I am too slack In seeking thee yea woe is me I 〈◊〉 From thee have run apace since I begun To move toward thee I 'm too apt to run Toward my Idols in the ways of sin Yea Lord thou know'st how since I did begin To court thy favour I have run apace In wicked ways wherein had not thy grace And mercy me prevented I had been Or'e thrown forever this day never seen But oh my pace toward thee is so dulâ— That need I have that after thee thou pull My sluggish Soul oh bring thou me into Thy Chambers of defence and delight so As in thy love I such delight may take As never thee any more to forsake Let me be so inclosed as with walls Of sure defence that whatsoe're befalls I never may again from thee withdraw But allways may thee fear and stand in aw Least I offend thee oh that I to thee May swiftly run with all that upright be And in thy Chamber may with them abide Where thou dost all that love thee safely hide Wee 'll then be glad in Thee and much rejoyce Oh King wee 'l sing thy praise with chearful voice Wee 'l think upon thy loves which do excel The choisest Wine Oh we remember well The sweetness of its tast who be upright They do thy person love in thee delight Not in themselves their parts their gifts nor yet Those pleasures only that from thee they get Like to the Concubines which love to be Delighted with thy loves courted by thee But thee and thy concerns do slight neglect To seek thy glory don't thy name respect Sincerely but make thou me upright so As my heart wholly after thee may go Oh thou whom my soul in some measure loves Do thou me show what me to know behoves Tell thou me where thou feed'st thy flock and make Me go upright Let me not thee forsake With sinners in their dainties to perâ—ke Let me not turn aside from thee to go After the flocks of thy companions who Lift up themselves into equallity Of power or worth unto thy Majesty But shew me thy good ways and make me see The thing that is acceptable to thee Stay me with flagons of thy love and let Me of thy apples too the comforts get For I desire thy love oh do thou show it And cause thou me more clearly yet to know it Under my head put thou thy left hand and Therewith support me and let thy right hand Embrace my soul and keep me safe untill I have fulfil'd my course perform'd thy will And oh that then thou wouldst make hast unto My soul and be thou swifter than a Roe That so our union may compleated be And I may full fruition have of thee Make hast oh my beloved like a Roe Or a young Hart that on the Mountains go That leap upon the Mountains and o're Hills Come skipping Thou art he alone that fills The souls of those that love thee with delight And mak'st them fully happy in the sight Of thy most glorious person do not tarry Help me to hast to thee then hast to marry Me to thy self that I with thee may dwell Who dost in all excellencies excell And in the mean time make me chast and true Unto thee what opposes thee subdue Working my works in and for me yea al Thine own good pleasure whereto thou dost call And counsel me the work of faith with power That I may persevere unto the hour And in the hour of death till unto thee Thou tak'st me up in joys for aâ—e to be I leave my self to thee oh do thou what Is good for me Chr. I will so fear not that Amen HALLELUJAH FINIS A Song of Loves Lord grant that in a right renewed mind I may such love to thee and thy things find As to say of and to thee this behind 1. I Am my well beloveds My well-beloved's mine He is a person lovely Excellent and divine 2. For he is the Immanuel Both God and man in one The Mighty God the wonderful And like him there is none 3. His excellence surpasseth What one may it declare Or who among the mighty May with this one compare 4. Oh all ye that in love are Your lovers who commend Is any of them able To match with this my friend 5. Hath any of them ever So great things for you wrought Or is there any of them Hath you so dearly bought 6. Is any of them so high Either in Rank or birth No there is none so glorious Either in Heaven or Earth 7. Ther 's none of them is so great There 's none of them can do So great things and so wonderful Or can inrich you so 8. As this my Lord and Saviour Can and will do for me If I be upright with him And do not from him flee 9. Ye that in Kings and Princes And mighty Potentates Do make your boasts come tell me Hath he there any mates 10. Can any of them match him Nay they are all below The greatest of those great ones Their service to him owe. 11. They 'r short in understanding Their pow'r also is less Their rule extends not so far Nor yet their happiness 12. They are but men as others Their lives are but mortal Their breaths must pass out of them And then they perish all 13. But this my Lord and Lover Doth live for evermore His understanding's perfect All creatures him adore 14. Nothing for him too hard is For he can all things do Nothing from his eyes hid is For he all things doth know 15. He ruleth over all things Both in the seat and land Yea and all things In heaven be Subject to his command 16. He heir of Heav'n and earth is He is lord of all glory His brith's above all creatures There 's none can match his story 17. His excellence excels all That 's either hard or seen One half of what 's true of him Never declar'd hath been 18. Go glory of your Princes And Benefactors great Tell of their great majesty Their royal train and seat 19. I none of them shall envy This one 's mcuh better far Whom my soul hath desire to They can't with him compare 20. He hath far greater glory Than any one of them Though yet he is so lovely That none he doth contemn 21. Though they be poor and little If unto him they flee He none of them disdaineth But they accepted be 22. Those whom ye use to boast of Be proud and lofty too And oft in words and carriage Great haughtiness they show 23. Though they be far below him Who my beloved is And like to meaner persons He them reâ—roves I wiss 24. For in his hands they all are To do with as he please And he can make or break them Or change their state with ease 25. Oh there is none so lovely As this Beloved one In pitty love and goodness Like to him there is none 26. He higher than the Heavens is Or
what thou wilt or right or wrong What Lord should thee controul what hast a nose And is' t not made to smell the sweetest Rose The bravely sented posies sweet perfumes Which may disperse such vapours as consumes Thy vital spirits or that do bind them so That they are not at liberty to go After those objects which may please the sight And ravish all thy senses with delight Which nature doth present thee with what hast Thou Nerves and Sinews Flesh and Blood to waste In melancholly dumps religious frames In dwelling upon words adoring names Were they not made to touch and taste and feel The pleasures of the Flesh ar't made of Steel Or Stone that thou should'st not affected be With what Dame Nature doth present to thee That patiently thou up thy self should'st yield To bear those burthens which thou well might'st wield Thy self from under as if thou wert made To be an Ass or like some Hackney Jade Listen to that fine spritely Lass and hear Her court-like language boldly do not fear Harlot Well met sweet Sir I 'm glad to see your face I love you at my heart come let 's embrace Let 's joyn our lips fear not I 'm all-ore sweet Nothing but pleasures dwell from head to feet I have peace-off'rings with me I a feast Have ready made for thee where 's not the least Thing wanting that may give thy heart delight Come let me have thy company to night I have prepar'd my bed with Tapestry And with fine Linnen there let 's softly lie And take our fill of Love perfum'd it is With Myrrhe and Cinnamon and Aloes Come then let 's take our fill of Love and Pleasure There 's none to interrupt we may have leisure The good man 's gone from home nor will he yet Return again we time enough may get To satisfie our selves with all delights Which Love afford us may these days and nights Chr. Take heed dear Soul to my good counsels Let That Harlots speeches no advantage get Upon thy heart give me thine eyes and heart Let not my words out of thy mind depart For Harlots are deep ditches narrow pits He scarce gets out again that in them gets Her lips drop like the Honey-comb her mouth Is smoother then the Oyl but yet in truth Her latter end more bitter is then gall Unhappy Man who into her doth fall His after-misery no tongue can tell For why Her guests are in the Depths of Hell Look off from her to me far better I Thy hearts desires and wants can satisfie If thou lovest beauty beauty dwels in me I 'm fairer then mans children Look and see I 'm white and Ruddy God and Man in one With me to be compared there is none If pleasures thee delight with me is pleasure My ways are all delightful above measure For I those that imbrace me do possess With rich assurance of eternal bless The pleasures of this World in endless pain Do end my pleasures evermore remain They do give Life in Death and ever dwell With mine when rais'd again when those in Hell Shall ever more lie down who me despise To everlasting torments they shall rise Let neither riches honours pleasures or What ere this World can give inchant thee for With better riches honours pleasures I Will satifie thee to Eternity F.W.D. Poor Man what can'st thou hope for after death When nature spent with sorrows shall thy breath Yield up into the gentle air to vanish And thy dead corps the living men shall banish From their society to lie and rot Within its grave till it be quite forgot Think'st thou it possible that after it Unto the Earth or Sea men shall commit And there it is consum'd to slime or mold Or eat of Worms or Fishes rise it should Or that thy vanish't breath and rotted flesh Can life resume again and live a fresh Either in joys or pains Let Reason rule Let not fond faith worse then the Horse or Mule Thee make by giving credit to such things As from deluded fancy only springs For they enjoy those pleasures and contents Which bounteous nature unto them presents Shall man alone who capable was made The World more to enjoy be so betray'd Into a fancy by too light belief With his own senses so to play the theif As them to rob of all those pleasures rare Whereof above all other things they are Most apprehensive Oh no! stop thine ear Against those sounds that thou so oft do'st hear From that same Spirit which oft is Wisdom stil'd Of such as by her sayings are beguil'd Come give thy self the reins and do not fear Come come we say and taste the dainty chear The World presents thee Waters stoln are sweet Pleasures they have who Bread in secret eat Who satisfie their senses to the full And please their appetites untill they lull Their minds a sleep from those fanatick fears Which make men spend in grief their youthful years This World 's the Paradise where grow all fruits Fit for delight and thy desires best suits Come pluck and take and eat of them thy fill None other after these succeed there will Christ. Thus oh my Dear thy subtle enemies Suggest unto Thee setting forth their lies With fair pretences both of love and reason But trust them not their words are full of Treason These are the same that thee at first deâ—eved Oh let them not be any more deceived Unto thy misery they Thee betray'd And like to Beasts which perish they thee made So that unless I had thee ransomed Thou in their snares hadst wholly perished Minist Their voice and language doth of him proceed Of whom in the beginning thou do'st read The subtle Serpent who of old allur'd Mankind unto his snares and so procur'd His utter ruine drew him into sin By which a flood of miseries came in By him was hatch't and begot in mans mind A spawn or seed like to himself in kind Whose Head 's the carnal mind its Heart is lust These with the old Serpent combin'd do thrust Men into mischief and while these to guide Him do presume they lead him quite aside For they are void of truth a hellish light Possesses them like unto that i th' night Which William with a wisp some men do call An ignis fatuâ—s which leads to fall Into some dangerous downfal ditch or pit Those who as their sure guide do follow it Such errour is or Fleshly Wisdom which Stept up in place of truth both poor and rich Misleading to their ruine because blind It is and knows nought of Gods holy mind And yet conceits it self the only wise And that it sees aright with open eyes And knows what 's good what 's evil and can tell A man the way how he may prosper well Especially if it improved be And somewhat more then ordinarily Inlarg'd with learned Sciences and Arts Which when they added be to nat'ral parts Do much adorn a man and make him shine And lift
