upright heart Curses shall him oppress Cursed thrice cursed shall he be Covers his Father's breast And that man curst shall be as he That lieth with a beast Curs'd let him be with Sister lies Oâ—… Mother though in Law Such fins do make those horrid cries That dreadful curses draw Cursed be he that secretly His silent Neighbour smites Murtherers too that cause to die When a reward invites The wicked shall be curs'd at home And likewise in the field His basket and his store at last Shall Blessings cease to yield Cursed be all his sinful fruit Of body and of land His Kine and Flock though they are mute And all he takes in hand Cursed be he when going out And when returning in That happy 't were for him no doubt If he had never been ¶ Praises to God Psal. 65. 1. Praise waiteth for thee O God in Zion PRaise the most high Oh clap your hands Praise him for he the world commands Praise him Mount Zion Praises sing Praise him that is your Cities King Praise him with loud and silent Air Praise ye the Lord that heareth Pray'r Praise him makes Morning hear his voice Praise him makes Evening to rejoyce Praise him that doth prepare our Corn Praise him all ye that are forlorn Praise him that duly sends us Rain Praise him for Fruits Herbs Flow'rs and Grain Praise him for his refreshing showers Praise him for recreating Bowers Praise him that doth our Pastures fill Praise and rejoyce each little Hill Praise him ye Birds and ev'ry Tree Praise him that did divide the Sea Praise him for Waters from the Fount Praise him for Grass grows on the Mount Praise him that gives and nothing ows Praise him with Sacrifice and Vows Praise him that form'd us in the Womb Praise him that guides us to our Tomb. Praise him that makes us blest in Heaven Praise him from whom all Food is given Praise him his holy Name adore Praise him O praise him more and more Praise God the Father of the just Praise him doth raise the Poor from dust Praise him that makes the barren bear Praise him with duty love and fear Praise ye the Lord for dayly Food Praise ye his Name for it is good Praise him who gives success in Wars Praise him who numbereth the Stars Praise him that builds Jerusalem Praise him whose Word is more than Jem Praise him that lifteth up the meek Praise him that doth support the Weak Praise him who doth the Ravens feed Praise him our meetly help at need Praise him doth cause his Winds to blow Praise him that makes the Waters flow Praise him in his Angelick Coasts Praise him all ye his mighty Hosts Praise ye his Name both Sun and Moon Praise him ye Lights that shine at noon Praise him ye Heavens never fade Praise him for ye by him were made Praise ye the Lord ye Dragons fell Praise him ye Deeps his wonders tell Praise him Fire Hail Vapour and Snow Praise him ye stormy Winds that blow Praise him ye Cedars Beasts o' th' field Praise him all things can Praises yield Praise him ye Kings of highest birth Praise him ye Judges of the Earth Praise him ye Rulers whom he rais'd Praise for he 's greatly to be prais'd Praise ye the Lord both great and small Praise him that did create us all Praise him within his holy Tower Praise him for his Almighty Power Praise him for what he to us gave Praise Jesus Christ that did us save Praise ye the Holy Spirit too Praise each with all Devotions due Praise all strive who shall praise the most Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost Praise each with pious Harmony Praise ye the blessed Trinity Praise ye the Lord with Trumpets sound Praise him that heal'd us with his wound Praise him with Harps loud Melody Praise him with Song and Psaltery Praise him with Timbrel let the Flute Praise him with Organ Pipe and Lute Praise him with instrumental String Praise him with Cymbals loudly sing Praise him with joy and skilful voice Praise with new Songs the chief and choice Praise him that is our Guide our Light Praise him because his Word is right Praise him whose works are done in truth Praise him that no injustice doth Praise him all people great and less Praise him that loveth Righteousness Praise him whose Goodness fills the Earth Praise him with Zeal and pious Mirth Praise him the Author is of days Praise him that gives us power to praise Praise him whose Word the Heavens made Praise him whose breath requir'd no aid Praise him that doth the Wind command Praise him that makes the Waters stand Praise him whom Sun and Moon obey Praise him doth Heaven's Scepter sway Praise him that doth the Heathen awe Praise him whose ev'ry Word 's a Law Praise him who doth from Heav'n behold Praise him ye Rich Poor Young and Old Praise him that fashions all our hearts Praise him alone doth heal our smarts Praise him that is the King of kings Praise him in grief that comfort brings Praise him that governs Sea and Coasts Praise him that is the Lord of Hosts Praise him who can the Lion tame Praise him that Mighty is by Name