possess Lord I am poor and thou art full of riches Abound'st with wisdom Folly me bewitches Lord I am weak and thou art God of strength Unless thou sav'st I perish shall at length Thou do'st enjoyn the Rich unto the poor For to impart with some of their full store And canst thou God of Riches do ought less Then give to th' Needy what thou dost possess In great abundant fulness Ah! Canst thou What thou enjoynst thy Creatures to tell how For to deny thy self Oh! Wilt thov prove So cruel so unkind Thou God of Love No sure thou canst not thy delight 's to give Abundantly to man crav'st that receive Of thee he would that everlasting treasure Of thine consisting in true joy and pleasure Miserable am I whither should I turn But unto Mercy My desires burn And long and pine thy Grace for to possess O thou in whom my life and pleasure is Enlarge my Soul still more fill my desires With greater longings with more stronger fires That still my youth may make its boast of thee And thou mayst still delight thy self in me That the whole strength of these my yonger dayes May be laid out and spent in thy blest praise As freely as thou gav'st my life to me So freely do I give my strength to thee A GLASS FOR VIRGINS Wherein also every SOUL may see and from whence may be gathered The Duty of every SOUL to CHRIST Held forth by a continued Parallel Between Virgins Behaviours to their Suitors and The Christian Souls to Christ. Unto which likewise the Author expresseth himself By F. G. Young Men and Maids Old Men and Children Praise ye the Lord. THE AUTHOUR Of this following POEM ALthough young Women are included and comprehended alwayes under the expression young Man when Mankind is spoken to in general because things must be exprest in the Melior which the sacred Writ as well as common Writ witnesses which take in this one instance for many Psal 119. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way c The Expression comprehending both Sexes young Women as well as young Men so also have I all along as much as I could hinted to young Women in and through young Men oft times also expressing the term more indeffinitely by the word youngling which more clearly comprehends both Sexes But for asmuch as in the pursuit of a Discourse we are bound to follow up matters in the melior and to pursue Instances of the prime Concernment Therefore do I think good to annex these following Lines to the former wherein young Women shall be positively concerned and the state of young Women absolutely spoke unto and parallel'd as the nature and condition of young Men was before yet so as reserving that truth alwayes in my mind and carrying of it along in my thoughts with me in this Discourse viz. that there is no distinction of Sexes with Christ And therefore peradventure I may mix Expressions of both Sexes in one oft times because all is one in Christ Herein will be what as well concerns the one Sex as the other and that not absolutely young Ones only but the Aged also may find their Duty in some measure herein laid down Oh Reader be sober and read with a heart solid and spiritual and thy delight I doubt not then will be as great in reading as mine is in writing and was when I express'd from truth of Experience these things thy good and prosperity in God I heartily wish A Glass for Virgins 1 NOw Virgins unto you to you I speak To you directly now my Speech I turn For why Your welfare I entirely seek And thereunto doth my desier burn You are to me alike belov'd and dear And every whit as pretious as they were 2 Christ maketh no distinction no more do I But good in any one I love and prize And wheresoever Grace I do espy Why in those persons my hearts pleasure lyes Both Male and Foemale are alike to me When alike Principles I in them see 3 My heart is dead most cold is my desire To any 's friendship where no Grace I find Nought else but it can my affection fire Or something that is like to it in kind Partial Oh! May I never he in Love Nor ne'r affect where great Jehove don't move 4 Virgins attend Note your denomination You prize the Name Oh! see you live unto it Yo beâ—r your selves upon that appellation And so do I what it bespeaks let 's do it Virgin speaks purity and singlnesse All Chastity and Soul retirednesse 5 A Virgins heart 's within it self compact In unity within it self 's composed Each faculty's entire and all exact Its happinesse within it self 's enclosed The heart 's entire th' affection whole and sound Tâ—e will desire unto themselves are bound 6 A serene quiet calm tranquillid frame Of spirit doth a Virgins soul possess And being so nought can it eas'ly maim Nor is there ought can make their joyes he less Affections in 'em are not parcel'd out Disordered passions therefore can't them rout 7 A Virgins glory 's to maintain this frame T is this they make their business of life Their strength 's laid out for to maintain the same And so their souls preserved are from strife Thus is Virginity Angelical And to be priz'd the best estate of all 8 A Virgins honour lives in modest looks In sober and yet humble carriages A Virgins spirit no uncleanness brooks Hates of impurity all passages Her front shines with a kind of Majesty True vertue may be seen with in her eye 9 This is a Virgins ' state I have defined A Virgins Nature I have pencil'd out The Acts of them thâ—t have themselves resigned Up thereunto with their employment what about The which so worthy and approved carriage Presents them most desirable in marriage 10 Chuse to what person you will this apply To God himself or to a lower creature For both in love the carriages do eye Deporture and demeanour in each feature To one to both this lovely you presents Though God alone to please were your intents 11 Oh Virgins know Jehovah hath a Son The Heir of heaven and earth alone is he He 's meek and milde yet hath by courage won Of the world sin hell and death th' victory All pow'r and might and strength 's subjected to him He is so truly rich nought can undo him 12. This person 's single and he seeks a wife Amongst the sinful childeren of men He was so reall that he gave his life To gain their love and to redeem them when They were sold captives unto hellish fiends Under darkness bound with everlasting chains 13. Which was such love that now a silent suit 'T is thought might be enough to gain their love Because their lives are his in small dispute May cause affections unto him to move His Love was true and reall no vain proffer No complement no superficial offer 14. His blood did seal the truth of
