of Weights and Measures but one sâ—ze And Standard which true right to all doth part And Weight and Measure iustly doth comprise Eu'n so in this Worlds Market men deuise One Law to mete out eu'ry Man his due And by that Law the Iudges ought assise All their Decrees and Iudgements iust and trew And not in stead of Lawes to â—roach Opinions new 46 But as in Man we soule and body find So Lawes consist of Letter and true Sense And as the body place giues to the mind So the Lawes Letter with Obedience To the true Sense and Soule of Law consents Who Letter of the Law seeke to maintayne And leaue her mind and meanings excellence Are like them that their bodies good to gayne Both Soule and Body hazard to eternall payne 47 Some Painters Iustice without eyes describe That shee might know no Man in doing right Some without hands that shee may take no Bribe Some without pockets that may gifts inuite For gifts of wisest men doe blind the sight And words eu'n of the Righteous doe peruert Making them wrest the Law and take delight In base rewards which doe corrupt the Heart Which being once amisse doth all the rest diuert 48 But vaine it is to thinke by likelinesse Of earthly things to type out things Diuine Since none her heau'nly Nature can expresse But who the God-head can aright define O let the Sunne of Righteousnesse then shine Vpon my blinded heart with his bright rayes Which may direct my Muse aright to line And leuell out this heau'nly Ladies wayes That searching I may learne and follow Right all wayes 49 No earthly subiect now my Muse contaynes Behold of Righteousnesse Diuine I sing That Righteous Iudge that searcheth Heart and Reynes Most gracious God and yet most righteous King Who on his owne deare righteous Sonne did bring The bitter cup of wrath and indignation Due to Mankind for their dire trespassing Thus satisfying Iustice by his Passion And shewing wondrous Loue in working Mans saluation 50 This Righteousnesse in vs may be defin'd A sanctifying holy Qualitie By Gods owne Spirit vpon our Hearts consign'd To shew to Gods Law true conformitie And square our words and actions all thereby Loe thus we giue to euery one their due To God and Man for by Gods Law we trie And vnderstand what to them both is due So that conformitie thereto is Iustice true 51 To this most perfect Iustice can attayne None but our Head surnamed THAT IVST ONâ— Indeed God made Man righteous and againe In Heau'n we iust and perfect shall become But amongst Men so righteous there are none Yet reade we of a two-fold Vprightnesse One Legall which the Law to vs hath showne The other which the Gospell doth expresse Where Grace acâ—epts our will by Faith for Righteousnesse 52 The Law requires perfect Obedience Eu'n in that Man that seekes to liue thereby The Gospell Faith and a good Conscience By Faith Christs Righteousnesse especially Imputed is which rightly we apply That of the Conscience doth the whole Man frame Willing in all things to liue honestly This of Gods Spirit a powerfull worke I name And none but the regenerate obtayne the same 53 For Righteousnesse that thus from Faith doth runne Let me referre you to that Meditation Which I of Faith haue formerly begunne Whereas Christs Merits ours by Imputation Stand before God for our Iustification And thus Christ is of the whole Law the end For what the Law exacts for our Saluation Christ hath fulfilled for vs as a Friend And by the Gospell to Beleeuers doth extend 54 The Righteousnesse of a good Conscience In two things doth consist especially First to abstayne from ill with diligence Next to doe good willing and constantly To doe good and auoid iniquitie Are two essentiall parts of Righteousnesse Except they both concurre they both doe die Loe thus old Zaâ—hary and Elizabesse Were righteous before God and walkt with men blamelesse 55 We Righteousnesse of Faith from Christ receaue That of the Conscience is a worke of Grace The Righteousnesse of Faith will not there cleaue Where Righteousnesse of Conscience hath not place This right of Conscience rightly we embrace When true Repentance working change of mind Doth the old Man of sinne in vs deface With resolute purpose in a holy kind Henceforth to frame our liues as Gods Law hath assign'd 56 If thus the mind be truely altered And change of resolution throughly wrought Then the whole Man is fitly furnished To put Faiths Righteousnesse on as he ought Without true change of mind we soone are brought Like Dogge vnto his vomit to retire By sinne corrupted Nature's easily caught Againe like Sow to wallow in the mire High God doth first this inward Righteousnesse require 57 Thus by true Faith and a good Conscience With true Repentance we our selues doe presse And arme to proofe for sure and firme defence With brest-plate