By which means seeing I the conquest 〈◊〉 O're death and hell and overthrew the plot Of the old Serpent subde and crasty Let those my doings of me testify They show my love my power and wisdom too And they my faithfumess and truth do show Would I have 〈◊〉 in any thing I say Sure it would there have been wherein there lay So many diffiâ—â—â—â—ties in my way Behold me then dear Soul and duty mind What I am and have done and thou â—halt find Encouragement enough against these things Which do occasion those my waveringâ— Why dost thou 〈◊〉 or care for things below Seeing thy wants and dangers all I 〈◊〉 And I can any thing on thee bestâ—â—â— What if men should thee hate and 〈◊〉 And band themselves against thee 〈◊〉 I Secure thee from all harm that may befall To thee or thine from any of them 〈…〉 Are they not in my hands â— their 〈◊〉 hears I can dispose and order all their part And power and time and breath are in my hand And I can that of 〈◊〉 way theâ—â— command And If thou mindst â—â—y love thou mayst be sure That in obeying me 〈◊〉 thee 〈◊〉 From what may harm thee although because I All-wise am I shall thy security And safety in such manner prosecute As may best with thy after we sare suit In which because thoâ— childish art or blind Or foolish and canst not in thy wear mind Discern or comprehend my ways or see The method of my walkings towards thee Nor canst well judge what may be for the best And that the rather because in thy bâ—est Lust bears so great a sway which covereth After those things that â—â—nd unto thy death Shrinking away from that wherein thou mayst Find more felicity if then thou stay'st Thy self upon me and on me sely Plucking quite out and casting by that eye Though thy right eye which seeing things amiss Moves thee to stumble at my ways in this Or that thing which I order and suspect That I do not things for the best effect Thou shalt do wisely And thou may'st me trust With thee and thine 〈◊〉 since I am just And righteous and sindâ— I love thee too And being to order thing to thy best good As may in what in said be understand If thy ways please 〈◊〉 I thine enemies Can and will make thee to befriend their eyes Shall towards thee be good thee for to spare For their affections too in my hunds art If great men hate thee I can safely hide Thee from their malioâ— I can curb their pride Or break their power or take away their breath Or thee from them for by such ways I Death Make mine befriend or else I can divert Their enterpriser as when Saul begirt Poor David I the Philistins did send To find Saul other work and so befriend My persecuted Servant or I can And often imeâ— I doe the wrath oâ— of man Turn to my praise and that that doth remain Beyond what may me praise I can restram See how the Sparrows though of value small Among the Birds of prey do live â—â—one fall No not one of them to the ground 〈◊〉 by My Fathers pleasure though they often 〈◊〉 In midst of dangers If my Father hath Such care of â—parrows where is then thy saith To crost me with thy safety and him who Doth value and esteem of mankind so As all the Birds and Beaâ—ts too never were As what â—suff'red for you makes appear Trust me then with thy safety verily Except I see it good thou shalt not dy Or suffer by the hands of men I will Be shield end Buckler to thee â— and thee still Will hide and 〈◊〉 so that though men fret And do themselves also against thee ser They shall not harm thee But if I do 〈◊〉 That it will for thy good be that I thee Deliver up into their hands to 〈◊〉 Imptison banish take away thâ— right Or kill thy body do thou them not feaâ— For all their malice shall be ended there For more they cannot do then kill the 〈◊〉 And when that 's done I 'le raise it up 〈◊〉 And seeing I so love thee thou may'st know For certain that if me thou dost follow I will not let them â—ill 〈◊〉 except Do see I may advantage thee thereby For such my pow'â— is that even Death and Hell And all their torment I can easly â—â—â—ll Make them serâ—â— my designe those to advance To glory who are my inheritance Feare nothing therefore of what may befall thee But yeild thy self and go where ere I call thee And do my service cheatfully with Thee I I thy Saviour evermore will be I that Almighty am and can desend thee I that do love thee well will succor send thee Thou shalt not be alone I will not leave thee I will go with thee and will not deceive thee I 'le strengthen thee to bear what shall befall thee I 'le thee support and â—â—ear where ere I call thee In all afflictions my love that 's better Then wine thou shalt rast of I that am greater Then all against thee will in my arms bear thee And mitigate the sense of what may dear thee I gave my self for thee and grief sustained A bitter death I bare in love unfeigned For thee and for thy sake fear not to give Thy life and body to me as I live I 'le take the care of them I will thee cherish And no hair of thy head shall from thee perish In life and death I will be faithful to thee And notwithstanding Death â—onor I 'le do thee I 'le make thy sufferings bearable and sweet And with my good spirit thou shalt surely meet If I into deep waters do thee lead I will go with thee and bear up thy head So as they shall not overflow or drown thee No though they should no ev'ry side surround theâ— Into the fire if I do lead thee yet No dammage thou from its fierce flames shalt get For I 'le safe keep thee bear thee in my armes And I 'le secure thy soul from all ill harms Fear none of those things then that unto thee By Sathan or his Servants done may be Though into prison they ten days thee cast And there with chains of Iron make thee fast I will be with thee there and bring thee out Be confident of me my love don't doubt Be faithful unto me and I will give A Crown of life to thee and thou shalt live And as for other things why should'st thou care Seeing my Father for thee did not spare To give me up to Death and gives me too To be thy Head and portion How canst thou Suspect or fear that any thing He will Withold from thee that 's good No. He will fill Thy cup with what 's who some for thee to drink If thou away from my words dost not shrink All things are mine and what I have shall be Thine and I 'le give of them what 's good for
vext Me with disquiet and my soul perplext That bruitish lust that dwells in me I fear Least it prevail against me and me bear Away from that subjection to thee due And cause me with much sorrow it to rue I am indeed nolluted and ore-spread As with a leprosie from heel to head Diseas'd within and full of sores without I am more vile than any menstruous clout Have need to be renew'd made white and clean And yet when all is done I am too mean To be so honoured by thee and exalted In every thing I 'm worthy to be faulted Worthy to be disdained and rejected Unworthy utterly to be respected By thy so glorious eye that puter is Then to behold and like iniquities Shouldst thou then treat me like some royal Qâ—een As if for thy consort I bred had been Oh 't is a dignity above me far I fitter am that thou shouldst me debart From coming near thee medling wih thy Name Least I pollute it and expose 't to shame As too much I have done already Oh I dont deserve to be respected so But if thy pleasure be me so to love Well mayst thou take such course as 't doth behove Tha thou may'st fit me for such dignity As thou confer'st and for thy company Which thon vouchsafest of thy wondrous grace To me who am of pedegree but base It is but meet that thou shouldst make we white And cleane that thou in me may'st take delight That thou should'st cure those sores and ulcers great Which make me ugly and for thee unmeet Yea and its wondrous grace that thou wilt take Such pains with me me whole and clean to make Oh what am I that thou should'st stoop so low To do such offices such love to show Thou rather might'st throw me out of thy sight Than so to make me meet for thy delight Who meeter am that thou should'st make me dwell Among that cursed crue that be in hell It s meet also that there a time should be For purifying before unto thee Thou dost receive me with thee to remain In those high Mansions where thou and thine reign It needful is that thou me separate From all those Idols which thy Soul doth hate And that thou should'st purge out my dtoss although A fire thou make and me into it throw I 'm thine and meet it is that thou should'st do What ever is thy pleasure Lord even so Be it as thou dost please thou art so just So kind and careful that I well may trust My soule and body with thee and yield up To take out of thy hands what ever cup Thou seest it meet to temper and to give In cleaving to thee I shall surely live Thou who hast loved me and done such things As everlasting consolation brings And gives good hope through grace wilt doubtless do Nothing unto me which may cause my woe Do with me as thou wilt for I am thine And thee to love I doe my heart incline Through thy good grace do thou incline it more Making it chast to thee thee to adore For I can nothing do that may thee serve Delight or honour as thou dost deserve I 'm thine Lord save me and me sanctify Unite my heart to thee continually Unto thee evermore make me adhaere That I thy holy Name may love and fear May lean upon thine arm thy Spirit mind So as I may his help at all times find Through thee I any thing may do 〈◊〉 But in my self have only cause of 〈◊〉 No fears shall 〈…〉 pleasures me 〈◊〉 If thou dost hold me and 〈…〉 And cure It s meeâ— I 〈◊〉 thee and I Desire I may my self thereto apply My Cross up taking 〈◊〉 Dear 〈…〉 How thrald I am furthe then thou 〈…〉 How I the least good thing 〈◊〉 not perform Nor stand upright against the mild â—â—â—storm Of troule that untâ—â— my lot may fall I need that thou should'st be my ALL in ALL. I 'm poor and blind naked and wreteched and My heart 's dece 〈◊〉 will not to thee stand Unless thou me 〈◊〉 and keepest so In thy strong 〈◊〉 as not to let me go Unless thou purge out my hypocrisy Make me sincere give me a single eye Unless thou be my strength my goodness and Dost hold me to thee by thy mighty hand But seeing thou appointed art dear Lord To look to and thy saving help afford To those that come to thee and on thee trust And thou art loving faithful kind and just And all-sufficient for me I resign My self unto thee I am wholly thine Thou wiser art than I thou knowest best What to my good pertainâ— and thou art blest Dear Lord thy will be done in every thing Take thine own course me unto thee to bring Only do not me in thy wrath chastise But let my soul find favour in thine eyes Yea thou so good art and so gracious too That thou all things wilt for my profit do Oh cause thy face upon my soul to shine And my heart unto thee allways incline Oh kiss me with the kisses of thy mouth Oh bliss me with the blessings of thy truth Inspire my heart with thy good spirit and breath The breath of life into me things beneath Cause me for to despise the things above To seek and to affect and thee to love Let me thy love tast better 't is than wine It s full of comfort courage life divine 'T will chear the hearâ— 't will make the lips of chose Who tast it talkative free to disclose Thy heavenly vertues let me thereof tast Forgiving all my mis-demeanours past My undue loves which unto other things And persons I have born which to me brings Both grief and fear when thereupon I think Least they should make me in thy nostrils stinâ—â— And cause thee to abhor me oh forgive All forepast follies and that I may live Let me injoy thy loves and tast how sweet And ravishing they be oh let me meet With them with them be filled that I may In thee delight my self and on thee stay And fix my soul no other pleasures so Affecting as from thine to them to go Thine ointments wherewith thou anointed art And unto those that love thee dost impart Most odoriferous are oh they do smell Unto the upright hearted wondrous well Let me them find and smell thy precious Name An ointment poured forth is that good fame And great renown thou hast oh 't is most sweet And spread abroad that we with it may meet And therefore thee the Virgins Chast do love Thy Name their hearts desires to thee doth move Oh make me know it and its sweetness find That it may draw me with a single mind Unto thee Draw me Draw me we will run After thee though I somewhat have begun Towards thee to incline my mind doth stick Yet to my Idols so as t is not quick Enough towards thee oh let that sweet sent Of thy good ointments thy Name excellent More strongly draw me oh
