watcheth to devour This their intent did soon discry For which he strait improves his power This worthy work to nullify With Sophistry and Tiranny His agents he forthwith did fill Who gladly execute his will And first they prove by Elocution And Hellish Logick to traduce Those that would put in execucion Restraint of every known abuse â—hey seperate and ' sturb the State â—nd would all Order overthrow â—he better sort were charged so â—ch false Reports did fill all places â—orrâ—â—ting some of each degree 〈◊〉 whom the highest Title graces â—rom hearing slanders was not free â—hich Scruple bred and put the Head â—ith primest members so at bate â—hich did the Body dislocate Lying Spirit mis-informed 〈◊〉 common peeple who suppose things went on to be reformed â—â—ey should their ancient Customs lose â—d beside to courses ty'd â—hich they nor yet their Fathers knew â—d so be wrapt in fangles new â—eat multitudes therefore were joyned 〈◊〉 Sathans plyant instruments â—ith mallice ignorance combined â—d both at Truth their fury vents â—st Piety as Enimy â—ey persecute oppose revile â—en Freind as well as Foe they spoyle â—e beuty of the Land 's abollisht â—h Fabericks by Art contriv'd 〈◊〉 many of them quite demollisht 〈◊〉 many of their homes depriv'd Some mourn for freinds untimely ends And some for necessaries saint With which they parted by constraint But from those storms hath God preserved A people to record his praise Who sith they were therefore reserved Must to the heigth their Spirits raise To magnify his lenity Who safely brought them through the fire To let them see their hearts desire Which many faithfull ones deceased With teares desired to behold Which is the Light of Truth professed Without obscuring shaddowes old When spirits free not tyed shall be To frozen Forms long since compos'd When lesser knowledg was disclos'd VVho are preserv'd from foes outragious Noteing the Lords unfound-out wayes Should strive to leave to after-ages Some memorandums of his praise That others may admiring say Unsearchable his judgments are As do his works alwayes declare Meditacions The first Meditacion THe Morning is at hand my Soule awake Rise from the sleep of dull security Now is the time anon 't will be to late Now hast thou golden opportunity For to behold thy naturall estate And to repent and be regenerate Delay no longer though the Flesh thee tell T is time enough hereafter to repent Strive earnestly such mocions to expell Remember this try courage to augment The first fruits God requir'd for sacrifice The later he esteemed of no price First let 's behold our natural estate How dangerous and damnable it is And thereupon grow to exceeding hate With that which is the onely cause of this The which is Sin yea Disobedience Even that which was our first parents offence The reasonable Soule undoubtedly Created was at first free from offence In Wisdom Holinesse and Purity It did resemble thâ— Divine Essence Which being lost the Soule of man became Like to the Serpent causer of the same The Understanding Will Affections cleare Each part of Soule and Body instantly Losing their purity corrupted were Throughout as by a loathsom Leprocy The rayes oâ— Vâ—rtu were extinguisht quite And Vice usurpeth rule with force and might This sudden change from sanctitude to sin Could but prognosticat a fearfull end Immediatly the dollour did begin The Curse that was pronounc'd none might defend Which Curse is in this life a part oâ— some The fulnesse thereof in the life to come The Curse that to the Body common is The sence of Hunger Thirst of Sicknes Pain The Soules Callamities exceedeth this A Tast of Hell shee often doth sustain Rebukes of Conscience threatning plagues for sin A world of Torments oft shee hath within Unlesse the Conscience dead and seared be Then runs the soule in errors manifold Her danger deep shee can in no wise see And therefore unto every sin is bold The Conscience sleeps the Soule is dead in sin Nere thinks of Hell untill shee comes therein Thus is the Conscience of the Reprobate Either accusing unto desperacion Or elce benummed cannot instigate Nor put the Soule in mind of reformacion Both work for ill unto the castaway Though here they spent their time in mirth and play Yet can they have no sound contentment here In midst of laughter oft the heart is sad This world is full of woe hellish feare And yeelds forth nothing long to make us glad As they that in the state of nature dy Passe but from misery to misery Consider this my soule yet not despaire To comfort thee again let this suffice