These Sentences these Lines Each Word and Letter to me are better Than Pearls and Golden Mines 'T is Heaven it self transcrib'd And Glory lively pen'd God's truth no doubt was copied out When he this Gift did send It 's Truth brought forth to light God did hereby intend Man's word should fall Heaven Earth and all But this should never end Dear Soul admiring stand At that blest hand and Quill That did produce for sinners use Th' eternal Sovereign Will Astonished admire The Author too and when Thou canst not raise sufficient praise With wondring say Amen To my Cousin John H. SWeet John I send you here A Song by heart to learn Not it to say as Parrots may But wisely to discern Oh! lay it deep to heart And mind it well I pray God grant you Grace to grow apace In virtue day by day As yet a Child you be And childish Toyes do please you But you 'l complain they all are vain When ever Grace shall seize you Nay When Convictions come In Gospel-Power and Truth You 'l surely cry Ah wretch am I Thus to have spent my youth Childhood and Youth were spent In things not to be nam'd Alas whaâ— praise was in those dayes Whereof I 'm now asham'd Dear John then lay to heart This needful timely hint Before the day of which you 'l say What pleasure have I in 't Begin to mind the Lord Who form'd you out of dust And did you raise to shew his praise Him love and fear you must In things that are of earth Spend not your youthful strength Its joyes and cares are all but snares To mischief you at length Where Christ in glory sits Place there your prime delight Let things above have all your love Your time care mind and might John Christ's fore-runner mind From whom you have your name Though from his birth liv'd mean on earth A shining Light became He chose a Desart life Fed hard was coorse attir'd He left the sport of Herod's Court Though he was there admir'd Sin he reprov'd in all And kept true witness clear He never sought himself in ought That Christ might more appear Another John you find The lov'd Disciple nam'd Who lean'd for rest on Jesus Breast With Gospel-love inflam'd To every Truth of Christ A witness bold he bear Though an Exile in Patmos-Isle Choice Visions he had there A Pattern if they be To you in word and deed Jehovah's eye will make supply To whatsoe're you need To my Cousin Sam. B. DEar Cousin Sam my pretty Lam this Song to you I send Whatever play aside you lay learn this from end to end With God begin take heed of sin know Jesus out of hand Betimes you must flee youthful lust Its first assaults withstand Spend not your dayes in wanton playes Though naughty boyes intice They first begin with little sin but end in deadly vice If naughty Boyes allure with Toyes to sin or lies to tell Then tell them plain you tempt in vain such wayes go down to Hell God's holy Eye our faults do spy and will to Judgment call us We must fear God more than the Rod or ought that can befall us How oft have I been like to die yea Death is alwayes near Chuse whom you will to follow still I Christ must love and fear Fathers best Boy and Mothers joy I then shall surely be And that that 's best of all the rest God will provide for me To my Cousin W. L. DEar Child although my Father's Will in Prison me hath bound Through uprightness and patience still my comforts here are found The presence of a gracious God doth this a Pallace make It makes the bitter of the Rod be sweet for Jesus sake But Oh! when guilt brings any here in Fetters to be bound Because of God they had no fear but were in evil found To such it is a dreadful place here guilt to judgment binds them Where if they don't repent apace Death Wrath and Vengeance finds them Of you dear Child with carefulness my heart hath many a thought Least you through youthful wantonness to greater sins be brought And so by adding sin to sin you wast your time and strength And when your judgment doth begin in vain you mourn at length I charge you then in any sort your great Creator mind Spend not your youthful dayes in sport that cannot be regain'd Avoid those rude and wicked Boyes that make a mock of sin Love not their playes and sinful Toyes to fear the Lord begin Keep close to School read Scriptures oft in private learn to pray Your Gospel-grounds keep still in thought Your Parents both obey Your Brethren love and teach them good a Christian learn to be Then God will give you clothes and food and you 'l be dear to me To my Kinsman A. L. MY pretty Child remember well you must your wayes amend For wicked Children go to Hell that way their courses tend But heark to me if you to be the Child of God desire The broad and open road must flee which multitudes admire Sâ—rive every day to mend you way learn Christ while you are young Take constant heed to every deed heart feet hands and tongue You may be quickly sick and die and put into the Grave From whence to judgment you must fly and righteous Sentence have Learn then to fear while you live here with Christ your time imploy Labour to live and die as one that leaves the World with joy My strength in cries I shall imploy that God will bless your youth I can have nothing like this joy My Children walk in truth To my youngest Kinsman R. L. MY little Cousin if you 'l be your Uncles dearest Boy You must take heed of every deed that would your Soul destroy You must not curse nor fight nor steal nor spend your time in games Nor make a lie what e're you aile nor call ungodly names With wicked Children do not play for such to Hell will go The Devils Children sin all day but you must not do so Begin I pray to learn that way that doth to Heaven tend O learn a little day by day which leadeth to that end For God and good men love such Boyes and will them good things give Father and Mother will rejoyce and I in comfort live Another to a Child insisting on Psal 119. 9. SInce I am naturally bent to take delight in Songs A Friend from Prison one hath sent that to my Soul belongs Which when I sing he doth intreat I would not mind my play But frequently with weight repeat How may I cleanse my way It is the use of such as I to Dance and Play and sing Or else to lie and rail and cry for will in every thing Why should our wantonness be crost or pleasures night and day We fear no danger to be loft what need we cleanse our way Should we our jovial play-mates shun when we return from Schools Should we not fight and
