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
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
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
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
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
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
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
vertue doth not lend Eu'n so the Man whose loue doth fall away Doth straight in errour darknesse and delusions stray 19 Those that by reasons force and strength of wit Draw true Conclusiont by firme Argument First striue the Causes with th' Effects to fit Else they will hardly grant the Consequent To say I loue is not sufficient Except I shew the reason why I loue I know ô Lord thou art Omniscient But know no cause to loue mee should thee moue Onely I daily feele that which I cannot proue 20 God is Loues very Authour Life and Spring Yea God himselfe is also stiled Loue From him all Streames of Loue are issuing As from the Sea all other Waters moue He first fills all with Loue in Heau'n aboue Which Water plenteously the Vales below So God loues first before we doe him loue Loe what exceeding great loue he doth show God loues his Enemies first before they doe him know 21 The cause of all this Loue proceeds from thee Thou didst vs loue yet being Enemies Bond-slaues to Sinne and Satan but now â—ree And made thy Friends by Grace our loue doth rise From thee as from the Spring and multiplyes Growing from strength to strength till by thy Grace We workes of Loue in thee doe exercise Thy Members here for thee wee doe embrace Eu'n as ouâ— owne till we behold thy glorious Face 22 Into one Body we by Loue doe grow Into one Building we are all combin'd Loue that doth from the Head to Members flow And all the stones hath in this building ioyn'd Where eu'ry Members office is assign'd And eu'ry stone an others weight doth beare All liuely Stones the choisest of mankind All liuing Members of one Head which here By Loue in one close cemented and ioynted are 23 My lowly Muse dares not presume to prie Into Gods holy happy Habitation Where Loue three Persons ioynes in Vnitie And makes one Godhead to mans admiration I leaue the Mysterie of th'Incarnation Where Loue doth make both God and Man in one And eke the power of Spirits regeneration Where Loue makes Man eu'n of Gods flesh and bone Thus Loue all things in Heaueâ— and Earth vnites in one 24 Such as Loues cause is such are Loues effects Holy Transcendent Supernaturall Which publique good not priuate most respects The weakest member seruice doth to all And the most Honourable doth not call The meaner base as he did him despise They all agree in one and one in all Vnto one glorious Head by loue to rise And in him workes of Loue and Grace to exercise 25 This Loue 's long suffering gentle not enuies Not striuing boasting shamelesse for her owne Bitter ill-minded ioying in iniuries But most glad to doe right when Truth is knowne Endures beleeues hopes suffers all alone Though tongues doe cease and prophecyings faile And knowledge vanish yet Loue holds her owne We know and prophecie in part as fraile But when the perfect comes th' imperfect nought auailes 26 Had I the tongues of Men and Angels and Could prophecie and knew all mysteries Had Faith to remoue Mountaynes t' vnderstand All knowledge and should all my goods out size Amongst the Poore my body should deuise Eu'n to be burn'd yet if I want this Loue It profits not this Loue which doth arise From a pure heart oh thou then that dost proue And trâ—e the hearts of Men season mine heart with Loue. 27 And euer let the Obiect of my Loue Be the true indiuiduall Trinitie The Saints on earth and Angels all aboue That still persist in their integritie I mention here the happy memorie Of thy deceased Saints and Martyrs all Which here their Loue to thee did testifie Whom thou by Loue didst first vnto thee call And dost in heau'n reward with blisse perpetuall 28 But 't is the heart from which this Loue must flow There Loue her Court keepes there 's her Royall seate 'T is not enough with wordes this Loue to show Or fayned lookes God doth the heart intreate That must bâ—â— clens'd from sinne made sweet and neate For him that standeth knocking at the dore Then open he will enter in and eate And bring with him of heau'nly foode such store As thou shalt neuer thirst nor hunger any more 29 Clense my deceitfull heart defil'd with sinne Make it a Temple for thy Spirit of Loue Fit for the King of Glorie to come in That all my words thoughts actions pure