Comeliness I want Thy Beauty may I have I shall be fair beyond compare Though cripled to my Grave And if above it all To Christ I married be My living Springs Oh king of Kings Will still run fresh in thee Vpon a Bible sent as a Token to a young Virgin wherein the worth of the holy Scripture is minded WHile I was musing what was 〈◊〉 unto your hands to send That of your Souls eternal rest my care I might commend The Holy Scriptures I bethought oft tendring to your heart That your affections might be brought to choose the better part There you may read what guilt of sin into the World you brought And since what filthiness hath bin in Word in Deed in Thought How God's long-suffering sins have prest as sheaves do press a Cart And nothing else can make you blest but Mary's better part That God hath holy jealous eyes the Scriptures do unfold By which heart-secrets he espies yet cannot sin behold Through shades of Death and darkest night these piercing Beams do dart He looks on nothing with delight but on that better part With flaming fire you also read a Judgment day design'd Where every idle Thought and Deed Must righteous Sentence find There Kings stand naked Death hath harl'd their Robes and Crowns apart Then but too late they 'l give the World for Mary's better part Then to have Jesus Christ ones own will be admired Grace To stand with boldness at the Throne and see the Father's Face To sit on Thrones when Christ shall say Ye wicked ones depart But come ye blessed in my day ye chose the better Part. The tenders of his Grace so rich here Jesus doth display He scarlet-sinners doth beseech his Gospel to obey To let sins settered Captives free and heal the broken heart He begs them on his bended knee to chuse the better part Deep Myst'ries of eternal Love hid from the Saints of old To Babes and Sucklings from above these Scriptures do unfold Not in the words of frothy Wits or humane terms of art But such simplicity as fits the Spirit 's better part The glory of the Father's Face the burning Law declares The beauty of Christ's precious Grace the Gospel here prepares Both Grace and Glory here unite to heal sins deadly smart The spirit and the Bride invite to chuse this better part The blessed truths display'd herein all your dear pleasures make It s sharp rebukes of every sin as healing Balsom take For though convictions to the flesh so bitter seem and tart Yet is their issue to refresh and heal the better part Oh! then upon this Word of Truth place high and great esteem This point of Wisdom learn in youth your precious time redeem To know Christ's from a strangers Voice account the highest Art Your richest treasure is your choâ—ce of Mary's better part A Poetical Meditation wherein the Vsefulness Excellency and several perfections of the holy Scriptures are briefly hinted perform'd by J. C. but turn'd into more familiar verse for the use of Children by Abr. Chear AMong thy glorious gifts Lord thou thy Word hast given Precious and pure sweet holy sure To guide me hence to heaven Here I abound with straits Wants and necessities There I have store heapt running o're With plenteous rich supplies Temptations here abound With terrors dangers fears These petty Hels thy Word expels And all my passage clears When Satan fiercely shoots His fiery darts at me Then Lord they Word is shield and Sword Me saves and makes them flee The present world commends Its Objects fresh and fair But yet thy Word doth that afford Which proves more precious Ware When fleshly lusts intice To their alluring pleasure To rare delights thy Word invites More choice in weight and measure The Errors of the Times Their cheating Wares display But Scripture sayes shun Errors wayes My Rule shall guide your way When by the Tempter's Wiles I tempted am to sin By thy Words Art hid in my heart Both field and Prize I win Nay though I foiled be And sin defile my Soul Thy Word can cleanse these noisome Dens And sins best strength controul An unbelieving heart Do I till now inherit Lord thy Word hath Pow'r to work Faith By thy most Holy Spirit If this be my Disease An hard and stony heart Thy Word thus deals first kills then heals And cures me by this smart Will not my frozen heart With Gospel Grace comply Thy Royal Law this heart can thaw And cause a weeping eye Doth lofty towring thoughts Puff up my tempted Breast Thy word brings low the proudest Foe Less makes me than the least Do muttering thoughts arise Grudge murmur or repine Thy Rod and Word teach patience Lord And still these thoughts of mine Am I tongue-ty'd in Prayer And know not what to say Thy Word inspires praying desires Tell 's how and what to Pray When like a lost sheep I In darkness err and stray Thy word 's a Light most clear and bright And guides me in my way A simple fool I be And destitute of eyes Thy word 's a Rule Master and School To make its Schollars wise I see my self undone Distressed naked poor Thy Words infold a Mine of Gold Rich pearls and precious