Praise him that guards us day and night Praise him the God of Peace and Fight Praise him that makes the stoutest yield Praise him that is our Help and Shield Praise him with both thy heart and mouth Praise him in Age in Strength and Youth Praise him who are with sorrows sad Praise that the humble may be glad Oh let the Nations all accord To praise and magnifie the Lord. Amen Amen ¶ Gloria in Altissimis Or the Angelical Anthem ANgels Saints and all men cry Glory be to God on high And that glory ne'er may cease Grant us Lord on earth thy peace When there 's good will towards men We shall praise and praise agen ¶ On Fatherly Affection AS in the street I walking cast my eye It was my chance two Children to espie Fighting together by aâ—…d by in hast The Father of the one who saw what past Stept in and suddenly without delay He parted both and took his Son away And lâ—…ke a Father careful of his Son Gave him correction for the sauâ—…t he 'd done The other Lad was left without a check Which made him strut and boast and stretch his neck Believing he had surely won the day Though both alike were equal in the fray I thought it hard that one should punish'd be And not the other he escaping free At last I guess'd 't was a Paternal care One to correct to teach him to beware For over him he a dominion had But was a stranger to the other Lad. So when the wicked sin the godly smart God in chasâ—…sing shews Paternal art He chastens whom he loves whilst wicked men Pursue their sins and act them o're agen The reason common sense cannot avo d Sinners are spar'd only to be destroy'd What need a whip for stubborn
¶ The Soul's Soliloquy COme Holy Ghost our Souls inherit With Beams of thy Coelestial Spirit Inflame our Hearts we thee desire With Sparks from thy Coelestial Fire Thou the anoynting Spirit art Who dost thy Seven-fold gifts impart Thy holy Unction from above Is Comfort Life and Fire of Love Enable with perpetual Light The dulness of our blinded Sight Cherish and cleer our soiled face With the abundance of thy Grace Keep far our Foes give Peace at home Where thou art Guard no ill can come Teach us to know the Father Son And thee of both to be but one That through the Ages all-along This may be our endless Song Praise to the Almighty merit Father Son and Holy Spirit ¶ The Enquiry TEll me my Soul where doth thy passion bend Doth it on Heaven or things on earth attend If worldly Objects do thy Reason guide Thou mayst desire but not be satisfi'd If thou dost Beauty love it is a shade But Righteousness doth shine and never fade If worldly Wisdom 't is but as a blast But heav'nly Wisdom doth the World outlast If earthly Riches they have wings and fly But heav'nly Gems do last eternally Estates on earth do as in shipwracks reel In Heaven's harbour are no thieves to steal All thou canst compass here is trifling store In Heav'n are Crowns laid up for evermore Would'st thou have Honour which the World depaints What Honour can be greater than the Saints Or is it Pleasure 't will thy Soul destroy The Just shall enter in their Masters joy But tell me farther what is 't thou wouldst have Both Heav'n and earth on this side of thy Grave Away vain fancies ye are Vertues moth Pitty 〈◊〉 the promise of them both These lustful thoughts lead thee to splendid folly But if thou wouldst be happy then be holy ¶ On Dives SEe with what splendor Dives sits at meat With choice of Dainties courting him to eat His Habit Purple and his Lâ—…nnen fine As if drest up on purpose here to dine How the Spectators look and seem to say There 's too much store provided for one day How many wretched Souls do beg for Bread Whilst this same Glutton hath his Table spread With all varieties And thus they show Their envy But alas did they but know And well consider what his wants are then They'd pity him as if the worst of men His Talent's rich on earth there 's none above it But he wants Grace and Wisdom to improve it All his Estate is but a mighty spoil He hath a Lamp but that Lamp hath no Oyl He hath a Soul but what doth that embrace Vain worldly Lusts the opposites to Grace His House shines gloriously but when all 's done He hath the Star-light but he wants the Sun A Friend to Vice and Vertue 's mortal hater Having the Creature but not the Creator This world 's a Torrent of false Joys the boat Is his vain life doth on it dayly float His Silver Anchor is as weak as Sand Nor can his Gold conduct him safe to Land But rather sink him to the Misers Cell There to inhabit where damn'd Spirits dwell Can he be worth your envy then forbear Rather in pity shed a Christian tear If he be happy May it be thy will O Lord that I be miserable still Give me thy Grace although I 'm clad in Rags Let Vice attend the Miser and his Bags ¶ On Lazarus THe wicked Worldling spends his time in laughter Having his Heaven here his Hell hereafter Contrarywise the good man whilst he 's here