SVSPICE CAELVM DESPICE MVNDVM RESPICE FINEM SENTIT E. SVPERA NON TERRESTR Vera ac viva Effigies NATHANAELIS RICHARDS Gen TR sculp Seuen Poems Diuine Morall and Satyricall viz. The Celestiall Publican Spirituall Sea-fight World Flesh Vicious Courtier Iesuite Deuill Together with sundry Epitaphs and Epigrams By N.R. Gent. Coelum Cupio Printed at London for Roger Michell dwelling in Charterhouse-lane 1631. TO THE HEAVENLY LOVER OF DIVINE POEMS GOod Bookes Good Minds best please where bad Mindes be Desert shall still be raild at Vice passe free Enuie Debate Pride Flatterie and a whore The Vicious minded Foole mindes nothing more Harlots for hot sinne-offerings shall finde Fauour and Friends to them the World is kinde But when the wealth of Soules in Vertues Line Leuells Man's crooked Thoughts to thoughts Diuine 'T is sleighted then Most Worldlings like false Friends Loue not for Vertue but their owne base Ends. Times Lordly Churle deepe read in Errors Schoole Esteemes Plaine-Dealing but a Vertuous Foole Therefore to thee whose Sacred Soule desires Celestiall Solace Heauenly Holy fires To thy Religious thoughts apt to preuent And fly from Sinne to thee I this present Here 's no Luxurious Verse to please the Eares Of Whorish Mindes stranger to blessed Teares No Court-Confounding Complement nor stile Of feigned Poesie nor base Flatries Guile Soule-suffering Griefe for sinne I here expresse Wishing to All Immortall happinesse True Penitence gaines Heau'n throwes Sinners downe To raise them vp to an Immortall Crowne Deuoted to Your Vertues NATHANAEL RICHARDS THE CELESTIALL PVBLICAN I That haue imperfections on my head Past Starres in number or those sands that spread The vast Seas bottome shall not I confesse How oft ' gainst God I desp'rately transgresse Put off Repentance still from day to day Abuse his Mighty Patience still delay His dread Command And like a senselesse Sot Vnmindefull of his Mercies minde them not No sooner doe I finde a good thought take me But from that Vertue Flesh and Blood doe shake me The longer life the more I sinne and fall From bad to worse from worse to worst of all Let others boast their goodnesse for my part Wretch that I am I haue a sinnefull Heart So tyde and bound fetter'd and chain'd within So strong a Prison such a Maze of sinne That 't is as farre vnlikely for me worme E're to winde out as for to raise a Storme Or slacke a Tempest Workes of Wonder stand Farre from the Reach of Mortals weake command None but the Hand of God his speciall Grace Can pull me forth the Dungeon of disgrace 'T is God that frees poore Man from all the Vices Of this Worlds wicked villanous Entices And shall I then in impious wayes vneuen Offend so good a God Defend me Heauen My trembling Conscience tels me I haue beene A very fearefull Sinner Slaue to sinne Of all Men most vnworthy of Saluation My sinnes deserue Heauens wrath Hell damnation Yet Mercy Mercy Lord Mercy I craue Shield my sad soule from th' infernall Graue * Strangle my growing sinnes in their beginning * Demollish Lord in me Custome in sinning * For that is such a kinde of desp'rate thing * Men dreame not on O 't is a damned sting * And thus it creepes on vs thoughts that are bent * To Euill get Delight Delight Consent * Consent drawes Action Action Custome breedes Simile * And as the Sick-Man whom his owne death feedes * Custome at large takes sense of sinne away * Sends soules to Hell when 't is too late to pray The Doome supernall neuer findes returne To call thee backe to Grace thinke on 't or burne Thinke Heau'ns sweete siluer Saints-Bell toles all in To fright thee eu'ry Morne from vggly sinne Let Mercy eu'ry Euening which do's keepe Thee from Day-dangers Death resembling sleepe Be to thy soule a Prayer Booke t'imprint Teares in thine Eyes Griefe in thy Heart of flint Be it so heauenly Father vnto me To me and eu'ry one Make vs to see And shunne Sinnes Custome with thy sacred wings Guard vs from Danger Blessed King of Kings Thou that at Home abroad at Sea on land Here there and eu'ry where didst euer stand My sure Protector ' gainst griefes infinite Danger the Iawes of Famine Worlds despight Sicknesse sad discontent when I and Care Shooke hands with sorrowes Minion deepe despaire At that most wretched Time my thoughts lockt vp Beyond all hope of helpe then Mercies Cup I freely tasted blessed be thy Name To me my Gratious God proue still the same In my Extreames of griefe I call'd on thee Mercifull God and thou didst set me free Thou wert my onely Comfort in distresse Food Rayment all my Cure in heauinesse My true Physitian in vnruly madnesse Celestiall Musicke in my sadest sadnesse Though all the World forsake me God is kinde He solace giues to my disconsolate minde O be the same for euer may no ill Seduce my soule to disobay thy will While others carelesse of their Soules true health Greedie like Hell hunger for worldly wealth Preferment Pride th' insatiate Diuell Lust Luxurious Fare and vainely put their trust In glassie Glory couzening State behauiour In valour Conquest and Monarchall fauour While