From heauenly Knowledge haue their maintenance And alwayes in her company are seene None without Knowledge may neere Loue aduance With her are Diligence and Temperance True Faith so neere her euer doth attend You would her take for Knowledge at a glance Though often Faith doth so her selfe transcend That shee beyond the reach of Knowledge doth ascend Not Faith alone but Workes accompany True Knowledge who in words doth make profession He knowes God but in Workes doth him deny Is ev'n a lyar by his owne confession How many from this rule doe make digression That would in Knowledge be accounted high But giue themselues to Pride Lust and Oppression Enuy dissembling Schisme Idolatry Alas true Knowledge neuer kept such company Some onely seeke to know that they may know And this is foolish curiositie And some of Learning make a goodly show And this is base and idle vanitie Some Knowledge seeke for their vtilitie Or their preferment which is filthy gaine Some to teach other which is Charitie Some by this Knowledge seeke Heav'n to attaine To know and walke not right is damnable and vaine I liken this true Knowledge to the flower Or blossome springing from the root of Grace That doth most gloriously adorne Loues bower And fills with pleasant odours all the place Which blossome beautifull in little space It selfe into most goodly fruits doth spend Faith Mercy Peace each good and perfect grace Which fruit so farre the flower doth transcend God Men and Angels tast it and the same commend As Blossomes doe not from root liuely spring That after blowing haue a fruitlesse fall So Knowledge that in Workes is vanishing Had neuer any root from grace at all But is like to good seed that 's said to fall From sowers hand downe by the high-way side Whose rooting being shallow loose and small Could not the Suns hot scorching heat abide But in the blade with some small light affliction dide Some liken heau'nly Knowledge to the Sunne Then which in this world nothing more to sight Obiected is But we by Sinne become Like him borne blind depriu'd of naturall light Till some Power supernaturall enlight And though more plaine in this world nothing's showne Than Gods eternall God-head goodnesse might Yet vntill Grace enlighten 't is vnknowne No cause hereof in God but in our selues is knowne Knowledge is like the talents which the Lord When he went forth did to his seruants lend The first who his one talent vp did hoard Like him that for his Knowledge doth contend But therewith not himselfe nor others mend Hee that with talents two gain'd other twaine Is he that doth his time and labour spend To saue himselfe and those with him remaine But he that gaind the fiue seeks all mens soules to gaine I Knowledge to the Virgins Lamps compare Which foolish maids had common with the Wise Oile workes of Pietie and Mercy are Which foolish Virgins idlely doe misprise But when one Loe the Bridegrome comes out cryes The foolish Virgins Lamps are spent and done Wherefore they must to merits merchandize And borrow when they of their owne haue none The Churches Treasury will furnish ev'ry one Like Widowes Oile that doth encrease by spending Like flames that lightning others gaine more light Like Vsurers coine that doth augment by lending Like Ioy that most encreaseth by delight Like Manna that the Angels food is hight Whereof each gathers what may him suffice Except such as in Flesh-pots more delight Like Springs which more you draw the faster rise Like Tutors who by teaching Schollers grow more wise No Simile can her so well expresse As infinite and boundlesse treasury Or Sea of waters which become no lesse Though Fountaines all with streames it doth supply How infinite is this grand mystery To lay of nothing this huge Worlds foundation One God three persons in the Trinitie Oh depth of Knowledge Gods owne Incarnation Obedience Passion Resurrection Exaltation Oh! I am drown'd here Elephants may swim My Lambe-like Muse in shallow Fords must wade And seeke for Knowledge to desist from Sinne And make Faith Mercy Pietie my trade By Faith I know Christs merits mine are made The rest are-fruits of my Sanctification Abundant Knowledge doth with sorrow lade To Know and doe God's willis delectation And onely by Christs merits bringeth to Saluation This is the Knowledge which our Sauiour meant When as he it eternall life did call To know God and the Christ which he had sent This is the Knowledge so much sought of all Before and