Lives as in Hell to sigh and shed his tear But when to Heaven he hereafter flies God wipes away all tears from off his eyes Though here he suffer scorn the worlds annoy Yet He that sows in tears shall reap in joy The Rich man hath his good things in this life Lazarus evil things slights scorn and strife But meets at last with what he here doth miss Eternal joy it is the poor mans bliss Whilst Dives lies as if with Scorpions stung Wishing for Lazarus to cool his tongue That Lazarus who whilome lay before The gilded Postern of the rich mans door Begging some mean remainings of his table Dives rapt up in Silks and costly Sable Glutted with sumptuous food and choice of wine Hath neither time nor ear for them that pine The very kinder Dogs in pity then Licked his Sores thereby instructing men To Love and Charity Observe the end Angels upon the Begger did attend He dies and they to Abraham's bosom fly Leaving him there to all Eternity Whilst Dives striving others to excell When here tormented is in flames of Hell Thus Worldlings ride in pomp to Hell's hot Nest And Penitents in Tears swim to their Rest. The Penitents Praise LOrd now the time returns For weary men to rest And lay aside those pains and cares Wherewith we are opprest Or rather change our thoughts To more concerning cares How to redeem our mis-spent time With Sighs and Tears and Prayers How to provide for Heav'n That place of Rest and Peace Where our full Joys shall never wain Our Pleasures never cease Blest be thy love dear Lord That taught us this sweet way Only to love thee for thy self And for that love obey O thou our Souls chief hope We to thy mercy fly Wheree're we are thou canst protect Whate're we need supply Whether we wake or sleep Either to thee is done By night we through our eye-lids peep As if the night were gone Whether we live or die Both we submit to thee In death we live as well as life If thine in death we be Glory to thee great God One Co-eternal three To Father Son and Holy Ghost Eternal Glory be ¶ Angel and Man A Dialogue Ang. LIsten Oh Sinner I shall make it plain Mankind is wicked altogether vain Nature instructs the bruâ—…ts to bear in mind A friendly consort to each others kind But Man more monstrous than of bruitish hue First preys on them then doth himself undo Devouring Widows houses in his way Pretending Piety seems oft to pray Will with himself and sins oft-times be vext When as his zeal is only a pretext Their very Prayers do themselves condemn As Citizens o' th' new Jerusalem They would appear whenas their chiefest care Should be to crave a Pardon for their Prayer Man What glorious Creature can a tongue rehearse May be compar'd to Man the Universe Is subject to him all things with applause Pay Homage to him and obey his laws God did not from the Angels nature frame His own he took the seed of Abraham Man hath his saults which causeth melancholy Even ye Angels God doth charge with folly Ang. Well have ye said therein we do agree For we are charg'd with such vain things as ye We are your Guardians so to direct Ye safely sleep we Watchmen do protect So great a truth it is no more but thus They are well kept that are secur'd by us And from the
Manners but the ruine both of Precepts of Principles for vain Songs are Songs sung to the World lascivious Ballads are Songs sung to the Flesh and Satyrical Libels are Songs sung to the Devil onely Psalms Hymns and spiritual Songs making melody in the heart are Songs sung to the Lord. Spiritual Silence is a sweeter note than a loud especially if lewd Sonnet and the advice of St. James is both divine and wholsome Is any among you afflicted let him pray Is any merry let him sing Psalms I know it is a general humour in this Age to think no Verse good but what is scurrilous and profane nor do I promise Elegancy in my stile that being more proper for dramatick than divine Poesie Nay such is the looseness of this Age that many are of opinion that Divinity in verse is unpleasant to the ear and to the heart let such be convinced by the Psalms of David or the Song of his son Solomon Divine Verse hath these two operations it is pleasant and makes an impression in the memory of the Reader so true is that of the excellent Mr. Geo. Herbert Vniversity-Oratour of Cambridge A Verse may take him who a Sermon flies And turn delight into a Sacrifice As Affliction admits of Contemplation so Prosperity swells the Heart this Agur knew well and therefore prayed for a Mediocrity Some are of opinion that Solomon's wealth did him much more hurt than his wisdom did him good David's first ways were his best ways neither was he ever so good and tender as when he was hunted like a Partridge on the Mountains Indeed of Vespatian it is storied that he was made the better man by being made Emperour but he was too rare a bird to have his fellow Such is the incertainty of humane Affairs that a full Estate discovers