may proue As Riuers which from purest Fountaynes moue Oh since thou wert so bountifull to spend Thy precious Blood for vs thy Foes still loue And cherish vs and 'gainst all harme defend Who will die for his Foes cannot denie his Friend 30 In all that Nature hath indued with life We find desire with like to companie Againe wee see diâ—â—â—â—tions jarres and strife 'Mongst those that are of different qualitie We oft 〈◊〉 inclinations may descrie By company they either keepe or shunne They haue of manners such a sympathie I therefore shew what heau'nly Graces wonne With royall Loue which sweetly link't together runne 31 These Vertues are Loues deare Concomitants Repentance Knowledge Faith Humilitie Fortitude Iustice Prudence Temperance Meeknesse Obedience Truth Hope Curtesie These a most sacred 〈◊〉 Societie Doe on the Court of royall Loue attend These Hate expell and her base progenie Wrath Auaâ—â—â— Pride 〈◊〉 and contend Gainst Gluttoâ—e 〈…〉 which on Hate depend 32 These Impes which of this hellish Hagge are bred Begot of her by Lucifer in Hell In wayes of errour and of darknesse leade Where damned spirits in torments euer dwell And though on earth they beare away the bell Of all one day there will a reckning bee Then shall appeare who hath done ill who well The louely Bride shall ioy her Loue to see But they which follow Hate with her shall damned bee 33 Such doe ill iudge of Loue that cannot loue Nor in their hearts feele heate of liuely flame Loue is the gift of God from heau'n aboue Sent downe mans proud rebellious heart to tame And yeeld obedience to his holy Name Though scorn'd by those whose hearts are made so blind With this worlds god they cannot see the same This World they loue and on Lusts set their mind And neuer seeke this true and heau'nly Loue to find 34 The reason is they doe not seeke to know Gods Wisedome Mercy Bountie Goodnesse Loue And these though Preachers daily to them show And their slow vnbeleeuing hearts reproue Their hearts of flint to loue they cannot moue Ah! How can they loue God they haue not seene When as their brethren here they cannot loue To loue the Head and yet to beare a spleene Vnto the Members is a thing vnknowne vnseene 35 Should they with Paul behold the glorious sight Of th' Head whose Members they doe cause to rue They would fall downe amazed with such light And humbly prostrate with submission due Crie Lord Who art and with affection new That Head and Members would intirely loue
of Pride and Ambition Faire Dame Humilitie to emulate Whose onely pietie is superstition And by pretence of friendship couers hate Cain by her did worke his brotheâ—s fate Ioab slue Abner in the time of peace In Court shee styled is a trick of State In Church and Citie shee doth so increase For Catholique and Vniuersall shee doth prease 44 Nay goe vnto the meanest beggars cell And there as proud a heart you often find As those that vnder Cedar roofes doe dwell And did his purse but answere to his mind He would despise the proudest of mankind Where shall you see more Enuie Malice Strife Than is betweene the Seruant and the Hind Where more dissembling than twixt Man and Wife The Sword is not more keene than is the bloody Knife 45 Ambition How dost thou possesse the mind Of restlesse Man whilst in an idle vaine Which thou call'st Honour thou dost nothing find But vanitie and vexation for thy paine Know'st thou not Godlinesse is greatest gaine And that the Merchant was pronounc'd most wise That sold all that he had this Pearle t' obtaine Oh would'st thou seeke to buy this merchandize Humilitie is shee can helpe thee to such prize 46 Then ô my Soule couet Humilitie Dost thou seeke Knowledge Pleasure Wealth Promotion All these shee will thee bring assuredly Shee 's like the Master-spring that first giues notion To eu'ry wheele that in the Clocke hath motion Like Salt that sauours eu'ry dish we eate Shee 's Sugar sweetning eu'ry bitter Potion Promotion Knowledge Pleasure Wealth Drinke Meat Humility's all these and yet shee is not great 47 Oh neuer let me seeke to emulate Except in Goodnesse and with more desire To follow than in hope to adequate And like a Tree low planted neare the Mire Bring forth much Fruit not Fewell for the fire With little let me euer be content Patient of miseries for my sinnes require Than I haue had farre greater punishment And farre thy smallest fauours my deserts out went 48 For I confesse that too ambitiously I hunt for worlds entisements base and vaine Which clogge my Soule so that shee cannot flie Aloft where sound ioyes euermore remaine And