asked the cause she said I am not like this good Mary I know not that one thing needful Thus tender was her heart at that Age. In February 1659. The Night after General Monck had sent his Leter to the Parliament to put an end to their sitting by such a time Bonefires being made the night following all over London and some before her Fathers door When some went down to see them this Child would not But going to the Window and looking out hearing such roaring and rantings in the burning of Rumps and drinking of Healths there she came back and the tears running down her cheeks she said thus Here is a deal of wicked joy they know not but they may be dead before the morning methinks I see our sins fly up to Heaven as fast as the sparks fly upward This that next follows was written about October 28. 1661. It being 24 days now that she had taken nothing but Water with a little Sugar till Tuesday last and ever since that she will not take it with Sugar but water only without crying out her speech being of late taken away from her and that by forcing it into her by a Syringe she having an impostume in her stomach as it appeared afterwards not taking Food at all for divers dayes What next follows was written by her father on Friday night Octob. 4. 1661. She sent for me to speak with me and when I came I asked her what she would have with me She answered I have but a short time to live I pray you be loving to my poor Mother Afterwards he speaking of loving her she said I pray manifest your love to my poor Mother Her Mother asked her if she were willing to die She answered Aye very willing for then I shall sin no more for I know that Christs Blood hath made satisfaction for my sins â— asked her if I should go down She answered I have done with you now you may if you please Next night Octob. the 5th her Mother going softly to the Chamber-door she heard her speaking alone and she listned and heard her say this Come Lord Jesus come quickly receive they poor Creature out of all my pains On the Lords Day Octob. 6. She said thus here is nâ—thing here but sin I am willing to die but either to live or to die which she Lord pleaseth his Will be done and so it will whether I will or no. On Tuesday at night Octob. 8. Seeing her Mother weeping she said Mother do not weep for me but leave me to the Lord and let him do with me what he pleaseth And then Clasping her Arms about her Mothers Neck her Mother said Thou embracest me but I trust thou art going to the embracings of the Lord Jesus She answered Mother I know it that when I go from hence I shall go into health and happiness or else I should not undergo all my pains with so much patience she having been in very great pain having an Imposthume in her stomack One day when Nurse came to see her young Sister Sarah her Sister Ann being with her she said to her Sister Go see Nurse Her Sister said she was loath to leave her alone She answered I am not alone for the Lord is with me as it is in John I am not alone for the Father is with me She feeling a sore pain in her side her Mother said she would apply something to it She answered No the Lord Jesus hath undergone a great deal more for mâ— More Expressions of Mary Warren She having been very ill and speechless for some dayes her Father had desired Mr. John Simpson and Mr. Palmer late of Glocestershire and Mr. Jessey to come to his House and pray for his sick and much pained Daughter On Friday Novemb. 8. 1661. these met then and sought the Lord earnestly on her behalf her father having first declared to them his Daughters afflicted Condition and the more to affect them therewith he there read to them what he had formerly written of her gracious Expressions those before recited from Octob. 4. 1661. there being present also Mr. Greensmith and his Wife also that grave Matron Mris. Adkins a Ministers Widow with divers other Christian friends That Relation the more affecting their hearts to pray for her After these and another Minister had prayed for her and were gone in hopes the Lord would some way return a gracious Answer though they could see nothing at their departure It pleased the Lord the Evening following to open her Mouth that had been speechless for many dayes then she spake to the Maid to call her Mother and when she came she said thus Pray you Mother take off these Plaisters for I would not have them I would have no Doctors or Apothecaries for God shall be my Physician and he will heal me If I could have spoken before these Playsters were a laying on I would not have had them laid on If my Speech should be taken away again do not trouble me with any more things for the Lord hath fed me with the Food of Righteousness and Gladness Sometimes when you laid Victuals upon a Trencher I snatcht it away I would not destroy Gods good Creatures when I am in my fits If any thing lye on the Cloth before me take it away Though you take water to wash my mouth there is none goeth down for I have no nourishment by any thing but God no more than by this Rag taking one in her hand I do not value the things of this World no more than dirt Her Mother had told one that she thought her Daughter had assaults of Satan she once looked very gashly And now her Daughter said thus Once I think I looked gashfully and turned my head on one side and on the other Satan stood upon my left side and God was upon my right side and opened the gates of Heaven for me and he told me Satan should not hurt me though he sought to devour me like a roaring Lion Something being burning that gave her offence she said I perceive you burn something but do not trouble me for I cannot smell I am very sore from the crown of my head to the sole of my foot but I am so full of Comfort and joy that I do feel but little of my pain I do not know whether I shall live or die but whether I live or die it will be well for me I am not in trouble for my sins God is satisfied with his Son Jesus Christ for he hath washt them away with his Blood Another time when she had been speechless and began to speak she said I have been so full of joy and gladness when I was silent I am not able to express it When her Mother syringed her Mouth with water she said she could not relish it but desired to try a Syringe of Beer which when she had she said it relished worse than the Water then she desired a Syringe of