brightest Angel there In dignity and glory Yet he appeared here 27. That he might save us sinners Like to a Servant poor Where of our miseries too The liveries he wore 28. Yielding himself to death up And great indignities To ransome us from ruine Nor doth he now despise 29. The meanest that obey him To take into his grace Though he on high's ascended Unto his holy place 30. He such invites unto him With him they may be bold His secrets he unto them Most free is to unfold 31. Whoever him doth follow Shall see his pleasant face Hee 'l not disdain their lowness But kindly them imbrace 32. Hee 'l not despise their prayers Nor turn away his ear But being full of mercy He their complaints will hear 33. The sweetest of all persons Better than all is he The meekest and the gentlest Fairer then mens sons be 34. The highnest and the lowest The white and ruddle one In greatness and in goodness Like to him there is none 35. Come ye Queens and Princesses Whose Birth is great and high Who think yuor happinesses Do reach unto the sky 36. Because your Lords be great ones And have a great command For that their rule extendeth Both unto Sea and Land 37. Do ye not highly extol Your great good fortunes here Do ye not use your selves too Oft up thereby to bear 38. Do ye not think your great Lords To be so great and high And such advancements to you That ye for them could dy 39. Or else endure great hardships For them and for their sake With whom in their high honours So greatly you partake 40. Behold ye him whom I praise And whom my soul desires As its friend to delight in Can give what it requires 41. Lo Ho is much more noble In Birth and in degree And there 's not any Monarch Who 's of his gifts so free 42. Nor are the gifts which they give So pretious or so rare They all are but his Stewards And can't with him compare 43. Himself above all gifts is The Richest pearl of price His love cannot be valued The soul it satisfies 44. Oh he my love deserves more And to be followed Through every condition Whereto by him it s led 45. Then any of the greatest And highest Potentates Who have the largest Empires And rule the greatest states 46. I 'm his by way of purchase Who made and bought me too By that most precious blood which Did freely from him flow 47. Which he also discovered And call'd me of his grate There through that I might know him And might him too imbrace 48. And him I own to be mine My Lord and Saviour And his I am to care for And serve in every hour 49. My soul and body his are And whatsoe're I have And he is mine to give me What good for me I crave 50. Oh that I were more truly And heartily indeed Given up to love and live to Him who doth so exceed 51. All other lovely objects Be their worth ne're so great I should need not to fear then What ever may me threat 52. For I am his and of me He hath the care and charge And his disire toward me Is very full and large 53. Hee 's able to protect me From what may do me harm And 's ready to infold me Within his mighty arm 54. Oh that I were devoted More unto him and were More willing to be always To him chast and sincere 55. I 'm his not sins and Sathins That them I should obey Oh that when they intice me My heart might always say 56. Christ is my well-beloved He must my service have He 's only worthy of it Who only doth me save 57. For He He also mine is A portion may suffice To satisfie me always Your promises are lies 58. I 'me his and not a Servant Unto the world or men That I should yield my Conscience To be inslav'd by them 59. I may not to their pleasures My life and will compose To follow their desires So I my self might lose 60. For they cannot protect me When my Lord shall appear If he should then reject me They cannot me upbear 61. No no I 'm his who loves me And bought me by his blood From all that conversation Which is not just and good 62. He 's mine too to command me And be my sure defence Who certainly will keep me And glad my Conscience 63. For he will give assistance Of safety in his love And hold me in his hand so As nough shall me remove 64. He only may do with me What unto him seems best For He hath right unto me And will lead me to rest 65. Oh that he would imbrace me And give my soul a kiss Whose love than wine is better And fills the soul with bliss 66. His love the love of women Surpasseth very much How ever pleasing that is Its pleasures are not such 67. No nor is strength not servour Much less its beensitt As those that he that 's loved Of this Beloved 〈◊〉 68. Their love to this is empty Its pleasores be but short Although they 'r prerry creatures And 〈…〉 69. Their favour is deceitful Their beauty 's but a blast Their kingnesses soon vanish Their sweetness doth not last 70. Their embraces are bruises Their kisses oft are bites The vanity that 's in them Exceeds oft their delights 71. The love of Christ excelleth It s constant firm and sure It s very full of comforts And pleasures that indure 72. His words are full of kindness Yea when they are most tast Yet grace and love is in them Which floweth from his heart 73. His kisses and imbraces Are full of ravishment Filling the soul with goodness And riches of content 74. His beauty never changeth His strength doth 〈◊〉 ne're decay He is the same for ever Yesterday and to day 75. Oh that my Soul were fitted His kindness to receive That I by my unkindness His Spirit might not grieve 76. Oh may he count me worthy Of his inamourments Forgiving all my follies Causes of discontents 77. His soul it is spiritual Most holy just and pure All wickedness he hateth He can it not indure 78. But I poor wretch am sinful And full of vanity How can I be delightful And pleasing in his eye 79. Dear Lord I am unworthy To be owned of thee That thine I should be stiled And thou accept of me 80. Yet do not thou disdain me Do thou me lovely make That so thou may'st imbrace me And pleasure in me take 81. Be thou mine me to purify And to make 〈◊〉 and white Make me more thine and cause me In thee to take delight 82. Prepare my soul unto thee That I may thee imbrace And give thee intertainment And theâ— may'st me sâ—late 83. Lay thou me in thy bosom And keep me in thine arm So shall I rest securely Void of all fear of harm 84. Oh cause my soul to kiss thee And lay thee in my heart
them all doth take Into a nearer union and doth make An everlasting Covenant with them Their sins to pardon their souls not condemn He 'll be their God and guide their portion great Their Head and Husband they with him shall eat And drink and rest and dwell and see his face He will them dearly love He 'll them embrace He 'll kiss them satisfie their souls with good He 'll over flow them with a mighty flood Of peace and happiness and they remain Shall ever with him ever with him reign The Soul of Man like to a female is Anima f. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And its desire is strongly after bliss And to some other thing as to its male It doth subject it self for it would fail If left alone as by it self to dwell For then it doth sink down to death and Hell And many things there are like Males to it To which it turns it self seeking to get From them its pleasure and subsistance and Subjects it self too unto their command The World or Spirit of it Mundus m. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that magnifies The things below and such vertue as lies In them that courts the soul which nat'rally Since it from God is fallen sets its eye Vpon its pleasures pomps riches and fare And what the objects of its senses are To this it turns it self to this it flies On this for peace and safety it relies For this it lusts and its imbraces wishes Opens it self thereto likes well its kisses In it delights and to it it self yields Desires its gifts of Money Houses Fields What ere may please it and protection give And make it in good plight and rank to live But this World 's empty fading false and vain And if the Soul match to 't 't will prove its bane The Wicked one even the soul spirit Diabolus m. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that sets The heart on Mischeif when He therein gets Possession stirs up unto strife debate Oppression violence pride envy hate He courts the Soul too and it s oft beguil'd By him and with those wicked seed's defil'd Conceiting sweetness oft in any thing Which unto other men may mischief bring A Spirit of error and false Prophecy Is He ofttimes to Heaven but by a lye Pretending and in divers shapes appears And some great how and port He often bears As if he came from Heaven and led thereto Yea usually the name of Christ also He can assume though 't is but in deceit Th' unwary Soul the easlier to cheat For He doth always turn the Soul away From the true Christ who down his life did lay For our offences and from that good word Th' Apostles preach't and what it doth afford Not singly leading it to Christ that He Its Lord and Saviour in all things might be On him to trust his counsells to observe But to some fancy leadeth it to swerve Or else some other work law power or name Doth joyn with Christ Adultery with the same Leading the Soul to practise whereby it Misseth Christ's blessing and his wrath doth get For Christ indeed the only one is Chirstus m. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who Hath power received from God the Soul to woo And He alone that for the Soul hath done And that can and will do for it that none Besides him could or can and therefore He Alone its Bridegroom worthy is to be He all things hath that may the Soul enrich Content and cherish He from all things which May danger it will safely it defend And bring it to an happy glorious end But naturally the Soul doth not Him know Nor what a one He is but looks below To things unto its senses manifest Thinking in their enjoyments to be blest And if it see a need of any thing Beside to after-Bliss it for to bring Then usually it plays the wanton whore Some form of godliness it will adore Wherein the World and Devil too it may Have fellowship withal and with them play And sport it self and yet be godly too And some fine easie outside service do Or if some stricter course it yields to take As it can be at cost and pains to make It self a graven Image as of old The Israelites to make a Calf of Gold Would with their Jewels part its the design While with the Spirit of error 't doth combine To be its own Redeemer or to get A righteousness or Name wherewith commit Adultery it may for oft with more Than one false Spirit the Soul doth play the Whore But only Christ is worthy it to have Who from the Heavens descended it to save From Sin and Death and pow'r hath all to give Which may make Soul and Body both to live And He by 's Word and Spirit and those in whom These are and work unto mens Souls doth come Inviting them to him but not that He With other things only should partner be In their affections and their worships but That all things else from the heart being shut He might alone the Sovereign power obtain It to command and over it to reign That it to him its love and confidence May singly give in the belief and sense Of his great worth and goodness and submit In all things to his wise dispose of it The Spirit of Wisdom which comes from on high And doth of Christ and his things testifie And into their hearts who have him received Inspired hath the Truth to be believed And by them wrought such miracles as none Besides them in the World have ever done He calls men unto Christ his voice is Come To Christ for Righteousness and for Wisdom For Pardon Peace for Strength for Holiness For Freedom from all evil for all bliss The Church or Spouse the Bride of Christ who knows And singly to him cleaves she him forth shows And not her self as the false Church she wooes For him alone Yea every one his voice That hears and in his goodness doth rejoyce Is both allow'd and bid to call men to This Blessed one and them for him to woo It 's only the false Church that magnifies Her self and hides his glory from mens eyes Oh come ye come ye then to Christ I pray Come all that thirst all that want help and stay Support life comfort guidance righteousness And what may satisfie the Soul with bless All that are heavy laden and opprest Come unto Christ and He will give you rest Come come here is a Fountain open set Exposed to you all whence you may get Freely what good you want Here 's what will make You fully happy Come these waters take Here 's no restraint ye may all come and buy Wine water milk without price or Money Only let go your lusts your Idols and What with the love of Jesus will not stand Part with your sloth with diligence attend At all his posts and pillars in the end Ye shall him find and whatsoere ye want That is good for you