though I basely thinke of gold and gaine Yet Honours glitt'ring shewes so daze mine eyes That still I 'm tainted with ambitious staine And wish I might to worldly honour rise But this in me the Flesh not Spirit doth deuise 49 For shee hath learn'd that not from East or West Promotion comes The higher one is plac't The greater cares and troubles him infest And as thou more or greater Talents hast The more thou art to count for at the last Thou art a Steward here 'T is not thine owne But as thee ' boue thy fellowes God hath grac't So must thy Faith and care ' boue theirs be showne We doe expect best Crops whereas best Seede is sowne 50 These things ô God! I aske doe not denie Let me depend vpon thy Prouidence In paine and ease losse and prosperitie My selfe submit with all obedience Vnto thy Will performe with diligence Charge publique priuate Let Humilitie Be vnto me a Rocke of sure defence Against Mens malice and Worlds iniurie And where my weaknesse failes let thy good Grace supply 51 Oh thou that Lazarus from Diues gate Didst into Abrams blessed bosome raise There to enioy eternall happy state That here on earth was humbled all his dayes Direct mine humble heart in all thy wayes The meeke in iudgement thou delight'st to guide Turne all I doe vnto thy glorious praise Preserue me from Ambition Enuie Pride And though with Lazar's sores in thy Loue let me bide 52 Thou hast ô Lord proclaymed Blessednesse To all the meeke in Heart and poore in Spirit Blest are the Meeke they shall the earth possesse The Poore eu'n now Gods Kingdome doe inherit Lord I acknowledge freely my demerit It is thy Grace whereby I am liue moue Thy humbling to the Crosse for me did merit That I should be exalted to thy Loue And liue with thee in blisse eternally aboue 53 I aske that which thy blessed Martyrs had Which here haue witness'd their Humilitie And of that cup of gall to taste were glad Which first their Master swallow'd willingly Thy Grace ô Lord which thou wilt not denie For they haue found it all-sufficient Humble me how thou wilt Abilitie Yet grant in sorrow to be patient And strength with Paul in paine or ease to be content 54 Grant me thy Grace but to conceaue the end And certayne fruits of my humiliation Then shall I plainely see and apprehend That it prepares me fit for exaltation And to make sure with feare mine owne saluation Whereby I may stand firme and confident 'Gainst wicked Men Hell Deuils and damnation Who neuer shall be able to preuent Thy loue in Christ which thou on humble men hast bent 55 Now for that thing which worldlings doe deplore I yeeld to thee most heartie laud and praise That thou art pleas'd to humble me therefore On earth that thou againe to heau'n might'st raise Oh teach me Lord to number so my dayes That I my life may labour to amend Oh teach me lowlinesse in all my wayes To thinke of my beginning and mine end Prince Beggar borne alike and to their graue descend 56 And since that sweet Humilities condition I haue so learned by this Meditation That now I hate Pride Enuie and Ambition With complements base subtile machination Grant me to follow Christs humiliation Who from the Crosse to Glorie did ascend Whose suffrings make a reconciliation For those that by true Faith him apprehend And after him in lowlinesse and meeknesse wend. 57 You may remember how I earst you told That when Humilitie had clear'd the score Whereby t'ambitious Pride my heart was sold Shee led me to Repentance who before The chiefe Iudge Iustice brought and my foule sore Discouer'd to my more humiliation Till Faith and Hope at Mercies seate therefore Did pleade Christs Blood my reconciliation But this I leaue vnto another Meditation MEDITAT III. Of Repentance 1 THe Highest that created first of nought A Chaos vast and out thereof did take The Earth whereof he noblest Creature wrought Eu'n Man and made all Creatures for his sake Him first pure iust and righteous did make But since their owne inuentions they obay And in a right path set their way mistake And as blind fooles and slaues haue gone astray Nor can without the true Light find againe the way 2 For whilst they doe yet in their sinnes remaine Their Soules in errour and in darknesse bide They know not how they should be borne againe For Sinne this mysterie from them doth hide And till Humilitie their trustie Guide Shall them to wholesome true Repentance leade They misse their ayme and striuing stray more wide Repentance quickneth men in sinne cleane dead And teacheth new-borne Babes in path of Life to tread 3 Shee is the Mid-wife that with keenest knife Our Nauell cuts whereby we cleaue to