thus 'tween us and Christ for either We must love prize esteem him above all Or ' â—is in vain him our lov'd Lord to call 64 He will not save that Soul that doth not love him Marriage can't be where persons don't affect Can he unite with them thatn're did move him Nor shew unto him any love Respect Life is not dear where love hath taken place How do we prize How do we raâ—e his Grace 65 Make we no Conscience of a course of Sin Nor cool nor quench a soul or vain desire Yet do we think his favouâ— for to win And to be fill'd with that celestial fire That mutually doth joy and re-enjoy Those pleasures in him that can never cloy 66 Think we Gods Son will marry with a Whore Wiâ—l he that is the Heir of Earth and Heaven Abase himself so much as evermore To honour persons of all good bereaven No no such persons as indulge in sin He will not own if live and die therein 67 I appeal to young Men or to Virgins either Would they present her with true love that 's coÌ„mon With every man The like to Virgins Whether Could ye love him that deals with every Woman Much less may any One expect to win Christs favovr that trades with delight in sin 68 Know whatsoe'r thou art that dost commerce Continually with sin that thou shalt never See or behold much less with have converse This glorious Bridgroome that doth live fot ever No know thou that he 's full of jealousie And cannot brook filthy Adultery 69 And whensoe'r thou hold'st commerce with sin Thou play'st the whore commit'st adultery Know whenso'r vain thoughts are lodged in Thy breast thou losest thy Virginity Sin doth pollute the heart 't is filthy foul It doth corrupt it doth defile the soul 70. You know that 't is abominable in nature To have a bed defil'd it moveth rage And stirreth up that fury in a creature That scarcely death and Divorce can asswage In noble persons 't is the greater sin Noble I mean that wronged are therein 71. Now 't is a King the everlasting King That is concern'd in thee O Virgin soul 'T is he whose worth the glorious Angels sing Whose nature doth abhor a deed that 's foul 'T is he no less person that thou wrongest Thou art his interest unto him belongest 72. They that defile his bed are worthy sure Of a Divorce and of perpetual pain Yea they shall be confined to endure Such horrors as for evermore remain Sin doth the soul divorce from God for ever Brings it to torment that expireth never 73. To sum up all then take the matter thus Virgins while Virgins strickt are and severe Because their lives are then perspicuous Unto all persons great respective care They have that they miscarry not in ought 'T is good behaviour makes them after sought 74. Their reputation lies in their behaviour 'T is that gains love and meriteth respect 'T is that continueth their loveds favour That may they therefore by no means neglect O Virgin souls remember all this carriage To Jesus Christ who proffers to you marriage 75. When Wives they are and in strickt wedlock bound Such carriage must they shape as best may please Their spoused Husbands good Wives never stound To give it to them as their spousal fees If thou art spoused unto Christ O soul Remember this each surgent I 'll controule 76. But as thou stand'st in hope to be his Bride Thou stricktly art injoyn'd to live up to him To love him heartily and none beside Conforming to his will doth strongly woo him In holy life answer his gracious love And he will thine repay won't from thee move 77. O Virgin soul triumph for to present His Majesty with love and heart entire Be sure let nothing frustrate thine intent In giving to him thy hearts strongest fire Love is a most delightful bed to lie in Loves flames are very pleasant for to fry in 78. But to continue my old method still My self expressing in a varied verse For th' Readers pleasure therefore now I will Put stop and what remains therein rehearse For both to th' outward and the inward man I 'll suit my self as pleasant as I can 1 NOw my self for to express then In a varied pleasant strain And speak those sweets I taste when Sin doth not my soul distrain O may my Song And Lungs be strong To tell what joyes there do remain 2 As a Virgin sworn to him Out of depth of true affection So am I and won't forego him Nor refuse his blest subjection Long may I still Maintain my will Obedient to his direction 3 I do my high glory count it To maintain a loyal heart Unto his Grace and think amount it Doth all treasuries and art My soul doth crave Still to behave Her self so she mayn't with him part 4 He 's my choice and I do prize him Above all the world can show me My Soul 's ravish'd when she eyes him And all things are then below me She never meets With such like sweets As she conceivs when he doth know me 5 As a Virgin may I ever My self humble chastily carry That displease him I may never That abide he may and tarry With me till th' time In th' glorious clime My worthless Soul doth with him marry 6 Ah! might I ever feel the power Of his soul-melting love That all sweet and no whit sower Ah then how then should I move With quick'ned pace I 'd keep no place Till in the Courts of great Jehove 7 O the sweets the joyes the pleasures That the soul doth taste and find O the honors glories treasures That are possessed by that mind That Christ doth love All things above Shewing not it self to him unkind 8 There 's no earthly sweet can gloss it Nor shade it forth in meanest hue There 's no Artist that can dose it Or dimention give it true No reason's blind And cannot find Wherewith to set it forth to view 9 May my Virgin-soul enjoy him He shall lodge between my breasts And that nothing may annoy him I 'll keep watch while he there rests He shall to me Most welcome be So long as in my Soul he guests 10 He knows my heart I 'd not displease him Willingly to stire his ire But when I do why then I lease him Yet then his patience I admire For when that I To him draw nigh With Grace he doth me re inspire 11 He 's my joy my crown my glory Such contentment he affords As an Angel's Pen can't story Far beyond all sense of words Him for to gain I fear no pain Nor care I for the edge of Swords 12 For What 's life to the enjoyment Of his ever-blessed-love The sweets of life oft prove a cloyment Oft a loathing I 'll not move I 'll take no pain Them for to gain Because they meer deceits do prove 13 But my joyes in love last ever When both light of Moon and Sun
then for the delight of the Reader the Authour varies that verse and expresses his own youthfull experience of pleasure shewing what it truely is And then declares and layes down the arguments and considerations wherewithall he opposed all the pleasures of sin and got mastery thereof Hints to what sin deprives of and layes down in a word or two the excellencie of the unpaâ—aleld sweets of religion Then coming to the third particular shews thereunder how youths heated bloud layes him open to love and lusts Declares the advantage the Devil takes at youths carelesse activity and how he ever attendeth to give him an object for his active Spirit to fix on Shews youth to be guided by a head-strong passion Then paralells Heavens beauty with earths and divine with carnall love in several circumstances Reasons youth from the excellency of the one and the sordidnesse of the other to seek that which is most excellent eschew absurditieâ— and dangers the which is illustrated by several resemblances Then the Authour turns off and in a pleasant strain expresses himself relating the excellency of divine beauty and describes the worthyness of divine Love by his own experience triumphing in his youthfull choyce Therein paralelling the beauty excellency proportionablenesse sweetnesse c. of the Creatours Love to the creatures in a kind of Soul-ravishing extasy relating Soulenamoring rarities Then comes to a conclusion wherein he shews the difference between the service of sin and God excites from several considerations to the service of God Relates the sum of his own desired endevour for the good of youth how single-hearted he hath been therein affectionately expressing the tendernesse of his heart to the good of young One But more especially how exceeding precious gracious young-Ones are to him and how entirely beloved by him Deignâ— out of depth of affection to give them some peculiar instructions Exhorts to make use of prayer shews the excellency thereof in it self and in its effects Relates his own experience thereof and so therein and therewithall puts period to the whole The Invocation 1. MOst dearest Lord My souls desire and joy That se'st and rulest all things even as one In whom it lies to save or to destroy There being none can save but thou alone 2. 