since the Law and euer shall Though till Christs time it was so shadowed As couer'd it in types and signes seem'd small But since Times fulnesse is accomplished Behold they all in Christ are easie to be read By this did Abel offer of his Sheepe The fat and God accepted his oblation By this so well Gods Law did Henoch keepe Hee him exalted from earths habitation For this did Abram Ieaue both house and Nation Assured that from out his Loines should spring That Knowledge which to know was his saluation Herein did Dauid though he were a King Take more delight than Crowne or any worldly thing See next his royall sonne King Salomon Then whom arise a Wiser neuer shall Who knew plants natures eu'n from Lebanon Her Caedars tall to Hysope by the wall Who as in Wealth in Knowledge passed all Yet after hee had traced Uanitie And found how sonnes of men thereby did fall Him to this Knowledge did againe apply And swanlike sang Christs Churches Epithalamy Wake I or sleepe or am I in a trance Or doe another Salomon behold A Dauid who doth far and wide aduance His gracious scepter But no bounds can hold His Knowledge secret things for to vnfold Law History Arts and Philosophy All noble sciences that can be told Yet seemes to loue alone Diuinitie Which truely can direct in Peace to liue and die Who as hee is the Learnedest of Kings So 't is his Ioy and Glory for to be The King of learned men which in all things Makes God to prosper him as all may see This makes him raise to place of high degree Men of great knowledge well to rule the Land And put downe Ignorance and subtiltie Which highest in their owne conceits doe stand Long sway thou Brittons Scepter with thy sacred hand And when thy Cloake Elias-like must fall Vpon Elisha thine vndoubted heire Inherite hee thy Peace and Knowledge all And in thy Spirit rule as in thy chaire But I must leaue this field so ample faire Teach mee O Lord to know and doe thy will And let thy grace againe in me repaire Thine Image lost and all corruptions kill Thus we thy will on Earth as they in Heav'n fulfill This knowledge must stand by vs at our last When as wee ready are our soules to tender To him that for false knowledge curious tast Though guiltlesse did his life to Iustice render For this the Holy Ghost doth more commend her That bare
to lend it But least corrupt my mind or body grow with too much ease or wanton Idlenesse My mind I set my Makers Will to know His Wisedome Power Truth and Holinesse I often ride or walke to wearinesse The members of my body to subdue And Temper 'gainst Lust and Laciuiousnesse Thus by sweet contemplation oft I view Such high transcendent things as yet I neuer knew Thus rapt with contemplation I find That all these worlds-gay show's which men admire Are but vaine shadow's to the ioy 's of mind Of those that lead their liues in safe retire Whose onely happinesse and hearts desire Is here the talents God hath lent to spend Vnto his glory as he doth require And vsing Temperately what he doth send Thus grant that I may liue Thus grant that I may end MEDITAT IIII. of BOVNTIE NOw will I raise faire Alma's stately tower On Temperance her strong and soundest frame And goodly deck Dame Bounty's dainty bower Whereby all Princes gaine immortall fame Some call her Alma some her Bounty name The trusty Almner of Loues Royall Court Who beares the bag to giue to blind and lame And Suitors all that thither doe resort Rewards most bounteously and feeds in seemely sort For on this heau'nly Dame the eyes of all Looke vp that of her liberalitie They may receiue and shee againe le ts fall Vpon them needfull things most plenteously Her bounteous hand shee opens willingly With blessings eu'ry creature full to fill To those that Knowledge seeke abundantly Shee giueth Wisdome Vnderstanding Skill To know their Makers Bountie Maiestie and Will Most glorious Alma when as Temperance Controlls the noble Plentie of her Hall And with her Staffe keepes out Intemperance Which doth abuse her Grace and Bountie all For where most Plentie is there most doe fall By want of Temperance to Lust and Sin Till they be brought low as the Prodigall For he that will true Praise by Bountie win Must first of all at home with Temperance begin For Temperance with watchfull diligence Are like two springs which waters doe supply To open handed free Beneficence And her discernes from Prodigalitie By Diligence we get sufficiencie By Temperance what we haue gotten spare To minister