Milk which when she had it she said I cannot relish any thing But said she I will wait upon the Lord to see what he will provide for me Then her Sister standing by she said Sister Betty and Sister Ann be sure your first Work be in the morning to seek the Lord by Prayer and likewise in the evening and give thanks for your Food for you cannot pray too often to the Lord and though you cannot speak such words as others have yet the Lord will accept â—f the heart for you do not know how soon your speech may be taken away as mine was She desired her Mother thus Do not let 〈◊〉 much company be here late at night lest it â—hould hinder them from seeking the Lord in duty 〈…〉 She said further When I was first ill and went about the House I was not under trouble for my sins at all neither am I now troubled with satans temptations for the Lord hath trampled him under his feet She said also When I can hear or understand I will tell some body that they may come and read by me for I love to hear the Word of God read to me for then she could not hear Another time She spake to the maid to call her Mother saying I have something to say to her and when her Mother came she said If my speech be taken away and should be a great while so that then I may have no Doctor Apothecary or Chirurgion come at me and that I may not have any more Physick given to me and be sure to take notice of my words for they look more at the Physick than at the Power of God and if you suffer them to give me any more things the Lord will be angry with you and will bring a greater affliction upon you in some of my other Sisters I know the Lord can open the passage of my Throat in a moment and cause me to take food or he may let me lie a great while in this condition As for washing my mouth with water I find no more but only to wash the phlegm But I am fâ—d with the bread of Life that I shall never hunger and do drink of the water of Life that I shall never thirst more I know not whether I shall live or die but if I die and if you will have a Sermon I desire this may be the Text the place I do not know but the words may be comfortable to you That David when his Child was sick he cloathed himself in Sackcloth and wept but when his Child was dead he washed and ate Bread For you have wept much while I have been sick and if I die you have cause to rejoyce She said My soul also was so full of comfort that I would have spoken much more But her speech being almost gone she said If it please the Lord that I might have my hearing and my speech which would be a great miracle I should speak much more Novemb. 10. On the Lords day she said as follows When her Mother had syring'd several things into her mouth as first water which she not relishing then water and vinegar then vinegar and Sugar then milk and none did relish with her she said Here is but little comfort in these my comfort is in the Lord There is comfort indeed Though we may seek comfort here and the glory of this World yet what is all that all will be nothing when we come to lie upon a Death â—ed then we would fain have the love of God and cannot get it I am full of comfort and joy Though the Lord is pleased to let me lie under many pains yet he knoweth what is best for his Children he hath enabled me and will enable me to bear them and though he should lay a hundred times more upon me yet will I wait upon him for he is my stay and the hope of my Salvation My pains are nothing to the pains of Hell where they will never be at an end And Christ he suffered a great deal more for me then all this is he was bruised buffeted and spit upon and they platted a Crown of Thorns and put upon his Head and gave him Vinegar to drink But I have several things to take though I cannot relish them And they came out against Christ with Swords and Staves and Christ did not open his mouth against them but rebukes Peter for cutting the High Priests Servants ear and bid him put up his Sword into the Scabbard and said Shall not I drink of the Cup that my Father hath prepared for me though my pains are very great yet I am so full of joy and comfort I was very full of comfort before but I am fuller of joy this hour than I have been yet It is better to live Lazarus's life and to die Lazarus's death than to live Dives his life he had his delicates and afterwards would have been glad to have had Lazarus dip his finger in water and cool his tongue Though the Lord give Satan power over my Body yet he hath promised he shall not hurt my Soul The Devil could not go into the herd of Swine till Christ had given him leave And though he stood at my left hand and said I am in filthy rags yet the Lord stands at my right hand and saith I am but a fire-brand newly plucked out of the fire and he will put on me his Robes of Righteousness The last night I could not stir my Head Hand nor Foot but by and by the Lord did help me to move my Head a little and at length my Body O what a good God have I that can cast down and raise up in a moment but here is only looking at the Physician as many when they have been sick and well again they say Such a Physician and such a Physician hath cured them they neglect looking up to the Lord. It is true the Lord doth appoint the means to make use of but nothing will do us good except he give a blessing to it O that we had Faith as that Woman had that had spent all upon Physicians and did her no good then came and touched the Hem of Christs Garment and when Christ felt vertue go out of him he asked his Disciples Who touched him then she trembled but Christ said Rise up Daughter thy Faith hath made thee whole Of the Expressions of an hopeful Child the daughter of Mr. Edward Scarfield that was but eleven years of Age in March 1661. Gathered from a Letter written by one fearing God that lived in the house with the Child IN August last this Child was sick of a Feaver in which time she said to her Father who is a holy humble precious man I am afraid I am not prepared to die and fell under much trouble of Spirit being sensible not only of actual sins but of her lost estate without Christ in unbelief as Ephes 2. 12. John 16. 8 9. and she wept