'T is thou alone to whom I make my suit 'T is thou to whom my self I do addresse 'T is for thy sake that I would not be mute I 'd speak thy praise nor can I do ought lesse 3. My tender youth proffers my slender Rimes To do thee service whose I wholly am I give my best I 'd spend my vacant times For and to thee from whom my Being came 4. Lord mayst thou please my fancy to enrich And fill my spirit with celestial flames Begetting in each faculty an itch Of strange desire thereto that whoso blames 5. Me for the laying out my self about That which may tend thee honor for to bring I may them sleight in slavish thoughts the rout And in despite of all thy glories sing 6. Instruct my heart and fill my Mind with Matter My Apprehension quicken and enable Compose my Thoughts let not Distraction tatter My inner Man but in Thee make me stable 7. Yea ad thou Art to polish so my Rimes That my intended purpose they may do Thou tak'st the advantage of all Things and Times Here take thy ' dvantage that thy Glories so 8. May grow by my endevours which when I With joyful heart with gladded soul shall see My utmost Aim and End I then espie Oh may I not in this deceived bee 9. For what doth't profit me O Lord to live If to thy praise my Life be noe directed Thou daily giv'st I daily do receive Unworthy I of Thee to be respected 10. A twofold wayes my Soul and Body 's Thine Thine by Creation Thine by Purchase too By th' last of which thy Son and his is mine An interest in thy Self I have also 11. A single Bond sufficient is to bind An honest person to perform an Act And shall a double less advantage find How greatly dis-ingenuous is that fact 12. Thine thine I am for thee I would lay out My Strength my Skill my Might my Power and Love Fain would I busied be thy works about And for Employment now I do thee move 13. My dappled Quill thy Service waits to do For to record whatere the Minde dissolveth To words my hand is willing thereunto And all my Powers upon that task resolveth 14. Oh bless and breath upon my weak Endevours Thou God of blessing Authour of all good That crown'st with glory that Soul that persevers Whose might and power cannot be withstood 15. Infuse thy Spirit so into my Soul That neither Wit nor matter may be wanting Unto me Youths vain courses to controul And set his Nature after thee a panting 16. For to insinuate into his will And usher thorough his Judgment to 's Affection Vouchsafe to me the Strength the Art the skill That He may give to Thee all due subjection 17. Vouchsafe these feeble Lines for to inspire With so much power of thy prevailing Grace That they each Readers Heart may set on fire And efficacious be sin to displace 18. O God! Let not that Cannibal devoure Those precious Souls for whom Christ gave his blood But mitigate his domineering power And make Mankind attentive more to good 19. Permit him not O Lord to spoil and stroy Thy tender Plants nor any budding flower Permit him not thy vineyard to annoy Rebuke him let him not thy vines devoure 20. O let him not of Youth make a full prey Correct O Lord Correct and give a check To Youâ—h's vain courses stop 'm make 'm stay For they 'l conformed be to no ones beck 21. Unblind Youths Eyes unstop his deafned Ears And undeceive his vain deceived Heart Strike thou his spirit for he nothing fears And him and his beloved humours part 22. Thou God of love and grace shew mercy to him Vouchsafe to turn him ere he goes to hell O let not lusts pleasures vain love undo him Defeat him of thee with the damn'd to dwell 23. But make him tractable to good Instruction Conformable unto thy blessed pleasure Complyable to every safe direction And to esteem thy love above all treasure 24. Make this my endevour serviceable to him Make this to him as pleasant savoury food Yea make it powerfull enough to woo him To purge out evils make it physick good DIVINE BLOSSOMES The Introduction 1. IF sickly Men fittest Physicians are And troubled Consciences the best Divines To contradict my fitness then who dare To speak to Youth in my unpolish'd Lines My years being tender I experience do What ere may be delightful Youth unto 2. Who better knows or who 's a fitter Man To tell the Road than Carriers that do travel It every day Perhaps another can Say what it was of late and where some gravel Was laid on such a place on such a day But what
lend an Eare To me and I 'l thee some few precepts give Be sober minded then attend and heare Some rules I 'l set thee down whereby to live First guard thy heart with double diligence And let thine eye therein have residence 56. And being sober then strait look about For matter wherewithall t' employ thy mind Rouze up thy self give slavish thoughts the rout Let sor did lusts within thee no place find Read sacred writ and meditate thereon Be ruminating ever thereupon 57 That loose licentious Lusts may finde no room No place for entertainment in thy Soul That when according to their wont they come Thy minds imployment may their course controul Oppose an Evil and it sha'n't orecome thee Resist the Devil and he will fly from thee 58 When saucy mirth or any wanton lust Doth proffer thee a greeting any more Tell 'em you know 'em not and that you must Have no acquaintance with them as before You had unto your cost when they did fool Your noble spirit bearing in it rule 59 Tell 'em that now you 'ave found a better Master And nobler service for to pitch upon You 'l seek to spare where you have been a waster And will not do as you before have done When they do knock tell 'm you a'n't at leisure To let 'em in but bid 'em wait your pleasure 60 And sure I am that such like entertaiment As this will cause bold Sin to hang its ears These words or others of the like concernment Maintain'd with heart sincere ardent Prayers Will make the Devil in thee hide his face Will overcome him make him quit the place 61 And then Christ Jesus and his glorious Train By his Soul-sanctifying Spirit will Enter thy heart set up his Throne and reign And all his blessed Pleasure there fulfill He 'll enter then who is the Prince of Peace Triumphing gloriously will make Sin cease 62 And as before thy Soul was a foul Cage Of unclean Birds a Stie of nasty Devils Hells Council-Chamber and thy Acts Hells Stage Whereon thou didst display all inbred Evils Now 't is become the Palace of a King The King of Glory blest in every thing 63 Where Devils did in consultation sit As they do always about acts unclean Malicious hellish mischiefs which to beget Not yet brought in action to be seen There Gods bless'd Spirit Now doth counsel give Unto the Soul disport it