to Liberalitie For these two Lady-Bounty's handmaids are And for her iust and truly store of wealth prepare But they that liue in sloth and foule excesse Though they may seeme to be most liberall Oppression and Extortion mercilesse Are Lakes from whence their Bounty 's streamed doe fall And thus they rob the poore that therewithall They may themselues rich friends and children feast Blaspheming their great Maker Lord of all And imitating basest sauage beast Which fawnes vpon the great But doth deuoure the least God of all Bountie King most Liberall Who to thy vassall Man at his Creation Didst subiect make Fish Fowle Beasts creatures all And of thine handy works gau'st domination Who by thy prouidence and ordination Him needfull things not onely dost prouide But for his health delight and contentation That he may plentie to the poore diuide My Muse to sing heart hands to practise Bountie guide Bountie Beneficence Benignitie In name though diuers one in substance be Beneuolence and Liberalitie Make actions and affections agree If as they are in God you wish to see They like his Goodnesse are vnlimitted And as his Mercy Loue and Grace are free Which on his creatures are abundant shed But by my shallow Muse their depth cannot be read They are too high to reach too deepe to sound For all the earth is filled therewithall In heau'n aboue Gods Goodnesse doth abound The Bountie of his Grace is ouer all Of all the Meditations which call My mind to holy Ioy and admiration None lets more comfort than Gods Bountie fall Both for my being and my preseruation But most in that he shed his bloud for my Saluation Here could I wish my Muse might euer dwell In viewing Gods great Goodnesse Bountie Loue Which three to th' holy Trinitie I well May here ascribe For Goodnesse first doth moue The Father to beget Eternall Loue From Loue and Goodnesse Bountie doth proceed Yet all these three as one in God doe proue In substance one although distinguished In working But this height my reach doth far exceed And therefore rauish't now with contemplation Beyond the compasse of my feeble eye My soule amaz'd falls downe to adoration Of this misterious holy Trinitie And from diuine come to benignitie And bountie which should be in men below A habit wee of liberalitie Her call and good affection we should show In thought heart word and deed to eu'ry one we know And must from goodnesse and true loue proceed The onely cause of true benignitie Wherefore except these be in vs indeed Our bounty is but prodigalitie Or some like froth of superfluitie The crums and leauings of Intemperance Which oft are dealt out with an euill eye More for vaine credit or base circumstance Then for goodwill or care Gods glory to aduance For eu'ry act hath then her true effect Which from true ground right aymeth at her end As when both loue and goodnesse doth direct What bounty truly gets aright to spend Loe thus doth heau'nly grace and Bounty send Her blessings temporall alike to all But doth for greater benefits intend To those that on Gods name aright doe call And in this heau'nly sort ought we be liberall Oh! then th' effects of bounty glorious are When Prouidence with true Frugality Doe seeke by Iustice to prouide and spare Fit sustenance for liberality Behold that heau'nly bounteous Maiesty Sends raine and fruitfull seasons whereby store Of Blessings th' earth may to his hand supply And many hidden treasures vp doth store For to exalt the rich and to refresh the pore Then humane bounty like her Makers is When as shee labours to doe good to all But most of all to bring poore soules to blisse And fill their hearts with food spirituall Oh Grace Diuine Bounty Angelicall With spirituall loaues in Wildernesse to feed Gods Saints when spirituall hunger them doth gal The ignorant which pine with inward need Diuine sweet comforts to their fainting soules to reade True Bounty 's knowne best by her company For shee in Truth and Mercy takes delight Faith Iustice Temperance Humility And is withall Loues graces richly dight Herein appeares her glorious heau'nly Sp'rite Shewing that shee of seed diuine is borne Of Loue and Goodnesse not of Vaine delight Or Fame and Praise of men when shee doth scorne To seeke feign'd bounteous shewes her goodnes to adorn For thus th' ambitious man is bountifull Thus belly-gods in plentie take delight Deceit with gifts his neighbour seekes to gull The couetous bribe large to conquer right From such false Bounty Truth is banish't quite Humility Faith Knowledge Temperance Nor any of Loues Graces in her sight May suffered be their ensignes to aduance There dwells Contention Pride Oppression Ignorance As daughters of the horse-leech still doe