bitterly crying out thus My sins are greater than I can bear I doubt God will not forgive them telling her Father I am in unbelief and I cannot believe Yet she was drawn out to pray many times in those words of Psal 25. For thy names sake O Lord pardon my sin for it is great Thus she lay oft mourning for sin and said I had rather have Christ than health She would repeat many promises of Gods Mercy and Grace but said she could not believe When she had been complaining that she was not prepared her Father opening the Bible his eyes first fixed upon these words in Psal 10. 17. Lord thou wilt prepare the heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear and he bid her take notice of the Lords providence therein ordering the opening of the Book and his eyes to pitch on these words The next day when she was mourning for sin he opening it again his eyes fixed on those words in Maâ—th 5. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted He bid her observe that Providence of also But as yet her time was not come and she still mourned under her unbelief The next day being then the 24th of the 6th month 1661. he praying that morning with his godly Family as his usual way hath been for many years to pray with them and read the Scriptures or Catâ—chise them daily morning and evening Behold and see what gracious incouragement the Lord gave him in his Service as he was praying to this effect That we might not look for any thing in us to rest in or trust unto for our Justitfication to stand righteous before God but only in Jesus Christ alone who died for our sins at Jerusalem and rose again for our Justification Whilst he was praying to that effect the Lord raised her Soul up to believe as she told her Father when Prayer was ended Now I believe in Christ and I am not afraid of Death After this she said I had rather die than sin against God Since that time she hath continued quiet in mind as one that hath peace with God As for this young Child I have been comforted in seeing her and hearing her answer some Questions propounded to her five years ago Her Father saith that since she was five years old he remembred not that either a Lie or an Oath hath ever come out of her mouth neither would she have wronged any to the value of a Pin. Henry Jessey Here ends the first part Here follows now some of the Fruits of Mr. Abraham Chear's spare hours improvement whilst a Prisoner Made and directed to some he was nearly related to and dearly affected Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth 1. SWeet Children Wisdom you invites to hearken to her Voice She offers to you rare delights Most worthy of your choice Eternal blessings in his wayes You shall be sure to find Oh! therefore in your youthful dayes your great Creator mind 2. The joy that other pleasure brings with vanities abound â—ay when in straits they take them wings vexations they are found Your very Vitals thus decayes and torments leave behind Oh! therefore in your youthful days your Great Creator mind 3. They may affect depraved sense while they subject your Reason They say to conscience get you hence and fear it for a season But though a kind of sottish ease you hereby seem to find I beg you in your youthfull dayes your Great Creator mind 4. The dreadful danger heed I pray of such strange wayes at length When you have sin'd your time away and wasted all your strength Be sure in chains of darkness these your hands and seet will bind Oh! therefore in your youthful days your Great Creator mind 5. Observe how poor mortal men their precious seasons spend To satisfie those lusts but then must perish in the end This saving Counsel would you please upon your heart to bind Oh! in your early yourthful dayes your Great Creator mind 6. Upon a World vain toylsome foul a journey now you enter The welfare of your living Soul you dangerously adventure If as the isâ—ue of your wayes yoâ—ve happiness design'd Oh! in your early youthful dayes your Great Creator mind 7. Friends parents all who you affect observe your budding spring Your prosperous Summer they expect a fruitful Crop will bring A witness in this age to raise to Grace of every kind Oh! then in these your youthful dayes your Greatâ— Creator mind 8. Young Isaack's who lift up their eyes and meditate in Fields Young Jacob's who the Blessing prize this age but seldome yeelds Few Samuel's leaving their playes to Temple Work resign'd Few do as these in youthful dayes their Great Creator mind 9. How precious Obodiah's bâ— that feared God in youth How seldome Timothy's we see â—erst in the Word of Truth Few Babes and Sucklings publish praise th' Avengers Rage to bind Oh! then in these your youthful dayes your Great Creator mind 10. Few tender-hearted youths as was Josiah Judah's King Hoâ—annah in the high'st alas how seldom Children Sing Youth 's rarely ask for Zion's wayes they 'd rather pleasure find But oh in these your youthful dayes your Great Creator mind 11. What Children Pulse and Water chuse continually to eat Rather then Conscience should accuse for tasting Royal Meat Would you not bow a King to please though tortures were behind Oh! then in these your youthful dayes your Great Creator mind 12. Those worthy Mirrors of thier Age obtain'd a precious Name Their living Patern should engage your souls to do the same And though in this strait narrow way you few Companions find The rather in your youthful day your Great Creator mind 13. How worthy Christ is could you learn to claim your Flower and Prime And how well pleasing 't is discern to dedicate your time You pleasantly would make essayes to get your Souls enclin'd And gladly in your youthful dayes your Great Creator mind 14. This Garland wreath'd of youthful flowers to Jesus you would bring This Morn made up of Golden Hours you would present the King You 'd humbly bow without delayes Grace in his sight to find And gladly now and all your dayes your Great Creator mind More of Mr. Chear's Verses Written to a young Virgin Anno 1663. Sweet Child When I bethink what need there is of care For precious souls to save themselves from snare That Satan as a subtil Fouler layes To take and keep them captive all their dayes In youthfâ—l folly and in sensual rest To keep them off from being truly blest What strange devices he hath to expel Their thoughts of Judgment Death of Heaven or Hell And minding what engagâ—ments on me lie To you and others Christ to testifie This Song I thought you now and then might sing If God would follow it to mind to bring Your state by Nature and the Gospel Path To set you free from everlasting Wrath. If morn by morn you in this Glass