spirituall of Righteousnesse Which gards vs from all mortall sinfulnesse For as the brest-plate hides each vitall part So that no mortall wound can them oppresse Eu'n so this Righteousnesse defends the Heart And Conscience that no mortall sinne can thorough dart 58 Thus strongly arm'd we most assured stand Of our effectuall calling and saluation For as we God most righteous vnderstand So know we that the righteous Generation Are borne of him which brings true exultation Cladding our Names with happy memorie Makes much for true religious confirmation Doth it with Infidels much dignifie Who seeing our good workes our Maker glorifie 59 As are the windings of slie Errours trayne So are the â—y-paths of Iniquitie Yet in two Heads we may them all contayne To Neighbours wrong to God impietie Here I some ouer-iust Ones passe not by Such as must haue all Bowes by their owne bent Who by pretence of Christian libertie Allow nought but what their owne braines inuent Correctors curious of things indifferent 60 Two other Gulfes here I will onely sound One is of Pharisaicall Righteousnesse The other with false Libertines is found Who doe abuse Gods grace to wantonnesse The last Faith onely with their tongue professe But let their conscience wind at libertie The other make great boast of Vprightnesse And Merits trusting to be sau'd thereby Both put asunder those God doth together tie 61 Thus Hymeneus did and Alexander Who first did put away good Conscience And then in Schismes and Heresies did wander Till they made shipwracke of Faiths firme defence Thus some giu'n ouer to a reprobate sense Doe fall to senselesse base Idolatrie Putting in stocks and stones their confidence And in the mysterie of Iniquitie Who boasts himselfe to haue of Heau'n and Hell the Key 62 Not but Christ's immense Coate of Righteousnesse Sufficient is to cloath all that beleeue But we our Faith by good workes must expresse If of his Fulnesse we hope to receaue Yet let Presumption no Man so deceaue The rags of his inherent Righteousnesse With Christs in our Redemption for to weaue
for ay 2 Whom as we loue ' boue all things by him wrought So all his glorious Workes in him we loue And eu'n that Word whereby to passe he brought This all in whom eu'n all doe liue bee moue The same is Authour Finisher of Loue The Sea from which all streames of Loue doe flow Which here refresh the tender plants and proue Most soueraigne medicine to the Saints below Whereby in goodnesse loue and vertue they may grow 3 And as the Brookes their tribute-streames doe send Vnto the boundlesse Ocean whence they moue So though on Saints and Poore we freely spend What we receiue yet to this Sea of Loue We must tend alwayes as the steele doth moue With Load-stone touched to the Arctique Pole All other motions violent doe proue This is the obiect of true Loue this sâ—le The Center is of Loue on which all Loue doth roll 4 Authour and Finisher Thou Word of power Center and Load-stone Obiect Sea of Loue Sweet drops of Grace vpon mine heart downe shower Attract my steely thoughts tow'rds heau'n to moue Teach me the complement of man true Loue O helpe me to expresse what I conceaue Of thine affection which thee from aboue Made to descend and all thy Glorie leaue And to the cursed Crosse for loue of man to cleaue 5 Of that dread loue by which the Trinitie Ineffably doth in it selfe delight Of Persons three making one Vnitie I dare not vndertake so high to write My Muse here onely labours to indite Of that free Loue which doth from thence descend That Loue which from the head on members light And that which from them ought againe ascend Lastly that Christian loue we each on other spend 6 But as th' eternall Godhead is but one Yet is by Persons three distinguished The Sonne is of the Father all alone The Spirit from Sonne and Father doth proceede So though a threefold kind of Loue we reade Yet is this true and heau'nly Loue but one For with that Loue from Father doth proceede Christ loueth those he chooseth for his owne And we the selfe-same loue to Head and Members showne 7 Thou that did'st in thy Fathers bosome wun Eternally begotten vncreate Let me begin where first thy Loue begun To be vnto vs manifest when Hate And Pride the Dam of mischiefe and debate Had caused those celestiall Lamps of light The Angels that kept not their first estate To be deiected from thy Palace bright Reseru'd in euerlasting chaines of darkest night 8 Then first thy free Loue did to Man appeare Whom after thine owne Image thou didst frame And blessedst him to multiply and reare Much fruit on Earth and gau'st him power to tame Thy handie workes to which he gaue a name Which they receiu'd as Vassalls of their Lord Adam then Lord of all thy workes became Each herbe fruit seede thou gau'st him for