There is a Well of grace whereto repaire First wash away thy foul enormities With teares proceeding from a contrite heart With thy beloved sins thou must depart Inordinate affections and thy Will And carnall wisdom must thou mortify For why they are corrupt prophane and ill And prone to nothing but impiety Yet shalt thou not their nature quite deface Their ruines must renewed be by grace If that thou canst unfainedly repent With hatred therunto thy sins confesse And not because thou fearest punishment But that therby thou didst Gods Laws transgress Resolving henceforth to be circumspect Desiring God to frame thy wayes direct Each member of thy body thou dost guide Then exercise them in Gods service most Let every part be throughly sanctifide As a meer Temple for the Holy Ghost Sin must not in our mortall bodies raign It must expelled be although with pain Thou must not willingly one sin detain For so thou mayst debarred be of blis Grace with inniquity will not remain Twixt Christ and Belial no communion is Therefore be carefull every sin to fly And see thou persevere in piety So mayst thou be perswaded certainly Thâ— Curâ—e shall in no wise endanger thee Although the body suffer misery Yet from these ond death thou shalt be free They that are called here to Holinesse Are sure elected to eternall blisse A Taste of blessednesse here shalt thou say Thy Coâ—sciencâ— shall be at Tranquility And in the Liâ—e â—o com thou shalt enjoy The sweet fruiâ—i n of the Trinity Society with Saints then shalt thou have Which in this life thou didst so often crave Let this then stir thee up to purity Newnesse of life and speedy Conversion To Holinesse and to integrity Make conscience of impure thoughts unknown Pray in the Spirit with sweet Contemplacion Be vigilant for to avoid Temptacion The Preamble Amid the Oceon of Adversity Neare whelmed in the Waves of sore Vexaâ—ion Tormented with the Floods of Misery And almost in the Gulfe of Despairacion Neare destitute of Comfort full of Woes This was her Case that did the same compose At length Jehovah by his power divine This great tempestious Storm did mittigate And cause the Son of Righteousnesse to shine Vpon his Child that seemed desolate Who was refreshed and that immediatly And Singâ— as follows with alacrity The second Meditacion THe storm
are discride These graces hath he that is Sanctifide A detestacion of inniquity And love to goodnesse Zeale and Purity Whereof Repentance blessedly proceeds Which is endeavour purpose or intent To leave all sin which causefull sorrows breeds And not to give allowance or consent To break Gods Law or least Commandâ—ment But ever walk exactly there-unto Though to the flesh it seemes too much to doe So that continuall combates will arise Between Gods image on the soul renewde And Sathans image greatest contraries Which ever seek each other to exclude Though in the end the worst shall be subdude Yet in this life it wilâ— in no wise yeeld Against whose force Faith is the only sheild Now when a man haâ—h got the victory In such a conflict or extream temptacion He sees Gods love to him abundantly By reason of his speciall conservacion VVhich of his favouâ— is a demonstracion Now this increaseth peace of conscience most Together with joy in the Holy-Ghost But if the wicked do so far prevaile By Gods permâ—ssion by some provocacion To over-come the faithfull being fraile And subject to be snar'd with temptacion When not suspecting such abominacion But this their fall iâ— through infirmity VVho shall not be forsaken utterly For soon a Godly sorrow will arise And over-flow the â—eart of such a one Which blessedly the same so mollifies That it relents for havâ—ing so mis-gone Which godly griefe or sorrow is all one For haveing so displeased God by sinne Who hath to him a loveing Father been Yea he for this abhors himselfe as vile Acknowledging his execrable case Till he be reconsil'd to God that while Himselfe by lowest thoughts he doth abase As far unworthy to find any grace Yet cries to God in this humiliacion For the return of wonted consolacion And when he hath attain'd recovery The breach without delay he fortifies With stronger resolucion manfully And with a Watch impregnable likewise Against assaults of this his enimies And all assaies of their re-entery Through which so many perish finally This much touching the ground of Truth I hold VVhich sith at first they rectified my mind I will not cast them off as worn and old Nor will be so alone to them confind As not admit of things of higher kind But will as God shall