store By sinful nature I And God are still at odds Thy Word my Soul converteth whole From Satan's Will to Gods Do troubles from without And floods of inward grief My Soul torment thy Word is lent With Joy and Soul relief Or is my Soul perplext With reasonings doubts and fears Thy Word of Grace resolves the case My cloudy Judgment clears Or do despairing thoughts My tempted Soul o'rtake Thy word doth give me hopes to live For Christ my Saviour's sake When floods and multitudes Of troubled thoughts me press I call to mind thy word and find Its joyes my Soul refresh Though in this vale of tears I thirst faint hunger Pine Thy word me feeds in these my ne Its Bread and Milk and Wine Or am I weakned out And cannot walk alone Thy word then is strength to my knees And staff to lean upon And though in scorn and pain Forsook and poor I be Thy word alone hath all in one Health Wealth Friends all to me Thus though my pained Soul Be sick and wounded sore With grievous sin which doth begin To fester more and more Thy word directs me where My healing may be had And doth me guide to Christ's pierc'd side For Balme of Gilead Nay though no life at all Nor quickning there remain Thy word is good and liveing Food Which fetcheth life again And if I would desire A Life that lasts for ever The Scripture shows whence water flows To drink and perish never Blest be the Lord my God Who evermore provides And filleth full my empty Soul With Food that still abides My Soul O bless the Lord Who bounteously hath given Strength light guide way lest thou shouldst stray In this thy way to Heaven This Holy Book of God
from his great desire you be blest And in your choice reach everlasting rest He offers dear-bought light to guide your mind That to the better part it be inclin'd He shews a little in a homespun stile The one's simplicity the other's Guile What stocks they come of and their old descents Their various treasures and their plain intents What are their qualities their differing ends To what plain issue each proposal tends Their sundry overtures your love to gain In way of Dialogue betwixt them twain The love of Christ SWeet Virgin stop let Wisdom drop a word becoming Kings Pray be inclin'd to bend your mind unto coelestial things I beg your love for things Above nay all your Powers I claime I would adorn your youthful morn and crown your early aime The lust of the flesh Should any thought to mind be brought that interrupts your quiet Shall Virgins weep disturb their sleep desert their needful diet Tush drink in Plate and recreate your lively youthful Spirit Seek Courtly things delight in Kings which may proclaim your merit The love of Christ While Flesh pretends these pleasing ends its dire intents it hides But pray awake for Jesus sake while day of Grace abides Flesh lusts its Guests between its Breasts convictions to expel But deadly Charms are in its armes its Guests are lodg'd in Hell The Lusts of the flesh What strange conceits what silly cheats would drive thy joys away These Preachers tell but dreams of Hell and of the Judgment day 'T wil ne'r do well till mirth expel such sullen dumps as these The Timbrel bring come dance and sing eat drink and take thine ease The Love of Christ These Childish Toys may make a noise to please the carnal heart But all the while they but beguile nay wound the better part One glimps of love seal'd from above these highest joyes transcends From deeps 't will raise to heights of praise when that in torment ends The Lust of the flesh Shall wordy winds on gallant minds such deep impressions make That for a â—ound of things unfound they joys in Hand forsake This day invites to rare delights all Ladies who design T o've fortunes rais'd and beauties prais'd embrace thess paths of mine The Love of Christ Alas at length you 'l lose your strength mirth beauty sport and pleasure And when too late lament your state your mispent time and treasure They 'l take them wings and leave you stings with venom guilt and smart Then while 't is day I humbly pray chuse Mary's better part The Lust of the flesh Are such things fit that clogs your wit which now to heights aspires Such doatings leave till age bereave of moisture warm desires Your budding Spring prompts you to sing your warbling Princely straine In Courtly Modes with amourous odes your Gallants entertain The Love of Christ Such frothy freaks aloud bespeaks how slightly youths esteem Their nobler parts their precious hearts which Earth cannot redeem How hardly brought to turn a thought from Objects thus deprav'd Though Jesus cries Oh! fix your eyes on me and be ye sav'd The Lust of the flesh Such looks may grace some wither'd face or some grave Cloystered Nun Are counted blots not beauty-spots where Fame 's but now begun Tush rather prize those Comedies and rare Romances use Attend resorts to Princely sports and shades for interviews The Love of Christ What pitty 't is such trash as this with heaven-born Souls should take