her Sauiours knowledge in her brest Than that shee bare him in her wombe yet tender For One all Generations call her blest By th' other one of his true members shee doth rest But though this onely necessary is And first for our saluation to be sought Wee onely at our last of it haue misse As too meane subiect for ambitious thought Thus the vnlearned rise and heav'n haue cought When greatest Clerks with Sciences profound Heartlesse and comfortlesse to Hell are brought For God doth their great wisedome oft confound Because their inward parts are not sincere and sound Alas of knowledge here we haue no care But all our youth in follies idely spend Our strength in lusts and strifes away we weare In age we worldly profit all intend Alas what gaine we by this at our end When our fraile Body doth returne to dust Our Soule to him that gaue it must ascend Whereof least iot of time account they must Which hath been spent in discord profit folly lust Oh! knew we but the vertue of this treasure Like to the Merchant wise we would sell all To buy it where we should find profit pleasure Such Ioy as neuer on our hearts did fall Oh heav'nly Comfort Ioy spirituall Delight vnspeakeable in hearts that ' grow Of those that shee is conuersant withall What Ioy can there be greater than to know Gods endlesse Loue in Christ which shee to vs doth show Sure I could wish my whole life here to spend In this diuine most holy contemplation whereof I know not how to make an end Shee yeelds such plentie of sweet meditation Most heav'nly mysteries of our Creation Wherein appeare Gods might and Maiestie But aboue all his loue in mans saluation This is that wondrous hidden mystery Into the which eu'n Angels did desire to pry But we confesse though thou dost here reueale Abundant knowledge yet we little know Wherefore 'gainst vs the Heathen may appeale Who though thou didst to them but glimpses show Of Truth and Iustice did more righteous grow Than wee that doe thy sacred Truth confesse And make of Puritie a glorious show But to adorne the Gospel we professe With workes of Charitie Ah! wee doe nothing lesse Oh it is meate and drinke we know not of To know and doe our heav'nly Fathers will Our blessed Sauiour alwayes fed thereof And hereof Saints and Angells eate their fill These are the fruitfull plants which flourish still Milke Hony liuing Water spiced Wine Which doe refresh Christs Spouse when shee is ill These richest Iewells which her make so fine Locks Ribands Roses which so gloriously do shine For this shee is the Bridegroomes darling Doue And vnto her that bare her onely deare For this the daughters when they see her loue And all the Queenes and Wiues make merry cheere This makes her looke than Sunne and Moone more cleere Her nauell belly head necke brests adorne With these shee to her husband doth appeare More beautifull than is the fairest morne Or faire like twinning Ews on Gilead washt and shorne Thou that such heav'nly Knowledge didst instill Into plaine Fishers that they could confound By argument ev'n Clerkes of greatest skill And diue into thy Mysteries profound Who by their clouen-fiery tongues forth sound The Knowledge of thy Truth to ev'ry Nation Canst make this Knowledge in mine heart abound By one sparke of diuine illumination And rauish my weake soule with heav'nly admiration And though imperfect here our Knowledge be By reason of our humane imperfection And for by Faith alone we things doe see And nothing know indeed in true perfection Yet when thy Spirit cleares our minds infection Wee shall then know ev'n as we now are knowne And things now seene by mirrour-like inspection To vs shall be most euidently showne In Knowledge we shall reape what we in Faith haue sowne What then 's imperfect shall be done away Knowledge shall perfect our felicitie Which is our free beholding God for ay In his great Goodnesse Loue and Maiestie So farre as finite may infinitie Farther to reach my Muse dares not be bold When Angels of so high sublimitie Gods Light and Maiestie cannot behold Finite with infinite can no proportion hold MEDITAT I. Of ZEALE and godly IEALOVSIE OH that some holy fire enlightening My Soule now rauish would with thoughts diuine Whilst I of Iealousie