Comeliness I want Thy Beauty may I have I shall be fair beyond compare Though cripled to my Grave And if above it all To Christ I married be My living Springs Oh king of Kings Will still run fresh in thee Vpon a Bible sent as a Token to a young Virgin wherein the worth of the holy Scripture is minded WHile I was musing what was 〈◊〉 unto your hands to send That of your Souls eternal rest my care I might commend The Holy Scriptures I bethought oft tendring to your heart That your affections might be brought to choose the better part There you may read what guilt of sin into the World you brought And since what filthiness hath bin in Word in Deed in Thought How God's long-suffering sins have prest as sheaves do press a Cart And nothing else can make you blest but Mary's better part That God hath holy jealous eyes the Scriptures do unfold By which heart-secrets he espies yet cannot sin behold Through shades of Death and darkest night these piercing Beams do dart He looks on nothing with delight but on that better part With flaming fire you also read a Judgment day design'd Where every idle Thought and Deed Must righteous Sentence find There Kings stand naked Death hath harl'd their Robes and Crowns apart Then but too late they 'l give the World for Mary's better part Then to have Jesus Christ ones own will be admired Grace To stand with boldness at the Throne and see the Father's Face To sit on Thrones when Christ shall say Ye wicked ones depart But come ye blessed in my day ye chose the better Part. The tenders of his Grace so rich here Jesus doth display He scarlet-sinners doth beseech his Gospel to obey To let sins settered Captives free and heal the broken heart He begs them on his bended knee to chuse the better part Deep Myst'ries of eternal Love hid from the Saints of old To Babes and Sucklings from above these Scriptures do unfold Not in the words of frothy Wits or humane terms of art But such simplicity as fits the Spirit 's better part The glory of the Father's Face the burning Law declares The beauty of Christ's precious Grace the Gospel here prepares Both Grace and Glory here unite to heal sins deadly smart The spirit and the Bride invite to chuse this better part The blessed truths display'd herein all your dear pleasures make It s sharp rebukes of every sin as healing Balsom take For though convictions to the flesh so bitter seem and tart Yet is their issue to refresh and heal the better part Oh! then upon this Word of Truth place high and great esteem This point of Wisdom learn in youth your precious time redeem To know Christ's from a strangers Voice account the highest Art Your richest treasure is your choâ—ce of Mary's better part A Poetical Meditation wherein the Vsefulness Excellency and several perfections of the holy Scriptures are briefly hinted perform'd by J. C. but turn'd into more familiar verse for the use of Children by Abr. Chear AMong thy glorious gifts Lord thou thy Word hast given Precious and pure sweet holy sure To guide me hence to heaven Here I abound with straits Wants and necessities There I have store heapt running o're With plenteous rich supplies Temptations here abound With terrors dangers fears These petty Hels thy Word expels And all my passage clears When Satan fiercely shoots His fiery darts at me Then Lord they Word is shield and Sword Me saves and makes them flee The present world commends Its Objects fresh and fair But yet thy Word doth that afford Which proves more precious Ware When fleshly lusts intice To their alluring pleasure To rare delights thy Word invites More choice in weight and measure The Errors of the Times Their cheating Wares display But Scripture sayes shun Errors wayes My Rule shall guide your way When by the Tempter's Wiles I tempted am to sin By thy Words Art hid in my heart Both field and Prize I win Nay though I foiled be And sin defile my Soul Thy Word can cleanse these noisome Dens And sins best strength controul An unbelieving heart Do I till now inherit Lord thy Word hath Pow'r to work Faith By thy most Holy Spirit If this be my Disease An hard and stony heart Thy Word thus deals first kills then heals And cures me by this smart Will not my frozen heart With Gospel Grace comply Thy Royal Law this heart can thaw And cause a weeping eye Doth lofty towring thoughts Puff up my tempted Breast Thy word brings low the proudest Foe Less makes me than the least Do muttering thoughts arise Grudge murmur or repine Thy Rod and Word teach patience Lord And still these thoughts of mine Am I tongue-ty'd in Prayer And know not what to say Thy Word inspires praying desires Tell 's how and what to Pray When like a lost sheep I In darkness err and stray Thy word 's a Light most clear and bright And guides me in my way A simple fool I be And destitute of eyes Thy word 's a Rule Master and School To make its Schollars wise I see my self undone Distressed naked poor Thy Words infold a Mine of Gold Rich pearls and precious store By sinful nature I And God are still at odds Thy Word my Soul converteth whole From Satan's Will to Gods Do troubles from without And floods of inward grief My Soul torment thy Word is lent With Joy and Soul relief Or is my Soul perplext With reasonings doubts and fears Thy Word of Grace resolves the case My cloudy Judgment clears Or do despairing thoughts My tempted Soul o'rtake Thy word doth give me hopes to live For Christ my Saviour's sake When floods and multitudes Of troubled thoughts me press I call to mind thy word and find Its joyes my Soul refresh Though in this vale of tears I thirst faint hunger Pine Thy word me feeds in these my ne Its Bread and Milk and Wine Or am I weakned out And cannot walk alone Thy word then is strength to my knees And staff to lean upon And though in scorn and pain Forsook and poor I be Thy word alone hath all in one Health Wealth Friends all to me Thus though my pained Soul Be sick and wounded sore With grievous sin which doth begin To fester more and more Thy word directs me where My healing may be had And doth me guide to Christ's pierc'd side For Balme of Gilead Nay though no life at all Nor quickning there remain Thy word is good and liveing Food Which fetcheth life again And if I would desire A Life that lasts for ever The Scripture shows whence water flows To drink and perish never Blest be the Lord my God Who evermore provides And filleth full my empty Soul With Food that still abides My Soul O bless the Lord Who bounteously hath given Strength light guide way lest thou shouldst stray In this thy way to Heaven This Holy Book of God