Soules thus erre O thou the Lord of light Make me Heauen 's Champion Vertues Fauourite * Field Honor 's but a Vapour the sound brest * Puts on Church Armour Faith and sleights the rest * In loue to Vertue and true godly feare * Dwells Honour not in Darts Bow Sling or Speare * Not in vaine Beautie Strength the Pride of Wit * Presuming Riches Learning Valour Credit * High Birth Nobilitie nor Grauitie * Humanitie nor yet Virginitie * But in the Humble Soule whom holy Storie * Speakes to maintaine God and the Gospels Glorie * The King and Kingdomes safety Churches Peace * The Virgins Right Widdowes and Fatherlesse * These are the Noble steps which euer waite * On Vertues Court 't is the true way of State * That neuer failes as sacred Scripture saith * The humble meeke Religious Knights of Faith O Heau'nly Father giue me Grace to fly Delight in sinne or suffer me to dye * Pleasures are poysons to this Soule of mine * There 's no true Ioy on earth but what 's diuine Lord teach me for to prize this world at naught Vpon thy Blessednesse be all my thought * Make me my God in hate to impure liues * Kicke at that Life which Life of Heau'n depriues Make me to feele those wonted holy fires Which rapt my soule in sanctifidâ— desires Rauisht all sense and with admir'd amaze Expos'd me to that blessed burning blaze Of glorious contemplation thoughts diuine Simile Then like Heauens Tapers in my Soule did shine But now that Glory failes my soule hath seru'd Folly so long 't is readie to be steru'd Darke sinnes desire hath dimm'd the Christall sight Of Meditation turn'd my Day to Night To dismall Night where onely I may see My selfe alone stand like
a desolate Tree Forsaken of all her Leaues the Fruite dead And eu'ry Branch of comfort withered Naked performance of Heauens sacred Word Pulls Hell on me Me thinkes the flaming sword Of Gods iust vengeance houer's o're my head Simile Th' Element burnes the starres like molten Lead Threaten destruction while distressed I Like a condemned wretch sentenc'd to die Stand quaking at the Horrour dreadfull woe Shiuers my sinfull soule What shall I doe Pitty me King of Thunder Heau'n and Earth Mercifull Maker thou that didst giue me Birth Thou that canst muster Angels in the skie To safegard soules from blacke impietie Thou that dost feede and clothe and still perseuer To giue me Health be mercifull for euer I that am poore weake feeble and too apt By the worlds whorish wayes to be entrapt I that am slothfull dull and negligent Vnmindfull of thy dread Commandement Beseech thy pardon forgiue my coldnesse In seruing thee pardon that sinfull boldnesse Pardon all idle prate sinnes rotten talke Let not my steppes tread that accursed walke Which leades to lewdnesse base delight in Pleasure Desire of Pompe Vaine-glory Tott'ring Treasure Deale not O deale not with me as my merit Truely deserues driue out the vggly spirit Of all vncleannesse from my filthy flesh My drooping soule with sanctitie refresh Shrowd me beneath thy sacred Countenance Giue me thy Seruant Dauids Repentance The Patiency of Job Paul's Puritie And soule-afflicted Peters weeping eye With holy Teares Lord make me to reiect The sinne I sinne-sicke sinner most affect Heare me Miraculous Maiestie and giue A Period to my cares let me not liue Frustrate of heau'nly thoughts O send redresse Thou bidst me write keepe me from Idlenesse From all ill Company All waies vniust Sinne Satan and the Laborynth of Lust Simile * Like Joseph Mighty Maker make me fly * The tempting Baites of Beauties burning Eye * Diuert my sad distressed soule from vice * And Rauish me with loue of Paradice * Let not my wand'ring Eyes swimme in the fire * Of Lust-stung lookes nor let the loose desire * Of womans naked Paps burne out mine Eyes * With sencelesse gazing make me to despise * All base desires sinnes of ill-gouern'd youth * All wicked Customes gainst thy sacred Truth Suffer me Worme vnworthy not in vaine To call on thee let me some comfort gaine Or kneele for euer happie man were I To kneele and pray and praying thus to die My Armes are spread come sempeternall Essence Rauish my soule come blessed penitence Giue me a thousand stabs my soule has need Of many thousand Teares then let it bleed Pierce pierce my stubborne Heart make that the Inne Of Grace which yet is but the house of sinne At my dull follies I 'le no longer wincke Sorrow shall be my Pen sad Teares my Incke Misery my Paper whereon I 'le write The sorrowes of my soule my Youth's delight My Paths of Pleasure prodigall expences My scarlet Crimes and all my blacke offences This Booke I 'le Dedicate vnto my Heart My Heart chiefe Actor in sinnes Tragicke part My Heart vnprincely Reuelling within My Body that Banquetting House of sinne There chain'd to th' Magicke Musicke of free-will Riots in poyson'd pleasures lewdly ill All that belongs to th' Body eu'ry part My soule alone excepted serues my Heart Best pleas'd and best at ease with pleasures Bane Most glad to be most bad and in that vaine Traitor to Truth Each Limme a Mortall Foe To worke my vniuersall ouerthrow