self and live 64 Note this young Man peruse well the expression Me thinks ' tshould thy hot bloud convert to slames JEHOVAH will not onely take possession And dwell in thee but also Son thee names He 'll be thy Father thou shalt be his Son Learn at all times to say Thy will be done 65. But that 's not all though that 's a glorious favour To be a child to the eternal God I 'le walk in thee Oh here 's a speech doth favour Of more then making with thee an abode My self I 'le joy refresh disport delight In thee sayes the allglorious God of might 66. For what doth walk speak less then recreation Delight refreshment not excluding joy As also oft 't is Soul accommodation Which senses here don 't Scripture truth destroy For Scripture doth the same to us commence What not in the same words yet in the sense 67. But one thing more youth let me hint unto thee From this same text now I have touch'd upon God sayes he 'l dwel in thee then let it woo thee To say to Hell Avaunt to sinne Begone For he and sin in one heart cannot dwel No more then thou can'st live at ease in Hell 68. I 'l walk in thee the which expression speaks As well as joy that he 'l take notice too Of all thy acts and all those private tricks That thou in secret undescry'd dost do He that is alwayes walking round about A house can't chuse but see what 's done throughout 69. But to come closer to the thing in hand I 'le put it to thee youngling for to judge Whether herein or sinne most joy doth stand Peace this attending too but sinne a scourge Sinne leads the Soul a dance I sigh to tell It here begins but ends i' th' lowest Hell 70. Moreover youngling I can tell thee this That that which makes sin lively to appear And doth bewitch thy Soul thereon nought is But those same borrowed garments she doth wear That she hath stolen from vertue whose they are As 't will hereafter plainly appear 71. There 's but a painted strumpet that doth lure All persons void of understanding to her Saw ye her in her night cloaths I am sure She would affright ye and you 'd cease to woo her She 's deckt in vertues robes and so she 's fine Yet at the best she 's but a painted shrine 62. But if vaine pleasures must thy Mistris be And have the service of thy best affection Then thou to bed with her must sure be Nor canst thou that deny since in subjection To her thy Soul doth live and acts her will And all her heads dost faithfully fulfill 73. Should I describe the Bed and the place where The Bed is made 't would task my Muse too hard But look where Devils dwell the place is there The Bed it self cann't be by me declar'd 'T is sulphurous flames 't is torments sharp and fell 'T is gnawing Conscience in a word 't is Hell 74. One word more youngling wilt thou sell thy sight Or wilt thou for a price part with the light What wilt thou ask for this thy breathing right Or take the world to be bought out of quite I know thy answer to these very well For ten worlds worth thou none of these canst sell 75. And I beleeve thou dost abhor the thought Of valuing of those with any thing Nay I beleeve thy Soul with sorrows fraught When any doth these into question bring I know young man that here thou art so nice Thou loath'st to hear these valued at a price 76. But forasmuch as none these things may mention Unto thee Heark I 'le tell thee in thine ear And tell thee truth for that 's my hearts intention Thou overlov'st these yet not count'st them dear For why thou spend'st them on thy mistris Pleasure And lavishly dost waste them out of measure 77 Nay thou dost sell a Pearl worth all of these More precious Gems thou part'st with for her sake Than I can utter that whoever sees That dangerous course that thou dost for her take Cann't chuse but say Thou wastes thy strength and sight Most wickedly and so deserv'st no light 78. More plainly is the light a pleasant thing That thou'dst not be depriv'd of for a world Then part with Sin for else it will thee bring Into perpetual darkness to be hurl'd Thou shalt for evermore part with the light And be included in perpetual night 79. Thy sight is precious to thee ' cause the light Doth pleasant objects unto it unfold But know in
great Jehove deckt with bright glorious rayes Women and Children labour to fulfil The puny wishes of their craving will 'T is childishness to follow inclination Effem'nacy to serve a foolish passion These down-hill-waies though pleasant sweet sooth yet don't become but much abase thy youth Where 's manly courage seen up up oppose Resist resist th' invasion of thy foes Ben't captivated by a head strong will Fool'd by affection led for to fulfil A vain desire to gratifie a lust The soul and all her powers subservient must Fie fie young man thy self confine to reason And let grave precept thy weak judgment season Let reason rule by Precepts good direction Thy stubborn will and thy vain fond affection Art not asham'd to let a humor lead thee Unruly lusts untamed passions ride thee Is the heat of thy young blood degenerated From all things good to ill so closely mated Hath't lost its strength and vigor with its heat That it regards not worth nor glory great Rouse up thy soul young man ben't so besotted To let a Pearle of price in dung be rotted Thy blood 's waxt cold obstructed it don't run Quick in its channel Glory is not won Nor once regarded by thee sure the course Of nature's changed yea from bad to worse Motives enow I 'ave laid down to excite thee Sin to oppose and unto God invite thee Described during pleasures to delight thee Set forth thine enemies in field to fight thee What can I more What can I further do To gain upon the which way should I go Heaven and Glory I have laid thee down As Garland thy victorious brows to Crown Pleasures and joyes I have thee with presented That aye abides and never shall be ended Beauty I have protraicted to thy eye For therein many a younglings heart doth lie I 'ave shew'd thee how thy tender youth might gain Either of these or all of them attain Believe me youth if ought more lies in me To do thee good thy servant I will be How freely could I bear thee in mine arms But ah they 'r weak and can't secure from harms I 'll take thee by the hand and gently lead thee I 'll go before thee and thy path out-tread thee But what am I a poor weak sorry Guide Mistake me not nor don 't the speech deride 'T is not of pride I speak 't but out of love The bowels of my soul to youth doth move Fain would I have him ' quainted with his God That he might give him with himself abode Oh tender youth be rul'd shake hands with sin And wanton courses don't continue in They are not safe but full of deadly danger Or sin with thee or God must be a stranger They will not lodge together in one breast For where sin reigns Jehovah will not rest And thou sweet youth whose face is God-ward bent Who of all sin and evil dost repent I kindly greet thee and if I did know thee I would endeavour more of God to show thee Well howso'er thou to my heart art dear And as my body to my soul as near As true to God may thy heart be as mine Is true to thee that dost to good incline Thou art to me as dear as an own brother To Jesus Christ likewise thou art no other He owns thee as a friend a brother wife More dearer to him art thou than his life For thee he dy'd and lives