While Jesus stands with stretch'd out hands rich overtures to make Gold try'd in Fire and rich attire do your acceptance crave A crown of Bliss prepared is when each an end shall have The treaty stops but here you have a tast your friend hath longings that you may be Chast Preserv'd a Virgin and brought such to Christ By love constrained not by lust intic't A Description of an Elect Person in his threefold state by Nature Grace and Glory Collected by Va. Powel in the close of his Catechism translated into familiar Verse for Childrens better remembrance by A. Chear Ejaculation My blessed Father when my heart enclines To sing this Song or but to read these lines Let me thy Spirits Power or leadings find To form their lively likeness on my mind Work deep convictions and an holy fear To think what am I or what once I were And into fellowship Lord let it guide me With all this Grace the Gospel doth provide me That I may claim what this thy record saith By sound experience and unfeigned Faith And let the hope of yonder Glory raise My Soul to close with those reflects of praise 1. Nature BY Nature and as out of Christ born of the flesh was I Grace By Grace and as I stand in Christ I 'm new born spiritually Glory In Glory I with Christ shall reign and heavenly freedom have Refl Lord what is man that thou shouldst daign so vile a Wretch to save 2. Nature Flesh did my Members and my mind with quietness inherit Grace But now a Warfare I do find betwixt my flesh and spirit Glory The spirit promised at length all glorious will make me Refl For that his War 's above my strength let not my Christ forsake me 3 Nature My sensual lusts to satisfie a fleshly War I waged Grace But now for walking spiritually my spirit stands ingaged Glory Nay by Christ's quickning power at last transform'd I wait to be Refl Lord what am I that thou should'st cast a look of love on me 4 Nature To that which fleshly pleasure brings I wholly bent my mind But now unto the Spirit 's things Grace I chiefly stand inclin'd Glory At length my glorified eyes such sights alone shall see Refl Lord what am I that thou should'st prize so poor a Worm as me 5 Nature By sinful nature I was dead in trespasses and sins Grace By Gospel-Grace now quickened my Soul to live begins Glory The day approacheth when from sin I shall be wholly free Refl Lord what am I that thou hast been at so great cost on me 6. Nature In sin as in my Proper place I was well pleas'd to lie Grace But now I strive to walk by Grace in all simplicity Glory I shall presented be at last as my dear Christ is pure Refl What love is this that Christ so chast should such a Wretch indure 7. Subjected to the Law of sin Nature and death I once did stand Grace Made free I to obey begin the Spirit of Life's command Glory A glorious triumph 's yet in store o're sin and death for me Refl How should I Majesty adore that I thus sav'd should be 8. Nature Once Gods pure Nature Word and Law I hated as my foes Grace Now with them I in holy awe and dear affections close Glory Desires shall into full delight at length resolved be Refl Lord what am I that er'e my sight should such blest objects see 9 Nature Born ignorant of Heavenly things I teachings did despise Grace
will dress you I have some hopes that God by it may bless you 1. WHen by Spectators I am told what Beauty doth adorn me Or in a Glass when I behold How sweetly God did from me Hath God such comliness display'd and on me made to dwell 'T is pitty such a pretty Maid as I should go to Hell 2. When all my Members I compare form'd by my Maker's hand In what sweet order strait and faire each part together stand How in the use of these might I in vertue 's Walks excell 'T is pitty when I come to die all these should go to Hell 3. Doth God my ornaments provide of soft and good aray The which this Age converts to pride I am as vain as they But when the thoughts of Pride entice such temprings I should quell By serious heeding this advice I must take heed of Hell 4. If Parents industry and care should by the Lord be blest That they large portions could prepare for me and all the rest Though many Suitors this invites my Fortunes might excell What would become of these delights if I should go to Hell 5. Should Wisdom Breeding parts conspire my spreading fame to raise Should Courtly Ladies me admire and my perfections praise Though for Endowments rare and high from all I bare the Bell What would these toys avail if I at lengâ—â—t be lodg'd in Hell 6. If to seek pleasures Pastimes Sports My fancy should be bent Which City Countrey Town or Court to please me can invent Though thus to satisfie my lust with greediness I fell By weeping-Cross return I must or else go quick to Hell 7. Doth Beauty such corruption Hide is comliness a bait Do costly Garments nouirsh pride hath Treasure such deceit Do Complements breed vanity doth pleasure Grace expel How little reason then have I for these to go to Hell 8. 