A DIVINE CENTVRIE OF Spirituall Sonnets Altera Musa venit quid nisit alter Apollo LONDON Printed by Iohn VVindet 1595. TO THE RIGHT REVERENDE FATHER IN GOD the Right honourable and my very good Lorde TOBIE by the grace of God Bishop and Counte Palatine of Duresme and Sadberge Increase of all true zeale honour perpetuall consolation of mind and bodye RIGHT gracious and my very good Lorde if in any measure I coulde haue better deuised consonant with the weaknesse of my slender faculties how for so many your honourable great fauours to mee worthlesse neyther of any the least deserueable publiquely to divulge and promulgate the reuerende gratuitye which I still by numberlesse respects of duetie pretend and beare to your worthinesse it should haue beene euen in the mightiest power of my wittes and vertuousest indeuors more though not better manifested But since it both proceedeth from a francke spirite the chiefest treasures of my better parte I beseech your good Lordship not onely as in tollerating this boldenesse braunching from the firme confidence of my meere loue and duetie but that also in gracious admittance of your honourable Patronage you would dignifie these spirituall Poemes which this last yeere in my late litle trauails had through some partes of Fraunce as tribute of that measure of witte and inuention which it hath pleased almighty God of his super aboundant grace and mercie to endue my feeble spirite withall I daily to his honour and seruice by prescribed taske deuoted And albeit it nothing neere by millions of sacred degrees attayneth to the glorie of this diuine subiect and argument yet was it written I call his sacred Maiestie to record that I neyther for vayne glorie nor my iustification speake it in liuely touche motion and feeling-anguishe of spirite voyde of all colourable varnishe and hypocrisie and therefore more fitte for their spirituall consolatiō to bee perused of diuerse whome numerous Orations moue much more then proase and to that ende these at motion of some others my wel-deseruing friendes I haue committed to the publique tipographicall Theatre of generall censure which if they shall his omnipotencie in whose honour by mee most vnworthie vassall of sinne and mortallitie they were composed please then am I most pleased fortunate and comforted for euer And then I doubt not but they shall also hightly stande with your Lordshippes good liking and contentment to whome if in fauour these shall in this worlde passe I much lesse depende of other mens opinions referring them alone next vnder God to your honours vertuous protection and the protection of your honour to the great Protectour and disposer of all honours and blessinges With which I beseech his mightinesse indue your good Lordship and yours to his best pleasure and your deere soules comforte From London this 30. of August 1595. Your Honours in all spirituall deuotion assured Bar. Barnes To the fauourable and Christian Reader I Haue published curteous Reader an hundreth Quatorzaines in honour of the greatest disposer of all great honours wherin if through secret and inseperable combat betwixt earth and my spirite the priuie motions and sting of diuers wounds as they did succeede and grieue my soule manifested appeare Let them though not in these that singular vertue to contricion may mouingly perswade and stirre vp your Spirite to Diuine contemplation of your Ghostly comfort remaine yet as remembrancers to kindle more gracious and rich spirits of zeale and pure holinesse in your more Copious and Facile prepared wittes natures Which only as they be in respect of all other creatures reasonable and most Diuine so ought they to bee likewise in all reason imployed to the propagation honour and mightinesse of his Diuinitie whose vertue abundantly moueth vpon all vnworthie creatures of his handes but vpon vs the models of his similitude liknes in that large measure which as it is ineffable so doth it by nature enioyne vs to glorifie the singular operations of his omnipotent handes The glorious subiect as it is matchlesse and incomparable for Tytles and Mightinesse so woulde it in some richer more copious Inuentions rayse the tryumphant charyot of your sacred Muses aboue the starre-bearing firmament vpō the spirituall Pegasus of celestiall poesie in diuine harmonie of spirite beare the writer to that maiesticall Throane and Hemicycle of incomparable state and comfortable dignitie where he should with consent and assistaunce of Angelles and heauenly Spirites to the musicall stringes of royall crowned Harper's for euer sing ALLELVYA Saluation Honor Glory Renowne and Eternitie bee ascribed alwayes to the greatest God of gods King of kinges Lorde of lordes onely victorious tryumphant mercifull and gracious And if any man feele in himselfe by the secret fire of immortall Entheusiasme the learned motions of strange and diuine passions of spirite let him refine and illuminate his numerous Muses with the most sacred splendour of the holy Ghost then he shall with diuine Salust the true learned frenche Poet finde that as humane furie maketh a man lesse then a man and the very same with wilde vnreasonable beastes so diuine rage and sacred instinct of a man maketh more then man and leadeth him from his base terrestriall estate to walke aboue the starres with Angelles immortally The seuerall passions of comforte ghostly combates albeit they stand in my booke confused peraduenture therefore may to some readers seeme disordered and straunge as in their vnequall coherence of praises penitence and fearefull afflictions yet vpon some especiall occasions and in earnest true motions of the spirite were they deuised and I therefore in this respecte implore your generall fauours Reade I beseeche you and with singlenesse of zeale and true spirit giue censure according to my good will and indeuours Farewell Bar. Barnes INVOCATION To the Diuine Father of sacred Muses SONNET I. NO more lewde laies of Lighter loues I sing Nor teach my lustfull Muse abus'de to flie With Sparrowes plumes and for compassion crie To mortall beauties which no succour bring