and now doth sit At Gods right hand for thee to intercede And whom Christ Jesus daignes himself to love With best affection I dare boldly move But wheresoe'r thou art my Counsel's this To thee persist and follow on to bless In earnest seek him and thou then shalt find him Which having done with strong affection bind him With constant suits salute his listing ear Be confident and bold he will thee hear He loves an earnest suiter at his Throne And that 's the way to thrive in grace or none Prayer gives to God his due and shews the creature How far it is below its blest Creator It brings the soul as first it self to know It s own frailty so its God also And his abundant fulness of rich Treasure That he unto all creatures out doth measue It brings the soul with its blest God acquainted Works't off of sin wherewith 't was fouly tained 'T is ardent prayer unlocks the gates of heaven Nought God affords that is not by him given Unto the soul that earnestly doth sue With ardent fervent and affection true In prayer there is that rare rich secret good That cannot be exprest that can't be understood Prayer is a jewel that I 'd not forgoe For all this world I do esteem it so Honor wealth fame endowments laid at stake For precious prayer I would them all forsake The greatest honors loss it soon can gain And wealth procure yea wealth that doth remain For ever when this world shall cease to be This worlds best wisdome is but foolery To that which heaven by earnest suit doth give A praying temper may I e'r in-live Prayer is my souls delight and I am mute To none save God can I present a suit Prayer's my refreshment and my greatest joy I ne'r could say that e'r it did me cloy Though dayes and nights yea weeks and months together I gave it all my soul it joyes me ever Wer 't not for prayer what were this life unto me Wer 't not for prayer Divels would soon undo me Wer 't not for prayer the loathsome stink of sin Would poyson me and I should die therein Wer 't not for prayer in doleful misery By Gods permission should I live and die Wer 't not for prayer what comfort could I find What solace what refreshment to my mind Wer 't not for prayer how could I ought possess How could I bear my head up in distress Wer 't not for Prayer what were all comforts to me Lawful Indifferent things would quite undo me I have all things by Prayer without I 'ave nothing All things are joyous by 't without 't a loathing Prayer is my soul's best banquet nought more joys me then praying doth you know what most then'noys me Sweet Prayer I 'll ever live and die in thee Till that time comes when thou shalt useless be Even till I 'm swallowed up in his blest love And full possest thereof by thee I 'll move I 'll move by thee soaring upon the wings Of Contemplation until Death brings Me to enjoy most fully what I now With longing heart and true desire forsue O blessed Majesty Thou Three in One And One in Three Thou art that One alone That I desire to be acquainted with To love to serve to praise to worship sith Thou art of during Goods that blessed Fountain Of strength and safety that everlasting mountain Thou giv'st most freely yet hast still in store More than enough to last for evermore Thou giv'st and yet by giving hast no less Thy store increaseth that thou dost
mention Further than is concern'd in my intention 104. Is thy blood hot youth do thy Spirits move And work thee to a flame of strong desire Make God the onely object of thy love Present him with an heart sound and entire He 's the alone-original of beauty His lovelinesse from thee may win a duty 105. If thou could'st see him with a single eye His lovely beauty but by glance behold I 'm sure in him thy Soul would soon espye That which would make thy burning love grow cold To all things else and all things disappeare In lovelinesse to what before me were 106. Those sparkling glories whose unmatchless lustre Do make a heaven where e'r they are unfolded Displayed to thy view thy thoughts would muster And set them free from what they are inthralled 'T would flame thy Spirits and thou then should'st prove The power of that noble heaven-bred love 107. Love of this beauty don't the Soul abase Nor make it act below it self as t' other Which doth ignoble it and much deface Its beauties tending also for to smother All sparks of good that are contain'd therein By the base smoaky vapours of foul Sin 108. No this doth raise and elevate the mind And doth ennoble and sublime the Soul It makes it unto real good enclin'd Refines and purges it from courses foul It doth transmute transform and make the Spirit From real ill true goodness to enherit 109. This love to God doth spread it self throughout The inner man and strange effects it worketh It doth employ its utmost strength about Ejecting Sin from whence it closely lurketh Oh here 's delight indeed the Soul doth move Employed in the service of its love 110. Lovers oft beg this on their bended knee O great abasement of a noble Soul That by their mistris they employ'd may bee The service ne'r so base low mean or foul O for her sake what wo'n't they deign to do They 'll bended bow even for to kisse her Shooe 111. Loves Nature 't is to act with joy and cheere In any act whereto their Love enjoynes'm Love's life therein consists and doth appear 'T is love and love't self thereof doth mind'm Then Christians who are happyer men than you That ever have advantages enow 112. To prove and to expresse your love to him The fountaine of all love the King of glory Unto whose shine Sol's splendent rayes are dim Whose beauty Seraphims't would pose to story By mortifying Sin by crucifying All earthly members to self-wisdome dying 113. Oh! 't is advantage Christians to be tempted By sordid humours by a base desire For why thereby occasion is presented To purge your Soules and prove your love entire Sin tempts the Soul opposes God looks on As the Spectator to behold what 's done 114. O how thou'dst fight young man if that a foe Of thy beloveds did encounter with thee Especially if she commanded so And did looke on herself but then I prethee Tell me dost think service to the creator Affords lesse joy than service to the creature 115. How happy do your lovers think themselves If they may bee but graced for to talk With their deare love Oh! how the minde now delves For matter there 's no faculty doth balk It s utmost strength for to give up in this In this same act wherein consists its Blis 116. Words from her mouth you prize as hony dewes Yea Nectar Ambrosia a'n't so sweet As her discourse is to you while her brows Displayed in lovely smiles deigns you to greet Her words drop down like Manna from the Skies While with delights ye bathe ye in her eys 117. O happy ye your hearts now melt in love And like to Wax before the Sun dissolveth Ye now lie captivated cannot move Untill she from this bondage you absolveth You bath your souls in this her sunny-shine And think her favours more than half divine 118. But what 's all this to those unmatchless favours That they who seek the face of God do meet The very way and path they tread in savours Of joys illustrious most delightfull sweet Where ere he moves the sweets he leaves behinde him Is a sufficient tract whereby to finde him 119. They that love him he turns