onely men Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead how say some amongst you that there is no resurrection but now is Christ risen from the dead c. For as in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive ch 15. ver 12.20 22. The execration's dreadfull yet therein There 's nought so terrible as is the finne Has Christ so ill deserv'd of us that we Should pay him thus again unthankfully Let love breed love kindling an equall fire In our desire Contemplate on his suff'rings let them move The greatest curse is not our Lord to love The second Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the CORINTHIANS Neverthelesse though we walk in the flesh yet we do not warre after the flesh ch 10. v. 3. WHat though we live on earth our nobler part Hath learn'd to subjugate by heavenly art Our terrene drosse our viler heart that still Moves warre and is repugnant to his will So dissonant they are that midst their strife They both do mutually endanger life Yet when that 's gone this still my comfort shall Be found I have a life spirituall And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you c. ch 12. v. 15. Spend and be spent and all that he thereby Might us enrich this prodigalitie Is too too much O no he doth no more Then what our Saviour's self did heretofore He for mankind lay'd down his life and shall Not we too of our lives be prodigall What 's Paul's unto our Saviour's and what are Our lives if them we do with Paul's compare Sure farre below him grant good God that we May follow him as he hath follow'd thee The Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the GALATIANS Am I therefore become your enemie because I tell you the truth ch 4. v. 16. IF truth breed enmity he who 's truths foe An enemy to th' God of truth is too Shall parasitick lies oyl'd phrases gain Acceptance where truth can no grace obtain It truly shews we 've none who then will dare To put 's in mind we men and mortall are Then flie base sycophants count him thy soe That fawning would not have thee think him so This is the wholesom'st counsel can be given Like this or th' art not like to come to heaven For I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus ch 6. v. 17. Paul in thy body the Lords marks I find But farre more legible are in thy mind The Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the EPHESIANS Redeeming the time because the dayes are evil ch 6. v. 16. If time for no man waits but poasteth on Who can recall the time that 's past and done It seems perhaps unto our weaker eye To redeem time impossibility But heaven will teach it by an art divine Look back upon thy grandsires age then thine See their integrity and quiet life Thine full of falshood tending to all strife Tread in their paths to imitate them strive So 't may be said that age doth still survive Stand therefore having your loyns girt about with c. ch 6. v. 14. Arm arm against an enemy a foe More to be fear'd then any here below Weapons of Steel fram'd by a mortalls hand Cannot the on-sets of this pow'r withstand True holinesse within our simple hearts Must be our safeguard from hells fiery darts Strike down all lusts that cannot give the word That
word will wound these foes more then thy sword When th' hast or'ecome lay not thy weapons down Acknowledge 't was Gods might and not thine own Else to thy self thy self a foe art grown Thou none assaulting shalt be overthrown The Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the PHILIPPIANS Let nothing be done through contention or vain-glory c. ch 2. v. 3. T Is fit each one of others better deem Himself in lowest rank of all esteem Nought in vain-glory do nor ostentation Ioyn not humility with affectation And ' midst the mad applause of th' vulgar rout With consciousnesse of secret faults keep out All pride thus sinne within this good hath done To give no other intromission Debarring pride here fix thy firm abode The lowest nighest is to th' highest God Let your moderation be known unto all men the Lord is at hand ch 4 v. 5. The coming of our Lord is near and we Should alwayes for that time prepared be So let our moderation now be shown That he may vindicate us for his own Onely at that time waiting for such profit Immoderate be in expectation of it The Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the COLOSSIANS Set your affections on things above and not on things below c. ch 3. v. 2. WHo can then him who gave affects to th' mind A fitter object of affection find Shall sordid earth bemire th' immortall soul Which else woul soar aloft above the Pole Shall dunging land shall carts our businesse be Whilst we despise th' ethereall axeltree Shall all those vast dimensions of Heav'ns globe A Ptolomy could take in 's Astrolabe Be thought room big enough to entertain My vast aspiring mind no all 's but vain With zeal imp'd I 'le mount higher till I see The starres as farre below me as I thee I 'le fly at one cast have at heaven at all Take pride in climbing and yet fear no fall But he that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong that he hath done and there is no respect of persons ch 3. v. the last Thou Monarch of the World whose pow'rfull hand Doth sway the nations all at thy command Deal'st with all justly letst it not be sed Thy laws are like Arachne's fine-spun web Where little flies are caught and kil'd but great Passe at their pleasures and break down the net Let not through their injustice fools provoke The God of Heav'n he strikes an equall stroke Strikes at the Crown as well as at the feet And often makes both head and tail to meet For what is our hope or joy c. Yes ye are our glory and