doth beforehand lively here present Shewing what dreadful Horror shall surprize All who to Christ and his are Enemies And have them Persecuted scorn'd or slighted How such shall stand amazed and affrighted At that strange turn and though 't will nought avail Their former foolish sinful ways bewail And with most bitter lamentations rue That they their lusts and pleasures to pursue Should God neglect and what might have prevented Their being so unspeakably Tormented And how the Saints in their most blessed state Their dear Redeemer's praise shall celebrate With Songs of Tryumph reigning gloriously As Kings with Him to all Eternity And then from both doth strongly reinforce His former suit that we would take the course Which he perswades namely with Christ to close Unfainedly not fearing wants or foes Which fears and doubtings in us to prevent Christ to us he again doth represent As all-sufficient to preserve and guide us And all things necessary to provide us Shewing Christ's tender love and special care Which he for all his Servants will declare That they shall have no reason to repent Their choice and then gives great incouragement That though we many strong corruptions have Christ's grace shall us from those corruptions save That we o're them through him shall conquest get And also over whatsoever let May interpose And that the only thing Which Christ desires is that we be willing To give our selves wholly to him and then He will give back himself to us agen And with himself whatever good thing he Shall needful for our souls and bodies see This and much more our hearts for to allure The Author doth I' th' Name of Christ assure These and many other things no less Remarkable then these which to express Or over them particularly to run Were but to light up candles to the Sun Since you in Reading may them find and see More fully then if hinted here by me On which I say when I had cast mine eye Observing also how judiciously Full and compendiously he doth express Each thing me thought that I could do no less Then leave some small memorial of my love To signifie how highly I approve The Authors Labour in this following Book Although I know not how it may be took Only I 'll hope the best desiring thee Who Read'st this Book thou would'st not tired be Nor grutch thy labour though it seemeth long Lest in so doing thou thy self do'st wrong And to thy shame declare how little thou Esteem'st of Christ Whose Excellence to shew This Author much more time and pains did spend As knowing none can him enough commend By all the Words or Books that can be writ Considering also there 's enough in it To Recompence thy labour if thou hast A Spiritual heart to relish and to taste Those Spiritual dainties and that Heavenly chear Which by this Author is presented here Or if as yet thou hast not yet through grace Whil'st thou herein behold'st with open face As in a glass that Glorious Love Divine Which in this Sun of Righteousness doth shine Who courts and wooes thee here with him to wed Thou may'st I say be Metamorphosed Into that Glorious Image whence we fell And then I know such Books will please thee well And to thy soul much joy and solace bring Yea thou wilt in a feeling manner sing That Song of Loves * p. 257 compos'd by this thy Friend And from thy own experience Christ commend As far more lovely than thou can'st conceive Which wishing to thee I shall take my leave March 10. 1672. R. T. If you would know my NAME This Accrostick shews the same Reader this Book presents a Match unto thee One of great Worth who for his Bride would have thee By this his Servant earnestly doth wooe thee Eternally to dignifie and save thee Refuse not then but take him at his word The whole World can't thee such a Match afford Think not his terms propos'd too strict and hard Or that he bids thee to thy loss But know Without him thou art quite undone and marr'd Since none but he can pay what thou do'st owe Or stand thy Friend at Death and Judgment day No more will he except thou him obey By Another SIR I have read your ex'llent wooing fit And find it coucht in plain but soaring wit The truest wisdom Sir your lines unfold How to make Christ the Husband of our souls Let Momus carp let Sycophants revile At this thy plain but Heaven aspiring stile We 'll leave them as they are and wave their scorn In his good time God will exalt his Horne Jn this thy heavenly wooer thou hast shown Our Saviours mercy and his love in one Here soul thy Christ to thee proposeth Heaven Nay he doth wooe thee to 't let not sins leaven Harbour in thee t' obstruct thy way to bliss O Soul admire that Christ thy wooer is Render him thanks for this his mercy great Never refuse so glorious a seat Eternal horrour will be thy retreat On the ensuing Poem THis Author minding God's great Love to us Was thereby mov'd to represent it thus No flaring dress nor gaudy Robes here worn And yet enough to keep his Muse from scorn Not a-la-Mode yet handsome neat and spruce To gain respect and stop or dam the sluce Of that prophaness which licentious rimes Sets ope in these our sad declining times The wooing here Divine no complement Needed nor us'd by way of supplement It treats of high and heavenly misteries Brought down to suit meanest capacities The heir of all God's first begotten Son Is here commended yet when all is done That all 's too short his praises to set forth Much here 's exprest but more admire his worth Praised be God for this sweet Melody Thanks also to that Instrument whereby The Match is here advis'd well may he speed In such endeavours and at every need Find such supplies of mercy from the Lord As he hath promis'd in his Holy Word May they too profit who shall read these Songs Praise be to God to whom all praise belongs James Horne On the foregoing Commendations of the following Poem OThers affect that by some Learned men Some Doctors Students Preachers or the pen Of some great Person what they put to Press Should be commended or delight to dress It with some curious Frontispeice my mind In good men's approbation more doth find It to content that such as God believe And his instructions likewell to receive Who godliness endeavour after fleeing What ever things are therewith disagreeing Commend my studies and endeavours for Such Persons praises God doth not abhor By such he 'll be commended when by those Who to true godliness are real foes Though great and rich and learned too they be To be extolled much disdaineth he Nor did that Kingly Poet David whose Praises were great in songs who did compose The sweetest Poems unto him invite The great or Learned Persons that they might Turn in to him
'll come in to thee I with thee will sup I 'll spread thy Table I will fill thy cup I 'll put thee to no charge I 'll bring my meat And freely give to thee that thou may'st eat And drink abundantly of that blest wine Which will thee satisfie with joys divine Open therefore to me my Sister dear Open thy heart to me Oh taste my chear Give me thy self let me thy body have And heart also I will them bless and save It 's all I ask of thee I crave no more Give me thy self do but thou me adore Give me thy love and thy affections and Be thou but subject unto my command Cleave to me with thy heart put all thy trust In me believe in me for I am just I will not fail or leave thee But thou none Must entertain besides me I alone Challenge thy love and service and it 's fit That none besides me none from me them get I parted for thy sake with all I had To ransom thee from thy forlorn and sad Condition and I all that I again Receiv'd have of my Father not disdain Upon thee to bestow my self I gave To ransom thee my self I give to save Thee too and therefore I alone deserve That thou should'st me alone both love and serve The Devil and his works thou must forsake Thou may'st not serve him his suggestions take For truth use divinations witchcrafts charms Inchantments times observe for good or harms Consult familiar Spirits believe his lies Ask counsel of the dead Idolatries Practise or what ere crafts He doth devise He in the disobedient beareth sway Inticing them to sin and go astray From my right paths Thou must resist him and In nothing yield thy self to his command Thou must forsake this wicked World likewise Not list'ning to their counsels who despise Me and my doctrine nor associate Thy self with them who my good ways do hate It 's pomps and pastimes shows and braveries Vain customs fashions and formalities Thou may'st not dote on neither may'st thou take My gifts or Ordinances and them make Idols as is the guise of worldly men Who do despise me and my laws contemn Their Silver Gold their Riches Houses Lands Their Kings and Governors and their commands They Idolize while after them they lust And in them secretly do put their trust Prefer them before me and fear them so That in my straight ways oft they durst not go The flesh with it's desires also thou must Renounce even every sinful cursed lust Thy bruitish appetites to satisfie In Drunkenness Uncleanness Gluttony Excess of Riot Sports or rich Attire Or what else thy corruptions do desire My words thou must receive and them hold fast No Article of them thou by may'st cast But howsoere thy reason they may pose Thou in thy heart must truly with them close And firmly them retain My holy will Take heed unto that thou may'st it fulfill No Gods but Me in my sight may'st thou have However secretly for none can save Thee but the holy Trinity who all Do meet in me on none else may'st thou call Or look or trust to nor thy Conscience May'st yield to them upon any pretence No image may'st thou to thy self invent Nor may thy heart or knee thereto be bent No false imaginations of me or Devised worships for I them abhor But worship God in Me and as my Word Doth thee direct for I 'm a jealous Lord. Thou may'st not take my holy Name in vain Nor it with Blasphemies or false Oaths stain Or with a vain Profession without fruits Produced thereby such as with it suits Or blemish it with any sinful way For I 'll not such hold guiltless The seaventh day Thou must observe in me to take thy rest Who am the substance by that day exprest That I may sanctifie thee thou be blest To Father and to Mother while they live And to all thy superiours thou must give Due honour and subjection too in me Giving to Caesar what things Caesars be To all men owing nothing but to love Cheifly those loving who are from above All Murther with all Malice Envy Hate See thou avoid with all Strife and Debate Thy body keep in Chastity thou must Flee Fornication and unlawful Lust Thou must not others Wrong or from them take Ought that is theirs nor them Calumniate But yield thy self to Me and be content With Me and what I give letting no bent Of Avarice possess or stain thy mind Thou shalt in me all satisfaction find All which I certainly will work in thee If thou wilt but yield up thy self to Me. I put on thee no hard nor grievous task What I require I 'll give too if thou ask It of me and for it on me depend My Spirit to work it in thee I will send And wherein thou through weakness goest astray The vertues of my blood shall take 't away Be thou but upright and chast unto me I am and evermore will be for thee If thou refuse this offer thou must die And perish in thy sins eternally None other Lords or lovers can thee save What ere they be or seem they ne'r so brave For they be vanities of vanities Their strength is weakness their promises lies Their words are wind and all they meditate Is from a feined love a real hate Their smoothest language is false flattery Their best imbraces are but treachery Their kisses of thee are but like to his Who sometimes me betrayed by a kiss And when he said Hail Master yet even then He me deliver'd up unto those men That sought my life to whom he had me sold For thirty pieces not of yellow Gold But whitely silver or like his who while He feined love to Abner did beguile And smite him with a Weapon on his side Under his fifth rib that thereof he died And on another time as one well verst In that accursed craft Amasa pierc't With warlike Sword to th' heart while friendlike He Saluted him and as one with him free Did with his right hand take him by his beard And kist him till his blood him all besmear'd Such are the soft imbraces of those foes To thee and Me who do my words oppose Suggesting to thee that I am austere And put upon thee more then thou can'st bear That they are thy best friends and wish thee well And many pleasing stories to thee tell As that thou art whole strong wise holy just May'st live without me may'st follow thy lust That to deny thy self of thy desire Is foolishly thine own death to conspire With me who love thee not but wish thy loss And take delight to bring thee to the cross Where like unto my self thou may'st be made A publick scorn ' mongst those that drive the trade Of robbing by the high-way-side or those Who unto Kings and Magistrates are foes Rebelling against them and their commands And seeking in their blood to wash their hands Or else amongst such Hereticks most