them love again And who with diligence his face do seek His glorious face shall see to quit their pain Under a veil yet lovely sweet and meek O could I tell what his imperial brow Affords to them that see 't 't would ravish you 120. So lively glorious so sweet so cleare So Sp'ritly vigorous and Soul-reviving So milde so gentle yet so lovely faire The Soul that sees it ceases e'r from dying I cannot half conceive much lesse expresse The joy the blessednesse that therein is 121. Converse with him yea freely that you may He 'l find you matter fit for to converse on Nay further He 'l you send a glorious ray To fit your hearts for what they do commerce on Here 's love indeed your Love this thing can't do If you 'r infirm she throws a scorne on you 122. He sends his Spirit to renue dead flames To quicken to revive th' affection dying A God of grace and love himself he names His Nature 's so his Soul is ever eying His creatures wants the languishing desire He cherishes with Grace doth re-enspire 123. How sweet so-e're your thoughts are when you muse Upon your Mistresses most lovely face Her person and proportion when refuse You do that any thoughts them should displace Yet know ev'n then the thoughts of God are sweeter His love more lovelyer his Spirit fleeter 124. Being wounded by the beauty of her face Her words have power to kill or give you life Your Soules do sue for to obtain her grace To gain her love that shee 'd be made your wife When she is pleas'd to greet you with disdain Your Spirit sinkes no life in 't doth remain 125. But this to great Jehovahs powerfull voyce Which is Soul quickning or Soul confounding Wilt thou joyn paralell to make a choyce 'Tween real want and what is most abounding His voice such rare magnetique power doth give 'T preserves the dying makes the dead to live 126. Touch'd with his beames touch'd with his flames of love An extasy that Soul must needs remain in 'T is bounden to him and it cannot move That bed ' maines ever green that it hath lyen in Oh stop my lavish pen I cann't tell how Those rare unmatchlesse sweets â—'describe to you 127. Youth canst thou dote on any female beauty What dost thou think thou shalt therein enjoy That thou dost vow thereto such solemn duty Demean thy self so like a witlesse boy By any antick gestures her to gain Whom being got thou dost possesse with pain 128. Alas thou over-prizeâ—â— things a far And buy'st th' enjoyments at a rate too dear 'T is granted in their place they something are But what 't is not my task to â—ell you here Yet minde yee what Elchanah
behove Loyal to him to be Yes that I will With all the skill That I can make or gain Whose work about I will lay out My self with might and main 27. Come Lovers I 'll you tell What privilege I have The which I will not sell For all Earths glory brave Although that glory Shews none can story Whereof my love possest Yet still dare I To him draw nigh In love to be refresht 28. My love he is not coy Though beautiful and fair But fills my soul with joy It glads me to appear Before his sight For why with might Afresh he doth me fill He ne'r me scorns But me adorns According to his will 29. While that low worthless beauty That thou dost so adore Presenting with such duty Gives thee no thanks therefore But makes thee serve While like to starve Regarding not thy love Whom thou draw'st nigh Oft she is shie And doth far off remove 30. With scorn she oft thee flouts The fruit of loath'd rejection Disdains with churlish pouts Thy tenders of affection Though thoudost crouch Her for to touch With lowly bended knee Yet she flies off Doth at thee scoff She will not no not she 31 O youth what pains thou tak'st Her love for to obtain Thy self most servile mak'st Yet merits but disdain But were I you I ne'r would sue For love so frivolous I would forsake No suit more make To be rejected thus 32. Unto my Love I never did Tender my hearts desire But he forth with me answered And sent me fire for fire What I him give He doth receive And so in mutual love We each enjoy Nor do we cloy Oh may I never move 33. They that do give a heart Unto the great Jehove May sure themselves that start He will not from his Love I 'm sure there 's none Can make their moane That they did to him tender Not onely part But their whole heart And he no love would render 34. Think'st thou that Jesus Christ The Heir of Earth and Heaven By whom thy soul was prick't And for't his life was given Thinks thou say I That he 'll deny Thee love when thou dost sue Ah no he won't His practice don't Confirm that thing as true 25. He 'll bind his listning ear When thou prefer'st a suit Thy voyce he soon will hear Nor will he then be mute He 'll condescend Unto that end For which thy suit was made He will delight And glad thy spright Come therefore ben't afraid 36. None ever made a proffer Of any thing to him That he refus'd their offer Or flung their scorn on them Ah no his grace Doth soon give place To entertain that love He 'll answer them With love again That truth of heart doth move 37. And youth when thou hast gain'd The person thou dost sue for Her love I mean obtain'd Which oft thy heart did rue for Thou art not sure It will endure For Lovers minds are changing For all that love Don't constant prove The mind is prone to ranging 38. But sure I am that love That God doth give to his Is constant can't remove It everlasting is The highest mountains And lowest fountains Shall all first cease to be The mighty hills The desert fields Shall move into the Sea 39 Could my tongue tell the sweets The pleasures of the mind That with my soul oft meets And I in love do find There is no ear That could them hear But would be ravish'd by 'em And then would spy The vanity In earthly things and fly ' em 40 No place can me debar The presence of my love That bideth every where On earth beneath above No company Can me deny My sweet converse with him Nor darkest night Hide from my sight His beauties clear and trim 41 This beauty can't decay Though age your lov 's defaces My joyes shall ' bide for aye In mutual loves embraces I shall enjoy Without annoy My love for evermore In that bright glory That none can story Where Seraphims him adore 42 The care that now I take Is only so to live A life that love may speak To whom my love I give I care not I Who doth defie The service of my love ' I shall be my care No cost to spare Sincere to him to prove 43 Commend or dis-commend My lov 's most strict commands It nought to me doth tend My act not therein stands I will endeavour Now and for ever His pleasure for to do With heart and might Both day and night Who ' er's averse thereto 44 I prize no love to his For what 's all else to me In him 's contain'd my bliss Nought care I else to see 'T is he alone That onely one On whom my hear doth fix Him would I serve Not from him swerve Nor other service mix 45. Oh may my heart be true My will and my desire Constantly him pursue And be to him entire Who is worthy Of more than I Am able for to give him But to his praise Even all my dayes I crave that I may live him 46. A thousand hearts had I And every heart the might The strength and valiancy Of thousands as his right Them unto him My hearts dear gem Would I present and give And think this all Yet far too small