And to that end with rude insatiate eyes Runne all a whoring after vanities Soule-damning Banquets Pompe bewitching ioy Forsake eternall Glory for a Toy Debarring hope of Heau'n and sweete Saluation For moment pleasure licorish damnation O false false Heart false to thy dearest friend Wound me no more for pittie make an End â— pittie thy blacke life nor can forbeare For thee to shed many a bleeding Teare Thou art my foe and yet to see thee feed Fat for Hells shambles my poore soule do's bleed Bleeds inward vndiscern'd of any Eye Except my God and my owne misery What shall I doe faine would I shunne the sinne My frailty most delights to wander in And yet I cannot when I striue gainst vice To stand most firme I 'me tript vp in a trice * Oh what a misery 't is to haue a minde * For to be truly honest well inclinde * And not to be suffer'd such is the state * Of my sad bleeding soule vnfortunate Poore soule that liues like Fortunes foot-ball tost In hazard eu'ry minute to be lost Simile As is the ship 'mong Rocks steerd by the skill Of an imperfect Pilats desp'rate will Simile Which like a fruitlesse naught respected fly Carelesse of danger paine or misery Cutting the Ayre flies at selfe-will so fast Till in the Spiders web 't is caught at last So pleasure soothing pleasure doth beguile The sinfull Body with her couert guile Being the onely cause when life for breath During her short space vainly striues gainst death Simile Then like a mast-lesse Barke in stormy weather The soule driues vp downe it knowes not whether At last for life misse-led sinnes that excell Body and soule at once Iumpe into Hell * O thou the King of those eternall fires * Which spangle Heauen good God grant my desires * Infuse in me thy Grace or I shall stray * And so become a fearefull Cast-away * Helpe or I sinke belowe the lowe degree * Of sinnes extreamest infelicitie * Come come Lord Iesus O come thou and giue * Helpe to my helplesse soule I that doe liue â—imile Like the distressed Bird trapt in a Snare Caught by a lime-twig flying from the Ayre In which distresse for comforts sweete reliefe Poore Innocent with wings adds woe to griefe So fares my soule striuing sinnes snare to fly Forc'd by deceit liues snar'd in penury Accompaned with comfortlesse despaire With sobs and grones and selfe-consuming care Simile In Sable sorrow sits there sighs and mournes Wastes and consumes like a spent Taper burnes Onely for a slash ready to goe out With multitude of sinnes circl'd about The very thought do's shake me and the feare Simile Rowze my flint Heart that like a frighted Deere Amazed stands attaints mine eyes of treason Those eyes exclaime against the eyes of reason The eye of reason blames their wanton sight As ouer rul'd by foolish appetite Each guilty of their fault to sinne stand thrall No Limme but helps th' oppressed soule to fall * Man at the best his vertu's very little * His state a Bubble at the strong'st most brittle Simile * Mans life is like a Game at Tables where * A good chance happ'ning if you doe not there * Mend it with some good play the sad Games losse * Will vexe thy grieued soule proue the sole crosse * To all thy comforts All quietnesse than Simile * Leaues thee and like a drunken seruing-man * Which at his masters
most need goes astray * Is euer sure still to be out o' th way What shall I doe Where whether shall I fly Here there I know not where lie downe and dye Vp soule to Heau'n there get a glorious Crowne I am too weake too vile sinne puls me downe O my vnworthinesse my shame my sinne When shall I shake thee of when when beginne No wilt not bee can I not doe the good I would Must I be rul'd by flesh and blood Weepe on weepe on dissolue hard heart of flint Melt melt thou stony rocke Teares neuer stint Drop Marble Mount drop to a crimson flood Sinke my sinnes in Seas of penitent blood Come folded Armes and you sad Eyes sad Heart Come Soule opprest with sorrow play thy Part Haste to some gloomy-groue there all alone On the greene mantled Earth sigh sob and grone Spend pretious time with sacred thoghts that beares Heau'n in their Eyes true Vertue in their teares Complaine I will to fortune not that whore Which makes leane art pale-fac'd wisdome poore I le not complaine to her but to that Enâ— Almighty Fortune in diuinest sense Groueling on Earth for sinne I le cast forth groanes Sighes shall conuert to Teares Teares into moanes Then will I start from ground my Body raise Shoote mine Eyes vpward against Heau'n I 'le gaze Thinke on my God my God whose sacred Will I haue abus'd my God most iust to kill Damne Soule and Body my rememb'rance blot Out of the Booke of Life I that forgot In midst of all vaine ioyes Intemp'rate healths Loose wanton chambering lasciuious stealths All-seeing Heauen a God so good so great He that to feed vs with Spirituall meate The Natiuitie of Christ Tooke humane shape came downe from Heau'n to Earth Enter'd the World at whose soule-sauing Birth The euerlasting gates of Mercy stood Open to all His houre of flesh and blood Turn'd night to day Heau'ns glittering