But my Muse fethered with an Angels wing Diuinely mounts aloft vnto the skie Where her loues subiects with my hopes doe lie For Cupids darts prefigurate hell's sting His quenchlesse Torch foreshowes hell's quenchles fire Kindling mens wits with lustfull laies of sinne Thy wounds my Cure deare Sauiour I desire To pearce my thoughts thy fierie Cherubinne By kindling my desires true zeale t' infuse Thy loue my theame and holy Ghost my Muse. SONNET II. SWeete Sauiour from whose fiuefold bleeding wound That comfortable Antidote distilde Which that rancke poyson hath expeld and kild In our old wretched father Adam found In Paradise when he desertlesse crown'd Receau'd it as th' enuenomde Serpent willde In steede of lustfull eyes with arrowes fillde Of sinfull loues which from their beames abound Let those sweete blessed wounds with streames of grace Aboundantly sollicite my poore spirite Rauish'de with loue of thee that didst debase Thy selfe on earth that I
whose holy spirit outrage calmes Calme thou my sinfull spirits which intend To thy great praise their faculties to lend On my soules knees I lift my spirits Palmes With humble penitence to purchase grace These eyes this mortall bodies skies downe power Teares of contrition on my blushing face Fruites of repentance flourish with this shower My soule I feele is comforted and eas'de Then Lord with my poore offring bee well pleas'de SONNET LXXXXIII WIth my poore offring bee well pleasde sweete Lord And then with ghostly peace and hart vpraised Thy Temple celestiue where thou liu'st praised With ceaselesse Canticles and Hymnes record And meekenes which mine humble thoughts afforde I will approche not any wise amazed To see those sacred misteries rich blazed To my sinne blinded eyes before abhorr'de In thy deare presence their due tribute paying For their misgouernance and riotise My soule afflicted with harts incense praying It selfe deuoutly Lord doth sacrifice To that Lambe blemishlesse which offring made Himselfe for my sinnes and deathes forfeite paide SONNET LXXXXIIII O What a gracious burthen huge and heauie What charge importable and painefull weight Those deadly sinnes which with our soules doe fight And fresh supplies of vile offences leuie Yeelding more puisance to their powrefull might In hope with shade of euerlasting night To blind the beamesome rayes of my poore soule Which doth a restlesse stone of labour roule Till thy deare gracious mercies from thy sight Do banish them and with the glorie bright Of thy sweete pardon lighten them againe And then albeit no volumes can containe Thy praise and mercies yet will I contend From East to West their memorie to send SONNET LXXXXV THat golden Planet Lampe of this worlds light Whose glorious Easterne insurrection showes His ceasclesse course whose tearme no creatures knowes That siluer Planet torch of silent night Which when the Sunne reposeth her beames bright In Westerne Seas her Planet-darts forth throwes Whose influence doth strange euents compose That boystrous turbulence of North winds might Which swels and ruffles in outragious sort Those chearefull Southerne showers whose fruitefull dew Brings forth all sustenance for mans comfort East West North South if none thy puissance knew Relate thy wondrous vertues and with praise From West to East from North to South them raise SONNET LXXXXVI FIrme Rocke of during stone sure Bulwarke of defence Strong arme of fortitude Shielde of protection Courage of puisance and vertues of perfection Eorne of saluation and diuinest essence Thou shalt sustaine my spirite least it backeward fall Thou shalt my soule relieue from Sathans fierce giuen charge Thou shalt my cause maintaine and combate him at large Thou shalt huige blowes of sin ward from my soule in thrall Thou shalt with ghostly valour my soules strength inspire Thou shalt annointe my head with oyle of peace and ioye Thou mee shalt purifie with pure zeales holy fire By these I shall my spirites enemie destroye By these I shall effect my soules chiefe happinesse By these I shall my soule vnhalowed redresse SONNET LXXXXVII MY soule through manifold assaults of sinne In grieuous combate with my flesh retain'de Declining faintes vnlesse it bee sustain'de Then send thy mercies which might enter in To seuer them least further broyles beginne And if my soule with wounds affliction payn'de Haue penitently to thy grace complayn'de Let it by gracious mnee as some mercie winne Pure grace sweete mercie comfortable peace Zeale truth and righteousnesse are dearely met Whose fame from East to West can neuer cease Nor those which in these their affiance set Can euer bee for glories want obscure But with Saluation eternizde endure SONNET LXXXXVIII WHere shall I vex'de my sinfull head repose If that in errour and conceiued vice Which with deceitefull Blandishments intice My feeble nature mortified with sinne Then hope shall gates of my saluation close Against my soule and my dispaire beginne If that in open sight then open shame The Scarlet of my conscience will disclose And sound the shamefull Trumpet of my fame Where then shall I my vexed soule dispose If not in blind obscuritie nor light Then there euen there impenitence with those Which weepe downe teares of comfort to delight Their soule enlarged from eternall night SONNET LXXXXIX OH whether shall my troubled Muse encline When not the glorious Scaffolde of the skies Nor highest heauens resplendent hierarchies Where heau'nly Soldiours in pure armor shine Nor ayer which thy sweete spirite doth refine Nor earth thy precious bloud vnworthy prise Nor Seas which when thou list ebbe and arise Nor any creature profane or Diuine Can blaze the flourish of thy tearmelesse praise Surreaching farre by manifold large space All Diuine fabricke of thy sacred hands Euen thether shall my Muse her Musicke raise Where my soules euerlasting pallace stands Sweete refuge of saluation Court of grace SONNET 100. SAcred directour of diuine Syon With gracious handes and mercy-mouing eyes With eares attentiue take my sacrifice Beholde my teares heare my playntes which crie on Lighten my