Loues daughter sing And godly Zeale which like the Sunne doth shine Alas Minerua and the Muses nine Are too weake helpes their aide here to intreate With Colefrom Altar let some Seraphine Touch my rude tongue and set my braine on heate The Glory of this Grace in loftie rhimes to sweate Fit Subiect for a sacred Poets Verse Which should it selfe in Extasie transcend Zeales sacred Praise with Knowledge to rehearse Both Method and Deuotion doe commend Who as the houshold Chaplaine doth intend To all that liue in Royall Court of Loue And Prayers for them all to heau'n doth send For without Zeale none possible can moue To high Olimpus Court the Seate of mightie Ioue For Prayers that to Heau'n seeke to ascend Without the Feruour of this sacred Zeale Fall downe like smoakie vapours that intend Into Aires middle region to steale But those that are supported by her seale Like Fumes of incense by the Lamb contend Eu'n in th' Almighties presence to reueale Our wants and craue his aid vs to defend 'Gainst worlds and Serpents poyson to our latest end Oh! thou to whom it was both drinke and meate To finish and to doe thy Fathers Will Whom Zeale of Gods owne house eu'n vp did eate And made thee on the Crosse thy bloud to spill Who whipst out Merchants that thy house did fill With doues and money theeues and merchandize Some Zea-lous iuice into my pen distill And raise my mind aboue her wonted guise That so my Muse may with her matter sympathise All other holy Graces disposition By rules of Art I formerly define But Zeale so feruent is no definition Can her containe or bound in any line Onely shee is by nature pure diuine Beloued daughter to the Queene of Loue Whose mothers Graces so in her doe shine Shee well the primate of her Court may proue And ranked be for place all other Peares aboue I here omit that Zeale which without hate Of others doth to vertuous deeds contend And vs enflames that good to emulate Which we to be in others apprehend I here that holy Iealousie commend Which onely doth from Loue diuine proceed When not for our but Gods cause we intend To loue both him and his in word and deed For this is that right Zea'le which of true Loue doth breed Truth comes by knowledge and from zeale deuotions When therefore zeale doth with true knowledge meete Shee doth inlarge our hearts with heav'nly notions Sublime transcendant admirable sweet But where this knowledge wants shee 's vndiscreet Rash violent seditious rude and blind Faults for so faire a Lady farre vnmeet You see two zeales here
And taught how to assault our enemy's They with our Sword may be discomfited And we from Hell and Bondage safe deliuered I of this Military Art doe know No Tutor like to holy supplication Prayer who vse of all our Armes doth show The Serieant Maior of our Militation Diuinest Prayer holy Meditation Whereby with God we haue sweet conference About the mysteries of Mans Saluation And call the Angells downe for our defence 'Gainst Flesh's Worlds and Deuils hostile violence Prayer who though her knees bow in the dust Yet are her vpper parts aboue the sky And doe into th' Almighty's presence thrust To craue of all we want a new supply Which like to clouds of incense vp doe flye If offered by his Sonnes sweet mediation Whose iust requests no Father can deny Oh offer mine then That this Meditation May be directed by thy Spirits illumination True Prayer is the opening the desire Ev'n of our Heart and Soule to God aright Them powring out to him that doth require We should lay open all before his sight The Sacrifice wherein he doth delight A sure defence to him that right doth pray The Scourge wherewith we Sin and Satan smite And powers all and policies gainsay Our surest Refuge in each dangerous Affray For Christian Souldier neuer kneeleth downe And lifts his heart vp towards Heav'n to pray But all his Foes spirituall him arowne Assault and labour him herein to stay Then is it time for him about to lay With his sharp Sword to put them all to flight And for to arme each part lest they him slay With Greaues Belt Brestplate Shield and Helmet bright In Faith Hope Patience Truth and Righteousnesse to fight By rules of Art I Prayer may diuide To these two Heads Thankesgiuing Inuocation The second I in three doe subdiuide Petition Intercession Deprecation First seekes Gods Glory and our owne Saluation The second doth for others make petition So Christ doth intercede by mediation By last we doe intreat for sins