'T is time I should without delayes my 〈◊〉 state bethink Th â—â—gh God's forbearance at my dayes of ignorance did wink Repentance he doth now expect and learning to do well For plainly he doth this detect this broad way leads to Hell 9. To chuse the new and living way the Gospel doth beseech me The heart of Jesus day by day is open'd to enrich me The tenders of New-Cov'nant Grace would sin and guilt expel The promis'd Spirit would me place safe from the lowest Hell 10. Would Christ my Spirit lead along these tenders to embrace I should have matter for a Song to praise his Glorious Grace How first of goodness I was seiz'd from what a state I fell To what a glory God hath rais'd a Fire-brand pluckt from Hell To my Cousin T. H. at School KInd Kinsman Complemâ—nts apart Yet love exprest with all my heart White I bethought what way was besâ— To gratifie a strong request And how to reach the proper â—nd That was â—ssign'd me by a Friend That I would write a seriâ—us line Your tender Spirit to inclâ—ne If possibly from wanton things Which carry with them poysnâ—d 〈◊〉 And kindly to attract your eye From vanity to things on high My thoughts to Meeter were inclin'd As thinking on a Schollars mind It might at first with fansie take And after deep impressions make Which Oh! If God would but inspire Convince of folly raise desire Discover Beauty kindle Love Fix your delight on things Above These weak endeavours then may stand As Christ's remembrances at hand To warn you folly to avoid Which hath such multitudes destroy'd And thence your nobler part incline To Meditations more Divine Which have a faculty to raise Immortal Souls to frames of praise By means of which when you obtain Your Spirit in a serious strain when vanity hath least respect And thoughts are fittest to reflect Then from your Treasure you may bring This brief Solilâ—quie and Sing COme Soul let you and I A few discourses have Shall we bethink how near the brink We border of the Grave Shall we surveigh our time How vainly it is spent How youthful dayes consume in wayes Which Age must needs repent The things which others please What profit do they merit What are the Toyes of wanton Boyes to an immortal Spirit How will our Reckoning pass Of pastim Pleasure play When every thought and Deed is brought Unto the Judgment Day Would not our time and strength Be better far imploy'd If every thought were this way wrought How Christ may be injoy'd Should not a young man's way Be ordered by the Word Should not his mind be still inclin'd To know and fear the Lord If we behold our Frame Our parts and powers compare Sure God intends some glorious ends To form a piece so rare A Letter sent to a Friend's Child Sweet Child I pray you think not long E're I have sent my Prâ—â—oâ—-Song To turn after a Godly sort Your tongue and thoughts from sinful sport Pray let it frequently be brought With holy fear upon your thought And when indeed your Soâ—l is bent On things that are most permanent When least to foolish mirâ—h inclin'd Then from the Treasure of your mind This serious Song you forth may bring â—ith Gospel Melody and Sing LOrd what a worm am I what could'st thou here espie That ever thou should'st humbly bow On me to cast an eye What kind of Love is this What reason can it have Shall God through Grace himself abase So vile a Wretch to save How strangely was I made How curiously adorn'd I was at first an heap of dust Which sin hath quite deform'd My Matter Earth and Clay Form'd by a power Divine Sure God would hide all cause of pride From every thought of mine My Childish thoughts would cease On vanity to stay Could I bethink I 'm on the brink Of danger day by day Tempâ—ations lead to sin Sin doth of good bereave me Cloathes Beauty Strengâ—h and Life at Length Are all at hand to leave me Why then should gay attâ—re Yield so much food to pride What glory 's in a beareous skin That so much filth doth hide Why should the fond delights Of parents puff me up Such boundless love doth often prove To both a bitter Cup. Why should the highest joyes Of Sin subject my reason The sinful Sports of Princes Courts Last only for a season Lord let my Soul be rais'd And all its powers incline On Eagles Wings to follow things That are indeed Divine Those depths that from the wise Thou pleasest to conceal Mysterious things obscur'd from Kings To me a Babe reveal That from an Infants Mouth A Suckliugs Lips inspir'd Thy glorious Name may purchase same And Christ be more admir'd Let me thy Beauty see Thy Countenance behold Thy Rayes of Grace fixt in my face More rich than Massy Gold Let Royal Robes of Praise And Righteousness adorn me Which may me bring before the King How ever Mortals scorn me Let Treasures of thy Grace A portion rich endow me In lasting Bags though here in Rags Men scarce a bit allow me If