a man as well as doth a low and empty one To know how to abound is as high a part of Grace as to know how to want God tries in a right-hand-way as well as in a left-hand-way Poverty endangers Grace much but Riches more To be great in the World is a great temptation it is a hard thing to carry a full Cup with an even hand Many when they grow rich in Temporals wax poor in Spirituals As their outward man increaseth so their inward man decayeth and as the flesh flourishes the spirit withers yet prosperous wickedness is accounted Vertue Dionysius after the spoil of an Idol-temple finding the winds favourable in his Navigation Lo said he how the Gods approve of Sacriledge So divers because they are prosperous are apt to believe themselves pious and that God must needs love them because the World doth but a painted face is no signe of a good Complexion And Seneca hath this saying The greatest unhappiness is to prosper in Impieties Adversity teacheth Humility and how to pray Prosperity leads to Pride Folly Vain-glory and all manner of Evils David in persecution and wars was a chast man when he came to take his ease he was caught in the snare of Adultery Who ever swam in such a Sea of Honour and Riches as Solomon and who sank so egregiously as he Such as stand upon slippery places slide ere they be aware and the higher the Pinacle is from whence they do descend the greater must be their precipitation But Godliness with contentment is great gain To conclude I end with that of St. Paul 1 Cor. 14. 15. I will with heart and understanding sing Praise to the Name of the eternal King From my Chamber in Ludgate S. S. THE PRAYER OF St. Thomas Aquinas WHICH He used to say before he went to study OUnspeakable Creator who from the treasure of thy Wisdom hast appointed three Hierarchies of Angels and placed them by a wonderful Order above the Heaven and hast most admirably distributed the parts of the World Thou which art called the true Fountain of Light of Wisdom and the Highest Being vouchsafe to pour down upon the darkness of my Understanding in the which I was born the double Beam of thy Brightness removing from me Darkness or the clouds of Sin and Ignorance Thou which makest eloquent the Tongues of men and givest the benefit of Utterance instruct my Tongue and pour into my Lips the grace of thy Blessing Give me quickness of Understanding capacity of Retaining judgment in Interpreting facility of Learning and copious Grace of Speaking Guide my going in direct my going forward and accomplish my going forth Teach me to instruct others in thy fear that they and I may sing Praises to thee and to the Lamb for evermore Amen A BRIEF Exhortation to Prayer Written by St. Chrysostome IT is very meet and profitable that we employ the time of our life in Prayer that thereby our hearts may continually receive the sweet dew of God's Grace of which all persons have no less need than Trees and Herbs have of refreshing waters for they cannot bring forth fruit except the roots be comforted with moisture and in like manner it is impossible for us to be replenished with beautiful fruits of Piety if our hearts be not refreshed by Prayer for which cause we ought to forsake our beds and prevent the Sun-rising in God's service The like we ought to do when we go to meat and at night when we take our rest yea it behoveth us at all times to offer some Ejaculation to God to the end we may continually retain him and his mercies in our mindes Tell me O my Soul how canst thou behold the Sun if thou dost not honour him that made thine eyes to behold that most beautiful Light How canst thou go to the Table to eat if thou dost not first honour him who giveth and furnisheth thee dayly with such great benefits How canst thou trust thy self in a dark and dismal night when discontents dreadful dreams and many dangers might assault thee if thou dost not defend thy self by Prayer and holy Meditations which are the watchful guards that allay and destroy the stratagems of wicked spirits that continually endeavour to surprize and to devour but if they see thee furnish'd with Prayer or divine Cogitations they presently retire even as wicked theeves when they see the Sword towards them Wherefore put you on the Armour of God that you may withstand the assaults of the Devil Dr. Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury HIS Prayer for Wisdome Let my Prayer be set forth before thee as Incense and the lifting up of my hands as the Evening sacrifice O God of my fathers and Lord of mercies thou that hast made all things with thy Word and didst ordain man through thy Wisdom that he should have dominion over thy Creatures which thou hast made and that he should order the World according to Holiness and Righteousness and execute Judgment with an upright heart give me Wisdom which is ever about thy Seat and put me not out from among thy Children For I thy servant and son of thy