from his great desire you be blest And in your choice reach everlasting rest He offers dear-bought light to guide your mind That to the better part it be inclin'd He shews a little in a homespun stile The one's simplicity the other's Guile What stocks they come of and their old descents Their various treasures and their plain intents What are their qualities their differing ends To what plain issue each proposal tends Their sundry overtures your love to gain In way of Dialogue betwixt them twain The love of Christ SWeet Virgin stop let Wisdom drop a word becoming Kings Pray be inclin'd to bend your mind unto coelestial things I beg your love for things Above nay all your Powers I claime I would adorn your youthful morn and crown your early aime The lust of the flesh Should any thought to mind be brought that interrupts your quiet Shall Virgins weep disturb their sleep desert their needful diet Tush drink in Plate and recreate your lively youthful Spirit Seek Courtly things delight in Kings which may proclaim your merit The love of Christ While Flesh pretends these pleasing ends its dire intents it hides But pray awake for Jesus sake while day of Grace abides Flesh lusts its Guests between its Breasts convictions to expel But deadly Charms are in its armes its Guests are lodg'd in Hell The Lusts of the flesh What strange conceits what silly cheats would drive thy joys away These Preachers tell but dreams of Hell and of the Judgment day 'T wil ne'r do well till mirth expel such sullen dumps as these The Timbrel bring come dance and sing eat drink and take thine ease The Love of Christ These Childish Toys may make a noise to please the carnal heart But all the while they but beguile nay wound the better part One glimps of love seal'd from above these highest joyes transcends From deeps 't will raise to heights of praise when that in torment ends The Lust of the flesh Shall wordy winds on gallant minds such deep impressions make That for a â—ound of things unfound they joys in Hand forsake This day invites to rare delights all Ladies who design T o've fortunes rais'd and beauties prais'd embrace thess paths of mine The Love of Christ Alas at length you 'l lose your strength mirth beauty sport and pleasure And when too late lament your state your mispent time and treasure They 'l take them wings and leave you stings with venom guilt and smart Then while 't is day I humbly pray chuse Mary's better part The Lust of the flesh Are such things fit that clogs your wit which now to heights aspires Such doatings leave till age bereave of moisture warm desires Your budding Spring prompts you to sing your warbling Princely straine In Courtly Modes with amourous odes your Gallants entertain The Love of Christ Such frothy freaks aloud bespeaks how slightly youths esteem Their nobler parts their precious hearts which Earth cannot redeem How hardly brought to turn a thought from Objects thus deprav'd Though Jesus cries Oh! fix your eyes on me and be ye sav'd The Lust of the flesh Such looks may grace some wither'd face or some grave Cloystered Nun Are counted blots not beauty-spots where Fame 's but now begun Tush rather prize those Comedies and rare Romances use Attend resorts to Princely sports and shades for interviews The Love of Christ What pitty 't is such trash as this with heaven-born Souls should take While Jesus stands with stretch'd out hands rich overtures to make Gold try'd in Fire and rich attire do your acceptance crave A crown of Bliss prepared is when each an end shall have The treaty stops but here you have a tast your friend hath longings that you may be Chast Preserv'd a Virgin and brought such to Christ By love constrained not by lust intic't A Description of an Elect Person in his threefold state by Nature Grace and Glory Collected by Va. Powel in the close of his Catechism translated into familiar Verse for Childrens better remembrance by A. Chear Ejaculation My blessed Father when my heart enclines To sing this Song or but to read these lines Let me thy Spirits Power or leadings find To form their lively likeness on my mind Work deep convictions and an holy fear To think what am I or what once I were And into fellowship Lord let it guide me With all this Grace the Gospel doth provide me That I may claim what this thy record saith By sound experience and unfeigned Faith And let the hope of yonder Glory raise My Soul to close with those reflects of praise 1. Nature BY Nature and as out of Christ born of the flesh was I Grace By Grace and as I stand in Christ I 'm new born spiritually Glory In Glory I with Christ shall reign and heavenly freedom have Refl Lord what is man that thou shouldst daign so vile a Wretch to save 2. Nature Flesh did my Members and my mind with quietness inherit Grace But now a Warfare I do find betwixt my flesh and spirit Glory The spirit promised at length all glorious will make me Refl For that his War 's above my strength let not my Christ forsake me 3 Nature My sensual lusts to satisfie a fleshly War I waged Grace But now for walking spiritually my spirit stands ingaged Glory Nay by Christ's quickning power at last transform'd I wait to be Refl Lord what am I that thou should'st cast a look of love on me 4 Nature To that which fleshly pleasure brings I wholly bent my mind But now unto the Spirit 's things Grace I chiefly stand inclin'd Glory At length my glorified eyes such sights alone shall see Refl Lord what am I that thou should'st prize so poor a Worm as me 5 Nature By sinful nature I was dead in trespasses and sins Grace By Gospel-Grace now quickened my Soul to live begins Glory The day approacheth when from sin I shall be wholly free Refl Lord what am I that thou hast been at so great cost on me 6. Nature In sin as in my Proper place I was well pleas'd to lie Grace But now I strive to walk by Grace in all simplicity Glory I shall presented be at last as my dear Christ is pure Refl What love is this that Christ so chast should such a Wretch indure 7. Subjected to the Law of sin Nature and death I once did stand Grace Made free I to obey begin the Spirit of Life's command Glory A glorious triumph 's yet in store o're sin and death for me Refl How should I Majesty adore that I thus sav'd should be 8. Nature Once Gods pure Nature Word and Law I hated as my foes Grace Now with them I in holy awe and dear affections close Glory Desires shall into full delight at length resolved be Refl Lord what am I that er'e my sight should such blest objects see 9 Nature Born ignorant of Heavenly things I teachings did despise Grace