stratagems bewrayes the wiles Wherewith the Fowler silly Larks beguiles He warns of dangers needful counsel drops Forestalls surprisal hints coelestials props Both heaven and earth his lot must needs commend Who hath such a seal'd though concealed Friend Friend do not cease thy outcry to prefer Slack not thy witness from thy mount of Mirrh Although the Rock of ages thee immure Where Bread's ascertain'd and where water's sure Though out of dread and gunshot thou abide Thy Talent in a napkin do not hide From Mount-Communion Gospel-depths disclose If not in Meeter yet in Nervous Prose For If to birds incag'd thy strains be rare Theâ—'l more be priz'd by birds in th' open air Direct thy musick to the shady Wood Where for a covert and to pick their food The sometime numerous flock dispersed lie Expos'd to sinkings and design'd to die Let pitty move you yea let grace incline Your yearning Bowels by a power divine Sing heaps of Wheat Birds of the Golden-feather Will fly like clouds then flock like Doves together Ne'r fear the Vulturs that are now abroad Your Covert-work and wages are of God I le not detain you but conclude and end Your no-way tired though retired Friend A Coppy of Verses Composed and sent me from London by a Child of 12 years o Age. OH what is man that God should mindful be Of such a Brute of such a Beast as he Admire the goodness of the Lord of lords That he such mercy unto man affords Man that 's but durt or clay or some such thing Oh! then admire the goodness of our King When first the Lord created man then he Did give him grace to live eternally Then he did fill him with his holy Spirit And gave him power eternal joy to merit Thus man by his own power and strength doth stand The subtil Serpent comes with a strong hand To try mans power and to shake his faith Thus to the woman he begins and saith Come silly woman hath God said that ye Are not to eat of the forbidden Tree The woman answering to the Serpent said We are to eat of all that God hath made But from the tree that in the midst doth stand We are commanded to refrain our hand The subtil Serpent gat the day at last And made poor Eve and Adam be laid fast In mire and dirt and filth of sinful sin Which made poor Adam Gods great curse to win For when the woman saw the tree was good And that 't would make one wise also for food She takes the fruit of the forbidden tree And gave some to her husband and when he Had taken of the fruit he condescended To eat likewise so to the Serpent bended Now God perceiving man had quite lost all This great perfection had before his fall And that there was no way for him to stand He thinks how he might put an helping hand Though feeble man 's thus fallen and quite lost God calls his Son and therein spares no cost Who sure is able all their sins to bear Yea though their sins were twice as many more Come my dear Son come wilt thou undertake To bear those Sinners sins do for my sake Come my dear Son redeem lost man for me I have no way to save him but by thee If thou wilt be a surety for mankind I 'le covenant with thee dear Son and bind My self to give thee strength and glorious power For to go through the torments of that hour In which thou Justice art to Satisfie I say againe to thee I will stand by Our Lord and Saviour willing for man's sake To dye for him he did his office â—ake And so well did perform his charge that he Poor man from chaines of darkness did set free By offering up himself a Sacrifice He paid the debt that did for sin arise Go that the highest heavens doth now ascend To God the Father and from thence doth send His holy Spirit to lead in the way And guide us lest we erre and go astray Aâ—l praise be given unto the Lord of lords 〈…〉 his Grace much help to us affords And 〈◊〉 us all our dayes express the same 〈◊〉 honour of his great and glorious Name An Answer being desired This fragment being but a part of what was intended â—â—nd Friend When first I purpos'd freely to rehearse The courteous welcome of your rare ripe verse With what delight your promptness we descry With what thanks-givings we God's teachings eye How wit 's dâ—xterity ascends its place 〈◊〉 how it prostrates to enthroned grace On this design there need not be imprâ—'st Our rural requisites to do their best Our empty Genius would attempt the wing Our home-spun dialect its store would bring Wit if its wit assistance would afford And wanton mirth turn-out its frothy hoord But all their work were fitter for the plough Than wreath a Garland for your hopeful brow For look as hazy morning-mists give way When glistering Phoebus doth his beams display Or as with gentlest touch the fearful snail Contracts his cornets and slow silvering tail So slunk and shrunk for shame such vain essayes By sound rebukes from your grave gracious layes Since then no concord can be but a clash 'Twixt the best substance and this filthy trash No streams nor frames can square with the design But aid and arguments throughout divine What great necessity upon us lies For that anointing to prefer our cryes That 's promis'd and prepared to direct Through paths of Myst'ries secrets to detect Things hid from ages from