Latines from Paine doe make their deriuation Next is a new mind by interpretation Both these describe her nature wondrous right In paine and sorrow is her inchoation When shee with Flesh and powers of Hell doth fight Then followes change of mind which bringeth sweet delight 38 For shee is bred in paine brought forth in gladnesse Sorrow is ouer-night but in the morne Comes soundest ioy to chase away nights sadnesse And when we thinke that we are left forlorne Then comfort 's nigh to lift on high our horne And though a while the Worldlings vs doe deeme The off-scumme of the people and the scorne Of wicked men yet God doth vs esteeme And by this change most precious in his eyes we seâ—me 39 Thus haue all holy men in former ages By griefe and change of mind obtayn'd Gods grace This eke is shadowed in those grand Sages That tooke great paynes and care to find the place Where Christ was borne that they might see his face Who after in a dreame forwarned were Not to returne againe in their first trace Thus after trauell long great paines and care With ioy and change of mind another way they fare 40 Of all the 〈…〉 Eu'n from 〈…〉 that â—its in her Tâ—â—one To low Humilitie that keepes her 〈◊〉 Our blessed Sauiour hath vs paternes showne Onely because no sinne was euer knowne To be in him He cannot well be said For to repent of sinnes that be his owne But sure for ours a ransome deare he paid And felt the wrath of God which on vs should be laid 41 His Soule was heauie eu'n vnto the death He fear'd to drinke this cup of bitternesse God did on him such wrath and vengeance breath That he sweat drops of blood in his distresse Such horror by Gods curse did him depresse That he cry'd out as if he were forsaken Such horror doth repenting â—oules oppresse But not in so great measure are they shaken For Christ the edge of Gods displeasure off hath taken 42 This was his way to heau'n This must be ours Before we be to true Repentance brought Consider now with are the bitter stowers Whereby our Fathers haue Repentance sought Let Abram tell from natiue Countrey brought Into an vnknowne Land to be a stranger Where he indured hunger cold and drought Whom Canaâ—â—â— famine made an Egypt 〈◊〉 Where of the losse of Wife and Life he was in danger 43 Afflicted Iob modell of true Repentance How was he plagu'd without frighted within Who though he seem'd most happy in his entrance Yet his last dayes were best Dauid did sin Most desp'rately but after did begin Sadly to crie when he Gods anger found Purge me without and make me cleane within When Solomon felt his sinnes accursed wound He a whole 〈◊〉 of true Repentance did compound 44 Good 〈◊〉 chattered like a Swallow Or like a Crane and mourned like a Doue And though his sonne Manâ—sses long did wallow In much foule sinne yet bondage did him moue To true Repentance Peter more did loue His Master aâ—ter vnaduis'd denyall Thus all Gods seruants better Saints doe proue After they haue endur'd the fiery tryall Experience of Gods loue makes holy men more loyall 45 I should seeme partiall if I onely tell Of men who in this worke haue happy beene Since Women for this beare away the bell Witnesse her eyes which like two Fountaynes dreâ—ne To wash her Sauiours feete And Riâ—â—as teene When vnder sackcloth shee her life did lead Till the wish't raine from heau'n to fall was seene So long shee did defend the bodies dead That for the Gibeonites were hang'd vp by the head 46 But why seeke I for witnesses without Looke in thine heart if there thou hast not found This smart of horror thou maist iustly doubt Thy soule 's not yet vp in Lifes bundle bound Therefore vnto thy selfe with speede propound To view Gods wrath and thine owne wretchednesse Then griefe of heart and sorrow will abound Which thee vnto the brinke of hell will presse Till Faith thee raise by inward ioy to happinesse 47 Thou shalt not find her like fruit which to th' eye Was wondrous faire and pleasant to the taste Which poyson'd Adam and his Progenie Shee bitter is at first sweet at the last And when the cloud of sorrow 's ouer-past Shee brings of ioy and comfort so great store That all become new loe old things are past Shee is the Antidoâ—e that doth restore What Adam lost when he forsooke his Makers lore 48 No th'Antidâ—â—â— is Christs most precious Blood Repentance is but the preparatiue To make our soules taste this most heau'nly food Than which no other can keepe vs alâ—â—e And till Repentance out of vs doth driue In-bred corruption and all actuall sin This Balme of Gilead