Sacred Writ we cleerly know That ev'ry man makes Vanity his show Preferment Pleasure Profit are the three That do compleat the Worldlings Trinity He dies a sinner as when he began At first to live So vain a thing is man Man Well may the Angels feet ne'r step aside When ye have God to be your glorious Guide How can ye wander or how can ye stray When ye are always in and with your way Your Conversations must be void of Strife When ye have God your Way your Truth Life Ang. Man was created in no less degree Than the bright Image of the Deity He above other Creatures well may boast As he 's the Temple of the Holy Ghost But how hath he that glorious form defac'd Defi'd his Maker and himself disgrac'd Retaining principles his Soul bereaves Making God's Temple seem a Den of Thieves How can Ingratitude sound louder than Yours to your God So vain a thing is man Man But if we do repent and pardon crave As God can smite so the same God can save Then bring us Hallelujahs from your Quier We 'll vie whose notes shall sweetest be and higher Both All Glory be to God on High And to the Holy Trinity As first it was is now and may When fading time shall want a day ¶ Of Mirth and Mourning IN midst of Mirth there sadness is And so in Grief there 's joy Whilst wealthy sinners faces smile Their hearts do feel annoy Carnal delights they are but vam And bring vexations too They sound like musick in a strain Whose discord ends in rue Thus to the Sensualist they play Left he prove dull and sad But when the Reckoning comes to pay It makes him downright mad So true is that of Solomon In laughter there is grief The end of mirth is heaviness And Hell the salse relief But he that 's truly penitent And doth his Tears impart They are to Angels straightway sent Rejoycing his own heart They are the solace of his Soul If bitter they appear His comforts then the sweeter are The sinner's Pearl's a Tear His Sighs and Groans if they are deep And threaten to destroy In peace he may lie down and sleep The fuller is his joy The beams of Consolation shine Into this house of grief His Soul in travel is at last Sweet Peace is his relief So that I truly may conclude He that doth mourn for Sin Doth weep for Joy a multitude Of Pleasure lies therein Those Christal Rivers that do flow So nâ—…er the Heav'nly King They their original do owe Unto a Weeping-spring One rich drop from a solid sigh Pure in a Christal-birth Is to be priz'd by far above Oceans of carnal Mirth ¶ On Ambition HOnour 's insatiate never satisfi'd Nor is the Beggar innocent from Pride The Labourer a Yeoman fain would be The Yeoman would a Gentleman's degree The Gentleman must worship'd be at Feast And to that end must be a Squire at least The swaggering Squire must needs be dub'd a Knight Then aims at Baron as his Title-right The Baron must be Lord to please his Girl If that won't do he must be made an Earl That done Ambition bids him still aspier Marquess in Heraldry is one step higher The Marquess then casts out his golden Hook With Cash and Crast till he becomes a Duke The Duke no arguments can him convince But that by merit he should be a Prince When Prince he elevates his foaring wing Flies to the Throne of a terrestrial King Yet there 's no rest so doth Ambition gull us He must be Caesar or he will be Nullus Caesar won't make him yet the World's Commander Wherefore he must be styl'd an Alexander And Alexander though the whole World's Rod Must be ador'd and worshipt as a God After his many wonders even then He sound himself to be as other men Base Pride eclipses those of high degree But before Honour is Humility Honour that Furnace which doth heat the blood Making men act things but profusely good Swelling Ambition makes a man its slave Till Death's sharp Dart doth post him to his grave But how in play first came this cheating Sin Adam would be a God so it came in Other sins fly from God and shun the chace This boldly flies in the Almighty's face All that the erring Children have to say Is this It was our Father led the way ¶ Spiritus Sanctus COme holy Spirit come and breathe Thy spicy Odours on the face Of our dull Region here beneathe And fill our Souls with thy sweet Grace Come and root out the poysonous Weeds That over-run and choak our lives And in our hearts plant thine own Seeds Whose quickning power our Spirit revives First plaâ—… the humble Violet there That dwells secure by being low Then let the Lily next appear And make us chast yet fruitful too But oh plant all the Vertues Lord And let the Metaphors alone Repeat once more that mighty Word Thou needst but say Let it be done We can alas nor be nor grow Unless thy powerful mercy please Thy hand must plant and water too Thy hand alone must give encrease Do then what thou alone canst do Do what to thee so easie is Conduct us through this World of woe And place us safe in thine own Bliss All Glory to the Sacred Three One Ever living Soveraign Lord As at the first still may he be Belov'd and prais'd fear'd and ador'd ¶ The Christian and a Worldling A Dialogue Wor. IS it not pleasant Christian to be great Chr. 