remission And be deliuer'd from all ill and superstition But as the Sauldier be he ne're so strong Well arm'd and skil'd in points of Schoole-defence If that his spirit faint is laid along So if we in our Armes haue confidence And not relye on Gods sole Prouidence His Spirit which helpeth our infirmities And doth instruct to pray with reuerence Sending vp heart and soule by sighs and cry's For all our Armes and strength our Foes will vs surprise For Spirit is the cause efficient Of all our prayers that to Heav'n ascend Though Faith be the Internall instrument By which we all things aske doe apprehend With Faith and Spirit Prayer Heav'n doth rend And whatsoeuer shee in Christ his name Doth aske the Father downe to vs will send This Pagans saw though otherwise to blame That Christians nothing beg but they obtaine the same All Blessings spirituall and temporall Publike and priuate for our Selues and Friends All that in this life or a better fall To vs almighty God for Prayer sends When Heau'n is shut vp that no dew descends If we forsake our sins and pray for raine The Heau'n on vs abundant showers spends Though Foes vs captiue from our City's traine Yet Prayer makes vs Free and brings vs home againe If Dearth Drowth Pestilence be in the Land Or City's be besieg'd by enemies Then if the cause thereof we vnderstand Our sins And seeke by Prayer remedy God will be mercifull accordingly Yea if a Stranger of an Heathen Nation Doe call on God by Prayer heartily And of his life doe seeke a reformation His Prayer shall be heard by Christ his mediation Thus Prayer is for all things profitable If her true obiect she doe neuer misse One God who gracious willing is and able And of our Heart the only Searcher is All things that are in Heau'n and Earth are his We must no person in the Deity Omit when as we pray to him for Blisse All workes externall in the Trinity Are one though their internall haue variety Diuinest Pater-noster whose one Word In it more heau'nly matter doth containe Than one whole hour's babbling can afford Suddaine abortiues of an idle braine With tedious turnings repetitions vaine Out tumbling all that in their stomach lies Which often goe beyond this Prayers straine As if they were more feruent or more wise Than he that for our patterne did it first deuise Pure Prayer made by serious meditation Or by this holy patterne rightly pend Briefe spirituall sublime ejaculation With feruent Fury doth to Heau'n ascend And to the marke like swiftest arrow tend God is in Heau'n thou kneelest on the ground To him therefore no rash petitions send Therein let matter more than words abound And inward sighs and groanes than outward plaints and sound But Prayer though by thy two mighty wings Of Loue and Meeknesse thou to Heau'n canst sore And come in presence of the King of Kings By pard'ning wrongs and giuing to the poore Presume not on thy merits ere the more That Brightnesse who doth sit vpon the Throne Angells not able are to stand before Alas how dar'st thou then there stand alone Without the mediation of the Holy One. Like birdlime merits so thy wings besmeare That thou not able art to take thy slight Aboue the Firmament or to come neere That euershining Lamp of Heau'nly Light Which ought thy Prayers to direct aright In Knowledge Meeknesse and Humility By which we feele and haue and inward sight Of our vnworthinesse and misery And seeke else where for worth and true felicity Eu'n to that liuely Fountaine of the Lamb Which is a deepe well wondrously profound From which by Prayer breaking vp the dam We draw vp waters which doe there abound The depth of this rich Well no Grace can sound But feruent Prayer when as Shee doth desire To coole her thirst with waters therein found wherewith if once we coole our thirst like Fire The more we drinke thereof the hotter's our desire An Oxes lowing barking of a Dog Grunting of Swine doth more the Lord delight Than Prayers which the World and Flesh so clog They come not from vs with a Heart and Sprite And as no salue or medicine hath might To heale the wound which Iron doth containe So Prayer neuer profiteth that wight In whom Hypocrisie or guile remaine For these still fester deeper to the Patients paine God is our Soules Physitian and know's best What for her sicknesse is best remedy And therfore when we needfull things request Of him for this our lifes necessitie He better then his Patient can descry What is most fit to keepe him from the graue And cure him of his spirituall malady Wherefore when we receiue not what we craue We know Christ better know's than we what need we haue Gods Word 's the Sword whereby our Lord doth sway And rules his Church here as he is a King As Priest he offers praises and doth pray As Prophet he glad tidings vs doth bring Most wisely
