Faith in briefe Is a right application and a sound beliefe 7 Faith is the Bucket which hangs on Hopes string Whereby the most deepe liuing Well we sound Which if the Rope hold out vs vp will bring Such liuing Water as doth there abound When Christ his sauing Graces doth propound Faith is the Hand whereby we them receaue Faith healeth vp the clensed purged wound Beginneth where Repentance doth vs leaue Who without her seekes Faith 〈◊〉 doth himselfe deceaue 8 Faith as it 's tâ—ne for credit or beliefe Is when we credit giue to God or Man Thus he with men most Faith hath that is chiefe And in his coffer hide most money can But when to God it reference hath we than It ordinary or extr'ord'nary call By this we miracles and wonders can Ordinarie Faith is hight historicall Or iustifying Faith in some but temporall 9 But this most precious Faith whereof I write And which I formerly aright define The Faith of Gods Elect is truely hight Which when one hath doth wholly ne're decline This iustifying sauing Faith doth ioyne Vs to our Head and is the instrument And meanes whereby Gods Spirit doth refine And purge our hearts from sinfull excrement This Faith doth make Gods Children bold and confident 10 This Faith though not diuided hath degrees Beginning first encrease and consummation A little Faith to greater doth encrease Till built and rooted on a sure foundation Yet neuer had this Faith so sure a station Which conscience and hels terrours haue not shaken Remember Christ our Head his bitter passion How he cry'd out as God had him forsaken When he the guilt and curse of sinne had on him taken 11 Such as the Head the Members must endure Thus in their soules they totter faint and reele Though the foundation of the Lord stand sure And firme and hath vpon it set this seale The Lord knowes who are his yet he doth deale With vs as doth the Finer with his gold Which he doth seu'n times in the furnace neale Thus tries he those whose names he hath enrold But will heape comforts in their bosomes manifold 12 In Men and Plants and 〈◊〉 three soules wee see Of Reason Growing and the 〈◊〉 So in this Christian soule 〈◊〉 Faith there bee Three qualities alike cooperatiue And as in Man all three into one 〈◊〉 So in th'Elect both Faith historicall Temporall and the true Faith are aliue And but one sauing Faith together all This Soule Mans forme this Faith 〈◊〉 Christians life we call 13 As vegetation sheweth most in Plants So in the worldlings Faith historicall Faith temporall in false Professors hants True Faith vpon th'Elect doth onely fall And as no Plant or Beast be it great or small The things that are in Man right apprehends Yet Man what is in Beasts and Plants knowes all So those two Faiths which serue to other ends Know â—â—t true 〈◊〉 Faith yet shee both comprehends 14 God Authour is and Cause efficient Of eu'ry good and perfect gift and grace His good Will moues him first But his Intent And chiefe end is the glorie of his Grace And our saluation in the second place But when He in our soules doth Faith beget Whereby Christ and his Merits we embrace A double meanes he here on worke doth set Inward and outward whereby sauing Faith we get 15 The outward is his Word and Sacrament One workes the other strengthens what is wrought The inward is Gods Spirit into vs sent Our hearts to quicken sanctifie make soft Wherein the Word may sowne be as it ought The Gospell whereupon stands Faith's foundation Though we by Law to see our sinnes are brought As the Schoole Mistris to regeneration Yet 't is the Gospell 〈◊〉 vs wise vnto saluation 16 The 〈◊〉 most what worketh by the Word Not but without 't is all sufficient But this instruction it doth vs afford That we in hearing should be diligent The Word without the Spirits enlightenment Is as good Seede sowne on vntilled ground That neuer brings forth fruit that 's excellent For without Grace Faith temporary's found And neuer doth in good and holy workes abound 17 Prayer is not the meanes Faith to obtaine But it preserues and strengthens Faith to pray For without Faith our Prayers are in vaine Yet after Faith is wrought in vs we may Pray that Faith failes vs not wherefore I say We must giue Prayer her due commendation For by her we discourse with God alway And haue with him familiar conuersation Though none can pray aright before regeneration 18 Faith 's like the Hand and Prayer like the Key Which doth th' Almighties Coffers open wide Wherein his richest Treasures lockt vp lye The Key vnprofitably hangs beside Except that Faith it take in hand to guide Likewise the Hand doth vse her strength in vaine The Barre without the Key gainst Wards to slide Both ioyn'd the Locke to open doe constrayne And vs most glorious view of heau'nly Treasures gayne 19 'T were infinite of all Faiths fruits to tell All duties towards God all charitee Towards our Neighbours done aright and well From her proceede A holy mother's shee Of Graces all that sanctifying bee Therefore 't is plaine they want her that doe striue To make good workes Faiths mother and doe flee Vnto Saints merits For were Faith aliue In them all Pietie and Charitie would thriue 20 They 〈…〉 from Rome For then a quiet conscience and a cleare A faithfull euidence to them would come Then with true inward ioy would soone appeare Holy Securitie to cast our care Vpon the Lord for if Faith iustifie We are at peace with God Loe then our feare Is turned into sweet Securitie And inward ioy doth by afflictions multiplie 21 But if this peace and ioy doe not appeare But rather terror stormes and diâ—â—idence Let 's labour yet our conscience may stand cleare Which is to doe Gods Will and shun offence Here God beholds our will not impotence And if we doe indeauour to approue Our selues to God Faith workes in vs a sence Of heau'nly Loue whereby we plainly proue That God loues first whereby we doe begin to loue 22 Behold thus eu'n a fruit of Faith is Loue For many one whose Faith is weake and faint And cannot in themselues Spirits earnest proue Nor their hearts with true inward ioy acquaint So as in true beliefe they seeme to faint Yet find within their brests this Spirit of Loue Which is to them from sinning a restraint And 't is an euidence doth surely proue Faith's seede is sowne within when as we truely loue 23 And as Faith growes eu'n so doth Loue encrease Loe first we them that are in want releeue With spirituall comfort troubled soules appease Loue makes vs if we constantly beleeue That for our brethren we our liues will leaue By this indeed we know God's charitie That did himselfe of life for vs bereaue We therefore for our brethren ought to die This great Loue in vs comes from
the righteous seede he will on earth preserue 80 To praise God for the blessings manifold His Word assures vnto this righteous Nation Would in discourse my Muse for euer hold And be too long for this one Meditation Oh hold me then to more strict obseruation Of Time to come than I haue had of past That I may make a daily examination Of my whole life and all my sinnes vp cast As mindfull of th' account I am to giue at last 81 And teach me that this Grace of Righteousnesse Is as a Chaine of many links close ioyn'd By which we would ascend from hence to blesse Whereof if but the least linke doth vnbind Loe the whole Chaine is to the earth declin'd Eu'n so in this strong Chaine of Law and Right Though most of all our acts be rightly lin'd If one Iniquitie our Hearts delight This one makes all the rest vnrighteous in Gods sight 82 But I vniustly my discourse extend Now I beseech the Authour of this Grace I all my force to practise it may bend And first doe Right and Iustice in my place Respecting not the Person but the Case In my Commerce with all Men dealing right Last that I may true Righteousnesse embrace That with true Faith and a good Conscience dight I in these spirituall Armes vnto the end may â—ight 83 Thus hauing chalked out the Rule of Right I should by my first Method next proceede To sing of Mercy but Truth doth inuite My Muse first her great power to areede Who doth in time eu'n Righteousnesse preceede Besides none can approch dread Mercies Throne But those whom Truth and Iustice thither leade And sure their Nature links them so in one As one without the other neuer goes alone MEDITAT II. Of Truth 1 SVch is the nature and sweet inclination Of heau'nly Graces all whereof I sing That with most kind and mutuall relation They all seeme ioyn'd together in a ring So close each one another following That who gets one doth all the rest obtayne For from one Fountayne all of them doe spring All link'd together in so strong a chayne As where one Vertue dwels there all the rest remayne 2 'T is vaine to thinke that single Graces can Make vp complete the Man spirituall More than diuided Members of a Man Can grow or thriue not ioyn'd together all Hence Poetâ— the three Graces twins doe call Ioues Daughters and them in one ring doe ioyne And hence they make the Virgins musicall All but one consort which are Sisters nine Thus by their fables shadowing things Diuine 3 For they discern'd by Natures dimmed light One Authour sole of eu'ry goodly Grace Whom Father they and King of all doe hight And him Lord ouer all their gods doe place Loe thus as in a mist they Truth did trace But missing the true path of Righteousnesse In stead of Truth they Errour did embrace For neuer was Dame Iustice Errours guesse Nor euer Truth did dwell with false Vnrighteousnesse 4 For seeming Truth without the 〈◊〉 of Right Like Summum 〈◊〉 is greatest iniurie And Righteousnesse not guided by Truths light Is Curiousnesse or false Hypocrisie Faith that brings forth fruits of Iniquitie Is base Presumption Loue Diffimulation That worketh not in vs by Charitie All from one Head haue life and sustentation And therefore all together make their habitation 5 But none more like are or of Kin more neare Than this faire paire of Truth and Righteousnesse The blessed Mother and her Daughter deare For Truth the Mother is of Vprightnesse And surely Truth and honest Simplenesse To eu'ry Vertue doth so needfull grow That all faire shewes not done in Singlenesse And Truth of Heart are but a false vaine show A splendid sinne corrupted by Mans heart below 6 Thou in whose Lips was neuer found least guile Whose Heart hates lying and iniquitie Whose Hands did neuer God or Man beguile Whose Hand Heart Word and Thought is Veritie Whose blessed Spirit of Truth doth testifie Vnto our Spirits true way of Righteousnesse By which we come to liue eternally Direct my Muse Truths nature to expresse That Truth may guide my steps to endlesse Happinesse 7 My bounded Muse here dareth not define Of boundlesse Truth from all Eternitie Which as impossible's to mete by Line As Persons three which in the Trinitie Make but one Truth and perfect Vnitie But as one God consists of Persons three And each participates of Deitie So we one Truth communicated see To Persons three which but one in the God-head bee 8 Of Father 〈◊〉 and Spirit of Truth we reade But as one God so but one Truth alone Into which Truth the Spirit of Truth doth leade Who sent is from the Father and the Sonne The Word of Truth that gloriously did won With Spirit and Father from eternitie Flesh here tooke of our flesh bone of our bone To free vs from errours captiuitie And chalk't vs out a way to walke in Veritie 9 This is the Truth whereof I meane to write Which ought to be of our whole Life the square To leuell out our words thoughts acts aright And eke our Iudgements to Gods Word to square For of this Truth foure parts there onely are Of Iudgement Action Speech and of the Heart The want of one the rest doth all impaire Wrong iudgement words and actions doth diuert But a false heart doth iudgement action speech peruert 10 And that I right and plainely may proceede I will all foure thus singled out define And first the Truth of Iudgement I doe reade A power inlightning of Gods Spirit Diuine Which doth Mans vnderstanding part refine And settles in the Doctrine of his Word Behold when Truth doth in our iudgement shine All Heresie and Schismes by vs abhord This Truth of Iudgement sacred Knowledge doth afford 11 Truth of the Heart is a sweet singlenesse And sincere meaning whereby Man constraynes His Heart to approue it selfe in Holinesse To him that searcheth both the Heart and Raynes This in the inward Man the Truth contaynes And is to God most acceptable treasure This Truth from all Hypocrisie refraynes Here doth the Deuill soonest take his seasure For loe the Heart of man's deceitfull aboue measure 12 The Truth of Speech is when our hearts agree Vnto the matter and vnto our mind For if it from our Heart doe disagree Or from the thing whereto it is design'd The first to be plaine lying is defin'd The second falshood at the best we name One doth abuse the Conscience and the Mind The other brings the Authour vnto shame Both falsifie the Truth and are alike to blame 13 The Truth of Actions honest dealing plaine Faithfull in all without dissimulation With God and Man whether we lose or gaine When we doe not deceiue by simulation And feigning things without determination Or else dissembling whereabouts we goe These are from Truth a wicked declination And when we God or Man deceauen so What we would vnto vs to others we