light dispence to mee By ayd divine walk up to each degree A Song expressing their happinesse who have Communion with Christ WHen scorched with distracting care My minde findes out a shade Which fruitlesse Trees false fear dispair And melancoly made Where neither bird did sing Nor fragrant flowers spring Nor any plant of use No sound of happynesse Had there at all ingresse Such comforts to produce But Sorrow there frequents The Nurce of Discontents And Murmering her Mayd Whose harsh unpleasant noise All mentall fruits destroyes Whereby delight 's convayd Whereof my judgment being certifide My mind from thence did move For her concepcion so to provide That it might not abortive prove VVhich fruit to signifie It was conceaved by Most true intelligence Of this sweet truth divine Who formed thee is thine Esay 54.5 Whence sprang this inference He too that 's Lord of all Will thee beloved call Though all else prove unkind Then chearfull may I sing Sith I enjoy the Sp ing Though Sesterns dry I find For in our Vnion with the Lord alone Consists our happinesse Certainly such who are with Christ at one He leaves not comfortlesse But come to them he will Their Souls with joy to fill And them to Fortifie Their works to undergo And beare their Crosse also VVith much alacrity VVho his assisting grace Do feelingly imbrace VVith confidence may say Through Christ that strengthens me No thing so hard I see But what perform I may Phil 4.14 But when the Soul no help can see Through sins interposicion Then quite forlorn that while is she Bewailling her condicion In which deplored case Now such a Soul hath space To think how she delayd Her Saviour to admit Who shu'd to her for it And to this purpose sayd Open to me my Love My Sister and my Dove Can. 5. My Locks with dew wet are Yet she remissive grew Till he himselfe with-drew Before she was aware But tasting once how sweet he is And smelling his perfumes Long can she not his presence misse But griefe her strainth consumes For when he visits one He cometh not alone But brings abundant grace True Light and Holynesse And Spirit to expresse Ones wants in every case For as he wisedome is So is he unto his VVisedome and Purity 1 Cor. 1.30 Which when he seemes to hide The â—oul missing her guide Must needs confused lie Then let them know that would enjoy The firme fruition Of his Sweet presence he will stay With single hearts alone Who â— uâ—â— their former mate Doe quiâ—e extâ—rmâ—nate With all things thaâ— defiâ—e They that are Christs truly The Flesh do Crucifie With its affections vile Then grounds of truth are sought New Principles are wrought Of graâ—e and holinesse Gal. 5. Which plantings of the heart Will spring in every part And so it selfe expresse Then shall the Soul like morning bright Vnto her Lord appeare Can. 6 1â— And as the Moone when full of Light So fayr is she and cleare With that â—nherent grace Tha s darted from the Face Of Christ that Sunne divine Which hath a puâ—ging power Corruption to devour And Conscience to refine Per ection thuâ— begun As pure as the Sunne The Soul shall be likewise With that great Blessednesse Imputed Righteoussenesse Which freely Justifies They that are thus compleat with Grace And know that they are so For Glory must set Sayle apace Whilst wind doth fitly blow Now is the tide of Love Now doth the Angell move If that there be defect That Soul which sin doth wound Here now is healing sound If she no time neglect To whom shall be reveald What erst hath been conceald When brought unto that Light Which in the Soul doth shine When he that 's most divine Declares his presence bright Then he will his beloved shew The reason wherefore she Is seated in a place so low Not from all troubles free And wherefore they do thrive That wicked works contrive Christ telleth his also For who as friends he takes He of his Councell makes And they shall secrets know Iohn 15.15 Such need not pine with cares Seeing all things are theirs If they are Christs indeed Cor. 3.21 Therefore let such confesse They are not comfortlesse Nor left in time of Need. A Song shewing the Mercies of God to his people by interlacing cordiall Comforts with fatherly Chastisments AS in the time of Winter The Earth doth fruitlesse and barren lie Till the Sun his course doth run Through Aries Taurus Gemini Then he repayres what Cold did decay Drawing superfluous moistures away And by his luster together with showers The Earth becoms fruitful plesant with flowers That what