For him for to receive 47. My tender youthful years Hath long agoe forsaken Earth's fading foolish toyes Of them farewel hath taken My tender youth They may not sooth For dead is my desire Unto its joyes Such worthless toyes That do so soon expire 48. My tender years present Their youthful strength to him With whole and joint consent To whom bright Sol is dim Whom I adore For evermore As Soveraign Lord and King Whom I 'd reraise In strains of praise And of his Glories sing The Conclusion NOw young man lay to heart what I have said Note well each matter I have here down laid Here 's life and death presented fairly to thee Be well advis'd they both alike do woo thee Onely there 's this advantage courses ill do swiftest go their path is down the hill But youth thy breast is strong and youthful fire May carry thee up-hill-wayes and yet not tire Put thy strength to it do not back retire Thy lungs being good thy breath 't will not expire Though down-hill-waies are easie yet there 's danger In them it is the practice of each stranger Eas'ly to go yea t' light and lead their Horse There where the Road doth prove a down-hill course But up-hill wayes do offer means to try The Horses courage strength and valiancy The rider he delights swiftly to force A speedy passage on an up hill course So young man up-hill-waies present th' occasion To try thy youthful strength without perswasion Come put on courage put on manly might And mount this hill the which presents to sight A gallant prospect the bright Court of Heaven Where Saints and Angels all the glorious seven Do sit and chant the everlasting praise Of
say'd to Hanny Am not I more to thee than children many 129. So in Jehove is far more to be found Than in all Creatures if conjoyn'd together All creature-sweet is in a moment drown'd In those delights that he affordeth whither The Soul at all times freely may resort And with those pleasures may it self disport 130. Pleasures sweet pleasures precious delights To these expressions youngling sure I see thee Attend and bend thine ear come nought affrights Be sober and let those expressions chear thee God is the rist of beauty peace and love Joy and delight and therefore to him move 131. As from a mighty fountain that disperses Its great aboundance thorough many springs And in those narrow channels quickly passes And spreads its self and waters divers things So doth Jehove from his own fullness give What ever good the creature can receive 132. Now 't is absurd to think much more to say That there resides that fullness in one Spring That in the fountain head it self doth stay No more can any creature comfort bring That peace joy Satisfaction to the mind That in Jehove himself thy Soul may find 133. Extract what ere thou canst from ev'ry creature And pack that lovelynesse all up in one Beauty from one and from another feature Perfection resteth not in one alone From a third virtue a well composed Spirit That sweetnesse patience mildnesse doth enherit 134. Nay take the Quintessence of ev'ry thing That thou in any creature good canst call And then know this that all that good doth spring From God its fount and its original And if one single good so lovely is What 's he in whom thou maist them all possesse 135. Note this young man and deep impression give it Upon thine heart endorse it on thy mind Upon thy judgment do it fast on rivet And let it equal entertainment find To things of far lesse worth inferiour beauty Remove from that and give to this that duty 136. Thou canst not say that this is a demand Unreasonable of thee to be ask'd The worth of th' object rightly understand And then thou 'lt not complain that thou art task'd In any service that thou undertak'st For it to do nor that deer thou forsak'st 137. It for to gain cause worth far less doth move Thee cost labour and strength for to lay out To be an humble servant in her love And think 't a bliss to be employ'd about At any time the service of her pleasure Which to fullfill thou sparest for no treasure 138. And all 's to gain what may be lost to morrow But if not so yet 's but a petty good A sweet that doth contain a deal of sorrow A peace that many discontentments hood Leave not the kernel for the empty shell When as thou mayst enjoy'm both aswell 139. But to look ore those petty petty sweets That thou endearest to thee as thy life And for to mention some of many feates That in thy nature 's acted very rife Thou ne'r dost leave till thou hast found an object Whereto thou makest thine affections subject 140. Oh! might thy active thoughts employ themselves No lesse in seeking out to find abode ' Cquaintance and friendship and him that e'r dwels Between the Cherubims thy heaven thy God Thy self cast down before him prostrate ly With resolution if I dy I dy 141. This thou wilt do to gain her worthlesse favour On whom thou dost thy fond affection pitch There is no good like that that thou canst favour Nor any thing that thou esteem'st so much Therefore thou layst out all thy Art and strength With strong desire her to enjoy at length 142. The Suns bright rayes do far less comfort yeild Then doth the sunny beauty of her face To which thou thinkest that the fragrant field Is lesse delightfull nor of so much grace There is no happiness thou canst espy Out of the sun-shine of thy Mistris's eye 143. Thy life and happinesse lies in her smiles Thy death and misery in her frown consisteth Thy fond affection thus thy judgment spoiles Will and desire do in thee what them listeth Affection will and vain desire together Do lead th'enthraled judgment any whither 144. But oh fond youth that thou could'st turn about And see that worth from which thou turn'st thy face Ah! did'st thou but behold it out of doubt Thou would'st endeavour for to give it place T is worth where from th'algorious Queere of Heaven Have all their happinesse unto them given 145. T is worth affording each Soul faculty A full contentment of all needful things A real worth where's no deceit no ly Perfect delight and joy that 's free from stings 'T is more then th' Quintessence of every good It is a worth that can't be understood 146. It is a worth from whenceall worth's derived 'T is real substance thine a vain conceit 'T is death eternal for to be deprived Sight of the face of that al-glorious wight 'T is life e'rlasting it for to enjoy Where 's all delight and peace without annoy 147. A dark and loathsome Dungeon is that place Of no delight but sorrow now to thee That thy dear Loves sweet presence us'd to grace Where thou her lovely-face did'st use to see Her sunny beauty was that place's light To thee her absence mak'st a darksome night 148. This thou experiencest and knowst it truth But in the Suuny beauty of Gods eye Regardlesse negligent vain witlesse youth Thou knowst not what an happinesse doth ly For 't is his face his presence that makes Heaven Who sees it not of all joys are bereaven 149. Ah! couldst but half consider what it is To live without him be depriv'd the place Of his abode the misery to miss The sight of his best smiles his lovely grace 'T would break thy heart to think upon that sorrow That thou must feele thereby with deadly horrour 150. The losse of any creature Love i'n't so That losse may in an other be repaired Beare but the grief no punishment may go Along therewith beside that may be spared Considering for ought thou know'st that losse It had by thee might 'ave prov'd a cruel crosse 151. For why on earth no sweet's without some sowre There is no peace without some discontentment Withoutsome weakness there 's no strength no power No earth without some grief can't make presentment Of any joy unto thee in the least At its vain Loves let not thy soul then feast 152. But least some persons should exceptions take By misinterpreting my aime my drift And say Gods ordinance I uselesse make And chastity is a peculiar gift I wish such persons rightly to conceive me I aime at no such thing if they 'll beleeve me 153. I don't condemn such Love as lawfull is But fain would lead the creature a pitch higher Above all first to seek eternal blisse To God himself would have the Soul aspire Would have it first to mind the things of heaven Then all things else shall