pensiue soule which woulde flye on To thy sweete mercies seate heauens Paradise Thy pure Dooues white Winges that my soule may rise And mount from this base earth deare Lorde tye on So shall my Spirite flye from starre to starre And in consent of musickes sweete reporte Beare thy rich Glories forth from farre to farre When Cherubines with Seraphines resorte And Angelles with Archangelles still to sing The glorious wonders of their heauenly King FINIS HYMNE TO THE GLORIOVS HONOVR OF THE most blessed and indiuisible Trinitie SACRED deere Father of all thinges created Whose ioyfull throane of endlesse triumph stands In glorious heauen whose name earth animated Proclaymeth through the compasse of all landes I lift these humble handes Vpheau'de with courage of a zealous harte Confirm'de with fortitude of constant fayth Assur'd in grace of some sweete mercies parte Which Treasures my deare hope in high heauen layth Which comforte my soule hath And thou deare onely Sonne of God alone Thou precious Immolacion of mankinde Who sits on right hande of thy Fathers throne Who fearefull Sathan did in fetters binde Whome death alone did finde To be the peerelesse Champion of his foyle Thou that redeemed'st from infernall payne Our great graundfathers and our selues assoyle Of our foule sinnes nor humbled didst disdayne For mankinde to be slayne And lastly thou sweete comfortable Spirite Of meekenesse holinesse and spotlesse loue By whose deare incense not our vayne demerite We purchase heritage in heauen aboue Thou that in fourme of Doue Thy sanctified Apostles didst salute Spirite of trueth which doth our comforte bring Without whose heauenly motions men are mute By whose power in the Virgines wombe did spring Our comforter and King And thou deare sacred Father of like power With thy most deare Sonne sacrifice for sinne And thou sweete holy Ghost who didst downe shower Clouen tongues of fire true glorie for to winne All which three powers cloase in One sacred and
infect with sinnes misgouernaunce Then purge my spirit by thine holy Ghost And as an Angell let it mildly rest In thy thrice blessed bosome wished most By my poore soule with grieuous sinnes opprest And let thy blessed feete suppresse all those Which to thee and my soule be vowed foes SONNET XXXVII O My deare God how shall my voice preuaile How shall my tongue giue vtterance to my mind Where shall my thankefull hartfree passage find My slender voice tongue feeble and hart fraile Before they can giue condigne praise will fayle I cannot celebrate in their due kinde Thy glories numberlesse which Angels finde Eu'n to surmount all Angels best trauayle Oh my deare God my comfort my sollace My swift soule flies with my Diuine thoughts wings Eu'n to thy bosome Oh let it embrace And triumph in my sweete saluations springs For I beleeue thou wilt not me forsake Who for mee didst thy Sonne a Martyr make SONNET XXXVIII GRacious Diuine and most omnipotent Receiue thy seruants Tallent in good part Which hidde it not but willing did conuert It to best vse hee could when it was lent The summe though slender yet not all mispent Receiue deare God of grace from cheerefull hart Of him that knowes how mercifull thou art And with what grace to contrite sinners bent I know my fault I did not as I should My sinfull flesh against my soule rebeld But since I did endeuour what I could Let not my little nothing bee withheld From thy rich treasuries of endlesse grace But for thy sake let it procure a place SONNET XXXIX I Nuironed with dangers manifolde At home and forren both by land and waue Where change of Nations diuers daungers gaue And nouels earst which I did not beholde Much like a doubtfull Pilgrim whome infould Millions of woes that knowes no helpe to haue Nor how from dangers prest himselfe to saue Was I but when mee thought I perish should My God of mercy did my life redeeme My God of mercy did my soule sustaine Oh then how well shall it my Muse beseeme To praise the Lord and him collaude againe Nay try vain Poets try that King that place If God and heauen giue not your Muse most grace SONNET XL. MY daies bee few my sinnes past number bee Adde to my daies Oh God more time of grace And mercy to my sinnes behold my case With eyes of gracious pittie looke on mee My wounded and afflicted conscience see My soule afraide to stand before thy face In pittie Lord deare Lord a longer space Or else in mercy Father set mee free I finde high iustice doth my soule condemne Which Sathan vrgeth still to my dispaire Sathan auoide thy malice I contemne Al thy suggestions vaine illusions are Of thy temptations this is my construction Then perish in vaine hope of my destruction SONNET XLI TEmpted in forren nation by that foe Which both my soule and bodies health enuies And vex'd with seuerall strange perplexities Whose cause or reason I could neuer know Or why my mind should mourne afflicted so To thee my God I turne my sinfull eyes Whom I prouoke with my remorse full cries Some succour for my vexed thoughts to show That as I haue my natiue Countrie changed So likewise from the world I may bee weaned And as my weede with nation is estranged I so may shine in Christian armes vnfeyned And as I leaue my nations true language My Muse may change for a diuiner rage SONNET XLII OH you light Poets whose Ardure diuine Inkindl'd with immortall furie was Ordaind therefore all other wits to passe Because those faculties you should incline To make with praise the most praise-worthie shine From sacred numbers roll'de in iust compasse Sphoerelike in Musicke turne your tunes alas To rauish eares with notes of your engine By these you shal the God of Gods collaude The King of Kings and Lord of Lords exalt Make not Diuine wit foule affections baude It is against that holy Ghost a fault Who therefore with his beames your wits did brighten That your wits likewise should his glorie lighten SONNET XLIII SAthan abroad when I was left alone A stranger and distress'de did mee assaile Finding my nature hoped to preuaile And make sure entrance where hee could finde none A gentle nature soonest ouerthrowne Hee thought