allurements Our Soules of this rich Iewell to beguile Loe Romanists adulterate and defile Eu'n Truths pure Fountaynes and sweet liuely Spring And Worldlings true sinceritie doe soile With odious name of false dissembling And eu'n with basest termes Gods Priests dishonouring 49 Ah now we with the fashion all doe run As Buildings Wares Apparell are for show So is Religion and Deuotion Where is most pompe and glorie thither flow The greatest multitude From whence doth grow To such a height the name of Poperie Yea many of vs seeke for praise to know But leaue true practise in sinceritie When not to know but doe Gods will is charitie 50 Fashion and Custome now so tyrannize As comely honest Truth they doe out-face If it the Fashion be vs to disguise It as a comely Custome we embrace That which Paul thought a Womans foule disgrace Like Man to haue her head vncouer'd shorne Amongst our Women holds a goodly grace Like vnto mens their garments now be worne As they in Truth the frailtie of their Sexe did scorne 51 But I could wish with all our power and might As in Gods presence pure we all did stand We would goe thinke know speake and practise right In Truth of Iudgement with Tongue Heart and Hand This God did vnto Abraham command To walke before him and to be vpright Walking before God makes vs vpright stand Vprightnesse shewes we walke as in Gods sight Who thinks God him beholds how dares he doe vnright 52 Let me here tell you how a holy Man A Harlot did diuert from filthy quest Who by her comely feature many wan To leaue their owne and foile her filthy nest Himselfe in habit of a Gallant drest Agreed and paid desir'd a secret rome Shee him vnto a Chamber streight addrest So close that therein not the least light shone But ah said he Gods eye vs here may see alone 53 Alas said shee no place can be so close That can vs hide from Gods all-seeing Eye Dost thou beleeue saith he God sees thy grosse Thy beastly foule sinne of adulterie And fear'st not lest his furie should destroy Eu'n whilst in this presumptuous sinne thou art And thee condemne to Hell eternally My Authour saith hereby he did conuert Her wicked life to Truth and Singlenesse of Heart 54 Though many imperfections we doe feele And our corruptions downe so sore vs presse That Vice into our Hearts doth often steale And vnawares deceaue with sinfulnesse Yet if by sorrow true and humblenesse We purge our Hearts of what is entred in And after seeke by carefull watchfulnesse Them to preserue hereafter from like sinne We may grow to some perfectnesse of Truth within 55 But I confesse that though with all my might I labour for true puritie of mind And would doe nothing but as in the sight Of God and Angels and of all Mankind Yet often my deceitfull heart I find Tempting me secretly such things to doe Which I should not dare venture in that kind If some Man present were the same to know Yet Truth the closest of them all to God doth show 56 What shall manâ— presence make me true and iust And shall not Gods that â—ees my secret thought To whom for all one day account I must And be rewarded as I here haue wrought Shall not his presence me deterre from ought That may offend his sacred Maiestie The Sonne of Truth whose blood me dearely bought And grieue the holy Spirit of Truth whereby Seal'd and redeem'd I am from Hels captiuitie 57 Oh thou that Truth requir'st in inward parts Vs secretly mak'st Wisedome vnderstand Renewing Spirits aright and clensing Hearts By whom in Truth and Righteousnesse we stand My way direct right to the holy Land Through Deserts wide of this Worlds wildernesse Feede me with heau'nly Manna from thine Hand With water from a Rocke my soule refresh And thorough Iordanes flood conduct to endlesse blesse 58 The humble thou hast promised to guide And to direct his path aright for ay Who seeke vnfeignedly in Truth t' abide Thou neuer sufferest to goe astray Oh then direct my goings in thy way My iudgement heart hand tongue in Veritie Thou readier art to heare then I to pray Then grant me Loue Faith Hope Humilitie And season eu'ry Grace with Hearts sinceritie 59 God is my Shepheard How then can I stray He is my Light Truth and my righteous Guide His rod and staffe my slipperie feete doth stay Lest they at any time doe slip aside His Truth and Mercy euermore abide Though Wine and Women and the King are strong I nothing feare if Truth be on my side Thy Truth and Mercy shall my dayes prolong Of thy great Truth and Mercy euer be my song 60 Oh let thy Word of Truth my Iudgement sway Thy Spirit of Truth mine inward Man inlight Incline mine Heart to learne will to obay And on thy Truth set thou my whole delight On it to meditate both day and night That whether I eate sleepe walke watch or pray I may remember I am in thy sight So shall I conscience make of euery way And be most carefull what I aske doe thinke or say 61 But ah dread Mercy I too long forbeare To tune my Dittie to thy sacred praise Who wert so gracious vnto me whileare When I appeal'd from Iustice stricter Sayes Vnto thy Throne of Grace where though my wayes Were all discouer'd by thy gracious dome I was absolu'd But next I will thee praise Now I with Truth and Righteousnesse haue done For none without these two to Mercies grace can come MEDITAT III. Of Mercy 1 IF any mightie Monarch chance enquire Why I sweet Mercies seate doe place so high Since shee the lowliest Cell doth most desire Her selfe delighting sole in miserie The onely Object of her pitying eye He hence for greatnesse may this lesson gaine That as he growes in Pow'r and Maiestie To Poore he ought the greater Mercy daine Thus imitating him by whom eu'n Princes raigne 2 For though this Dame be of such wondrous grace So neare in fauour to the Queene of Loue That next to her sâ—ee gaynes the soueraigne place Both here below and in the Heau'n aboue Yea though to heau'nly Loue so like shee proue That scarse the one from th' other can be knowne Though to be mercifull and truely Loue Doe differ much as after shall be showne Yet her great bounty 's not to meanest wretch vnknowne 3 For as the Sunne from highest firmament Vouchsafes on good and bad alike to shine And clouds of Heau'n doe raine indifferent On fertile Land and on the barren Mine So vnto all shee offers Grace Diuine But as the Cause is not in Sunne nor Raine But in the Soile why it doth fruitlesse line So sinne 's the cause some cannot Grace retaine Which shines and waters bad and barren hearts in vaine 4 A depth all bottomlesse I now doe sound A height which higher than the Heau'ns doth reach So wide as nothing it can compasse
dangerous sore Most dangerous because it was least seene But inwardly did fester more and more It was Ambition which eu'n from my Spleene Vnto mine heart had sent her poysonous teene To cure which sore shee med'cine streight applyes Before I came in presence of her Queene Who gaynes saith shee grace in my Soueraignes eyes By meekenesse not ambition seekes as I to rise 7 Many good med'cines did this Maid deuise Whereby shee might recure my dangerous sore As good examples words eke of the wise But none of these did yeeld me profit more Than mine owne wretchednesse which shee before Me laid that I might humbled be thereby And though my flesh first spurn'd against this lore Yet shee so gently did this salue apply That my proud heart it made stoupe to Humilitie 8 Thus humbled I was to Repentance brought Who was the Marshall wondrous graue and sage Ah! shee at first meâ—ickle sorrow wrought And shew'd how I vnworthy was to wage Or be admitted to Loues equipage Shee then my conscience forthwith did demand To bring my Sinnes and Follies on the stage Who streight-wayes did obey her great command And loe my sinnes appear'd in number like the Sand. 9 Sinnes done in secret and long since forgot Shee there exhibited plaine to bee seene And straight me to the Barre of Iustice got Accusing of high treason to her Queene Iustice was chiefe Iudge in the Law well seene Yet limited by bounds of her Commission Law was her rule not what shee did esteeme To extend Mercy shee had no permission They that haue sinn'd must be condemn'd without remission 10 But Faith and Hope two Patrons neare at hand To all distressed soules that craue their aide Aduis'd me not on mine owne workes to stand But on His merits that had fully paid The ransome of my sinnes and further said From Iustice I to Mercy might appeale This done the Court most willingly conuaid Me to the Throne of Mercy which should heale And all by Iustice done against me would repeale 11 Mercy a Princesse was of high degree And neare vnto the Queene of Loue allide Most pleasant was her countenance to see Knowledge the Treasurer sate by her side But Prudence most of all her Grace did guide The Secretarie Truth her Acts did write Shee Mercy yet with Iustice did diuide To all those Suitors that did craue their right And were by Faith and Hope taught how to plead aright 12 I had good audience at my first appearing But when Faith Hope began my suite to moue Repentance crau'd another day of hearing And shee would all my sinnes before them proue I answer'd that this let I would remoue For I confesse all against me laid And streight by Faith and Hope did plainely proue My Sauiours merits all my debts had paid Then all the Court gan cry I need not be afraid 13 Yet Mercy with her counsell would aduise Before that shee to sentence did proceed And first with Knowledge Prudence Truth deuise The same which was long time before decreed And though damnation be thy sinnes iust meed Yet seeing thou so rightly dost apply Christs merits thou from guilt of them art freed Wherefore by Faith Hope and Humilitie In Loues Court to abide thou hast free libertie 14 I thus absolu'd by Mercies gracious dome Was brought to Meekenesse and Obedience That they might me instruct ere I should come Into the Chamber of their Queenes presence And by the way I met with Patience These three sweet Ladies many precepts giue With charge the same t' obserue with diligence And all my wrongs past and to come forgiue If in this Court of Loue with honour I would liue 1â— Then Fortitude this Queenes great Generall Taught me'gainst all