'T is but a moral cheat Wor. Where lies the cheat when I receive the gold Chr. In crying sins untold Wor. Must I be wretched 'cause I'm growing rich Chr. Wealth is oft-times a Witch Wor. Amity with the World I never mist. Chr. That 's enmity with Christ. Wor. I cloath the naked I the hungry seed Chr. Those are good acts indeed Wor. My Purse for Alms flows like a Conduit pâ—…pe Chr. 'Cause ye the Widows gripe Wor. I fear my God and do my Neighbours love Chr. That men may well approve Wor. I relieve those that have in Perils been Chr. But only to be seen Wor. This do I do what is 't I should do more Chr. Give all unto the Poor Then may thy name be in the Christian-list And when thou' rt poor thy treasure is in Christ. ¶ On the Tree of Knowledge IN Paradise it was this Tree did grow Plac'd in the midst that man might thereby know It was the choicest Plant but Satan came And with his wiles beguiled Adam's Dame Taste Woman eat quoth he it doth descry Both Good and Evil eat and never die Forbear and perish herein lies the odds They that shall eat hereof shall be as Gods Is it not pleasant were it understood You 'd eat and say it is no common Food It is an Oyntment for your blinded eyes First taste then eat this Fruit will make you wise Eve like a silly woman then began To bite that Bait
eyes With God and Angels each one take his place To judge the World and try the finners Case Arise ye cursed naked Souls and take Your standing before God and Angels quake At the Tribunal great from whence shall come Your fearful final and your fatal Doom Lord the first voices let me hear with fear That the last voice I may not fear to hear ¶ On Beauty HAve you not heard o' th' bloody Siege of Troy Of Hellens beauty how it did destroy The lustre of her Beauty did decay And she was but a glorious heap of Clay Or have you read of Jacob how he serv'd Full fourteen years for Rachel never swerv'd From his affections She his hearts delight Was amiable and lovely in his fight Thus we adove those whom we think excel In Beauty though a painted Jezebel If these deserve so much then what doth he That made these Beauties he whose Majestie Is altogether lovely doth surpass The glories of an indigested Mass. The Beauty of the whole Creation is As dross to him for the Creation's his Be not discourag'd oh my Soul but place Thy firm affections on thy Saviour's face Though Enemies may watch for thy defaults Christ can secure thee from their fierce assaults Let him be beautiful within thine eye And thou shalt live although thou seemst to die Be not dsheartned oh my Soul for though Rules may be strict and Duties hard yet know They are as 〈◊〉 'gainst the worst disaster Heaven 's thy Wages Christ himself thy Master Lord let my heart thy Beauty understand No difficulty then shall reach my hand ¶ On Knowledge THis precious Jewel Knowledge may compare To those the Israelites of old did wear For if our Knowledge be improv'd but half Of that I ke them we but erect a Calf Their Gold was precious all that while commodious But in an Idol cast it then grew odious So the pure Wit of man well understood Was in the days of Innocencie good But when corruption seizes on his age He becomes vicious that before was sage Or it resembles an untilled field That barren lies and nothing else doth yield But Brambles Thorns unnecessary Weeds Till Grace manures it with its growing seeds The best of Minerals their poysons have Until extracted Flowers sweet and brave Their faeces do possess till art and skill By separation takes away the ill So the best Wits have folly until Grace Plucks up its roots and groweth in the place In things that do spiritually relate The Understanding when it 's tried by weight Will like 〈◊〉 much too light be found Lighter than Vanity or Verbal sound Then let not wise men glory in their parts But hoard their Wisdome in unspotted hearts For 't is a Jewel of an unknown price 'Bove that of Rubies or of mans device For he that getteth wisdom loves his Soul Dare oppose dangers feareth no controul It excels Folly as a glorious Star And better is than weapons us'd in War 'T is profitable to instruct direct Teacheth the Ignorant be circumspect Wherefore if any one do Wisdom lack Ask of the Lord for he will not be slack It is the gift of God and he alone Can Wisdom fix within a heart of stone Why are we dayly by our sins decoy'd For want of Knowledge people are destroy'd With Knowledge put on practice Satan's brood Have Knowledge but it does more harm thad good To Appreher sive Knowledge must conjoyn Affective Knowledge if those two combine They give a Christian courage No retreat Is needful when a Saint is arm'd compleat When as God's holy Spirit