supposing for his more auaile The sting of sinne should helpe if others faile But now behold Gods mercie to mee showne Hee gracious louing mercifull and wise Declar'd expressely that I was ordaind Vnto saluation for that enterprise Of Sathans mou'de my soule before profaind To purge it selfe with that repentant grace Which mee shall saue from hell and him displace SONNET XLIIII O Lord increase in mee true faith and loue Faith of saluation in thine onely sonne And his loue that hath my soules health begunne Who from my soule his incense will remoue That deadly sting which sinne did vnder shoue O Lord increase my zeale and let it runne Through my soules Organes that thereby bee donne A pleasing incense to thy throane aboue O Lord increase in mee that earnest care To make a mends for those high sinnes by past And equall charitie to worke welfare Vnto my neighbours bound in fetters fast That by faith Loue true zeale and charitie Through thee my soule may find felicitie SONNET XLV O What great comfort is it to giue praise To God the Lord of heauen Oh what comfort Is it abroad his praises to report And of his wondrous workes our notes to raise To lift our Muses from base earthly laies To that Dinine angelicall consort Bearing Palme Oliue and immortall Baies With chaunge of harmonies in one consort To glorifie the mightie God of glorie To magnifie the mightie God of might To triumph in the guide of victorie To celebrate the Iustice of all right To make our refuge where all helpe is found To cure our wounded soules with his sole wound SONNET XLVI OH Sunne and Moone the daies and Euenings lights With powerfull Starres bright subjects of the same Archangels Angels praise his holy name The glorious Cherubin which fierie fights With his proud foes the Seraphes holy sprights Who with sweete himnes record his endlesse fame The dreadfull thunder with his angrie flame Which when hee list all men and beastes affrights Raine Hayle Snow tempest clouds and bitter winde Darknesse and light Earthquakes and foggie mist With Flies and fethered foules of seuerall kinde My soule and spirite in his praise assist Who past all humaine wonder did create Vs all that all his praise might propagate SONNET XLVII OH what celestiall Angell will downe send Into these eyes some dewy cloudes of grace To wash the furrowes of my withered face Defilde with sinne what spirite will mee lend Sufficient winde that my sighes might ascend And with contrition pearce to that pallace From whence proceedes all succour and solace What Champion Michaell my soule to defend Will lend his puissant and victorious crosse To conquere that olde Serpent
XIIII O Benigne Father let my sutes ascend And please thy gracious eares from my soule sent Euen as those sweete perfumes of incense went From our forefathers altars who didst lend Thy nosthrils to that mirrh which they did send Euen as I now craue thine eares to be lent My soule my soule is wholy wholy bent To doe thee condigne seruice and amend To flie for refuge to thy wounded brest To sucke the balme of my saluation thence In sweete repose to take eternall rest As thy childe folded in thine armes defence But then my flesh me thought by Sathan fir'de Said my proud sinfull soule in vaine aspirde SONNET XV. PIttifull Lord whose endles mercy reacheth From East to West and the worlds compasse filleth Whose charge imperious as thy spirit willeth Things sencelesse as in life obedience teacheth Whose bright omnipotence the Dumbe borne preacheth Whose grace in full aboundance downe distilleth To contrite sinners which olde Sathan killeth And wounded spirits heales whome sinne appeacheth With those bright eyes of mercy me respect From my soule made thy temple Sathan driue That my pure spirit may thy praise detect And from death by thy liuely grace reuiue That sinne and Hell suppress'd I might appeare After deaths conquest by thy mercies cleare SONNET XVI SVre corner stone of that rocke firme and hie Where of eternall life the fountaine springs Whose vertue to the soule such comfort brings That he which tasteth neuer shall be drie Nor euer slaue of death againe shall die Oh let thy blessed Angell carrie wings And arme my soule which loathing earthly things For liuely water to that rocke would flie There neuer dare approch my Ghostly foe Which would from number of thy Saints exempt My silly soule sweete Christ let him forgoe That deare soules purchase which he doth attempt Remember my deare Lord thou dy'd to saue it Then neuer shall the roaring Lyon haue it SONNET XVII MYlde King of Salem Lord of louely peace Who do'st in brother like agreement ioy In mercy mourning when thou do'st destroy Where iustice condigne anger doth encrease Behold a wretch whose sinnes doe neuer cease With haynous guilt his conscience to annoy Who by that meanes cannot calme rest enioy Behold deare Christ and for my free release Vpon contrition those offences blot Out of those large inditements which be giu'n By my iust conscience let them be forgot Forget forgiue deare Lord for I am driu'n By their remembrance almost to dispaire Which my soules ruine ready would prepare SONNET XVIII HYe priest of Syon whose eternall throne With endlesse right and mercy seated is Which all knees when his name repeated is Adore whose rule hath times swift wings outgone Whose Scepter is an euerlasting one Whose Monarchie neuer compleated is This humble Alter see which heated is With feruent zeale I beare to thee alone Which from the Syon of my soule aspireth Euen from this zealous hart vnto the chayre Of euerlasting power where it desireth Through pleasing incense for me to prepayre A glorious Crowne which neuer will take rust Which graunt Deare Sauiour in whose helpe I trust SONNET XIX LOuely Samaritane draw neere and view The mangled obiect of a wretched soule Afflicted deadly with a conscience foule The iust sting of such sinnes as my soule slew Whose faults be numberlesse though yeeres bee few Oh note them not sweete Lord in thy blacke scroule Which may my deare saluations hope controle When breath and body shall be changed new But these foule desperate