be as vantage given 154. I 'd have youth give the prime of their affection As their first fruit unto Jehovah due Their will and their desire too in subjection And after him with their whole strength pursue For to his beauty all things else are dim He is our Lord and we must worship him 155. For feare I say if any misconstruction I 'l here turn off and in few words expresse My selfe herein and so will by deduction Declare how short all creature-comfort is Touching upon in a compendious story My Love 's bright beauty excellence and glory 1. My tender youth hath found An object for its Love Whereat I do not stound But all my powers move It for to gain Though with much pain And for to make it sure I will not spare Nor do I care What ere I do endure 2. It is no lower wight That I do pitch upon My subject of delight Is great Jehovah's Son In him my minde That sweet doth finde That none with may compare By him I have What ere I crave Though ne'r so good and rare 3. My youth hath made a choice That I will not forgo Wherein I much rejoyce And am affianc'd to Whom my desire Is set on fire With ever to behold And whom I love All things above Therefore in suit am bold 4. Between my love and I Is such congruity That nought unto mine eye Of like respect can be I do not prize Nor hands nor eys Nor ought else whatsoere My very life Is but a strife Not lov'd in his compare 5. Ah could my tongue but tell The beauty of my love Wherein he doth excell Whate're doth breath or move There 's none I 'm sure That could endure Him for to rest short of They would him love All things above Though now they at him scoffe 6. Could I but pensil out That bright perfection rare That spreads it self about His limbs and face so fair Each Readers heart With Loves strong dart Would suffer such a wound So as that then With lock and key Were closely Prisoners bound 7. My Love 's so fair so clear That neither Moon nor Sun Do light or bright appear In the Meridian No they are dim Compar'd with him Their beauty's ' clipsed quite They hide their face As in disgrace To such a glorious light 8. With glory he 's array'd As with a garment gay His beauty may be said To be the Angels day Heaven can nought Afford that 's ought If dispossest of him For 't is his light That makes it bright His presence makes it trim 9. O did you know the pow'r Of his imperial brow And what delights do towre Themselves therein and how Within your breast You could not rest Till you had seen that face Nor without doubt Could live without The presence of his grace 10. For why the Angels joy And Seraphims delight Consisteth constantly By being in his sight Their happiness Is onely this Him ever to behold Whereby desire Is set on fire And never waxes cold 11. His smiles do make an Heaven His frowns produce an Hell For where his favour 's given No tongue their bliss can tell His flaming ire Begets a fire That ever doth endure His blessed love The Soul doth move To joy and Peace most sure 12. No Angels tongue can tell Nor mortal ear ere heard Nor heart conceive or spell Those joys that are prepar'd Prepar'd for them That as a Gem Do prize the Lord of Life Whom he will grace With his blest face And marry as his Wife 13. His nature's sweet and milde Lovely and full of grace Himself he so hath stil'd And 't is read in his face His countenance Doth much advance His glories every where It is so humble That none can stumble Say no acceptance's there 14. For though he doth possess All things in Earth and Heaven Yet will he ne'rtheless His grace to such be given As do him seek With spirit meek Though ne'r so vile and poor With real heart If they do part * In will and intention With sin for evermore 15. His countenance doth carry In 't such majestick grace That where 't is Sin w'on't tarry But straight acquits the place It 's Pleasures black Their Beauty lack And melt away like Snow They shew then plain But grief and pain But misery and wo. 16. All worldly Pleasures are Compared with this delight But as a Candle 's blear Unto the Suns clear light Or Glo-worms shine In the day-time Yea and far viler too They then are sorrows And deadly horrours Loathsom the Soul unto A mass of real wo. 17. I 'll prove this straight a truth Unto your open view Come wanton lustfull youth And give me answer now Your minde aspires Being fill'd with fires And at great things doth aim But whose intent Noblest descent Of you or I can claim 18. Again in Pleasures Pool Your youth doth bathe it self But I my youth do school In shunning of that elf I deal with joys Not such vain toys A far they are below me I trade for Treasures Not carnal Pleasures The which vain youth do cow thee 19. Thou serv'st a sordid Lust But I the God of Heaven And if obey thou must But to me freedom's given My joys do lie With God on high My youths delights are there I in his Court My self disport Where ' quaintance claime I dare 20. Thou woo'st and su'st for love To some inferiour Beauty I God himself do move To him I tender duty Nor w'on't give o're My Suit before Himself I do obtain My heart in triall Cann't take deniall My Soul must with him reign 21. O tell me wanton youth What 's thy delight to mine Wilt dare to say in truth My love exceeds not thine I know th' art sham'd It should be nam'd Upon that present day You blush to see What fools you be And therefore nought can say 22. But to proceed to speak Still further in his praise Whereto my heart 's too weak My eyes to view his Rayes His beauty bright Allows no night where ever it doth shine He doth impart Unto that heart A light and life divine 23. He doth the soul revive Where ever he doth come And gives it so to live That it may keep a roome For Majesty Therein to lie And alwaies find a place He 'll there keep Court The soul disport With his most lovely face 24. He doth the soul transform Into his own likeness Doth it throughout adorn With his bright glorious grace What found in him Although but sin Shall in it too appear Transmutes changes The soul estranges From what 's to Nature deare 25. But not to soar above The reach of tender youth That slaves himself in love Whom vain fond humours sooth Whom up to lift It is my drift From off the dreggs of nature To fix on high And him to eye That is his blest Creator 26. Most glorious is my Love As you may plainly see And doth't not me