Yet in the conclusion hee 'l find all is vain He that hath studied Astronomy Though his meditacion ascend to the Sky He may mis of heaven and heavenly blis If that he can practise no studdy but this But they that delight in Divinity And to be exquisit in Theology Much heavenly comfort in this life may gain And when it is ended their joyes shall remain VVhat should I speak more of vanities To use many words when few may suffice It argueth folly therfore I have don Concluding all 's vanity under the Sun A Song manifesting The Saints eternall Happinesse SOund is the Minde Which doth that Hope possesse Whose object is Eternall joy Or Heavens Happinesse Such healthfull hearts Their spirits doe sustain In thinking on the Rest which for Gods peeple doth remain A Treasure inaccessible Or Everlasting Life A blessed State which never shall be cumbered with strife Salvacion With endlesse Glory cleare Heb. 4.6 2 Tim. 2.10 And each good thing to be desir'd Are in their Fountain there Flowers are here Together with the weeds Exposed to all kinde of stormes Which much confusion breeds Some for weaknesse are dismaid And some are comfortlesse â—ecause of some defect of sence Or want of comlinesse Grant some may have Proporcion so compleat That correspondency oâ— parts Declares Perfections seat Yet doub les â—uch Then buâ—then have also By reason of their travell which They needs must undergo For in every calling is A tedious wearinesse Which whoso folâ—oweâ— carefully Is driven to confesse Further suppose One might be freed from all Afflictions which externall are Or crosses corporall Yet if the soule Be sencible of sin It cannot be but such will have Enough to do within For to Preserve the heart and waies From being over grown With fruits of that contagious seed That 's in our nature sown Doubting some times The Soul with anguish tires Who must anon encounter with inordinate desires Lust oft prevailes And then the consequence Will be a great ecclips of grace And losse of comfort sence In striving to â—ecover peace The soule is oft opprest As he that 's conscious of his sin Hath here but little rest From all those woes And many more that bee T e Saâ—nt that finisht hath his course Shall be for ever free And likewise have For ever to posesse A most exquisit Diadem The Crown of righteousnesse 2. Tim. 4.8 Of that divine inheritance Which fadeth not away 1. Pet. 1.5 They shall be really posest And ever it enj y. Bodies which here Are matter thick and grosse Attaining to thiâ— happinesse Are freed from their drosse And as the Sunn Appeares in brightest Sky Mat. 13.43 So every body glorifi'd Shall be for clarity And likewise be impassible Unâ—apable of pain Having agility to move VVhose vigour shall remain Glorified Soules Are fild with all delight Because the spring of Bâ—uâ—y is The object of their sight Also they have Their joy to amplify Immediat sweet câ—mmunion with The blessed Trinity Which satisfies the appetite Which else were empty still Because no finite c mfort can Content the mind and will Briefly a word Oâ— place and company Which Saints in G oâ—y shall enioy The place is heavenly Ierusalem Heb. 12. The citty of the Lord Discover'd by such precious things As pleasure most affo d Rev. 21. The consorts Angells numberlesse The whole Assembly Of Saints Heb. 12. who shall for ever dwell With Christ Eternally VVhy hath the Lord For his such Ioyes prepar'd Because their pacient sufferings He richly will reward This light distresse Which for a moment dures An excellent eternall waight Of Glory his procures 2 Cor. 4.17 But our afflictions merit not This Glory that exceeds But it as Gods all other gifts Rom. 8.18 Of his free-Love proceeds Rom. 6.23 Now they that have This Hope of Heaven sure Shew it by striving to be cleane As Christ our Lord is pure 1 Iohn 3.3 Also they take Their croses chearfully Because a substance they expect Eternall heavenly Heb. 10.34 To which my Soule aspired still And cannot setled be Till shee returns againe to him That gave her unto me Ecl 12.7 A Song exciting to spirituall Alacrity DIscomforts will the hearâ— contract And joy will cause it to dilate That every part its part may act A heart enlarg'd must animate Unfruitfull ones therfore they are That planted be in sorrows shade Sith by the blasts of cloudy care They are unfit for action made The ill effects of fruitlesse greife Are in this place no further shown Because the meanes of true releife Is mo e convenient to be known Now he in whom all fullnesse dwels All good and meanes of good must bee Col. 1 9. His presence Sathans rule expells And doth â—rom Legall terror free Gal. 3.13 So that their Soules