joy ch 2. v. 19.20 T will adde another Diadem to thee Good Paul when at the last day thou shalt see Those Thessalonians circled with divine Rayes of bright glory which though theirs are thine To hear them blesse that gracious God who sent Of their conversion thee the instrument But when Christ comes and claims thee for his own Their joyes will mount to th' higher region The first Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the THESSALONIANS Quench not the Spirit ch 5. v. 19. A Sacred heat inspires me and shall I Fling water on 't or lay the fuell by No let it have its work this burning sure My safety doth from others flames procure But when I feel the heat decrease and gone Almost I 'le cast the Spirits unction on Or wanting that poure tears salt water will Re-kindle it and keep 't in vigour still That like as Chymists keep continuall fire T' obtain the rich extraction they desire So I may study 't would more fruitfull prove To keep the Spirit the quintessence of love The second Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the THESSALONIANS And ye brethren be not weary in well-doing ch 3. v. 13. MAy noble Titus name long live who thought That day was spent in worse then doing nought Wherein he did no good so kind was he Of indefatigable charity In our religion shall an ethnick thus Be said to have preeminence o're us Though for 's vast empire none did ere excell That Prince each strive at least in doing well To be above him imitate him who Ne're ceaseth good to us and ours to do The Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to TIMOTHY And having food and raiment let us be therewith content ch 6. v. 8. GLuttons you are deceiv'd and so are you Fine silken Gallants too Which place your summum bonum in such things As summum malum brings High fare and sumptuous you think no doubt To life will set you out To wit for fools O rather be content With that which God hath sent Yet not content but since God thinks it good Pray for spirituall raiment heav'nly food The second Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to TIMOTHY Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth ch 3. v. 7. â—…S this your learning O 't is surely then Backwards to learn agen So often to commence yet never past Master o' th' art at last Backwards you learn the holy tongue I know I fear you holinesse it self learn so The Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to TITUS The professe that they know God but in works they deny him ch 1. v. the last PRofessing Heaven he 's in a hellish state That nere is candid though a candidate No man at any time Jehovah knew Much lesse if not a man you bestiall crue Though you professe much yet my faith 's but small That you have any faith in you at all The Epistle to PHILEMON Yet for loves sake I rather beseech thee being such a one as Paul the aged and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ verse 9. VVHo would not rather such a pris'ner be Then of the richest potent'st city free A pris'ner but 't is better farre to die Then seek apostatizing libertie O happy Paul who hadst the honour thus To be his prisoner who redeemed us The Epistle to the HEBREWS It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God ch 10. v. 31. IN what a stupid and a sottish age Do we now live that we should dread the rage Of punishment which is Gods harbinger And torments more then the tormentours fear Surely if that his instrument strike sore When he 's the instrument 't will be farre more These rods like that Assyrian King have pow'r From him who sent them forth not to devoure But purge us would untill 't is set on fire Can give no heat O then if you desire T' avoid the scorpions sting of punishment Appease him first who hath these scourges sent By faith Moses when he was come to years refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter ch 11. v. 24. Mild Moses was it through humility Thou didst deny To be th' adopted heir of Pharaoh Or if not so What mov'd thee to refuse a dignity That su'd to thee No 't was thy holy pride which shot upright At heav'n the white Thou choosing God thy Father 't was not
strange So choosing thou wert proud of such a change Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sinne for a season esteeming the reproch of Christ c. ch 11. v. 25 26. Cheap pennieworth affliction when such gain It brings and quits with so much joy our pain Cheap bought yet dearly too since 't doth conferre On us what is both precious and dear Who then can Moses discommend that he Suffer'd reproches so contentedly In case he had deny'd to bear them then He had deserv'd reproch from all good men The Epistle of the Apostle S. JAMES For as the body without the spirit is dead even so c. ch 2. v. 26. YOu boast of faith you say too you have set It safe like jewels in a cabinet Why say you not and I should credit give Almost as soon a carrion corps doth live That doth not breathe nor 's thy faith joyn'd with works I 'd sooner take a charitable Turks And for your cabinet you keep it there So safe that we shall never see 't I fear Therefore to him that knoweth how to do well and doth is not to him it is sinne ch 4. v. 17. Oft with my self as I have musing sate Weighing the foolish and the wise man's state I 've doubtfull been which I might judge the best The wise man knows much good but doeth least The senselesse doltish Idiot without wit Knows nought and naught is able to commit The first Epistle of the Apostle S. PETER For it is better if the will of God be so that ye suffer for well doing then for evil ch 3. v. 17. AFflictions are like med'cines if they be Giv'n to sound bodies go down currently And