afflictions to stand fast For he that loueth well endureth all And Temperance enioyned me to fast And all immoderate lusts from me to cast This Temperance Comptroller of the Hall Of slender dyet is and body chast Bountie the Alm'ner next to me did call To doe good and distribute to poore Saints ' boue all 16 Then Lady Laetice that staid all this while Longing and wishing me this good successe On me began most graciously to smile And comfort after my great heauinesse Shee is of high trust and great noblenesse And keepes the priuy Signet of her Queene Which on the hearts of all shee doth impresse Absolu'd by Mercy from Lawes direfull teene Shee is call'd Inward Ioy more to be felt then seene 17 There met I Zeale without vaine superstition Who neuer without Knowledge durst come there So hot and fiery was her disposition As shee in peeces could stone tables teare Shee in graue comely habit did appeare As of the Tribe of Aaron shee were borne Gods Name dishonoured shee could not beare Her haire was all discheuelled and torne Which she had rent to hear wretches her queenes loue scorne 18 Shee was most earnest and patheticall And like Ioy did enflame mine inward parts Then Courtesie a Lady faire and tall Instructed me in her most pleasing Arts How first I should my lookes suite to mine heart And next according to mine heart should looke Vnfeignedly the head and euery part To loue who for loue my sinnes on him tooke This Ladies louing heart you might reade in her looke 19 Then came Gods Word of all the rest the Guide From whose Mouth went a sharpe two edged sword Which did from me all sinne and lust diuide And in my bleeding wounds sweet hony powr'd Last Prayer needes this fauour would afford My suite vnto Loues Highnesse to present Then falling on my knees shee did record My words and eu'n my secret hearts intent And them by Mediation to Loues presence sent 20 Thus was I to Loues glorious presence brought Which was beyond imagination great Who gently me enquired what I sought Madame said I This now I doe intreat Your Grace will giue me licence to repeat The goodly glorie I doe here behold Shee granted me I should of her entreat And all her Courtiers whereof I haue told Which by Gods grace I meane in order to vnfold 21 And that I may an order due obserue The first that comes forth is the Queene her Grace Then follow on such Ladies as her serue In their due order ranke and proper place Humilitie first leades the Vertues trace Loe next Repentance Faith and Hope haue rome These three are Ladies which doe guide our race Till we into the armes of Loue doe come But loe they leaue vs there for then their charge is done MEDITAT I. Of Heauenly Loue. 1 THose learned spirits that spend their youthful prime In writing Volumes large of wanton Loue Find in the end they lose most precious time And all their labour and though late oft proue That had their soules beene mounted vp aboue Whence they were sent to this fraâ—le house of clay They there had found the obiect of true Loue God true eternall which ne're fades away But when Loue there begins it doth endure
he makes Enduring paine and hunger for our sakes Going from house to house in eu'ry place Doing of good our sinnes vpon him takes Opes wide his Armes his Church for to embrace And humbly vs intreating to accept of grace 53 It hath beene knowne that sometimes for a Friend A man would die some shorten'd haue their life With griefe for losse of Children or their kind Some for their Minions losse haue dyde with knife Iacob would serue eu'n seu'n yeares for a Wife Our Sauiour for his Foes his Bloud doth spend Vs Children to adopt layes downe his Life To saue his Spouse doth on the Crosse depend Seru'd for her fiue seu'n yeares His Loue doth neuer end 54 Behold by all these Names he doth inuite Vs to embrace his mutuall heau'nly Loue And calls vs Friend Child Sister Spouse Delight His Seruants sends vs curteously to moue To royall Banquets and sweet beds of Loue By grace adopting vs to be Coheires Eu'n with himselfe of glorie great aboue No cost or paines not his owne Blood he spares But like a Father Husband Friend for vs he cares 55 I here had ended had not holy Steuen The first of Martyrs that did testifie His Masters Resurrection of the seuen The chiefest Deacon Had he not falsely Beene next accus'd of wicked blasphemie Whose witnesses their cloth 's at Sauls feete lay And then him stone with stones whil'st he doth crie Iesu receiue my Spirit And Loue doth pray Aloud Lord to their charge this sinne doe thou not lay 56 Why seeke I out let vs within abound Towards the Saints in loue and charitie Which doth to Gods high glorious grace redound When by releeuing them in poueâ—tie They for our bountie Gods Name glorifie He that vnto the Sower giueth seede Bread to the hungrie he will multiply Vs with increase if to poore Saints in neede We giue with cheerfulnesse such gifts God likes indeede 57 Who sparingly doth sow reapes sparingly His Righteousnesse for euer shall remayne That doth disperse and giue abundantly What doe we saue if we the world should gayne And lose our Crowne which vp in Heau'n is layne Who hauing this worlds good and doth behold His brother want yet doth his hand retayne How can it be but Loue in him is cold For whereas Loue doth dwell her fruits are manifold 58 Oh! come all yee then that forget the Lord Behold his loue to Man with admiration Oh let our loue such fruits to Saints afford They may blesse God for such refocillation Mount vp my soule by heau'nly contemplation Behold him in his Maiestie aboue Behold him in his wonderfull creation In 's Wisedome and his Prouidence and proue If all these counterpoise his Bountie Mercy Loue. 59 And if his loue 's so great and wonderfull Most precious sure 's the Obiect of his loue Out of this Worlds great treasurie to cull One whom he would eternally aboue Make happy with his presence and to proue So kind a Father Him Coheire to take To his owne deare beloued Sonne to loue Him as his owne for his owne Sonnes deare sake Learne here what high account we of our soules should make 60 Why dost my Soule then grouell on the ground Since in respect of thee this World is base No thing created in the World is found Which God vouchsafed hath so much to grace His free Loue doth aduance thee to this place Requiring of thee this one complement Thou him and his againe with loue embrace For Loue fulfilleth the Commandement Command Lord what thou wilt Loue makes obedient 61 But ah my Soule Where is thy Loue thy feare How doth the World bewitch thee How possesse How are thy thoughts tane vp with worldly care Breeding of heau'nly Loue a senselâ—snesse Dost thou misdoubt Gods gracious promises Farre be such Atheisme and impietie Oh neuer let such dismall heauinesse Cleaue on my Soule through vnbeliefe to die For which Christ offred vp himselfe so louingly 62 Hast thou not oh my Soule most plainely seene That all things in this World are vanitie No true content to mortall e're hath beene But that which doth endure eternally As Primum mobile Loue doth employ All other Graces in their proper motion And as all Spheres are mou'd perpetually By the prime Mouer so Loues purest Notion Swayes all the other Vertues in their due deuotion 63 Wilt then despise his friendship kindnesse loue Wherewith thy Lord inuites thee vnto Grace And as a Father Husband Friend thee moue His Loue with like relation to embrace And all thy minde on things aboue to place Abandoning vaine wealth and worlds delight The World and all things in it are but base To ransome one poore Soule all is too light In this Gods Loue doth more then all his Power and Might 64 Oh! that I could despise Worlds vaine promotion And follow heau'nly things with all my might My whole life consecrating to deuotion Oh that I might liue euer in thy sight Where fulnesse is of ioy and pure delight Oh that mine heart were on thy Law so set To meditate thereon both day and night Thy Statutes then I neuer should forget Nor at the wickeds vaine and false preferments fret 65 Oh that my dearest Husband Father Friend His heau'nly Loue into mine heart would shower That my Loue may againe to him ascend And that I may with all my might and power Loue and defend his Members from each stower His Saints which in this wandring wildernesse In danger of the Wolues are eu'ry hower Visit the Widdowes and the Fatherlesse And walke vnspotted here in Truth and Holinesse 66 But though alas this heau'nly Loue I feele Abundant grace vpon mine heart to shower Loue of this World my soules eyes vp so seele To loue the things aboue I haue no power And though I feele sweet flashes euery hower Of heau'nly Loue I cannot loue againe The Head nor Members which in earthly Bower Most deare and precious in his sight remayne But hardly can from Enuie Hatred Pride refrayne 67 I doe confesse my debt of Loue so great I neuer able am my score to pay For if I should Gods kindnesses repeate And all his fauours in one summe conuay I might begin them earely before day But could not cast the number vp by night Accept my will and readinesse for pay Accept my sorrowfull heart and humble sprite Which made the Widdowes poore an acceptable mite 68 Let me thy loue so liuely apprehend That I may ready be with cheerefulnesse To die for thee who thy deare Blood didst spend To vindicate my soule from wretchednesse And raise me to such height of happinesse That I may gladly wish my dissolution And cast from me all wretched worldâ—inesse Prepared with a holy resolution To stand vndanted at the Worlds great deuolution 69 Frame in me such an habit of thy Loue As I for loue may seeke thee to obay More than for feare I should thine anger moue Whereby thou should'st my sinnes with vengeance pay And
sinne Who though shee cruell seeme yet giues sweet life When first to liue in Spirit we begin Shee vs polluted and defil'd within Doth clense in Fountayne of Regeneration Vs new-borne Babes shee teacheth to let in The milke sincere to sure Iustification Till stronger meate make strong our Faith to sure Saluation 4 And though in chaine of Gods most fâ—â—me Decree First sauing linke is his Predestination Election next then Calling yet wee see No certayne pledges here of our Saluation Till true Repentance workes Humiliation Loe then we doe by right degrees proceede Vnto the highest linke Glorification So that Repentance first to vs doth reede What is eternally in Heau'n by God decreed 5 Thou that dost Hearts with true Repentance season Making them view their owne vile wretchednesse That cast downe with Apostasie and Treason We may of thee seeke endlesse Happinesse First grant me true Repentance next to expresse What sou'raine Vertues I in her haue found And though at first my soule with bitternesse Were ouerwhelm'd yet Grace did cure that wound So where most sinne there is Mercy doth most abound 6 Repentance is a holy worke of Grace From godly Sorrow by which Man from sin Is turn'd Gods promises in Christ t' embrace And Fruits fit for Repentance to begin Repentance is Gods holy worke within To worke our Righteousnesse and Sinne deface And no Man can be exercis'd therein But he that standeth in the state of Grace For no Man turnes to God till God him first embrace 7 Grace and Repentance are in time conioyn'd As Fire and Heate but as Heate first appeares To vs when Fire in Embers is confin'd Eu'n so when sparkes of Grace our Heart first cheares Repentance manifests her selfe by teares Grace is the sap in heau'nly vegetation Repentance is the prime bud which it beares The first sure signe of true Regeneration Then follow leaues flow'rs fruits as certayne demonstration 8 This godly Sorrow differs from the care And griefe a worldling in his heart receaues By sense