which are so blessed His sacred presence to enioy Can never be so much distressed But consolacion find they may Having a hiding place secure Isay 32.1.2 And covert from the stormy wind And streames of water perfect pure To viviâ—y and cheare the mind If scorched with afflictions heat They to their shady rock may fly And be in safties bosome seat And lap of true felicity Where are delights Angelicall The quintisence of all good things Refined wine to cheare withall And food which life eternall brings Which though the Saints by faith posesse Doe not suppose it solace give But truly reall happinesse As they that feele alone beleeve Who thence abundant strength collect In all condicions to support No â— oubles can them much deject Who have this soules defensive Fort. Suppose temptacion sift them sore Sufficient grace will them releive 2 Cor. 12.9 And make their Faith appeare the more Which will to them the Conquest give Or be their Scourge some outward Crosse As causlesse hate or poverty Decay of parts disease or losse Of Credit Freinds or Liberty Nay were their state compos'd of woes In whom the Morning Star doth shine Whose lively luster will disclose To his a heritage divine Which he of Love did them procure With freedom not to Adam dain'd To tast the Tree of Life most pure Whereby the soule alone 's sustain'd The sence of Love-Eternall doth with Love Obedience still produce Which active is and passive both So suffrings are of speciall use Bearing the soule with joy and peace Through true beleeving evermore Whose sweet contentments take encrease From heavens never-fayling store Another Song exciting to spirituall Mirth THe Winter being over In order comes the Spring â—hich doth green Hearbs discover â—nd cause the Birds to sing â—he Night also expired â—hen comes the Morning bright â—hich is so much desired 〈◊〉 all that love the Light â—his may learn â—hen that mourn 〈◊〉 put their Griefe to flight â—â—e Spring succeedeth Winter â—â—d Day must follow Night â—e therefore that sustaineth â—ffliction or Distresse â—hich ev'ry member paineth â—nd findeth no relesse
in Gath let it be published That those that seek the Lord and him alone In any case should be discouraged Lest it rejoyce the wicked this to see Who think the wayes of grace unpleasant be Where as they are most pleasant sweet and fair Yeilding delights which onely satisfy Our minds which else transported are with care And râ—stlesse wandrings continually But those that do no taste hereof attain Seek rather for content in pleasures vain When Kain had lost the happy harmony He by a peace â—ull Conscience might enjoy His nepâ—ew â—ball then most skillfully Invented Musiâ—k thereby to convey Unto the outward eare some melody But no true joy come to the heart thereby For it is onely a Certificate Brought by Gods Spirit from the Throne of Grace That may delight the Soule Regenerate Which certifies her of her happy case That shee 's already in a gracious state Which will in endlesse glory consummate Again the blessed Soule may take delight To think on Sions great prosperity In that the Gospell long hath shined bright Sustaining no Eclips by Heresy So that the meanes of knowledg is so free Gods Worship rightly may performed be If then my Soule the Lord thy Porcion be Delight'st his Word and sacred Covenants Wherby his Graces are conveyed to thee As Earnests of divine inheritance And which may cause tru comfort to abound Thy Lot is fallen in a plâ—asant ground Then let not any trouble thee dismay Seeing the Light of Grace to thee hath shonâ— The sable Weed of Sadnesse lay away And put the Garment of â—alvacion on With chearfullnesse Gods blessings entertain Let not the object of thy mirth be vain Which as a Cloud would stop the influence Of that true Light that doth the Soule refine And prediâ—poseth it through lively sence To that eternall brightnesse most divine Then cheifly to admit that joy accord Which commeth by the Favour of the Lord. God's Favour ever highly estimate As the prime motive of tru happinesse VVhereof since that thou didst participate In Life or Death feare no kind of distresse VVhen humane help sha l fayl thee utterly Then is Gods saving opportunity Deadnesse of spirit that thou mayst avoyd The lively means of godlynesse embrace And cease not seeking though thou be delayd But wait till God do manifest his grace For thy deliverance prefix no day But paciently the Lords due leisure stay The fourth Meditacion ALas my Soule oft have I sought thy Peace But still I find the contrary encrease Thou being of a froward