takes in hand To teach the Scholar soon doth understand To a good Soul nothing's of higher prize Than is the knowledge of deep mysteries Austin of God desir'd no worldly pelf But only to know God and know himself Knowledge and Love must both accord for why Knowledge puffs up but Love doth edifie Foolish were they that Knowledge did despise Because it puffeth up Rather than wise They were resolv'd continue ignorant And humble Pride and Arrogance to want Knowledge puffs up but Grace gives an allay For Knowledge can command and can obey But those were like Democritus half wise To shun Uncleanness pluck'd out both his eyes Though Knowledge nimbly on our Senses dance It 's greatest part 's the least of Ignorance Yet we are apt to think though can't discern't That we know all that can by man be learnt As in the host of Alcibiades All would be Leaders none Commanders please And Epicurus spoke but as a youth Boasting he was the first discover'd Truth For he in many things exprest his minde Not as a man but as a Beetle blinde Aratus the Astrologer did vent His brags he knew all Stars i' th' Firmament Laurentius Valla gloried there was none Writ Logick worth the reading but his own Nestorius the Heretick could boast That he alone on the European coast Did understand the Scriptures when he came The World awakned was with his great name Well saith th'Apostle and 't is truly so Man knoweth nothing as he ought to know ¶ On Magnanimity CAesar spoke proudly when he boldly said In midst a storm Pilot be not afraid The angry Surges know not what they do Thou carriest Caesar and his fortunes too The Cannibals as History doth tell Are for their courage thought invincible Rather than seem to fear remissly flie Or sue for life they bravely choose to die In Alexander's last and fatal fight He shew'd his Courage was his chief delight By boasting 't was his glory and his pride At once the Power of Persia to divide Mahomet the Persian Sultan overthrown His Passion was to such a fury grown He in revenge perhaps more mad than wise Caus'd his chief Captains ten to loose their eyes So to prevent their overthrow agen And threatned female habits for his men Lacedemonians were wont to cry It was a shame for any man to fly In time of danger but a cursed fate Lacedemonians should deliberate And Socrates Criton's advice did slight When by him wish'd to make a private flight Salisbury's noble Earl whenas he found The Sultans Army had inclos'd him round And he advis'd to fly answer'd in scorn Heavens forbid I should for that be born Or any of my Father's Blood or Race Should fear a Sarasin for force or face Much less then should a Christian fear whose eye Should fix on Christ who did for Christians die Bravely resolv'd it was of blessed Paul After Conversion his aspiring fall I ready am not only to proclaim But to be bound and die for Jesus Name Who sails with Christ fears neither Rock nor Sand Christians through storms must reach the promis'd Land ¶ On Ingratitude LOrd what a danger lately I escap'd Torrents of Terrours just before me gap'd Upon the brink I was yet scaped free They are well kept O Lord are kept by thee Surely thy meaning only was to fright As an advice that I might shun a smite Thus thy great
sinners backs When 't is decreed their heads are for the axe ¶ On the Gospel THe Gospel ancient as Moses is Nay Adam it was preacht in Paradise 'T is true before the Gospel came the Law Yet from the Gospel we most vertue draw Likewise before the Day appear'd the Night Yet above Darkness we esteem the Light And before Man was made all Creatures were Yet he excells them they his servants are He that before his Lord the Sword doth bear Is not suppos'd superiour to the Mayor All things which in this world we splendid see Are not esteem'd by their priority Saâ—…th Jâ—…hn There comes one after me whose shooes I am unworthy too low to unloose The Law is most compos'd of forms of fears But in the Gospel streams of love appears The Law makes God our foe with pointing thus The Gospel cries Emanuel God with us The office of the Law is to accuse That of the Gospel is to heal a bruise The Law a killing letter 's stil'd by merit But th' holy Gospels is a quickning Spirit Besides the Gospel is the bell whereby We all are called to Eternity ¶ On the Lord's Prayer THat Pray'r of Pray'rs how meanly doth it look Of late as if Religion's frame were shook But if the Lord were just to use his powers With how much anger might he look on ours Some think that Lesson may their Spirits grieve Lord us forgive as others we forgive Others like Witches when in haste they pray They it repeat but do it backward say Many with zeal desire their dayly bread Thy Kingdom come not much concerns their head Thus temp'ral benefits we do prefer Before eternal blessings and adhere To what our present wants require but oh When Death appears and whispers we must go Then our