trouble not but if distempers grow And make the stomach queazy 't is not so They purge and scoure and search till nought remain That 's an ill humour then comes out again So 't is with us If we our selves prepare And with no great offence corrupted are Afflictions seem more sweet but if there lie Upon the soul some foul enormity The burden weighs more heavy and our God Seems angry strikes hard with his iron rod. If I must of that bitter purge partake May 't be for triall not for my sins sake But it is unto them according to the proverb The dog is returned to his own vomit and the some that was washed to her wallowing in the mire ch 2. v. 22. ep 2. When thou art purg'd and cleans'd hast bin Be carefull lest again thou sin Behold the sheep that once being wash't Is wary lest she should be dash't For otherwise 't would labour be in vain To wash to filth to filth to wash again The first Epistle of JOHN He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love ch 4. v. 8. OUr God is love then why should we Live thus in wrath and enmity The blessed Trinity teach us love That we the liker them may prove To tie true-love's-knots now begin But yet at variance be with sin The second Epistle of JOHN For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil works v. 11. TO bid an evil man God speed 'S to be partaker of his deed But if unwittingly I spake My self I conscious did not make But must I first his businesse know Whether it lawfull be or no What need of that leave him to God And unto his revengefull rod Pray then that such who unto sins are bent God would with speed bring them to punishment The third epistle of JOHN But I trust I shall shortly see thee and we shall speak face to face v. 14. A Greater blisse then peace no man can have He that gave peace no doubt all things else gave Peace is the chief of graces for those were Indeed no graces which at discord are They as the Poets fain are link'd in one And virtue makes the full conjunction Behold how this one peace doth prosp'ring blesse All temporall affairs with wish'd successe The earth yields her increase each under 's vine Sits down in peace and drinks of his own wine More joy I cannot wish you then farwell The peace of God be with you where you dwell The epistle generall of JUDE Yet Michael the Archangel when contending with the devil and disputing about the body of MOSES durst not blame him with cursed speaking but said The Lord rebuke thee ver 9. WHat argument of pro and con there was With them I mean not to dispute the case This onely I am certain of the one Would bring no railing accusation For 't was as farre below him to contend In bitter words as was that ugly feind A body mov'd this strife at first 'twixt those Who had no bodies incorporeall foes Michael in his mild words without dispute His words did to mild Moses nature suit The Revelations of JOHN The Revelation of Jesus Christ. ch 1. v. 1. THis revelation in your minds up hoord See Christ the word revealed in his word Behold he cometh with clouds c. ch 1. v. 7. With clouds he comes a cloudy day 't will be With those Lord Jesus who despised thee But to the Saints happy thrice happy houre Those clouds shall melt in a sweet honey showre I am he that liveth and was dead ch 1. v. 18. No death could have the power over thee Thou freely did'st submit thy self to die Thou now dost live in sinnes Lord I am dead Joyn me a member to thy self the head Be thou faithfull unto the death c. ch 2. v. 10. Hast thou begun well so persever Runne on thy race and alter never Hell is their portion who begin In piety and end in sinne And this will be another hell To think that they began so well And I will give thee a crown of life ch 2. v. 10. In the bright throne thou shalt be set About thy head a coronet Thy faithfulnesse and constancy Shall be resounded in the skie And to have got this fame with such renown Shall adde a greater lustre to thy crown I am Alpha and Omega ch 22. v. 13. God's the worlds Alpha its creatour He formed all the works of nature He 'll be the worlds Omega to Bring to wicked men great WO. Here 's first and last for th' middle man who is' t Who can that be but Mediatour Christ Aliud ch 22. v. 13. God doth himself Alph ' and Omega call Yet no beginning hath no end at all Blessed are they that do his commandments ch 22. v. 14. O shut not up the book Ere you a little further look A sweet encouragement Read it i th' close is sent The tree of life is yours Who do endeavour to your pow'rs Gods precepts to fulfill i th' best abode The tree shall yield more fruit to you then you to God Even so Lord Jesus come quickly ch 22. v. 20. Make haste Lord Jesus quickly come And take my wandring spirit home Too long it hath been pleas'd
with toies And sought to lying vanities 'Twixt two I am and fain would be Dissolved Lord and come to thee O take me Lord and ease my fears Or else I shall dissolve in tears Where is the temple gently guide My soul to it thy virgin bride Or if no temple fit enough there be My soul 's a temple consecrate to thee FINIS An additionall corollary of divine Epigrams such as cannot be referred to any particular place of Scripture By J. H. Saint Paul beheaded THe end of thy appointed race is come And thou must loose thy rev'rend head at Rome This crumme of comfort yet thy spirit fed Thou art the member of another head Mary Magdalens joyes after mourning Mourning now be gone Go seek some other place depart Joy must possesse thy throne Now truly now thou mourning art Her eyes have long rain'd April showers 'T is now full time she crop May flowers S. PETER Peter from petra comes a rock and on This rock the Papists lay foundation