want That thou did'st grant To Adam heretofore Yea he far less Then did possess Then we now evermore LI. We have a Rest A day that 's blest A Sabboath day to be With thee we 'r blest Thou art our Rest And change we ne'r shall see LII Hallelujah Oh blessed day Who can thy glory speak This Sabboath we Perpetually Keep and it never break LIII Therein we sing To thee our King Thy glory we behold Our work is this Thy Name to bliss Thy praises to unfold LIV. A Paradise Wherein there lies All pleasures sweet and great With liberty Perpetually Thereof to take and eat LV. An Heavenly Tree Of life have we Which doth us ever feed It doth us give Ever to live And nothing can we need LVI A River pure Of Waters sure Doth clear as Chrystal run We with it meet In every Street Our City needs no Sun LVII God is our light He shines most bright No Cloud doth him obscure All things we see Just as they be Our knowledge is most sure LVIII It s always full It s never dull Our comforts ever flow Our Suns bright beams Our Rivers streams No damp no ebb do know LIX All manner fruits Which with us suits And may give us delight Our Tree doth bear Throughout the year Most pleasant to our sight LX. All is most sweet With which we meet Here 's nothing sharp or sowre Pleasures we have We can't more crave They 're constant every hour LXI We need no Wives To make our lives More comfort us afford We never dye Nor company Need we at bed or board LXII No different sex Nothing to vex Nothing to tempt we know All perfect is All 's full of bliss Our tides are never low LXIII We do all reign And Lords remain Over all creatures We never shall From our heigths fall Our Kingdom ever dures LXIV We have no night Nor borrowed light No Moon or Candle here For it alway Is perfect day The Sun is not so clear LXV Oh blessed King From whom doth spring This state of happiness We 'll sing thy praise All our All-days Thy goodness we 'll confess LXVI When Adam fell What tongue could tell What was our misery In him we were He did us bear And in him we did dye LXVII Branches were we Of him the Tree The root wherefrom we grew A flood of woe Did us ore flow When his fall made us rue LXVIII Our root did rot Having forgot The hand that did it plant The branches must Then turn to dust For they their life did want LXIX In him we fell As low as Hell Death upon us did seise Woes in us bred Away quite fled All comfort joy and ease LXX Great was our fault At one assault And when ingaged thus God to reject And in effect To thrust away from us LXXI Great misery Therefore did lye Upon us by desert Of good bereft To be quite left To utmost grief and smart LXXII We were beguil'd Sin us defil'd And had so filthy made That God and we Could not agree Of him we were afraid LXXIII Mortallity Did by and by Seise on us oh what pain Did we procure For to endure Till dust we turn'd again LXXIV Yea God we lost Which was the most Sad loss could us befall His wrath also We fell into And into deadly thrall LXXV We lost that light Which gave us sight And ceast to understand And led by lust Became unjust Subject to sins command LXXVI The old Serpent A false light lent Which made us judge amiss And in vain things To seek the springs Of everlasting bliss LXXVII By those inslav'd We misbehav'd Our selves in every thing We acted evil We serv'd the Devil Took him for guide and King LXXVIII Lust was vice-King That was the spring Of actions light and grave Our subtlety That was the spy Which us false counsel gave LXXIX These did conspire To make us higher In our false fond conceit For Heaven the show'd False pleasures strow'd And therewith did us cheat LXXX Oh woful plight Oh ruful sight This was our fallen case In thraldom dwelt Seldom it felt But took it for solace LXXXI In darkness deep In dangers steep Perplexities and fears In depths of Hell Then did we dwell And spend our woful years LXXXII God was but just Us out to thrust From him we left him first And then a Hell Of woe befell Because of him accurst LXXXIII In which sad state Objects of hate And enemies to God Without his sight And destroy'd quite We ever had abode LXXXIV But that the Lord Though he abhor'd Then fellowship with us Yet pittiful In love did pull Us out and help us thus LXXXV The mighty Word Of this great Lord By whom he did us make Tha Wisdom high Our sins did spy But not with them partake LXXXVI A fountain pure He did endure In whom God took delight He was beloved And well approved For he did always right LXXXVII Angels some fell And down to Hell Were thrust ' cause they rebel'd God past them by And let them lye In chains of darkness held LXXXVIII But he by whom All good doth come Most holy did abide By him God now His love did show And mercy glorifi'd LXXXIX Him he decreed In this our need That saved we might be To be sent forth This one of worth Able to set us free XC The Womans seed Of David's breed To be He was ordained A man of grief To bring relief That we might be regain'd XCI Oh loving Lord Oh mighty word The source of all our bliss To be ador'd With one accord For evermore in this XCII This grand devise Ground of our rise Let men and Angels praise Angels admir'd And much desir'd This to behold always XCIII This we admire This with desire Now fully satisfi'd We look upon We make our song Its praise we cannot hide XCIV Here fully we Behold and see Gods admirable love And perfectly We here descry All his perfections move XCV In this we live This all doth give Which we injoy and have Can we forget To set forth it Which did us help and save XCVI This God fore-teld This all forth-held Both Law and Prophets too This all upheld This we beheld To raise us up from woe XCVII This with a blow Did overthrow The Devils Kingdom quite This did destroy What did annoy What kept us from the light XCVIII This to declare Let us not spare This is the mystery We now behold And can unfold With all its treasury XCIX With eye to this The God of bliss Ere since our dreadful fall Before it was Yet brought to pass In act did order all C. What mercies we Receiv'd we see Proceeded all here-fro We that have bliss They who did miss Beholden were hereto CI. Though justice them Who did contemn And slight it doth destroy To us that live Mercy doth give And Justice too all joy CII Mercy did all Respect i th' fall And help for them provide
quite XXI Our fall was of our selves It did not come from thee We willingly the way to dye Did chuse but thou wert free XXII Yet blessed be that will That did permit our fall And whatsoere permitted were To any of us all XXIII For now we see 't was well That God did so permit And not withhold that Serpent old From tempting us to it XXIV For hereby he hath shew'd His attributes most clear How foolish we how dear to thee And unto him we were XXV That so we in our selves No more might put our trust Or listen to what led us fro Thee to fulfil our lust XXVI Yea thereby to himself Our hearts he doth indear While we do see what for us he Hath done while such we were XXVII And so it hath ingag'd Us wondrously to thee That thou so high vouchsafest to dye To set such caytiffs free XXVIII When we all helpless were And hopeless were become Thou did'st us save our foes out drave Brought'st us to thy kingdom XXIX There 's nothing in these acts But big with love it is From first to last we love do taste And thee for ever bliss XXX No shorter date can be Sufficient to express Our hearty sense of so immense A love and it confess XXXI Yea wisdom too we see In suffring that our fall It was O King glory to bring To thee in our recal XXXII That thou might'st be made known And the Father in thee That thy love might shine forth most bright And we more happy be XXXIII We never can express Our thanks sufficiently That thou O King did'st back us bring And to that end did'st dye XXXIV Let 's then strike up our strings As Harpers full of skill And sing our song All our ay-long Till we do sing our fill XXXV What one is like to thee Oh holy glorious one What did thee move us thus to love When we were all undone CXXXVI Thou in thy self wast blest Thou character express Of Gods person his only Son His Glories full brightness XXXVII It was exceeding love And goodness to us when I' th' dust we lay and were but clay To make us living men XXXVIII In thy divine Image And to be like to thee A living soul and to controule All things in Earth and Sea XXXIX How could the dust deserve To be preferred so It was only thy pleasure high Thus thereunto to do XL. Yet as it did no good Such favour to procure So it no bad within it had For all thy works were pure XLI Whereas we not only Void of all goodness were But had done ill yet 't was thy will Favour to us to bear XLII All those expressions great Of love when we were dust We valued not but quite forgot To satisfie a lust XLIII The Serpent who no good Had done for us at all Far before thee preferred we When we from thee did fall XLIV For without any shew That it was true he said We took his lye threw thy truth by Thy love aside we laid XLV Oh great ingratitude Folly and madness great So easily to throw thee by And suffer such a cheat XLVI Whereby we were defil'd And made thine enemies Very unjust and fil'd with lust And all things good despise XLVII Yet that thou might'st us save Thou wast content to be For us made flesh in our likeness Such sin except as we XLVIII Thou did'st not take the form Of some great King or Lord Like a servant poor and in want Thou we'rt of men abhor'd XLIX In which abased forme Great grief thou did'st sustain Yea for our good to shed thy blood Thou didest not disdain L. Oh wond'rous love indeed That one so great and high Who did proceed from God should bleed And for us sinners dye LI. Besides reproaches blows Abuses shame and scorn Thy bloody sweat agony great Whereby thy life was worn LII The curse which was our due Thou also did'st endure In the grave lay till the third day Our freedom to procure LIII Yea also thou went'st down Into the lower Hell As one bereft of God and left Thy griefs no tongue can tell LIV. It was no gain from us That thou could'st get thereby When we most had we could not add Unto thy Majesty LV. But how much less when we Had lost what thou did'st give And nothing had but what was bad And were unfit to live LVI Oh what was sinful man That thou should'st him so love At such a cost to save the lost What pitty did thee move LVII How can we but confess That thine of right we are Since thou us made thy life down laid Us when sinners to spare LVIII And yet that was not all Thy love did so exceed 'T was not only least we should dye That for us thou did'st bleed LIX Thou like to us was 't made And our deserts did'st bear That we might be made like to thee Thy robes of glory wear LX. Oh depth oh heigth of love None may compare with thee So low to lye that we so high Who were so low might be LXI Which thing to bring about God raised thee again For pangs of death or Hell beneath Could not thee long detain LXII Because thou art the life The life eternal and Against that life no mortal strife Of Death or Hell could stand LXIII The Serpent and his slaves Did strive thee down to hold But all in vain thou rose again As was of thee foretold LXIV Oh mighty conqueror A glorious conquest here Thou oâ—â—â— evil sin World and Devil Triumphantly did'st bear LXV This was the glorious fight This was the day indeed Which God did make for his Names sake This did from him proceed LXVI These were the wars of God A battel bravely fought 'Twixt th' innocent and the Serpent Whereby our peace was wrought LXVII No war was like to this This the foundation laid Of all the blows and overthrows Upon the foes since made LXVIII Those were the mortal foes Of God and mankind too ' Gainst God's glory and Man's safety Their malice thy did show LXIX Oh Prince of might elect God's dear and only Son Thou them withstood unto thy blood Wherethrough the field was won LXX This field for us was fought Their helpless prey were we But thou them foil'd and their plot spoil'd Ransom'd we were by thee LXXI We were thy lawful prize And thou our lawful Lord Oh happy day then all did say Who did believe thy word LXXII How deadly was that thrall In which before we lay No Tyrants fell be so cruel To use their slaves as they LXXIII Here was the coming in Of all our future good Our hopes of all that since did fall On this foundation stood LXXIV We never had come here Or this glory possest Unless thou Lamb had'st overcame And given us this conquest LXXV Here through thou took'st the spoiles Of all thine enemies And went'st on high triumphantly With those thy victories LXXVI Oh who this victory This Conquest gotten