his board Thus Lord of all Hee 's onely subiect to thy Word 9 God saw that all he made was very good Yet 't was not good that Man should be alone I dare not thinke Man could alone haue stood In his integritie thou gau'st him one To be his helpe of his owne flesh and bone For whom he should Father and Mother leaue Behold now Adam with his Paragon Walke in the Garden where they haue good leaue The fruit of euery tree there growing to receaue 10 Hadst thou him set in Gardens ready planted With all vâ—â—etie of rich delight And for his care to keepe them had but granted He might take pleasure onely in their sight And foode from one to feede his appetite Nature had beene content with competence Thou gau'st him leaue of all the trees to bite Thou onely one tree from his lips didst fence To shew thy Lordship and proue his obedience 11 But loe that pride which mischiefe did conceaue First in the Court of Heau'n brings forth below And in disdaine such exc'llent Spirits must leaue Their glorious Mansions vnto one they know Was fram'd of slimy earth Behold they grow To tempt the weaker by a false pretence You shall not die saith he for God doth know What day you eate you shall be gods from thence Loe thus was all mankind made guiltie of offence 12 Adam where art What art Hid naked vile Now thou hast eate of the forbidden Tree My Wife did me a Serpent her beguile Cannot excuse thee nor thy Progenie Curst is the Serpeat for his subtiltie The Ground is curst and all that on it goes Serpents and Womans seede at enmitie The earth from whence thou cam'st thee vp must close Thy Garden 's lost thy Subiects now become thy Fâ—es. 13 O miserable Man in losse in paine Looke but from whence and whither thou dost fall Who now hath power to raise thee vp againe Breach of one Law thee guiltie makes of all Hell is thy Guerdon miserable thrall Driu'n from the presence sweet of God aboue Which thee to such a height of blisse did call The Serpents speech thou now too true dost proue And to thy cost know'st Good and Euill Hate and Loue. 14 God is most mercifull yet True and Iust His Mercy shined in thy first Creation His Law is broken now he punish must Here Loue behold beyond all expectation Will draw them both to reconciliation God becomes Man Iustice to satisfie His Death shall pay the price of our damnation No height of Verse this great Loue can desâ—ry This Sunne is too resplendent for my Muses eye 15 Most glorious God Wise Happy Vncreate Absolute Perfect Pure Omnipotent Here humbly to conuerse in meane estate And as a Malefactor to be rent To saue eu'n those that sought him to torment Captiuitie thus Captiue for to lâ—ade And giue such gifts to Men and Hell preuent Thy workes of power Lord can 〈◊〉 Creature reade But this of Loue and Mercy doth them all exceede 16 Three sorts of Loue wise Sages haue obseru'd Loue of true Friends of Kindred Coniugall Of which amongst them friendship hath deseru'd To be first rank'd this Loue surmounts them all These Starres doe rise these Starres againe doe fall But when this Sunne of heau'nly Loue doth shine Once in our hearts it is perpetuall And when it lowest seemes and to decline It then is highest rays'd and nearest to Diuine 17 This Loue 's an vndiuided Vnitie A concord that diuision will admit Diuided yet to all abundantly And doth this all into one body knit The Head that eu'n aboue in heau'n doth sit It ioyneth to the Members on the ground And all those Members in one Body knit Loue like her selfe the same is euer found Though in one Member more than other shee abound 18 As Soule of Man doth from the Head to Heart And all the Members life and motion send Being â—l in all and all in eu'ry part Eu'n so doth Loue her Power diuine extend On eu'ry part that on the Head depend And as the Members soone rot and decay To which the Soule her
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
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
the righteous seede he will on earth preserue 80 To praise God for the blessings manifold His Word assures vnto this righteous Nation Would in discourse my Muse for euer hold And be too long for this one Meditation Oh hold me then to more strict obseruation Of Time to come than I haue had of past That I may make a daily examination Of my whole life and all my sinnes vp cast As mindfull of th' account I am to giue at last 81 And teach me that this Grace of Righteousnesse Is as a Chaine of many links close ioyn'd By which we would ascend from hence to blesse Whereof if but the least linke doth vnbind Loe the whole Chaine is to the earth declin'd Eu'n so in this strong Chaine of Law and Right Though most of all our acts be rightly lin'd If one Iniquitie our Hearts delight This one makes all the rest vnrighteous in Gods sight 82 But I