of Gods iust wrath or great Mens feare Or ought that their good names or goods bereaues This godly Sorrow griefe of mind conceaues That he hath sinn'd and that he did displease So good and kind a God which so close cleaues To 's heart that though no feare did him disease Of Iudge Hell Deuill yet nought but Grace can him appease 9 Man was most faire in Gods owne Image built Had with him sweet communion at 's Creation Whereby in God and God eke in him dwelt But sinne hath since enforc'd a separation And made vs sonnes of wrath by alienation Now we like prodigall and lost sheepe stray Till Grace and true Repentance restauration Doth make of all sinne doth in vs decay Then we returne and our Creators hests obay 10 But true Repentance doth repent of all And not of many or one onely sinne Herod conuerted thus at Baptists call Him gladly heard and hearing did begin For to doe many things but would not lin The sinne of incest with his brothers Loue Some like th' Adulterer doe turne from sinne When they want strength from bad to worse some moue As when the prodigall a couetous man doth proue 11 Shee hath two hands with one loe shee beginnes To presse vs downe to true mortification Whereby we may returne from all our sinnes Vs th' other rayseth by Regeneration To a new life and to Sanctification One from all actuall sinnes makes vs abstayne Suppresseth weakens natures deprauation Makes the Mind purpose and the Will full fayne And all our whole indeauours from sinne to refrayne 12 The other hand Mans purged mind doth raise Vnto a serious firme deliberation To yeeld sincere obedience to Gods Sayes And worketh in the will an inclination Him to obey as at our first creation This doth Mans life and best indeauours frame To walke here in a holy conuersation Though all we doe vnperfect is and lame Yet if the Heart be right God will accept the same 13 And as shee hath a double energie Men head-long to th' infernall Pit to throw And them againe by Faith to viuifie So though of this great worke one cause we know Gods Spirit that whereas it list doth blow Yet vseth it a twofold instrument The Law which Death to vs for sinne doth show The Gospell that doth preach attonement Thus both the Law and Gospell teach vs to repent 14 The Law first pierceth eu'n the very heart And doth by little and degrees proceede Till Knowledge foure things needfull doth impart Gods Law the guilt of Sinne and Sinnes iust meede Which is eternall Fire by God decreed Then we these rightly to our selues apply Which doth in vs a feare and horrour breed Except on Gospels comfort we rely For without that we die in hell eternally 15 Then doth the Gospell make vs comprehend Gods mercy for it seriously enquire And by the gifts of Knowledge to contend That though I iustly haue deseru'd Gods ire If I my selfe denie yet and desire My trust in Christs sole merits to repose I shall thereby escape eternall Fire Thus doth Repentance griefe and ioy impose Griefe for my sinnes but Ioy God doth me from them loose 16 Thus godly Sorrow in our heart being wrought Which brings Repentance with true change of mind We are resolu'd neuer in word deed thought So to offend God in our wonted kind But a new life to leade loe then we find Within our selues a wondrous alteration Not that it changeth substance of our mind Or body in the matter or the fashion But doth reforme their powers as in their first creation 17 Shee worldly griefe to godly sorrow turnes Our Wrath and Anger into temp'rate Zeale Presumption into Faith their heart that burnes In wanton loue to heau'nly Loue appeale Mad laughter shee with Christian ioy doth seale Mildnesse of nature turnes to spirits meeknesse Soules faculties doth all repaire and heale And brings them vnto their first perfectnesse Thus shee makes crocked streight and what 's wrong doth redresse 18 Then bring we forth fruits worthy amendment Of life the truth whereof we doe expresse When by good workes we shew how we repent Repenting soules be Trees of Righteousnesse Planted by God which Riuers doe refresh Eu'n flouds that from the Sanctuarie flow Whose boughes doe lowly stoope with fruitfulnesse There fruits for meate leaues good for medicine grow Else to the roote the Axe is laid them downe to throw 19 Repentance Subiect is a grieued heart A conscience wounded with the sight of Sinne Which nought but hell and horrour doth impart When to lay open conscience doth beginne Our sinnes without and wicked thoughts within And ' lesse shee to vs hope in Christ reueale We may with Iudas hang vp by the chin But like a skilfull Surgeon shee doth deale First corrasiue the sore and then it gently heale 20 Shee hath a double Obiect guilt of sinne And sinnes iust meede eternall condemnation Which terror breedes without horror within The second
is our Sauiours blessed Passion Made eu'n our owne by a right application This brings true inward ioy and sound delight And doth deface th'hand-writing of damnation This brings vs out of darknesse into light This Sunne of Righteousnesse doth chase away our night 21 As Pharaoh with his Butler and his Baker So deales shee with the wicked and the iust They both alike offended haue their Maker And both alike into one Dungeon thrust But loe shee lifts to place of highest trust The Butler but the Baker doth forsake And leaues him to the meede of the vniust Thus with her left hand shee vs drownes in Lake But with her right vs into endlesse ioy doth take 22 Neare to her fellowes gracious Restitution A Lady of a conscience wondrous tender That of all benefits makes retribution And for a wrong done double mends will render Sorrow Teares Kindnesse Bountie doe attend her Sighs Prayer true Deuotion on her wait If shee wants these Associates God amend her Shee 's but Hypocrisie the Deuils bait To catch poore soules with false pretences and deceit 23 For loe two Hags of hell would like her seeme One outward is and ceremoniall Which like proud Pharisee her selfe doth deeme Aboue the Publican And shee will fall To prayer on her knees amongst them all The other eu'n my pen trembles to write Mine heart to thinke of her Despaire we call Oh! shee our Sauiours suffrings doth despite Counting His satisfaction for her sinnes too light 24 Many there be that will repent of 〈◊〉 When they are scourged by th' Almighties hand But when to spare his rod he doth beginne They stay repenting and themselues doe band Against the Righteous And though God command They will resist him like proud Egypts King Which notwithstanding ten Plagues did withstand His Makers will his Heart still hardening Till on himselfe and people he confusion bring 25 A cursed sinne 's finall impenitence When as a man himselfe so iust doth take As he needs not repent for his offence This like a lethargie our soule doth make Vnsensible of sinne till we awake And as 't is a disease most dangerous Which vs insensible thereof doth make So of all States it is most perilous To be dead-sicke of sinne yet thinke we are righteous 26 Foure things obserue in this great worke of wonder Grace horror sorrow comfortable peace Which I resemble to tempestuous thunder Lightning shewes first next cracks then showerâ— increase But all in comfortable Sunne-shine cease So in this worke of our Regeneration The Spirit first lights Hell doth like thunder prease Then sorrowes clouds teares showers make inundation Lastly like Sunne shines ioy which seales vp our saluation 27 And as in course of humane generation Conception trauell lastly birth wee see So in this worke of our regeneration The Spirit Soules-horror inward ioy agree The Spirit first giueth life and power to bee The Soule then trauâ—ileth in griefe and paine Then followeth our glad natiuitie Which recompenceth all our losse with gaine Thus as at first the Flesh the Spirit begets againe 28 And as some women though they doe conceaue And quickning ioy doe feele within their wombe Yet by disorder oft a hurt receaue And so miscarry ere to birth they come So that their wombe become the infants tombe So in vs oft a quickning Spirit doth moue As if Repentance were in vs begun Yet in the end it doth abortiue proue This is when we resist the holy Spirit of Loue. 29 Some as I say conceaue an embrion But lose their fruit eu'n in the vegetation Some in due time to trauell haue begon But wanted strength euâ—n in the procreation And in this weaknesse falne to desperation Like Iudas they haue strangled their owne brood Before it had in new life respiration Who did deplore's betraying innocent blood Well he began but ended in a desperate mood 30 But if our trauell doth to birth proceede And that there is a liuing Child forth brought Oh then what ioy and comfort it doth breede Then we employ our care and eu'ry thought How we may nurse and feede it as we ought We therefore pap and milke to it first giue And after stronger meates for it are sought Till it vnto a perfect man doth thriue Loe then he can beget that earst began to liue 31 Eu'n so a new borne Babe in Christ proceedes There 's wondrous ioy at 's first regeneration On Gospels Milke he young and tender feedes Till he grow strong Then from Predestination He can discourse eu'n to Glorification Thus doth he to a height and fulnesse grow Of age and strength by Spirits Illumination Till he all Mysteries in Christ doth know Then is he able vnto others them to show 32 Men are like Horses wild who sure had bin As at the first to Man obedient Had they not beene corrupted by mans sin And would haue beene seruants most diligent Now they grow Rebels disobedient Till we with bit yoke bridle doe them tame So Man growes'gainst his Maker insolent Till by Repentance he doth him reclame Then he becomes as at the first God did him frame 33 Mans heart is like the ground which for mans sinne Is cursed Thornes and Thistles for to reare Which first the skilfull Plow-man doth beginne With a strong Teame of Oxen vp to teare Fallowes and Harrowes it for to prepare It sweet and cleane for to receaue his seede Loe then in stead of Thornes it Wheat will beare Repentance thus ploughs Hearts to kill Sinnes weede And Tils it fit and sweet for Grace to sow Faiths seede 34 If a man sowes and doth not Till his ground Or if one Till his ground and doe not sow On first kind Thornes and Thistles doe abound Which choke the seede so that it cannot grow And from the vnsowne tilled ground we mow Nothing but stinking weedes fit for the fire Eu'n so except with sorrow we doe plow Our hearts and Word to sow therein desire Sinne chokes all grace weeds therein grow ranke higher 35 Repentance like an Axe is that hath praid On all the Cedars that on Lebanon stand And eu'ry one downe on the earth hath laid The sound shee hewes and squares with her right hand Making them posts and pillars fit to stand In Gods owne house But eu'ry hollow crust Shee teares and cleaues for fire with her left hand Thus doth Repentance trim and square the iust Despaire th'vngodly rends and into Hell doth thrust 36 Behold we thus with trembling and with feare In paine and griefe worke out our owne saluation But some when as Repentance draweth neare And calls their conscience to examination Like Ahab fall into this bitter passion What hast thou found me Oh! mine enemie Despising godly Prophets reformation And rather vnregenerate chuse to die Than pangs and bitter throwes of a new birth to trie 37 Latines and Greekes giue her a diuers name Which haue in them a twofold true notation And yet in her they both employ the same