Angell came And to poore men poore sheepheards did proclaime A Sauiour borne sinnes fury to controule Neuer was such sweet musicke to the soule Before his comming the Natiuitie Of Christ brings mortals firme felicitie * Milde was his Birth his Life creations wonder * His death deaths terror O thou God of thunder * Master of mans saluation all the Earth * Reapt plenitude of Ioy when thou tookst Birth * Mortalls were bigge with sinne villany ripe * Hells dreadfull Dragon ready for to gripe * Soules in his vggly pawes But then stept in * Our Sauiour he redeemd lost soules whose sinne * Gaue them to death eternall blessed houre * Blessed Natiuitie thrice blessed powre * Me thinkes at thought of thy Natiuitie * I lie perfum'd in Immortalitie When Christ was borne all were new borne agen Nere came like Musicke to the hearts of Men Angels for ioy clap their Celestiall Wings And eu'ry Saint eu'ry Crownd Martyr Sings Magnifico Deum to mortalls peace The calme of Conscience and shall mortals cease Their glad expressions No let hate to vice Dissolue sinnes cloud Eccho to Paradice Our Sauiours welcome let vs neuer more Simile Lie downe to our dishonours like a whore Dead to good councell neuer let darke deedes Defile the Soule Le ts roote vp all the seedes Of Pride Lust Enuie Hatred and in place Plant wisedome meeke humility and grace * Christs Glory came cloathd in humility * To teach our Hell-bred Pride Ciuility * Borne of a Virgin came to the world a stranger * His Palace an Oxe-stall his Bed a Manger O're whose obscure aboad Heau'ns Taper shinde And to the soules of wisest Men diuinde Great Natures wonder pointed them the way To finde the worlds Redeemer they obay Made towards that fixed starre which in the skie Was the blest Virgin Maries Canopie To Beth-lehem they came there with hearts glad Ador'd the King of Glory poorely clad Nor could blood thirstie Herods strict command Nor bloody butchering of Babes withstand His blessed Birth whose admiration brings Ioy to the world blest be that King of Kings He that to cure sinnes Leaporous disease A Heauenly Progresse fetcht the Geste these The Adamant of Glory CHRIST'S Setting forth from 's Celestiall PALACE Lodg'd in the Virgins Wombe from that blest PLACE To th' Manger went from Manger to the Crosse From Crosse departed with his deare Blouds losse Vnto the SEPVLCHER there made all euen And so Return'd Gloriously Home to HEAVEN To HEAV'N from whence LORD let thy SACRED FIRE GLISTER vpon my SOVLE whose sole Desire Begges MERCY for my Sinnes makes knowne to THEE THOV that hast RAVIHST ALL hast Rauisht Me. The Passion of Christ. Thirty three yeeres Christs sanctity did were The Cloth of our Redemption and did beare Times heauy yoake of crosses that we might With ease sustaine all wrongs in him delight Simile * Like Martyr'd Stephen whose lowd crying grones * Gain'd Heau'n i th' middle of a storme of stones * Loue lead him on in Death this Saint was Taster * And first that follow'd his Immortall Master * Christ Crucifide whom none that truly heares * But sure 't will thawe their frozen hearts to teares * Christs whole Life was a Martyrdome and Crosse * Actiue and Passiue and his deare bloods losse * The Tragicke Part the bloody Sceane which none * But he himselfe must Act and Act alone Alone for vs Heau'ns Glorious Lampe of Grace Grou'ling on Earth fell on his sacred Face He that is euer Lord of Mercies seate Water'd the Garden Cedron with the sweate Of bloody Browes and Body heauinesse And deadly sorrow seiz'd his blessednesse A kisse betray'd him and a periur'd lie Was the Reward for all his puritie â—n scorne this Prince of Heau'n was buffetted Spighted spitted at Extreamly scourged Yet Torture ne'r mou'd him he was silent In all his bitter suffrings patient Neuer did Earthly King free from annoy Receiue his Crowne nor with a greater ioy Went to his Coronation Dignifide As Glories King went to be Crucifide In him the Iewes derided Maiestie Condemned Innocence scourg'd Pietie * Head Hands Side Feet they to the Crosse did Fiâ— * Made him all o're a bloody Crucifixe Simile * Satan and Death like sawcie serieants went * To seize on him to sheere that Innocent * Blest Lambe of God But he who was to saue * All that belieu'd they had no power to shaue * His Patience Death and Diuels force did quell * He tooke the Great Leuiathan of Hell * With the hooke of his Crosse made him his slaue * Captiu'd the Diuell and subdued the Graue Simile * Like a long lookt for Booke Christ in the Presse Was kept to come in Print forth for to blesse * Our soules with that Saluation which do's giue * New Life whereby Eternally wee liue INRI The Key of Heauen â—are Sauiour sweet sweet was thy deare Compassion â—arely exprest in that most bitter PASSION â—hen whipt and scourg'd thou mildly suffer'dst all â—owes Buffets Blasphemies VIN'GER and GALL â—ulting