wounds deare Christ vp bind Cherishd with oyle of mercies and sweete grace And let thy Gospell minister each kind Of heau'nly foode and bee thy Church the place Where I may mee repose to purchase cure That when thou com'st I may be sound and pure SONNET XX. GReat God of Abraham whose eternall power Shaketh the worlds vnsure foundations Whose frowne affrights all Kings and nations whose anger doth like flames of fire deuour Whose triumph comming is in vnknowne hower Whose praise exceedes all mortall mens Orations Whose time of grace for sinners preparations Thou do'st inlarge to yeeld vs more succour Like Father chastice mee with tender twigges Not like an angrie Iudge with yren Rodde Least Sathan purchase conquest by dispaire That when heauen shall shake downe her Starres like Figges Thou both as equall iudge and gentle God For mee the Crowne of glorie may prepare SONNET XXI SOle hope and blessing of olde Israels line Which gaue by promise to his blessed seede A land that should all blessings plentie breede Riuers of pleasant Honnie Milke and wine Whose ofspring numberlesse thou calledst thine Whome with thine Angels Manna thou didst feede Being before from Pharoes bondage freede When Moyses first thy statutes did resigne Behold deare God one in these daies of grace Since by thy precious bloud thou freede mankinde By promise which a portion and a place Amongst thy children hopeth for to finde In Gospels comfort through thy bloudes deare prise Oh let him purchase such a Paradise SONNET XXII FOuntaine of life and endlesse happinesse O quench these wordly sparkes of Sathans fier Enkindled in my fancies and desier Rocke of saluation and all blessednesse Defend mee charg'de with sinful wickednesse Spirite of comfort let thy breath inspire My soule infected ready to retire And carnall mocions striuing to represse I thirst cleare fountaine for the streame of life I fall farre set from my saluations rocke And Sathan with my Spirite is at strife Vrging that I am seuer'd from thy flocke Yet my deare Sauiour strong rocke and sweete spirite Through mercy my poore soule shall heauen inherite SONNET XXIII FAther of Pietie by this wee know The glories greater of thy gracious loue Then of desires which carnal fancies moue For if wee praise a mortall shape below By flattery their Diuinities wee show Comparing them their perfectnesse aboue Their cheekes to Roses their neckes white to Doue Their eyes to starres from whence all fortunes flow Their eyes effects to the Meridian Sunne Their modest thoughts to the colde Virgine moone Oh fooles fooles ignorant when this is donne Wee know wee flatter them then Muses soone Why turne you not your numbers musicall To God aboue mans praise which ruleth all SONNET XXIIII PVre spotlesse ofspring of vngratefull Iurie At morning mid-day and at quiet night I neither will forget thy praise nor might When men vngratefull shall prouoke thy furie I shall bee safe if that deare grace procure I And finde sweete comfort of eternall light Mongst Cherubes Seraphins and Angels bright But if thy precepts I forget then sure I With sinners must expect my portion dew Because thy grace celestiall I abus'd And in thy face with vile contorcion threw Those sacred blessings stubbornely refus'd At length I like an Angell shall appeare In spotlesse white an Angels Crowne to weare SONNET XXV GLorious Iehouah Oh how full of power How full of sacred maruailes bee thy deedes Thou that with plenties euery creature feedes And blessed bounties
which bestowes each hower With hand of mercie sending forth a shower In large aboundance to produce good seedes My wounded hart with pearsed conscience bleedes When I remember thee my soules succour Who was so many times by mee forgot Who by mee wicked vilest hainous wretch Prophaned oft hast beene but praised not At length though late mine armes mine hart I stretch My soule my sinfull soule I lift to thee Who with thy praises triumph cleare would bee SONNET XXVI GReat God of larges bountifull good giuer Of endlesse blessings as thou didst bestow On me poore wretch that reason how to know Thee without all beginnig endlesse liuer Powre likewise downe thy graces louely Riuer And let it Lord my poore hart ouerflow These like sweete fire which Diuine spirits blow May clearely burne in zeale of thy Loues euer That all my thoughts thy Testament embrace That all my wits thy tearmelesse grace set out That by thee praising I may shew thy grace Which in large Talent thou to mee let out That after good accompt past terme of ages I may receiue a trustie stewards wages SONNET XXVII HIgh King of Kings who with thine awfull cheeke Controles the sterne windes sinfull land rough Seas Who chides in thunder when wee doe displease Whome all things feare and tremble at his becke Yoking in one the Kings and beggers necke Without respect in wrath yet will appease His wrath when sinners penitent shall prease His throne in zeale sincere without contecke Oh God iust mercifull and gracious Full of all plentie blessing and kindnesse Whose endlesse rule past limit spacious Illuminate my soule and banish blindnesse Consider how this sinfull soule opprest With nature by thy grace would bee redrest SONNET XXVIII FOrtresse of hope Anchour of faithfull zeale Rocke of affiance Bulwarke of sure trust In whome all nations for saluation must Put certaine confidence of their soules weale Those sacred misteries deare Lord reueale Of that large volume righteous and iust From mee though blinded with this earthly dust Doe not those gracious misteries conceale That I by them as from some beame some Lampe May finde the bright and right direction To my soule blinded marching to that Campe. Of sacred soldiours whose protection Hee that victorious on a white horse rideth Taketh and euermore triumphant guideth SONNET XXIX RAyons of glorie beames of endlesse ioy Cheerish my soule illuminate my wits Rauish my sences with celestial fits That mistes infernall doe not them anoy All carnall motions weaken and acoy Eu'n from that beame some throne where glorious sits The Lord of light whose eye no shade admits That filthy