All teachings which the Gospel brings my Soul doth dearly prize Glory Clear apprehensions I shall gain when Faith is turn'd to sight Refl Lord what is man that thou shouldst daign on him to place delight 10. Nature With vilest Sons of men I chose my chief repast to take Grace But now the strictest Saints are those whom bosome friend 's I make With glorious saints and Angles I Glory eternally shall dwell Refl Lord raise me up to magnifie this Grace that doth excel 11. Nature The form of godliness I loath'd which Sons of God profess Now with its power compleatly cloath'd Grace with all my heart I press Glory The price of that high Call at last I am in hope to gain R. Lord why should all this grace be cast upon a Wretch so vain 12. Nature Of earth an earthly man I was and earthly things did mind Grace But now am brought from earth alas yet here I stay behind But shortly from the Earth I shall Glory rais'd and translated be Refl Admired kindness that at all God should have thoughts of me 13 Nature In Hell's black Region was my place dark as the blackest night Grace But now enlightned I through Grace Walk as a Child of Light Glory With Light which mortaâ—s cannot see I shortly hope to dwell Refl What marvellous Grace is this to me sav'd from the lowest Hell 14 Nature A Babe was I in open field cast out in Blood and loath'd Grace Grace passing by a skirt did yield I now am wash't and cloath'd Glory With Robes immortal yet I wait in glory to be rais'd Refl This is so surpassing great it cannot be display'd 15 Nature A stranger from my Fathers face by nature I remain'd Grace But to be call'd his Friend by Grace I have at length obtain'd Glory His fixed favourite in bliss eternal I shall be Refl O! what transcendent love is this to such a Wretch as me 16 Nature At enmity with God I stood a Rebel fierce and wild Grace By shedding of my Saviours Blood I now am reconcil'd Glory Then saved by his Life much more I hope and wait to be Refl Lord I would humbly thee adore who thus hast saved me 17 Nature God's Righteous Law for wickedness my conscience did condemn But now through Christ's own Righteousness Grace I 'm justifi'd in him Glory I hope for that refreshing day which will Salvation bring Refl Who can the faithfulness display of my dear Lord and King 18. Nature Once as a guilty Soul astray from God I fled for fear Grace Now by the new and living Way with boldness I draw near The day's approaching when Above Glory I shall with God abide Refl Dear Soul this thought surpassing love in silence do not hide 19 Nature In Satan's Kingdom I lay chain'd a willing fetter'd slave But Christ my liberty hath gain'd Grace choice freedom now I have Glory Of Heavenly free Jerusalem I Citizen shall be Refl How can I do enough for him who all this did for me 20 Nature From any bond to Righteousness I once was wholly free Grace But now made free to righteousness its servant I would be Glory In Righteousness I hope to raign when sin shall tempt no more Refl Let not this Grace be all in vain laid richly thus in store 21. Nature Through guilt and wrath which once I saw my terrors did increase Grace But now deliver'd from the Law by faith I live in peace Glory Of Faith I shall obtain the end in full Salvation then Refl How doth this grace of God transcend the utmost thoughts of men 22 Nature My hopes with false foundations propt oft turn'd into despair Grace But now its Anchor safely dropt doth true rejoycings rear Glory Things hop'd-for shall be full injoy'd no work for hope in sight Refl O Blessedness to be imploy'd in acts of pure delight 23 Nature No right to promises had I or words that tend to save Grace Now promises I can apply to all true right I have Glory All heavenly Blessings promised I fully shall partake Refl Why stand I thus distinguished alone for mercies sake 24 Nature Born from beneath as Satan's Brat Hell's heritage did find me Grace But God who me by grace begat Heir of the World assign'd me Glory An heir of God joynt-heir with Christ in Heaven I shall dwell Refl Lord leave me not to be intic't this Heritage to sell 25 Nature My Fence departed unto harms I daily was expos'd Grace But lodg'd in everlasting arms I safely am inclos'd Glory A Mount impregnable e're long God will about me raise Refl Oh! put an everlasting Song into my mouth of praise 26 Nature By works of my own Righteousness the way to Heaven I sought Grace Of trusting to it more or less I now abhor the thought Glory In Righteousness without a spot I shall presented be Refl Admired â—e my blessed Lot lay'd up in Christ for me 27 Nature My single self in sensual lust as my chief end I sought Grace But chiefly now contrive I must God may have honour brought Glory To give him glory still in bliss my work will shortly be Refl With joy unspeakable will this imployment ravish me 28. Nature Like a lost Sheep or Goat or Son distresses did surround me Grace But in this Desart state undone sweet Jesus sought and found me Glory And shortly to my long'd-for home me in his armes will bring Refl Ah! what high raised Songs become my beauteous glorious king 29. Nature Through darkness then upon my mind I nothing knew nor learn'd Through gracious teachings now I find Grace deep things in part discern'd Through perfect Vision all things I Glory shall know as I am known His glory to eternity Refl his Praises shall be shown 30. Nature Best services I then perform'd a loathsome stink did make Weak services are now adorn'd Grace and sweet for Jesus sake Glory A Reward not of Debt but Grace such services shall Crown Refl 'T is wonderful that God should place on Dust such great renown 31. Nature Sin did God's Image quite deface and like a beast besot me Grace But dignities bestow'd by Grace rais'd like a Prince hath got me Glory Yet more transform'd I want to be like Angels who excel Refl What glorious Grace is this to me a firebrand pluckt from Hell 32 Nature Both Sin and Satan as their own my Members did inherit Grace But now this Body is the Throne a Temple of the spirit Glory And though in vileness 't will be sown 't will Spiritually be rais'd Since God such glorious depths makes known Refl how should this Grace be prais'd 33. Nature God's glory into shame I turn'd and in that shame did boast Now things for which my lust then burn'd Grace I blush and loath them most Glory But far above all sin and shame I shall be rais'd on high Refl Lord set me on a gracious frame thy Name to magnifie 34. Nature All dirt and