wholly to My self conform thee for although thou be Or weak or dead there 's life enough in me Who am the Resurrection and Life too So that though men be dead yet if they do Believe on me I Life to them will give And living and believing they shall live For ever why dost thou thy weakness plead To this or that or tell me thou art dead There 's the more need on that account that thou Yield up thy self to me down thy self bow To my dispose who all things fully have That may supply thy wants and thy soul save I know thou' rt weak and dead and all that 's naught I need not what 's in man by Thee be taught Nay I do therefore woe thee that I may By curing thee remove those things away If such a one thou wert not then no need For me so seek thee or that thou take need To me to save thee but if thou l't be mine As I have often said I will be thine And what 's mine shall be thine also and sure My things are able thy weal to procure My wisdome thou shaâ—t haâ—e the way to show And thee to help weâ—lthy concerns to know And to direct thee how to make thy choice In every thing do but thou hear my voice My strength shall strengthen thee to walk my way Enter the straight gate and my will obey Though thou be weak and in the strength thaâ—s thine Canst not do this or that canst not in mine I 'le be thy holiness my Spirit I 'le give To thee that therein thou mayst act and live Or rather acted be and live cannot My holy spirit fetch out every spot That cleaves to thee and so display my love As thee from all thy Idols to remove It s not in thine own self that I require Thee this or that to do or ought desire It s in me and what 's mine which I therefore Freely thee give because I know thou' rt poor Naked and dead and weak and wretched too Nothing that 's good hast nought that 's good canst do I 'le be thy husband and I am so good I 'le bear with all thy badness till my blood And grace hath betterd thee I will thou l't see Demean my self so gently toward thee That with my gentleness I 'le break thine heart And make thee cleave to me and to depart From all thine Idols do but thou consent My Grace shall be for theâ—e sufficient The fountain of thy sin is great indeed But of my grace the fountain doth exceed No weakness death or badness that 's in thee No difficulties in the way that be Shall hinder thee from bliss If thou l't but give Thy self unto me freely thou shalt live Oh take my yoke upon thee it shall bow thee And bear my burthen it shall not ore-throw thee For my yokes easy give consent and go Forth in my strength all things for thee I 'le doeâ— In all things be for me and then I will Be for thee too and and all thy works fulfill Lean on mine arm or shoulder I 'le sustain thee And though thou homely bee'st I 'le not disdain thee As upon Eagles wings I will thee bear And carry thee through all do not thou fear Only yield unto me my voice to hear Through all the Wilderness I will thee guide In every danger I 'le from ill thee hide I 'le never never leave thy soul untill All my good pleasure I in thee fulfill All things are ready only yield thy will Incline thine ear and hear me do not stop It against me and I 'le my doctrine drop So thereunto that even thy very heart It shall make willing and thy soul convert And cause thee from thy Idols to depart Do but so hear me as to know my name That known thy heart to trust in me will frame Soul And is it so dear Lord then what shall let But that to thee I yield my self and set My heart upon thee wholly I refign My self up to thee to be only thine Help me herein for thou art good indeed None is like to thee while thy words I heed Marrow they are and and fatness to my tast Oh thou my soul affected with thee hast Seeing thou camest to save even sinners chief Lord I believe help thou my unbelief None is like thee thou art the only wooer Thou' rt worthy love oh thou most worthy doer Oh take my heart dear Lord for thou alone Art worthy of it and besides thee none There 's none hath done for me such things as thou There 's none besides hath made me such things know There 's none so lovely or so fit for me Therefore dear Lord I yield my self to thee I 'm thine to love and praise thee and thee serve Oh never let me from thee stray or swerve Oh thou art very fair the white and ruddy None may with thee compare make it my study Thee that I may more know and more delight in My self to thee I ow Me thou hast right in When I was damn'd toâ—dy thou didst redeem me And though unworthy I Thou didst esteem me So as thy self to give for me a ranlome That so my soul might live I am unhandsome Worthy great shame and blame but though I naught be Yet blessed be thy name thou hast upsought me Oh that I knew thee more and more did love thee That I might thee adore as 't doth behove me Oh shew thy self to me make me to know thee Make me thy fâ—ce to see and to follow thee I am a sinfull man unworthy of thy love I nothing good do can but what thy wrath may move Yea what of thy good grace thou give'st me power unâ—o Sin hath in me such place as otherwise I do Yet seeing I am thine though I am nothing worth Do thou my heart incline after thee to go forth Set thou my heart and eye with all intensiveness Upon thy Majesty that without pensiveness I may go wheresoe're thou goest me before May unto thee adhaere and ever thee adore Thou all art and in all Thou gav'st thy self for me And whatsoe're befall its meet I be for Thee It was thy pleasure Lord so for my soul to do Oh do thou yet afford thy heavenly grace thereto Those lusts that be in me and which do thee offend Drawing my heart from thee subdue and meamend For I am much amiss and very full of spots That I thy Name may bliss purge thou away my blots Remove my sins away that I to thee may cleave Let me not go astray Do thou me never leave I cannot trust my heart 't is so full of deceit It s apt from thee to start it is a very cheat Do thou it rectiâ—â—e make it to thee upright That I may heartily love thee in thee delight And though I wretched be do not thou me disdain Since thou hast loved me let me thy love retain Thou art the All in all stay my soul upon thee And
Lo's Wife thy pace thou must nor slack For fear thy love grow cold and so decay That thou from after me turn quite away Thou must thy flesh â—ield up to be subdu'd And mortify'd by me because its rude And full of stubbornness and oft hath broke Both of my laws and of my love the yoke Yea so rebelhous against me it is And hath led thee so much to do amiss And with so high a hand 〈◊〉 had I not Been merciful to thee as 〈◊〉 to Lot When he in Sodom lingred â—eath to part Therefrom when call'd thou there through hast thy heart So often hardned thou destroyd hadst been Through it much hurt and forrow thou hast seen I must therefore for thee it came that it May not grow rank sti'd and make thee unfit For fellowship with me who holy am And unto thee to make thee holy came But if at my reproof thou wiâ—t let go Its lusls the less grief I shall put thee to Oh yield it up Dear soul at every turn Be not offended that I parge or burn It oâ—t of thee thy self now offer up A sacrifice to me drink of my cup I give to cleanse thee from thy filth within And from what therâ—e breaks forth upon thy skin Like to a Leprosy and doth defile Thy person and dotli make thee very vile Yield but thy self to me and iâ—le thee cure I 'le make thee like my self both white and pure So shall I in thy beauty much delight And thou shalt always dwell in my blest sight And therefore do not fear I will not harm thee But only cleanse thee from thy filth and arm thee Against what may destroy thee I must prove thee And humble as my spouse because I love thee That so I may thee fashion to my mind Make thee fit for me and that thou mayst find More favour in mine eyes I may be for thee And that thy filâ—h may not make me abhor thee But fear not when I have thee fully try'd Thou shalt with me also be glorify'd Fear not l'th wilderness I will thee feed And by my right hand I will there thee lead And by thy right hand too I will thee holâ— Nothing shall harm thee I thy frame and mold Do fully know and will not on thee lay More than what by my strength endure thou may Only resign thy flesh and self to me And thou shalt my Salvation surely see I now unto my self do freely spouse thee But I shall not as yet so fully house thee As I intend here fter thou must tarry And wait a while before I fully many Thee to my self before unto that place Those royal Mansions which for thee my grace Hath fitted I thee take where I receive And entertain all that in me believe Thou hast been very whorish and thou art Polluted with thy whoredomes at thy heart Thy flesh and body is defil'd with what Thou from thy lovers whoredomes oft hast got And I cannot into my Bride-bed take thee Till I first wash thee white and clean do make thee Thou must the time of purifying stay Before our solemn joyful wedding day In the mean time constant to me and chast Thou must abide and thou mayst not make hast After injoyments of delights so that With other pleasures thou thee satiate And turn thee from me to some other lover Thee to content thou mayst let none be over Thy heart and conscience besides me who am Thy only Lord and Saviour that meek Lamb Who bought thee with my blood and thee did call To me that I might be thy All in All If thus thou dost then I will be for thee And all I am and have it thine shall be Soul Dear Lord thy words in every thing are right My soul approves them finds therein delight Make me them more to know further to see Into the wondrous things that in them be Thy love is wonderful worthy receit And to be fed upon more than our meat It s better far than wine doth me refresh Although it rellish not unto the flesh Who would not such a lover as thou art Imbrace with both his arms with all his heart Who can like blessings give like comforts bring Above all GODS Thou art the mighty KING Oh who can fathom who can comprehend The greatness of thy love there 's no such friend Or lover as thou art none can forgive The soul its sins like thee or make it live Oh who am I that I should welcome be Or be accepted unto life by thee That thou shuld'st call and woo me and imbrace Me in thy arms cause me to see thy face Thy pleasant face and own me as thy own And in thy words thy love to me make known Yea both thy words and love cause me to know To draw my heart from off the things below And fix it on thy self and things above Oh there 's no sweetness to that of thy love Its tasts at present most delightful are All other pleasures it surpasses far But as if all at present was but small Thou holdst forth such a portion too as all For future time yea to eternity For ever to injoy thy Majesty I less am than the least of thy mercies Which thou dost give wilt not thou me despise But passing by all my unworthiness And many mighty sins such love express As passeth knowledge Oh that I again With my whole heart thy love may intertain And love for love return perpetually And never shrink from thee no though I dy Oh Lord thy love ingages me to be Wholly devoted and given up to thee For it s but meet that I be wholly thine And for thy sake give up all that is mine Who for my sake didst not the cross decline It s meet that I a sacrifice should be Wholly devoted and given up to thee A living holy sacrifice whereby Thou may'st be glorifyed and lift on high For great thy love to me is I confess Nor can I by my tongue or pen express The great desâ—râ—s of love and service too Which far beyond all my returns I ow. I do acknowledge too thy words be true In all they say of me that nothing's due To me of praise or approbation for I am so loathsome thou mayst me abhor I am polluted with a whorish heart So as I jealous am least I depart Away from thee it oftentimes indeed Hath play'd the Harlot and brought forth a breed Of hateful Monster full of venome fell Against thy purity The brats of Hell Unchast desires and lusts self-love and pride Ambitious thoughts a loathness to be ty'd Up to thy just commands an evil eye Of envy against such as I could spy Prefer'd before me often at them fretting With covetous desires to be getting More of this worlds injoyments profits pleasure Slothfull mispending of that time and leasure Thou hast afforded me for better things From which much other mischief oft times springs Such things my bowels oft have eat and