Dragon my sonles foe destroy Which in foule pit of dreadfull darkenes liues Repleat with horrour and contagious smell Whose shadow noysome mist and blindnes giues Raysde from th'infectious damps of vgly Hell Rayons of comfort through my Temples pearse And consecrate my Muse to sacred verse SONNET XXX HIgh mightie God of Gods and King of Kings Whose awful charge through the round world doth runne Eu'n from the rising of the glorious Sunne Vnto the Seas where hee his Chariot brings What instruments or what harmonious strings Shall to thy graces which bee new begunne And haue so many soules with comfort wonne Giue praises due to such celestiall things Praise and thankesgiuing to the Lord surrender And pay thy duties to thy God most highest Least thou before his throane a vile offender Appeare when sinne and Hell to conscience nighest Accuse thee wicked sinner for that grace Which God bestowde and thou cast in his face SONNET XXXI O Glorious Patrone of eternall blisse Victorious conquerour of Hell and death Oh that I had whole westerne windes of breath My voice and tongue should not bee so remisse My notes should not bee so rare and demisse But euery riuer forrest hill and heath Should eccho forth his praise and vnderneath The worlds foundations sound that it is his Hee which did place the worlds foundations Hee which did make the Sunne the Moone and starres Who with his blood redeem'd all nations And willing none from Paradise debarres Shall not all instruments and voyces sounde His glories which in all these things abounde SONNET XXXII THe well of life the forte of happinesse Rocke of affiance Piller of sure trust Anchor of hope Treasure repining rust Starre of direction Ease of wretchednesse Great Lord of largesse Iudge of wickednesse Balme of saluation Ayder of the iust Fountaine of grace Quickner of Clay and dust Cure of disease Releeuer of distresse Bright Sunne of comfort Iustice of true peace The branch of glory and the Fruite of blisse Kingdomes disposer Husband of increase For penitence who pardons things amisse And in contrition dayly who delightes What man can giue due glorious Epithites SONNET XXXIII THrice puissant generall of true Christian hoast Whose voyce it selfe is dreadfull thundercracke Whose wrath doth nether fire nor lightning lacke Whose stormie frowne makes tremble euerie coast Chasing thy fearefull foes from post to post Whose hands force can all the worlds forces sacke Who turnes his foemens colours into blacke Whose murthering thunderboults for arrowes bee Whose sworde victorious Trenchant double edg'd His holy Scripture is whose foes conuert The pointe to their owne brest and haue alledg'd Vaine arguments thy deare Saints to subuert As thou deare God art iudge so giue thy doome In iustice to subuert ambitious Rome SONNET XXXIIII BEhold deare Father with those gracious eyes Which all the world with their beames glorie brighten My plaints and then my cause in iustice righten My soule repentant still for mercy cries Prick'd with vaine sinnes which in my thoughts arise Hope of thy mercy doth my sorrow lighten Feares least more sinnes ensue with my soule fighten And true zeales of thy loue my thoughts surprise But angrie iustice seemes with irefull threate To giue blacke sentence of damnation vnto my soule distress'd and doth repeate Olde sinnes prouoking desperation Oh saue mee saue mee Lord least that I fall Into damnation saue Lord when I call SONNET XXXV A Rise thou mightie God of heau'n rise vp Against thy sinfull foes of Babell rise And scatter thou like dust thine enemies Let them dregges of thine indignation suppe That haue beene drunken with the strumpets cuppe Like smoke which vanisheth into the skies Disseuer them and like the waxe which fries Before the fire so melt and burne them vp O magnifie the Lord and praises sing Vnto the mightie God of heau'n who makes The clouds to thunder and his boults doth wing With fire and furie who the round world shakes Before whose face Kings with their Armies flie And at whose feete proud Emperours dead lie SONNET XXXVI LOrd with the light of thy cleare countenance My sinfull troubled soule illuminate And with thy mightie shoulders eleuate My feeble spirit and his state aduaunce From thy sweete brest pearc'd sometimes with a Launce For my redeemption from accursed state Lend one deare droppe whose force shall animate My soule
the comfort of my soule reioyce And with my mouth consent world without end To speake to praise to glorifie to singe That God which to my soule doth succour bringe SONNET LIX MY soule my soule I feele I feele is vexed My mind and thoughts in vncouth forte distressed My braynes with fearefull dreames by night oppressed My hart with strange discouragement perplexed My soles vnneathed vnto my feete annexed My spirit with faint languor still distressed And helpe Lord helpe my soule my soule addressed By Melancholies poyson is connexed In fetters serpentine of foule dispaire Death almost my lifes ceasure hath begunne And after Sathan will his bookes prepare Blotted with vgly sinnes past number donne Oh my God my deare God helpe and assist Sinne death and hell my safetie doe resist SONNET LX. TVrne not away the sunne shine of thy face Sweete God of comfort from my troubled hart Congeald with sinne doe not sweete Lord depart From him that penitently sues for grace Whose soule through countlesse sinnes my whole liues space Benumbd can scarcely feele contritions smart What Phisicke then shall serue what helpe of art My dead soule to reuiue and sinne forth chase Eu'n those pure Rayons of thy holy Ghost Those gracious beames of thy pure holy word Shall mollifie giue ease and comfort most To my cold frozen soule and helpe afford Least with the frost of sinne my soule astounded After deaths griefe should with hels sting bee wounded SONNET LXI WHere is that copious furie whilom which My braines in kindled with an vncouth fire Whose sacred spirit did of yore aspire Aboue the glorious Sunne with passions rich Which thoughts in choyce words to the starres would stich With sacred Musicke tempering my desire Contending holily