hand Much lesse my head with Lawrell Bough adorne May I yet mine owne Passions thus command My Cost and Tilt's short of my Crop of Corne. FINIS The Authors Vow or wish at the Consecration of a Chappell newly founded by the Right Honorable WILLIAM Lord Maynard at his House in Eston in Essex LEt others heape vp Titles Lands and store Their names on earth for euer to maintaine Thou to thy house dost surer honour gaine By adding of this Consecrated Floore Where Thou and Thine may euer him adore That Proud throw's downe and Humble men doth raise Thy Father built the Palace in his day's But leaues Gods house vnto his prudent Sonne Who Numa-like now plants Religion Where Romulus the first Foundation lay's This Leauen makes the whole Lump to endure Shis Salt to Thee and Thine shall season all And gainst thy Foes shall be a Brasen Wall This shall Thee waking keepe most safe and sure And nigh this Altar thou shalt sleepe secure By this Thy Honour ay continue shall And Blessed make Thy Names memoriall Alas this worlds vaine seeming glittring Glory Is lubrike full of hazard transitory What 's built on this Foundation cannot fall So long as Sions Temple's vndefil'd The line of Dauid doth the Scepter sway But suddenly are captiue led away When Altars they with Idols had defil'd Wherefore they wise did Gods house rebuild When out of Babylon they were translated Then since Thou wisely has determinated Thine House and Honour by Gods Church to raise Hee Blissings send so long as You him praise So may both stand for ay vnruinated Be it like Sions Mount inaugurated Which is by Sions MOVNTAIGNE Consecrated The Muses Health To the Right Honourable WLLIAM Lord Maynard at the Consecration of his Chappell at Eston Lodge in Essex THis building thus adorn'd and rais'd in state Shall now be made a Chappell consecrate Embleme of Adam whom as God did rowle First vp in clay next breath'd a liuing soule So to these faire materialls preparation A Spirit shall be giuen by Consecration Not stol'n from Iupiter as ports tell Prometheus did for which he hangs in Hell Nor yet a sparke of strange or common fire Which brought on Aarons sonnes consuming ire But coales on Gods owne Altar kindled By right succession to vs fostered The sum is that the Bishop doth inspire Into this Edifice an holy fire A liuing flame which neuer shall goe out So long as they which tend it are deuout But aye thereby shall safe and quiet rest As swallowes which besides is build their nest Oh may this fire within these walls indure So long as Neptunes waues this I le immure And as from Mountaines comes that wholesome breath Which healthfull makes the Valleys all beneath So from this MONTAIGNE health come and saluation Vnto the Founder and his generation Let Prophets Priests in Prayers all combine To make this House a Blisse to Thee and Thine And when by their deuotions ioy'nd this flame Is kindled let thy Priests maintaine the same And offer vp thy prayers day and night Like fumes of Incense in th' Almighties sight Oh force vnited of a Congregation That ioyne in prayer at a Consecration With these my Muse now thine shall beare a part And whilst they pray by booke shee 'le pray by hart FINIS THE CONVERTS CONQVEST PSAL. 119. V. Ultimo I haue gone astray like a sheepe that is lost oh seeke thy seruant for I doe not forget thy Commandements LONDON Printed by WILLIAM STANSBY 1625. TO THE MOST SINCERELY RELIGIOVS AND TRVLY Vertuous Mistresse SARAH ARGAL Wife to IOHN ARGAL of Badew Esquire LEast I be deem'd a thiefe I will disclose I turn'd to Verse what you gaue me in Prose In so few lines I neuer yet did find More heav'nly Comforts to a grieued mind Mans sinfull Heart Hells Malice Grace diuine Is intermixed so in ev'ry Line I praise God I this speake with feeling Sense God grant the Reader like experience Good publish't doth more good by being knowne Wherein I seeke Gods glory not mine owne Of Reading and of Writing's but one end Repent beleeue for sake Sinne and amend Your true vnfeigned Friend R. A. THE CONVERTS CONQVEST ACertaine Christian which had often bin Tempted and by his weaknesse ouertaken To his great sorrow with