Foes Reproach Mockes Scoffings Scorne â—y SINEWES to be Rackt thy BODY Torne Suffer'dst the Crowne of Thornes t' empale thy Braine Which downe thy Checkes forc'd showres of Bloud to raine Suffer'dst the piercing LAVNCE that like a FLOVD Sluc'd from thy wounded Side thy pretious BLOVD Nayl'd to the Crosse there CHRIST lost Soules to winne Suffer'd the World 's huge pond'rous weight of Sinne. Heau'ns Wrath Hel's Rage On CHRIST all Torments fell To saue our Soules froÌ„ those blew flames in Hell 〈◊〉 which th' amazed EARTH with horrour shooke â—arkenesse possest the WORLD Day Light forsooke INRI The Key of Heauen Her wonted course the Sunne obscur'd his Ligâ—â— At Death of IESVS CHRIST that bloudy sigâ—â— Made HELL to quake Diuels with Admiratioâ— Tremble to see the Cause of MANS Saluatioâ— Oh the rich thought strike strike amazing Thundâ—â— Shake Natures Frame this impious Age with wondâ—â— CAN muddie Mortals minde their Actuall EVILLS And not Christs SVFF'RINGS Such resemble Deuils HAPPY the MAN whose sacred SOVLE is bent FOR Christ's ENDVRINGS firmely to REPENT What Tongue What Pen Not all Man's Wit can tell CHRIST'S Torments they exceeded paines in Hell And all for MAN Ingratefull wretched MAN Are we not bound to loue and feare Him than O yes to spend whole houres dayes months yeaâ—â— In true Repentant Showres and Flouds of Teaâ—â— The PYRAMID OF Paradice Blest Blest O Blest Be that Diuinity Three Sacred Persons GOD in Vnitie WHOSE glorious Rauishing Resurrection Restor'd Vs lost to Grace Oh PERFECTION Purifie thou my Soule my Heart my Minde Snatch mee from Earth to Heau'n make mee inclin'd Wholy to Thee All worldly Pompe despising Fixe my THOVGHTS euer On thy Blessed RISING Giue MEE A Sempeternall Reuerence To Thy ALL-glorious high Omnipotence I that am clog'd with sin wretchednesse Desp'rate thoughts hunting after Worldlinesse Thy Blest Protection craue cleare the great score Of all my fowle misdeeds that I no more So great a Sinner prooue Lord let my strife Against my sinnes Raise me from Death to Life And from the Foote of vggly sinnes disgrace â—ount mount my SOVLE to th' Pyramid of Grace Did each one truely know the true delight Wherein the wise contemplate Heau'ns rich sight 'T would fright th' excessiue sinners God-lesse face Make him as in a Glasse see his disgrace Teare op'e his eyes that all amaz'd with horrour Trembling he may behold with dreadfull terrour A guard of Furies sucking at his soule That he may see his sinnes horrid and foule Liue as in sulphurous flames discerne his Euill See the fierce Deuill and cease to be a Deuill Cease from damnations Heire licentious life Cease from extreames in sinne soule-murdring striâ—â— Abhorre to studie state with greater Zeale Then Zeale to Heau'n or the soules Common-weâ—â— Abhorre with solemne Oathes periur'd to teare And racke the Name of Christ dreadlesse of feare Wounding afresh with trembling feare I write Wonder of Angels that great God of Light His wounds with Othes of wounds flesh bloud hart Honour of darkenesse O blaspheming part Too too much vs'd 'mong God-lesse soules who still Infinite good pay with infinite ill As if no thought remain'd of future good No teares for him that shed his pretious bloud Simile But as the comely Actor whose faire part Vpon the stage presents an honest heart For two houres space a Vertuous Noble Minde His Sceane expir'd basely to vice inclinde Drinke Drabs and Oathes making no other vse With his faire Part but with excesse abuse * O you that stand on Pynacles of state * Let not the World deceiue you least too late * From off your slipp'ry height you come in thrall * o pash your selues in peeces past recall * Sell not fare Lord-ships to keepe Lady-ships * Nor sucke damnation from a strumpets lips * Touch not those Spells of Sparta let e'm Rot * When Vertue rules in Man Lust liues forgot One onely Iemme that 's all the store I haue Great of that little nothing which shall craue Of Heauens Greate En's not for my selfe alone But for thee Reader thee and euery one Rarenesse of Rare example and withall An euerlasting skie of Grace to fall Vpon our warre on Earth desiring Heauen For wayes on Earth are crooked all vneuen * Saue me O saue me thou Eternall Terror * To damned soules I doe confesse each Error * The many thousand sinnes vnseene vnfelt Which long too long in my hard heart haue dwelt * To thee to thee thou Euer-liuing being * Of an Eternall Maiestie All-seeing * With penitent Heart I come I call I cry * Pardon my sinnes helpe thou All-viewing Eye * Looke downe Soule-sauing sacred God of Truth * Forgiue th' infinite follies of my youth * Shield me Diuinitie from Satans Ginnes * Lord lay not to my Charge my Parents sinnes * Glory of Goodnesse in thy Mercy heare mee * Let Hate Reuenge nor Enuie ne'r come neare mee * Let neither Pride nor hope of gaine deceiue mee * Nor pleasure nor the want of Meanes bereaue mee * Of sense least senselesse wholy I despaire * And so become the wretched Childe of care * O sacred Sauiour make me euer trie * To liue by honest Meanes or let me die * Though griefe and I haue well acquainted beene * Lord let me neuer grieue but for my sinne * So shall thy Mercy ne'r forgetfull stand * While I haue Tongue a Pen a Head a Hand THE SPIRITVALL SEA-FIGHT EM'prour