This rock so narrow is that there 's no room For those that would be sav'd on it to come 'T will prove a rock but such a rock indeed As will their drowning not salvation breed They build upon the sands their own hopes mock Since Peters self was built on Christ his rock CHRIST to me is gain Crosse others if you wish there should ensue Crosses on crosses multipli'd on you But if you 'll needs be crossing 't is no losse But rather gain for you to learn Christs Χ. PRAYER The Devil a roaring lion seeks each hour Whom he unarm'd may find and so devour Let pray'r our buckler be all night all day Pray that thou beest not made the devils prey Heavenly love Great love no marriage there 's in heav'n above Here is much marrying not a whit of love Soul-comfort Look up to heaven with erected looks Of love my soul thou art much in Gods books On the end of the World The wicked world in waters long ago Was steep'd th' ill humours then from it did go 'T is now infected with ungodly men Which makes me fear that fire must purge 't agen A Divine Poem on the cruell death and Pussion of our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST ANd now the time is come dear Lord is come When not by Pilate's doom but thy fore-doom Thou art to suffer 't was not his decree But thine ordain'd from all Eternity Thy subject man infringed thy Laws just force And thou the Law-giver sustaind'st the curse When we so farre had from thy precepts swerv'd That little we desir'd this lesse deserv'd When we were did in sinne of so deep grain Onely thy dying could us cleanse again When we were all be-purpled o're yet none Could blush at those offences he had done Strange miracle that crimson bloud should so Turn our souls crimson hue to purest snow Beyond expression that he tastes of death Whose breath infus'd in ev'ry creature breath To which sad joyfull narrative we come Drawn by his agonies preludium Our Saviour having sup'd his last 'gan sup The wholesome liquour of the saving cup Which did resemble that his precious bloud Was to be shed for our eternall good Now a more bitter one to drink he hath The dregs of an incensed Fathers wrath Being to quaffe this wormwood-draught alas No mar'l he pray'd the cup from him might passe Now his first conflict comes now drops of bloud Bedew the blushing earth whereon he stood Those precious drops which from him now down glide Usher the streams must issue from his side The inward torments of his soul were great The outward signes whereof was bloudy sweat But greater follow armed soul diers stand With holdberds staves and knotty clubs in hand Ready to seise the prince of peace and he Who could have guards of Angels presently Attending on his summons now can brook To be by mortall creatures pris'ner took O would they bind him never to depart The strongest chain were love to hold the heart Or happy they could they so happy prove Themselves to be tane captives by his love That that had bound them to the peace and so O' th' militant Church they had been souldiers too But Peter not endures it with zeal stir'd Out of his sheath he draws his keen edg'd sword Peter if pleasure thou in swords dost take The Gospels two edg'd sword thy weapon make But he who came to heal his peoples sinnes To heal the high-priests servants eare beginnes Who yet poor creature Gods call could not hear Because alas he wants the inward ear And now the shepherd took the sheep poor sheep Are scatter'd when their pastour doth not keep Himself the shepherd said I he became No more a shepherd now but proves a lambe Whose fleece his servants faults for aye should cover That so his fathers wrath might them passe over He suffers them to leave him and doth make That th' means that he might never them forsake This surely was his deepest grief who here Deserted was of all whom he held dear Accompani'd but how with foes and none But would much rather so be left alone Great are his suff'rings sure heavy his doom Who suffers thus much e're his suff'rings come Yet meek and silent giveth no occasion For any one to think he is in passion Although he be so patient bears his state Though full of passion yet not passionate Judas perditions sonne 't was led the van Of those who came to take the Sonne of man Foul treas'rer who to gain a little pelf Hast treasured up great wrath unto thy self Our Saviour gently yet would call him Friend How much more rightly were he stiled Friend What wicked deed base traitour hast thou done Hast thou no other way to kisse the Sonne Blind Pharisees Christs bounty do not know He 'll give himself they need not buy him so Think you a price for his life can be given Who gives that life a price to purchase heaven The traitour doth not long out-live the fact But he who did incite him to this act Invites him to another to destroy His body make that bear's soul company He hangs himself compleating his sinnes score Who was insnar'd with love of hell before Peter who so of late his Saviour lov'd Now runnes the rock of Peters love is mov'd First led to Annas next to Caiaphas To Pilate twice to Herod once he was Both Jews and Gentiles his condemners be Romans Barbarians seem in cruelty Those who were foes before now think it good First to cement their friendship in his bloud This reconcilements dire foundation Was built on yet without the corner-stone What wonder is it then that we have read Both bloud and building fell upon their head False witnesses were sought whose consciences Witnesse to them how false their witnesse is The temple in three dayes he will destroy And at the three dayes end reedisie Is of his body yours too would you yield Temples unto the holy Ghost would