but Hope keepes Faith aliue 14 When Faith beleeues Hope hopes gainst Sense and Reason Gods Promise is her soundest Argument His leisure to attend is her best season Though Faith beleeue ' boue Hope yet shee 's content To hope Present to her are things absent Shee neuer faints but holds out to the end Shee to encrease and grow is diligent Shee 's pure and cleane No shame doth her attend By Patience and Experience shee doth daily mend 15 Faith 's like Elias that by God was sent Elisha to anoint him to succeede Hope like Elisha waits most diligent And leaues her not till fiery Charets leade Faith vp to Heau'n Then Hope stayes in her stead Loe then Faiths Spirit on Hope is doubled found And though by Faith our Soules on Heau'n now feede Hope still sustaynes our Bodies on the ground And waits till all that Faith beleeues shee true haue found 16 Yea after that our bodies turne to dust It seemes that Hope still with our soules remaine What else doth meane the crying of the Iust Which for Gods Word lie vnder th' Altar slaine How long wilt thou Lord to auenge refraine Our blood on those that on the earth it spilled To whom this answere is return'd againe They should rest till the number was fulfilled Of those which for the Word as they were should be killed 17 Hope's subiect is each heart that Christ hath knowne And where in glorie he vouchsafes to dwell Shee best by Obiects is conceau'd and showne For as they doe transcend Hope doth excell All Gods good Promises which one can tell Her Obiects are which if one right would reade He must begin with that when Adam fell Gods Promise to the Woman that her seede Though Serpent bruis'd his heele should breake the Serpents head 18 Like this was that promise to Abraham All Nations should be blessed in his seede And him that King of Israel became God promis'd one should ne're want of his breede To sway great Iuda's Scepter in his stead Till Shilo came who was his Lord and Sonne Sonne as his flesh did from his Loynes proceede Lord as the God-head in the flesh did won Thus he was Dauids Christ Sonne Lord and yet but one 19 Loe God perform'd all his good Promises In Christ his sufferings birth and exaltation All tending to bring wretched Man to blisse But now behold new tidings of saluation The Gospell shewes our reconciliation Is finished as after shall be showne When all in Heau'n and Earth haue restauration What we beleeue and hope shall then be knowne Hope then shall reape in ioy what shee in teares hath sowne 20 For as the promises that God had swâ—re In Christs first comming were accomplished Eu'n so all those that in the Gospell are In 's second comming shall be finished And since that Good to Adam promised Was full foure thousand yeares ere consummation Why then should Hope that 's thus experienced Faint in lesse then two thousands expectation Nearer than when we first beleeu'd is our saluation 21 Oh! had I here Hopes wondrous memorie Then should I able be soone to make knowne All 's Promises which God cannot denie Eu'ry of which Hope doth account her owne Behold in briefe them all vnto thee showne All Faith beleeues And what doth he distrust In whom this little seede of Faith is sowne All these I say Hope doth together thrust And in them puts assured confidence and trust 22 Therefore these Vertues alwayes her attend Assurance Confidence and Patience With Perseuerance alwayes to the end And of Gods faithfulnesse Experience These and the like are her most sure defence 'Gainst troubles sâ—â—ffes her weaknesse long delay Of many Promises which made long since Are not accomplished vnto this day And when shee 's like to faint these her refresh alway 23 They that would make faithlesse vncertaintie So necessary to attend Hopes trayne And on coniect'rall probabilitie Lay Hopes foundation They demonstrate playne True Faith and Hope did ne're in them remayne And though like Faith Hope sometimes waâ—er may As who can to a perfectnesse attayne Yet Hope encreasing Doubting doth decay Vncertaintie and Hope together cannot stay 24 No more than in the Water cold and heate For as the heate all coldnesse doth expell So Hope all doubting out of vs doth beate I grant that as in luke-warme Water dwell Both heate and cold so in the hollow Cell Of vnsound luke-warme Libertines false mind Vncertaintie and wau'ring Hope doe dwell But this no true and stedfast Hope we find Else true and feigned Hope would differ in their kind 25 Though Hope hath many an open Enemie None wrong her more than her familiar Friends As Merits Doubtings false Securitie In ciuill honest dealing who depends On these quick-sands more danger him attends Than if he split on Rocke of fierce Despaire Or to distrust Gods promises intends Because so long a finishing they are Ciuill Defection hazards more than open Warre 26 Oh! who can point out all the subtilties Satan doth vse this Lady to depose How he all worldly Obiects doth deuise That shee may in them confidence repose And thereby may her heau'nly Obiect lose Who are more miserable Satan sayes Than those on things to come their Hopes repose And who liue longer and more ioyfull dayes Than they whose Hope on wealth and Princes fauours stayes 27 As Iewes two Theeues did hang on either hand When as they crucifi'd the Lord of Life So two extremes on either side Hope stands And both of them haue each with other strife On left hand stands Despaire with bloody knife On right Presumption bold doth ouer-weene Hope oftentimes may saue Despaires life Presumption railes and thinketh in her spleene If Hope could others saue shee â—ould endure such teene 28 Hope is like Iacob that went out but poore But free from danger vnto 〈◊〉 Land But when he doth returne with Wiâ—es and store Laban pursues behind Esau with band Of full foure hundred doth before him stand But Angels as Companions him attend And eu'n with God he wrestles hand to hand Who doth from churlish Laban him defend Nor suffers cruell Esau Iacob to offend 29 So when our Hope alas is faint and poore It forward walkes most free from all tentation But when it gets some strength Despaire before Behind Presumption seekes our supplantation Loe then Gods promises of our saluation Like Angels are to comfort vs at hand We wrestle with the Spirit by supplication Whereby we are inabled to withstand Despaire Presumption proud and all the Deuils band 30 Men in this World are like to ships at Sea Which stormes haue beaten and tâ—e waues haue tost That when they come to harbour in the Lea Cast Anchre out where if they find the coast Consist of quick-sands all their labour 's lost Loe then Hopes Anchre there can get no hold So they with stormes and waues againe are tost But if they find firme Land they then grow bold No wind stormes waues
feruent strife For Apples things of order decencie That we alas neglect religious Life Faith Hope Repentance Ioy and Charitie Of things indifferent iudge indifferently The smaller things the greater consequence There is we should with all Humilitie Yeeld vnto them vnfeign'd obedience Not we the Law The Law must rule our Conscience 66 Now could I with Compassion Prayers Teares Beseech you all as to a common flame To lend your Hands your Heads your Hearts your Eares And all your aide and helpe to quench the same 'T is to our Church a foule reproch and shame Christs Coate that is without Seame to diuide When we in substance all doe hold the same Lets humbly in one Hope Faith Loue abide And not fall out for shells to make whose peace Christ di'de 67 But they say Ceremonies now are dead Why should we them againe then viuifie I grant all were in Christ accomplished Which his last Sacrifice did typifie But those of Order and of Decencie Doe for our imitation still remayne As Ephods Offrings Tithes Prayers Prophecie Kneeling such as Deuotion true maintayne The first we doe forbeare The last we doe retayne 68 But now I stray from Hope bâ—t not from Peace Which is the thing I hope for and desire What shall our strife for Ornaments encrease Whilst Aduersaries in our gates conspire To burne our Townes and blow vs vp with fire Now by our Hope that vp in heau'n is laid I instantly you pray beseech require To lend your publique and your priuate aid That Rulers not for feare but conscience be obaid 69 Hope still pricks on my Muse in this discourse In hope hereby Peace to our Church to gayne But method here doth stop her farther course Who preacheth Order Order must maintayne Hope must not passe her Mother Faith in trayne Lest I doe hope for more than I beleeue For which if I doe pray I pray in vaine God without Faith no prayers doth receaue Hope Prayer without Faith doe oft poore soules deceaue 70 Thou then that art of Faith and Hope the Spring I â—lesse thy Name for this sweet Meditation This light of Hope which thou to me dost bring Oh let true Faith direct my Supplication Vnto my Hope thy holy Habitation That Port of blisse purchas'd by thine owne Blood Spent on the Crosse to finish our saluation This is my Hope This is my heau'nly Food On this faire Hope to rest I hold my chiefest good 71 And here I hope I may haue leaue to rest And stop my Muse a while from following The Vertues praises late so readie prest In Loues high Court for my true welcomming Yet by Gods grace I promise here to sing Of all their praises in their ranke and place If this mine entrance and first hanselling Shall but obtayne amongst those Readers grace Who by these Vertues aide hope to behold Loues face FINIS THE BRIDES ORNAMENTS Poëticall Essayes vpon a Diuine subiect THE SECOND BOOKE Viz. of Iustice and Righteousnesse Truth Mercy Patience Fortitude LONDON Printed by W. Stansby 1621. TO MY MOST LOVING AND TRVELY BELOVED WORTHY GOOD FRIEND Mr. PHILIP KING IN whom for complement there is no roome With him doth so much honesty abound And Iustice to thy Patronage will come Whom I of all men haue the iustest found Thou art no curious Critick nor of those That nothing like in Verse but all in Prose All yours R. A. MEDITAT I. Of Iustice and Righteousnesse 1 WHen first Gods mouing Spirit forth had brought Beasts Fowle Fish creeping things after their kind Loe then He Man in his owne Image wrought And him a Ruler ouer all assign'd Writing within the Tablet of his Mind His Law which should eternally endure And all the Creatures in Obedience bind To Man their King and knit his heart as sure To King of Kings This Law was naturall and pure 2 Here first the right of Soueraigntie began All subiect to the Monarchy of one For euery Creature subiect is to Man While he is subiect vnto God alone This Monarch now is seated in his Throne And the whole World doth with his Scepter sway Here 's the first president that e're was knowne Of gouernment From hence loe Princes may Learne rightly how to rule and Subiects to obay 3 Thus Man of this great World the little King To shew his Soueraigntie gaue all a name And they their Lord as Subiects reu'rencing True Vassals to this little King became Yet Man in honour could not hold the same But did become rude disobedient Breaking that Law he merits hell death shame When he offends that hath the Regiment His double sinne deserues a double punishment 4 In all his workes before the Lord had showne His Loue Power Wisedome Truth and Prouidence But now Mans sinne his Iustice must make knowne Though most notorious was the Mans offence God will not iudge till he makes his defence Man cited then appeares vile naked lame There needes no witnesse but his conscience And though on others he would lay the blame The more his cause is heard the more appeares his shame 5 Besides th' eternall Law within the heart Of Adam God had wrote with his owne Hand He did one Precept vnto him impart Which was indifferent till God did command Of all the Trees that in the Garden stand From one on paine of death he must refrayne Lawes made we may not question or withstand Who breakes them beares the forfeit of the payne When Rulers cease to punish Vice they sinne maintayne 6 Thou that the hearts of all Men dost dispose Of Kings to rule and Subiects to obay From whom all Power proceedes to bind and lose Who humble Men in iudgement guidest ay Thou Iudge of all the World direct I pray Thy humble Seruant to discerne aright Of Iustice that I her delineate may In her true shape vnto the Peoples sight That teaching I may learne and practise to doe right 7 Shee is a constant and perpetuall Will That giues to euery Man what is his right First free from passion shee continues still Constant in her disposing things aright In action next shee taketh most delight And not alone in idle speculation There 's no respect of persons in her sight The same to all without vaine alteration For Law 's the Rule and Square of her administration 8 Iustice the Vertue Law 's the Rule and Square Whereby we truely Iustice exercise Wherefore if in the abstract you declare Lawes Nature shee 's perpetuall constant wise And so with God in heau'n for ay abye But if you view her in the concrete Would Shee varies as the Subiect her employs Then blame not Lawes when wrong we doe behould It comes from Man that 's made of corruptible mould 9 As when pure Wine in putrid Vessell put Becomes vnwholesome ranke vnsauory The fault 's not in the Wine but in the Butt Which doth the sweetnesse of the Wine destroy Eu'n so it fares with Law and Equitie In their owne nature they are perfect