of Angells O thou King of Starres Mans perfect solace ' gainst sins bloody Wars When I behold with contemplation Eye The siluer Spangles of thy Glorious skie Me thinkes in that Blew-paper-Booke of Heau'n I see waies of Mortalls all vneu'n The wretched soule of Man in euery Place Liues as in Hell on Earth without thy Grace Temptation on Temptation past controule Alures the Body to betray the Soule Hell's Blacke Prince Troopes of spirits eu'ry day Inuade my sinne-seidg'd-soule Furies display Infernall Banners while the Drumme of Death Beates a dead March and e're I can take Breath Sounds shrill Alarums hot Assaults beginne The soules fierce Fight muffl'd in cloudy sinne I liue beset Millions of spirits round Shoote at my soule I stand on no firme ground But tread on earth as on a Ball of Ice I cannot stand nor stirre for slip'ry Vice My Soul 's a Ship tost on the Mountaine Seas Of this vast World she neuer liues ar ease * Her sayles are sighes her Anchor deepe despaire * Her Compasse Error her sad Pilot Care Farre of from safeties shore floates on the waues Of fearefull billowes Soule deuouring Graues Rough blust'ring stubborne stormes yeeld no reliefe On euery Shrowd Each Tackling hangs a griefe Death like a darke cloud besets euery Place Here Rocks of Ruine their Pyrates lie in Chase In euery corner Mischiefes hourely lurke Simile * Pride fights against vs like a furious Turke * Lust like a trech'rous Spaniard murd'ring French * Like an infected poyson's loathsome stench
* Gluttonie like a Germaine drunkennesse * Like a Dutch Dun-kercker whose impiousnesse * Stiles him the Master Gunner to giue fire * To all sinnes blacke Artillery Hells Ire * Infernall chaine-shot All soule-murd'ring strife To sinke Man's weather-beaten ship of Life Which to gaine Grace no sooner weighs Anchor Sets sayle for safety but straight sinnes Canker The deuouring Diuell Pyrate for Hell Chasing flyes after and with blacke Arts spell Commands to stay sometimes with beauteous formes With songs of Syrens sometimes sometimes stormes Such pitchie Tempests to be night the way As if the horror of the lattet day Frighted the World so stops the soule from blisse Shoots through and through her so she steers amisse Simile Then as in bloudy Sea-fights Men may see Times sacrifice to valour no man free â—rom desp'rate danger euery one maintaines The terrour of the Fight though with their braines â—asht in each others Faces Vitall breath â—ost in a fighting flame blood and death â—ullets and Batteries couers the ship all o're Her dismall deckes with horror purple gore And scatterd limmes so the soules Pinnace â—n her spirituall fight sinnes do's deface Murders our best of thoughts like raging Seas Winds stormes tempest driue vs where they please The poore afflicted soule Satan so blinds â—t knowes not where shee is by whyzing winds Now tost toth ' top of all the Azure Skie Now tumbling as to Hell with frighted Eye Her Flag of sinnes defiance Tempest-rent Her Sayles torne all to Rags her Maine-mast spent All out of Order tossing to and fro The soule distrest knowes not which way to goe With gentle calme check Satan's black storme Lorâ— Wee shipwracke else Diuels will come a Board Burne with Hells wildfire Flame Ruine Race Blot our soules hope helpe Minister of Grace Safeties in Heau'n in this vncertaine Life Nothing but Hell-bred quick-sands Warre and strife Soule-killing vapours worldly vanities Thicke clouds of vice Perpetuall miseries There is a Voyage to the Holy Land 〈◊〉 which the Truth our blessed Card must stand â—he Holy Ghost our Pilot to direct â—he steerage of our course from sinnes neglect â—oth ' Hauen of Heau'n that happy Port of Rest â—aluations Guard true Cape of Comfort blest There Heauens bright Maiestie our Sauiour sweet â—its with the Hand of Mercy for to Greet And waft vs to him O may all that stray â—ayling along the Coast of sorrow Pray Pray vnto him hee 'l guide their wandring Barke Tempest tost hourely in the dreadfull Darke â—f thou be Sea-sicke call vpon him and he Shall soone with Health's sweet solace comfort thee Rebuke the raging windes Times blackest storme And to a calme Skie-swelling Seas reforme No Rocks Gulfs Sands nor Seas cloud-kissing waue Sinnes dreadfull Sea-fiight nor the desp'rate brauâ— Of Pyrates none shall hurt let then thy care See thy weake vessell Rigg'd well Man'd with prayeâ— And then launch forth hoist sayles and when you spâ— The Cape of good hope keepe it in thine eye Let holy thoughts death threatning storms o're comâ— That whatsoeuer chance there shall become The vessell of thy Body being foule Make sure to saue the passenger thy soule * He valiant onely Vertuous is that can * Subdue his Sinnes Hee s the true Noble Man * Ther 's perfect valour he true glory winnes * He 's the true Souldier that subdues his sinnes * Breakes through the pikes of sinne all fiends that are * In Hell or Diuels ruling in the Aire * Forcing his way to Heau'n despight all charmes * EnchantmeÌ„ts dead-sleeps all soule-slayling harmes Simile * Wrestling like Jacab constant in his fight * Mindfull of his maiestick-Makers sight To such belongs the Euerlasting Crowne Of sempeternall Glory true Ronowne Which to prepare thee for cease to neglect Th' Allmighties sacred seruice let respect Feare and true Reuerence to his pretious Word Be to thy soule that Helmet Shield and Sword Too strong for Sathan all the fiery Darts Of Fiends and furies Arme thy noble Parts Thy Soule thy Heart thy Minde striue to fulfill The Maiestie of Heauen his Diuine Will â—imile And like the cunning curious Architect Earnest some goodly Building to Erect Breaking his sleepe wholly imployes his minde On the drawne Modell which when he do's finde Exact his Eye dwels euer then vpon it And his affection neuer driuen from it So when to thought we call our Sauiours blood That sempeternall platforme of all good Shed for our sinnes Let it for euer dwell In the Idaea of our Mindes so Hell Sinne death nor deadly desp'rate discontent Can barre the Heau'nly heart from true content * What vggly wormes are wee that dare presume * To pawne our soules for pleasure dare consume * Our Time on toyes when as we firmely know * Time shall decay we cannot feed nor goe * Nor promise life a Minuite we passe to bed * But Ignorant to rise aliue or dead * Admit day-light approaches and the morne * Inuites thee forth thou neuer maist returne * Death by a thousand accidents do's meete * Health Wealth and Beauty stabs them in the street * He that least thinkes of death some falling Tyle * Timber or Stone do's suddenly beguile Him of his life yea oft' when he refraines And seekes to shun it dasheth out his braines These Tragicke Truths true causes of dislike Me-thinkes should moue vs to repent and strike A terror to our soules force vs to see Man's outward danger inward misery Which like an vnresisted roaring Tide Runnes through our veins and apts the blood to priâ—â— To all the sinnes that are or euer were O horrid ill haue wee not cause to feare To quake and tremble when our dull dead Eyes Drunke with the poyson'd dreggs of sinne ne'r spiâ—â— The mischieuous perills and the blacke affright That hourely waite on the Spirituall fight Fiends liue at Sea and Furies on the Land * Gluttonie for a Corporall do's Stand * Au'rice a Pioner Sloth you may spie * An idle Gentleman of a Company * Wrath 's the Serieant Enuie the Colours gaine * Lust the Lieftennant is Pride the Captaine These in the Heart of euery one take Place Where cowardly soul 's shun the blest meanes of grace Let vs for euer then resist all Euill Wisedome commands vs to defie the Diuell To combate with our sinnes oppose temptation Fight against Hell the Diuell and Damnation This for a Caueat take striue to doe well Ingratitude to Heau'n picks open hell While Grace is offer'd then Watch Fast and Pray Ther 's no preuention in the latter day * None liues secure that to his Vice liues friend * A Vitious life oft makes a vitious end * Strengthen me my Creator make me fight * Thy HOLY BATTLE let not the Worlds delighâ— * Disswade my soule sweet Iesus for thy merits * Enable mee Rowze my deiected Spirits * Vncharme Hells charme O Sacred God vntie * My fetter'd Soule let mee not euer lie * Lull'd in the Strumpet lap of deadly sinne *
Amber chiefely to preuent Lues Veneria that infectious sent Bred in his rotten Entrals through th' Excesse Of stirring Meates insatiate wantonnesse That too too common Delectation Poyson of wholesome Recreation Sinnes slauish seruitude Excessiue ill And Bane of Vertue is much made of still By such who rather then the Enterprize Of Noble true Knights louely exercise Delight in painted out-side Costly fare To studie the fashion looke bigge and stare Aduance the head like a Malt-Horse be proud And speake no matter what so it be loud Bountifull to Bawdes Mis'erable to th' poore Sell all whole Lordships to maintaine a Whore To stirre vp th' intellectuals of loose Ladies To melt their Chastitie get Bastard Babies Times were not so when Worthies shin'd in Armes Reioyc'd in Vertue not in the wanton Charmes Of braue Madam Vanitie the Puppet Loose Embrace of a consuming Strumpet But brauely fought for Virgins in distresse Relieu'd poore Widdowes and the Fatherlesse Striuing with faire renowned valiant Acts To chase Jniustice punish euill Facts O blest performance Noble race of men Worthy the praise of an Immortall Pen Your Famous Deeds past starres recorded stand For euer and euer written by the hand Of sacred Truth to the Eternall shame Of the sinne-branded Vicious Courtiers Name Let him that notice takes take this of me If Man of Money or of low degree Let not the hope of gaine bring that to passe Which makes a Dunce obserue a golden Asse Nor let thy Minde at any time accord To be the Slaue to an infamous Lord. His Loue to Vice all vertuous Acts repell As if no Plagues remain'd in spacious Hell Engag'd to mischiefe and to villanie To pleasure Vice embrace iniquitie The Honour due for Vertue that Reward Is naught but base contempt meere sleight Regard He that will get by such must well dissemble And tell the Fooles they God's on Earth resemble