disposicion Perceivest not thy mercyfull Physician Doth give thee forâ—hy health these strong purgacions So may we call out daily molestacions VVhich how to beare that thou mayst understand Take heed of two extreams under Gods hand The one is too light takeing thy Distresse The other 's hopelesse Greife or Pensivenesse Between these two observe with heedfull eye A middle course or mediocrity Consider for the first if one correct His Child who seemeth it to disrespect VVarding the blow or setting light therby How is he beat again deservedly So if that thou should'st seem to disregard The Chastisments of God or seek to ward The same by wayes or meanes impenitent How just shall God renew thy punishment If Physick for our Bodies health be tane VVe hinder not the working of the same Strong Physick if it purge not putrifies And more augments then heales our malladies And as is sâ—yd our manifold Temptacions Are nothing but thy scouring Purgacions VVherin a dram too much hath not admission Confected by so Skilfull a Physician VVho will not have their bitternesse abated Till thy ill humors be evacuated Then loose it down for thy Humilliacion And hinder not its kindly Opperacion As thou mayst by untimely voyding it By vain contentments which thou mayst admit VVhich makes us drive repentant thoughts away And so put far from us the Evill day But that content which is by such meanes got Is like cold water tane in fevers hot VVhich for the present though it seem to ease Yet after it encreaseth the disease But thou dost rather unto Grief incline At Crosses therfore subject to repine Supposing oft thy present troubles are Intolerable and thy bane declare VVhilst thou for this thy selfe dost maserate Dispair unto thee doth intimate That none hath been afflicted like to thee Unparaleld thy visitacions bee The by-waies being thus discovered Endeavour in the right way to be led With tru Repentance hope of pardon joine Deny thy selfe and trust for help divine Seek first with God in Christ to be at peace Who onely can thy Tribulacion cease For he that laid the Rod affliction on The power hath to pull it off alone T were but in vain for one that were in debt To see the Officers a discharg to get Till with his Creditor he doth agree He cannot walk out of his danger free So vain are they which think their course is sure When in the use of meanes they rest secure Whereas if God his blessing doth restrain VVe by the creature can no help attain Though it hath pleased God out of his grace Naturall cauâ—es over things to place Yet keeps he to himselfe blest be his name The staffe and operacion of the same Then do not think my Soule to find redresse By meanes of Freinds or by self Skilfulnesse But rather all created helps deny Save as they serve for God to work thereby Now forasmuch as God is just alone Know without cause he hath afflicted none Sith without doubt his wayes so equall be For som great fault he thus correcteth thee Therfore to lowest thoughts thy self retire To seek the cause that moved God to ire Which when thou findest whatsoere it be As thy right hand or eye so dear to thee Resolve for ever to abandon it Be watchfull lest the same thou recommit Renew thy Covenant with God and vow In the remainder of thy dayes that thou Wilt walk before him with an upright heart If for that end his grace be on thy part If when hereto thou dost thy forces try In them thou find a disability Then look to Christ who doth thy weaknesse veiw And of compassion will thy strength renew From him alone thou mâ—yst that grace derive Which like a Cordial or Restorative Will strengthen and repair thy faculties Which else are dead to holy exercise T will make thy Understanding apprehend God as a Father who in Love doth send Correction to his Children when they stray When without check the wicked take their sway This grace once tasted so affects the will As it forsaketh that which cannot fill The well of living waters to frequent Can onely fill the Soule with tru content The memory it doth corroberate To keep a store the Soule to animate Gods precious promises the treasures be Which memory reserves to comfort thee The over-flowings of this grace divine To goodnesse the affections will encline Turning the hasty current of thy love From things below unto those