pure But if in Subiects of Iniquitie They are contayn'd they cannot so endure But like the Subiect they become corrupt impure 10 Three kinds of Lawes from God I doe obserue Morall Iudiciall Ceremoniall Which three the Iewes did constantly preserue As bound in conscience to obay them all The Ceremoniall and Iudiciall Cease but remayne paternes for imitation The Morall is the same perpetuall That most pure Law which from Mans first creation Continues still to vs without least alteration 11 And though the Rule of Right now doth not tie To the Iudiciall Lawes strict obseruation Yet it doth bind vs to the equitie Thereof as fittest for our imitation Though Blasphemie Theft Murder Fornication Haue not amongst vs now the punishment Which Iewes inflicted by Gods ordination Yet 't is a Rule in all good gouernement The paine vnto the sinne must be equiualent 12 As Lawes right to maintayne and wrong redresse Should be conform'd to the Iudiciall So rules of order and of comelinesse Should imitate Lawes Ceremoniall The Morall Law by some call'd Naturall Is Gods eternall Law by which aboue He things in Heau'n and Earth disposeth all These God ingrau'd in Stone the Iewes to proue But in our hearts they all now written are by loue 13 Mistake me not that I maintayne hereby Grosse Iudaisme or out-worne rudiment Which Christs last Sacrifice did typifie Such Ceremonies long agoe are spent But those whereby we should our selues present In publique Preaching Sacraments Deuotions It well becomes vs all with one consent To imitate without strife or commotions 'T is sinne to disobay Lawes in indifferent motions 14 I know fnll well there is a Law beside This Morall Law which some call Naturall Which vnder God by Nature is impli'de To rule Heau'ns Spheres and Motions which they call The Law of Nature By which rise and fall Sunne Moone and Starres in Motion necessarie But from the Law of Reason whereby all That Reason haue are Agents voluntarie By some call'd Reasons Law my Muse now will not varie 15 From hence as from a Nurserie doe come All Lawes which by good Christian Politie And lawfull Power to vs as bonds become To keepe vs in the bands of Charitie And vs preserue from wrong and iniurie And not by others losse to raise our gayne But leade our liues in Truth and Honestie As not enough from euill to restrayne Except we good performe and others right maintayne 16 Eu'n as we see things wanting life and sense But Agents naturall striue to maintayne The preseruation of the common Ens And 'gainst their naturall course themselues constrayne Eu'n Motions against Nature doe darraigne As heauie stones will vp from Center flie Rather than all a Vacuum entertayne So reasonable men should rather die Then suffer any harme to Vniuersitie 17 And hence come Lawes of Nations which maintayne Leagues betwixt Princes Freedome Seruitude Next ciuill Law whose equitie did gayne Command of all Romes Empires amplitude The Canon Law whose wiâ—edome did conclude All other Lawes till Pride and Superstition Amongst those sacred Sanctions did intrude So Antichristianizing by ambition That holy Writ must now giue place to their Tradition 18 Thus Statutes of each Countrey Citie Land Which they themselues doe call Municipall All Lawes which now in force with vs doe stand The Common Ciuill Ecclesiasticall All these doe come from the pure Naturall And tend true Right and Iustice to maintayne Respecting Gods true worship aboue all Next Magistrates peace publique common gayne And last that each man may in peace his owne retayne 19 But as from Fountayne seated on a Hill Pure siluer streames in sundrie Channels flow First cleare like Spring from which their waters rill But passing farther thicke and miry grow Defiled by their Channels soile below Eu'n so all Lawes which from th' Eternall come First like the paterne are as pure as snow But doe in time corrupt and base become By Mans corrupted heart through which Lawes streames doe run 20 Base Dust and Ashes dares not be so bold As to define of Righteousnesse Diuine That Iustice pure which Flesh cannot behold But as some rayes here seeme below to shine As farre aboue the reach of humane eyne As infinite Loue Truth and Maiestie Transcends the measure of a finite Line Yet Man at first was fram'd thus righteous by The Righteous God from whom comes none iniquitie 21 For nothing that 's vnrighteous or vniust Hath e're or shall be in his Presence seene Wherefore renouncing all our rags we must In Christs pure Righteousnesse all clothed beene It is a wicked fond conceit to weene Mans righteousnesse once able is to stand Before the Righteous Iudge where our most cleane And perfect acts as vile vnpure are scand Oh wretched Man whom thus Presumption holds in band 22 My feeble Spirits and Soule amaz'd become When I contemplate of the Righteousnesse That with the most Iust God doth euer wonne My Muse vnable farre is to expresse His Iustice which is Truth and Holinesse Therefore I backe now will retire againe To Iustice that brings Man to Happinesse And here on Earth doth Peace and Loue maintayne And first her Nature by her Causes will explayne 23 Out of bad causes good effects to draw Peculiar is to Prouidence Diuine From whence it comes that many a wholsome Law From euill manners seemes to draw her Line But they no causes are For power Diuine Is the first Cause of Iustice and of Right Eu'n as the Sunne which giueth powre to shine To all the glorious Lamps wee see by night Though darknes seeme the cause of their pure twinkling light 24 Yet as the Sunne the Fountayne of all Light Doth of his beames to all those Planets send Which in the absence of the Sunne by night Direct all Trauailers aright to wend So righteous God such Righteousnesse doth lend To Kings and Rulers all that iudge below That they may Right and Iustice true extend And in Gods stead both Light and Guidance show To Men which else to all obliquitie would grow 25 At first when Kings and Princes gan to sway And that no Lawes as yet were on record All did their Princes will and mind obay And the whole Law came from the Princes word Law therefore Kings this Title doth afford And stiles them liuing Lawes by grace Diuine Sent vnto Men to be their Liege and Lord With power to make new Lawes and old define The Head which Members all in politique Body ioyne 26 Thus God first giues Kings power Lawes to ordayne Which power Kings to the Iudges delegate By their Lawes Right and Iustice to maintayne All Power from God doth first begin her date And therefore all ought him to imitate And thereby to doe right and wrong redresse Not onely to encrease their owne estate And liue in Plentie Pride and Wantonnesse For so we make God cause of our vnrighteousnesse 27 So we abuse the Power God doth giue To Pleasures Pride Vnrighteousnesse and Wrong As if we onely
By ours we must not hope to come to blisse Nor euer without ours attayne true Happinesse 63 Our Righteousnesse no cause is but the way Whereby we to our Heau'nly Citie come He that doth misse this path doth walke astray And head-long with Iniquitie doth run As in some narrow passage to a Towne He that will thither passe one way must treade Which if he misse he wanders vp and downe No path but one the right way him can leade Yet we the path no cause of comming thither reade 64 This path's like Iacobs Ladder which did reach Eu'n vp to Heau'n yet stood vpon the ground From top whereof Christ out his Arme doth stretch To helpe vp all that in good workes abound A streight long way and many steps are found Before we scale the top of Righteousnesse Gods gracious Spirit doth first this way propound And guides our feete to moue aright to blesse But onely Christ aboue doth vs thereof possesse 65 In this way Enoch's said to walke with God And Men began then holy inuocation Next Noah in his Makers grace abode A iust and perfect Man in 's generation Thus Iob Lot Abram haue their commendation For Iustice Iudgement Faith and Righteousnesse Walking with Men in vpright conuersation And towards God in Truth and Holinesse Thus shewing by her fruits the Faith which they professe 66 Thus Patriarchs Prophets Iudges Priests and Kings That did beleeue Gods future promises First fear'd and honour'd him aboue all things Next walk'd on earth in Truth and Righteousnesse Labouring in Life and Doctrine to expresse Their firme beliefe of Christ that was to come Who since is manifested in the Flesh And doth the end of Righteousnesse become Which cannot be obtayn'd vnlesse on earth begun 67 Loe Moses had an eye to this reward When he left Egypts pleasures wealth promotion The three chiefe baits which Worldlings most regard Three greatest Enemies to true Deuotion Ioseph for this despis'd his Mistris motion And rather chose that stocks his limbs should lame Than he would taste of Lusts vnrighteous potion Loe Christ a wretch for Righteousnesse became And for the Iusts reward endur'd the Crosses shame 68 If I should count all the Authorities Which of this Vertue in Gods Word abound One Volume to hold all would not suffice In eu'ry Booke Verse Chapter to be found But most of all the holy Psalmes propound Abundant matter for this Meditation The which my Reader I doe leaue to sound That willing is to make right application And follow Righteousnesse in life and conuersation 69 But though I tremble whilst I heare Paul reason Of Temp'rance Iudgement Truth and Righteousnesse Yet carelesse take a more conuenient season Like Foelix in my life it to expresse And grope for Bribes the wronged to redresse I cannot tell how soone of this my rome My Maker will a iuster Man possesse And then to strict account I needs must come And be rewarded as to others I haue done 70 Were mortall eyes but able to behold The glorious splendour and the light Diuine The Crownes Ioyes Honours Pleasures manifold Prepar'd for them that liue by righteous Line And how the Righteous like the Sunne shall shine With Sonne and Father in eternall blesse We nould at Crosse reproch or shame repine Which though they seeme some burthen to the flesh More free our soules hereby conuerse in Holinesse 71 But ah Sinne on our Nature hangs so fast And pricks with honour pleasure wealth and ease That Coward-like our Armour off we cast And for promotion flatter fawne and please Then Satan takes aduantage vs to seise As Captiues being naked and vnarm'd Whom though before