vniustly my discourse extend Now I beseech the Authour of this Grace I all my force to practise it may bend And first doe Right and Iustice in my place Respecting not the Person but the Case In my Commerce with all Men dealing right Last that I may true Righteousnesse embrace That with true Faith and a good Conscience dight I in these spirituall Armes vnto the end may â—ight 83 Thus hauing chalked out the Rule of Right I should by my first Method next proceede To sing of Mercy but Truth doth inuite My Muse first her great power to areede Who doth in time eu'n Righteousnesse preceede Besides none can approch dread Mercies Throne But those whom Truth and Iustice thither leade And sure their Nature links them so in one As one without the other neuer goes alone MEDITAT II. Of Truth 1 SVch is the nature and sweet inclination Of heau'nly Graces all whereof I sing That with most kind and mutuall relation They all seeme ioyn'd together in a ring So close each one another following That who gets one doth all the rest obtayne For from one Fountayne all of them doe spring All link'd together in so strong a chayne As where one Vertue dwels there all the rest remayne 2 'T is vaine to thinke that single Graces can Make vp complete the Man spirituall More than diuided Members of a Man Can grow or thriue not ioyn'd together all Hence Poetâ— the three Graces twins doe call Ioues Daughters and them in one ring doe ioyne And hence they make the Virgins musicall All but one consort which are Sisters nine Thus by their fables shadowing things Diuine 3 For they discern'd by Natures dimmed light One Authour sole of eu'ry goodly Grace Whom Father they and King of all doe hight And him Lord ouer all their gods doe place Loe thus as in a mist they Truth did trace But missing the true path of Righteousnesse In stead of Truth they Errour did embrace For neuer was Dame Iustice Errours guesse Nor euer Truth did dwell with false Vnrighteousnesse 4 For seeming Truth without the 〈◊〉 of Right Like Summum 〈◊〉 is greatest iniurie And Righteousnesse not guided by Truths light Is Curiousnesse or false Hypocrisie Faith that brings forth fruits of Iniquitie Is base Presumption Loue Diffimulation That worketh not in vs by Charitie All from one Head haue life and sustentation And therefore all together make their habitation 5 But none more like are or of Kin more neare Than this faire paire of Truth and Righteousnesse The blessed Mother and her Daughter deare For Truth the Mother is of Vprightnesse And surely Truth and honest Simplenesse To eu'ry Vertue doth so needfull grow That all faire shewes not done in Singlenesse And Truth of Heart are but a false vaine show A splendid sinne corrupted by Mans heart below 6 Thou in whose Lips was neuer found least guile Whose Heart hates lying and iniquitie Whose Hands did neuer God or Man beguile Whose Hand Heart Word and Thought is Veritie Whose blessed Spirit of Truth doth testifie Vnto our Spirits true way of Righteousnesse By which we come to liue eternally Direct my Muse Truths nature to expresse That Truth may guide my steps to endlesse Happinesse 7 My bounded Muse here dareth not define Of boundlesse Truth from all Eternitie Which as impossible's to mete by Line As Persons three which in the Trinitie Make but one Truth and perfect Vnitie But as one God consists of Persons three And each participates of Deitie So we one Truth communicated see To Persons three which but one in the God-head bee 8 Of Father 〈◊〉 and Spirit of Truth we reade But as one God so but one Truth alone Into which Truth the Spirit of Truth doth leade Who sent is from the Father and the Sonne The Word of Truth that gloriously did won With Spirit and Father from eternitie Flesh here tooke of our flesh bone of our bone To free vs from errours captiuitie And chalk't vs out a way to walke in Veritie 9 This is the Truth whereof I meane to write Which ought to be of our whole Life the square To leuell out our words thoughts acts aright And eke our Iudgements to Gods Word to square For of this Truth foure parts there onely are Of Iudgement Action Speech and of the Heart The want of one the rest doth all impaire Wrong iudgement words and actions doth diuert But a false heart doth iudgement action speech peruert 10 And that I right and plainely may proceede I will all foure thus singled out define And first the Truth of Iudgement I doe reade A power inlightning of Gods Spirit Diuine Which doth Mans vnderstanding part refine And settles in the Doctrine of his Word Behold when Truth doth in our iudgement shine All Heresie and Schismes by vs abhord This Truth of Iudgement sacred Knowledge doth afford 11 Truth of the Heart is a sweet singlenesse And sincere meaning whereby Man constraynes His Heart to approue it selfe in