will not make vs thriue Oh then Repentance purge me cleane within And make my stomach fit this Manna to let in 49 The Spirit 's willing but the Flesh is weake Oh a most bitter pill is this temptation None but they that haue felt it right can spâ—ake What pangs it breedes in our regeneration Well let men-pleasers onely sing saluation Let not vaine fruitlesse hopes thine heart deceaue We must first taste the curse of our damnation Before saluation truely we conceaue As head so must the members that to it doe cleaue 50 We here must taste it or then when w'appeare At Christs Tribunall From which none can hide Himselfe but all stand forth themselues to cleare When Bookes are brought forth and are open'd wide In sight of God Christ Angels and the Bride When Satan and thy conscience thee accuse And no gold can an Aduocate prouide Oh who thinks of this day and can refuse To taste here of Christs Cup and scape the Deuils Cruse 51 Wherefore against thy selfe an Action bring And thus accuse examine iudge and trie Lest thou beest iudged of the righteous King First before Gods Tribunall prostrate lie And if he then beheld thee with his eye Confesse thy in-bred sinnes knowne and vnseene Against thy selfe pronounce vnfeignedly Damnation hell and horror when we seeme Most vile in our owne eyes God doth vs best esteeme 52 Death to all men the wages is of sin But vnto those the Heau'n of happinesse That thus on earth condemne themselues within And after bring forth fruits of Righteousnesse But to those that goe on in wickednesse Death is the Port and entrance into Hell Lord giue me here this pill of bitternesse Which may corruption from mine heart expell No wound can be so deepe but thou by grace canst heale 53 And though shee seemes like fiery two-edg'd sword That keepes from Man the way to Tree of Life Because her fiery triall is abhord And Cowards heart doth faint to see her knife Swouning away at Flesh's and Spirits strife Oh neuer yet let feare my courage quaile To hinder me from that sweet Tree of Life Better Repentance thresh me with her flaile On earth than hellish Dragon breake me
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
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
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
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
accounted worthy for Christs sake To suffer scourging prison shame despite Which did them way to Crownes and Glorie make More happy 't is to suffer at a stake For Truth than end our dayes in ease and rest Paul for a wondrous fauour did it take That he not onely to beleeue was blest But that he suffered more for Christ than all the rest 53 The abiect and off-scowring of the World A gasing stocke to Angels and to Men Perill on Land on Seas with Tempest whirld Perill of Beasts and of false Bretheren Mock'd scourg'd bound stock'd cold hungrie naked thin Last Satans buffetting spirituall I here should tyre my Reader and my Pen If I his crosses all to mind should call Yet he with constant Patience conquered them all 54 So they that truely loue will ought endure For his sake onely they so truely loue Lord grant me Loue for then I may be sure In all afflictions patient to proue No power of Men or Hell their soules can moue That build vpon so good and strong foundation Temptation may vs shake but not remoue From Loue the ground and pillar of saluation Loue is the Cause of ours as of our Sauiours passion 55 This seasons all afflictions crosses payne Makes Death our Gate to Heau'n the Graue our rest This makes our Patience perfect and doth gayue Vs Heau'n as sure as if we were possest The God of Patience be euer blest The End and Authour of my Meditation And grant I constantly may euer rest Vpon his Loue in Christ my sure foundation Whose Patience paid my price of Reconciliation 56 Thus of true Patience hauing laid the ground I thereon Christian Fortitude will raise For neuer any valour true and sound Can well abide but where true Patience stayes No perill payne or shame that soule dismayes Where these two Vertues doe themselues combine Both ioyfull make vs walke through dreadfull wayes And like two Sunnes in Firmament doe shine Most glorious Fortitude but Patience most Diuine MEDITAT V. Of Fortitude 1 AL valiant Captaynes of the sacred Hoast Of Loues high Queene that fight 'gainst Hate and Hell Christs Souldiers muster vp from eu'ry coast And them to stand in complete Armes compell That Satans fiery darts they may repell But as in worldly Battaâ—les Armes are vaine If Cowards hearts doe faint or courage quell So