Obsequiously the Parasite must play And hazard blacke Damnation eu'ry Day Insinuate and so waxe knauish wise Be a stampt Villen learne to temporize Sweare and forsweare depraue informe and lie Change each houre Religion periur'd die Plot plot and set friends hourly at debate Cling to the surer side the weaker hate Turne Baud at midnight Pander to the Itch Of an Adulterate Cloth of siluer Witch Practise to know to mixe with perilous Art The deadly Poyson with the amorous Dart Neatly obtaining by times cunning skill With Stibium and Cantharides to kill Such sudden Fellowes nimble in Damnation Are Vicious Courtiers greatest Estimation When disrespected Honest men forlorne Liue miserably wretched Ragg'd and torne As for the true bred villaine he shall lacke Nor Gold nor Cloth of Gold dawb'd on his backe Yet when the Slaues too many secrets know Oft with a Spanish Figge they headlong goe Hurrid to Hell the damned soules to tell What glorious villaines here on Earth doe dwell * That with a Politicque straine can make all sure * Murder with murder murder to secure * Drunke with Conceit that greatnesse beares the sway * Safely to Act what Villany it may * There is a Tricke such neuer faile to vse * In which their dearest Friends they 'l most abuse * With faire pretext of Honorable Loue * In secure cunning onely to remoue * And shift him forth into another Ayre * To purge and lessen least his Vertues rare * Should merit Kingly Fauour make him hie * Aduanc'd in state to greatest Dignitie * The Iealious thought whereof to mischiefe bent * Doth sund'ry secret practizes inuent * How to decline that growth if none take roote * Swift Mercurie a suddaine dramme must doo 't Others there are that smiling Flatter all Proue for to each but Friend to none at all And such beleeu 't make vse of Time and Place By seruile slauery most creeping base Kissing the Clawe appeares with Coxcombe bare Praising the Vitious Gloworme past compare With O-Right vertuous Lord such sleeke Regard Replenish Flat'ries Cups with full reward Like Spiders webs of Flattery they weaue The pleasing Eares of Great-Ones to deceiue Which once Entangl'd by some Quainte Deuise Chops off their heads 't is practiz'd in a trice They 'l giue occasion that may moue discourse And by a Tricke some dang'rous Theame enforce To draw a doubtfull question to the worst They 'l make men guilty then betray e'm first These are the onely spies that gape for prey Cut-throates in silence smile and then betray Intrap th' vnskilfull beg their forfeit Liues To graspe their States thus the vile Villen thriues Whose whisp'ring poysons speakes him sins supporter Machiuillian Darknesse the Vicious Courtier Him the true Noble Minde must euer shunne Or liue in hazard still to be vndone Slaue to the Vanitie of Pompe high Place Ambitious thoughts Sinne and a double Face Cringes and Creepings all the base desires Of sinfull Life plagu'd with infernall fires What e're thou arr that carelesse shalt resort To th' Court of Vice onely to see the Court Take heed beware of that Enchanted Glasse Where Pride in Mortals Fiends in Hell surpasse There shalt thou Masques such midnight Reuel finde Such Musicke Banquets to alure thy minde As will affright the blood of Chastitie Turne Virgin Loue to hot Lust's Plurifie There shalt thou those of Venus Traine behold Burning Temptation flame in glit'ring Gold And though adorn'd with Pearle the Richest stuffe Their inflate Pride ne'r thinke them braue enough Were Gownes Embost with Golden Starres so fine That in each Starre a Diamond should shine Still their high Towring lofty daring Pride Like Lust restrain'd Liues neuer satisfide If checkt for it straight swiftest Mercury Strikes dead th' opgosing Foe to Venerie Like sometimes that sad most Lamented Knight Who did by a Tricke in such a wofull plight By Sugar Candid Poysons workt in Paste From Sinne and Murder sent whose delicate Taste Vnder the fein'd pretence of seeming good Consum'd and burnt his vitall Crimson blood Such is the Mighty-Madams-Murdring spight * Court Concubines ne'r kill but with delight Curb'd for their Pride like God's ill Angels swell As if Earth's Diuells and the World their Hell * Pride is their Zeale their Prayers forgetfulnesse * Charity Contempt their Vertue wantonnesse * Plumpe high-fed pamper'd flesh on whom must wait * Page Pander Parasite preparation State * Gold Glistring Glory Cost Curious dyet * Insatiate Pleasure and luxurious Riot And why all this high feeding Rich Attire But like bright Beacons flaming all on fire Threat Ruine Death and Hell which wise men see And know what fooles they make know them to be Soule-flaming fire-brands Expert in Euill Witches Hell-Cats Factors for the Deuill Sucke-blouds Hyena Syrens Crocodiles All Scylla and Charybdis whose proud smiles Take pleasure to entice make Men deface Their Soules faire Temple for a poore Embrace A lushious Pleasure lewd lasciuious greeting A pleasing sweete but a most bitter sweeting Neuer was any great Arch-mischiefe done But by a Whore or a Priest first begun A Cloth of siluer Slut