Holinesse To him that searcheth both the Heart and Raynes This in the inward Man the Truth contaynes And is to God most acceptable treasure This Truth from all Hypocrisie refraynes Here doth the Deuill soonest take his seasure For loe the Heart of man's deceitfull aboue measure 12 The Truth of Speech is when our hearts agree Vnto the matter and vnto our mind For if it from our Heart doe disagree Or from the thing whereto it is design'd The first to be plaine lying is defin'd The second falshood at the best we name One doth abuse the Conscience and the Mind The other brings the Authour vnto shame Both falsifie the Truth and are alike to blame 13 The Truth of Actions honest dealing plaine Faithfull in all without dissimulation With God and Man whether we lose or gaine When we doe not deceiue by simulation And feigning things without determination Or else dissembling whereabouts we goe These are from Truth a wicked declination And when we God or Man deceauen so What we would vnto vs to others we
allurements Our Soules of this rich Iewell to beguile Loe Romanists adulterate and defile Eu'n Truths pure Fountaynes and sweet liuely Spring And Worldlings true sinceritie doe soile With odious name of false dissembling And eu'n with basest termes Gods Priests dishonouring 49 Ah now we with the fashion all doe run As Buildings Wares Apparell are for show So is Religion and Deuotion Where is most pompe and glorie thither flow The greatest multitude From whence doth grow To such a height the name of Poperie Yea many of vs seeke for praise to know But leaue true practise in sinceritie When not to know but doe Gods will is charitie 50 Fashion and Custome now so tyrannize As comely honest Truth they doe out-face If it the Fashion be vs to disguise It as a comely Custome we embrace That which Paul thought a Womans foule disgrace Like Man to haue her head vncouer'd shorne Amongst our Women holds a goodly grace Like vnto mens their garments now be worne As they in Truth the frailtie of their Sexe did scorne 51 But I could wish with all our power and might As in Gods presence pure we all did stand We would goe thinke know speake and practise right In Truth of Iudgement with Tongue Heart and Hand This God did vnto Abraham command To walke before him and to be vpright Walking before God makes vs vpright stand Vprightnesse shewes we walke as in Gods sight Who thinks God him beholds how dares he doe vnright 52 Let me here tell you how a holy Man A Harlot did diuert from filthy quest Who by her comely feature many wan To leaue their owne and foile her filthy nest Himselfe in habit of a Gallant drest Agreed and paid desir'd a secret rome Shee him vnto a Chamber streight addrest So close that therein not the least light shone But ah said he Gods eye vs here may see alone 53 Alas said shee no place can be so close That can vs hide from Gods all-seeing Eye Dost thou beleeue saith he God sees thy grosse Thy beastly foule sinne of adulterie And fear'st not lest his furie should destroy Eu'n whilst in this presumptuous sinne thou art And thee condemne to Hell eternally My Authour saith hereby he did conuert Her wicked life to Truth and Singlenesse of Heart 54 Though many imperfections we doe feele And our corruptions downe so sore vs presse That Vice into our Hearts doth often steale And vnawares deceaue with sinfulnesse Yet if by sorrow true and humblenesse We purge our Hearts of what is entred in And after seeke by carefull watchfulnesse Them to preserue hereafter from like sinne We may grow to some perfectnesse of Truth within 55 But I confesse that though with all my might I labour for true puritie of mind And would doe nothing but as in the sight Of God and Angels and of all Mankind Yet often my deceitfull heart I find Tempting me secretly such things to doe Which I should not dare venture in that kind If some Man present were the same to know Yet Truth the closest of them all to God doth show 56 What shall manâ— presence make me true and iust And shall not Gods that â—ees my secret thought To whom for all one day account I must And be rewarded as I here haue wrought Shall not his presence me deterre from ought That may offend his sacred Maiestie The Sonne of Truth whose blood me dearely bought And grieue the holy Spirit of Truth whereby Seal'd and redeem'd I am from Hels captiuitie 57 Oh thou that Truth requir'st in inward parts Vs secretly mak'st Wisedome vnderstand Renewing Spirits aright and clensing Hearts By whom in Truth and Righteousnesse we stand My way direct right to the holy Land Through Deserts wide of this Worlds wildernesse Feede me with heau'nly Manna from thine Hand With water from a Rocke my soule refresh And thorough Iordanes flood conduct to endlesse blesse 58 The humble thou hast promised