Petitions all that we can gather From his take pattern crying Our Father Christ so began to teach us being weak So we conclude when we can hardly speak ¶ The Free Giver GReat Alexander when he youthful was A check received from Leonidas His Governour for being too profuse In wasting his perfumes in pious use For on a day being to sacrifice Unto the Gods to shew himself unnice Fill'd both his hands with Frankincense that done Gave it the fire as his devotion But afterwards when he became a man He conquered Judea over-ran That Country whence those spices took their birth Then to conclude his piety with mirth He sent Five hundred Talents weight by odds Too much to him grutch'd what he gave the Gods Thus they that sowing plentifully keep A zeal unspotted plentifully reap He that doth niggardly his Talent spare Shall sow but in the end reap but a Tare Give God the choicest branches of thy fruit For by that means God may give thee the Root ¶ The Friendly Advice THe Roman Senators as we may read Thirsted that Julius Caesar might be dead Wherefore they then conspir'd to seek his end Artemidorus who was Caesar's friend Gives him a Paper wherein lay his lot His life to save by finding out the Plot But Caesar being busie with applauds With salutations and the peoples lauds Pockets the Paper as if it had been Petition-like at leisure to be seen So onward walks not dreaming of that train And going to the Senate-house was slain The World the Flesh and Devil do beset Poor man contriving divers ways to get Him in their gin God's Ministers accord To bring a Letter namely God's own Word Wherein their plot is publickly reveal'd The wounded man hath offers to be heal'd Nay God himself in clemencie doth crie Oh house of Israel why will ye die But most men generally busie are About the worlds concerns though things of air They cannot mind their friends advice to write Is to present them with a Paper-kite Thus men run headlong to expend their breath Forgetting they before were doom'd for death ¶ On Sloath. THe idle man is like the heavie drone That wasts his time in contemplation This present hour he 's mightily perplext With studv'ng which way he shall spend the next Not like the wise man who with lesser pain Contrives to make Expences prove his Gain Winter he loves because the days are short Walks in the Summer as if A-la-mort When in the morning he bethinks to rise First stretcheth arms and legs then wipes his eyes His manners-lets the morning rise before him And when the Sun shines seeming to adore him Then he bethinks to stir but first affords A Prayer to God not making many words And sometimes none well knowing he can do With thoughts as much as words though more than few He commonly lies still his bed to keep More out of sloath than a desire to sleep Then yawns and turns himself for want of rest Anon for Dinner calls before he 's dâ—…est Which having eat he seems to be in pain At last concludes 't is best to sleep again That done he rises to his Neighbour goes And in sew words doth thus his minde disclose How do you Neighbour 't is a pleasant day What 's the best news what price are Mackrel pray The days do lengthen strangely and the Spring Bids us attend the Birds that sweetly sing Then in the end bethinks to bid adieu But first he yawns and cries What shall we do So he concludes his Speech Perhaps in fine They both agree to drink a pint of Wine When from the Church all Auditors are gone He is found sleeping in his seat alone He enters into Bond ne'er minds to pay But forfeits that 'cause he forgets the day To be a Jury-man is his disease Rather than fetch his wood he 'll chuse to freeze He 's half a Christian and half a Turk His Principle's to steal and not to work He is indeed a proper Standing-pool That needs must get corruption 'T is a rule Observable those Pâ—…ts do â—…oonest stink Whose mud assâ—…ns to overflow the brink The idâ—…e Soul shall finde his food grow scant Sloath casts a man into deep sleeps and want ¶ On Desperation CHear up my Scul thy griess in time will cease Despair is Satan's only master-piece Hearken to that the Devil soon will tell The ready road that leads the way to Hell My sin 〈◊〉 Cain is great and I am driven Justly to â—…ear 〈◊〉 never be forgiven With Murther first he did his Curse begin And furthers that by 〈◊〉 sin to sin Then to despair give neither ear nor scope Lay hold on Christ the Anchor of thy hope A PANEGYRICK To the Right Reverend And most nobly descended Prelate HENRY by divine Providence Lord Bishop of London ILlustrious Prelate whom the World must own A Father of the Church a Martyr's Son Of sacred Function and of noble Blood 'T is a dispute whether more great or good Thou second Ambrose of the Mitred Lords Northampton's Helmets joyn'd with London's Swords Will keep thy Vineyard from the Forest-boar Beyond the skill of them who went before In Rev'rend Heachman we beheld a Look