things above Seeing it is the grace of Christ alone Which makes the Soule to be with God at one Endeavour for it give thy selfe no rest Till feelingly thereof thou be possest The fifth Meditacion SUch is the force of each created thing That it no solid happinesse can bring Which to our minds may give contentments sound For like as Noahs Dove no succour found Till shee return'd to him that sent her out Just so the Soule in vain may seek about For rest or satisfaction any where Save in his presence who hath sent her here Gods omnipresence I do not deny Yet to the Faithfull he doth spec'ally Alone his gracious presence evidence VVho seeing all true blessings flow from thence Are troubled onely when he hides his Face Desiring still to apprehend his Grace This Grace of God is taken diversly And first it doth his Favour signify That independent Love of his so free Which mov'd him to his mercyfull Decree His Merum beneplacitum it is That 's motive of all good conferd on his The fruits of this his Love or Favour deare Are likewise called Graces every where Election and Redempcion graces are And these his Favour cheifly do declare Faith Hope Repentance Knowledg and the rest Which do the new Creac'on manifest Now these are counted Grace habituall And lastly this the Grace of God we call His actuall Assistance on our side VVherby we overcome when we are tride How ever then the word is understood Grace is the cheif desirable good T is Summum bonum is it so for why Because without it no Prosperity Or earthly Honours in the high'st degree Can make one truly happy sayd to be For as we might their miseries condole Who should inhabit neare the Northern-Pole Though Moon Stars may there apear most bright Yet while the Sun is absent still t is night And therfore barren cold and comfortlesse Vnfit for humane creatures to possesse More fruitlesse empty comfort is the Mind Who finds the Sun of Righteousnesse declind Yea though all earthly glories should unite Their pomp and splendor to give such delight Yet could they no more sound contentment bring Then Star-light can make grasse or flowers spring But in that happy Soule that apprehends His Loving kindnesse which the Life transcends There is no lack of any thing that may Felicity or tru delight convey As whilst the Sun is in our Hemisphere We find no want of Moon nor Star-light cleare So where the Fountain of tru Light displayes Hâ—â—â—â—â—nes there is no need of borrow'd joyes For wâ—â—re he is who made all things of nought Tâ—eâ—◠〈…〉 presence still â—resh joyes are wrought Nor â—eâ—d he â—elp to mâ—ke a happy one Sith all peâ—fection is in him alone Grant thâ—n hiâ— Gracâ— is most to be desir'd And nothiâ—g else to be so much requir'd But here a carnall crew are to be blam'd By whom the Grace of God so much is nam'd Who are experienc'd in nothing lesse As do their course and practises expâ—esse For though they say the Grace of God's worth all Yet will they hazzard iâ— for Trifles small Hereâ—f they 'll put you out of all suspicion VVhen Gods Grace coms with mens in competicion For holy duties lightly such neglects Whereby Gods Love is felt with its effects The favour of a mortall man to gain Though but a shew thereof he do attain And that perhaps for some employment base VVhich one cannot perform and keep tru Grace Therefore t is probable how ere they prate Gods Grace they value at too low a rate For to be purchast by them sith they leave Their hold of it a shaddow to receave But they that do in truth of heart professe That they have found this Pearle of Blessednesse Will not adventure it for any thing Whatever good it promiseth to bring Because they know the choisest quintesence Of earthly pleasures greatest confluence Cannot procure that sweet blissefull peace Which from Gods Favour ever takes encrease Yet many times it comes to passe we see Tâ—at those who have tru grace so senslesse be Of it that they in seasons of distresse Abundance of impacience do expresse But t is their sin and brings an ill report Upon their cheifest Comfort Strength and Fort Such therefore should endeavour paciently To beare whatever crosse upon themly And that by strength of this consideracion Thaâ— they have need of this theyr tribulacion It may be to mind them of some offence Which they committed have perhaps long since Yet they remaine unhumbled for it 1 Pet 1.6 Or elce may be some Duty they omit In which remissive course they will remain Till with a Rod they be brought home again Or if they would consider how they prove The Lords great Pacience towards them and Love In wayting for theyr turning to his wayes They would not think so greivous of delayes Of restitucion to that solace sound VVhich in the sence of Grace is ever found VVhich whoso will in Heart and Life preserve These following directions must observe The first is to purge out