to guide And to direct his path aright for ay Who seeke vnfeignedly in Truth t' abide Thou neuer sufferest to goe astray Oh then direct my goings in thy way My iudgement heart hand tongue in Veritie Thou readier art to heare then I to pray Then grant me Loue Faith Hope Humilitie And season eu'ry Grace with Hearts sinceritie 59 God is my Shepheard How then can I stray He is my Light Truth and my righteous Guide His rod and staffe my slipperie feete doth stay Lest they at any time doe slip aside His Truth and Mercy euermore abide Though Wine and Women and the King are strong I nothing feare if Truth be on my side Thy Truth and Mercy shall my dayes prolong Of thy great Truth and Mercy euer be my song 60 Oh let thy Word of Truth my Iudgement sway Thy Spirit of Truth mine inward Man inlight Incline mine Heart to learne will to obay And on thy Truth set thou my whole delight On it to meditate both day and night That whether I eate sleepe walke watch or pray I may remember I am in thy sight So shall I conscience make of euery way And be most carefull what I aske doe thinke or say 61 But ah dread Mercy I too long forbeare To tune my Dittie to thy sacred praise Who wert so gracious vnto me whileare When I appeal'd from Iustice stricter Sayes Vnto thy Throne of Grace where though my wayes Were all discouer'd by thy gracious dome I was absolu'd But next I will thee praise Now I with Truth and Righteousnesse haue done For none without these two to Mercies grace can come MEDITAT III. Of Mercy 1 IF any mightie Monarch chance enquire Why I sweet Mercies seate doe place so high Since shee the lowliest Cell doth most desire Her selfe delighting sole in miserie The onely Object of her pitying eye He hence for greatnesse may this lesson gaine That as he growes in Pow'r and Maiestie To Poore he ought the greater Mercy daine Thus imitating him by whom eu'n Princes raigne 2 For though this Dame be of such wondrous grace So neare in fauour to the Queene of Loue That next to her sâ—ee gaynes the soueraigne place Both here below and in the Heau'n aboue Yea though to heau'nly Loue so like shee proue That scarse the one from th' other can be knowne Though to be mercifull and truely Loue Doe differ much as after shall be showne Yet her great bounty 's not to meanest wretch vnknowne 3 For as the Sunne from highest firmament Vouchsafes on good and bad alike to shine And clouds of Heau'n doe raine indifferent On fertile Land and on the barren Mine So vnto all shee offers Grace Diuine But as the Cause is not in Sunne nor Raine But in the Soile why it doth fruitlesse line So sinne 's the cause some cannot Grace retaine Which shines and waters bad and barren hearts in vaine 4 A depth all bottomlesse I now doe sound A height which higher than the Heau'ns doth reach So wide as nothing it can compasse
how was he by Laban iniured His brother Esan did his life assaile Yet strong in God his heart did neuer faile Not when at Mahanim he met Gods Hoast And Esau with foure hundred did he quaile Of Iosâ—ahs valour may all Iudah boast But of them all herein may Daâ—id glorie most 32 Apocryphall are Stories not the Facts Of machabaeus and his Bretheren Whose noble Fortitude and valiant Acts Transcend the courage of all mortall Men. Oh! wondrous prowesse which they shewed then For to defend their Lawes and Libertie Their Temples Cities Wiues and Children From prophanation by Idolatrie And from the bondage of an Heathen enemie 33 I might of Moses Caleb Gedeon tell Ieptha Iob Samson Dauids Worthies three That through an Hoast drew Water from a Well Eu'n millions of examples you may see Of Saints which in Gods Booke our paternes bee As Children three which would endure the flame Before they would commit Idolatrie Of all the Apostles onely Paul I name Whose Fortitude in God deserues eternall fame 34 What are the Seruants greater than their Lord No all the strength that did in them abound He of his fulnesse did to them afford In whom all perfect Fortitude was found Whom when he did conuerse with Men on ground No Deuill Power terror could dismay And that he might at last Hels powers confound His Life on cursed Crosse eu'n downe did lay Sad Night But loe His rising brings a ioyfull Day 35 Which to sweet Nectar turnes our Cup of Gall Loe This is true braue Fortitude of mind That as Christ chearefully did suffer all That God for our Redemption had assign'd So all our strength and will must be inclin'd All crosses valiantly to suffer here But where we them against Gods glorie find For with such iniuries Christ could not beare And therefore Merchants did with whips from Temple scare 36 What Shall I here all Woman-kind exclude As Subiects meane for this heroick Grace No In the mind is seate of Fortitude And oft in Female brests obtaynes high