perhaps he might disease Yet neuer could vs mortally haue harm'd If with brest-plate of Righteousnesse we had beene arm'd 72 Oh but 't is too great burthen to the flesh To keepe this Armour on continually And to our nature breeds great wearinesse To so great watchfulnesse our soules to tye But since it doth assure vs victorie Who would not beare this burthen for a while Besides the burthen of Iniquitie Is heauier and doth our soules defile Though for a time with pleasures false it vs beguile 73 Oh let this brest-plate then of Righteousnesse Be on my Soule and Body alwayes prest The more this burthen doth my Body presse My Soule is sure to find more ease and rest No paine shame or reproch that vs molest Are worthy of the Crowne most glorious Which God the Righteous Iudge hath readie drest For to bestow vpon the Righteous Made so by God his acceptation gracious 74 For I confesse it is thy acceptation Which makes our Righteousnesse though dung and losse Compared to the Lawes strict obseruation Most perfect Thou hast nayled to Christs Crosse All our offences By him all our drosse Is turn'd to purest Gold in fire tried Where God accepts no power of Hell can crosse If by true Faith our hearts be purified Our imperfections by Christs perfectnesse supplied 75 Oh then most perfect Sunne of Righteousnesse Vouchsafe that now thy Spirit of Grace may shine Vpon mine Heart by Truth and Holinesse Temp'rance Faith Hope Obedience Loue Diuine That all my words thoughts actions I may line And leuell out by thy pure Rule of Right All errour lying iniurie decline And hauing of thy Lawes a most cleare sight I may to walke therein place all my hearts delight 76 Make me conceiue the profit vse and end Of righteousnesse and the necessitie I of this brest-plate haue my Soule to fand Against the furie of mine enemie And grant my conscience good may testifie The armes whereby I may stand fast and sure And not those fain'd ones of Hypocrisie Which neuer can hold out me to secure Or any of the fierie darts of Hell endure 77 But it is not in him that wils or runneth For to attaine the Crowne of righteousnesse From whom each perfect gift and good grace commeth His grace it is that guides to happinesse We find amongst those gracious promises And grants which in thy holy Word we reade That who seekes first thy Kingdomes righteousnesse Shall haue all things whereof he stands in neede Doe thou Oh Lord me forth then in this right way leade 78 Thou the whole Scripture gau'st by inspiration Apt to instruct improue correct represse To make the man of God wise to saluation And perfectly instruct in righteousnesse And when the wicked turne from wickednesse Thou promisest their Soules aliue to saue So many are thy gracious promises To grant all good things that the righteous craue That I this righteousnesse doe begge and hope to haue 79 Then as a Lyon shall I be most bold My righteous way shall shine eu'n as the light The eyes then of the Lord shall me behold And he will grant me eu'n my hearts delight In all his Statutes I shall walke aright And all his iudgements iust and true obserue My death shall be most precious in his sight My righteous memorie he will reserue Yea eu'n
like Lot and Abram entertaynes Strangers all Day at Noone and eke at Night Not that shee hopes from them least gold or gaynes Or that with double mends they will requite But those which harbour want shee doth inuite Humbly to Meate and Drinke and Lodging meete Where shee to wait vpon them takes delight And brings faire water for to wash their Feete And them for her sweet Sauiours sake doth fairely greete 23 Then shee the hungrie Bodies of the Poore With her faire Hand of plentie full doth feede And drinke vnto the thirstie powreth store Shee feares not once her selfe to stand in neede Who to the Sower ministreth his seede And bread vnto the humble will prouide For those which of her Body shee doth breede Shee with no future want is terrifide For others oft to feede shee hunger doth abide 24 Oh should you see th' abundance eu'ry day Of clothes shee for the naked doth prouide To keepe them from the cold and to aray Gods Images which here in Clay abide And if that any naked shee espide After shee all her clothes diuided had Shee would her owne coate cut out and diuide To those that want most chearefully and glad That shee had such a shift poore naked Soules to clad 25 With those that mourne in Sion shee will mourne And beare a part with them in miserie Whether they weepe by friends as left forlorne Or grone with weight of their iniquitie Shee wondrous salues of comfort doth apply And when they weepe shee mourning not forbeares And oft in Psalmes and Hymnes makes melodie Sweet Psalmes and Hymnes that drie vp all our teares And like to pleasant Wine make vs forget our cares 26 But most of all sicke persons shee doth tend And comfort them in point of death that lay For there most needed comfort sweet to lend When Sinne Hell Death and Conscience doe dismay The Soule that now departing is away First spirituall comfort shee to them doth deale How on Christs merits they should onely stay Balme that applide aright their sores should heale And prayes the Spirit within the Truth hereof may seale 27 'T were infinite to tell the wondrous store Of heau'nly comforts Mercy can apply For Mercy hath a salue for eu'ry sore Soules burthened with their iniquitie Shee handeleth most soft and tenderly The smoking flaxe nor yet the bruised reede Shee will not quench or breake vnwarily Such heau'nly comforts can thus Peere areede That shee makes Soules 〈◊〉 when Bodies are halfe dead 28 Best skill to cure the Body shee doth vse And to his former health againe restore No Office meane or base shee doth refuse That may the payne asswage or heale his sore All miseries lie open her before That shee may lend to all her helpe and aid She physicke sends and meate vnto the poore With beds of downe whereon he may be laid And though her med'cines faile her prayer's neuer staid 29 But if their Soules from Bodies once depart In seemely sort shee cares them to engraue Last worke of Mercy that we can impart Vnto their corps when God their soule doth saue Which though now dust yet most sure hope we haue God will the same a glorious Body rayse And decke it for her Spouse most fine and braue The Deads memoriall shee doth often prayse The Liuing to prouoke to walke in righteous wayes 30 Thus when shee hath in Graue him seemely laid With much lamenting and with many teares To tender Orphanes and to Widdowes aid Shee doth employ the vtmost of her cares In whose defence no great Mans frownes shee feares But stands in iudgement for their firme defence And if both Parents die as oft it fares Their tender Babes shee soone remoueth thence And feedes and puts to Schole eu'n at her owne expence 31 Therefore shee large Almes-houses hath erected Faire Colledges for Muses habitation And Churches by prophaner sort neglected Adornes and decks in honourable fashion Shee holds it much against her reputation In goodly seeled Houses to abide And see Gods Temples ruinous prophanation If in her any sparing be descride 'T is that shee works of Mercy may dispread more wide 32 But ah no pen is able 〈…〉 The fruits of Mercy by Humilitie But in one worke I all theâ— vp doe count To succour those that are in miserie As there is infinite varietie Of miseries in Soule and Body found So without number shee doth helpes supply But for her end Soules health shee doth propound And in such heau'nly comforts shee doth most abound 33 Rebuke admonish suffer and chastise Her very stripes are corraâ—â—â—es to heale And when in most distresse the Body lies Most comfort then to Soule shee doth reueale Thus Christ did vnto her a paterne seale With mortall foode he thousand Bodies fed But those to whom he Bread of Life did deale Like huge Sea sands cannot be numbered Whereby their Soules now liue though yet their Bodies dead 34 But though this Peere is mercifull to all Yet almost all become her Enemies Ambition Pride Hate Enâ—â—e Malice Gall All that delight in wrong and iniuries From whence oft come most horrid cruelties But amongst all they doe her greatest wrong Who vnder shew of pitying miseries Punish not those that doe in Vice grow strong The Iudge that spares the wicked doth the godly wrong 35 Iustice and Mercy both doe well accord And in one Subiect may contayned bee For iust and mercifull is God our Lord Iust as a Iudge but as a Father hee Is pitifull and tender So ought wee In our owne cause as Fathers Mercy show And our deare Brethren of all wrongs to free But when we sit in iudgement we must know We are Gods Ministers to punish sinne below 36 Eu'n as a Iudge in his owne Familie Vnto a gracelesse sonne may pardon giue Though he his Coffers rifle priuily And doe conspire of life him to depriue But if as Traytor to his Prince he liue And one before his Father him arraigne The Iudge there cannot his owne Sonne forgiue But must condemne to his deserued paine For Magistrates ought not to beare the sword in vaine 37 I Mercy here and Iustice may compare Vnto a Gardners spade and pruning knife The knife luxurious branches off doth pare That for vaine shew grow fruitlesse ranke and rife The Spade vnto Vines roote giues heate and life By dunging opening it to Sunne and Raine Ne yet betwixt them discord is or strife One prunes the boughes the other doth maintayne The Roote Both haue one end the Bodies good and gayne 38 In this Worlds Schoole we all like Scholers are Fitted below for Fellowships aboue Mercy our Patronesse doth vs prepare Foode Rayment Bookes all things that needfull proue We all haue but one Lesson here to Louâ— Which none can better teach than this sweet Peere Yet our vntowardnesse doth oft her moue To suffer Iustice to correct vs here Which sure doth vs more good than all her daintie cheere 39 So as Correction truely may be
would haue dismaid And Bodies grieu'd with basest iniuries All Vertues fairest shew oppos'd by contraries 35 Her very Name and Etymologie Describes this Ladies Nature wondrous right For Patience Sufferance doth signifie Forbearance farre from Anger and to fight Gods Battailes with true courage and delight Hee 's stronger that can ouer-come disgrace Crâ—sses and iniuries by patient sp'rit Than he that walled Cities doth deface And Monarch-like doth sway the whole World by his Mace 36 Like as the heau'n aboâ—e is garnished With Sunne and Moone and glistering Starres by night So hath Gods Church beene alwayes furnished With patient Mirrours to direct vs right Yea though we had no Scriptures vs to light Examples of th' Elect might be our line To walke in Patience with all our might So they before to vs that follow shine That number Starres he may that can their names define 37 Begin we with our Sunne before the Flood Our patient Maker How did he forbeare Though Enochs prophecying they withstood Yet God with their iniquities did beare Vntill the Deluge vp the Arke did reare Next see his Patience and forbearance kind To them that vnderneath the Couenants were But most his suff'rance vnder Grace we finde As Father most to loue his youngest is inclin'd 38 Our Sauiour next whose Life Death Suffring shame To vs all Patience doth represent Whereby all Christians ought themselues to frame Following his foote-steps who before vs went Who ne're did sinne nor euer guile inuent Yet when he suffer'd threatned not to smite But dumbe like to a Lambe most innocent Commits his Cause to him that iudgeth right Bearing on Crosse our sinnes that he redeeme vs might 29 Now follow Starres which doe receiue their light From that most glorious Sunne of Patience Meeke Abel slaine by cruell Cains despite Noe Preacher to th' old World of