one selfe same sin At last sate downe as if he were forsaken Where of sins bondage first he doth complaine And then himselfe thus comforteth againe From my all-seeing God I cannot flye Still in my loathed sins I may not lye Yet ought I not of mercy to despaire Yet dare I not for Grace to God repaire Pray would I but I cannot it intend Repent I doe but not my life amend I to beleeue desirous am yet doubt In this lewd wicked custome holding out God is by me dishonoured whilst I Professe to serue him true and faithfully Disples'd whilst I prouoke him to his face Both griev'd and quenched is his Spirit of Grace His Graces I abated withered find My sense benum'd besotted is my mind My memory dull'd more strong grows Satans dart My Soule 's aduentred hardned is my hart I grow in Sin rich poore in Goodnesse Grace My head 's vex'd Conscience is in wofull case My calling stain'd crack'd credit Time mispended My strength consum'd and my God offended As doth my sin my burthen doth increase My pain 's inlarged troubled is my peace I sigh but sorrow not aright would faine Be rid of it but soone returne againe I grieue not weepe Lord could I from it part Forsake confesse it with a broken hart How farre aduenture Lord how long shall I Dare to prouoke thy powerfull Maiesty How long shall he forbeare how often might He cut mee off Or suddenly dead smite How long shall hee chastise mee yet in vaine At length O Lord be mercifull againe Oh tarry not Lord tarry not too long But make my resolution firme and strong Oh loathsomenesse deceitfulnesse of sin Sweetnesse and bitternesse wee find therein Beginnings fawnings growing terrour smart Faiths weakenesse Satans enuy Mans false heart When shall I now these Oh that I could know Them better Lord by farre than yet I doe Yet wish though much asham'd thus to be tainted I were not as I am with them acquainted What shall I doe Goe on Nay God defend Shall I retire Stand idle Not amend Shall I despaire Why so Haue my sins quite Dride vp Gods mercies which are infinite Such thing to thinke were cursed Blasphemy Who succours all that are in misery Will not God heare what I in Faith desire Humbled with Griefe Then make I him a Lier Shall I presume yet longer Ah I haue Presum'd too much Oh let mee mercy craue By true Repentance and abundant teares What is thy heart so harden'd as it feares It neuer can be mollify'd againe Then Gods Omnipotence thou dost restraine What Hath this thing without God come to passe Hath Satan got the Victory Alas Is not th' Almightie far nore strong than hee Hath not my Lord Christ Iesus dy'd for mee Hath God ere lov'd thee Sure hee once me lov'd For then I it by good experience prov'd Then Loues he still for where he doth begin Hee loues for euer and his gifts haue bin Without Repentance hee for mee destry'd And vanquisht Death Sin Satan when he dy'd O Lord encrease my faith why should not I Beleeue in him obey him willingly How faine would I beleeue and him obay How fame would I repent amend and pray I cannot then conclude nor will nor dare That I am damn'd for these desires sure are The motions of Gods Spirit in mee indeed Who neither smoaking flax nor bruised reed Will quench or breake But all will satisfie Who thirst and hunger after equitie Blist euer be his name who hath begun To make me Conqueror through Christ his Sonne By his assistance gracious then I Vow To serue God better then I haue till now On his behests more carefully attend Thy Grace mee strengthen as a sheild defend Satan auoid thou hast in mee no part From the beginning thou a Liar art Before and after mine in Adams fall Thou to deceiue mee practisest in all But God is true iust mercifull to mee In Iesus Christ his blessed Sonne and hee For honour of his Name and Maiesty Will doe away all mine iniquitie So as the siftings here of Satan shall Not turne to my destruction But they all Gods Grace in mee shall further magnifie And bind mee to him more assuredly More hee forgiues the greater is his grace Him faster we with Loue in Christ imbrace Henceforth my soule remember well what gaine Thou reaped hast and oft maist reape againe By that whereof thou iustly art ashamed For which thy Name and Conscience now is blamed Restore me to the Ioy of thy Saluation Which better is then ioyes continuation For by the want the worth discerne we may And be stirr'd vp more earnestly to pray FINIS * Haruest Homer Alexander Aeneas Virgil. Ouid. Spencer Dauid * Bishop Montaigne