place 'T is not proud Looks mens Tire stout Speech bold Face Can Women for true Fortitude commend No Vertue like to Modestie doth grace That Sexe and best their Honour doth defend In this the brauest Women alwayes did transcend 37 See faire Rebecca couer'd with a vaile Iudge Debora vnder an Oken tree Most modest Iudith durst the Head assaile Of Holofernes Hâ—ster next I see Bring Haman vnto shame for Mardochee Shall I name one that doth surmount them all Loe our late Queene Elizabeth was shee Yet was most modest shamefac't Virginall All Female boldnesse Impudence not Grace we call 38 This Androgune Masculine-Foeminine Sometimes of Doubtfull oft of Common Gender Who turn'd her face where Womanhood should shine To bold out-facing And her locks did tender Vnto the Scisers Our Faith 's great Defender Because shee was of Fortitude the scorne And Ape of Manhood did so reprehend her As now all vertuous Ladies haue her lorne Forgotten and disgrac'd as shee were neuer borne 39 Great Faiths Defender who dost here defend As Faith so Valour and true Fortitude Oh were my Muse but able to commend Thy Princely Heart and Minds braue magnitude Wherewith th' Almightie hath thy brest indude Or tell the courage of thy valiant Sonne Our Prince which stretcheth to such amplitude That had my Song with his great Praise begun My Life on Earth had ended ere my Muse had done 40 But we returne to Fortitude within By which we fight 'gainst spirituall enemies World Deuill Flesh and our originall Sinne Hell Empires Powers Principalities To our spirituall Peace all enmities Against these for our safegard we embrace All spirituall Graces as sure remedies Ah! how dare they looke Satan in the face That are quite destitute of all true sauing Grace 41 Alas What strength haue they then that depend Vpon the Pope and his Supremacie Or hope his holy Water can defend Them from this strong and subtile enemie Saints Reliques Bulls Beades and such trumperie Are now the onely weapons they must weare Their Agnus Deies doe so terrifie The Deuill and away ill spirits scare For other spirituall Armour now they neede not care 42 How hope they to be able to withstand The Serpents malice and the Worlds despite Who lay by Armes and loose and idle stand Not buckeling themselues vnto the fight As Armes were like apparell for delight Or for sport onely and a glittering show These fainting hearts that are afraid to fight Vaine Fooles that neuer yet Hels strength did know Which at the first encounter them will ouerthrow 43 Alas eu'n too too many now a dayes Like Gallants of our time make goodly show In glitt'ring Armes and bragge great might in Frayes But come where danger to their life may grow They then away both Armes and Weapons throw Thus they abuse the knowledge God doth lend Vnto their ruine and their ouerthrow Wanting true valour Truth for to defend And Christian Fortitude to hold out to the End 44 My onely wish is euer to be strong In God and in the power of his Might Casting off all things that doe not belong Vnto the Christian Battaile I must fight Oh! who in warres can serue his Prince aright That doth himselfe with Worlds affaires entangle With spirituall Weapons we maintayne this fight And not with cunning at the Barre to jangle We here must fight for Life and not for profit wrangle 45 I here confesse mine inward strength is vaine Vnable to withstand such enemies That I to seeke out of my selfe am faine For helpe against Hels powr's and policies So many are my knowne infirmities I mine owne strength doe vtterly distrust Hoping thy Grace that all our wants supplies Will strengthen me against Hell Sinne and Lust Since in no finite Power but infinite I trust 46 Oh grant me firme on thine Omnipotence In crosses and afflictions to relie And wholy to renounce all confidence Mans strength or hope in Princes can supply Who vnder shadow of thy Wings doe lie No forraine Power nor inward dread need feare Thy strength is most seene in infirmitie In thee wee able to doe all things are By force of thy great Might we all aduenture dare 47 God is my Refuge Strength and Fortitude My Rocke Shield Buckler and in whom I trust Who hath my Foes all vnto me subdu'd Making our Enemies to licke the dust Most firme defence vnto the Meeke and Iust All superstitious vanities are vaine Who put in God their confidence and trust Firme stable sure like Sions Mount remayne No powres of Hell can snake where this foundation 's layne 50 Great is the Power wherein we doe trust A mightie Power and exceeding strong Able to raise our Bodies from the dust And to Eternitie our life prolong All pow'r from God to God all doth belong Why then should'st thou my Soule distrust or quaile On him relie and none can doe thee wrong Thine Heart and Conscience Satan may assaile But