inniquities VVith all that might offend Gods puer eyes The next is to have Faith in Christ and Love Of God and that which he doth best approve Humility must likewise have a place In them that will be sure of tru Grace Iam. 4.6 Then there must be sincear Obedience To all Jehovah's just Commandements For God will manifest himself to those Who by Obedience Love to him disclose Ioh. 14 Now lastly that which fits one to embrace The sence of God's exceeding Love and Grace Is skilfulnesse in that most blessed Art Of walking with the Lord with upright heart That is to manage all things heedfully As in the veiw of Gods omniscient eye And so by consequence by Faith to joyne In union with the Trinity divine This is the very life of happynesse Which one may feel far better then expresse But lest whilst being wrapt above my sphere â—ith sweetnesse of the Theame I should appeare Quite to forget the nature of a Song â—nd to some this might seem over-long â—y thoughts theyr workings speedily suspends â—nd at this time my Meditacion ends Finis Verses on the twelvth Chapter of Ecclesiastes ALl Earthly Glories to theyr periods post As those that do possesse them may behoâ—d Who therfore should not be at too much cost With that which fades so soon dies growes old But rather minde him in their youthfull dayes Who can give glory which shall last alwayes Ere Light of Sun or Moon or Stars expire Before the outward sence eclipsed be VVhich doth direct the heart for to admire These works of God which obvious are to see The Fabrick of the Earth the Heavens high Are to the mind discoverd by the eye Again before the strong men low shall bow And they that keep the house shall tremble sore Ere natures force be spent or quite out-flow And wonted courage shall be found no more VVhen weaknesse shall each part emasculaâ—e And make the stoutest heart effeminate Moreover ere the grinders shall be few VVhich for concoction doth the food prepare And Dames of musick shall be brought so low That for their melody none much shall care Harsh and unpleasant then the voyce shall bee The breast being not from obstructions free Also before that causlesse feares arise By reason of much imbecility Conceit of harmes will in the way surprise Such feeble ones which would from shadowes fly VVhen chilling Frost of sad decrepid age The force of vitall vigour shall aswage The Almond Tree shall blossoms then declare Gray hairs presage to them the end is nigh Naturall heat havinâ— no more repaire Desires fayle as flames wanting fuell dy Notâ—ing remayning wheâ—â—y strength s suppli'd The marrow wasted and the moysture dri'd And ere the â—lâ—er coâ—d â—e loose and weak Before the veâ—nâ— be stopt and sinews shrink And 〈…〉 or Piâ—cher break â—e 〈…〉 for want of spirit shrink The â—eâ—â— whereas he animals reside Now full of maâ—adies and â—â—upyfide The Body thus out-worn and quite decayd The dust returneth to the Earth again To God who gave it is the Soul convayd VVho doth with it as be did preoâ—dain How ever som to vent their falacy Conclude the Soul doth with the Body dy VVhich if were truth why did our Saviour say Feare him not which the Body kils alone Mat 10 And hath no might the Soul for to destray If with the one the other must be gone But that they may declare impostors skill Twixt Soul and Spirit they distinguish wi l. The Soul say they doth with the Body dy Then there 's a third part which they Spirit call VVho doth return to God immediatly Leaving the Dead till judgment generall And then returning breathing doth infuse In Soul and Body wherby life ensuâ—s For which they have no Sâ—ripture I suppose Save what they wrest unto theyr own Perdicion As this where 't is said the word with power goes Twixt Soul Spirit by divine commission Twixt joynts and marow it doth penetrate Hâ—b 4.12 Seeing all secrets heart can meditate The joynts and marrow of the Body be Not sev'rall species but of kind the same The Body to support each part agree And ev'ry member hath its sev'rall name So Soul and Spirit is one entire thing Immortall by the vertu of its Spring More texts of Scripture these Deceivers wrest Which should be answered Truth for to defend But seeing here I have so long digrest What I begun I hasten now to end Which is to stir up youth their God to mind Before effects of evill dayes they find All here is vanity the Preacher sayes Yea use of many books are wearisome If cheifly don for self-respect or prayse It doubtlesse will to such a snare become Of all the matter then the End let 's hear Keep Gods commandements with son-like fear FINIS