Penitence Bearing scoffes scornes for his Obedience Abram forsakes his Kindred House and Land And patiently a stranger dwels in Tents At ninety nine is circumcised and His deare sonne Isaaâ— offers at his Lords command 40 See Isaac patient to embrace the Knife Iacob enduring churlish Labâ—â—â— wrong His Diâ—as Rape his Sonnes most cruell strife With Ioseph who endured prison strong For doing well who can expresse his long True Patience that did Pharaohs pleasures leaue To suffer payne his Brethren among The meekest Moses did stone Tables cleaue When Zeale of Gods great Glorie did his sense bereaue 41 How patiently did holy Dauid beare Sauls persecutions wayting for his Crowne When he his skirt cut off tooke vp his Speare Yet would not let Abisai smite him downe But none for Patience like to Iob is knowne Loe Christ himselfe the Patience doth commend That Prophets Priests and Martyrs haue vs showne All which in briefe the Truth for to defend Haue without grudging held out constant to the end 42 All wrestled in this Field of Patience Some scornes stripes fetters prisonment sustayne Some racking sawing broyling banishments Some scourg'd with rods with sword some haue bin slayne In Sheepe skins Goate skins some to walke were fayne Of which the World in no wise worthy were All will dread on the Mountaynes and the Playne In earthly Dens and Caues lay hid for feare These all by Faith in Christ of Patience followers are 43 I should doe wrong vnto all Women-kind Should I the praise of Patience them denie So many for the Truth with constant mind In flames of fire haue let their body frie Besides continuall payne and miserie In bearing nursing Children they abide Whereby they doe maintayne Posteritie O blessed Maid what griefe did thee betide To see thy Sonne on Crosse his Armes to open wide 44 But I too farre the Readers Patience presse With multitude of Paternes from without Since onely inward Patience can vs blesse And make vs like to Lyons bold and stout Preseruing vs from perill dread and doubt Whilst patiently we here all crosses beare To th' end with Christian courage holding out And neuer Mans pride or Hells malice feare For by this suffring more than Conquerours we are 45 We reade that Socrates did Patience gayne By patient bearing his impatient Wife And we this Grace by suffring may attayne If in Faith Hope and good Workes we be rife Doubtlesse our paynes here crosses griefe and strife Are nothing if they rightly be compar'd Vnto the Ioyes Crownes and eternall Life Which God aboue for all those hath prepar'd That with true Patience of his comming haue regard 46 But ah we of farre other spirit are In our hot blood we cut off Malchus eare But if our liues be question'd then we dare The Truth denie and eu'n our Christ forsweare Mans mind possest with furie or with feare Falls from the meane to all extremitie For want of courage he no crosse can beare Or for reuenge doth offer iniurie Both which alike are guiltie of Impatiencie 47 When I the liues of holy Martyrs read And what great torments here they suffered As Members sympathizing with the Head Saint Lawrence on a gridyron tortured Who at 's Tormenters neuer murmured But pray'd them onely turne the other side For one was broyl'd enough and martyred And her that did most paynefull death abide Whom with hot scalding pitch from top to toe they tride 48 Should I here wish their Patience or their Payne No sure I wish both Payne and Patience The more I suffer here the more 's my gayne The greater losse the greater recompence Ah this to flesh and blood is sore offence And vnto carnall minded enmitie That take delight in pleasing of the Sense Their Nose with smels their Touch with luxurie Their Taste Eyes Eares their Heart and all with vanitie 49 Though thou escape crosse scourging sword and fire Yet surely if thou liu'st the life of Grace And walk'st vprightly as Gods Lawes require Flesh World and Deuill thee will seeke to chace As peeuish singular vaine foolish base Yea wicked Men thy Patience to trie Will thee deride dishonour scorne disgrace We Patience shew in bearing iniurie For Christ as well as those that for the Truth doe die 50 But I confesse I nothing here doe find More pleasing then reuenge to flesh and blood Like this was Iohn and Iames reuengefull mind When entrance was at Citie Gates withstood Because their Faces towards Sion stood Shall we Elias-like from Heau'n fire craue For to consume this base rebellious brood To whom Christ said Know yee what Spirits yee haue I came not hither to destroy and spoile but saue 51 Lord grant me Pauls true constant resolution Not onely for thy Names sake to be bound But willingly to suffer dissolution Some scortching flames like beds of downe haue found In some such inward comfort did abound When as they suffred for Christs holy Name For signe of inward ioy and comfort found Their hands they lift vp to expresse the same Till they consumed were eu'n by the scortching flame 52 It was th'Apostles triumph and delight To be
sore against the Truth doe tyrannize The ancient Fathers Truths antiquities That like Iohn Baptist beare to her record They doe behead or else them circumcise None scapes their Index but Gods holy Word And that must be translated with their Church t' accord 32 But Errour striueth not more to deface Our Truth of Iudgement than Iniquitie And proud prophanenesse seeketh to disgrace True Dealing Speech and Hearts sinceritie Them branding with foule Follies infamie As none could liue but those that can dissemble Reproching them for Truth and Puritie That seeke hereby their pure Head to resemble When eu'n in Gods pure sight the purest Angels tremble 33 Not that I goe about here to defend Those feigned pure Ones that most wickedly Much Truth and Puritie in words pretend But in their Actions deale dishonestly Nor those that like the boasting Pharisie Call to their brother farther off to stand Which soone discerne a Mote in Brothers eye But eu'n Beames in their owne not vnderstand These for some false pretended Spots leaue Church and Land 34 Such rau'ning Wolues oft in long clothing goe And therefore hard by outward shewes to find We best them by their fruits may learne and know 'T is dangerous to censure in this kind For those that haue a true pure Heart and Mind Make shew thereof as they that doe dissemble Therefore till all their Actions false I find To iudge them Hypocrites mine heart doth tremble Lest to the Wicked I the Righteous should resemble 35 For dealing true's like Touch-stone which doth trie The baser Mettall from the purest Gold Discernes a true Heart from Hypocrisie And fayned Puritie doth soone vnfold And as by Touch-stones touch is easily told What is pure Gold from what is gilt for show Although the Gilt's more glorious to behold So Truth of Heart by Truth of Words we know And by the Actions which from them doe daily flow 36 Truth 's like the Treasure whâ—ch the Huâ—bandman As he was digging in the Field did sound Which he keepes close and sells all that he can And with the Money goes and buyes the Ground Shee 's like the precious Pearle the Merchant found And then sold all this Gemme for to obtayne The wise Man heau'nly Counsell doth propound That wills vs vse all meanes her to obtayne And buy the Truth with losse of honour pleasure gayne 37 Truth is like Salt that seasons eu'ry thing And makes it sauoury to God and Man Preserues our Soules from Breath putrifying Of busie Flies that labour what they can To breede corruption in the inward Man Shee leauens all the whole Lumps preparation The Soule and Body Flower and the Bran Affection Reason Will Communication Heart Mind Opinion Iudgement Life and Conuersation 38 As precious Ointment powr'd on Aarons head Ran downe vpon his Beard and did not stay Till all the Skirts it of his clothing spread So sacred Truth her vigour doth display From head whereas our Iudgement makes her stay Vnto the Beard and Tongue where speech haue place Then to the Heart and Hands shee holds her way From whence our Actions all haue life and grace Thus to the Skirts of our long clothing Truth doth trace 39 Gods Truth compares her to a Belt or Zone Which Souldiers vse for strength and ornament Whose golden Studs most gloriously shone And ioyne the Armour in faire complementâ— Loe whilst this Girdle is about vs pent Christians whole Armour hangs on fast and sure But if this Girdle from our Loynes be rent Off falls our Armes and Satan or Worlds lure Then wounds vs desperately or makes vs sleepe secure 40 Diuinest 〈◊〉 thou didst shadow well In Legend of true Loue and Chastitie By girdle faire of fairest Florimell This sacred Belt of Truth and Veritie Which none on looser Ladies loynes could tie Yet their faire Limbs that had liâ—'d true and chaste It did adorne most rich and gloriously And was most fitting for their slender waste But they Vngirt vnblest were that had beene vnchaste 41 For as the girdle doth inclose around Mans body where our soules high powers doe dwell Wherein as good or euill doe abound Eu'n all our actions flow thence ill or well So Truth about our soules keepes Centinell And eu'ry act we doe shee doth make knowne To that iust Iudge from whom we can conceale Not eu'n the secret thoughts that in vs growne For nought so close or secret is to Truth vnknowne 42 Thus Touch-stone Treasure Pearle Salt Leauen Zone Doe all fall short with faire Truth to compare For Truth in all 's compar'd to God alone And none but God her glorie can declare Who for Truths sake his owne Sonne did not spare But offerd him false man to reconcile That Truth and Mercy might meete and prepare Strict Iustice on poore wretched Man to smile Whom Satan with false lyes and errour did beguile 43 What doth the Word of Truth to vs commend More than this inward Truth and Singlenesse Abram for this is styl'd by God a Friend And Iob 〈◊〉 of Truth and Perfectnesse If I should here the Readers patience presse With all examples therein to be found Surely my Verses should be numberlesse Wherefore a few I for the Truth propound That you like men of Berâ—a may the Scripture found 44 Where you shall fiâ—d of Truth examples store Eu'n Christ himselfe for Truth was crucifide Baptist beheaded Paul endured more For Truth than the Apostles all beside When Peter had the Lord of Truth denide He went out and did weepe more bitterly Than when his Master to him signifide By girding him what death he ought to die Whereby he should the Truth of God much glorifie 45 And this hath made the Martyrs of all Ages Till death their Truth of Iudgement to maintayne Sealing with blood the Truth of sacred pages And whilst they here endur'd most cruell payne They ioyfull were in hope of glorious gayne Yea many haue embraced losse and shame In singlenesse of heart Truth to maintayne But what though here they doe endure some blame The true in heart shall gayne an euerlasting name 46 Dauid a man call'd after Gods owne heart For inward Truth and Singlenesse within No beautie eloquence or outward part Can so commend a man For Truth doth winne The loue of God and Man But that foule sinne Of lying Lips and a deceitfull Heart Is an abomination vnto him In eu'ry triall Truth maintaynes her part But all dissemblers Adam-like aside doe start 47 Loe many Daughters haue done vertuously But glorious Truth doth farre surmount them all Yet if I onely sing of Veritie And labour not to practise it at all But from my Loynes her Girdle loosen shall It had beene better I had neuer knowne The way of Truth than afterwards to fall And leaue the Light that vnto me was showne Choking those seeds of Grace the Spirit of Truth had sowne 48 But ah the Deuill and his Instruments Continually doe seeke our Truth to spoile And by feare force and Worlds