the voice to hide Of fleshly glory to abase the pride While Babes and sucklings weak base empty things Into the knowledge of these depths he brings Oh then what purity should such direct As lively leadings in such paths expect What chast conceptions yea what frames refin'd Should still accommodate the waiting mind And then how thankful should they trembling stand Who need such leadings from this Holy Hand Joy watch with Jealousie most safely keeps Their feet who walk through such misterious deeps Sweet Soul for you is prayd in early dayes What Israel's singer upon high did raise Their mirth and musick who bare conquering palms Prompted to sing the Lamb's and Moses Psalms Which none but Zions Virgins can acquire Tun'd to the sacred Evangeliâ—k lyre May your dear Soul the power and vertue find Of that great Compact which your song doth mind How neer how pure the blood of sprinkling makes What glorious priviledge the Saint partakes What helps to holiness it brings to hand On what firm Basis all his comforts stand What grounds for constant triumph it affords What sweet ingagements still to be the Lords What blessed prospects through these clouds it gives To Zions joy that its redeemer lives And that he hasts to pluck from Satan's jaws And give reviving to his blessed cause A Friend his Offer towards the preserving The remembrance of that faithful servant of Christ John e Edwards junior who died in the Prison of
to see in this provoking world His precious treasure basely kick't and hurl'd Determines Earth's not worthie to contain His Royal retinue his Princely train Or these rich treasures which they gladly bring And freely offer to endear their King In wrath he seems to speak my Saints retire To your strong Tower from my approaching Ire Come draw off from the gap desert the breach Let me and them alone To pray to preach Reprove or witness in the gate 's a crime Prudent keep silence 't is an evil time In Deps and caves a remnant I will hide In Prison holes some precious ones shall bide Some from their homes and land dispell'd shall be To bear a witness and stand ground for me But from your usefulness to this vile age More then to shew their sin disclose their rage And aggravate their Judgment I discharge you Yet in due season I le again enlarge you Nay strange not If I gather from your sight Some gems of honour stones of great delight I break and hide my Cabinet in dust Transfer my jewels where's no moth nor rust With just mens souls in light to set them down A constellation in a splendid Crown Till Christ appear his Jewels to collect To raise his dead to change his quick elect Their spirits souls and bodies to translate In blessed likeness to his raised state The King of glory swiftly thus dispos'd Of our choice Margaret not yet disclos'd In her inriching worthiness to all Till Come up hither was her blessed Call Ah wretched age must we in it remain Which sins away such Jewels to their gain But our loss irreparable unless The quickening Spirit from on high possess The Remnant that is left but scattered lie About the graves as bones exceeding dry Lord hast that blessing which thy truth contains Of its descending as the latter rains To usher in the glory of thy day Thy Kingdom come Sweet Jesus hast away In Memory of that Example of the grace and power of God Caleb Vernon who departed this life the 29. day of the 9th Month 1665. being aged twelve years and six months Caleb Vernon Anagram Bore unclean New clean Robe Through Adam's nature I unclean was bore Through grace betimes Christ's new clean Rebe I wore BY nature in my first estate A wretched babe was I In open field deserving hate In bloud and filth did lie And in that state I did delight As in my sport and play And therein would with all my might Have wallowed night and day And though from gross enormities I might by men be clear'd Yet to my maker's searching eyes Defil'd I all appear'd Though nature with a pregnant wit And comeliness adorn me And education adds to it To teach restrain reform me What prov'd it but deceiving paint On which defiling sin It did not kill but lay restraint Where outrage would begin A pleasant picture to the eye I hereby might appear By which to close-Idolatry Some might be drawn I fear But God that faithful he might be That deadly snare to break And that right early unto me He grace and peace might speak With tenderness on these intents He strips me of my vaile My costly coverings all he rents My countenance makes pale My comliness to rot he turns My witty words to groans My moisture up with drought he burns Discloseth all my bones And in a day of publick Ire Me these rebukes did meet When Pestilence as burning fire flew thousands at his feet I who to blossom did begin with such fair paint before Now as the early fruit of sin This Character I wore Despised Idol broke to earth A Potsheard no way fit To take up fire out of the hearth Or water from the pit But though neer corruptible dust This