That thou mayst me imbracing Thy loves to me impart 85. And all the night of darkness Mayst lodge within my brest And I in thy imbraces May find sweet peace and rest 86. Oh make me subject to thee That thou mayst be above Uniting me unto thee And fill me with thy love 87. And let my loving-kindness Such love again beget That I my heart and bowels May open to thee set 88. And thou thy Word put in me As an immortal seed Fil'd with that Life and Spirit Which doth from thee proceed 89. That thou mayst make me fruitful With fruits of righteousness An of-spring which thine Image May livelily express 90. That thou thy pleasure in me Subject to thee mayst take And I have pleasures in thee Which may me chearful make 91. Oh make thou me so lovely That thou mayst count me meet For such communion with thee As is so pure and sweet 92. That chaste I may be to thee And content in thee find That none else I may look to Or covet in my mind 93. May never go a whoring From under thee my Lord But may be fully pleased With what thou dost afford 94. Nor only let me love thee Like to some Concubine So as for pleasures only Me to thee to incline 95. But as a Spouse and chaste one Though thou shouldst them withhold Yet I may love thy person And vertues manifold 96. And thine affaires take care of As things that are mine own And faithfully observe what Thou shalt to me make known 97. Leaving it to thy wisdom Those pleasures to impart Which cannot but be pleasing And satisfie my heart 98. But let me not love pleasures So as if thou delay Thine to impart unto me I should to others stray 99. But make me ever willing To stay and waite for thee Who when thou seest it fitting Will thine impart to me 100. Thou art the only worthy To be lov'd and obey'd Oh that my heart upon thee More fixed were and stay'd 101. Oh sanctifie me to thee And my soul purifie Bless rods and mercies to me That I to sin may dye 102. And unto all that from thee Would steal my heart away That I may live unto thee In what I do and say 103. Thou art the lovely portion Riches and honour dwell In thee with whatsoever Delights and doth excel 104. Oh were my heart reduced To that simplicity That I might chuse and love thee And cleave to thee only 105. I would not change my lot there For any of the heigths Of highest greatest persons My earnest groans and sighs 106. Shall reather be through suff'rings To have thy company Then live else where without thee In greatest jollity 107. With all the greatest fulness This World to them affords Who live in its embracements As high and mighty Lords 108. Yet thou hast room for them too In thy high palaces Oh make thou them acquainted With thy sweet embraces 109. Oh make them see how empty All things without thee are That they may flock unto thee Seeing thee only fair 110. All honour be unto thee Thou only worthy one For it is due unto thee And unto thee alone 111. In oneness with the Father And with the holy Spirit Thou worthy art all blessing For ever to inherit 112. To thee it 's my desire To leave my self and all I am with whatsoever I through thy gift mine call 113. Lord pardon my abuses Of thy great love to me And make my soul both upright And constant unto thee 114. So that thy blessing ever May on my soul remain And cleanse me so as that thou Mayst not my work disdain 115. Purge out what doth offend thee And make me white and pure That thou mayst ever own me And I be ever sure 116. Of thy love and thy favour Which life doth far excel And in thine heavenly mansions May with thee ever dwell Amen and Amen FINIS A Posie Improved UPON THE POSIE of a RING Love Love Love EPAVCIS MVLTA I. AMongst the pretty Poseys I have seen Which either friends or lovers have invented I have on none to discant tempted been Nor hath any my fancy more contented If rightly 't be apply'd then this above This one word thrice repeated Love Love Love II. What man it was who did the same invent From whom or unto whom the token came Whether some Love to his Love it sent Or for what other cause some did it frame It matters not nor what they did thereby Intend unto their friend to signifie III. Perhaps some young man who his Mistress loved Or else some Mistress who did love her Friend And want of love again or fear'd or proved In them they loved did this token send Their love to quicken and their constancy To them the better to provoke hereby IV. Like as some person who while he assays To do or reach for something and doth fall Into some danger whence he cannot raise Or save himself most earnestly doth call Help Help Help tripling it vehemently As like to suffer greatly else thereby V. So possibly some lover while he sought The pleasing object of his love to gain Being into some doubt or question brought Thereof or meeting with slights or disdain Might in his earnestness cry as above As one else like to perish Love Love Love VI. Perhaps some wanton who had lust mistook For love seeking his lust to satisfie Might send it to his Harlot to provoke Her fond affection unto him thereby Exhorting her to love love love again That oft his will with her he might obtain VII Perhaps some person who had lov'd too much Some other person and loves flames had felt Sadly to scorch him when they did him touch His folly wailing on this subject dwelt As crying out upon a thing so hot Whence He much heart smart and much hurt had got VIII That carnal love I mean wherein the creature Is made the object of a blind affection Doteing upon its beauty parts or feature Which when it meets with slighting and rejection As oft it s foolishly misplac't on what Either's unlawful or repays with hate IX Brings forth instead of pleasure doleful grief Stinging the soul with fears and sad despairs Distractions jealousies without relief And many fruitless dumps and waking cares Causing such one out of this love to cry Bewailing thus his fortune bitterly X. Love Love Love thou art a most cruel thing When fixt on some disdainful one thou' rt found Thy sweets are bitter thou leav'st many a sting Infusest venom and the heart dost wound Oh had thy fond deceits my soul ne'r tainted Oh had I with thy force ne'r been acquainted XI Love Love Love that fond thing which men so call Woe worth the time I did thee intertain Expecting sweetness where I meet with gall And pleasures where I nothing find but pain Unhappy soul that longedst after fruit That may not be obtained by any suit XII Would I had hardned against thee my heart
And made it harden thon the flinty stones Against thy flatteries then should no dart Of thine have driven me to these sighs and moans Let none be tempted by thy speckled skin Or slily windings more to let thee in XIII Oh had I fixt mine eye and heart upon Those happy objects where no love is lost Had I been ruled by discretion Then had I never with these blasts been tost Who loves unduely's rightly thus rewarded The more he loves the less to be regarded XIV Who loves inordinately puts his heart Into anothers hands it to command Who when they list may play a Tyrants part Who love 's in measure keeps't in his own hand And if 't is flighted he can then withdraw't And place it beeter then on thing of naught XV. And yet it 's better when love 's badly set Upon unlawful objects t' have it crost Then that its satisfaction it should get For then the soul 's in danger to be lost Who can the mischiefs number which insue When unchast love injoys pleasures undue XVI What guilt unto it self the soul contracts What stings of conscience frightful fears of Hell What horrour shame reproach spring from such acts What other mischeifs where 's the tongue can tell Hoe many loose not only name and place But even their lives seeking to shun disgrace XVII How many have been cast down wounded sore How many strong ones hereby have been slain How many rich ones hath this love made poor How many sober ones hath it made vain Yea Cities through unchast love have been sackt And Common-wealths and Kingdoms hereby wrackt XVIII This brought the Deluge on the World of old And Sodom and her Sisters over-turn'd So as the like beside was never told By fire and Brimstone from Heav'n being burn'd This many thousand Graecians did destroy While they beseig'd the here-through ruin'd Troy XIX On this I more inlarge all men to warn How they their loves misplace and let them run Least they do gather thence both scath and scorn And wail too late when it hath them undone Give God thy heart i' th first place there 's great odds 'Twixt putting 't in a creatures hands and Gods XX. Perhaps some friendly soul whose heart was knit Unto his friend or neighbour in loves bands Desiring love again this posie writ And grav'd it on a ring that on the hands Of his friend worn or by him read it might Their hearts in mut'al love firmely unite XXI Perhaps some man who true love 's worth admir'd And found thereof within himself some want Cry'd out thus as a man that love desir'd Invoking love her self to him to grant Making his moan as if he thus should say Love Love Love come and make with me thy stay XXII Perhaps some living in this frozen age And seeing charity to be waxt cold Himself and others thereto to ingage Did grave these words upon a Ring of Gold But be it as it will I hope I well May good instructions to my self thence spell XXIII This threefold mention of this word to me Love's excellency rightly may imply That there is nothing in the World may be So good as hearty love and charity If other things with true love we compare Its excellencies superlative are XXIV Love not that thing which springeth out of dust And on some outward glosse doth fix the eye Which wantons call Love but the Scriptures lust For that is full of sin and vanity Chaining the soul to things that do it harm And oft to their destruction men doth charm XXV But that Divine and Heavenly frame of soul Which fills it full of goodness and inlarges Its motions and doth lead it to controule What ' ere as evil a right judgment charges A pure and heavenly flame inkindled from That holy fire that down from Heaven doth come XXVI Which at the good of the beloved aims And not a man 's own will to satisfie To all good offices the mind it frames And leads it all mischeivousness to fly Faith hope joy patience meekness fortitude And justice good are Love doth all include XXVII Love both believes and hopes and long indures With courage bearing and performing all That the beloveds good or praise procures Strongly resisting all that cross doth fall Love joys to do what 's right hates to do ill Yea love the law it self doth all fulfil XXVIII Love hath its rise from He'ven and Heaven 's its seat Where on a stately throne it s plac't on high Needs must the worth of love be very great When such its birth is and its Majesty Yea God himsld who all things is above Is not call'd power or strength or faith but Love XXIX Love is a vertue therefore pure and clean That from all filthiness and vice is free Producing all that 's good the heart can't mean Ill where love ruleth for love could not be A child of Heav'n or there its seat retain If free it were not from all spot and stain XXX Needs must it also unto God be pleasing Since it in him hath its original And to the heart it dwels in its most easing Of all d'sturbing passions that inthrall To self and others it 's a very spring Of ev'ry wholsome advantagious thing XXXI Yea Love's eternal seeing in the brest Of God from everlasting 't was conceiv'd And it for evermore shall be possest When other vertues have their end reciv'd So long as God is who doth live for ever Love shall abide and end it shall have never XXXII When what we now believe and hope for we Shall fully have and nothing more expect Yet we shall love and ever loved be We never shall God or God us reject Nor one another but eternally Shall live in love and perfect unity XXXIII When all out suff'rings shall be o're and past And patient courage have no further place Yet Love shall flourish and for ever last Therefore then Love there is no choiser grace After all vertues press we but above Them all lets follow after fervent Love XXXIV But yet again this thrice repeated word Love Love Love hath another mystery At least to me me-thinks it may afford This observation not unusefully That of right Love there are right objects three God neighbours and our selves should loved be XXXV The first Love God respects Love God for He Above all other things our Love deserves If any other thing more loved be Our love from its right order greatly swerves God far above all other things excels Because in him all excellency dwels XXXVI If lovely beauty may our love attract And cause our eyes and hearts thereon to gaze Such lovely beauty dwels in him in act As may with admiration us amaze A perfect fitness for to satisfie Our souls with goodness to eternity XXXVII Beauty doth stand in a just symmetry A fit composure and proportion due Of parts and of appearances to th' eye Such as a loveliness presents to th'veiw Such justice wisdom pow'r and goodness