to mount vp higher Whilst heau'nly chaunture did my soule bewitch Oh precious Ardoure by whose chearefull heate The braine especiall recreation findes The soule chiefe comfort I thy beames intreate Which cheere all plants and beasts of seuer all kindes From my poore spirite doe not take away Those rayes wich must with light my wittes aray SONNET LXII FOr comfort my deare God I did attend And gracious eares to mee thou didst encline At my petitions thou didst not repine But present succour to my suits didst send Thou didst direct my feete which did depend On thee my stedfast Rocke where brightly shine Thy lawes those Lampes to which my thoughts incline Which Lord graunt that my soule doe not offend In my mouth Lord thou didst put a new song A due thankesgiuing vnto thee my God Which men shall feare to violate and wrong Least they should bee corrected with thy rod. Oh God great wonders thou for mee hast wrought For thy Sonnes sake who my saluation bought SONNET LXIII O Dreadfull horrour and tormented minde Foule restlesse conscience charg'd with hainous sinnes Lothsom and numberlesse when God beginnes His fruitfull haruest in faire sheafe to binde Hath thee for tares to quenchlesse fire assign'd Where teares nor hope of vaine repentance winnes Thy soule from Torture where griefe neuer linnes More pangues by worme of conscience to find Oh dreadfull hower when to thy soule condemn'd The iudge of truth and King of glorie saith Hedlong with Lucifer fall who contemn'd My lawes fall downe thou Fiend of little faith And with Deuils damned thy due portion take Immortally to burne in fierie lake SONNET LXIIII. THen if derne Loue of thy deare louing Lord His gentle graces Oyle his mercies balme His bounties numberlesse his spirite calme His loue of peace and comfort in concord Of the thrice sinfull soule remaine abhorrde If to thy soule sinne wounded no sweete Psalme Nor heau'nly Harpe nor Organe Trump nor Shalme Can comfort bring with their Diuine recorde To make thee ioyne in praise of his good grace Or to thy sinfull soule correction giue Yet let that quenchlesse lake and dreadfull place Where soules in deadly torment euer liue Creatour and creation which reproue Make thee repent for feare if not for Loue. SONNET LXV O Mercy mercy which much greater is Then heauens themselues Oh truth Oh sincere truth Which to the cloudes extendeth and insueth Of iustice which doth neuer iudge amisse Oh age of ages euermore in youth Oh Iudge whose righteous punishment is ruth Which sinners worthlesse dost with bountie blisse Oh where shall I finde to my spirite voice Where to my voice sufficient choyce of words To shew how much my spirite doth reioyce In those large blessings which thy grace affords My spirite first will faile with feeble voice Oh my Lord God lende spirit life and breath That I may praise thy name to conquer death SONNET LXVI IF death may by thy prayses vanquish't be Then voyce then spirit let your organes breake And of his glory sing criefoorth and speake Of him that succours helps and comforts me Moue toungue sounde voyce and from your slouthfull gree Avoyde and in this vtter aunce be not weake If hell the venome of his furie wreake It shall not be of force to vanquish thee Oh laude laudes glory gloryes prayse of prayse Fame honour trueth eternitye renoume And iustice mercifull ascribe alwayes To thee great Keyser of the thorny crowne Which coronation infamous did gayne That millions shoulde rich glorious Crownes obtayne SONNET LXVII VVHat thing in spacious heauen round earth deepe seas Which thy praise worthy glories doth not tell Whose golden Sunneshine euer doth excell In many millions farre aboue all these So much exceeding that if any prease To giue due praise hee shall perceyue it well His faculties against his will rebell And that his toungue cannot his spirit please Oh who shall giue due glories to his name That glorifies all thinges with decent pride Or what is he can signifie the same Or in an equall share his praise deuide With those great bounties which he hath bestow'd And those great mercies on vs sinners show'd SONNET LXVIII THat bounteous largesse of sweete mercies oyle That peace of soule that siluer streame of grace That comforte of saluation that pallace Of heauenly succour which death cannot spoyle That fortitude whose force no force can foyle Of IESSES precious braunch that royall race Who with his glory filleth euery place And with sweete dewes doth cherish euery soyle Can with no florish of eternall phrase Be glorifi'de according to desart Who with meete colours shall his glory blaze Who to the world shall condigne praise impart What instrument what voyce what toungue what spirite Shall giue due commendations to demerite SONNET LXIX WHo to the golden Sunnes long restlesse race Can limits set what vessell can comprise The swelling windes what cunning can deuise With queint Arithmetique in steadfast place To number all the starres in heauens pallace What cunning Artist euer was so wise Who by the starres and planets coulde aduise Of all aduentures the iust course and case Who measur'd hath the waters of the seas Who euer in iust ballaunce poys'd the ayre As no man euer could the least