curious Frame was brought By gracious pleasure stay it must Till nobler work were wrought Till deep convictions of my sin Till Jesus form'd in me Till as my portion I begin The Lord 's dear Christ to see Till all my sins were done away Till terrours made me cease Till heart and mind could sweetly stay In thought surpassing peace Nay till in an accepted day My homage I could bring And in his instituted way Devote me to the King Till Christ put on his works allow'd His dying marks imbrac'd His cause confest his works avow'd His sufferings boldly fac'd His promise for a portion took Saints for companions chose And on him plac'd a fixed look For future free dispose Since then in an unusual way Rich Grace hath thus array'd me And in my young yet dying day With glory overlay'd me What properly should I desire But now dissolv'd to be And in this Marriage-white Attire My Bride-groom's face to see In Kedar who would not bemoan If there he must reside Oh wretched man Who would not groan In sinful flesh to bide who 'ld lodge in such a nasty shade As torturing tottering stands That hath a palace ready made Not with polluted hands Where sin temptation suffering strife shall fully be destroyed All-Dying swallow'd up of life and God at full injoy'd What ailes my Parents then to weep my friends to be dismay'd Relations such ado to keep to see a Child unray'd It s filthy garments lay'd in dust he lay'd repose to take Untill the morning when he must with New clean Robes awake May this a witness be to truth in this back sliding day A Christal mirrour unto youth How to amend its way Amen Verses affixed to the wall of the Prison at the Guild-hall in Plymouth where A. C. was detained a month and thence sent to the Island the 27th Sept. 1665. NIgh four years since sent out from hence To Exon Goal was I but special grace in three months space wrought out my liberty Till Bartholomew in sixy two that freedom did remain Then without Bail to Exon Gail I hurried was again Where having layn as do the slain 'mong dead men wholly free Full three years space my native place By leave I come to see And thought not then I here again a months restraint should find Since to my Den cast out from men I 'm during life design'd But since my lines the Lord assigns In such a lot to be I kiss the rod confess my God deals faithfully with me My charged crime in his due time He fully will decide And until then forgiving men In peace with him I bide On the beginning of his recovering from a great sickness on the Island of Plimouth To his truly Sacred Majesty the High and Mighty Potentate King of kings and Lord of lords Prince of Life and peace Heir of all things and Head over all to the Church The humble prostrature and thankfull acknowledgment of a poor Prisoner of hope whose life upon all accompts hath been marvellously preserved and delivered with a great Salvation from the pit of Corruption MOst glorious Soveraign to thy feet is brought The trembling of spring of a contrite thought By a poor Captive who attempts to
work was done Had we an Hiram skil'd to work in brass Jacin and â—oaz might be rear'd for Glass Faith True he was sick and sleeps whom Jesus lov'd But they who sleep so shall do well at length They rest from labours are from sin remov'd Weep not he 's gone but to renew his strength We face to face shall see him for alas We saw but darkly through that factur'd Glass Sense Must I be stript then of my choice attire To offer Isaac is an heavy tryal Must I be season'd thus with salt and fire How hard a lesson is this self-denial My nailes remov'd its weight is fail'n alas Cups flaggons great and small all break as Glass Faith Take heed of murmuring when God comes down To bind up Jewels that on earth he finds To raise and six them in a glorious Crown He calls for chearful gifts from willing-minds When he would have a laver made of brass Mark how each daughter offer'd up her glass Sense These are hard saying deep to deep doth call My flesh begins to fail my heart to sink T is hard to feed on vinegar and gall To eat of ashes and with tears to drink From me if it were possible let pass Such deadly draughts mixt in a breaking Glass Faith Cease Rachel's weeping hope is in thine end Thy Children to their border God will bring He 'l plead thy cause thy right he will defend Then Kedars-dwellers and the rocks shall sâ—ag Thy countenance that black and scorched was Shall shine in brightness like transparent Glass An Anagram and Elegy on his dear deceased friend John Vernon who having served his Generation by the will of God fell asleep the twenty ninth day of the third Month vulg called May 1667. For Christ was hunted griev'd disgrac'd With Christ is In New Honour plac'd I. COme Sions Mourners men of holy skill For lamentation in the ashes lie Come skilful mourning women weep your fill Take up a wayling help to raise the cry Till from our eyes like Rivers tears run down Though in new honour we have lost our Crown II. Iniquities