are In God and so agreeing None 's so fair XXXVIII Behold his lively image Chirst our Lord Where God himself unto us doth present He 's white and ruddy his face doth afford What ever may our souls like and content Power wisdom greatness riches glory grace And all that suits our wants dwells in his face XXXIX What ever we can wish desire or crave That may promote our hearts content or ease In God we may behold it and it have Yea so as perfectly our hearts to please When healed so as we can see aright All beauty 's far below his glory bright XL. If love and bounty may challenge as due Affection from us He the first is there God loves so and his favours old and new Are such as none like them there ever were We nothing have that 's good but He it gave us We no ill scape but He therefrom doth save us XLI Oh who God's love and goodness can set forth Who can his benefits justly repeat Their number 's numberless and such their worth As cannot be exprest it is so great Behind before about us look we round Above beneath we see his love abound XLII Where shall we first begin where make an end If with the world's beginning that 's too late Before the World God did us good intend Sure then his love is of an elder date And it 's his desire we should do well for ever His love 's eternal then and endeth never XLIII When God did make this World and Being give Unto each thing therein it was for man That He might be well and contented live Yea h's thoughts to make it before it began Were with an eye to us that we might Be And might his goodness and his glory see XLIV What a well furnisht house did God provide With all accomodations that might make Our lives most comfortable yea beside We of his heav'nly Image did partake God gave us pow'r and rule over the rest Of creatures and with fitness for 't us blest XLV Wisdom he gave to manage such a pow'r And such a manly courage majesty And countenance as well might make them lowre That would but dare t' oppose his Sovereignty Yea male and female for each other meet He made us that our converse might be sweet XLVI Yea further he did also us create Capable with himself converse to have And did his mind to us communicate What could we more of him desire or crave How great his love and goodness to us then When we were innocent and upright men XLVII But yet his love he shewed forth more sully When we by sin were fallen into woe And sins curst fruits did soul and body sully And we deserv'd he should have been our foe When we were helpless and had ever perish't Unless his love had us reliev'd and cherish't XLVIII When the whole World could not relieve our case But more then a whole World it did require To ransom us from ruin that his face We might behold with joy and ' scape his ire Then more then all this World he for us gave Oh how he lov'd us that he might us save XLIX He to redeem us sent his only Son Cloth'd with our flesh and blood made poor and weak Made sin and curse for us as one undone That he the pow'r of sin and curse might break He him deliver'd to death on the cross That by his death he might repair our loss L. Yet neither did his love and goodness here Take up and cease but knowing that we wanted A quickning pow'r us up again to rear And keep from death that quickning pow'r he granted For raising up his Son again from dead He fil'd him with all fulness o' th' God-head LI. Set him upon the throne of Majesty Made him a quickning spirit and so gave Him cloth'd with pow'r and all Authority To bring us back again from sin death grave Yea rescue and defend us from the Devil Fill us with blessings free us from all evil LII His Son his only Son by whom he made This World and all therein he thus did give A gift beyond the World it can't be said How great a gift he was that we might live For he a person is excelling far All things that by him either were of are LIII Through him he daily doth us feed and cloth And bountifully lade with benefits Upholds us in our tryals don't us loath Though bad requitals oft from us he gets Yea Heaven he opens to us and displays His glory to us thither us to raise LIV. Through his dear blood he hath prepar'd a way And grace affords that we his Sons may be Injoy his favour see his face alway Be satisfied with good from ill be free Yea and in glory ov'r other things Reign to eternity with him as Kings LV. The good and glory which he hath prepared For us unworthy sinful wretched men In our return to him can't be declared Oh what a lover of us is He then Yea all his rods and chastisements do tend To bring us to those joys that have no end LVI And to impow'r and move us to repent And close with him his Spirit doth us give With that grace and those means which us prevent That we though dead may hear and hearing live So that but yielding our obedience to him He 'll work our works nought shall pluck us fro him LVII He calls us to him bids us ask and crave What ever good we want us to supply Cleaving to him we shall it surely have For nought that 's good for us will he deny Yea much he freely gives unaskt that so To hope in him and ask he might us wooe LVIII And more then we can ask or think he 'll give Yea more then now our narrow hearts can hold If we believe on him and to him live The glory he will give cannot be told What love 's like his or where is such a lover Amongst all persons that we can discover LIX There 's none in Earth beneath nor Heaven above That loves like him his love if we do heed 'T will us convince that him again to love It 's meet yea love to him in us 't will breed The first love to him then rightly belongs Let him be first in all our praising songs LX. Yea he 's so worthy love that well we may Treble the exhortation with respect To him and to our selves and others say Love Love Love God who ever we neglect He 's worthy and we 're backward him to love Need therefore fervently thereto to move LXI Yea love 's his due in the highest degree Because his goodness is superlative With all things that we have with all we be He 's worthy love so long as we 're alive Love God therefore with all thy mind heart soul Love Love Love and let nought that love controule LXII Love God with all thy mind to him attend Consider what of him we hear and find Yea set our selves
to seek to know him bend Our thoughts to him and keep him in our mind With greatest earnestness his praises view To think on him bid all things else adieu LXIII Love God with all thy heart as him we know Let our affections close with and embrace Him freely fully all things high and low To the injoyment of him must give place Resign our wills to him on him rely Joy and delight we in his Majesty LXIV Seek his approvement fellowship and grace Joy in his word and service and adhere Firmely unto him seek his strength and face Above all things and the loss thereof fear Yea love the places whereon be his name His paths posts statutes and frequent the same LXV Love God with all thy soul the life and might Which soul united with the body gives To put forth all our strength it is but right Seeking and serving him who ever lives Remiss and slothful seeking him implies That our love to him 's cold and cold love dies LXVI Yea yet again we may be thrice put on To love the Lord because a Trinity There is in him He 's three though yet but one As Scriptures do expresly testifie Love God the Father Son and holy Spirit For each of them thy fervent'st love do merit LXVII For each and All are love in one and have Joyntly and severally their love exprest To us poor mortals that they might us save And that our miseries might be redrest In love the Father sent the Son unto us In love the Son came and the Spirit doth wooe us LXVIII In love the Father his Son yielded up To be made flesh and poor despis'd and dye 'T was He that gave to him that bitter cup Which wrung his Soul with many an agony In love to us he rais'd him up again And hath exalted him on high to reign LXIX In love to us the Son our flesh and blood Did at the Father's just appointment take And in our room and stead as surety stood And by his dying did atonement make And rose and off'red up himself on high Living to plead for us continually LXX In love to us he sent the holy Ghost And gifts did give to men as he thought good That so by them his Name in ev'ry coast Might be proclaim'd and his grace understood And unto those who do his grace retain He 'll come in glory and raise them to raign LXXI In love to us the Holy Ghost comes forth In Christ his Name and doth his truth make known Shewing the things of Christ and their great worth Wooing us to him that we might him own Waiting with patience for our turning in Ready to wash and cleanse us from our sin LXXII He guids us into truth he gives support Strengthneth in services and sufferings Unto our fainting Spirits he gives comfort Yea he all life and blessings to us brings Will raise us up from death and grave and give In glorious bodies us with Christ to live LXXIII Love Love Love God therefore intensively Who was and is and who is yet to come Love every person in the Trinity Oh that he had in my heart all the room Thus in the first place love to God is due But let us now a second Object view LXXIV Love secondly our Neighbour for the Text That bids us first of all to love the Lord Tells us the second precept which is next Is love our Neighbours and we in God's Word Good reason for it find because they are Our brethren though with God they can't compare LXXV All men are sprung from out one common stock Branches of the same root made of one blood Rais'd from one common mold chips of one block Fram'd by one hand capable of one good We had at first the same original And must at last into the same dust fall LXXVI Indeed there is in us such backwardness To love our Neighbours that this thrice repeated Word Love may be apply'd with earnestness That our cold hearts to love them may be heated God we so little love our selves so wrong That Neighbours get not what to them belong LXXVII 'T would be as good for them happy to be And to be miserable full as sad As to be happy will be good for thee And to be miserable for thee 's bad Seek to promote their good prevent their wooe Do to them as thou wouldst be done unto LXXVIII Especially fince it is God's good will And precept that thy Neighbour thou should'st love And that he might thee move it to fulfill His own example gives thee from above He hath both loved thee and others too As he hath done to thee to others do LXXIX God's love to thee obliges thee again Readily what he bids thee to obey To Love thy Neighbour then do not disdain Whatever lust of thine thereto say nay Though of thy love unworthy he doth seem Worthy of thine obedience God esteem LXXX But who 's our Neighbour surely every man Distinct from us at least till fil'd with evil Any we find that clearly see we can That they are thereby made one with the Devil For they that are God's enemies so far Out of our loves we lawfully may bar LXXXI But for all others they should loved be Whither they be our friends our foes or strangers Their good we should indeavour joy to see Defend and seek to rescue them from dangers Grieve for their harms and do what in us lies Their happiness to further any wise LXXXII Me thinks three sorts of Neighbours I espy God's friends our own and they that neither be Respectively to whom this trinity Of love-commands again apply may we Love those that love God love friends and allies Love other men strangers or enemies LXXXIII Love those that love God for they 'r worthy love In that they do the thing that 's good and right They are God's friends he loves them that may move Thee therefore in them to take much delight They love not God who do not love his friends And they are faulty who e'r them commends LXXXIV For in asmuch as any loves God He God's image in him in some measure bears They are Christ's vertues which in him we see God's and Christ's liv'ries he upon him wears And he that loves not God as seen in 's brother Loves not but hates God howe'r he it smother LXXXV If God thou lov'st and seek'st desirously Acquaintance with he with his people dwels In cleaving to their heavenly company Thou shalt meet with him as the Scripture tells If thou hast no desire his face to know Thou lov'st him not what face so e'r thou show LXXXVI Amongst all men they the first place should have In our affections because God's in them They 'r nearest to him what they of him crave He 'll give for he their pray'rs will not contemn They then who him neglect and them despise He needs must take to be his enemies LXXXVII They be Christ's favourites he doth them own As his dear