in this spirituall Warfare all are slaine That with true Fortitude this fight cannot maintayne 2 I therefore her Loues valiant Generall And chiefe Commandresse of her Forces name For that the most braue Sp'rits heroicall Haue alwayes beene most honour'd by the same Amongst the Heathen men that sought vaine Fame This Vertue was in such great estimation Of heau'nly Seede they thought their Heros came Expecting not from humane propagation Such worth except the Gods concurr'd in Generation 3 And therefore those whose valour did transcend The ordinarie reach of humane Race By Pedigrees are lin'd out to descend From Ioues or some great Deities embrace Thus in a mist they seeme the Truth to trace For Vertues all but chiefly Fortitude Are not begotten but infus'd by Grace And in Kings hearts in larger amplitude As they it more doe neede than common multitude 4 For as small Waters faire and goodly seeme When little Channels doe their course maintayne Yet would a Man them scarsely Waters deeme If they ran drissing in some Riuer mayne Eu'n so a Subiects heart that doth contayne True Fortitude but in a measure small Great glorie to himselfe thereby may gayne But if in Princes heart the same should fall It scarsely would be counted Fortitude at all 5 Wherefore the Hearts of Kings are said to bee Like mightie Riuers in th' Almighties hand From which as from a little Ocean hee Disposeth Water ouer all the Land His Nobles which him round like Brookes doe stand Refresh and water eu'ry Dale and Plaine As from their Soueraigne they haue command But all their Waters haue from Ocean maine Where all their Tribute must reâ—urne with praise againe 6 And therefore since I find it all but vaine To seeke for any good and perfect Grace But from the bountie of my Soueraigne I here beseech th' Almightie guide my trace In finding out this Vertues royal Race That I her wondrous Glorie may expresse So here as all may striue her to embrace As th' onely strength of humane happinesse Till with Loues gracious Trayne shee bring vs vnto blesse 7 Thus strong in God and Power of his might â— Fâ—rtitude doe truely first explaine To be a strength of mind or valiant Sprite Whereby couragiously we doe sustaine Hard things for Vertues sake and not for gaine Betwixt Bâ—olâ—nesse and Feare a moderation True Fortitude doth from base Feare retaine Meeknesse from murmuring at Gods castigation And Patience mitigates the know of our passion 8 Patience is past and Meeknesse comes behind I therefore Fortitude here twofold name One of the Body th' other of the Mind This Fortitude of Body is the same We common haue with Beasts both wild and tame Encreast by feeding strength good constitution In stout sustayning is her greatest fame Next in on-setting with braue resolution This helps in Warre but minds it best in persecution 9 I twofold likewise call that of the Mind One true the other that which men doe fayne When for false ends we nobly are enclin'd Or when these Causes following constrayne Passion Experience Ignorance Art Gayne Passion of Feare of Fuâ—ie Hope and Anger By these we mightie things doe oft darraigne Experience Art make vs to dread no danger By Ignorance and for Gayne we boldly Life endanger 10 For feare of danger and t' auoid disgrace The Coward faint will like a Dragon fight Who can withstand the furie of the Base Experience Art preuaile oft against might And Ignorance of danger doth incite The fearefull great atchieuements to aduenter Custome of winning makes vs oft in spite Of Fate and Fortune into Battles enter By Sea for hope of gayne some to the Indies venter 11 But Fortitude which doth prepare the Mind For God and Goodnesse chearefully to die Is that braue Vertue formerly defin'd Which Death nor Hell it selfe can terrifie By this we onely on the Lord relie And strong in God and Power of his might Put on our armes to fight most valiantly Faith Hope and Truth with Patience Iustice Right And with the spirituall Sword vndantedly doe fight 12 Though of our selues we no more able are These mightie Armes to weare and wâ—ild aright Than little Dauid was King Sauls to beare When he Goliah met in single fight Yet if Gods power we consider right And set by all the worldly strength we haue Relying on his prouidence and might As Dauid we may say with courage braue Who me from Beare and Lyon from all harme shall saue 13 For from the Lord is all sufficiency Our Enemies in Christ we nothing feare But fight Gods Battailes most couragiously In whom we able to doe all things are And
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