do more and more abound They that were filthy will be filthy still Heaven-daring sins without controle are found With wickedness now doth the Ephah fill Saints fill your bottle with repenting tears Then in new honour quickly God appears III. A fixed series of rebukes of late Like Wave on wave discovers dirt and mire In persons Families in Church and State No stone in Sion but is tried by fire All old creation things with trembling mixt Nought stanâ—s but what is in new honour fixt IV. ' Mongst other warnings of a dreadful day Approaching on the remnant that are left The Righteous fail the best men caught away Of sense and feeling seem the rest bereft How swift the ruines of this old world haste Whilst in new honour Saints so swift are plac'd V. Amid these troops of fiery Chariots prest The Royal Off-spring home to bring with speed My heart is pain'd to undergo the test Of parting with this Israelite indeed Yet when I think how many are debasing I durst not grudge him in new honour placing VI. But who in such a stormy wind can part With such a Father such a Friend indeed And not cry out in bitterness of heart A double share I of thy Spirit need Though carnal Israel Israels-troubler calls thee Yet in new honour Israels-God install thee VII Poor England little thinks doth less bewail Its Chariots and best horsmen troop away When witnesses and loud reprovers fail Our grand tormentors are dispatch'd say they In open streets expos'd to scorn such lie Ere in new honour they be rais'd on high VIII What though dear Soul thy worth hath not appear'd But black among the pot-sherds thou hast lien Thy Visage mar'd thy beauty been besmear'd By mingling Sions dust with tears of thine That dust is wash'd those tears are wip'd away Since in new honour thou art call'd to stay IX Earth was not worthy of thee could not bear thee Profane and loose Professors far'd alike Thy words and walks did make them fret or fear thee ' Gainst those defilements thou wert bent to strike In base compliances thou dread'st to bow Wert then in shame art in new honour now X. Ah what a troop of weepers I descry Of Windows Fatherless Sick Prisoners sad Poor Exiles desolate condemn'd to die Shewing how they by thee were chear'd and clad Our loss weep they will scare repaired be Till in new honour we meet Christ with thee XI Among the Flock of Slaughter clad with dust Through simpathy in Spirit oft am I But with Job's Comforters sit mute I must Since grief amounts to such extremity His indignation having sin'd let 's bear Till in new honour he our breach repair XII A trembling remnant ' mongst the rest I spy Of mourners mark'd and seal'd in front and hands Whom Carnal Brethren casting out do cry Where 's now your God our mount unshaken stands But to their shame he will appear at last When in new honour are markt mourners plac't XIII For his blest chastned Houshold left with God The pregnant Widow and her hopeful Seed Friends Servants Sojourners that feel this Rod My flesh doth tremble and my heart doth bleed Through right to Christ yet raised from the dead Ye in new honour have a better head XIV Among these mourners should I strive to sing Like Vinegar on nitre it would seem If to their sorrows I more weight should ring A woful Comforter they'I me esteem Hast to thy mountain Soul with mourning wings Till in new honour light from darkness springs XV. But ah poor sinners When will ye be wise They 'r gone who did disturb your carnal peace But sins abiding stones shall cry and rise Rather then Gods contest with you shall cease With flames his controversie he 'l renew If in new honour ye no right pursue XVI His Prophets he no longer now imploies His slighted scorn'd Ambassadours withdraws But with heav'n-shaking earth affrighting noise As if seven thunders spake he pleads his cause Stout sinners gird your loyns decision's nigh Saints to your Fortress in new honour fly XVII Bacâ—sliding England once professing high Now turning Egipt-ward in spight of wrath Thy Oaths base crouchings deep apostacie To sins and vengeance flood-gates opened hath Turn turn at Gods reproof break off thy sin Else ne're expect nue honour stepping in XVIII Yet hope 's in Israel still though flesh hath none A shelter from the storm have Saints provided When desolate expos'd left most alone They by Gods Eye and Counsel shall be guided When desolations at their height begin Such earth-quakes usher their nue honours in XIX Then mourning trembling Sionists attend Though heart and hand grow faint lift up your head The Achâ—n-search the breach and gap defend 'Twixt porch and Altar stand 'twixt quick dead Peace may be made perhaps a pardon had And plowed Sion in new honour clad XX. Nay though this age must needs be swept away That Noah's Daniel's Job's find no regard Decrees be seal'd and men have lost their day Yet shall your faithful work have full reward Th' Assiâ—ians floods your peace shall not annoy Ye in nue Honour shall your God enjoy A. C. FINIS