of these Perfourme with humaine labour strength and care So who shall striue in volumes to contayne Gods prayse ineffable contends in vayne SONNET LXX VNto my spirite lend an Angels wing By which it might mount to that place of rest Where Paradice may mee releeue opprest Lend to my tongue an Angels voice to sing Thy praise my comfort and for euer bring My notes thereof from the bright East to West Thy mercy lend vnto my soule distrest Thy grace vnto my wits then shall the sling Of righteousnesse that monster Sathan kill Who with dispaire my deare saluation dared And like the Philistine stoode breathing still Proud threats against my soule for heauen prepared At length I like an Angell shall appeare In spotlesse white an Angels Crowne to weare SONNET LXXI O Glorious Crowne more precious many waies Then simple humaine Temples can deserue Thrice glorious God who doth that Crowne reserue For men vnworthie to set out his praise Oh mortall Temples what Muse can you raise Which vnhard precious spirits doth reserue His praise most meritorious to serue Admit that past all number were your daies Admit your spirit more then the fower windes Admit your learning bee by more degrees Aboue the Seraphins admit all kindes Of Musickes instruments inferiour were In heau'nly tunes and sacred harmonies To thy sweete voice all cannot his praise beare SONNET LXXII THe sunne of our soules light thee would I call But for our light thou didst the bright Sunne make Nor reason that thy Maiestie should take Thy chiefest subiects Epithites at all Our chiefe directions starre celestiall But that the starres for our directions sake Thou fixed and canst at thy pleasure shake I would thee name The Rocke substantiall Of our assurance I would tearme thy name But that all Rockes by thy commaund were made If King of Kings thy Maiestie became Monarch of Monarches I thee would haue saide But thou giues kingdomes and makes Crownes vnstable By these I know thy name ineffable SONNET LXXIII TRiumphant conquerour of death and hell Behold what legions though in vaine conspire Thy Temple militant to set on fire And Saints which in thy sanctuarie dwell To burne whilst they against thy power rebell See how like bloudy tyrants they desire Ambitiously to rise and mount vp higher Like Lucifer which to perdition fell Their forces are addrest against thy Saints Breake thou their bowes knap thou their speares in sunder I know their spirit at thy presence faints Against their Cannon plante thy dreadfull thunder Thy thunderbolts against their bullets dash And on their beauers bright let lightning flash SONNET LXXIIII ARmies of Angelles Myriades of Saintes Millions of Emperours and holy Kings Legions of sacred Patriarkes he brings Which his rebellious foes with feare attaintes Whose spirit at thy puisant spirit faintes Great Lord of Lordes whose sacred armis singes Triumphant Peans and new musicke bringes In glorious phrase which thy sweete glorie payntes Whilst vnder thy tryumphant chariot wheeles Rowling vpon the starres thy captiues lye In quenchlesse fiery lake whose spirit feeles An endlesse torment in captiuitye When thy fowre sweete Euangelistes ride bye Like corporalles proclayming victorye SONNET LXXV ELders of grace in number sixe times foure Fall downe fall downe vpon your aged faces Sende from graue ceerefull voyce throughout all places Such ioyfull tydinges in aboundant store Of praise then sandes of seas in number more To the great bounteous giuer of all graces Harmonious Kinges cast downe your Crownes and Maces Sounding your cheerefull harpes his throne before Let Alleluiah round about resounde Power honour glory praises and renowne Ascribe vnto the Lorde who doth confounde Euen with his nostshils breath and casteth downe His worthlesse enemies of Magogs campe And vnto dust and ashes them doth stampe SONNET LXXVI AS those three Kings touch'd with a sacred zeale By presents rich made Royal offerture Our new borne Sauiours blessing to procure Borne in an Oxe stall for our publique weale When in adoring him they did reueale his Godhead by those gifts they did assure So let faith hope and loue make ouerture Of new saluation which themselues conceale In this base mortall stable sinnes foule place Whereof eternall ioyes they may present To my saluation borne of thy deare grace Such rich Propines As from thy Gospell sent By precious incense may my spirit bring The tearmelesse praises of my God to sing SONNET LXXVII PVrge thou my guiltie soule sweete gracious Lord Defil'd and vgly made with sinfull spots Heale my wounds desperate whose festure rots My vexed members loathsome and abhorrd Doe not in register my sinne recorde My wicked practises and vaine complots But lift my soule from the defiled pots And let thy mercy with my suite accorde Make thou my soule cleere like white Salmons snow Or like a siluer winged Doue appeare Where diuers glorious golden fethers show Conuert thy foemens forces into feare Like Iaben make them and like Cysara Like Seba Zeb Horeb and Salmana SONNET LXXVIII RIde on in glorie on the mornings wings Thrice puisant conquerour in glorie ride That heauen as Horse courragious doth'st bestride Who whether thou disposest succour brings Ride on the glorious cloudes high King of Kings Thy conquering sworde guirde to thy puisant side Bright soldiours muster vp whose armies guide Raungde into Quadraines and triumphant Rings That shamelesse strumpet of proud Babilon Which thine Apostles killes and Prophets stoneth With Cuppe full of abhomination Which poysons millions and no man bemoneth With her false proud and Antichristian route Suppresse and put to slaughter rounde about SONNET LXXIX THe tearmelesse date of my sweete second life When this corruption mortall in sinne bred Shall resting in obliuion vanish dead Ending the period of all earthly strife Freshly recals those Loues and graces rife Which from my sweete saluations conduict bled These haue true zeale to my faithes refuge led So that no torture fagot crosse or knife Can seuer mee sequestred from thy flocke I feare no Pagan Schismaticke nor Iewe No worldly menaces can teare that Rocke Of my faithes Adamant assur'de and true But for that truth I thousand deathes would dy To liue ten thousand liues immortally SONNET LXXX A Blast of winde a momentarie breath A watrie bubble simbolizde with ayre A sonne blowne Rose but for a season fayre A ghostly glaunce a skeleton of death A morning dew perling the grasse beneath Whose moysture Sunnes appearance doth impaire A lightning glimse a Muse of thought and care A Planets shot a shade which followeth A voice which vanisheth so soone as heard The thriftlesse heire of time a rowling waue A shew no more in action then regard A Masse of dust worlds momentarie slaue Is man in state of our olde Adam made Soone borne to die soone flourishing to fade SONNET LXXXI BEhold by misaduenture how the winde From earth blowes dust and it in ayer scatter And if therefore the very smallest matter Thine eye the bodies Iewell in some kinde Doe but by