raise An Eben-â—zâ—r to his Saviours praise A lasting pillar as in Conscience bound In due remembrance of choice favours found With Grace to succour in a needful hour From death's dominion and the Tempter's power But when thy worm reflects what can it bring Comporting with the grandeur of a King Of such bright Majesty as Angels must Their faces vaile before shall sinful dust Have bold access and kind acceptance meer For self and service at thy burning feet May Hair a Badgers-skin a widows mite From willing minds find favour in thy sight A pair of pidgeons or a turtle Dove Find kind construction from the God of love Is there more over-laid by the supply To help such weakness in infirmity A costly covering doth thy grace provide Their blemishes to vail their spots to hide Who from their sense of need and duty bring Their lowly homage to their lofty King On such encouragements here trembling stands A contrite Waiter though with empty hands Whose bag and basket speak him to become More like a begger than a bringer home Who though he aimes and longs in this address His utmost obligations to express To charge his conscience and discharge his Vow Abandon other lords to Jesus bow Yet finds in all that void of Royal aid Nought worthy of thee can be thought or said Apart from Christ the best attempts alas Are tinkling cymbals and as sounding brass Such stately structures prove but wood and Hay I' th Test and contest of that burning day These dear experiments so often tri'd All boasting confidence from flesh must hide Of self-sufficiency in best attire To form that work or breath but that desire Or think that thought that can in justice claim One heavenly aspect on its act or aim What then remaines thy worm must prostate fall While sentence from thy presence past on all Which self hath gloried in or flesh hath gain'd With whatsoer'e to Adam appertain'd His wisdom will his power Delight Desire Or what his art or industry acquire His noblest faculties acutest parts His liberal Sciences or rarest arts Nay his best righteousness his all in all Must be resign'd surrendred left to fall Be sentenc'd Crucified Dispoil'd Disgrac'd And at the feet of conquering Jesus plac'd That on its ruines Gospel-grace may rear A living pillar thy new name to bear A Mourner's mite towards the right Remembrance of that late Labourer in the Gospel Thomas Glass who rested from his work on earth the 30th day of the 7th month 1666. MY heart with grief and pain is prest As over-charged in my breast Its struglings of a divers kind Perplex and intricate my mind Confus'd entanglement appears Of seâ—ce with faith of hopes with fears Vicissâ—tudes of ups and downs Of sâ—iles that interfere with frowns As twins that mutually contend To bring which contest to an end I thought it ill to keep them pent But in this order give them vent Sense O that my head were as a springing well Mine eyes as rivers streaming down with tears O that I in some wilderness did dwell Where none might mark my sighs my groans my fears Where heart might break for what is come to pass By Gods fresh breach on my dear looking-glass Faith Hold hold thy peace for shame the Lord 's at hand Let moderation now to all appear Let faith for sole submission give command Let perfect love checqâ—e such tormenting fear Thy standing's founded as on a mount of brass What mean such out-cries for a broken Glass If this my loss were personal alone My sin deserves it I should bear such stroakes But O methinks I heard poor Zion groan ' Gainst me all day his Jealousie thus smoakes My walls are fallen my gates are Burnt alas My golden pillars are as broken Glass Faith Such shift severe dispatches clad with wonder Bring teaching lessons to th' obedient care Who waiting in the secret place of thunder Attends with silence reverence godly fear At least how sojourners their time should pass That measures by a running shaking Glass Sense Heark heark how Sion sighs as put to shame My Children scatter'd plague doth thousands slay Poor London undone with devouring stame Distrest at land and bloody wars at Sea My strength is not of stone nor flesh of Brass Why am I brok ' as shreds as object Glass Faith But what 's the caâ—se in this confused noise So few speak right few smite upon the thigh To get bâ— heart the tabering Turtles voice What have I done ab master is it I Till such reâ—â—ects be made expect Alas A toyling milstone for a fixing Glass Sense I Captive sit by Babel's rivers brink My heart even broke my harps on willows hang When on poor Sions Ruines I bethink I cannot tune the Songs which once I sang Her Heav'ns are Iron and her Earth as brass Her silver dross her diamonds as Glass Faith Such worldly sorrow tends to death at length Not to repentance lye not on the ground Take Gospel-armour gird thy loyns with strength With search the troubling Achan may be found If grace prepare thee shoes of steel and brass Thou mayst stand harping on this sea of Glass Sense The righteous perish good men snatch'd away The rest leave captive how am I bereft Most leave their station mighty men decay If any pleasant picture yet be left Upon its Comliness a wind doth pass Thus all my hopes dash as a christal Glass Faith Those costly coverings likely did provoke To burning jealousie when over-priz'd And must be dasht by a displeasing stroke As Moses Serpent When 't was Idoliz'd If that was stampt on as a piâ—ce of brass No marvel 't is so with a beauteous Glass Sense Have pitty saith she while I thus bemoan My sin 's remembred and my Son is slain More natural to care for me was none How can such lossâ—s be repayr'd again who 'l sow and send the feet of Ox and Asse Besides all waters as did painful Glass Faith Take heed take heed lest flesh be too much eye'd In what th' Anointing only can repair Broke Sicamores by Oaks may be supply'd Faln bricks by stones to make a building fair But by such patching 't will be worse alas New generous wine will break old Shop-worn Glass Sense Alas who then shall live when God appears Who can the tast of such refining bear When Fire and furnace he in Sion rears Sinners in Sion must be fill'd with fear His eyes as slames his feet as burning brass Will melt hard Adamants as fluid Glass Faith The Fire indeed is hot the breach is large But he sits by to do us make us good If one hair fall not but with special charge If Lillies Sparrows have their paint and food If God takes care of Oxen Birds and grass He 's more concern'd in his dear precious Glass Sense Ah that both Saints and sinners could lament In town and country where this Glass did run The golden hours they foolishly mispâ—nt Eâ—e this his generation